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An apparatus for use as a toy by an animal, for example a dog, to either fetch carry or chew includes a main section with at least one protrusion extending therefrom that resembles a branch in appearance. The toy is formed of any of a number of materials including rubber, plastic, or wood including wood composites and is solid. It is either rigid or flexible. A flavoring (scent) is added, if desired. The toy is adapted to float by including a material therein that is lighter than water or it is adapted to glow in the dark, as desired, by the addition of a fluorescent material that is either included in the material from which the toy is made or the flourescent material is applied thereto as a coating. The toy may be segmented (i.e., notched) so as to break off into smaller segments, as is useful for smaller animals or, alternatively, to extend the life of the toy. Various textured surfaces including camouflage colorings are anticipated as are straight or curved main sections. The...

Inventor: Ross Eugene Long, III
Primary Examiner: Thomas Price
Current U.S. Classification: 119/707
International Classification: A01K/2900

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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US1006182Mar 29, 1911Oct 17, 1911PLANOORAPH CO
US1022113Aug 31, 1908Apr 2, 1912WALTER E
US3830202May 10, 19731974PET PULL TOY
US4202922Jan 23, 1978May 13, 1980Simulated vegetation product
US5018480Jun 17, 1988May 28, 1991Penn Plax, Inc.Simulated tree branch for small animal enclosures
US5752463Jan 8, 1997May 19, 1998Bird activity platform
US5819687Jan 15, 1997Oct 13, 1998Wildlife feeding device
USRE34352Jan 8, 1991Aug 24, 1993Bounce, Inc.Therapeutic pet toy

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US6941895Oct 12, 2004Sep 13, 2005Treat dispensing chewing toy
US7334539Mar 9, 2005Feb 26, 2008Parrot decorative tower
US7691315Jul 18, 2005Apr 6, 2010T.F.H. Publications, Inc.Injection mold having cavities in series
US7950353Mar 28, 2006May 31, 2011T.F.H. Publications, Inc.Pet chew with rigid hollow base and fabric elements
US8146538Dec 1, 2006Apr 3, 2012Del Monte CorporationAirborne interactive cat treat or toy
US8211346Jan 8, 2010Jul 3, 2012T.F.H. Publications, Inc.Paw-shaped toy
USD544154Jul 8, 2005Jun 5, 2007Goliath Concepts, Inc.Visually stimulating animal toy
USD579157Apr 17, 2007Oct 21, 2008Dog toy
USD607618Apr 7, 2009Jan 5, 2010J.W. Pet Company, Inc.Pet toy
USD636540Jan 19, 2010Apr 19, 2011Pet toy

Claims

1. An animal toy, comprising:

(a) a solid main section having a diameter and a longitudinal length and extending a predetermined distance along said longitudinal length; and
(b) at least one protrusion attached at one end thereof said main section and extending a predetermined distance therefrom and wherein said at least one protrusion includes a second longitudinal axis that is not in parallel alignment with a first longitudinal axis of said solid main section;
and wherein said animal toy is adapted to float on the water.

2. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section is formed of a rubber.

3. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section is formed of a plastic.

4. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section includes a wood.

5. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section includes cellulose.

6. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section includes a flavoring.

7. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section includes a scent added thereto.

8. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section is rigid.

9. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section is flexible.

10. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section is chewable.

11. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section includes a material that is lighter than water.

12. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said animal toy includes a fluorescent coating.

13. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said animal toy includes a camouflage coating.

14. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said animal toy is formed of wood particles.

15. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said animal toy is formed of wood chips.

16. The animal toy of claim 1 wherein said main section includes at least one notch, said at least one notch adapted to fracture said animal toy proximate said notch upon an application of sufficient lateral pressure to said animal toy.

17. A method for making an animal toy, which comprises:

compressing particles of cellulose together under pressure sufficient to retain said particles together when said pressure is removed so as to form said animal toy wherein said animal toy includes a main section having a first longitudinal axis and at least one protrusion extending therefrom and wherein said at least one protrusion includes a second longitudinal axis that is not parallel with respect to said first longitudinal axis and wherein said animal toy is adapted to float on the water.

18. The method of claim 17 including the step of adding a flavoring to said particles of cellulose prior to the step of compressing.

19. The method of claim 17 including the step of adding a resin to said particles of cellulose prior to the step of compressing.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein said particles are compressed so as to produce a main section having a diameter and a length and at least one protrusion attached thereto.

Drawings