Abstract:
A pet toy is provided having an interactive stimulus that actively engages the pet&#39;s senses during use. Stimuli include sight, sounds, smell, taste, and sound, and can include a combination of more than one such stimulus.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention contains subject matter that was first described in, and claim the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/608,458, filed on Sep. 10, 2004, U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/626,853 filed on Nov. 12, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent No. 60/663,412, filed on Mar. 21, 2005. All applications are incorporated by reference herein as if fully rewritten. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a pet toy and, more particularly, to a pet toy having an interactive stimulus that actively engages the pet&#39;s senses during use. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     There are many available pet toys on the market, including toys that are intended for use as an object that the pet engages and chases. Most use various visual stimulus, such as shapes, ridges, and differing colors to provide visual attractants or stimuli to create interest by the pet in the toy. However, it has been found that by engaging additional senses, a pet toy can provide more entertainment to the pet and the owner. 
     One such type of interactive toy including pet toys that dispense treats upon rolling or movement of the toy. However, these toys provide for the insertion of the treats into cavities within the toy and for dispensing based on movement or rotation of the toy. The present invention is markedly different by providing a spherical pet toy having either a gripping means in which at least one consumable pet treat is inserted and held until extracted by the pet, or an audible stimulus that is engaged by movement of the toy, or both. The physical stimuli of an embedded food item utilizes sight, smell and taste to ultimately provide exercise to the muscles, strengthens teeth and gums, and extracts harmful plaque from the teeth of a pet, as well as. The audible stimuli of sound can be used additionally to engage the instinctive response from many breeds of cats or dogs. 
     These, among other disclosed advantages and features, overcome many of the deficiencies outlined and inherent within the known prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved a pet toy having an interactive stimulus that actively engages the pet&#39;s senses during use. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved pet toy having a gripping means in which at least one consumable pet treat is inserted and held until extracted by the pet. 
     It is a further feature of the present invention to provide an audible stimulus that is engaged by movement of the toy. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a pet toy is provided having a spherical body forming a plurality of resilient rib pairs (an upper rib opposed to a lower rib), in which an interstitial space formed between said ribs. This interstitial space holds at least one consumable pet treat between said resilient ribs. The physical stimuli of an embedded food item utilizes sight, smell and taste to ultimately provide exercise to the muscles, strengthens teeth and gums, and extracts harmful plaque from the teeth of a pet, as well as. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, audible stimuli of sound can be used additionally to engage the instinctive response from many breeds of cats or dogs. The spherical body of such an embodiment encloses a sound module enclosed and forms a plurality of apertures in said body for transmitting sound generated by said sound module. In either embodiment, it is anticipated that if being directed toward canine pets some sort of exoskeleton enclosing the spherical body would be beneficial to provide a protective barrier to prevent the animal from accessing the sound module enclosed therein. 
     An advantage of the present invention is that the use of a gripping means in which at least one consumable pet treat is inserted and held until extracted by the pet requires more vigorous interaction by the pet in order to access the treat. This vigour provide exercise to the muscles, strengthens teeth and gums, and extracts harmful plaque from the teeth of a pet, as well as. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is that the use of audible stimuli of sound can be used additionally to engage the instinctive response from many breeds of cats or dogs. This sound can be further customized to target specific instinctive responses for various particular breeds. 
    
    
     
       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 a perspective view of an interactive pet toy according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front or side view of an interactive pet toy according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is front or side view of an interactive pet toy according to a second alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an interactive pet toy according to a third alternate embodiment of the present invention; is a perspective view of the pet toy; and 
         FIG. 5  is a front or side view of front or side view of an interactive pet toy according to a fourth alternate 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 Figures 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a pet toy for holding consumable treats  10  is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The toy  10  comprises a spherical body  12  having an ring  14 , the ring  14  having an upper rib  16  and an lower rib  18 , the ribs  16  and  18  forming an interstitial space  20  therebetween for holding a consumable pet treat “T”. The upper rib  16  is a single, continuous rib circumscribing the innermost portion of the ring  14 . The lower rib  18  is a single, continuous rib circumscribing the outermost portion of the ring  14 . The interstitial space  20  formed between the ribs  16  and  18  is likewise a single, continuous space circumscribing the area between the ribs  16  and  18 . The space  20  accommodates the placement of at least one treat “T” and may accommodate a plurality of treats “T” along the circumference of the ring  14 . The toy  10  may also include a plurality of nodules  20  along the surface of the body  12 . The nodules  20  provide improved grasping of the toy  10  by pet and owner. 
     The toy  10  is preferably manufactured via molding techniques used for plastics and rubbers, from an elastomeric product (such as thermoset or thermoplastic high tear strength material, thermoplastic elastomers and/or natural rubber). It is envisioned that the toy  10  is manufactured from a material having a specific gravity less than 1.0 so that the toy  10  is buoyant in an aqueous liquid. An aroma, oil or juice may be molded with or impregnated into the material during manufacture, thereby providing olfactory stimulation to the pet. Either separately, or in combination with the consumable treat “T”, the aroma, oil or juice functions as an attractant to the pet to engage in chewing, chasing and retrieving exercises. 
     The toy  10  is an effective training device for a pet, especially canines. The toy  10  may be employed as a retrieval toy that the canine may chase, retrieve and return to the owner. Because of the ribs  16  and  18  and interstitial space  20  provided, consumable treats “T” (such as appropriately proportioned food, kibble or treats) may be inserted therein, thus providing an incentive and reward to retrieve and/or obey commands. By impinging the treats “T” within the ribs  16  and  18  and space  20 , the pet must exert energy to retrieve the treats “T”, exercise jaw and head muscles, using the teeth and gums, thus the exercise in extracting the treat “T” from the toy  10  exercises muscles of the head and neck, and strengthens teeth and gums, and removes harmful plaque from the teeth and gumlines. 
     The toy  10  is envisioned as being adaptable for manufacture directed to variously sized animals, including the various breeds of canines. Thus, the toy  10  may be manufactured in sizes for small breeds, medium size breeds and large breeds, respectively. It is envisioned that the diameters may vary in a range from four inches to twelve inches. Likewise, the toy  10  is envisioned as being manufactured in a variety of colors and/or with a variety of design configurations on the surface of the toy  10 . The toy  10  may have a solid structure or a hollow interior, depending upon the cost effectiveness and ease of manufacturing the toy  10 . Furthermore, the toy  10  may have a solid structure for greater durability. The toy  10  may have a hollow structure for greater flexibility and pliability, appropriate for chewing and gnawing by a pet. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , one aspect of the present invention is depicted in accordance with a first alternate embodiment in which a pet toy  10  comprises an inner body  112  having a polygonal shape, an open-cell exoskeleton  114  enclosing said inner body  112 , and at least one channel  116  formed in the open-cell exoskeleton  114  for retaining a consumable treat “T”. 
     In conjunction with  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , an alternate aspect of the present invention is depicted in accordance with a second and third alternate embodiments in which a pet toy  10  comprises an inner body  112  having a polygonal shape, a sound module  118  enclosed in the inner body  112 , a plurality of apertures  120  formed in the inner body  112  for transmitting sound “S” generated by the sound module  118 , an open-cell exoskeleton  114  enclosing the inner body  112 , and at least one channel  116  formed in the open-cell exoskeleton  114  for retaining a consumable treat “T”. 
     Generally, the pet toy  10  may have one of many polygonal shapes or forms, including spherical, prolate (cigar or football shaped), orthogonal, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. It is envisioned that the preferred form or shape has the ability to roll or tumble when urged by the pet owner or the pet. In the case of the orthogonal, pentagonal, hexagonal or other similar shapes or forms, it is envisioned that the ability to roll or tumble will be enhanced if the corners or edges of the pet toy  10 ) are rounded so that less force is required to urge the pet toy  10  into a rolling or tumbling course. 
     As indicated in reference to the pet toy  10  above, the inner body  112  may have one of the polygonal shapes or forms identified. The inner body  112  may be manufactured from a variety of materials, including any suitable polymer/elastomer (such as polyolefin elastomers), plastic, rubber and other similar materials that are durable, resilient and flexible. The inner body  112  may be provided in a variety of colors. It is envisioned that the inner body  112  should be a color differing from the open-cell exoskeleton  114 , discussed below, so that as the pet toy  10  is rolled, an optical stimulant or attractant is provided. The pet toy  10  is envisioned as being provided in a range of sizes to accommodate small pets to very large pets. Particularly, the diameter of the pet toy  10  is envisioned as being in a range so that the smallest diameter of the pet toy  10  cannot be swallowed by the intended pet, and the largest diameter of the pet toy  10  is not too large for the intended pet to enjoy or engage. Thus, the diameter of the pet toy  10  is considered to be in the range of one inch to twenty inches, and will typically be in the range of four inches to twelve inches. 
     It is further envisioned that the inner body  112  houses a sound module  118  within a space formed in the interior of the inner body  112 . The sound module  118  generates sound in response to movement of the pet toy  10 . In one embodiment the sound module  118  has a sound chip and a source of electrical power (such as an integral battery), and the sound chip emits a prerecorded sound in response to the commencement or movement and/or the continuation of movement of the pet toy  110  having the prerecorded sound chip housed therein. Obviously, other mechanical versions of the sound module  118  are contemplated, such as a sound module  118  that generates sound via mechanical means, such as tumbling or shifting of the sound module  118  or its contents (such as beads or metal balls) within the interior space of the inner body  112 . Other variations of the sound module  118  are envisioned, thus the particular nature of the sound module  118  is not considered a limitation on the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     It is further envisioned that the inner body  112  has a plurality of apertures  120  formed in the inner body  112  for transmitting the sound generated by the sound module  118  from the interior of the inner body  112  to the exterior of the inner body  112  so that the sound is more easily perceived by the pet during use. The sound module  118  and apertures  120  cooperatively provide an audible stimulant to the pet during usage, thereby enhancing the attractiveness of the pet toy  10  generally, and stimulating engagement of the pet to the pet toy  10 . It is envisioned that a minimum number of apertures  120  are provided to sufficiently transmit the sound from the sound module  118 . The size and placement of the apertures  120 ) is variable, so long as the aperture  120  number and/or size sufficiently transmits the sound generated by the sound module  118 . In one envisioned embodiment, the sound module  118  may include a prerecorded sound chip of the form and function found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,053, issued in the name of the present inventor, the patent specification and claims being incorporated by reference herein as if fully rewritten in its entirety The prerecorded sound chip thereby emits a prerecorded sound in response to one or both of the commencement and continuation of movement of the pet toy  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a third alternate embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in which the open-cell exoskeleton  114  is anticipated as having a general form complimentary to the inner body  112 . For example, if the inner body  112  is spherical in form, the open-cell exoskeleton  114  is generally spherical in form, excepting the portions of the open-cell exoskeleton  114  that are identified as the open-cell  114   b  portion, discussed in greater detail below. The open-cell exoskeleton  114  comprises an exoskeleton  114   a  portion and an open-cell  114   b  portion. As depicted, and by way of example only, the exoskeleton  114   a  may be described as having three planes ( 114   c ,  114   d  and  114   e , respectively). Arbitrarily assigning the inner body  112  (here, spherical in shape) a north pole (N), a south pole “S” and an equator (E), one may observe that two planes ( 114   c  and  114   d ) are longitudinally oriented, are spaced approximately ninety-degrees in the longitudinal orientation at “E” and intersect at (N) and “S”. The third plane  114   e  is latitudinally oriented, com“rising the equatorial plane “E”, and intersecting with the other planes ( 114   c  and  114   d ) about “E” approximately every ninety-degrees. The exoskeleton  114   a  generally encompasses, encircles, encloses or otherwise circumscribes the inner body  112 . In this respect, the relationship of the inner body  112  to the open-cell exoskeleton  114 , and particularly to the exoskeleton  114   b  may be thought of as the inner body  112  being the “inner portion” of the pet toy  10  and the open-cell exoskeleton  114  being the “outer portion” of the pet toy  10 , respectively. The open-cell  114   b  portion is provided for several purposes, which includes providing unfettered audible access to the apertures  120  formed on the inner body  112 , and allowing for non-linear movement of the pet toy  10  when used by the pet. 
     The open-cell exoskeleton  114 , and the exoskeleton  114   a  portion in particular, has at least one channel  116  formed in the exoskeleton  114   a  portion for retaining a consumable pet treat “T”. In a single channel  116  embodiment, the channel  116  may be formed at any portion of the open-cell exoskeleton  114 . It is envisioned that a multi-channel embodiment ( 116   a  and  116   b , for example) may be desirable as well, positioned specifically or randomly along the exoskeleton  114   a  portion. In the embodiment depicted, by way of example only, a channel is formed along each of the three planes ( 114   c ,  114   d  and  114   e ), so that a single channel  116   c  corresponds to the plane  114   c , a single channel  116   d  corresponds to the plane  114   d , and a single channel  116   e  corresponds to the plane  114   e . It is envisioned that the single channels ( 116   c ,  116   d  and  116   e , respectively) circumscribe the individual planes ( 114   c ,  114   d  and  114   e , respectively). The use of a plurality of consumable pet treats “T” is envisioned with the multi-channel embodiment, or in the tri-channel embodiment described in which the channels circumscribe the planes. 
     It is further envisioned that either the inner body  112  or the open-cell exoskeleton  114 , or both elements, may be provided with a scent and/or flavor component to provide an olfactory attractant. For instance, a scent and/or flavor may be impregnated into the inner body  112  and/or the open-cell exoskeleton  114 . As the pet engages or chews the toy, scent and/or flavor may be released from the inner body  112  and/or open-cell exoskeleton  114 . Other methods for imparting a scent or flavor into the inner body  112  or open-cell exoskeleton  114  are also contemplated. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     In operation, the present invention is used as an otherwise conventional pet toy, but engages additional senses of the pet to provide more entertainment to the pet and the owner. Insertion of the treats into cavities within the toy are held until extracted by the pet. The audible stimulus is engaged by movement of the toy. The physical stimuli of an embedded food item utilizes sight, smell and taste to ultimately provide exercise to the muscles, strengthens teeth and gums, and extracts harmful plaque from the teeth of a pet, as well as. The audible stimuli of sound can be used additionally to engage the instinctive response from many breeds of cats or dogs. 
     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.