Abstract:
A breathable material is folded and sewn together to form a snake shaped object having a cavity with a first end and a second end. The object may be shaped like an animal, such as a snake, an insect, a rodent, or reptile. The object includes jingle bells located within the cavity towards the first end of the object. At the second end of the object, a plurality of tassels extend longitudinally. Within the object, between the jingle bells and the tassels are a pair of sachets containing catnip. The breathable material is light weight and permits the cat to suck the catnip through the breathable material. The toy makes a ringing sound when batted, bitten or shaken by the cat.  
     Further, the toy distracts the cat from damaging household goods made of wool and provides an environmentally safe toy to entertain the cat.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to the amusement of a cat and, more particularly, to a snake shaped toy including bells, tassels, and catnip.  
           [0002]    Cats have been around since the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, and various methods have been employed by their owners to entertain them over the centuries. Cats are driven by instinctual hunting habits which cause them to chase objects. It is well known that a ball of yarn or a ping-pong ball will entertain a cat for hours. Thus, the use of a play toy for a cat is known in the prior art. This cat toy unlike most in the prior art is inert and should be moved around manually. Cats have a keen sense of smell and can be lured by the use of scents. In particular, cats are fond of the odor of catnip, which is a plant of the mint family with strongly scented leaves. This invention includes bells, tassels, and catnip to attract and tease the cat.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In an exemplary embodiment, a breathable material is folded and sewn together to form an object in the shape of a snake having a cavity with a first end and a second end. The snake shaped object has a cavity extending from the first end to the second end. The object includes jingle bells located within the cavity towards the first end of the object. At the second end of the object, a plurality of tassels extend longitudinally. Within the object, between the jingle bells and the tassels are a pair of sachets containing catnip. The breathable material is light weight and permits the cat to suck the catnip through the breathable material. The toy makes a ringing sound when batted, bitten or shaken by the cat.  
           [0004]    One object of the invention is to provide a cat toy that maybe easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. Another object of the invention is to provide a cat toy which is made of a durable and reliable construction. Yet, another object of the invention is to make a cat toy that is environmentally safe and safe for the cat to play with. Still another object of the invention is to distract the cat from damaging household goods made of wool. A cat toy invention is therefore provided to attract and entertain the cat. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cat toy assembly;  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the cat toy assembly shown in FIG. 1 in a position for replacing sachets filled with catnip;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cat toy shown in FIG. 1 attached to a rod and cord assembly in an embodiment of the invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the rod inserted into the handle of the rod and cord assembly shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the rod inserted into an ergonomically fitting handle of the rod and cord assembly shown in FIG. 3; and  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cord attached to a connection point on the rod shown in FIG. 3. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a cat toy assembly  10 . Cat toy assembly  10  includes an exterior breathable material  12 , a plurality of jingle bells  14 , a plurality of removable sachets  16 , a plurality of tassels  18 , a plurality of catnip  20 , and polyfill stuffing  22 . Breathable material  12  is a single piece of material that allows the aroma of catnip  20  enclosed in sachets  16  to permeate to the exterior of cat toy assembly  10 . In one embodiment, breathable material  12  has a first edge  24  (shown in FIG. 2) and a second edge  26  (shown in FIG. 2) that are sealed together to form a sealed edge  28 . Sealed edge  28  runs along the body of cat toy  10  (which is not shown) and along the width of cat toy  10  as shown in FIG. 1. Breathable material  12  is folded to form a cylindrical shape having a cavity  30  (shown in FIG. 2). Within cavity  30 , jingle bells  14  are located toward a first end  32  and tassels  18  are located toward a second end  34 . Inside cavity  30 , the plurality of sachets  16  containing catnip  20  are located between the jingle bells  14  and the tassels  18 . The surrounding space between each sachet  16  is filled with polyfill stuffing  22 .  
         [0012]    In an exemplary embodiment, breathable material  12  is wool fleece. Wool fleece permits the aroma of catnip  20  to exude and attract the cat. In an alternative embodiment, breathable material  12  is fabricated from a knit material. In a further alternative embodiment, breathable material  12  is fabricated from cotton. In a still further embodiment breathable material  12  is fabricated from acrylic. In another embodiment, breathable material  12  is fabricated from silk. In yet another embodiment, breathable material  12  is made of a fur-like material to simulate a rodent. In addition, breathable material  12  can be dyed a variety of different solid colors, a variety of patterned colors, and a mixture of colors all which are chosen to attract the cat. In an exemplary embodiment, breathable material  12  maybe dyed an assortment of colors for a tie-dyed appearance. In another embodiment, breathable material  12  is dyed camouflage colors.  
         [0013]    Breathable material  12  is fabricated from a single piece of material, which is very economical because a number of pieces do not have to be matched and fitted together. Thus, no additional labor is required to match pieces and fit them together in the process of toy manufacturing.  
         [0014]    The shape of cat toy  10  is discretionary and can take on the shape, for example, of a small animal, insect, rodent, or reptile. The chosen shape of cat toy  10  is one that will attract the cat. In an exemplary embodiment, breathable material  12  is shaped into a cylinder so cat toy  10  resembles a snake. Preferably, the depth and width of cat toy  10  are selected to allow the cat to grasp cat toy  10  with its mouth. In an exemplary embodiment, cat toy  10  has a width of at least two-and-a-half inches, has a body length of at least nine inches, has a depth of at least a quarter inch, and has tassels  18  having a length of at least five inches with tassels  18  spanning at least six inches from A to B as shown in FIG. 1. Tassels  18  act as a tail so as to increase the resemblance of cat toy  10  to a rodent to attract the cat. In addition, cat toy  10  is lightweight and should be easily carried by the cat.  
         [0015]    Breathable material  12  can be sealed by a variety of methods. In one embodiment, sealing is performed by sewing. In another embodiment, a zipper  38  (shown in FIG. 2) is used to seal breathable material  12 . In one embodiment zipper  38  is fabricated from nylon. In another embodiment, zipper  42  is fabricated from plastic. The material chosen for zipper  38  is selected so the cat will not be injured when the cat uses its claws to scratch zipper  38  or the cat uses its teeth to bite zipper  38 . Further, sealing is performed with safety of the cat in mind. In yet another embodiment, velcro is utilized to seal breathable material  12 . Breathable material  12  is sealed to prevent the cat from gaining access to cavity  30  and the contents therein. Sealing is performed to create a single seam along an edge  28  that runs the length of cat toy  10  from first end  32  to second end  34  and then across the width of cat toy  10 . Edge  28  is a tight seal that will not tear open and spill the contents of cavity  30  when the cat either scratches, pulls, bites or mangles edge  28  with its&#39; claws or its&#39; teeth.  
         [0016]    In an exemplary embodiment, a pair of sachets  16  are utilized when fabricating cat toy  10  having a snake shape. Sachets  16  are filled with catnip  20 . Sachets  16  can be of varying shape and size to accommodate the desired shape and size of cat toy  10  being designed. For instance, depending on the shape of cat toy  10 , a plurality of sachets  16  can be utilized. In an exemplary embodiment, to provide a snake like shape, sachets  16  have a length of less than four inches, a width less than two-and-a-quarter inches, and a height of less than two inches.  
         [0017]    In one embodiment, sachets  16  are fabricated from nylon. In another embodiment, sachets  16  are fabricated from muslin. In still another embodiment, sachets  16  are fabricated from nylon netting. In yet another embodiment, sachets  16  are fabricated from cheese cloth.  
         [0018]    When sachets  16  are not used, breathable material  12  is filled with catnip  20 . However, by not using sachets  16 , catnip  20  would be used as a stuffing that is not readily malleable to form a desired shape of cat toy  10 ; for instance an elongated cylinder shaped like a snake. Without sachets  16 , the stems of catnip  20  have a tendency to protrude through breathable material  12  such that a substantially smooth outer surface cannot be fabricated. In addition, any protruding stems can injure the cat. Therefore, sachets  16  filled with catnip prevent harm to the cat by preventing the stems of catnip from protruding through breathable material  12 . Further, sachets  16  allow catnip  20  to be easily replaced without creating a mess.  
         [0019]    In between each sachet  16  and within cavity  30 , polyfill stuffing  22  is used to hold sachets  16  in place and provide form for the desired shape of cat toy  10 . Polyfill stuffing  22  is a high insulation, light-weight fiber used as a filling for coats, sleeping bags, blankets, mattresses, and upholstery. Polyfill stuffing  22  is commercially available and is fabricated from nylon, polyester, and cotton. In an exemplary embodiment, polyfill stuffing  22  is manufactured by Carpenter Company, Taylor, Tex. 76574. In another embodiment, polyfill stuffing  22  is manufactured by El Dupont de Nemours &amp; Company, Wilmington, Del. 19880-0010.  
         [0020]    A variety of means are utilized to attract the cat to play with cat toy  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, breathable material  12  is dyed an assortment of colors for a tie-dyed appearance. In addition, jingle bells  14  rattle and attract the cat when cat toy  10  is shaken or moved. Furthermore, tassels  18  simulate the tail of a rodent and attract the cat&#39;s attention when cat toy  10  is shaken or moved. As cats are known to have an affinity for the smell of catnip  20 , the catnip  20  is filled in sachets  16  and breathable material  12  allows the aroma of catnip  20  to exude through the material to attract the cat. The cat is attracted to the catnip and will try to suck the catnip through breathable material  12 . In an exemplary embodiment, breathable material  12  is wool fleece. It is known that cats will chew on sweaters, suck on towels, blankets or even carpets. This behavior has been termed as “wool sucking.” This behavior of cats may damage the material that the cat is sucking on. Any type of fabric is susceptible, although cats seem to be partial to wool. In an exemplary embodiment, catnip  20  is organically grown and free of pesticides. In another embodiment, described below, cat toy  10  is attached to a rod and cord assembly  40  (shown in FIG. 3) that dangles cat toy  10  in front of the cat permitting a user to tease the cat. This invention entertains the cat and distracts the cat from damaging other household items fabricated from wool.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the cat toy assembly  10  shown in FIG. 1 in a position for replacing  36  sachets  16  filled with catnip  20 . Elements identified in FIG. 2 use the same reference number as identical elements identified in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, breathable material  12  forms cavity  30  that can be opened and closed. Cavity  30  contains jingle bells  14  (shown in FIG. 1) and sachets  16  filled with catnip  20 . Catnip  20 , is a herb that becomes stale over time and needs to be replaced in order to maintain a fresh aroma. In one embodiment of the invention, a zipper  38  is used to open and close a cavity  30  to simplify replacing sachets  16  filled with catnip  20 . In another embodiment, velcro (not shown) can be used to open and close cavity  30  to replace sachets  16 .  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of cat toy  10  attached to a rod and cord assembly  40  in one embodiment of the invention. Rod and cord assembly  40  includes a rod  42  having a first end  44  and a second end  46 , a connection point  50  located at first end  44 , a handle  48 , and a cord  52  having a first end  54  and a second end  56 . Rod  42  is attached to handle  48  at second end  46 . A cord  52  having a first end  54  and a second end  56  is attached to rod  42 . Cord  52  first end  54  is attached to rod  42  at first end  44 , and cord  52  second end  56  is attached to cat toy  10  at an attachment point  58  located on cat toy  10 . Attachment point  58  can be located anywhere on cat toy  10 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, attachment point  58  is located in the middle of cat toy  10 .  
         [0023]    Rod  52  is attached to handle  48  by various known means. Preferably, rod  52  is fabricated from any flexible material. In one embodiment rod  52  is fabricated from plastic. In another embodiment rod  52  is fabricated from wood. In still another embodiment rod  52  is fabricated from fiberglass. In yet another embodiment, rod  52  is fabricated from bamboo. Rod  52  preferably should be resilient and capable of being bent or deflected without breaking and, after being deformed, return generally to its original shape.  
         [0024]    Handle  48  is fabricated from a variety of materials and can take on a variety of shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, handle  48  is fabricated from wood. In another embodiment handle  48  is fabricated from rubber. In still another embodiment, handle  48  is fabricated from plastic. In a further embodiment handle  48  is fabricated from fiberglass. In a still further embodiment, handle  48  is fabricated from polyvinyl chloride (commonly known as “PVC”). In yet another embodiment, handle  48  is fabricated from polyethylene. In addition, handle  48  can take on many shapes. For instance, the shape of handle  48  can be cylindrical, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal, or contain a plurality of facet edges where the edges can be rounded or sharp to provide an ergonomic shape for a user to grip handle  48 .  
         [0025]    Rod  42  is attached to handle  48  in a variety of known means. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of rod  42  inserted into handle  48 . In this embodiment, handle  48  is fabricated from wood and has a first end  60  and a second end  62  and includes a V-shaped groove  64  drilled in the radial center of handle  48 . V-shaped groove  64  has a first diameter  66  and a second diameter  68 , where first diameter  66  is larger than second diameter  68 . In one embodiment second diameter  68  is a tapered end  69 . Tapered end  69  is located near second end  62 . Within V-shaped groove  64 , rod  42  is inserted until rod  42  is tight and snug within handle  48 .  
         [0026]    In another embodiment (not shown), handle  48  is fabricated from wood. Handle  48  is cylindrically shaped, has a substantially smooth outer surface, and a hole bored along its longitudinal axis. The diameter of the bored hole is less than the diameter of the diameter of handle  48 . Rod  42  is coated with a glue and inserted into the bored hole.  
         [0027]    In yet another embodiment (not shown), handle  48  contains within the bored hole a plurality of screw turns. Rod  42  has a matching set of screw turns (not shown) such that rod  42  is configured to screw into handle  48  when inserted into handle  48 . A number of methods of inserting rod  42  into handle  48  are available in the art. These embodiments are not meant to limit the method or means by which rod  42  is inserted and retained within handle  48 .  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 5 is another embodiment of rod  42  configured to be inserted into handle  48 . In this embodiment, handle  48  has a plurality of ridges  70 , a plurality of valleys  72 . Further, handle  48  forms a hollow cylinder having an open first end  60  and a closed second end  62 . In such an embodiment, rod  42  is configured to slide inside open first end  60  and continues to be inserted into handle  48  until rod  42  reaches closed second end  62 . In one embodiment, handle  48  is fabricated from rubber. In another embodiment handle  48  is fabricated from plastic. In a further embodiment, handle  48  is fabricated from polyethylene. The material used to fabricate handle  48  should be capable of being molded with ridges  70  and valleys  72  on the exterior surface of handle  48  to ergonomically fit human fingers.  
         [0029]    Cord  52  is attached to rod  42  at connection point  50  by a variety of means. In an embodiment shown in FIG. 6, cord  52  is tightly wrapped around rod  42 . A plastic sleeve  78  is wrapped around cord  52  and is heated until the plastic melts and binds cord  52  to rod  42 . In another embodiment, a loop is attached to rod  42 , and cord  52  is tied to the loop (not shown). A number of methods of attaching cord  53  to rod  42  are available in the art. These embodiments are not meant to limit the method or means by which cord  52  is attached to rod  42 .  
         [0030]    Cord  52  is fabricated from any elastic material that has resilience and returns to its original shape after being deformed, bent or twisted. In one embodiment cord  52  is fabricated from an elastic material. In another embodiment, cord  52  is fabricated from a nylon line. In yet another embodiment, cord  52  is fabricated from fabricated from a nylon line. In yet another embodiment, cord  52  is fabricated from yarn. In a further embodiment, cord  52  is fabricated from string. There are many means of attaching cord  52  to rod  42  known in the art. The above examples are not meant to limit the method by which cord  52  is attached to rod  42  and only serve as various embodiments.  
         [0031]    Cord  52  is attached to cat toy  10  at attachment point  58 , which can be located anywhere on cat toy  10 . In one embodiment, attachment point  58  is a plastic button. In an alternative embodiment, attachment point  58  is fabricated from Velcro@. In still a further embodiment, attachment point  58  is a loop of plastic that has a first end, a second end, both which are anchored below the surface of cat toy  10 .  
         [0032]    Being hunters, cats are attracted to the movement of objects. Rod and cord assembly  40  allows a user to tease the animal with cat toy  10 . Therefore, the location where cord  52  is attached to cat toy  10  is not significant, for the purpose of rod and cord assembly  40  is to use cat toy  10  to tease the cat.  
         [0033]    While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.