Patent · US Expired

Cat toy

US4803953A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
5References
2Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 5, 1987
Grant dateFeb 14, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 5, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA01K15/025
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A cat toy is disclosed herein having a stationary base housing a take-up reel storing a length of line with a weighted end. A motor and resilient propulsion unit are pivotally carried as an assembly on the base wherein energy is stored in the propulsion unit in response to drawing of the line onto the reel by the motor. Gear means are selectively coupled with the reel for driving the reel so as to withdraw the line. The pivotal connection of the motor/propulsion unit assembly provides an over-the-toggle mechanism responsive to the storage of energy in the propulsion unit to disengage the motor from the reel to release the stored energy for tossing the weighted end of the line from the propulsion unit.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.