AU776787B2 - Animal exerciser - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor Address for service is: Martin Johnson Martin Johnson WRAY ASSOCIATES 239 Adelaide Terrace Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: "Animal Exerciser" Details of Associated Provisional Application No: PQ9351 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- -2- "Animal Exerciser" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an exercising/amusement device for pets and in particular for exercising dogs.

Background Art The exercising/amusement device according to the invention is capable of providing amusement for dogs, and also possibly for cats. In the process, particularly for dogs, the device will provide exercise, which is especially beneficial for dogs confined in small yards or dogs that otherwise would not otherwise have sufficient exercise.

The inventor is the applicant for international patent application PCT/AU98/01048, which is published under International Publication Number W099/31973, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross-reference.

The inventor has found that with larger dogs in particular, the elongate flexible 15 mast described in this specification has been prone to fracturing. Similarly where a secondary spring means has been used between the elongate flexible mast and ground engaging/mounting means, in order to obviate damage at the point of fracturing, the secondary spring means itself, or the junction between the secondary spring means and the elongate flexible mast has been prone to 20 fracturing. Any of these fracturing problems lead to breakage and failure of the animal exercising device of the invention disclosed in W099/31973, and it is these problems that this invention seeks to overcome.

oooo° S•Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

-3- Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an exercising device for animals comprising an elongate mast arranged to extend vertically upward, said elongate mast having a tip from which a flexible line depends, the flexible line optionally having at its remote end, an object to be grasped by the animal, wherein said elongate mast has at its base a helically wound spring portion, said helically wound spring portion being received and held by a rigid post, and said rigid post being received in mounting means, the mounting means being adapted in use to hold said elongate flexible mast upwardly. The helically wound spring portion provides flexible resilience to the exercising device. The mast itself may be substantially rigid or resiliently flexible.

Preferably said helically wound spring portion is received over said rigid post.

Whether the helically wound spring portion is received and held internally in a hollow rigid post, or received externally on a rigid post, the extent of said helically 15 wound spring portion that is unrestrained by said rigid post will determine to an extent (depending upon the flexibility of the mast), the flexibility of the exercising device.

Preferably said mounting means is adapted in use to fix said mast and rigid post relative to the ground.

Preferably said helically wound spring portion and said elongate mast are of integral construction.

Preferably said helically wound spring portion is of constant radius.

Preferably said helically wound spring portion is of constant radius.

:'"iPreferably said helically wound spring portion is of constant pitch.

Preferably said rigid post has a reduced diameter portion at its uppermost extent, said reduced diameter portion terminating in an annular step, said reduced diameter portion being of commensurate diameter with the internal diameter of said helically wound spring portion, said annular step forming a stop to set the -4extent of engagement of said helically wound-spring portion with said reduced diameter portion.

The extent of engagement of said helically wound spring portion with said reduced diameter portion determines the flexibility of the exercising device at the helically wound spring portion. Sleeves may be fitted over the reduced diameter portion to reduce the length of the reduced diameter portion (by, in effect, shifting the annular step upwardly) and thus increase the flexibility of the exercising device at the helically wound spring portion. In practice, the exercising device would be supplied with a number of sleeves fitted, so that on installation, and throughout the life of the exercising device, this flexibility can be adjusted to requirements. As the length of the reduced diameter portion extending into the helically wound portion increases, the resilience of the mast is stiffened at the helically wound spring portion.

The most preferred arrangement of helically wound spring portion and elongate mast is one where said helically wound spring portion and said elongate mast are formed integrally, and the material of construction is spring steel.

•••The length of the rigid post from the mounting means to the annular step should ideally be set to the head height of the animal using the exercising device; however, in practise, this length can lie between zero and one metre, although for most breeds of dog, the length can be from 300mm to 600mm. Furthermore, as a puppy grows, the rigid post may be replaced with a longer rigid post.

Preferably said elongate mast includes, extending along its length between said helically wound spring portion and said tip, a sheath of sleeving. Where the mast and helically wound spring portion are made of spring steel, the sheath of sleeving provides a softer surface. which can lessen the risk of injury, in the event of impact.

Preferably said sheath of sleeving is free to rotate on said elongate mast. With such an arrangement, if the flexible line is wrapped around the sleeving, when the animal pulls at it, the rotation of the sleeving will assist in the flexible line becoming unwound without becoming entangled.

Preferably said exercising device includes a swivel means located proximal to said tip to allow the locus of attachment of said flexible line to be freely rotatable about said tip.

Preferably said swivel means is adapted to hold the flexible line displaced away from said mast to minimise or avoid the flexible line from becoming wound about said mast, Preferably the swivel means allows for rotating of the locus of attachment about an axis having the same axial extent as the mast.

Preferably the swivel means also allows for pivoting at the locus of attachment.

The mounting means of the exercising device may include a tubular receptacle into which the rigid post is received. Alternatively said mounting means may have a receptacle defining a tubular receptacle. The use of a tubular receptacle provides firm support in the ground, to the mast, and allows the mast to be 15 removed when required (for example to use a lawn in which it is located for other purposes).

Preferably the tubular receptacle is arranged in said mounting means to be located below the surface of the ground.

Preferably the tubular receptacle includes anchoring means to assist in preventing movement of the tubular receptacle in the ground, brought about by forces imparted by the flexing of the mast. The anchoring means may comprise axial or radial fins about which soil is packed. Alternatively, the anchoring means may be set in a small concrete pad.

Alternatively, said mounting means is adapted to provide a base for said exercising device for placement on the ground.

-6- Preferably, in this arrangement, said base has a vertically aligned aperture extending therethrough, to receive said rigid post.

Preferably said base has a flat extent on one side, and a hemispherical extent on the opposing side, said aperture extending between said sides. With this arrangement, the base will be a stable and rigid mount for the rigid post and mast when placed flat side down, and will be able to roll when placed hemispherical side down. Preferably said hemispherical extent has a centrally located surface parallel with said flat extent.

Preferably said exercising device includes mounted proximal to said helically wound spring portion, a rubber boot extending thereover. Such an arrangement will prevent injury due to closure of adjacent windings of the helically wound spring portion.

Preferably said swivel means comprises a body mounted rotatably at or proximal *to said tip.

15 Preferably said body has located axially therewith upper and lower end caps having a surface contiguous with the surface of said body, and tapering to their central axis. With the surfaces being contiguous, entanglement of the flexible line will largely be avoided, since the line may readily ride across the surfaces.

Preferably said flexible line is of set length, and said body includes upper and 20 lower body portions including therebetween a track in which a portion of said flexible line may locate and be retained therein.

In this arrangement, preferably said upper and lower body portions have a contiguous external surface. This allows the line to ride across the surface, minimising the chance of entanglement of the line about the tip and the body.

Whether an object is attached to the flexible line will depend largely on whether the dog (or other animal concerned) has a preference for such an object being present. However, where such an object is utilised, preferably the object is -7elongate. This is believed to result in a turning moment being imparted when the object is released by the animal, depending upon the axial alignment of the object relative to the axial alignment of the line. This appears to result in the object travelling in a path deviating from a straight line to the mast, since the elongate object tends to take a path which can unpredictably travel in a circular path around the mast. This lack of predictability adds to the usefulness of the animal exerciser, in being able to retain the attention of the animal.

In a most preferred form, the elongate object is a length of rod like material of width and mass greater than that of the line, either rigid, resiliently flexible, or entirely flexible. A length of at least 200mm is preferred, with up to 1000mm being useful.

It is also preferred that the object has a surface which is difficult for the animal to retain a grip of for an extended period.

The most preferred elongate object comprises a 600 mm to 1000 mm length of 15 sisal comprising three woven plys of 8 mm to 12 mm strands to give a total diameter in the order of around 20 mm to 30 mm. The length is attached at one end to the flexible line. The use of sisal provides a natural fabric which has a slippery texture that a dog cannot retain a grip for an extended period. This results in loss of grip, so the dog gives chase. Any other fabric such as jute rope or hemp rope could also prove suitable.

.Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described in the following description of two specific preferred embodiments thereof, made with reference to the drawings, in which: S•Figure 1 is a side view of an exercising device for a dog (shown in use) according to the first and most preferred embodiment; Figure 2 is an exploded cross-section side view of swivel means of the exercising device of figure 1; Figure 3 a cross-section side view of the swivel means shown in figure 2, in an assembled condition; -8- Figure 4 is a cut-away plan view of the swivel means shown in figures 2 and 3; Figure 5 is a cross-section side view of the base and part of the mounting means of the first embodiment; Figure 6 is a broken side view of the exercising device for a dog, according to the first embodiment; Figure 7 is a side view of an exercising device for a small dog according to the second embodiment, shown in a first configuration; and Figure 8 is a side view of the exercising device for a small dog, according to the second embodiment, shown in a second configuration.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention The animal exerciser 11 of the first embodiment described operates on the following principle. A vertical mast 13 is secured to or in the ground 15 at its base 17, via a helical spring 19, which is fitted over a rigid post 21. The rigid 15 post 21 may be located below ground 15, or above the ground 15. The mast 13 is resilient and flexible, and has a preferably substantially non-stretchable line 23 depending from its tip 25, the line optionally having an object secured at its remote end. Additional flexibility is provided due to torsional forces occurring in the helical spring 19. In practice, assuming that the helical spring 19 and vertical mast 13 are formed of the same material, there will be a greater degree of bending at the helical spring 19 than there will be along the length of the mast 13.

In use an animal 27 will grasp the end of the line 23 or the object, and pull it away, against the force urged through the mast 13 and helical spring 19. When the animal 27 releases the end of the line 23 or the object, the force urged through the mast 13. in part by a helically wound spring 19 at its base; and in part through the mast 13 itself, will result in the end of the line 23 or the object being flung, as the mast 13 returns to the upright position, whereupon the animal will give chase. In this manner, the animal exerciser will provide entertainment and exercise for extended periods of time.

-9- Referring to in Figures 1, 5, and 6, the first embodiment of the invention, being an exercising device 11 for a dog, is shown. The exercising device 11 has mast 13 made of constant diameter spring steel rod 28, approximately 10mm in diameter, although any diameter can be used that is not excessively flexible or rigid (in practice a diameter between 8mm and 12mm should prove effective). At the base 17 of the mast 13, a helically wound spring portion 19 is formed integrally of the same spring steel rod. The helically wound spring portion 19 is received over a reduced diameter portion 29 of the rigid post 21. The helically wound spring portion 19 is received over the reduced diameter portion 29 as a friction fit which is not overly tight so as to prevent disassembly. The lower portion 31 of the helically wound spring portion 19 rests on an annular step 33 formed by a annular sleeve 35 which is also received over the reduced diameter portion 29. It will also be understood that there exists a further annular portion at the interface between the reduced diameter portion 29 and the remainder of the rigid post 21.

The mast 13 and helically wound spring portion 19 are formed integrally and have an overall height of approximately 1.25 metres, although it will be Sounderstood that this dimension could be varied to suit different sized animals.

Since most of the bending of animal exerciser 11 will occur in the helically wound spring portion 19 due to torsion, rather than in the mast 13 itself, the flexibility of the animal exerciser can be adjusted by adding or removing annular sleeves S.in order to change the extent of protrusion of the reduced diameter portion 29 into the interior of the helically wound spring portion. In this manner, the animal exerciser can be adjusted to suit different sized dogs, or, for example can be made to be flexible for a puppy by utilising a number of sleeves 35, and made more rigid as the puppy grows by removing sleeves 35. In an alternative embodiment, lengths of rigid post 21 having different lengths of reduced diameter portion 29 couid be substituted to the same effect.

The rigid post 21 is received in mounting means in the form of a tubular receptacle 37 which is set in concrete 39 in the ground 15 to provide anchorage for the animal exerciser 11. The rigid post 21 has an overall length of approximately one metre, of which 180mm comprises the reduced diameter portion 29, and some 220mm is accommodated within the tubular receptacle 37 To provide protection against injury during operation when the adjacent turns of the helically wound spring portion 19 can come together, a rubber boot 41 is located over the helically wound spring portion 19, and is secured by a stretched collar portion 43 to the rigid post 21. The base 17 of the mast 13 passes through an aperture 45 at the top of the rubber boot 41.

The rod 28 of the mast 13 has, located loosely thereover to enable rotation, as a sleeve, a length of 12mm polypropylene pipe 47.

At the tip 25 of the mast 13 there is located swivel means in the form of a spool 49 from which the flexible line 23 depends. Referring to figures 2 to 4, the spool 49 comprises an upper body portion 51 and a lower body portion 53, which are moulded from polypropylene plastic. The body is of disk-like configuration and **•holds the flexible line 23 away from the mast 13, to help prevent entanglement of 15 the flexible line 23 with the mast 13. The upper body portion 51 and lower body oportion 53 each have a central mounting hole 55 formed therein, through which i the rod 28 of the mast 13 is received. In coaxial alignment with the central S"mounting hole 55 in each body portion 51, 53 is an internal recess 57 formed therein, for receiving a caged needle roller bearing 59, so that the assembled spool 49 is freely rotatable on the mast 13.

The rod 28 of the mast 13 has an annular recess 61 which receives a circlip 63.

Received over the circlip 63 is a steel washer 65 and a Teflon (PTFE) washer 67.

The lower body portion 53 has an external recess 69 in coaxial alignment with the central aperture 55, into which are received the circlip 63, steel washer Teflon (PTFE) washer 67. and top of the sleeve 47. The cirlin 61 and stee! washer 63 locate the spool 49, while the Teflon (PTFE) washer 67 assists with free rotation of the spool 49.

The tip of the mast 13 has a thread 71 formed thereon. The upper body portion 51 also has an external recess 73 in coaxial alignment with the central aperture -11 in which is received a washer 75 and a self locking nut 77, which is threaded onto the thread 71. The self locking nut 77 is one of the type that has a nylon bush located at its top, which engages the thread 71. The self locking nut 77 is tightened while allowing free rotation of the spool 49 about the mast 113.

The flexible line 23 has a spliced loop 79 which is received over the caged roller bearing 59, and between the upper portion 51 and the lower portion 53 of the spool 49. The flexible line 23 is a biodegradable fabric such as cotton which is preferably non-elastic. In the embodiment, the flexible line is a prestretched twisted stretch knit cotton material formed from three plys each of seven twisted strips of stretch knit cotton material. The flexible line has a diameter of 12mm, and is of a length so that it is at head height of the dog, although any length that is within reach while not touching the ground should prove suitable. In an alternative embodiment sisal could be utilised to make the flexible line.

The spool 49 holds the flexible line 23 away from the mast 13, which assists in S 15 preventing the flexible line 23 from becoming entangled in the mast 13.

However, in the event that the flexible line becomes wound about the mast 13, the sleeve 47 being freely rotatable on the mast 13 assists in allowing the flexible line to be unwound when pulled.

The assembly comprising the mast 13 together with the post 21 and the rubber .~t o 20 boot 41 may be lifted from the tubular receptacle 37, and associated mounting means, to allow the lawn in which the animal exerciser is placed to be put to S-other uses, and to be mown, as required.

Referring to figures 7 and 8, the second embodiment is also an exercising device 11, but for a dog of smaller size than that the first embodiment is intended for.

*le The second embodiment differs structurally from the first embodiment insofar as that the rigid post 21 thereof is received in a sleeve 81 fixed in a base 83. The base 83 is moulded as a hollow polypropylene plastic body having a recessed threaded screw cap 84 which can be removed to allow the base 83 to be filled with sand or an aggregate such as crushed blue chip. The base 83 is circular, having a diameter of approximately 400 mm. One side 85 of the base is flat, -12while the other "side" or surface 87 is hemispherical, but with a flat central portion 89. The sleeve 81 extends between the centre of the flat side 85 and the centre of the flat central portion 89, the length of the sleeve being approximately 100 mm.

The base 83 can be formed of two half shells which are joined during manufacture by ultrasonic welding. The purpose of provision of the screw cap 84 is to allow material to be introduced by the purchaser, to provide weight to the base 83, and thus minimise weight and hence freight costs during transport. The screw cap 84 is received in a complementary threaded portion 91 having a stop 93 against which the screw cap 84 is tightened. The screw cap 84 is recessed so as not to interfere against free rolling of the body of the base, in the configuration shown in figure 8. The top of the screw cap incorporates a slot to enable purchase by a slotted tool (in the manner of a screw and screwdriver), to enable the screw cap to be removed, and tightened.

15 In the configuration shown in figure 7, the animal exerciser 11 sits with the flat side 85 contacting the ground. In this configuration, all of the movement urged by a dog pulling on the line 23 will be in the mast 13 and helical spring 19, in a manner as described with reference to the first embodiment. In the configuration shown in figure 8, at rest the base 83 rests with its flat central portion 89 resting 20 on the ground. The hemispherical surface 87 biases the base 83 to rest with the o flat central portion 89 resting on the ground, thus biasing the mast 13 to the upright position. In this configuration, some of the movement urged by a dog pulling on the line 23 will be in the mast 13 and helical spring 19, in a manner as described with reference to the first embodiment, while excessive force will cause the base 83 to roll on its hemispherical surface. On release of the line, the base 83 will resume resting on the flat central portion 89. Interconversion of the 0 SeUIId enlbiUUirr Iieit beL l n l ithIer configuration can bII e easy aclac iioIIJIIsIIu simply by removing the rigid post 21 from the sleeve 81, and reinserting the rigid post 21 into the sleeve 81 from the other side of the base 83.

As stated above, the parts of the exercising device 11 other than the base 83 are -13a scaled down version of the first embodiment. The mast 13 and helical spring are integral and formed of 5 mm diameter spring steel rod, with the helical spring having a 40 mm external diameter. The mast 13 has a length of approximately 600 mm, and is sheathed in 4 inch diameter polypropylene pipe 47 which is rotatable on the mast 13 as in the first embodiment. The rigid post is 40 mm in diameter and 280 mm long, and has a 100 mm length of reduced diameter 29 mm 0) at the top, to receive the helically wound spring portion 19. Annular sleeves 35 can also be employed as required to adjust the flexibility of the mast 13 and helical spring 19.

Similarly the spool 49 is scaled down, and has a line of 8mm diameter and 600mm length depending therefrom.

The exercising devices of the embodiments provide a good plaything for a dog.

It may be introduced when the dog is a puppy, for best effect. The exercising devices provide a good form of exercise and amusement for a dog, and in 15 particular for a dog that is left alone during the day, as is often the case with dogs living in the city whose owners work during the day.

:too It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein. It will be apparent that changes can be made to adapt the exercising and amusement device for cats, or for other 20 animals.

see* Various changes may be made in alternative embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example the boot may extend down to the ground and provide cushioning against injury to a dog colliding with the rigid post 21. As an alternative to this, a foam sleeve may cover the rigid oost 21 below thp riJhhpr hnnoot 41 to ~.hipve the same eff.ect .hnnnp mav h made to the spool 49, for example the caged roller bearing 59 could be replaced by a teflon sleeve. The spool 49 could be fixed relative to the mast and constructed using a teflon sleeve so that the flexible line 23 rotates relative to the spool and the spool does not rotate relative to the mast; the spool in such an arrangement serving merely to hold the flexible line 23 away from the mast to -14assist in preventing entanglement and provide some eccentricity in movement of the end of the flexible line, when in use. While cotton stretch material is described as suitable for use in the flexible line, other stretch or non-stretch materials could prove equally suitable, as an addressee will understand. It should be appreciated the excessive elasticity in the completed line is perhaps not desirable given the risk of injury that could result.

oo* *000

Claims (22)

1. An exercising device for animals comprising an elongate mast arranged to extend vertically upward, said elongate mast having a tip from which a flexible line depends, the flexible line optionally having at its remote end, an object to be grasped by the animal, wherein said elongate mast has at its base a helically wound spring portion, said helically wound spring portion being received and held by a rigid post, and said rigid post being received in mounting means, the mounting means being adapted in use to hold said elongate flexible mast upwardly.

2. An exercising device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said helically wound spring portion is received over said rigid post.

3. An exercising device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said mounting means is adapted in use to fix said elongate mast and rigid post relative to the ground.

4. An exercising device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said helically wound spring portion and said elongate mast are of integral S.construction.

5. An exercising device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein S.said helically wound spring portion is of constant radius. S. 20

6. An exercising device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said helically wound spring portion is of constant pitch.

7. An exercising device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein said rigid post has a reduced diameter portion at its uppermost extent, said reduced diameter portion terminating in an annular step, said reduced diameter portion being of commensurate diameter with the internal diameter of said helically wound spring portion, said annular step forming a -16- stop to set the extent of engagement of said helically wound spring portion with said reduced diameter portion.

8. An exercising device as claimed in claim 7 including at least one sleeve receivable over the reduced diameter portion to adjust the length of the reduced diameter portion and thus adjust the flexibility of the exercising device at the helically wound spring portion.

9. An exercising device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the helically wound spring portion and elongate mast are formed of spring steel.

An exercising device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said elongate mast includes, extending along its length between said helically wound spring portion and said tip, a sheath of sleeving.

11. An exercising device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said sheath of sleeving is free to rotate on said elongate mast.

12. An exercising device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims S: 15 including mounted proximal to said helically wound spring portion, a rubber boot extending thereover.

13. An exercising device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims S* including a swivel means located proximal to said tip to allow the locus of attachment of said flexible line to be freely rotatable about said tip.

14. An exercising device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein an object is attached to the free end of the flexible line.

1 5. An exercising device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the object is elongate.

16. An exercising device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the elongate object is a length of rod like material of width and mass greater than that of the line. -17-

17. An exercising device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the object has a surface which is difficult for the animal to retain a grip of for an extended period.

18. An exercising device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said mounting means is adapted to provide a base for said exercising device for placement on the ground.

19. An exercising device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said base has a vertically aligned aperture extending therethrough, to receive said rigid post.

20. An exercising device as claimed in claim 19 wherein said base has a flat extent on one side, and a hemispherical extent on the opposing side, said aperture extending between said sides.

21. An exercising device as claimed in claim 20 wherein said hemispherical extent has a centrally located surface parallel with said flat extent. 15

22. An exercising device substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings. Dated this tenth day of August 2001. Martin Johnson Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant