Patent ID: 8881685

Claim:
A tug toy comprising: first and second gripping members and a central portion having a compressible central structure, wherein said first and second gripping members are attached to said central portion, and wherein said compressible central structure further includes a noise maker, wherein said noise maker is a squeak valve secured in a wall of said compressible central structure, and wherein the first and second gripping members are attached to each other by at least first and second flexible retainer portions, wherein the first flexible retainer portion contacts said compressible central structure at a first location extending across a first portion of said compressible central structure, wherein said second flexible retainer portion contacts said compressible central structure at a second location extending across a second portion of said compressible central portion of said compressible central structure such that the combination of said first and second flexible retainer portions circumferentially contact and partially surround said compressible central structure along a first plane of the compressible central structure in a relaxed state in which no outward force is applied to said first and second gripping members in a direction away from said compressible central structure; and wherein when opposing force is applied to the said first and second gripping members in a direction away from said compressible central structure, a distance between the first and second flexible retainer portions in said first plane is reduced, causing compression of said compressible central structure in a direction perpendicular to said opposing force applied along said first plane causing compression of said compressible central structure, causing the noise maker to emit a sound.