Propellable articulating animal toy

Abstract

A propellable articulating animal toy having a flexible, pliable stuffed body which simulates an animal, preferably a puppy, having freely moveable body components. The body fits over a housing which includes at least one ground-engaging support wheel connected within the housing. The housing also includes a forwardly extending lever pivotally mounted in the housing and structured to be pivotally articulated up and down through an acute angle by eccentric driving engagement with the wheel as the toy is manually propelled over a flat surface. The animal body also covering the lever is thus made to bob up and down appearing to be running or jumping as the toy is propelled over the flat surface. Although only the forwardly portion of the animal body is articulated by the pivoting movement of the lever, the entire body and all body components take on a realistic running motion due to the pliable nature of the animal body and its plush covering, which may also be made removable for holding and cuddling. A bellows may also be included which produces a sound similar to that of the particular animal such as the bark of a dog. The bellows is operably moved by the interior portion of the lever so as to produce a sound coincident with the running motion. The preferred embodiment includes a rearwardly and upwardly extending push handle for propelling the toy across the ground and a detachable leash to add to the realism of the toy.