# US 10,869,461 B1 · Interactive reciprocating pet toy

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- Number: US 10,869,461 B1
- Document ID: US10869461B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 16/164,832
- Filed: 2018-10-19
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2017-10-23
- Assignees: Cosmic Pet LLC
- Applicants: Brian Kreischer; Steven Tsengas
- Inventors: Brian Kreischer; Steven Tsengas
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869461B1

## CPC

- A01K 15/025: {Toys specially adapted for animals}
- A01K 15/0258: {Squeaker toys; Toys that make noise when squeezed}
- A01K: ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS

## Abstract

A pet toy is provided for the pet toy having an elongated housing with a flat lower surface secured to a bottom of said elongated housing and adapted to allow the elongated housing to sit flat and securely on a planar surface. A reciprocating mechanism contained within said center section and comprising a motor that physically communicates a linear reciprocating motion of a rack and pinion gear to a pair of opposed targets aligned along the centerline and extend outward from said first egress orifice. The target appendages are each comprised of a flexible, conformable and compressible member adapted to be withdrawn into the respective egress orifice and alternately extend outward from the respective egress orifice.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A pet toy comprising:
an elongated housing having a horizontal centerline forming a generally bulbous center section and protruding from each end of said center section with a first extension conduit forming a first egress orifice and opposite a second extension conduit forming a second egress orifice;
a flat lower surface secured to a bottom of said elongated housing and adapted to allow the elongated housing to sit flat and securely on a planar surface;
a reciprocating mechanism contained within said bulbous center section and comprising:
a motor, a first target reciprocating mechanism and a second target reciprocating mechanism, wherein said first target reciprocating mechanism and said second target reciprocating mechanism are urged in a reciprocation motion for extension and retraction from each opposing ends through said first egress orifice and second egress orifice;
a rack and pinion gear in function operation with said motor;
a first extension shaft that physically communicates a linear reciprocating motion of the rack and pinion gear to a first target attachment coupling;
said first extension shaft and said first target attachment coupling are aligned along the centerline and extend outward from said first egress orifice; a first target connected to said attachment coupling;
a second extension shaft that physically communicates a linear reciprocating motion of the rack and pinion gear to a second target attachment coupling;
said second extension shaft and said second target attachment coupling are aligned along the centerline and extend outward from said second egress orifice; and
a second target connected to said attachment coupling.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The pet toy of claim 1, wherein said first target and said second target are each comprised of a flexible, conformable and compressible member adapted to be withdrawn into the respective egress orifice and alternately extend outward from the respective egress orifice.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The pet toy of claim 2, wherein said first target and said second target each comprise an elongated feather having a shaft that terminates by impingement or compression fit to the respective target attachment coupling.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The pet toy of claim 1, wherein said first target and said second target are each comprised of a flexible, conformable and compressible member adapted to be withdrawn into the respective egress orifice and alternately extend outward from the respective egress orifice.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The pet toy of claim 4, wherein said first target and said second target each comprises an elongated feather having a shaft that terminates by impingement or compression fit to the respective target attachment coupling.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The pet toy of claim 1, wherein said reciprocation motion includes incongruences of speed and pauses.

### Claim 7

A pet toy comprising:
an elongated housing having a horizontal centerline forming a center section and protruding from each end of said center section with a first extension conduit forming a first egress orifice and opposite a second extension conduit forming a second egress orifice;
a flat lower surface secured to a bottom of said elongated housing and adapted to allow the elongated housing to sit flat and securely on a planar surface;
a reciprocating mechanism contained within said center section and comprising:
a motor, a first target reciprocating mechanism and a second target reciprocating mechanism, wherein said first target reciprocating mechanism and said second target reciprocating mechanism are urged in a reciprocation motion for extension and retraction from each opposing ends through said first egress orifice and second egress orifice;
a rack and pinion gear in function operation with said motor;
a first extension shaft that physically communicates a linear reciprocating motion of the rack and pinion gear to a first target attachment coupling;
said first extension shaft and said first target attachment coupling are aligned along the centerline and extend outward from said first egress orifice;
a first target connected to said attachment coupling;
a second extension shaft that physically communicates a linear reciprocating motion of the rack and pinion gear to a second target attachment coupling;
said second extension shaft and said second target attachment coupling are aligned along the centerline and extend outward from said second egress orifice; and
a second target connected to said attachment coupling.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The pet toy of claim 7, wherein said first target and said second target are each comprised of a flexible, conformable and compressible member adapted to be withdrawn into the respective egress orifice and alternately extend outward from the respective egress orifice.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The pet toy of claim 8, wherein said first target and said second target each comprises an elongated feather having a shaft that terminates by impingement or compression fit to the respective target attachment coupling.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The pet toy of claim 7, wherein said first target and said second target are each comprised of a flexible, conformable and compressible member adapted to be withdrawn into the respective egress orifice and alternately extend outward from the respective egress orifice.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The pet toy of claim 10 wherein said first target and said second target each comprises an elongated feather having a shaft that terminates by impingement or compression fit to the respective target attachment coupling.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The pet toy of claim 7, wherein said reciprocation motion includes incongruences of speed and pauses.