Abstract:
A simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is provided which emits a prerecorded sound upon physical movement, such as when swatted, rolled or carried, to encourage pets to continue to play. An illumination device, such as luminescent or chemiluminescent coatings or light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) are operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a blinking visual stimulation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 11/601,939, which was filed on Nov. 20, 2006 now abandoned and is incorporated by reference as if fully rewritten herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a pet toy having a prerecorded sound chip and, more particularly, to such a device adapted for nocturnal sensory simulation by actuating the sound chip and an illumination element in combination upon imparting motion to the toy. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Some pets, such as, for example, cats, are naturally nocturnal and can spend a significant amount of their active time at night and alone when their owners are sleeping or not present. While having healthy and happy pets is an objective of virtually every pet owner, the ability of pet owners to provide interactive exercise and play toys for their pets is usually limited at night due to the limitation that sensory stimulation can have in the dark. 
     Many different devices have been developed to assist pet owners in keeping their pets happy and healthy. Such devices can be seen in numerous pet stores and catalogs. Different types of balls, bones and other such toys can be purchased by the owner to be used by their pets for exercise and enjoyment. However, pets tend to having limited interest in such devices in the dark due to lack of visual stimulation and thus, the pets do not benefit from exercise and enjoyment from such devices when they are not used by the pets. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, of considerable relevance is U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,053, issued on Apr. 16, 2002 to the present inventor. While a sound simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is incorporated into this invention in combination, other elements are different enough as to make the combination distinguished over the inventors&#39; own prior art. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method of providing both visual and sound stimulation to attract the interest of nocturnal pets. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sensory simulating toy for pets. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide such a pet toy having both a prerecorded sound chip and an illumination mechanism that are both actuated by imparting motion to the toy. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is provided in accordance with the present invention emits a prerecorded sound upon physical movement, such as when swatted, rolled or carried, to encourage pets to continue to play. An illumination device, such as light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) are operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a blinking visual stimulation. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that it encourages pets with the benefit from exercise and enjoyment from playing with the toy at night or in the dark or low light conditions. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides auditory and visual stimulation simultaneously. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are attained by various embodiments incorporating the teachings of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is top view of a simulated mouse toy having a multi sensory stimulation device targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded top view of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  with the sound chip assembly removed from the simulated mouse toy; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the multi sensory stimulation device is housed within the assembly of  FIG. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a typical electrical schematic for exemplary operation of the multi sensory stimulation device for use herein; 
         FIG. 6  is photograph of a simulated mouse toy having a multi sensory stimulation device targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is photograph of a simulated mouse toy having a multi sensory stimulation device targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is photograph of a simulated mouse toy having a multi sensory stimulation device targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is photograph of a simulated mouse toy having a multi sensory stimulation device targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     A simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip in combination with an illumination mechanism is depicted in  FIG. 1 through 4  which illustrate a top view, a front view, and an exploded top view, respectively, of a simulated mouse toy having a multi sensory stimulation device targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors in accordance with the a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, identified generally by reference number  10 . Simulated mouse toy  10  generally includes outer cover  12  having an internal cavity and sound chip assembly  14  is positioned in the interior cavity of outer cover  12 . Outer cover  12  is most preferably fabricated from a relatively soft, yet durable, textile material with filling or stuffing and has the outward appearance of a mouse or other prey. Sound chip assembly  14  includes a shaker barrel activator, a prerecorded sound chip and a source of electrical power, such as a battery. If desired, catnip can be placed in the interior cavity of outer cover  12  and the catnip, along with the outward appearance of outer cover  12 , will attract pets, such as, for example, cats. 
     A multi sensory stimulation device is housed within the assembly  14  preferably emits a prerecorded sound in response to movement of multi sensory stimulation device  14 . An illumination mechanism  20 , typified by a one or more light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s), is operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a blinking visual stimulation. As shown herein, the LED&#39;s are positioned such as to correspond with the eyes of the prey, and are provided having a wavelength requiring minimal power such as to extend the operation of the batteries. Once such LED wavelength of 568 nm has been found to be satisfactory; however, it would be obvious to one skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, that such a design choice is not a limitation and could have a number of equivalents. Further, in such a position, the lens case of the LED is aligned penetrating the outer cover and a plastic or similar semi-rigid washer is adhered to the base of the LED, thereby forming a sandwich structure about the fabric cover. Such an attached washer aids in preventing the physical interaction of the animal from detaching the cathode or anode connections of the LED or otherwise minimizing the risk of destruction of the assembly  14  by the pet. It should be noted that such a design preference is not intended as a limitation, and it is envisioned that the illumination elements can be positioned anywhere on the prey, or in the prey such as to illuminate through the body at any position. Thus, when a pet, such as a cat, swats simulated prey toy  10 , a prerecorded sound is activated. This prerecorded sound can be a “permanent” prerecorded sound such as an animal&#39;s voice, such as “meow” or “purrrrrr,” a beeping sound, a human voice, laughter, such as “ha, ha, ha” or some other desired sound, or can be recorded, and prerecorded, as desired, by the user. The prerecorded sound continues for a predetermined time period, for example five (5) seconds, and then stops until simulated mouse toy  10  is again moved. Pull tab  16  is preferably inserted into multi sensory stimulation device  14  to preclude sound multi sensory stimulation device  14  from emitting sound prior to pull tab  16  being removed from multi sensory stimulation device  14 . 
     Referring next, to  FIG. 5 , a typical electrical schematic for exemplary operation of the multi sensory stimulation device is shown for purposes of disclosing a best mode as currently known. It would be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art that many modifications or alternates to the typical electrical schematic would be operationally equivalent within the teachings, features and benefits of the current invention. 
     Similarly, it is anticipated that alternate mechanisms can be provided to allow for an apparatus and method of providing both visual and sound stimulation to attract the interest of nocturnal pet. By way of example, and not as a limitation,  FIG. 6-9  depict some such alternate embodiments. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a multi sensory stimulation device  60  in which a simulated prey toy  62  is provide, such as a type having a prerecorded sound chip, housed in a skeletal type ball housing  64  in which the balls open frame allows for the target pet to visually perceive the prey toy  62  inside. The housing  64  shown herein consists of an open frame formed of geometrically intersecting ribs  66  molded of a plastic that incorporates a luminescent or chemiluminescent material to allow for absorption of radiant light energy during the day and subsequently discharging at night or when placed in the dark. Such a molded-in illumination can provide the illumination mechanism targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors. 
       FIG. 7  depicts an embodiment  70  similar to that shown in  FIG. 6 , but in which the simulated prey toy  72  is provide, such as a type having a prerecorded sound chip, but affixed to the outer ball housing  74 , as opposed to placed freely movable within. 
       FIG. 8  depicts an additional embodiments  80  in which a simulated prey toy of the type provided in the preferred embodiment  10  in which the outer covering  12  incorporates a luminescent or chemiluminescent material to allow for absorption of radiant light energy during the day and subsequently discharging at night or when placed in the dark. Such a coated or sprayed-on illumination can provide multiple illumination mechanism targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 9  depicts an additional embodiment  90  in which the simulated which a simulated prey toy does not incorporate the LED illumination mechanism but still incorporates a luminescent or chemiluminescent material to allow for absorption of radiant light energy during the day and subsequently discharging at night or when placed in the dark. Such a coated or sprayed-on illumination can provide multiple illumination mechanism targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In operation, when a user imparts motion or continued to move the simulated prey toy having a multi sensory stimulation device targeted toward a pet&#39;s nocturnal instincts and behaviors in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, sufficient physical motion activates the prerecorded sound chip and illumination mechanism. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.