Abstract:
A pet toy has a core assembly incorporating a noise making feature. The pet toy has a flexible, elastomeric body that flexes in response to external pressure placed on the toy by an animal. The core assembly extends through the interior of the pet toy and is secured at opposite ends of the pet toy. In one preferred embodiment, the pet toy is a round shaped ball in which the core assembly extends across a diameter of the ball. The core assembly has a bore and a noise making device is secured to a housing that extends from a central shaft of the bore. Airflow is facilitated through the pet toy for activation of the noise making device by deformation of the body of the pet toy. As the pet toy is deformed by the biting action of an animal, air is forced through the noise making device, thereby creating sound. In another embodiment, the core assembly has a compound shape including a bulbous portion securing the noise making housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to pet toys, and more particularly, to a pet toy incorporating a core assembly for mounting a noise making device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Chewable pet toys have been available for many years. Rubber or plastic is typically the preferred material for these pet toys. A great variety of shapes can be created since the toys are molded. 
         [0003]    One object in many pet toys is to provide various structural features that will keep the pet occupied over a period of time, and one of these features is the incorporation of a noise making device, often referred to as a squeaker. It is believed that an animal&#39;s biting action on the toy, which activates the squeaking sound, stimulates the animal to continue with its play/biting action on the toy. However, one observed behavior of animals is that many animals will continue to aggressively chew on the toy to find and eventually destroy the squeaker. Therefore, one significant problem associated with many pet toys is that the animal will specifically target the noise making device, and may inadvertently swallow and ingest the noise making device and surrounding portions of the toy. 
         [0004]    Some efforts have been made to isolate the noise making device in a pet toy to prevent access. Some examples of prior art references that disclose pet toys with features intended to isolate the noise making device include the U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,066,779; 7,736,212; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,736,213 to Willinger. According to one embodiment disclosed in these references, a method of mounting a squeaker into a ball toy is provided in which a separate holder or sleeve retains a squeaker and the sleeve is inserted into and held in an opening formed in the toy. The sleeve has a recessed area that tightly mates with the opening. The sleeve can alternatively be formed with fin shaped extensions at a distal end of the sleeve. The extensions enable the noise making element to be retained within the toy even if the bonding of the sleeve to the opening in the toy fails. 
         [0005]    Another example of references disclosing a noise producing device held within a pet toy includes the Applicant&#39;s prior published applications 2009/0038560 and 2009/0038559. In various embodiments shown in these publications, a noise making device may be secured within the pet toy by use of an internal holding pocket that it is integrally molded when the pet toy is manufactured. A control element may be used to activate or deactivate the noise making device. 
         [0006]    Despite these improvements in securing a noise making device within a pet toy, there is still a further need to optimize placement of a noise making device within a pet toy in which the noise making device is effectively isolated from access by the animal, yet the structure surrounding the noise making device can be used to provide additional structural support to the pet toy. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In accordance with the present invention, a pet toy is provided in which a core assembly incorporates a noise making feature or device. The pet toy has a flexible, elastomeric body that flexes in response to external pressure placed on the toy by an animal. The core assembly extends through the interior of the pet toy and may be secured at opposite ends of the pet toy. The core assembly has a shaft defining a bore and a noise making device is secured to a housing that connects to and extends from the shaft. Airflow is facilitated through the pet toy for activation of the noise making device by deformation of the body of the pet toy. As the pet toy is deformed by the biting action of an animal, air is forced through the noise making device, thereby creating sound. 
         [0008]    As used herein, the term “core assembly” refers to an element that is separate from the body of the pet toy, is disposed in the pet toy, and has at least two openings, one opening for fluid communication with a hollow interior of the body of the pet toy and another opening for fluid communication with the exterior of the body of the pet toy. The core assembly may be mounted in an opening formed in the body of the pet toy or between opposing central openings formed in the body of the pet toy. The core assembly provides additional structural support to the pet toy. 
         [0009]    In a first embodiment, the pet toy may include a round shaped body with the core assembly extending through the hollow interior of the body. The core assembly may include a pair of flanges located at each end of the core assembly that attach to the sidewall of the body. The central shaft interconnects the flanges. The central shaft defines the bore forming a large opening through the pet toy. As shown, the core assembly extends generally across a diameter of the ball. The noise making device housing is secured to the central shaft, and extends angularly away from an axis of the shaft. A noise making device is mounted in the housing. The flanges are sized to frictionally engage the interior edges of the sidewall defining the central openings. The flanges have peripheral extensions that are shaped to interlock the corresponding shapes of the central openings. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the body is made from a flexible and elastomeric material that may include various forms of plastic or rubber. The core assembly can be made of a flexible and elastomeric material having a greater stiffness as compared to the material of the body thereby providing additional rigidity, but still allowing deformation of the sidewall of the body. 
         [0011]    As the shape of the body deforms in response to the biting/chewing action of an animal, the volume of air within the hollow interior changes, thus creating a stream of airflow that passes through the noise making device. This travel of air through the noise making device activates its sound making capability. The proximal end of the noise making housing has an opening that communicates with the bore of the central shaft, thereby allowing airflow through the noise making device into the bore. The core assembly provides stiffening support to the body to enable it to rebound to its un-deformed shape after the animal bites down on the body. 
         [0012]    In the second preferred embodiment of the invention, the core assembly is defined by a pair of flanges secured to the body of the pet toy, and a compound shaped structure interconnecting the flanges. This interconnecting structure includes a shaft portion connected to one of the flanges, and a bulbous portion connected to the other flange. The shaft portion and bulbous portion connect and extend continuously through the hollow interior of the pet toy. The noise making housing protrudes from the bulbous portion of the core assembly into the hollow interior of the body of the toy. A noise making device is secured within the housing. In this embodiment, activation of the noise making device is achieved in the same way by deformation of the body of the pet toy in which the volume of air within the hollow interior changes as the biting/chewing action occurs, and air is forced through the noise making device in the housing and into the hollow chamber of the interconnecting structure. The flanges have sized openings that communicate with the space outside of the toy allowing air to escape the toy. Preferably, the core assembly in this embodiment is also flexible and elastomeric, and provides support to the body to enable it to more easily rebound to its un-deformed shape in which air travels back into the bore and through the noise making device back into the hollow interior. 
         [0013]    In other preferred embodiments of the invention, the shape of the body can be changed. For example, one embodiment may be football shaped, another embodiment may be twig or stick shaped, another embodiment may be ring shaped, and yet another embodiment may be bone shaped. For each of these additional embodiments, the noise making device is secured within the housing, and the housing is disposed within the hollow interior of the body. Further, each of the embodiments includes the central shaft and flanges that are placed on opposite sides of the body and interconnected by the central shaft. 
         [0014]    The outer surface of the body may include features that aid in the dental cleaning of the animal&#39;s mouth. For example, a series of bumps, protrusions, grooves, or a body with a roughened outer surface can be used. In the second preferred embodiment, it is shown with a series of spaced bumps or protrusions. 
         [0015]    Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent with a review of the drawings, taken in conjunction with the Detailed Description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the pet toy; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 1  showing interior details of the core assembly and noise making housing; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the pet toy; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 3  showing interior details of the core assembly and noise making housing of the second embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the pet toy in which the shape of the body is similar to a football; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment in which the body is shaped as a twig or stick; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment in which the body is ring shaped; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment in which the body is bone shaped; 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the core assembly separated from the body; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 8  showing the interior details of the core assembly and noise making housing of the embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the pet toy  10  in a first embodiment. The pet toy is characterized by two primary components, namely, a flexible and elastomeric body  20 , and a core assembly  12  that is integrated through the hollow interior of the body and extends between the substantially opposite sides or ends of the toy. The core assembly  12  includes a central shaft  14  and a pair of flanges  16  disposed at opposite ends of the shaft. The flanges  16  mate with the sidewall  28  of the pet toy at an opening  24  that extends through opposing sides or ends of the body  20 . Each of the flanges includes a peripheral extension  22  that provides mating engagement with the sidewall  28  as shown. A central bore  18  defines the open space through the central shaft. The hollow interior  26  of the pet toy provides an open space in which to locate the central shaft  14 . A noise making housing  30  has a proximal end  33  connected to the central shaft, and a distal end  31  that extends angularly from the central shaft within the hollow interior  26 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the noise making housing  30  extends at an angle approximately 45° to the longitudinal axis A-A of the central shaft. The housing  30  is shown as being a cylindrical shape element. A noise making device  32  is disposed within the housing  30 . The distal end  31  of the housing  30  is open, which allows air flow through the housing and through the noise making device. Similarly, the proximal end  33  of the housing  30  that communicates with the central shaft  14  is open which enables the air to escape through the bore  18 . Therefore, air can be exchanged from within the hollow interior  26  into the bore  18 , and vice versa. The noise making device  32  can be a conventional squeaker used in pet toys in which a vibrating reed generates a noise as air flows around the reed. Other noise making devices can be used, and based on the space available in the hollow interior  26 , the housing  30  can be sized and shaped to accommodate the particular noise making device chosen. 
         [0027]    As an animal chews or bites on the body  20 , the volume of air within the hollow interior  26  will change, therefore forcing air through the noise making device into the bore. As the body returns to its normally un-deformed shape, air will then travel in an opposite direction from the bore through the housing and back into the hollow interior  26 . The angular orientation of the housing  30  prevents the interior surface of the sidewall  28  from sealing the air passage through the noise making device if the sidewall contacts the housing during the biting action of the animal. The flexible nature of the connection between the housing  30  and central shaft  14  allows the housing to collapse against the central shaft and therefore the interior surface of the sidewall will not cover the opening at the distal end of the housing. 
         [0028]    The central opening  24  is shaped so that a connection is made with the flange  16  at a right angle or 90 degree configuration. The flange  16  is preferably tapered so that the flange provides a curved shape that matches the curved shape of the body. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a second embodiment of a pet toy  40  is illustrated. The toy  40  also includes a body  44  with a core assembly  42  disposed within the body. The sidewall  48  defines a hollow interior  50 . The core assembly  42  has a different configuration in which the central shaft  14  is replaced with a shaft portion  56  and a bulbous portion  58 . As also shown, the core assembly has flanges  52  located at opposite ends of the core assembly, and the flanges  52  have respective openings  45  and  43  that communicate with an interior chamber  66 . The core assembly  42  is received within central openings  46  formed on opposite sides of the body  44 . The flanges  52  also include respective peripheral extensions  54  that create a mating configuration with the sidewall  48 . 
         [0030]    A noise making device housing  60  protrudes from the core assembly  42 , and the housing is cylindrical shaped, as shown, with an interior portion that communicates with an interior chamber  66  that defines the open space within the shaft portion and bulbous portion. A noise making device  62  is placed within the housing  60 . The distal end  68  of the housing  60  is open, enabling an exchange of air between the hollow interior  50  of the body  44  and the interior chamber  66 . As with the first embodiment, when an animal deforms the shape of the sidewall  48 , air will flow through the noise making device thus activating the noise making device to produce sound. The sizes of the openings  43  and  45  can be modified to adjust the desired rate of airflow exchanged between the hollow interior  50  and interior chamber  66 . The lower flange  52  shown in  FIG. 4  has a relatively larger opening  43  as compared to the smaller opening  45 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  also shows a number of bumps or protrusions  64  representing surface features that can be used to facilitate dental cleaning. It is also contemplated that the surface of the toy may include other features such as a roughened texture, grooves, and combinations thereof. 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment in which the body  80  is football shaped. The same reference numbers used in this embodiment correspond to the same structural elements in the previous embodiments. As shown, the football shaped body  80  still provides for a hollow interior  26  in which to place the housing  30 . The proximal end  33  of the housing communicates with the central bore  18 , while the distal end  31  of the housing communicates with the hollow interior  26  as by corresponding openings in the housing. Bumps or protrusions  82  may simulate laces of the football. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , yet another embodiment is illustrated in which the body  90  is shaped as a stick or twig, including a plurality of proturbances  92  which may simulate broken off portions of the stick/twig shape body  90 . The same reference numbers used in this embodiment also correspond to the same reference numbers used in the prior embodiments. 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  illustrates yet another preferred embodiment in which the body  100  may be ring shaped. This ring shaped embodiment may include two corresponding halves  102  and  104  that connect one another along line  106 . For example, one half  102 / 104  may have a pair of peripheral grooves  110  while the other half may have a pair of corresponding tongues  108  which fit in the grooves  110 . As also shown, the housing  30  is free to protrude within the open interior  26  of the body. One distinction of the embodiment of  FIG. 7  is the proximal end  33  of the housing communicates with the exterior surface of the body  100 , while the distal end  31  of the housing communicates with the interior open space  26 . For this embodiment, it is contemplated that the noise making instrument  32  would be seated deep within the opening in the housing  30  in order to prevent access by the animal. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-10  in a final preferred embodiment, the body  120  is bone shaped including a pair of opposing bulbs or protrusions  124  interconnected by a cylindrical portion  122 . Optionally, proturbances, grooves, or ridges (not shown) may be formed on the body.  FIG. 9  illustrates the core assembly separated from the body, and also illustrates in better detail the particular shape of the opposing flanges  132  that are located on opposite ends of the central shaft  14 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , again the same reference numbers corresponding to the same structural elements in the previous embodiments, the open space  26  within the body  120  provides ample room for placement of the housing  30 . As is evident with the number of different shaped embodiments, the housing  30  can be located so that the housing does not normally make contact with the interior surface of the body. Further, in the event the pet toy is deformed during use, the distal end  31  of the housing is angled so that it will not make flush contact with the interior surface of the housing, thereby enabling air to pass through the housing and noise making device despite deformation of the body. 
         [0036]    With the pet toy of the present invention, a durable and functional construction is provided in which a noise making device is completely isolated from access by the animal. The core assembly provides a number of advantages to include not only the mounting of the isolated noise making device, but also provides structural strength to the toy. This additional rigidity allows the sidewall to rebound more readily after being deformed by the biting action of the animal. The body of the toy provides extensive surface area for engagement by the animal&#39;s mouth to activate the squeaker in which an adequate deformation along any portion of the sidewall will result in noise being produced by the noise making device. Thus, the noise making feature is facilitated by the construction of the pet toy in which a reduced volume change in the hollow interior of the body causes airflow through the noise making device. 
         [0037]    While the flanges may be permanently attached to the sidewall, it is also contemplated that the core assembly could be secured to the body by a friction fit in which the core assembly can be removed in order to replace the noise making device. It is further contemplated that the bore/interior chamber may be modified in size to therefore adjust the pitch and frequency of the sounds produced by the noise making device. Further, it is contemplated that the toy may be sold with a number of different noise making devices that produce different sounds, and may be selected to best stimulate the animal 
         [0038]    The core assembly provides enough area on the central shaft/shaft and bulbous portions so that more than one housing and noise making devices may be used. For example, in  FIGS. 2  and  4 , it is contemplated that additional noise making housings may be provided on the core assemblies by spacing the additional noise making housings from one another within the hollow interior of the body. 
         [0039]    In accordance with the method of the present invention, a pet toy provides stimulating noise by activation of the pet toy in which the isolated noise making device will continually produce a sound as the body of the toy is deformed. Because of the opposing openings on both side of the pet toy, it would be very unlikely that both openings would be blocked to prevent flow of air through the toy. Therefore, according to the method, these opposing openings ensure that the sound will be produced thereby enhancing stimulation for the animal. Also according to the method, deformation of the body will not interfere with the noise making device because the noise making device is flexibly secured to the core assembly and is spaced from the body within the hollow interior. The noise making device can flex or bend along the point at which the housing attaches to the core assembly so in the event of excessive deformation of the body resulting in contact of the interior surface of the sidewall with the housing, the housing can flex or bend to prevent damage to the noise making device. Also, because of the angle at which the housing extends, the housing is not orthogonal to the sidewall and thus deformation of the body causing contact with the housing will not result in the interior surface of the sidewall making flush contact with the opening in the housing. Accordingly, airflow will continue through the opening in the housing despite the deformation experienced along the sidewall. 
         [0040]    While the present invention has been set forth with respect to preferred embodiments of an apparatus and method, further changes and modifications may be made to the invention commensurate with the scope of the claims appended hereto.