AU2017100414B4 - Animal Enrichment Device - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal enrichment toy is disclosed. The animal enrichment toy comprises a hanging member at a first end of the enrichment toy, wherein the hanging member is configured for hanging the enrichment toy from a support. The enrichment toy also comprises an elastic member connected to the hanging member, wherein the elastic member is adapted to stretch under the weight of the animal when playing with the enrichment toy. A cord is connected to the elastic member. A ball is located on the cord, wherein the ball is configured for holding a rattle and / or dry animal food. The animal enrichment toy also comprises a bite member connected to the cord at a second end of the enrichment toy, the bite member configured for being held in the animal's mouth when playing with the enrichment toy.

Description

The present invention relates to animal enrichment devices and more particularly to an enrichment toy for dogs.

BACKGROUND ART [0002] It is well known that domestic animals and animals in captivity like to play with toys as a source of entertainment and to prevent boredom when their owners or keepers are absent. Some toys are designed to be chewed by the animal which simultaneously strengthens their teeth and gums. Other toys make stimulating squeaky and / or rattling sounds when shaken by the animal. However, these toys tend not to last very long thereby leading to premature boredom or separation anxiety of the animal as well as increased replacement costs for the owner. Further, these toys provide little or no exercise opportunities for the animal.

[0003] There remains a need for an animal enrichment toy that lasts longer in order to prevent boredom and anxiety as well as providing the animal with an exercise opportunity.

[0004] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] The present invention is directed to an enrichment animal toy which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

[0006] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in an animal enrichment toy comprising:

a hanging member at a first end of the enrichment toy, wherein the hanging member is configured for hanging the enrichment toy from a support;

an elastic member connected to the hanging member, wherein the elastic member is adapted to stretch under the weight of the animal when playing with the enrichment toy;

a cord connected to the elastic member;

a ball located on the cord, wherein the ball is configured for holding a rattle and / or dry

2017100414 11 Apr 2017 animal food; and a bite member connected to the cord at a second end of the enrichment toy, the bite member configured for being held in the animal’s mouth when playing with the enrichment toy.

[0007] Any suitable hanging member may be used. In some embodiments, the hanging member is a strap with a buckle for adjusting the size of the strap. Alternatively, the hanging member may be an adjustable hook.

[0008] The elastic member may be connected to the hanging member using a connector such as a metal ring. The ring will be of sufficient strength in order that it can withstand the weight of an animal. Thus in some embodiments, the enrichment toy further comprises a first connector, preferably a metal ring, that connects the elastic member and the hanging member. Alternatively, the first connector may be a metal screw link. It is not necessary for the enrichment toy to comprise a first connector such as a metal ring or a metal screw link. Thus, in another alternative embodiment the elastic member is connected to and extends from the hanging member.

[0009] According to some embodiments, the elastic member is a bungie cord or bungie rope. In use the elastic member stretches when an animal hangs from the enrichment toy then reverts to its non-stretched conformation when the animal releases the enrichment toy.

[0010] In some embodiments, the animal enrichment toy further comprises a second connector which connects the cord to the elastic member. In preferred embodiments, the second connector comprises a metal ring and / or a metal screw link. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second connector comprises a metal ring and a metal screw link. Preferably, the metal screw link is reversibly detachable from the metal ring of the second connector. Similar to the first connector above, the second connector is strong enough to withstand the weight of the animal when it hangs from the enrichment toy. It is of course not necessary for the enrichment toy to comprise a second connector. Therefore, in an alternative embodiment the cord is connected to and extends from the elastic member.

[0011] According to some embodiments, when the ball is holding dry animal food, the ball is further configured for dispensing the food upon shaking of the toy by the animal during play.

[0012] In an embodiment, the ball comprises a pair of oppositely disposed holes for receiving the cord there through. In some embodiments, the ball is slidably located on the cord. This facilitates loading of the ball with food prior to use and dispensing of the food during use when the enrichment toy is vigorously shaken by the animal.

2017100414 26 Apr 2018 [0013] According to some embodiments, the animal enrichment toy further comprises a joint protector located on the cord adjacent to the ball. In one embodiment, the joint protector comprises a hollow interior extending through the joint protector for receiving the cord there through. The joint protector facilitates easy handling of the enrichment toy when the ball is being filled with food. The location of the joint protector member adjacent to the ball prevents the ball sliding down onto the bite member.

[0014] In some embodiments, the bite member is passed through a loop on the lower end of the cord and secured by stitching a portion of the bite member back on itself.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the animal enrichment toy is a dog enrichment toy.

[0015 a] The present invention in another form, resides broadly in an animal enrichment toy comprising:

a hanging member at a first end of the enrichment toy, wherein the hanging member is configured for hanging the enrichment toy from a support;

an elastic member connected to the hanging member, wherein the elastic member is adapted to stretch under the weight of the animal when playing with the enrichment toy, and wherein the elastic member is connected to the hanging member using a metal screw link;

a cord connected to the elastic member;

a ball located on the cord, wherein the ball is configured for holding a rattle and / or dry animal food;

a joint protector located on the cord adjacent to the ball; and a bite member connected to the cord at a second end of the enrichment toy, the bite member configured for being held in the animal’s mouth when playing with the enrichment toy.

[0016] Further advantageous embodiments are disclosed below and in the appended patent claims.

[0017] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

[0018] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

3a

2017100414 26 Apr 2018

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0019] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0020] Figure 1A is front view of an animal enrichment toy according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0021] Figure IB is a side view of the animal enrichment toy in figure 1A.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0022] The components of the animal enrichment toy 10 as depicted in the accompanying figures and their respective reference numeral(s) are listed in the table below:

2017100414 11 Apr 2017

Description	Reference Numeral
Animal enrichment toy	10
Strap	12
Buckle	14
First metal ring	16
Elastic member	18
Stitching	20
Second metal ring	22
Metal screw link	23
Cord	24
Ball	26
Joint protector	28
Animal bite	30
Stitched portion	32

[0023] Figures 1A and IB illustrate front and side views of an animal enrichment toy 10 according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] As will become clear from the description below, the animal enrichment toy 10 is designed for use in a vertical hanging orientation above an animal standing on the ground or other similar support structure. Accordingly, the enrichment toy 10 has a top end which is furthest away from the animal on the ground and a bottom end which is closest to the animal in use. A feature of the enrichment toy 10 that is described using the relative terms “lower” or “below” is intended to imply that feature is located relatively further away from the top end of the enrichment toy 10 and closer to the bottom end and the animal. Conversely, a feature of the enrichment toy 10 that is described using the relative terms “upper” or “above” is intended to imply that feature is located relatively closer to the top end of the enrichment toy 10 and further away from the bottom end and the animal.

2017100414 11 Apr 2017 [0025] At the top end of the animal enrichment toy 10 there is a hanging member that comprises a strap 12 with a buckle 14. The strap 12 is configured to be hung over a supporting structure such as a tree branch (not shown) as will be described below. The buckle 14 is slidable along the strap 12 to adjust the size of the strap to suit the thickness of the support structure. The strap is looped through a first connector, namely a first metal ring 16, located at the lower end of the strap 12.

[0026] Enrichment toy 10 also has an elongated elastic member 18 below the first metal ring 16 and strap 12. The upper end of elastic member 18 is looped through and over first metal ring 16 and fixedly attached back on itself by stitching 20. Similarly, the lower end of elastic member 18 is looped through and over a second metal ring 22 of a second connector (22, 23), and fixedly attached back on itself by stitching 20 at the lower end of elastic member 18. Elastic member 18 may be made from fire hose, rubber, bungie rope, bungie cord or synthetic elastic.

[0027] The second connector further comprises a metal screw link 23 that is connected to second metal ring 22 and a cord 24. The metal screw link 23 is reversibly detachable from enrichment toy 10 when necessary to facilitate quick and easy replacement of the enrichment toy’s features located below the metal screw link 23. The metal screw link 23 also allows for the lower assembly of the enrichment toy 10 to be unclipped at the metal screw link 23 and stored away when enrichment toy 10 is not in use (such as at night) while the upper assembly including the strap 12, elastic member 18, and second metal ring 22 remains installed over the supporting structure. The metal screw link 23 and the lower assembly of enrichment toy 10 are reattached to the second metal ring 22 when desired (such as the following day).

[0028] The cord 24 is located below metal screw link 23, second metal ring 22, and elastic member 18. The cord may be made of durable synthetic rope and preferably has no elastic properties. One end of the cord 24 is looped through and over the metal screw link 23 and is fixedly attached back on itself using stitching, an adhesive, or a clamp (not shown). If desired, the loop at one end of cord 24 may be preformed then connected to the metal screw link 23. The combined cord 24 and metal screw link 23 is then attached to the second metal ring 22.

[0029] A ball 26 and joint protector 28 are located along cord 24. The lower end of cord 24 extends through two holes located at opposing positions on ball 26 and a cylindrical hollow interior extending through joint protector 28. The cord 24 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the holes on ball 26 which allows the ball to easily slide up and down the cord 24. The diameter of cord 24 is also smaller than the diameter of the hollow interior of joint protector 28. However, the hollow interior of joint protector 28 is filled with glue to retain joint protector

2017100414 11 Apr 2017 on cord 24 and to prevent the joint protector 28 from slipping or sliding on cord 24.

[0030] The lower end of cord 24 is formed into a loop and fixedly attached back on itself by an adhesive or a clamp as described above for the upper end of cord 24. The ball 26 is thus located above, and is supported by, the joint protector 28 which in turn sits above the lower end of cord 24 as shown in figures 1A and IB. The diameter of the hollow interior of the joint protector 28 is smaller than the size of the loop formed at the lower end of cord 24 in order that the joint protector 28 can be glued so it cannot slide down and off cord 24.

[0031] Ball 26 is hollow for optionally receiving animal food through the holes prior to use as will be described below. The upper end of joint protector 28 has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the adjacent hole on ball 26 in order that the hole is covered and the animal food, if present in ball 26, does not fall down and out of ball 26 before an animal commences playing with enrichment toy 10. The exterior surface of joint protector 28 is provided with grooves to facilitate gripping by a human hand. This is useful for manually separating the joint member 28 from the ball 26 when refilling the ball 26 with food.

[0032] Animal bite 30 is looped through and over the loop formed at the lower end of cord 24 and fixedly attached back on itself by stitching at stitched portion 32. Bite 30 is made of any suitable strip of tough-wearing fabric such as polyester.

[0033] The enrichment toy 10 is installed as follows. The animal owner or keeper locates a suitable support structure from which to hang enrichment toy 10 and above where the animal can play. Suitable structures include a thick tree branch or a solid pergola beam of wood or metal. Optionally, the owner inserts dry animal food or treats through the hole of ball 26. The strap 12 is looped over the support structure and the buckle 14 adjusted so that the toy 10 is at the right height above the ground. The incorrect height of enrichment toy 10 is when the height of the bite 30 is at the animal’s mouth when the animal is sitting or standing. The correct height of enrichment toy 10 is when the animal has to reach for the bite 30. For example, if the animal is a dog then the dog should have to stand on its two hind legs to grab the bite 30 in its mouth. The animal is allowed to play with enrichment toy 10 to ensure proper installation.

[0034] In use the animal grabs the bite 30 in its mouth and shakes the enrichment toy 10. The elastic member 18 stretches downwards under the weight of the animal until the animal releases the bite 30. The elastic member 18 then springs back to its original non-stretched form. If dry food was inserted into ball 26 then the food will rattle around inside ball 26 when the animal shakes enrichment toy 10. This creates a sound that is pleasing to the animal. If the

2017100414 11 Apr 2017 animal vigorously shakes toy 10, the ball 26 will momentarily slide upwards along cord 24 away from joint protector 28 and the animal. This exposes a part of the lower hole on ball 26 and allows one or more dry food treats to fall out of the hole and onto the ground near the animal. The animal releases bite 30 and eats the food while the ball 26 slides down to contact joint protector 28 and close the hole on ball 26. Ideally, the animal realises it was rewarded with a food treat by vigorously shaking enrichment toy 10 and is motivated to resume playing.

[0035] If the owner does not wish for the enrichment toy 10 to dispense food, then a rattle may be present within the ball 26 to provide stimulation of the animal. The rattle is a small plastic ball and is sufficiently large so as not to exit the hole of ball 26 when the enrichment toy 10 is being vigorously shaken by the animal. The ball 26 may simultaneously hold a rattle and dry animal food, if desired. This way if all food is emptied from ball 26 during play while the owner is away then the rattle will remain and continue to stimulate the animal.

[0036] Optionally, in cases of separation anxiety the owner can tie a piece of clothing to bite 30 so the animal associates it with the owner or above the ball 26.

[0037] The components of toy enrichment 10 may be any desirable colour or combination of colours. For example, the strap 12 may be black, the elastic member 18 may be green, and the ball 26 and joint protector 28 may be yellow. The toy enrichment 10 is made of materials that are non-toxic and safe for animals.

[0038] Any animal can play with enrichment toy 10. The animal may be selected from the group consisting of a kangaroo, tiger, lion, panda, bear, primates, monkeys and a dog. Preferably, the animal is a dog. The enrichment toy 10 can be made to suit all sizes and weights of dogs. This is primarily achieved by changing the size and / material of the elastic member 18. Even animals weighing more than 50 kilograms can play with enrichment toy 10.

[0039] It will be clear from the above description and accompanying figures that the enrichment toy 10 functions as a hanging resistance device that has no electrical components and facilitates feeding (optional), exercise, and entertainment of animals when their owners are away. Enrichment toy 10 reduces barking of dogs, boredom, destructive behaviour, separation anxiety, and distracts animals from pulling washing off the clothesline as it rattles and / or dispenses food. The animal does not get into trouble while playing with toy enrichment 10. Enrichment toy 10 is of such durable construction that it lasts a few years with regular use.

[0040] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not

2017100414 11 Apr 2017 exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0041] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0042] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

2017100414 26 Apr 2018

Claims (5)

1. An animal enrichment toy comprising:

a hanging member at a first end of the enrichment toy, wherein the hanging member is configured for hanging the enrichment toy from a support;

an elastic member connected to the hanging member, wherein the elastic member is adapted to stretch under the weight of the animal when playing with the enrichment toy, and wherein the elastic member is connected to the hanging member using a metal screw link;

a cord connected to the elastic member;

a ball located on the cord, wherein the ball is configured for holding a rattle and / or dry animal food;

a joint protector located on the cord adjacent to the ball; and a bite member connected to the cord at a second end of the enrichment toy, the bite member configured for being held in the animal’s mouth when playing with the enrichment toy.

2. The animal enrichment toy of claim 1, further comprising a metal ring and / or a metal screw link connecting the cord to the elastic member.

3. The animal enrichment toy of claim 2, comprising a metal ring and a metal screw link connecting the cord to the elastic member.

4. The animal enrichment toy of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ball is slidably located on the cord.

5. The animal enrichment toy of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the animal enrichment toy is a dog enrichment toy.

1/1

2017100414 11 Apr 2017

Figure 1A

Figure 1B