US 10,299,464 B2Granted

Therapeutic toy device for an animal

OwnerMary Beth Evansinventor

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Abstract

A therapeutic toy device for an animal user. The device comprises an internal spine simulator comprising a plurality of weighted vertebra simulators, all coupled together in a manner intended to somewhat resemble the spine of a prey animal. The toy device is configured so that when the animal user plays with the toy, the act mimics the sensation of tackling an actual prey animal. This satisfies the animal's predator instincts, and thus gives the animal a more meaningful and satisfying sensory motor experience, thus improving well-being. The device, preferably produced from synthetic materials, will be surrounded by a synthetic covering, and optionally configured with other elements such as limb simulators, internal stuffing, and other features. The toy device will be offered in varying weights and configurations based on the size, weight and play-drive of an animal user.

Claims20

Dependent claims

Therapeutic toy device for an animal, said device comprising:

an internal spine simulator, said internal spine simulator comprising a plurality of vertebra simulators configured in a flexible linear array;
wherein each vertebra simulator comprises at least one solid material configured as a solid sphere with a weight of at least one ounce, and a shore “A” durometer value of at least 40;
wherein each vertebra simulator has a maximum radius, and wherein when said plurality of vertebra simulators are configured in a flexible linear array, the maximum separation between each individual vertebra is less than said maximum radius;
wherein said plurality of vertebra simulators are each embedded in a flexible synthetic woven or non-woven fabric or polymer or sheet of material so as to form said flexible linear array;
said internal spine simulator completely enveloped in a flexible, chew resistant, covering, thereby forming a body configured so that when said animal bites said therapeutic toy device, said covering deforms allowing said animal to detect resistance force produced when said animal's teeth, separated by said covering, encounter resistance produced by said vertebra simulators.

2 more elements

Therapeutic toy device for an animal, said device comprising:

synthetic stuffing;
an internal spine simulator, said internal spine simulator comprising a plurality of vertebra simulators configured in a flexible linear array;
wherein each vertebra simulator is at least one substantially compact solid formed from a material with a shore A durometer value of at least 40, a density of at least 1 gram/cm3, and a weight of at least one ounce;
at least some of said vertebra simulators configured to deform or crush to 90% or less of their original thickness upon receiving a bite force from said animal;
wherein each vertebra simulator has a maximum radius, and wherein when said plurality of vertebra simulators are configured in a flexible linear array, the maximum separation between each individual vertebra is less than said maximum radius;
said internal spine simulator and said synthetic stuffing completely enveloped in a flexible, chew resistant, synthetic fur covering, thereby forming a body configured so that when said animal bites said therapeutic toy device, said stuffing and synthetic fur covering deform allowing said animal to detect resistance force produced when said animal's teeth, separated by said synthetic fur covering and said stuffing, encounter resistance produced by said vertebra simulators.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.