Patent Publication Number: US-2003221633-A1

Title: Animal amusement tugging device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to an animal/human amusement device. More specifically, the invention relates to a device which allows an animal and an animal handler to interact in a pulling contest while the animal and the animal handler are encouraged by the device during the contest.  
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       [0002] Animals, especially dogs, have a natural tendency to engage in playful activity with their handler. One activity commonly enjoyed by handler and animal alike is a classic tug-o-war, where the handler and the animal try to pull an object away from each other. Animals and animal handlers have enjoyed this activity for ages, however, certain limitations are inherent in the objects used.  
       [0003] Towels can cause other negative impacts on an animal&#39;s health. Towels often become contaminated with pathogens, potentially affecting the animal&#39;s digestion. Foreign materials contained in the towel may also easily enter the eyes or nose of the animal. Additionally, the towel may rip during play causing the animal, handler or both to lose balance increasing risk of injury.  
       [0004] The use of towels also often requires that the animal pull biased to one side, consequently placing stress on the neck, shoulders and spinal column. Towels, furthermore, provide little to no interaction with the animal or handler during play. The lack of interaction often results in the handler and/or animal becoming quickly disinterested in the activity.  
       [0005] The use of typical materials have another significant drawback. Typical materials do not encourage the animal and/or handler during the contest. Over time, both the animal and handler may become bored due to the lack of change and excitement.  
       [0006] Accordingly, there is a need to provide an apparatus which allows an animal and an animal handler to engage in a tugging contest with no adverse health impacts on the animal. There is also a need to provide a device which will interact with the animal and handler increasing the enjoyment of the activity for both.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which allows an animal and an animal handler to engage in a tugging contest with no adverse health impacts to the animal.  
       [0008] It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device which will interact with the animal and handler increasing the enjoyment of the activity for both.  
       [0009] These and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent from the following detailed description, are achieved as described. An animal play toy is disclosed. The animal play toy comprises a housing defining an interior volume, an animal mouthpiece, a handle connected to the housing, and a resistance arrangement connected to the animal mouthpiece and the housing, the resistance arrangement positioned in the interior volume.  
       [0010] A method of playing with an animal is also described. The method comprises gripping a handle, placing a mouthpiece in an animal&#39;s mouth, creating a force between the mouthpiece and the handle, and measuring the force between the handle and the mouthpiece. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011]FIG. 1 illustrates an animal amusement tugging device in conformance with the present invention.  
     [0012]FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the device of FIG. 1.  
     [0013]FIG. 3 illustrates an example resistance arrangement.  
     [0014]FIG. 4 illustrates an example electrical circuit of the device of FIG. 1.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
     [0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a device  10 , in conformance with the present invention is shown. The device  10  may be comprised of an animal mouthpiece  12 , a handle  14 , a housing  16  and a resistance arrangement  46  connected to the animal mouthpiece  12  and the housing  16 .  
     [0016] The handle  14  may be used by a handler to provide an anchor point in a tugging contest with an animal. The handle  14  allows the handler to insert a hand or grasping object through an opening  52  allowing a proper grip to be established. The handle  14  may be configured with finger indentations  22  to provide a superior gripping geometry and additionally may be sized to allow the handle to be grabbed in a one or two handed manner. The handle  14 , may also be sized for children or adults. The handle  14  may be manufactured from high impact plastic, ABS, or other material which will provide lightness of weight while having sufficient tensile and shear capacity for anticipated loads. The handle  14  may be colored to provide an eye-catching design. A surface for the handle  14  may be covered with a non-skid material to enhance gripping traction. The no-skid material may include an exterior placed rubber coating. Additionally, a textured surface may be formed during manufacturing. The handle  14  may additionally be configured to allow rotation relative to the housing  16 , to minimize stress on the wrist of the handler during play. The handle  14  may be configured in multiple pieces joined by screws  30  to form a coherent unit.  
     [0017] A mouthpiece  12  is provided to allow an animal biting point for the device  10 . The mouthpiece  12  may be shaped in a variety of configurations and as such the configuration shown should not be considered limiting. The mouthpiece  12  may be configured with a surface  54  which allows for a friction fit in an animal&#39;s mouth during biting. The surface  54  may be varied according to the type of friction required. The surface  54 , for example, may have a geometrical configuration with bumps or stubbles  20 . Furthermore, the surface  54  may be covered with a material such as high strength non-toxic rubber, to enhance friction in an animal&#39;s mouth. The body of the mouthpiece  12  may be manufactured of high impact plastic or other material suitable for anticipated sheer and bending loads. The mouthpiece  12  may also be formed such that a non-breaking rope extends between the sides  68  of the mouthpiece, encouraging the animal to grasp the mouthpiece  12 .  
     [0018] A housing  16  provides a connection point for the device  10  allowing the handle  14  and the mouthpiece  12  to be joined. In the configuration illustrated, the mouthpiece  12  is constructed as an inner tube  62 . The inner tube  62  may fit within an outer tube  64  formed with the housing  16 . The installation of a resistance arrangement  46  may keep the mouthpiece  12  in a retracted state. Both the inner tube  62  and the outer tube  64  may be manufactured from nylon or other similar material to provide for acceptable sheer and bending strength as well as lightness of weight. The housing  16  defines an interior volume  18  which may house a resistance arrangement  46 , processing unit  50 , power source  44  and force measuring unit  48 . The housing  16  may be manufactured in as many parts as necessary to perform the housing function. In the illustrated views of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a two part housing  16  is shown in which a housing first part  34  and housing second part  36  define the interior volume  18 . The housing first part  34  and the housing second part  36  are joined through a connection arrangement  56 . As shown, the connection arrangement  56  may be comprised of set screws  58 . As will be identified by those skilled in the art, the set screws  58  may extend into pre-formed screw acceptors in the opposite housing part. The housing  24  may have an optional label area  24  for the attachment of a logo or other design/artwork application. The logo or design /artwork application may either be performed through the use of a sticker or actual formation into the housing  16  during manufacturing. The housing  16  may be manufactured from high impact plastic as an example for strength or other appropriate material.  
     [0019] Referring to FIG. 3, an example resistance arrangement  46  for the device  10  is shown. The resistance arrangement  46  may be comprised of a spring or springs, for example, to provide resistance during the tugging contest. The springs  38 ,  40  provide sufficient “give” to enable the animal to pull without significant shock stresses being placed on the animal through sudden impact. As illustrated in FIG. 3, a series of two springs  38 , 40  provide the resistance of the device  10 . In the example embodiment shown, a first spring  38  is positioned in series with a larger second spring  40  to allow two modes of playful interaction. The first spring  38  may be configured with a spring constant which is relatively small compared to the spring constant of the second spring  40 . Once a force is placed on the resistance arrangement  46 , the first spring  38 , due to its lesser spring constant, will deflect first as compared to the second spring  40 . Once the first spring  38  has deflected to a maximum threshold, the second spring  40  may be progressively deflected. By configuring the first spring  38  and the second spring  40  in this manner, lighter animals with lesser tugging capability may enjoy the movement provided by the device  10 . Larger animals, meanwhile, after deflecting the relatively “soft” first spring  38 , will find the device  10  challenging for their increased tugging capabilities. Other configurations are possible, for example, a three spring series arrangement may provide for a “low”, “medium” and “high” strength capacity of the unit. Likewise, the device  10  may be configured for only larger or smaller animals and have a single spring. In the arrangement  46  shown, a typical spring constant for the first spring  38  may be, for example 40 pounds per inch deflection. A typical spring constant for the second spring  40  maybe, for example 120 pounds per inch deflection. Other spring constant values may be used depending upon the strength and weight of the animal the device  10  is designed for. When a force  66  is placed upon the arrangement  46 , the mouthpiece  12  may be drawn out of the housing  16  such that the inner tube  64  slides out of the outer tube  62  to a degree allowed by the springs  38 ,  40 . Additional arrangements may be used including hydraulic pistons, elastic bands or other similar arrangements. The springs  38 ,  40  may be manufactured of non-fatigue prone material to allow repeated stress cycles. The springs  38 ,  40  may be manufactured of steel, or high strength plastic as an example.  
     [0020] Referring to FIG. 4, an example circuit  60  is shown. The circuit  60  may be comprised of a measuring unit  48 , a processing unit  50 , a button  42 , a loudspeaker  26  and a power source  44 . A measuring unit  48  may be configured to monitor the resistance arrangement  46  to determine the amount of force on the arrangement at any time. The measuring unit  48  may be preprogrammed to measure the force on an instantaneous basis or a sample over time basis. Information obtained by the measuring unit  48  may be conveyed to a processing unit  50 . The processing unit  50  may allow input of the conveyance of the measuring unit  48  and compares the information obtained with a pre-set range of threshold values. If a threshold value is exceeded by the measurements obtained by the measuring unit  48 , the processing unit  50  may be activated to provide an output. In the example embodiment shown, a loudspeaker  26  provides an audio output. Typical audio output initiated by the processing unit  50 , may provide, for example, words of encouragement for the animal and the handler that a certain level has been achieved. As will be identified by those skilled in the art, a range of differing thresholds may be established in which differing outputs may be provided for differing levels of achievement. The processing unit  50  may similarly use a randomizing function to mix the outputs in a more random manner to surprise the animal and handler upon successive levels of achievement. The processing unit  50  may also be configured with an internal memory to allow retention of data from different play sessions, allowing the handler to track the capability of the animal over time.  
     [0021] A power source  44  provides the needed energy for the circuit  60 . The power source  44  may be any type of energy delivery device to provide sufficient electrical supply to the circuit  60 . As shown in FIG. 4, batteries, for example AA size, may be used to power the circuit  60 . The power source  44 , may be replaceable and/or rechargeable, for example, to allow for continued use of the device  10  once power drain of the power source  44  is complete.  
     [0022] A loudspeaker  26  may be attached to the processing unit  50  to provide a feedback to the animal and the handler during play. The loudspeaker  26  may be sized according to the power source  44  available for the device  10 . The loudspeaker  26  may be adjustable such that sound volume level may be either turned off or placed at a maximum volume. The loudspeaker  26  may be configured such that volume levels are safe for use by children and animals. The loudspeaker  26  may further be configured to be weatherproof to allow the unit to function in wet environments. The loudspeaker  26  may be configured as an attachment to the exterior of the housing  16  or as a unit which is internal to the housing  16 . If placed in the housing  16 , appropriate holes may be placed in a loudspeaker cover  32  in the housing  16  to allow sound penetration for the loudspeaker  26  during activation.  
     [0023] A button  42  may be located on the device  10  to allow potential users to test the device  10  for battery power levels or to sample the capabilities of the device  10 . The button  42  may therefore be connected to the processing unit  50  to provide a direct initiation of the loudspeaker  26  of the device  10 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the button  42  is configured as a “try me” button  42  which allows a user to “scroll” through the differing sounds that the device  10  may make.  
     [0024] A meter  28  may allow a handler to determine the total force that has been exerted during the tugging contest. The meter  28  allows the handler to see the accomplishments of the animal and allow the handler to track progress in strength over time. As shown in an example embodiment, the meter  28  automatically deflects based upon the amount of force exerted on the resistance arrangement  46 . The meter  28  may be manually reset after the tugging contest has ended, allowing the handler to use the device  10  with differing animals. In addition to the deflecting pointer type meters, the meter  28  may be configured as a digital readout, a numerical readout or bar graph to allow the handler to track the progress of the animal over time. The meter  28  may be manufactured out of ABS or a high impact plastic for example.  
     [0025] Operationally, an animal handler grabs the handle  14  of the device  10  placing fingers into the finger indentations  22 . A mouthpiece  12  is placed in an animal&#39;s mouth. The animal is encouraged to bite the animal mouthpiece  12  such that the placement of the mouthpiece  12  provides an approximately uniform stress distribution over the gripping teeth of the animal. To aid in the distribution of force, the stubbles  20  allow the animal to bite the animal mouth piece  12  without slippage. The animal is then encouraged to pull on the animal mouthpiece  12  when the handle  14  is being held by the handler. This pulling causes a force to be exerted on the resistance arrangement  46 . The animal or the handler may provide further force increasing the total force on the resistance arrangement  46 . The measuring unit  48  of the circuit  60  measures the resistance arrangement  46  and communicates the status of the arrangement  46  to the processing unit  50 . The processing unit  50  checks the status of the arrangement  46  against preset levels and determines if the preset levels have been exceeded. If the preset levels have been exceeded, the loudspeaker  26  is activated and acknowledgment of the achieved level is broadcast. The broadcast may be varied based upon a randomizing function. A resistence meter  28 , coupled to the resistance arrangement  46  allows for a visual identification of the maximum force achieved on the device  10  by the animal and the animal handler.  
     [0026] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.