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US-12622417-B2 - Cat wand

US12622417B2US 12622417 B2US12622417 B2US 12622417B2US-12622417-B2

Abstract

Provided is a pet toy including a handle, a shaft including a launching protrusion, the shaft extending from the handle, a cord coupled to the shaft, and a toy assembly. The toy assembly is removably attachable to the cord or engageable with the launching protrusion. In a first configuration of the pet toy, the toy assembly is removably coupled to the cord. In a second configuration of the pet toy, the toy assembly is launchable from the launching protrusion.

Inventors

  • Danielle Salyer
  • Chaz Ozzello

Assignees

  • THE KYJEN COMPANY, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260512
Application Date
20240430

Claims (7)

  1. 1 . A pet toy comprising: a handle; a shaft extending from the handle, the shaft including: a launching protrusion extending away from a primary axis along which the shaft extends, the launching protrusion including a projection such that a notch is formed between the projection and the shaft; and a coiled portion disposed between the handle and the launching protrusion; a cord coupled to a distal end of the shaft opposite the handle; and a toy assembly removably attachable to the cord and engageable with the launching protrusion, wherein in a first configuration of the pet toy, the toy assembly is removably coupled to the cord and in a second configuration of the pet toy, the toy assembly is launchable from the launching protrusion.
  2. 2 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the toy assembly includes: a body; and an elastic loop coupled to the body, the elastic loop configured to be removably coupled to the cord in the first configuration and wrapped around and stretched against the launching protrusion in the second configuration.
  3. 3 . The pet toy of claim 2 , wherein the body includes: a cover; and an internal compartment disposed within the cover.
  4. 4 . The pet toy of claim 3 , wherein the body includes cat nip disposed within the internal compartment.
  5. 5 . The pet toy of claim 2 , wherein the toy assembly includes an attractant coupled to the body.
  6. 6 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the coiled portion of the shaft is configured to deform when the elastic loop is stretched against the launching protrusion.
  7. 7 . The pet toy of claim 1 , wherein the notch is configured to receive a portion of the toy assembly.

Description

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application entitled “Cat Wand,” filed May 2, 2023, and assigned Ser. No. 63/463,307, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the Disclosure The disclosure relates generally to pet toys, and more specifically, to interactive pet toys including multiple functionalities configured to mentally stimulate pets. Brief Description of Related Technology Generally, a wide variety of pet toys are available to keep pets entertained. For example, pet toys including one or more of a squeaker, a bell, crinkle paper, and the like may be configured to make noise, entertaining pets. Other pet toys include balls, frisbees, wands, toys including treats (e.g., cat nip, pet treats), chew toys, and the like. However, pets may quickly become disinterested in their toys. Accordingly, there is a need for more dynamic and interactive pet toys including multiple functionalities that engage pets for longer periods of time. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a pet toy includes a handle, a shaft including a launching protrusion extending from the handle, a cord coupled to the shaft, and a toy assembly. The toy assembly is removably attachable to the cord or engageable with the launching protrusion. In a first configuration of the pet toy, the toy assembly is removably coupled to the cord and in a second configuration of the pet toy, the toy assembly is launchable from the launching protrusion. In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a pet toy includes a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and a toy assembly. The shaft includes a launching protrusion and a coil portion disposed between the handle and the launching protrusion. The toy assembly is configured to be launched from the launching protrusion. In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of launching a toy assembly with a wand, the wand comprising a handle, a shaft including a launching protrusion and a coil disposed between the handle and the launching protrusion is provided. The method includes wrapping an elastic loop of the toy assembly around the launching protrusion, pulling the toy assembly backward, stretching the elastic loop, and releasing the toy assembly. When the toy assembly is released, an elastic force of the elastic loop returning to its original shape launches the toy assembly forward. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements in the figures. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a pet toy in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a launching protrusion of the pet toy of FIG. 1 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 illustrates a partial exploded cross-sectional view of the pet toy of FIG. 1 in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart for launching a toy assembly in accordance with one example of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 illustrates a pet toy assembly in accordance with another example of the present disclosure. While the disclosed pet toys and methods are susceptible of embodiments in various forms, there are illustrated in the drawings (and will hereafter be described) specific embodiments of the disclosure, with the understanding that the disclosure is intended to be illustrative and is not intended to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments described and illustrated herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems in the Background of the Disclosure section. Specifically, the present disclosure provides a pet toy having multiple configurations providing different playing functions. A pet toy according to the present disclosure may include a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, a cord coupled to the shaft and a toy assembly or toy accessory. The shaft may include a launching protrusion. In a first configuration, the toy assembly may be coupled to the cord and in a second configuration the toy assembly may be launched from the launching protrusion. A pet toy according to the present disclosure may provide a dynamic playing experience including multiple playing functionalities capable of capturing and holding the attention of pets for longer periods of time. The toy assembly may include a body and a loop, such an elastic loop, coupled to the body. In the first configuration, the toy assembly may be coupled to the cord of the pet toy. Specifically, the elastic loop of the toy assembly may be coupled to the cord of the pet toy. Accordingly, when a human holds the handle of the pet toy, the toy assembly may