US 12,672,639 B2Granted

Tear-resistant dog chew toy and method of making the same

AssigneePack Leader Dog Toys, LLC

InventorJoshua M. Gittelman

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Abstract

A tear-resistant chew toy for dogs and a method of making the toy. The toy includes a first and second similarly constructed panel assemblies, each of which includes a quilted fabric panel surrounded by a chew guard in the form of a webbing of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric. Overlapping portions of the chew guard are secured to the panel by a zig-zagging stitch pattern formed of UHMWPE thread. The individual stitches of the pattern extend at an acute angle to a radius of the fabric panel and generally parallel to the direction that dogs use their back molar teeth to gnaw on a chew guard. The panel assemblies are secured together by a stitch line also formed of UHMWPE thread to form an internal chamber in which a soft resilient stuffing and an audible squeaker are located.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A tear-resistant chew toy for a dog having back molar teeth, said tear-resistant chew toy comprising:

a first panel assembly comprising:
a first panel of a predetermined shape having a peripheral edge and a radius extending to said peripheral edge, said first panel being formed of a high-tenacity woven nylon or polyester bag fabric;
a first chew guard comprising a webbing of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fabric, wrapped about the peripheral edge of said first panel so that an outer portion of said first chew guard is located over an outer surface of said first panel contiguous with the peripheral edge, and an inner portion of said first chew guard is located under an inner surface of said first panel contiguous with the peripheral edge, said first chew guard having a pair of end portions which overlap each other in a first overlap zone;
a first line of stitches extending through said first chew guard and said first panel to secure said first chew guard to said first panel, said first line of stitches line extending generally parallel said peripheral edge of said first panel;
a second line of stitches extending through said first chew guard and said first panel in the region encompassing said first overlap zone and to portions of said webbing contiguous with said first overlap zone, said second line of stitches comprising a double zig-zag pattern having individual stitches each extending at an acute angle to said radius and generally parallel to the direction that dogs use their back molar teeth to gnaw on said first chew guard webbing, whereupon said double zig-zag pattern of said second line of stitches runs parallel to a chewing motion of the dog's back molar teeth on the tear-resistant chew toy to result in a low coefficient of friction therebetween to provide cut and abrasion resistance to said first chew guard webbing at said first overlap zone;
a second panel assembly of a corresponding shape and size to said first panel assembly, and secured to said first panel assembly by a third line of stitches extending generally parallel to said peripheral edge;
and
a soft and resilient stuffing material located in a space between said first panel assembly and said second panel assembly.

5 more elements

A method of making a tear-resistant chew toy, comprising:

providing a first panel assembly comprising:
a first panel of a predetermined shape having a peripheral edge and a radius extending to said peripheral edge, said first panel being formed of a high-tenacity woven nylon or polyester bag fabric;
a first chew guard comprising a webbing of UHMWPE fabric wrapped about the peripheral edge of said first panel so that an outer portion of said first chew guard is located over an outer surface of said first panel contiguous with the peripheral edge, and an inner portion of said first chew guard is located under an inner surface of said first panel contiguous with the peripheral edge, said first chew guard having a pair of end portions which overlap each other in a first overlap zone;
securing said first chew guard webbing to said first panel by a first line of stitches line extending generally parallel said peripheral edge of said first panel;
providing a second line of stitches extending through said first chew guard webbing and said first panel in the region encompassing said first overlap zone and to portions of said webbing contiguous with said first overlap zone, said second line of stitches comprising a double zig-zag pattern having individual stitches each extending at an acute angle to said radius and generally parallel to the direction that dogs use their back molar teeth to gnaw on said first chew guard webbing, whereupon said double zig-zag pattern of said second line of stitches runs parallel to a chewing motion of the dog's back molar teeth on the tear-resistant chew toy to result in a low coefficient of friction therebetween to provide cut and abrasion resistance to said first chew guard webbing at said first overlap zone;
providing a second panel assembly of a corresponding shape and size to said first panel assembly;
securing said second panel assembly to said first panel assembly by third line of stitches extending generally parallel to said peripheral edge;
and
inserting a soft and resilient stuffing material located in a space between said first panel and said second panel.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.