Abstract:
An animal exercise system in the form of a game includes an apparatus comprising an animal transport device; a game board; a plurality of edible game pieces in the form of a treat. In operation, the animal transport device engages and travels along the game board to selectively contact the game pieces. One or more of the game pieces may be fed to the animal as a reward.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/424,178 filed on Dec. 17, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure refers to an animal exercise system in the form of a game. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Animals such as hamsters need daily exercise for good health. Traditionally, animals such as hamsters get exercise by running on a wheel. Exercise wheels, however, provide little interaction between a handler such as a pet owner and the corresponding animal. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved exercise system that provides exercise and enjoyment for both the animal and the handler. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the claims are not limited to the illustrated examples, an appreciation of various aspects is best gained through a discussion of various examples thereof. Referring now to the drawings, illustrative examples are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent the exemplary illustrations, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an embodiment. Further, the specific examples described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary illustrations are described in detail by referring to the drawings, as follows: 
         FIG. 1  shows a view of an animal exercise system in a closed orientation as stored in an integral container. 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the animal exercise system of  FIG. 1  as it is transitioning from a closed orientation toward an operational orientation. 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the animal exercise system of  FIG. 1  as it is further transitioned from a closed orientation toward an operational orientation. 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the animal exercise system of  FIG. 1  in an operational orientation with an animal transport/exercise device, bowling lane, lane bumpers, backstop and pins. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the animal exercise system of  FIG. 1  in an operational orientation with an animal transport/exercise device, bowling lane, lane bumpers, backstop and pins, wherein the transport/exercise device has engaged at least one pin and is adjacent a backstop formed within the container. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart showing an exemplary method for using the animal exercise system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference in the specification to “an exemplary illustration”, an “example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the exemplary approach is included in at least one illustration. The appearances of the phrase “in an illustration” or similar type language in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same illustration or example. 
     Hamster “bowling” is a new and different way to exercise an animal such as a hamster—and provides interaction and enjoyment for both the pet and pet owner alike. Hamster bowling differs from regular bowling in that: (1) the animal is placed inside a breathable transport/exercise device such as an exercise ball; (2) the game uses pins that may be edible (e.g., made up of animal friendly edible chew sticks) of a miniature scale; and (3) in the case of the use of edible pins a need for replacement pins is created. 
     Hamster “bowling” provides a new and innovative way to exercise an animal such as a hamster. It is also a way for pet owners/participants and animals as well as observers watching the game to have fun together. 
     Physical Components 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 through 5 , in one exemplary approach an animal exercise system  10  includes a container  12  such as a box with a central portion  14  comprising a plurality of side walls  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22  and a bottom wall  24 . Two of the side walls may oppose each other and be of a first length generally greater than two adjacent side walls that also oppose each other, but of a second length less than the first length. Thus, the box may be generally rectangular. The bottom wall engages a free end of each side wall. One of the side walls such as side wall  16  having the first length may include a hinged lid  26  at an opposing free end that engages the other three side walls as illustrated. In contrast, opposing side wall  18  may not be secured to adjacent side walls  20  and  22 , but it is at least hinged to bottom wall  24 . In other approaches it may be secured to the adjacent side walls  20  and  22  such as in the exemplary illustration. In any event, side wall  18  may be used to form a portion of a game board  32  as discussed in greater detail below. In the illustrated example lid  26  includes generally rigid ears  27  secured to an adjacent ear and to a top wall  29  of lid  26  so that container  12  remains securely closed even if side wall  18  were not secured to adjacent side walls  20  and  22 . Other types of containers may also be used. 
     The game pieces may include the following elements:
         An animal transport/exercise device  28     Plurality of animal friendly edible chew sticks/edible bowling pins  30     “Bowling” lane  32     Plurality of lane bumpers  34 ,  26 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44     Backstop, which in the exemplary illustration is bottom wall  24     Scorecard  44     Replacement pin(s)  30  (animal chew sticks/edible bowling pins)       

     In one exemplary approach an animal transport/exercise device  28  comprises a spherical ball that is hollow and includes two generally equal hemispheres each having a thin wall with one or more air apertures. An animal such as a hamster may be put into the ball and the ball closed so that the two hemispheres are joined with the animal retained within the interior of the ball. Then, when the animal runs along the inner periphery of the thin wall forming the two hemispheres, the animal projects the ball along different paths along a generally horizontal surface such as a table or a floor. In one example, the exercise ball is approximately five inches in diameter. 
     As shown in the figures, container  12  itself may form one or more of the game pieces as well as holding the pieces that are distinct from the box itself. For example, it may form the “bowling” lane  32 , retain the bumpers, and act as a backstop to stop the exercise ball and animal from rolling too far past the pins. 
     More specifically, as illustrated in the figures “bowling” lane  32  may be formed from a portion of the container  12  to help facilitate movement and directing of the exercise ball  28  along a desired path. If a cardboard box is used then the lane may also be cardboard. For example, the box may be of a fold out design where the lane “rolls out” when the box is opened. The lane has a rough correspondence to a bowling lane used in traditional bowling. In one example, the lane is approximately 25 inches by 12 inches. The elements of the lane  32  in an illustrative example include side wall  18  and a plurality of panels. In the illustrated approach four panels  48 ,  52 ,  56 , and  60  are shown, but there could be fewer or a greater number of panels. The panels are sized, however, such that they will fit into container  12  and it can be closed. Thus, the width cannot be any greater than the corresponding width of side walls  18  and  16  or a length greater than one that will fit dimensionally into the container  12  realizing that a panel can be angled into the container such that its length could be a little greater than the first length of side walls  20  and  22 . In the illustrated example, the panels have varying lengths to facilitate their insertion into the container  12 . As illustrated, a first panel  48  is secured to side wall  18  along a foldable seam  50 , a second panel  52  is secured to first panel  48  along a foldable seam  54 , a third panel  56  is secured to second panel  52  along a foldable seam  58 , and a fourth panel  60  is secured to the third panel  56  along a foldable seam  62 . Seams  50 ,  54 ,  58 , and  62  act as hinges and other mechanisms for hinging may be used. In this example, however, not only are the panels integral with the container  12 , but they are unitary or monolithic in the sense that the container and panels are made from the same material and the hinges in the form of seams include the same material. Of course, the seams could be reinforced using other materials while still being monolithic. 
     In  FIG. 1  the container  12  is closed. In  FIG. 2  the bowling lane  32  is being extracted from the container  12 . In  FIG. 3 , the bowling lane is further extracted from the container  12 . In  FIGS. 4 and 5  the bowling lane has been fully extracted and is in an operational orientation. 
     Other approaches to bowling lane  32  may also be possible such as the use of a flexible material that can be rolled into container  12 . For example, a separate game board forming lane  32  may be used including one formed from a plastic material that may be “rolled” up without seams. 
     An exemplary diagram of the bowling lane  32  follows as Diagram 1 and includes the following annotations: (1) “amazing” to indicate: right down the middle, the animal is headed toward the center kingpin; (2) “good” (to indicate the animal is just barely off the center mark); and (3) “keep trying” (to indicate the animal is near the bumpers, farthest from the king-pin). 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DIAGRAM 1 -- EXEMPLARY BOWLING LANE WITH 
               
               
                 ANNOTATIONS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 (BACKSTOP) 
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 PIN 
                 PIN 
                 PIN 
               
               
                   
                   
                 PIN    PIN 
               
               
                   
                   
                 PIN 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Keep 
                 Good 
                 AMAZING! 
                 Good 
                 Keep 
                   
               
               
                   
                 trying 
                   
                   
                   
                 trying 
               
               
                 Red 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Red 
               
               
                 Bumper 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Bumper 
               
               
                 Purple 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Purple 
               
               
                 Bumper 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Bumper 
               
               
                 Blue 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Blue 
               
               
                 Bumper 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Bumper 
               
             
          
           
               
                 STARTING LINE 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     System  10  may also include one or more lane bumpers  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  positioned adjacent side edges of the game board. The bumpers may be formed from a portion of the box or may be separate elements. In one example, a plurality of foam bumpers may be used that may be attached to lane  32  such as by way of a fastening mechanism such as an adhesive. In one illustration six foam bumpers may be used representing three sets of two bumpers each. The bumpers may be of different colors or patterns (e.g., tri-colored). The bumpers should be sized depending on the size of the exercise ball being used. If the exercise ball has an approximately five inch diameter, the bumpers may be roughly two and a half inches by one-half inches (2½″×½). The panels  48 ,  52 , and  56  and corresponding bumpers  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  are both sized and positioned such that the bumpers do not interfere with the seams  50 ,  54 , and  58 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the length of bumpers  34  and  38  are shorter than the second dimension of panel  52 . This is also illustrated in  FIG. 2 , where the lane  32  is shown as it transitions from a closed orientation to an operational orientation. Thus, the bumpers are spaced away from the seams so that they do not impede the “rolling” of the board into and out of its stored orientation. 
     As illustrated in the example of Diagram 1 three sets of foam bumpers  34 - 44  appear adjacent to the sides of the lane (pre-glued). They are colored as follows: bumpers  34  and  36  are colored “blue” (nearest the starting line, to indicate “coldest”); bumpers  38  and  40  are colored “purple” (in the middle to indicate “getting warmer”; and bumpers  42  and  44  are colored “red” (right near the pins to indicate “hot”). As noted above, an advantage of using small bumper sections on each side (as opposed to one long bumper on each side), is that when the lane forms a portion of the box, the lane can bend easily at the folds and be returned to a box shape for storage. 
     As also shown in Diagram 1, a first end of the lane  32  represents the starting point or starting line for the exercise ball  28  while an opposing second end includes a backstop to stop an exercise ball from further movement. If the lane is formed as a portion of the box then the backstop may also be a portion of the box such as bottom wall  24  and extend generally vertically away from the lane. 
     The pins  30  are placed adjacent the backstop on the lane at the second end of the lane. In one exemplary approach the pins are edible and in the form of animal chew sticks or food roughly in the shape of a more traditional bowling pin. The pins  30  include a first end that comes into stable contact with the lane and represents a pivot point such that when placed on the lane for game use, the pin will extend outwardly away from the lane at roughly a right angle. The pin  30 , however, is sized and shaped such that when the exercise ball hits a pin, the pin will pivot about the pivot point and fall down, but will not fall down without there being dynamic contact. In one exemplary approach six (6) pins  30  will be used. Moreover, if the animal is a hamster the pins may be one-half inch long and a quarter inch thick (½″×¼″). 
     A purpose of having edible pins  30  is to encourage an animal to enthusiastically participate in playing the game since he/she may be rewarded with the pins upon successful completion of the game. 
     In one illustration, replacement “pins”  30  will be sold and may be purchased separately. Since the pins are edible chew sticks (and the winning animal may be rewarded with a chew stick after finishing each game), a need for replacement pins will be created. 
     Use of the scorecard is explained in greater detail below in combination with Diagram 2. However, in one illustration there is a pad with multiple copies of a blank scorecard. As illustrated, moreover, it is envisioned that more than one animal may play the game at the same time such that animals and their handlers compete against each other. 
     
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 DIAGRAM 2—SAMPLE SCORECARD 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 
                   
                             
                     
                         
                         
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Rules and Method for Playing Game 
     The ultimate goal of the game is for the animal to achieve the highest score possible and if multiple animals are playing to obtain the highest score as compared to the other hamsters. 
     Exemplary Rules shown in the flow chart of  FIG. 6  are as follows. First as shown at block A, open the container  12  and move the game board/bowling lane  32  from a closed orientation to an operational orientation as discussed above. Second, as shown in block B, put the animal(s) in the transport/exercise device  28 . Third, as shown at block C, set up pins  30  in any order on the end of the lane adjacent the backstop  24 . It is envisioned that the pins  30  will be staggered in some manner and generally equally spaced as illustrated in Diagram 1. Alternatively; however, the pins may be positioned to form a generally triangular shape such that when one pin starts to fall down, other pins might also begin to fall down because of contact asserted by the first pin upon an additional pin similar to what happens with a more traditional bowling game pin arrangement. Fourth, as shown in block D, set one animal in the device  28  on the lane at the starting line so it is engaging the game board  32 . Fifth, as shown at block E, the animal starts to move (e.g. roll) down the lane  32 , hopefully without hitting or at least being guided by the bumpers  34  through  44  towards the backstop  24 . Sixth, as shown at block F, the animal rolls device  28  into pins  30  as best exemplified in  FIG. 5 . Seventh, as shown in block G, remove the pins  30  that the animal knocked down. Eighth, as shown in block H, put the score representing the number of pins knocked down on scorecard  44 . Of course, as with any of the illustrative steps, they may be omitted as appropriate. In this case, for example, the score for multiple attempts may be recorded once. Ninth, as suggested at block H, repeat steps D through H so that the animal again tries to knock down the remaining pins  30 . Tenth, as shown in block J, put the score on scorecard  44 . While two attempts are suggested, fewer or more attempts may be desirable. However, in this example each “turn” consists of two tries to knock down all pins. It is also envisioned that at least once during this process, as represented by Block K, if pins  30  are edible, the animal may be rewarded with one or more of the pins  30  as a reward so that they are motivated to continue to play the game. Eleventh, if one has more than one animal player, repeat steps 2-10 for each animal. Twelfth, continue to record scores until the game is finished. If the scorecard shown in Diagram 2 is used, there will be ten (“10”) frames, but without bonus frames. Finally, add up all scores. Whichever animal wins, give him/her a chew stick/edible bowling pin, as a reward (provided). 
     Safety Note: Place the lane and exercise ball on the floor. Do not place on a table, as the animal may roll off. Also, keep the exercise ball out of direct sunlight, when the animal is inside it. 
     With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claimed invention. 
     Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the arts discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the invention is capable of modification and variation and is limited only by the following claims. 
     All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable constructions and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary in made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.