Abstract:
A toy animal formed of molded plastic provides simulated respiration. An aperture in the upper section of the molded plastic animal is covered with a flexible simulated animal pelt. A battery-powered electric motor within the toy animal provides a rotating output which is coupled to the underside of the flexible simulated animal pelt within the aperture utilizing a flexible shaft. This manner rotation of the motor output alternately extends and depresses the flexible simulated animal pelt, thereby simulating respiration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates in general to toys and in particular to animal toys. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an animal toy which simulates respiration. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Toy animals are well-known in the art and have existed for many thousands of years. Attempts have been made over the years to provide a more life-like appearance for such toy animals. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,089 discloses a life-like toy animal which is provided by stuffing an animal-shaped toy with a closed fluid containing liner filled with a viscous silicone or silicone/water material. The weight of the silicone/water material is believed to give the animal a life-like weight and, when covered with a fur-like plush, a toy constructed in the manner disclosed within this patent may appear life-like and satisfy the desires of people or children to fantasize a friendship with a live animal without the costly and time consuming impact of maintaining a live animal. 
   In an effort to produce an even more life-like toy animal, various mechanical animal reproductions have been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,673 discloses a mechanical dog having a head and tongue which, when utilized in conjunction with a tank and a pumping device, can simulate, in a life-like manner, the lapping of fluid by a live animal. 
   Toys, both animal simulative or not, are also frequently utilized to soothe or distract a child by producing vibrations or sounds which are intended to be life-like. One example of such a device may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,238,263. 
   One attempt at producing an animal toy having a life-like appearance which conforms to actual biologic functions may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,876. This patent discloses a stuffed animal containing a heartbeat simulating transducer, which in combination with an electronic circuit, provides a simulated heartbeat which can have a comforting and stimulating affect on young children, puppies or other creatures. 
   One problem with such devices is that the level of activity which is attempted to be reproduced is such that substantial electric power is consumed such that the device may be operated for only limited amounts of time. 
   It should therefore be apparent that a need exists for a life-like toy animal which simulates an actual animal in a manner which is highly efficient in terms of consumption of electric power but which still provides a calming, soothing representation of a live animal. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved toy. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved life-like animal toy. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved animal toy which simulates respiration. 
   The foregoing objects are achieved as is now described. A toy animal is formed of molded plastic, which can provide simulated respiration. An aperture in the upper surface of the molded plastic animal is covered with a flexible simulated animal pelt. A battery-powered electric motor is placed within a cavity within the molded plastic toy animal which provides a rotating output. That rotating output is then coupled to the underside of the flexible simulated animal pelt within the aperture utilizing a flexible shaft such that rotation of the motor rotary output alternately extends and depresses the flexible simulated animal pelt, thereby simulating respiration. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristics of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The present invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a toy animal constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an electric motor and gearbox utilized to implement the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the electric motor and gearbox of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the electric motor and gear box mounted within the toy animal of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial cut-away sectional view of the extension of the body of the toy animal of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a partial sectional view of the depression of the body of the toy animal of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a toy animal  10  which is constructed in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. As illustrated, toy animal  10  may comprise a puppy; however, toy animal  10  may also comprise a cat, teddy bear, frog or any other fanciful animal representation. As illustrated, an aperture  12  is provided in the upper surface of a toy animal  10  which will be utilized to simulate respiration in the manner which will be described herein. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is depicted a perspective view of an electric motor and gear box utilized to implement the present invention. As illustrated, a gearbox  16  is coupled to an output shaft (not shown) of electric motor  14 . The output of gearbox  16  is a rotating drive crank  18  and, as illustrated, a flexible shaft  20  is coupled to rotating drive crank  18 . In the depicted embodiment of the present invention, flexible shaft  20  is preferably is made from a high quality spring steel with a modulus of elasticity equal to 30×10 6  psi and an elastic limit greater than 200,000 psi. The flexible shaft  20  L/D ratio, that is, the ratio of the length of flexible shaft  20  and the diameter of flexible shaft  20 , is in the range of 50 to 100. This high ratio allows easy bending of flexible shaft  20  without it reaching the elastic limit that would result in permanent deformation. The high ratio also allows easy buckling of the flexible shaft  20  when it receives a high column load, permitting flexible shaft  20  to flex under load, as will be described in greater detail herein. 
   With reference now to  FIG. 3 , there is depicted an exploded view of the electric motor and gear box of  FIG. 2 . As illustrated, electric motor  14  includes a motor shaft  20 , which, in the depicted embodiment of the present invention, is utilized to rotate pinion gear  24 . Pinion gear  24  is depicted as meshing with bull gear  26  and, as graphically depicted in  FIG. 3 , serves to provide an initial reduction of the rotation speed of motor shaft  22 , as those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate. 
   Rotating with bull gear  26  is reduction gear  28 . As illustrated, reduction gear  28  meshes with second bull gear  30  and further reduces the rotation speed output by motor  14 . Second bull gear  30 , preferably rotates about an idler shaft  32  and idler shaft  32  is coupled to rotating drive crank  18 . 
   Gearbox cover  34  is held in place by a plurality of assembly screws  36  and, when assembled in the manner described within this figure, the output speed of motor  14  is preferably reduced by a factor of between 50 and 100. 
   Electric motor  14 , in the depicted embodiment of the present invention, is preferably a battery-powered electric motor designed to draw very little current and thus be operable by ordinary flashlight batteries for an extended period of time. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is depicted a sectional view of the electric motor and gearbox of the present invention mounted within toy animal  10 . As depicted, electric motor  14  is mounted within a cavity within toy animal  10 . In the depicted embodiment, toy animal  10  is preferably a molded plastic representation of an animal which may be constructed of polyvinyl chloride other suitable plastic material. As illustrated, aperture  12  and plastic mold  44  are covered on at least the upper surface thereof by simulated animal pelt  46 . Although simulated animal pelt  46  is depicted having minimal thickness, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that artificial fur or actual fur may be utilized to simulate an animal pelt having substantial thickness, dependent upon the animal type which is the subject of the present simulation. Additionally, that portion of simulated animal pelt  46  which overlies aperture  12  is preferably flexible in nature, permitting extension and depression in a manner which will be described in detail herein. 
   As illustrated, motor  14  and gearbox  16  with the associated reduction gear train are mounted within a cavity within toy animal  10  and flexible shaft  20  is coupled at one end to rotating drive crank  18  and at a second end to mounting plate  48 . Mounting plate  48  is fixed, utilizing any suitable technique, to the underside of the flexible portion of simulated animal pelt  46  within aperture  12 . 
   Also depicted within  FIG. 4  is battery case  38  which serves to contain and electrically align one or more ordinary batteries which provide electrical power, via power cables  42  to electric motor  14 . 
   Next, with reference to  FIG. 5 , there is depicted a partial cutaway sectional view of the extension of simulated pelt  46  of toy animal  10  of the present invention. As illustrated, rotation of rotating drive crank  18  moves flexible shaft  20  in an upward direction, causing the extension of simulated pelt  46  in the manner depicted. An important feature of the present invention is the provision of flexible shaft  20  utilizing a material which is sufficiently flexible such that the placing of an operator&#39;s hand or weight on the upper surface of simulated pelt  46  will not unduly load motor  14  when rotating drive crank  18  rotates, as a result of the tendency of flexible shaft  20  to bend, as illustrated within this figure. 
   Finally, referring to  FIG. 6 , there is depicted a partial sectional view of the depression of simulated animal pelt  46  into the body of toy animal  10 . As illustrated, the rotation of rotating drive crank  18  to its lower-most position will move flexible shaft  20  in a downward direction and, via the attachment to mounting plate  48 , will result in the depression of flexible simulated animal pelt  46  into aperture  12 . 
   Thus, upon reference to the foregoing, those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the applicants herein have provided a toy animal which, in a highly efficient manner, simulates respiration of a live animal in a manner calculated to soothe and amuse small children, puppies or other creatures. By utilizing a low current electric motor and a flexible shaft which will not bog down in response to a resistance against distention of the flexible portion of simulated pelt  46 , the toy animal of the present invention can operate for periods of up to six months utilizing two common flashlight batteries. 
   While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.