Abstract:
An animal toy includes structure presenting regions having characteristics providing different degrees of animal interest and/or accessibility, such that there is a higher likelihood that a dog will retain a particular part of the toy in its mouth apart from another region intended for grasping by the owner. The toy finds application in various modes of play, including tug activities between dog and owner, throwing and retrieval, and any other type of interaction in which the toy is held by the dog in its mouth and is thereby subjected to a depositing of saliva over the particular involved region of the toy. An embodiment includes members which include animal access regions and which are disposed in circumferentially spaced apart positions about a toy axis and radially spaced apart therefrom, and at least partially shielded handles, portions of which are positioned radially inward of a outermost radial extent of said members. Exposure to saliva by a user is reduced by avoided contact with the region accessed to a greater degree by the animal during play.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a dog toy, and more particularly to a toy for use in interactive play between dog and owner.  
           [0002]    Interactive play between a dog and its owner is widely enjoyed by many as a recreational diversion and for providing a dog with needed exercise. Many tug and fetch toys are available which adequately meet this need, and come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and designs. Perhaps the simplest of these toys is the common tennis ball, which has been used alone, or in combination with other structures, for example, serving as fixed end portions of an elongated fetch stick, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,640 or attached to a looped handle as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,406. Although adequately permitting a user to throw it some distance and allowing a dog to grab the toy in its mouth for retrieval thereof, due to the physical nature of such toys it is impossible to predict what portion of the toy the dog will select to hold in its mouth when picking up the toy after it has been thrown. Consequently, over the course of play, saliva of the dog will likely accumulate on all portions of the fetch article, including that portion or those portions gripped by the user when taken from the dog&#39;s mouth and thrown again. The attendant transfer of saliva from the toy to the hand may consequently detract from the appeal of such interactive play for certain individuals, and potentially discourage some from engaging in such activities.  
           [0003]    It would therefore be desirable to provide a toy which, by virtue of its design, would reduce or substantially eliminate the exposure of a user to saliva deposited thereon by a dog, particularly during interactive play.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a dog toy which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.  
           [0005]    It is a further object of the invention to provide a dog toy which effectively insulates the dog owner from contact with the saliva of the dog deposited on the toy during play.  
           [0006]    It is still a further object of the invention to provide a dog toy which can be readily picked up from the ground in the mouth of a dog and which can be easily held in the hand by a user.  
           [0007]    It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a method of using a toy directed to interactive play which minimizes exposure of a dog owner to saliva of the dog deposited thereon over time.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    In accordance with these and other objects of the invention, there is provided a dog toy which effectively shields a dog owner from contact with saliva of the dog which accumulates on the toy during interactive play.  
           [0009]    Briefly stated, a dog toy is comprised of structure presenting regions providing different degrees of animal interest and/or accessibility, such that there is a higher likelihood that a dog will retain a particular part of the toy in its mouth apart from another region intended for grasping by the owner. A toy employing such concept will find application in various modes of play, including tug activities between dog and owner, throwing and retrieval, and any other type of interaction in which the toy is held by the dog in its mouth and is thereby subjected to a depositing of saliva over the particular involved region of the toy and later subject to transfer to a user&#39;s hand. For purposes of disclosure, a region of the structure of the toy which a dog is more likely to bite and hold with its mouth by virtue of either enhanced sensory attraction and/or greater relative physical accessibility is referred to by the term “animal access region.” Conversely, a region or regions which are less likely to be accessed by the pet during play by reason of less sensory appeal and/or structural inaccessibility are referred to by the term “animal restricted region.” 
           [0010]    In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a toy designed for particular application as a fetch toy, i.e., thrown by the user and retrieved by the dog, is advantageously of elongated dimension and formed of suitable material. The structural shape defining the toy includes a bar defining an elongated central region and a pair of handles surrounded by shields disposed adjacent to opposed terminal ends thereof. The shields may be of any suitable shape which restricts access by the animal to the handles, yet allows grasping thereof by a user inserting a hand into the inner region of shields. Conveniently, the shields are, for example, generally cup-shaped, having open ends arranged to face outwardly in a direction along the longitudinal axis. The openings in the shields are advantageously of sufficient size to permit a hand to be inserted and to grasp the handle disposed therein, and yet advantageously still small enough to discourage a dog from trying to insert its snout in an attempt to bite the handle or the shield walls. The elongated central region, which serves to provide the animal access region is advantageously appropriately dimensioned to be comfortably receivable between the jaws of a dog. As will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the shielded handles serve as animal restricted regions. Conveniently, in particular from the standpoint of manufacture, the handles can simply be axial extensions of the elongated central region extending between the shields, and having either the same, greater or lesser diameter for comfortable grasping by the user. During use, the user simply grabs either of the shielded handles and throws the toy as one would throw a stick or the like. When retrieving the toy, the dog is presented with the elongated central region which is elevated above the ground by the greater diameter shields disposed at opposed ends of the toy which serves to support same on the ground, and the dog is therefore most likely to pick the toy up by the elongated central region which serves as the animal access region.  
           [0011]    In another embodiment according to the invention, a toy includes a series of members (preferably at least three) having a longitudinal dimension running co-directionally with a central axis of the toy, and which are circumferentially spaced-apart about the central axis and having at least structural portions located radially outward from the central axis. In a particularly advantageous variant of this embodiment radially outermost edges of the members are shaped to correspond with a spherical envelope. At least one hand-grasping region (more advantageously two) is provided, advantageously through which the central axis passes, more advantageously in the form of a rod-shaped handle (or more advantageously two generally rod-shaped handles) longitudinally aligned with the central axis. Each of the members and the handle(s) are mutually secured, either by integral molding or fabrication, or assembly. Radially outward portions of the members are extended outward from a center of the toy in the axial direction such that they extend past an axial position of an inwardmost end of the handle, thereby at least partially shielding the handle or handles, such that the handles serve as the animal restricted regions. In a preferred case, two handles disposed in opposed positions along the central axis are provided, and terminal ends of the members extend approximately to an axial position corresponding to outwardly facing terminal ends of the handles. In this embodiment, the circumferentially spaced-apart members present animal access regions. As noted above, gripping regions need not be in the form of formal handle structure, but rather can simply be comprised of a hand-retainable region accessible by a hand of a user, which region is at least partially shielded by the terminal end structure of the members which serve as providing the animal access regions. Moreover, alternative to a rod-like handle, any number of other suitable configurations can be used in satisfactory manner. For example, in accordance with another variant of this embodiment, a rope can be made to extend through the toy, for example, along the central axis, and ends of the rope, then could be used as a handle by the user.  
           [0012]    Various other toy designs embodying the principles of the invention can utilize any desired shape suitably incorporating structure including two regions each having a respective characteristic or characteristics eliciting different degrees of animal interest and/or accessibility without departure from the intended scope of the invention described herein. These can be directed not only to fetch type play, by also tug activity and/or any other human/animal interactive play.  
           [0013]    The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a toy in accordance with the invention particularly well adapted for use as a fetch toy;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 a  is a partial side view in cross-section illustrating a fabrication example of the basic embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 b  is a partial side view in cross-section illustrating another fabrication example of the basic embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of another embodiment of a toy in accordance with the invention particularly well adapted for use as an animal fetch toy;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a variant of the basic embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5 in which formal handle structure is omitted, shown being held in a hand of a user;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 shown in a resting position on the ground; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further variant of the basic embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, in which handles are constructed of rope;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of yet a further variant of the basic embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, in which the members providing animal access regions are fashioned of rope tensioned between spaced apart supports;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a dog toy in accordance with the invention adapted for use as both a fetch toy and a tug toy, shown in a resting position on the ground; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 is a side view shown in partial cross-section of an embodiment of a dog toy in accordance with the invention particularly well adapted for use in tug activities. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]    A toy in accordance with the invention is intended herein to broadly embrace any and all suitable structural configurations providing at least two regions, each of which, due to differing physical characteristics of the regions themselves or by virtue of positional placement of other structure of the toy, is accessed to a relatively greater or lesser degree by a dog when picking up the toy in its mouth. It will be understood that such suitable structural configurations are not intended herein to be limited to any precise shape or size, and selection of such parameters in the practice of the invention will often be dictated by design preference, and preferred manner and ease of gripping of the toy by both the user and the dog. The characteristics referred to above which control the respective relative degrees of animal interest in picking up the toy by one region or another may be sensory-based, i.e., involving such factors as smell, taste, appearance, surface feel, hardness, etc., and/or may be a structural feature which physically inhibits or discourages access by a dog&#39;s mouth to a given one of the regions designed to be held by a user and therefore intended to be accessed to a lesser relative degree by the dog or other animal.  
         [0026]    Referring now to the figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an embodiment of the toy in accordance with the invention, generally designated  10 . In accordance with the illustrated example, toy  10  is structurally of elongated dimension and presents a general shape visually reminiscent of a bone, i.e., having the appearance of enlarged end portions relative to a narrower central portion extending therebetween. As shown in the figures, toy  10  includes a bar  1  comprising a central region  1   a  and opposed end regions defining two handles  1   b.  A pair of shields  2  are disposed along the bar  1  in a position adjacent to the opposed ends thereof. Shields  2  may be configured in any suitable shape which effectively restricts or inhibits access by the mouth of the animal to the handles  1   b,  yet allows grasping thereof by a user inserting a hand  3  into an inner region  4  of shields. Conveniently, the shields  2  are, for example as shown, cup-shaped, having open ends arranged to face outwardly in a direction along a longitudinal axis A, and as further shown, advantageously extend past terminal ends of handles  1   b.  The openings in the shields  2  are preferably of sufficient size to permit the hand  3  to be inserted and to grasp the handle  1   b  disposed therein, and yet advantageously still small enough to discourage a dog from trying to insert its snout in an attempt to bite the handle  1   b  or the walls of the shield  2 . The shield can optionally include cutouts  5 , for example, to reduce wind resistence when thrown or just simply to give the toy  10  a more attractive appearance. The elongated central region  1   a,  which serves to provide the animal access region, is advantageously appropriately dimensioned to be comfortably receivable between the jaws of a dog and can, if so desired, be textured, patterned, flavored, covered by any suitable material, etc., to further enhance animal appeal. The handles  1   b,  by virtue of being at least partially shrouded by shields  2 , serve to provide animal restricted regions. Conveniently, in particular from the standpoint of manufacture and as shown in the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the handles  1   b  are simply axial extensions of the elongated central region  1  a extending between the shields  2 , and having either the same, greater or lesser diameter for comfortable grasping by the user. During use, the user simply grabs either of the shielded handles  1   b  and throws the toy  10  as one would throw a stick or the like. When retrieving the toy  10  from the ground after the toy  10  is thrown, the dog is presented with the elongated central region  1   a  which is elevated above the ground by the greater diameter shields  2  disposed at opposed ends of the toy  10  which serve to support same on the ground, and the dog is therefore most likely to pick the toy up by the animal access region presented by elongated central region  1   a.    
         [0027]    It is noted that, although the particular example described above employs two handles  1   b,  only one gripping region, conveniently in the form of a suitable handle structure, need be provided at one position of the toy  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0028]    The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is conveniently an integral structure, produced as one piece, for example, in practice, by injection molding or other suitable process. However, if so desired, the toy (including embodiments later described herein or others made in accordance with practice of the invention) may be comprised of an assembly of parts, for example in instances where injection molding of a unified toy is not a practical option, or where it is desired that the toy have different physical characteristics over different regions to achieve the objectives of the invention (i.e., to provide, for example, varying sensory-based stimulus) or simply to provide a more visually appealing or comfortable feel for consumers at point of purchase and/or during use. FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  illustrate merely two examples of the virtually limitless possibilities for such assemblies, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 3 a,  a toy  10 ′ is comprised of a rod  1 ′ which includes a handle  1   b ′ and a central region  1   a′  molded as an integral unit. A shield  2 ′ is made of a resilient material stretchable to a degree sufficient to permit assembly by slidable reception of the shield past the handle  1   b′  thereby to allow a reception portion  2   a′  of the shield  2 ′ to be captively received in a groove formed in the rod  1 ′ at an axial juncture of the handle  1   b′  and the central region  1   a′  when an applied stretching force is relieved.  
         [0030]    Turning now to FIG. 3 b,  a toy  10 ″ includes a central member  1   a″  made, for example, of a moderately rigid or shape-retaining material, and an outer sleeve  1   c″  of a softer, and optionally, absorbent material, such as a pile, woven fabric, carpet-like material, etc..  
         [0031]    Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of a toy is depicted, generally designated as numeral  20 . Toy  20  includes a series of members  21  (preferably at least three, and in the depicted example of FIGS. 4 and 5, four) having a longitudinal dimension running co-directionally with a central axis A′ of the toy, and which are circumferentially spaced-apart about the central axis A′ (each equally spaced circumferentially 90° apart in the depicted example) and having at least structural portions located radially outward from the central axis A′. In a particularly advantageous variant of this embodiment, outermost edges of the members are shaped to collectively describe a generally spherical envelope, as shown in the particular example depicted. At least one hand-grasping region (preferably two, as shown) is provided, advantageously, though not necessarily, through which the central axis A′ passes, and more advantageously in the form of a rod-shaped handle  22  (preferably two rod-shaped handles  22 , as shown in the example) longitudinally aligned with the central axis A′. Each of the members  21  and the handles  22  are mutually secured, either by integral molding, fabrication, or assembly. Radially outward portions  21   a  of the members  21  are extended outward from a center C of the toy  20  in the axial direction such that they extend past an axial position of an inwardmost end of the handle  22   a,  thereby at least partially shielding the handles  22 , such that the handles  22  serve to provide the animal restricted regions. In a preferred case, two handles  22  disposed in opposed positions along the central axis A′ are provided (as shown in FIG. 4), and terminal ends  21   b  of the members  21  extend approximately to an axial position P corresponding to outwardly facing terminal ends  22   b  of the handles  22 , thereby advantageously shielding handles  22  over a major, or substantially entire, portion of their axial extent. In the presently described embodiment, the circumferentially spaced-apart members  21  each presents an animal access region, particularly accessible by the animal at the radially outward portions  21  a of the members  21 .  
         [0032]    It should be noted that by virtue of the geometry of this depicted embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, the toy  20  is self-righting, i.e., when tossed onto a relatively horizontal surface, the toy  20  will come to rest with the handles (and central axis A′) extending horizontally, and generally parallel with the support surface. This feature provides particular advantage, since when thrown during, for example, fetch play, the toy  20  will right itself in this manner, thereby orienting the circumferentially spaced-apart members  21 , each which presents an animal access region, in a raised position from the ground so as to be particularly accessible by the animal. It is noted that by selecting an appropriate center of gravity, alternative toy designs having other configurations can incorporate this self-righting feature.  
         [0033]    Gripping regions, shown in the depicted example in the form of handles  22 , and which provide the animal restricted regions, need not be in the form of formal handle structure as in the present example, but instead may rather simply be comprised of a hand-retainable region accessible by a hand of a user, which region is at least partially shielded by the terminal end structure of the members  21  providing the animal access regions. An example of such embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, in which an alternate toy embodiment is depicted, generally at  30 .  
         [0034]    Toy  30  includes three members  31  spaced apart circumferentially about a central axis A″. In the example shown, although not essential to practice of the invention, the members are equally spaced circumferentially by angular intervals of 120°. The present embodiment is made in general accordance with the above-discussed considerations as the prior-described embodiment, and therefore description of analogous features need not be repeated, and only the notable differences will be addressed. In the embodiment, formal handles are omitted, and hand gripping regions  32  are instead provided at a juncture of the members  31  where they meet at the central axis A″ in a position axially inward of (i.e., recessed back from) terminal ends  31   b  of the members  31 , whereby the extended portions of members  31  proximate to the terminal ends  31   b  thereof partially shield access by the animal to the gripping regions  32  which thereby serve to provide the animal restricted regions.  
         [0035]    It is noted that, alternative to a rod-like handle or a simple gripping region as described above, any number of other suitable configurations can be used in satisfactory manner to satisfy the spirit of the invention. For example, as depicted in FIG. 8, another embodiment of a toy is shown, generally designated  40 . Toy  40  is the same in form as the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, and description relating to analogous features, such as the members  41  (corresponding to members  21  and  31 ) will therefore not be repeated. However, instead of a simple gripping region being provided in a position on the toy recessed back from terminal ends of the members, holes  43  are provided in a location corresponding to the gripping regions  32  in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 through which a rope  42  is passed in general alignment with a central axis A′″. Knots  42   a  tied in the rope serve as convenient means for retaining the rope  42  to a remainder of the toy  40 . Additional knots  42   b  adjacent terminal ends of the rope  42   b  optionally facilitate grabbing by a hand of the user. In this embodiment, the free end portions of each of the rope  42  serves as a handle providing the animal restricted regions designed to be accessed by the hand of the user and not the animal.  
         [0036]    It is noted that in each of the embodiments of FIGS. 4-8, the members  21 ,  31 ,  41  have a cutout portion between the radially outward portions  21   a,    31   a,    41   a  thereof and the central axis A′, A″, A′″. However, such structural feature is not deemed essential to the invention, and the members could alternatively be made as solid fin-like structures which radiate from the central axis. Additionally, such fin-like structures could optionally thicken in profile as they extend further from the axis to better provide a biting structure for the animal at the radially outermost regions most accessible by the snout of a dog.  
         [0037]    Further examples illustrative of the vast many variations of designs possible which embody the disclosed invention are described with reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and  11 . It will be understood in this context that other designs equally diverse in structure, and not shown by example, will fall within the embrace of the invention as contemplated.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 9 depicts a toy, generally designated  50 , which includes ropes  51  tensioned between a pair of opposed support members  52  (retained to the supports by knots or other suitable means). Support members  52  are conveniently identical and are attached to one another end to end such that cup-shaped openings  52   a  of the support members face in opposite directions. A handle  52   b  is advantageously integrally molded as part of the support member, and serves as the animal restricted region. The ropes  51 , radially spaced from a central axis serve as the animal access regions.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 10 depicts a toy, generally designated  60 , which includes a handle  61  (serving as the animal restricted region) shrouded by a shielded portion  62 , and a ring portion  63  (animal access region), for typical access by a dog as shown. As with the previous embodiments, the toy  60  is made of suitable material of desired resiliency and weight.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 11 depicts a toy  70 , particularly suited for tug activities. In this embodiment, unlike the preceding embodiments, a handle  71  serving as the animal restricted region and shrouded by a shield  72  is disposed cross-wise to a central axis A″″. A tug ring  73  for reception in a dog&#39;s mouth, which serves as the animal access region, is disposed adjacent to the shield  72 , thereby allowing interactive tug play.  
         [0041]    In yet another embodiment, not depicted, a toy includes two regions each having a characteristic or more than one characteristic which, by virtue of a sensory response by the animal, creates a tendency for the animal to frequent one region more than another. In this regard, the characteristic in one region may be, for example, a taste preferred by the dog, and in the other region, one avoided, for example, a bitter flavor. In the alternative or in addition, smell, color, etc. may be used to discourage the dog to access an animal restricted region, and encourage access to the animal access region. In such dog toy, no particular configuration is important, and the toy may take, for example, the form of a simple rod, in which the animal access region is at one end portion and the animal restricted region on the other.  
         [0042]    It is noted that the foregoing embodiments described above herein merely represent a few of the myriad possible structural configurations which can embody the principles of the invention. In this regard, rather than being limited to specific structural arrangements and shapes, the intended scope of the invention contemplates design of any number of toys of desired shapes and sizes which take into account any of various parameters ascertained, at present of in the future, as contributing to the likelihood that an animal will frequent one region of toy more than another.  
         [0043]    In addition, it is further noted that other physical characteristics, in addition to those described specifically herein which exist at present or are discovered in the future as affecting animal behavior without harmful effect, may be suitably incorporated in a toy design practiced in accordance with the invention to influence an animal&#39;s proclivity to access one region (animal access region) as opposed to another (animal restricted region), and the employment of such physical characteristics in alternative toy designs is contemplated to fall within the intended scope of the claimed invention.  
         [0044]    Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.