GB2282333A

GB2282333A - A plaything for a pet or other animal

Info

Publication number: GB2282333A
Application number: GB9418701A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Melvin Driver
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-09-18
Filing date: 1994-09-16
Publication date: 1995-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2014-09-16
Also published as: GB2282333B; GB9418701D0

Abstract

A plaything article for a pet or other animal, adapted for movement along a surface for the purposes of play, is of such construction that during the use thereof at least one additional mode of movement other than an initial movement of the article relative to said surface is produced by the movement of the article. The additional movement mode is along a direction differing from a basic direction of movement relative to said surface. In particular, the article includes a chamber for receiving an object in such manner that the latter is both moveable within the chamber and also readily visible, the arrangement being such that on displacement of the article the object is caused to undergo random movements within the chamber which random movements are observable by the animal. The article may be formed from a pre shaped blank 1 having openings (19, Figure 1), and being closed by end caps 14. The object may be for moving or held by a resilient post within the chamber formed from the blank. In an alternative construction, the article may be formed from two join able hollow shells, the shells having viewing openings therein. <IMAGE>

Description

ANIMAL ENTERTAINMENT ARTICLE OR TOY This invention relates to articles intended to serve as means for entertaining a pet.

It is well known that many pets such as dogs, cats etc., are highly attracted by the movement of articles such as a rolling ball which when knocked by the pet or otherwise displaced away from the pet the latter will chase after it. In the case of cats they will frequently stalk the moving article with a view to catching it with the same interest as would be applicable, for example, to catching a mouse.

In other words the reaction of the pet is to follow the moving article i.e., ball with the object of pouncing opon it in a manner akin to the actions involved in catching a live prey.

As is well known a characteristic of the movements of any living animal when being chased is a degree of unpredictability of its direction of movement. That is, the direction of movement is not necessarilly constant so that the chasing pet is not presented with a uniformly movable prey.

In the case of a simulated prey such as a ball, the latter once moving, tends always to move in a straight line.

As a result initially a pet, for example, responds by pushing and following the rolling ball. However, it has been noted that the pet soon tires of the activity unless there is a degree of variation of the movements of the ball. Obviously a change of movement is likely to arise if the ball contacts an object during its movement or if the pet over-runs and in so doing deflects the path of movement of the ball.

With such prey simulating articles it is to be noted that there is only effectively a constant movement pattern i.e., simple rolling whereby the degree of interest exhibited by the pet is somewhat limited or short lived.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an article for service as a play article.

Broadly, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a plaything for a pet or other animal, the article being adapted for movement along a surface for the purposes of play, wherein the article is of such construction that during the use thereof at least one additional mode of movement is produced by the movement of the article along said surface.

Preferably, said additional movement mode is separate from the basic direction of movement resulting from the attentions of an animal.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, the article being adapted for movement along a surface for the purposes of play, wherein the article is of such construction that during the use thereof at least one additional mode of movement is produced by the movement of the article as the result of the attentions of a pet or person, and wherein the article includes a chamber for receiving an object in such manner that the latter is moveable relative to the walls of the chamber and is also readily visible to an animal, the arrangement being such that on displacement of the article the object is caused to undergo random movements within the chamber that are separate from the movements of the article which ramdom movements are observable by the animal.

Conveniently, the article comprises a construction which is foldable/collapsible for the purposes of packaging.

In a particular construction the object is movably suspended within the chamber.

In a further construction the object is free moving.

In a still further construction the object is supported on a resilient/springy post or the like.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how to carry the same into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustates substantially full size an embodiment of a shaped blank for forming the main body structure of an article incorporating the concepts of the invention; Figure 2 illustrates substantially full size an embodiment of an end cap for closing the ends of the main body structure; Figure 3 schematically illustrates to a somewhat reduced scale a first stage in the assembly of the article from the blank of Figure 1; Figure 4 schematically illustrates to a somewhat reduced scale a second stage in the assembly of the article by illustrating the addition of a first one of the elements of Figure 2; and Figure 5 schematically illustrates to a somewhat reduced scale the final stages in the assembly of the article.

Referring now to Figure 1 a main body structure essentially comprises a single length/blank 1 of plastics material having a generally rectangular form. Transverse fold lines 2,3 and 4 are provided in the blank. The fold lines are so positioned as to divide the blank into four panels 5,6,7 and 8. The panels 5 and 7 are of the same width and the panels 6 and 7 are of the same width, but of a width slightly wider than that of the panels 5 and 7.

The opposite ends 9 and 10 of the blank are each provided with a part of a fastening arrangement whereby the opposite ends can on deforming adjacent pairs 5,6; 6,7; and 7,8 of walls about the intervening fold lines 2,3, and 4 respectively be brought into engagement one with the other.

The above mentioned fastening arrangement, in the embodiment shown, includes a plurality of tongues 11 at the end 9 which tongues are intended to locate and engage with a snap-like action into complementary slots 12 provided in projecting tongues 13 at the other end 10 of the blank 1.

To achieve the requisite snap action the length of the tongues 11 in the lengthwise direction of the slots 12 is slightly greater than the length of the slots into which they are to engage thereby effectively to provide a hook part 14 at each end of a tongue.

The projecting length of the tongues 11 is such that when a tongue is engaged in its complementary slot 12 the adjoining ends of the blank are retained firmly together.

With the construction as so far discussed the folding of the walls about the fold lines and the connection of the ends together forms a rectangular cross section tube.

The ends of the thus formed tube are intended to be closed by end caps or plates 14.

Referring now to Figure 2 which illustrates an embodiment of an end cap 14 intended for attachment to the blank when in tubular form. The end cap 14 is of a generally oval shape. The periphery 15 of the cap is thickened to provide a relatively stiff rim 16 to the cap.

The cap is intended to be attached to an end of the tube formed from the blank 1 by the interengagements of projecting tongues 17 provided on the blank 1 as shown in Figure 1 with complementary slots 18 provided in the end cap 14 as shown in Figure 2. The relative dimensions of the tongues 17 and the slots 18 (the tongues 17 being slightly longer than the open length of the slots) is to achieve a firm snap-like interengagement which once connected effectively locks the cap 14 to the main body of the article formed from the blank 1.

The walls 5,6,7 and 8 of the blank 1 and the end caps 14 are provided with openings 19. These openings can be of whatever shape as desired.

The purpose of such openings is make it possible for an animal to see within the article thus formed but not be able to reach an object housed within the assembled article.

The peripheral edges of the openings are stiffened by raised rims (ot specifically shown).

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5, Figure 3 illustrates the formation of the blank 1 into the tubular form. The stage depicted in the Figure is that immediately before the tongues 11 are engaged with the slots 12.

Figure 4 illustates the assembly stage immediately after having produced the tubular form from the blank 1 at the point where a first end cap 14 is being mounted to an end of the tubular form by the interengagment of the tongues 17 in the slots 18.

Figure 5 illustrates the assembly stage following the attachment of the first end cap 14 . The Figure illustrates the introduction of an object into the interior of the tubular form. This object is illustrated as a ball. However, the object can take what ever form desired. For example, the object can be a toy well known to the pet. It will be understood that more than one object can be introduced if desired.

After the introduction of the object the second end cap 14 is fitted as indicated in Figure 3.

In the use of the article incorporating the concepts of the invention the article is caused to roll along a surface. The oval shaping of the end caps 14 will cause the article to roll with a rocking/lifting motion which enhances the non-uniform movement of the object. The ovality of the end caps also has the effect that when the article comes to rest it is likely to reverse movement direction unexpectedly thereby surprising the pet playing with the article and as a consequence sustaining interest.

It will also be appreciated that the random movements of the object within the article also increases the interest of an animal in the article. This interest is enhanced if a favorite toy of the pet is located inside the article.

A particularly useful feature of the construction of the article incorporating the concepts of the invention is that the article can be flat packed for marketing and transit purposes.

In other words the blank is so formed that it can be folded in such manner that its overall length is reduced.

The end caps are then placed upon the folded blank and the object, if provided, placed upon the caps. The thus assembled stack can be suitably wrapped to provide a compact package.

A further embodiment of the invention is formed from a blank of rectangular shape. A plurality of equally spaced score lines is formed in the blank the score lines being parallel to the longer sides of the rectangular blank and forming a plurality of side by side strips . It is intended that the blank should be folded about the score lines to form a hollow cylinder in which the walls of the cylinder comprises the strips. The thus cylindrically formed blank is held in its cylindrical form by two end caps.

Each end cap includes a cylindrical main part which is secured at one end to a flat annular plate whose outer periphery projects radially outwardly of the main part to provide a rim part.

The other end of the main part includes inner and outer axially directed walls. The inner one of the walls is axially longer that the outer wall.

To assemble the article the blank is deformed into the cylindrical form and the end regions thereof and these end regions are engaged into the space defined between the two walls, with the longer wall serving as both a guide and support for the cylindrical blank ends during their insertion into the space. As so far described the article of the invention includes a cylindrical main body having an end cap at each end of such form that the cylinder is open ended.

A toy is suspended from the inside surface of the cylindrical main body by a suitable suspension means i.e., a cord or the like. This object/toy can take what ever form thought convenient. For example, the toy can be in the form of a mouse.

A still further embodiment of an article forming a toy for an animal includes two substantially semi-spherical shells which connect together at the circular rims thereof with a snap action connection or a welded connection.

As is the case of the previous embodiments an object/toy is housed within the chamber formed by the joining together of the shells.

This object provided within the article can take what ever form is thought convenient. For example, the object can comprise a simulated bird shape, which shape being, for example, formed by mounting a ball on a flexible or springable post and attaching to the ball a clump of bristles for simulating the tail of the bird. A further object can comprise, for example, a freely moveable ball, mouse, etc.

A plurality of shaped openings are formed in the shells.

These openings can take what ever form is thought convenient/decorative. For example, the openings can be of a cross formation with curvilinear edges.

In a still further embodiment of an article for use as a toy for animals includes a cylindrical former which is covered with a layer forming a non-slippery outer surface to the article. In a particular construction the former can be covered with a carpet like material, ie., such as may be used as a carpet tile.

An object which is intended to attract the interest of an animal is suspended in the interior of the former. In practice, the length of the former is chosen such that the animal can just about reach the object but not grasp such object.

Claims

1. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, the article being adapted for movement relative to a surface for the purposes of play, wherein the article is of such construction that during the use thereof at least one additional mode of movement other than the article's initial movement relative to the surface is produced by the movement of the article relative to said surface.

2. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, as claimed in claim 1, and wherein said additional movement mode is separate from the article initial movement relative to said surface resulting from the attentions of a pet or animal.

3. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal as claimed in claim 1 or 2, and wherein the additional mode of movement is movementwise different from that of the article initial movement mode relative to said surface.

4. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, the article being adapted for movement relative to a surface for the purposes of play, wherein the article is of such construction that during the use thereof at least one additional mode of movement other than initial movement of the article relative to the surface as the result of the attentions of a pet or person, and wherein the article includes a chamber for receiving an object in such manner that the latter is moveable relative to the walls of the chamber and is also readily visible to an animal, the arrangement being such that on displacement of the article the object is caused to undergo random movements within the chamber that are separate from the movements of the article which ramdom movements are observable by the animal.

4 An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, as claimed in claim 3, and wherein said additional movement mode is separate from the basic direction of the initial movement of the article resulting from the attentions of an animal.

5. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal as claimed in claim 3 or 4, and wherein the additional mode of movement is movementwise different from that of the initial movement of the article.

6. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, and comprising a construction which is foldable/collapsible for the purposes of storage packaging or other requirement.

7. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, and wherein the object is movably suspended within the chamber.

8. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, and wherein the object is freely moveable within the chamber.

9. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal as claimed in claim 3, 4 or 5, and wherein the object is supported on a resilient/springy post or the like for its movement within the chamber.

10. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, and wherein the aticle includes a body structure formed from a preshaped blank, and first and second members adapted to engage with the blank after it has been deformed to its operational configuration so as to retain the blank in its operational configuration.

11. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the deformed blank provides a cylinder, and wherein first and second members serve effectively to close the ends of the cylinder to provide a closed chamber for housing an object.

12. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the deformed blank provides a cylinder, and wherein the first and second members leave the clinder open-ended.

13. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, as claimed in 12, and wherein an object is so tethered to the interior of the cylinder as to be free to move relative to its tethering point during the displacement of the article relative to said surface.

14. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, as claimed in any of the previous claims 1 to 13, and wherein the external surface of ther article is covered with a material which exhibits non-slip characteristics with respect to the said surface.

15. An article servin g as a plaything for a pet or other animal as claimed in claim 14, wherein the covering is of a carpet like finish.

16. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, and wherein the article is formed from two hollow shells which are joinable together to provide a chamber for receiving an object that is displaceable with respect to the interior of the joined together shells, and wherein shaped openings are provided in at least one of the shells whereby the an object within the chamber is viewable from the outside of the article.

17 An article serving as a plaything for a pet or animal, as claimed in claim 15, and wherein each the shells are of the same overall shape.

18. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or other animal, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawing

18. An article serving as a plaything for a pet or animal, as claimed in claim 15 or 16, and wherein each shell is of a hemispherical form, and wherein the rims of the shells are adapted for engagement one with the other.