Squeezable toy with sound-emitting device

A toy comprises a three-dimensional body that can be compressed to actuate a squeaker chamber to move air through a squeaker device. The squeaker chamber is formed by an elongated resilient member in the toy body that can be actuated to operate the squeaker device from a location on the toy distal from the squeaker device. In one embodiment, the resilient member is one or more elastic bladders and in another embodiment the resilient member is one or more resilient tubes. The squeaker chamber may be of various configurations for a variety of toy shapes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to squeezable toys, and particularly to non-consumable chewable pet toys having sound-emitting devices for carnivorous animals such as dogs and cats.

Non-consumable chewable pet toys provide a variety of beneficial functions for the pet carnivore. Chewing on such toys provides the carnivore with masticatory exercise, as well as dental prophylaxis. Irregular shapes impart erratic movements to the toy when rolled or bounced, thereby providing exercise for the animal. Such toys often provide a training function, teaching the carnivore to chew on the toy, rather than on furniture or other valuable items.

To enhance the attractiveness of the toy to the carnivore, sensory attractants have been incorporated in the toy. These toys attract the carnivore and encourage the carnivore to chew on the toy, rather than on furniture or other personal property. Thus, the sensory attractant is particularly advantageous as a training device for the carnivore.

One attractant commonly employed in chewable pet toys is a noise-producing device that emits a squeak or other attractant sound due to air flowing through the device when the carnivore chews on the toy. Such a noise-producing device, commonly called a “squeaker”, usually comprises a small rigid housing, usually constructed of plastic, forming a passage containing a reed or other acoustic vibrating device that emits a sound when air passes through the passage. The squeaker is ordinarily mounted in an external wall of the toy so that compression of a squeaker chamber within the toy, such as by chewing by the carnivore, forces air through the passage to emit a sound. Upon relaxation of the squeaker chamber, the chamber returns to its relaxed, or inflated, state, drawing air through the squeaker passage and again emitting a sound. In most cases, the squeaker chamber is integral with the toy, although in some cases the squeaker device includes its own chamber. In either case, the squeaker chamber is closed so that the squeaker passage forms the only passage for air into and out of the chamber. The squeaker, and its associated squeaker chamber, are ordinarily confined to a small region of the toy.

Most carnivorous animals are attracted by the sound from the squeaker to chew on the chew toy at the region of the squeaker device. Consequently, most animals tend to chew at only the location of the squeaker in the toy, eventually tearing or rupturing the toy at that location. When the toy tears or ruptures at the region of the squeaker, a risk exists that the animal will dislodge the rigid squeaker housing from the toy and will swallow the squeaker, possibly injuring the animal.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a non-consumable toy having a squeaker arranged in such a manner as to provide increased interest to the user, such as an animal. In preferred embodiments, the squeaker is hidden from the user, such as by placing the squeaker at a location in the toy remote from the squeaker chamber. Thus, the risk that the animal will locate and dislodge the squeaker from the toy is minimized.

In one embodiment, a toy includes a squeaker chamber having at least a portion arranged within the toy distal from the squeaker device so that the sound is emitted from a location of the toy different from the location of the squeaker device. The squeaker chamber is in the form of one or more elongated resilient members that together or independently operate one or more squeaker devices.

In some embodiments, a toy comprises a three-dimensional body formed of resilient material, such as fabric or elastomer. A squeaker chamber is enclosed within the body and is collapsible from a relaxed position due to deformation of the body, such as by biting on the body by an animal. The squeaker chamber returns to the relaxed position when the body is released from collapse, such as when the animal releases its bite or grip on the body. A squeaker device is mounted to a wall of the chamber to emit a sound when air passes through the squeaker device due to collapsing or releasing the chamber.

In preferred embodiments, the squeaker chamber is formed of latex or a synthetic elastic material that can be collapsed from a relaxed position when deformed, and which returns to the relaxed position when released. In other embodiments, the squeaker chamber is constructed of one or more tubes within the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a section view illustrating the principles of a squeaker system in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. Toy100includes a three-dimensional compressible body102having an outer surface formed of a resilient material, such as a fabric or artificial fur. The squeaker system comprises an elongated resilient bladder104having a wall enclosing a squeaker chamber106within the body with a squeaker device108in the wall of the bladder. Squeaker chamber106has a length that extends along the body, adjacent a substantial portion of the surface of the body. In preferred embodiments, a compressible filler material110, such as a foam or fiber material, is between body102and bladder104.

Bladder104is preferably constructed of an elastic material having memory that, after being elongated by a force, will return to approximately its original size upon release of the elongating force. Latex is a suitable material for bladder104. Natural latex has an elongation factor of 800% to 1000% with a nearly 0% permanent set factor, meaning that the material can be elongated to 800 to 1000% its relaxed size without noticeable permanent deformation, so that upon release of the elongation force the material will return to nearly its original relaxed shape. Synthetic latex exhibits similar characteristics. More particularly, polyurethane latex exhibits an elongation factor of 400 to 1000% with a permanent set factor of 2 to 5%, while silicone latex exhibits an elongation factor of 600 to 1100% and a permanent set factor of 1 to 2%. As will be fully understood hereinafter, the material of bladder104is elongated only a limited amount in use. Therefore, while both natural and synthetic latex are examples of materials suitable for the present invention, other elastic materials may be used that exhibit adequate elongation due to expansion of a portion of the bladder while exhibiting a small or minimal permanent set.

Squeaker device108is shown in greater detail inFIG. 2, and comprises a rigid housing112having an air passage114therein. A reed or other noise-making device (not shown) is placed in passage114so that air passing through passage114vibrates the reed or otherwise causes device108to emit a sound or noise. Housing112is bonded to a carrier116constructed of the same material as bladder104, which is fastened by an adhesive (not shown) to bladder104at an opening thereof.

For example, bladder104is preferably formed in a mold having a shape that is the same as the relaxed shape of the bladder. Material, such as liquid latex, is admitted through an opening in the mold, and the mold is turned and rotated to move the liquid material throughout the interior of the mold to coat the inside of the mold to a controlled thickness. After the material cures, the bladder is removed from the mold through the mold opening, and squeaker device108is fastened to the bladder wall in the aperture left by the mold opening. Thus, the bladder is closed by the squeaker device108forming squeaker chamber106therein. Toy100is completed by placing bladder104and squeaker device108inside body102and surrounded with suitable compressible filling material110, such as synthetic foam or fibers.

The ease of collapsing or compression of the toy and its internal bladder should be adequate for the expected external force, such as the biting action of a carnivore (in the case of a pet toy) or pressing by a child (in the case of a child's toy). The expected external force will be based on the size of the toy, which in turn is based on the weight of the animal or age of the child, as the case may be.

In use, when the carnivore bites on body102(or the child presses on the body), the toy compresses at the location of the bite (or pressure), compressing bladder104and displacing air to regions of squeaker chamber106distal from the region of the compression. Consequently, air pressure is increased at regions of squeaker chamber106distal from the compression.

If the compression occurs at a region distal from squeaker device108, the air pressure increases near the squeaker device, causing a high volume of air to rapidly be expelled through the squeaker device. Rapid movement of air past the reed or other noise-making element of device108causes squeaker device108to emit a loud or high intensity sound.

If the compression due to the bite or pressure is near squeaker device108, the compression forces much of the air to regions of bladder104distal from the compression, causing the bladder to expand (elongate) against the compressible filler material106. A small volume of air is forced through the squeaker device, causing it to emit a sound that is softer than that described above. Typically, a carnivore will release the bite, and hence the compression, shortly after applying it. Consequently, the air forced into the portion of the bladder distal from the compression site returns to the compression site as the bladder relaxes to its normal state. As a result, only a faint or low intensity sound, if any, will emit from the squeaker device should the animal apply its bite near device108.

In either case, upon relaxation of the compression bite or pressure, bladder104returns to its original, relaxed shape, such as the relaxed shape shown inFIG. 1.

Squeaker device108may be any suitable sound-emitting device. Some such devices emit sound when air moves through the air passage114in either direction, whereas other such devices emit sound when air moves in only one direction through the passage, such as when air is expelled from the toy. Yet other squeaker devices might emit one sound, such as a high pitch sound, when air moves in one direction and another distinctly different sound, such as a low pitch sound, when air moves in the opposite direction.

The phenomenon that the squeaker device108emits a louder sound only when the toy is compressed at a region distal from the squeaker device serves to confuse the animal or child playing with the toy, maintaining interest in the toy. More particularly, as the animal or child learns that a more intense sound occurs when the toy is compressed distal from the squeaker device, rather than proximal to it, the animal or child will tend to compress the toy at various regions, not just a single region. Consequently, the life of the toy is extended, as the animal will not quickly chew through the toy at a single region.

One feature of the invention is that bladder104may be long as to extend distally from squeaker device108so that the squeaker device may be positioned at any desired location within the toy and operated by squeezing the bladder (such as when the animal bites the toy) at another location of the toy distal from the squeaker device. For example, a squeaker system in a toy having an animal or figurine shape might incorporate a squeaker system wherein the squeaker device108is positioned in the head of the figure and bladder104extends through the body to the arms and legs.

FIGS. 3–6illustrate various embodiments of toys embodying the principles of the squeaker system illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. Thus,FIG. 3illustrates a toy120in the form of a donut or toroid with a central opening122surrounded by bladder104.FIG. 4illustrates a ball or sphere124with a central bladder in the shape of a pair of connected spheres with squeaker device108centrally located.FIG. 5illustrates a toy having appendages simulating arms, legs and a head with a bladder104having similar appendages extending into those of the toy and a centrally located squeaker device108.FIG. 6illustrates a squirrel toy128with a bladder conforming to the shape of the toy. A separate decorative artificial tail130might be attached to the toy, as illustrated. Alternatively, tail130may itself be formed of fabric and filler and bladder104may extend into tail region130.

FIG. 7is a section view of a squeaker and squeaker chamber system illustrating the principles of a second embodiment of the present invention. The squeaker system illustrated inFIG. 7comprises an elongated flexible and resilient hollow tube210, such as surgical tube, having rigid plugs212and214closing each end of tube210. Plugs212and214include serrations216and218having a slightly larger diameter than the inside diameter of tube210so that the plugs are mounted to and retained by the tube to form an enclosed squeaker chamber220within the tube. One of the plugs, for example, plug212, includes a slot or aperture222extending axially through the plug. Squeaker device224is mounted in aperture222. The squeaker device includes a passage and a vibrating member (not shown) to produce a noise as air passes through the squeaker passage into and out of chamber220. If the tube is formed of a plastic or other material that seals upon itself by application of heat or other treatment, the end of the tube may be sealed by so treating the tube instead of by plug214.

In this embodiment, tube210is sufficiently flexible so that it may be twisted and manipulated into various configurations and held in place within the toy. The tube is sufficiently resilient so that collapse or compression of at least a portion of its cross-section upon application of an external force to the tube will reduce the volume of chamber220and thereby expel air through squeaker224. The resilience of tube210also permits the tube to return to its relaxed cross-sectional shape upon release of the external force, thereby drawing air through squeaker224into chamber222. The ease of collapsing or compression of the tube should be adequate for the expected external force, such as the biting action of a carnivore (in the case of a pet toy) or pressing by a child (in the case of a child's toy). The expected external force will be based on the size of the toy, which in turn is based on the weight of the animal or age of the child, as the case may be. Tube210may be of any desired cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments the tube may have a cross-sectional shape and/or wall thickness that varies along its length. Nevertheless, tubes having a circular cross-section are preferred due to availability and the natural tendency of a circular tube to return to its circular cross-sectional shape upon release of the external force.

The length of tube210is not controlling on the present invention, since it is not necessary that the entire tube be collapsed for purposes of operating squeaker224. Instead, it is only important that a portion of the tube be collapsed to operate the squeaker. We have found that ordinary surgical tubing having an inside diameter between about 0.4 and 0.5 inches and wall thickness of approximately 0.1 inches, is adequate for the present purposes.

One feature is that tube210may be long enough to extend distally from squeaker device224so that the squeaker device may be positioned at a desired location within the toy and operated by squeezing the tube (such as when the animal bites the toy) at another location of the toy distal from the squeaker device. For example, a squeaker system in a toy having an animal or figurine shape might incorporate a squeaker system wherein the squeaker device224is positioned in the head of the figure and tube210extends through the body to the arms and legs. As will become apparent in connection with the embodiments ofFIGS. 12 and 13, the toy may have a more regular geometric shape, such as a ball, disk or ring, wherein the squeaker system is configured to permit squeezing or biting the toy at nearly any location to produce a sound at the one location of the squeaker device.

When the toy is bit or squeezed at a location containing a portion of tube210, air will be expelled from chamber220through squeaker224to produce a noise. The noise will be produced by squeaker224regardless of where the animal bites along the length of tube210. However, should the animal bite on the toy at the location of rigid plug214or212(i.e., at the location of squeaker224), or so near a rigid plug that the rigidity of the plug body prevents collapse of the tube, the tube is not collapsed and little or no air is expelled from squeaker chamber220and little or no sound is emitted.

FIGS. 8–11illustrate various couplers for the squeaker system of this second embodiment that may be employed to create squeaker systems for various toys.FIG. 8illustrates a rigid coupler230having arms232and234, each having external serrated portions236for attachment within ends of respective tubes or tube sections210(not shown inFIG. 8). An internal passage238extends through coupler230and arms232and234. Aperture240extends perpendicularly to passage238to receives a squeaker242having a squeaker passage244containing a reed (not shown) or other noise-making device.

FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate a rigid coupler250having a plurality of arms,252a–e, each having serrated portions254a–eeach arranged to receive a respective end of a tube210. Coupler250is shown having five arms252a–esymmetrically arranged at 72° angles to each other around a central point, but the number of arms and symmetry of arrangement of the arms may vary, depending upon the particular application of the coupler. Each arm252a–eincludes an axial passage256a–eterminating at central aperture258(shown inFIG. 10) extending perpendicularly to passages256a–e. Squeaker260is supported within aperture258so that air may be expelled from, or admitted into internal passage262of squeaker260to transfer air between one or more of passages256a–eupon collapsing or relaxing of an associated tube210(not shown inFIGS. 9 and 10).

FIG. 11illustrates a rigid coupler270having three arms272a–cin the form of a tee, each having serrated coupling portions274a–cfor coupling to ends of tubes210(not shown inFIG. 11). In this version, coupler270has no squeaker, and is used with other couplers or plugs, such as plug212(FIG. 7) and/or couplers230and/or260(FIGS. 8–10). Coupler270includes a passage276extends through arms272aand272b, intersecting passage278through arm272c. Coupler270permits coupling three tubes210together in a single configuration.

FIG. 12illustrates a compressible three-dimensional ring or disk toy300having a squeaker system in the form of a ring employing coupler230(FIG. 8) and tube210. Toy300is formed in a conventional manner comprising a flexible cover, such as fabric or artificial fur, encasing a compressible filler material, such as synthetic foam rubber. The squeaker system is held within the toy by the filler material, such as by nesting the squeaker system in the toy, and extends along the toy contour. In this case, opposite ends of tube210are coupled to serrated portions236of arms232and234of coupler230to form a ring. Squeaker242is supported by coupler230, and is preferably oriented toward the center of the ring and remote from the external surface of the toy to minimize the ability of the animal to access the squeaker to dislodge the squeaker from the toy. When the animal bites on any portion of toy300containing tube210, other than directly on coupler230and squeaker242, tube210will be compressed at the region of the bite and expel air through squeaker242to emit a sound. Upon release of the bite by the animal, tube210will return to its relaxed state, drawing air back through squeaker242into the chamber, thereby producing another noise.

FIG. 13illustrates a compressible spherical ball302containing a pair of tubes210and210acoupled together by two couplers230and230a(FIG. 8), each having an independent squeaker242and242a. Ball302is constructed in a manner similar to toy300. In this case, when the animal bites on ball302, collapsing either or both tubes210and210a, air will expel through one or both squeakers242and242a, thereby generating noise by the respective squeakers. Upon release of the bite by the animal, air will be drawn back into tubes210and/or210athrough squeakers242and/or242a, thereby producing another noise.

FIG. 14illustrates another compressible toy304in the form of a figurine or doll. Toy304is constructed in the same manner as toys300and302. Toy304has extremities306a–erepresenting a head, arms and legs of the figure. A tube210a–eextends along the length of each respective extremity306a–eterminating at a distal end by a respective plug214a–e(FIG. 7). The proximal end of each tube210a–eis coupled to respective arms of coupler250(FIGS. 9–10). When the animal bites toy304at the location of any tube210a–e, air is displaced from the associated squeaker chamber and is expelled through squeaker passage263in squeaker260(FIG. 10), thereby emitting a sound. The sound is emitted from the squeaker at a central location on the toy regardless of which tube210a–eis collapsed or compressed, or where on that tube such collapsing occurs. When the animal releases the toy, and hence the tube, air returns through squeaker260into the squeaker chamber of the previously compressed tube210a–e, causing the squeaker to emit another sound. Thus, the animal may bite onto any extremity306a–eof the toy to create a sound at the central location. However, because coupler250and squeaker260are rigid, biting at a central location on the toy will not produce a sound.

FIG. 15illustrates a modification of the toy illustrated inFIG. 14wherein toy308includes extremities310a–d, with extremity being ring-shaped. Tubes210a–cextend distally of coupler250within extremities310a–c, the distal end of each tube210a–cbeing closed with a plug214(FIG. 7). Tube210dextends through the ring-shaped extremity310dand has its ends joint to two arms of coupler250, such as arms252dand252e(FIG. 9).

If desired, the passage in one of the arms of coupler250coupled to tube210dmight plugged or constricted so that air flows to and from the ring-shaped tube210dfrom only one of the arms. Thus, passage256e(FIG. 9) in arm252emight be constricted so all air to and from tube210dflows through passage256din arm252d.

FIG. 16illustrates another modification of the toy illustrated inFIG. 14wherein toy312has extremities314a–e, similar to extremities306a–einFIG. 14, but wherein a ring-shaped squeaker cavity is employed in one of the extremities, such as extremity314brepresenting the head of the figure. In this case, the distal end of tube210bterminates in a tee-coupler270(FIG. 11) rather than a plug, and a tube210fis coupled in a ring to the opposite arms of coupler270forming a ring-shaped squeaker chamber.

FIG. 17illustrates another embodiment of a compressible toy316constructed in a manner similar to toys shown inFIGS. 12–16. Toy316is in the shape of a bone having a neck portion318joining two head portions320aand320b. Coupler230(FIG. 8) has a squeaker242arranged such that coupler230and squeaker242are at a central location in the neck of bone316. Tubes210aand210bextend from opposite sides of coupler230to respective tee-couplers270aand270b(FIG. 11). Tubes210c–fextend from respective couplers270aor270binto the heads320aand320bof bone316and are sealed with plugs214c–f(FIG. 7). As in the case of the toys shown inFIGS. 12–16, when the animal bites onto a tube210a–fat a location remote from coupler230and squeaker242, air is expelled through the squeaker to emit a sound from toy316. Upon release of the bite, air is again admitted through the squeaker to again produce a sound.

FIG. 18illustrates another compressible toy322, similar to the toy shown inFIG. 6, employing a pair of squeaker systems as illustrated inFIG. 7. Toy322is constructed in the same manner as described in connection with the toys ofFIGS. 12–17and includes a first squeaker system having a tube210aterminating at one end with plug212acontaining a squeaker224aand at the other end with closed plug214a. A second squeaker system comprises tube210bterminating at one end with plug212bhaving a squeaker224band at the other end with closed plug214b. Squeakers224aand224bmay be chosen for different sound characteristics and arranged at different locations of toy322. Tubes210aand210bmay extend through different regions of toy322so that the animal generates one sound or the other depending on which region of toy322the animal may bite. Alternatively, tubes210aand210bmay be in close proximity so the animal produces both sounds by biting the toy to compress both tubes210aand210b. As another alternative, a single tube could be used in place of tubes210aand210b, with a seal, such as a heat seal, crimping a central portion of the tube, so that a different sound is produced depending on what portion of the tube is squeezed. If desired, the tubes may be arranged so that the squeakers are in the same location within the toy so that a different sound emits from a single location, such as the head of the toy, depending on what region of the toy the animal bites.

The various configurations shown inFIGS. 3–6and inFIGS. 12–18are for illustration of the many variations of toys according to the invention and are not limiting on the invention.

The present invention thus provides a squeaker system for a squeezable toy, such as an animal or child's toy, wherein the squeaker device is positioned remote from the surface of the toy so that it cannot be easily accessed or pried loose by the animal or child playing with the toy. A three-dimensional compressible body contains a squeaker system that is effectively “hidden” from the animal or child by employing an elongated squeaker chamber in the body, so that that when the toy body is compressed adjacent a portion of the squeaker chamber distal from the squeaker device, air is expelled from the squeaker chamber through the squeaker passage.

In the case of a child's toy, the squeaker device may be place at a desired location such as within the head of a doll or other figurine, and the active portion of the squeaker chamber is located adjacent regions of the toy ornamented for pressing by the child. This feature increases hand-eye coordination of the child by training the child to press the toy at a specific location other that at the squeaker device.

It will be appreciated that while the invention is described in connection with pet toys, it is also applicable to other toys, including children's toys. More particularly, the recessed squeaker device distal from the outer surface of the toy is particularly useful in children's toys as a safety feature. Moreover, the use of elongated resilient members to remove the actuation portion of the squeaker chamber from the squeaker device can serve as a child's training device to promote hand/eye coordination, rewarding the child with a sound from a different location on the toy from that which the child might press or squeeze.