Pet toy convertible between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration

A toy device that is selectively configurable between a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The toy device has two end caps. The two end caps are mirrored in shape and size. The two end caps are interconnected by a plurality of tubular segments. The end caps and plurality of tubular segments are molded as a single unit from a common elastomeric material. The plurality of tubular segments are selectively collapsible into the two end caps. When collapsed, the end caps touch and the toy device exists in its compact configuration. When the end caps are pulled apart, the tubular segments unfold and the toy device exists in its extended configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to plastic chew toys for larger pets. More particularly, the present invention relates to pet toys that can be configured into different shapes by physical manipulation.

2. Prior Art Description

In the prior art, there are a great many toys and training devices that have been manufactured for dogs. Dogs are instinctive hunters of small, fast-moving prey. Accordingly, dogs will instinctively run after small objects that are thrown across their line of sight. This is why most dogs can play the game of fetch.

Dogs, however, will not play any game forever. Dogs tire and become bored of activities, even play. Some dogs will continue to fetch an object until they become exhausted. Others will bore of the activity after only one or two fetches.

It has been long established that a dog will play longer if it is rewarded for the play. For example, if the item being used to play fetch contains an edible treat, the dogs will rarely tire of the game. Likewise, if the item used to play fetch is changed periodically during the game, the change in the object retains the dog's interest longer and the dog will play the game longer.

In the prior art, there are countless objects that can be used to play fetch with a dog. Sticks, balls, Frisbees®, knotted cloth are only a few examples. Treats, such as dog biscuits, can be hidden in many such objects. However, the treat is often either too easy for the dog to retrieve or too hard. If the treat is too easy to retrieve, the dog may fetch the treat and leave the fetched item behind. If the treat is too difficult to retrieve, the dog may lose interest.

A need therefore exists for a pet toy that is capable of holding a treat in a manner that is challenging to a dog, yet not frustrating. A need also exists for a pet toy that is capable of changing its configuration without adversely affecting its ability to retain a treat. The need also exists for a pet toy, whose configuration is appealing to a dog, so as to be interesting to a dog even when the edible material is not present. These needs are met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a toy device that is selectively configurable between a compact configuration and an extended configuration. The toy device has two end caps. The two end caps are mirrored in shape and size. The two end caps are interconnected by a plurality of tubular segments. The end caps and plurality of tubular segments are molded as a single unit from a common elastomeric material. The plurality of tubular segments are selectively collapsible into the two end caps. When collapsed, the end caps touch and the toy device exists in its compact configuration. When the end caps are pulled apart, the tubular segments unfold and the toy device exists in its extended configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention pet toy device can be embodied in many ways, the embodiment illustrated shows the pet toy being convertible between a bone configuration and a ball configuration. This embodiment is selected in order to set forth the best mode contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a pet toy device10is shown. The pet toy device10is selectively configurable between a compact configuration and an expanded configuration. The compact configuration is shown inFIG. 1and the expanded configuration is shown inFIG. 2. When in the compact configuration, the exemplary embodiment is ball shaped. When in the expanded configuration, the pet toy device10is shaped like a bone or barbell.

The pet toy device10is molded as a single piece from an elastomeric material. The body12of the pet toy device10has two hemispherical end caps20. The end caps20are aligned on a common imaginary axis14. Each of the hemispherical end caps20curves to a maximum diameter D1at its brim22. A plurality of eccentric openings24are formed in the hemispherical end caps20. The eccentric openings24are symmetrically disposed around central openings26, wherein the central openings26are aligned with the imaginary axis14.

A plurality of segments30,32,34join the two hemispherical end caps20together. The segments30,32,34are symmetrically disposed around the imaginary axis14. Furthermore, the segments30,32,34are bisected by an imaginary midline16. That is, the number of segments30,32,34on either side of the imaginary midline16are equal in number.

In the shown embodiment, the segments include a set of large segments30, a set of medium segments32and a set of small segments34. Each of the segments30,32,34has a cap end36, an opposite center end38and a central node40. The cap end36of each segment30,32,34is the end facing the closest hemispherical end cap20. The center end38is the end of each segment30,32,34is the end facing the midline16. The diameter of the cap end36of each segment30,32,34is greater than the diameter of the center end38of that same segment.

In each segment30,32,34, a node40is formed generally halfway between the cap end36and the center end38. The node40has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the cap end36and less than the diameter of the center end38. Accordingly, each segment30,32,34tapers toward the node40. This produces two frustum shaped sections42,44that are in opposing orientations. The first frustum shaped section42converges from the cap end36toward the node40. The second frustum shaped section44expands from the node40to the center end38.

The length of the segments30,32,34vary as a function of distance to an end cap20. The closer a segment30,32,34is to an end cap20, the shorter that segment is. As is shown in the exemplary embodiment, the large segments30have the shortest length L1. The medium segments32have a longer length L2. The small segments34have the longest length L3.

In the shown embodiment, there are three segments30,32,34on either side of the midline16. Accordingly, the pet toy device10has a total of six segments that are interposed between two end caps20. The first, second and third segments are the mirror images of the fourth, fifth and sixth segments. As such, the segments30,32,34are identified in mirrored sets.

Folding grooves46are formed at the interfaces between adjacent segments30,32,34and at the interfaces between the end caps20and segments30. Each folding groove46creates a thinning in the material of the body12, thereby making the body12easier to bend and fold at these points.

Referring toFIG. 3in conjunction withFIG. 2, the operation of the pet toy device10can begin to be described. Assuming that the pet toy device10is in its fully expanded configuration, such as is shown inFIG. 2, then the pet toy device10can be compacted. To begin the compaction sequence, the two end caps20are pressed toward each other. With a small degree of manual manipulation, the large segments30can be caused to fold. When the large segments30fold, the large segments30bend and fold both at the first folding groove46(a) and at the central node40(a). This causes the first frustum shaped area42(a) to reverse direction and fold into the end cap20. Likewise, the second frustum shaped section44(a) folds into the first section42(a). The entire large segment30is therefore folded within the interior of the end cap20.

To continue the compaction sequence, the two end caps20are again pressed toward each other. Referring toFIG. 4in conjunction withFIG. 3andFIG. 2, it can be seen that the medium segments32are caused to fold. When the medium segments32fold, the medium segments32bend and fold both at the folding groove46(b) and at the central node40(b). The first frustum shaped section42(b) reverses direction and folds into the end cap20. Likewise, the second frustum shaped section44(b) folds into the first section. The entire medium segment32is therefore contained within the interior of the end cap20. The medium segment32is longer than the large segment30. Accordingly, when it folds into the end cap20, the medium segment32extends further into the end cap20than does the folded first segment30.

To finish the compaction sequence, the two end caps20are again pressed toward each other. Referring toFIG. 5in conjunction withFIG. 4andFIG. 2, it can be seen that the small segments34are caused to fold. When the small segments34fold, the small segments34bend and fold both at the folding groove46(c) and at the central node40(c). The first frustum shaped section42(c) reverses direction and folds into the end cap20. Likewise, the second frustum shaped section44(c) folds into the first section42(c). The entire small segment34is therefore contained within the interior of the end cap20. The small segment34is longer than the medium segment32. Accordingly, when it folds into the end cap20, the small segment34extends further into the end cap20than does either the folded large segment30or the folded medium segment32.

With all the segments30,32,34contained within the hemispherical end caps20, the two end caps20abut. This creates a round ball shape and the pet toy device10is in its fully compact configuration.

As is illustrated inFIG. 5, even when the pet toy ball device10is in its fully compact configuration, an unobstructed conduit50extends between the central openings26of the two hemispherical end caps20. This conduit50remains open and unobstructed when the pet toy is in its compacted configuration, in its expanded configuration and open at all stages in between.

An edible treat 52 may be provided that is sized to fit within the central conduit50. Once the treat is inserted into the central conduit50and the pet toy device10is expanded to any degree, the treat 52 becomes misaligned with the central conduits50and cannot be easily removed. A dog chewing on the pet toy device10will be able to taste segments of the treat that beak away and fall through the eccentric openings24in the end caps20.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are three sets of segments30,32,34between the midline and each hemispherical end cap20. It will be understood that the use of three sets of segments30,32,34is merely exemplary and that any plurality of segment sets can be used. The number of segment sets is limited only by the amount of room available in each hemispherical end cap20. Accordingly, by using end caps with larger diameters, pet toys with larger numbers of segments can readily be produced.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pet toy device10produces a round ball when in its compact configuration. It should be understood that the shape of the end caps20can be altered to produce an oblong football shape, a cube shape and many other shapes other than round. It will therefore be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.