U.S. patent application number 09/841524 was filed with the patent office on 2002-11-28 for refillable catnip toy.
Invention is credited to Crane, Samuel, Viola, Charles.
Application Number | 20020174838 09/841524 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25285101 |
Filed Date | 2002-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020174838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Crane, Samuel ; et
al. |
November 28, 2002 |
Refillable catnip toy
Abstract
A catnip-filled toy (10) for cats which may be caused to roll,
spin around, wobble, and slide when manipulated by the paw of a
cat. The device (10) has a central hub (12) which is convex in
shape. Extending horizontally from the central hub (12) are two
hollow reservoirs (14) which may be filled with catnip (24). The
central hub (12) and catnip reservoirs (14) are circular in shape
when seen in side elevation from an end view, so as to allow the
device to roll freely upon any smooth surface. The catnip
reservoirs (14) have openings (20) through which the catnip (24)
may be filled, emptied, and refilled and have a plurality of small
holes (22) through which the scent of the catnip (24) inside may
emanate outside. The catnip reservoirs (14) are attached by
screwing together and may be detached by unscrewing. An alternative
embodiment may include yarn (232), feathers, or other soft material
extending from and attached to the outer ends of the catnip
reservoirs (14).
Inventors: |
Crane, Samuel; (Glen Head,
NY) ; Viola, Charles; (Fairfield, IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Samuel Cranie
19 Cedar Lane North
Glen Head
NY
11545
US
|
Family ID: |
25285101 |
Appl. No.: |
09/841524 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/707 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 15/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/707 |
International
Class: |
A01K 029/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A toy for pets comprising a) a central hub which is convex in
shape, b) two reservoirs radiating horizontally from the central
hub, c) said reservoirs each having an inner concavity which can be
filled with catnip, d) said reservoirs having a means of opening
and closing to allow filling, emptying, and refilling of said
catnip, e) said reservoirs having a plurality of small holes
through which the scent of said catnip may emanate.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The disclosed invention is a novel catnip-filled toy for
cats.
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
[0002] The scent of catnip has been shown to arouse and excite cats
and increase their playfulness. Numerous toys exist that are filled
with catnip; most of those catnip-filled toys being made of cloth
which is stitched together and stuffed with catnip, in much the
same manner as a pillow or a cushion is filled with soft material.
While such catnip-filled toys may be clawed, bitten, batted, and
carried around by cats, they do not allow the cat to effectively
spin, rock, and roll the toy on the floor, and so their play value
is thereby limited.
[0003] The present invention is a catnip-filled toy which is easily
spun, rocked, and rolled on a surface such as a smooth floor, and
can be bitten and picked up by the cats, as well. In addition, the
device may be easily refilled with fresh catnip by the owner.
[0004] Catnip losses much of its scent over time and, as the scent
fades, a catnip-filled toy will tend to become less attractive to a
cat. Therefore it is of value to replace the old catnip with fresh
catnip. Catnip toys that are stitched together such as U.S. Pat.
No. Des. 308,557 to Reese do not allow the owners to easily replace
the old catnip with fresh catnip, as doing so would require cutting
open the toys to remove the old catnip and then stitching them back
together after filling them with fresh catnip.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,838 to Reich shows a cat toy which may
be refilled more easily than other sewn catnip-filled toys due to
the fact that it can be opened and closed using hook and loop
fastening, however being made of soft fabric, it lacks a regular,
hard molded outer surface that would allow the device to spin and
roll easily and freely on a smooth surface when batted by the paw
of a cat.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,632 to Gordon teaches a catnip-filled
toy for cats which lacks the central hub of the present invention
and therefore is not well suited for spinning and cannot be moved
in a rocking motion. In addition, Gordon's device does not allow
easy refilling by the user with fresh catnip.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. Des. 380,879 to Hernandez shows a weighted
catnip-filled toy which may be moved in a rocking motion, but
cannot be rolled across the floor.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,127 to Leopold shows a device which is
mainly for scratching and clawing and cannot be moved about on the
floor or picked up by the cat because it is mounted in place.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,256 to Viola teaches a cat toy which can
be effectively moved about on the floor by cats in a wide variety
of play patterns, but is not filled with catnip.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0010] The present invention represents a novel form of cat toy in
that it comprises a catnip-filled amusement device which may be
quickly and easily refilled with fresh catnip by the owner and may
be caused to spin, rock, roll, and slide about on a smooth surface
such as a floor when manipulated by the paw of the cat and may also
be bitten and picked up by the cat.
[0011] A touch of the cat's paw causes the device to spin in a
lively manner which cats seem to find interesting. The unique shape
of the toy allows it to slide, rock, and roll easily on a smooth
surface such as a floor, providing amusement and exercise for the
cat. In the preferred embodiment, the shape of the device allows
the cat to easily bite it, pick it up or drag it around, providing
further play possibilities for the cat. Additionally, as the toy
spins, slides, wobbles, rocks, or rolls upon a surface, it may
produce a faint scratching or pitter-patter sound, which seems to
increase the interest of the cat. The scent of the catnip emanating
from the holes in the device provides a strong attraction for the
cat and induces the cat to play with the device.
[0012] An alternative embodiment may include yarn, feathers, pom
poms, or other soft or flexible materials extending from and
attached to the outer ends of the catnip reservoirs, as an aid in
allowing the cat to bite or grab the device.
DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of catnip-filled toy for
pets;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view thereof;
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a top plan view thereof;
[0016] FIG. 4 shows a side elevational view thereof;
[0017] FIG. 5 shows an end view thereof;
[0018] FIG. 6 shows a side elevational view thereof in
cross-section;
[0019] FIG. 7 shows the invention being filled with catnip;
[0020] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment
of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a second alternative
embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 10 shows a side elevational view thereof in
cross-section
1 Reference Numerals in Drawings 10 device 12 hub 14 catnip
reservoir 16 inside of reservoir 18 outside of reservoir 20 opening
of reservoir 22 holes 24 catnip 26 male threaded portion 28 female
threaded portion 30 surface upon which the device may be used 110
first alternative embodiment of device 112 hub of first alternative
embodiment 114 catnip reservoir of first alternative embodiment 118
outside of reservoir of first alternative embodiment 122 holes of
first alternative embodiment 210 second alternative embodiment of
device 212 hub of second alternative embodiment 214 catnip
reservoir of second alternative embodiment 216 inside of reservoir
of second alternative embodiment 218 outside of reservoir of second
alternative embodiment 222 holes of second alternative embodiment
226 male threaded portion of second alternative embodiment 228
female threaded portion of second alternative embodiment 232 yarn
234 knot 236 hole on outside end of catnip reservoir of second
alternative embodiment
DESCRIPTION--FIGURES
[0023] The device 10 comprises a central hub 12 from which radiate
horizontally two reservoirs 14, each reservoir having holes 22
through which the scent of the catnip 24 may be dispersed into the
air.
[0024] The inside 16 of each reservoir 14 is filled with catnip 24
by inserting the catnip through the openings of the reservoir 20.
The device 10, thus filled with catnip 24, may then be assembled by
screwing the male 26 and female 28 threaded portions together until
the two parts of the device 10 are firmly connected.
[0025] The scent of the catnip 24 emanates through the holes 22 in
the reservoirs 14 into the air. The device 10 may be refilled with
fresh catnip 24 by unscrewing the male 26 and female 28 threaded
portions, emptying the old catnip 24 from the reservoirs 14 through
the openings 20, refilling with fresh catnip 24 through said
openings 20, and screwing the male 26 and female 28 threaded
portions together firmly.
[0026] The central hub 12 is convex in shape so as to minimize
contact with the surface 30 upon which it rests and is larger in
diameter and circumference than the outside of the reservoirs 18,
thereby allowing the device 10 to rock, roll, wobble, and spin
freely when set in motion on the surface 30 by the paw of the
cat.
[0027] Because the central hub 12 and outside of the reservoirs 18
have a circular or rounded shape, when viewed from the end in side
elevation, they allow the device 10 to roll freely when pushed
along the surface 30 upon which it is being used.
[0028] The catnip reservoirs 14 are equal to each other in size and
shape so as to allow the device 10 to be balanced.
[0029] Alternative embodiments may be contemplated wherein the
device differs in shape from the preferred embodiment, yet the
function of the device is essentially the same. FIG. 8 shows an
alternative embodiment 110 in which the catnip reservoirs 114 are
more truncated in shape than that of the preferred embodiment and
the central hub 112 is less distinctly separate from the catnip
reservoirs 114.
[0030] FIGS. 9 and 10 show a second alternative embodiment of the
device 210 which includes yarn or other stranded material such as
mylar strips 232 attached to and extending outwardly from the ends
of the catnip reservoirs 214 to allow the cat to better grab or
bite the device 210 and to allow additional play value. The yarn or
stranded material may be attached by tying it in a knot 234 and
pulling the loose ends through a hole 236 in the outer end of the
catnip reservoir 214 and securing the yarn or stranded material
with another knot 234.
OPERATION--FIGURES
Summary, Ramifications, and Scope
[0031] Disclosed herein is a unique catnip-filled toy which allows
a wide range of play patterns for the cat and allows quick and easy
refilling with catnip by the owner. Although the present invention
is primarily intended for use by cats, it may made in various sizes
and filled with various substances other than catnip, such as dried
pet food so as to be used in a similar manner by other pet animals
such as ferrets, dogs, or birds.
[0032] Various embodiments of the disclosed invention may be
contemplated. As indicated in FIGS. 8-10, the shape may vary from
the preferred embodiment, without changing the nature and function
of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be
determined by the appended claims and legal equivalents, and is not
limited to the illustrations or examples provided.
* * * * *