Abstract:
A cat amusement system including a user actuated transmitter sized to be held by hand, the transmitter housing an actuation signal generator for remotely controlling a pet activity toy The system also includes a user actuated light generator for generating light at a wavelength and intensity to be visible to a pet proximate the pet activity toy The pet activity toy includes a motor which propels the pet activity toy upon receipt of the actuation signal emanating from said transmitter.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to a pet activity system specifically intended to be of interest to domestic cats The system includes a handheld controller capable of remotely actuating a toy and emitting a visible light signal which, in combination, cats find to be irresistible as a result of their curiosity and prey instinct 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is well known that pets, and particularly cats, have certain instinctual needs which must be satisfied. Failure to do so can not only result in the expression of overt antisocial behavior but can even adversely affect the health and well-being of the animal One of these needs is to chase a moving attractant and, in the vicinity of the attractant, to swipe and pounce upon it satisfying the cat&#39;s inherent need to hunt 
         [0003]    A cat&#39;s instinct to swipe and pounce upon a moving object is well known to virtually all cat owners It is quite common to see a pet owner dangle an attractant such as a feathered bundle or plush mouse in a cat&#39;s vicinity to appreciate this instinctual behavior. Such toys also help to keep cats occupied and exercised while providing the pet&#39;s owner with the enjoyment of watching his or her cat at play. 
         [0004]    Although there are a plethora of cat toys which have been designed to satisfy the cat&#39;s need to hunt, most are either overly complex, fail to achieve their intended objective, are subject to breakage or fail to maintain the cat&#39;s interest over time 
         [0005]    It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a pet activity system which includes a powered pet toy thus stimulating the cat&#39;s need to hunt and pounce 
         [0006]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a pet activity system which includes, in combination, a light source and powered toy to further encourage a cat to swipe and pounce as a form of amusement 
         [0007]    These and further objects will be more readily apparent when considering the following disclosure and appended claims. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A cat amusement system comprising a user actuated transmitter sized to be held by hand, said transmitter comprising an actuation signal generator for remotely controlling a pet activity toy; 
         [0000]    a user actuated light generator for generating light at a wavelength and intensity to be visible to a pet proximate the pet activity toy; and
 
a pet activity toy comprising a motor, power source for powering said motor, a receiver for receiving said actuation signal, an actuator for controlling said motor and means for propelling said pet activity toy coupled to said motor upon receipt of said actuation signal emanating from said transmitter
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the cat amusement system of the present invention 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the transmitter of the present invention illustrating its operational components 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the pet activity toy of the present invention illustrating its operational components 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Novel features which are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration description only and are not intended as definitions of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are recited with particularity in the claims. 
         [0013]    There has been broadly outlined more important features of the invention in the summary above and in order that the detailed description which follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be appreciated There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention It is important therefore, that claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention 
         [0014]    Certain terminology and the derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, words such as “upward,” “downward,” “left,” and “right” refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Similar words such as “inward” and “outward” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a device or area and designated parts thereof. Reference in the singular tense include the plural and vice versa, unless otherwise noted. 
         [0015]    The cat amusement system of the present invention is, basically, a two-part system comprised of transmitter  20  and pet activity toy  30 . In combination and in taking advantage of all of the capabilities of this combination, a cat can be amused for extended periods of time devoid of boredom while honing the cat&#39;s hunting and pouncing instincts Thus, the present system in synergistically combining a light source with a remotely activated toy stimulates interest to a level not possible when only individual components are made available separately 
         [0016]    The transmitter portion of this invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Transmitter  20  is sized to be handheld by the pet owner and, externally, provides button actuator  22  and signal actuator  25   a / 25   b . Transmitter  20  includes a power source  21  such as a replaceable battery which is used to activate its working components, the first of which is light generator  19 . In operation, a user will depress button actuator  22  which activates switch  29  selectively powering light generator  19  which emits light through opening  24  at a wavelength and intensity to be visible to a pet cat proximate pet activity toy  30 . Ideally, light generator  19  is in the form of a laser module which generates a suitable collimated light beam  18  through opening  24  of an intensity to be visible to a pet cat but which is not so intense as to injure the cat if, for example, the collimated light beam was to be shown directly into the eye of the cat. 
         [0017]    Transmitter  20  also includes code generator  26  for moving toy  30 . Generator  26  is used in combination with LED  27  for selectively delivering an actuation signal through opening  23 . In operation, signal actuator  25   a / 25   b  is in the form of a switch which is again powered by source  21 . In doing so, alternative signals are provided to code generator  26  which causes LED  27  to send signals to receiver  39  ( FIG. 3 ) which in turn are delivered to actuator  35  and then on to motor  36 . Ideally, the actuation signals are in the form of transmissions such as which are coded such that when a pet owner depresses switch  25   a , motor  36  is powered in a first direction causing wheels  37  to turn counterclockwise causing pet activity toy  30  to move forward and when the user depresses switch  25   b , the appropriate infrared signal is received by infrared receiver  39  causing actuator  35  to direct motor  36  to turn in the opposite direction causing wheels  37  to move clockwise resulting in pet activity toy  30  to move backwards. 
         [0018]    Pet activity toy  30  is comprised of plastic shell  32  housing its internal components and covered by plush fabric  31 . In this instance, pet activity toy  30  is shown in the form of a mouse although the present invention can be fabricated with pet activity toy  30  replicating any shape that the pet owner would find amusing for interaction with his or her cat. 
         [0019]    As noted previously, pet activity toy  30  includes infrared receiver  39  operationally connected to actuator  35  which is in turn employed to control motor  36  and ultimately wheels  37 . Pet activity toy  30  can include power source  33  which could be in the form of a battery which is replaceable or rechargeable, in this instance, rechargeable by virtue of USB port  34 . 
         [0020]    In operation, a pet owner could begin to engage his or her cat by either generating a light beam in the vicinity of the cat to get its attention or, alternatively, cause pet activity toy  30  to move forwards or backwards in the direction of arrows  38 . Once the pet owner has gotten the cat&#39;s attention, the cat&#39;s innate instinct to hunting and pounce is honed by alternating between the appropriate light source and toy movement. It was found that a cat will pounce upon pet activity toy  30  preventing it from moving. The pet owner could then attract a cat&#39;s attention by the appropriate light source causing the cat to drop the toy and swat at the light source and even jump upon it whereupon the pet owner could then move pet activity toy  30  causing the cat to lose interest in the light source turning its attention to the moving rodent. Not only does this combination synergistically entertain a cat but can cause the cat to drop the toy in favor of the light source to enable the toy to once again move by virtue of its wheels contacting a floor or suitable support surface. Stated differently, if the toy alone was used in this environment, the cat could become bored for once the toy is picked up or tipped over by swatting, it will not move as its wheels will not remain in contact with it support surface. A cat will lose interest in the inanimate toy and simply leave it to pursue more interesting activities. No other toy is capable of engaging a cat to this degree of involvement. 
         [0021]    The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. While there is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the invention, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction, dimensions, relationships, or operations as described. Various modifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed as suitable without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention Such changes might involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features or the like. Therefore, the above description and illustration should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.