The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 12, 2002
Filed:
Feb. 16, 2000
Frances Todd Stewart, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Raymond Ho-Cheong Cheng, Hong Kong, CN;
Creative Products International, Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
A combination scratching post with a touch activated component and motorized mechanism for domestic cats that moves a mouse toy in an irregular manner that is intended to attract cats for the purpose of using the scratching post for play and exercise as well as grooming in the form of cleaning and sharpening its claws on the scratching post. The mouse toy is constructed in such a way as to allow the inside to be filled and refilled with catnip, a substance which cats find attractive, each time being resealed by means of an enclosure at the base of the toy. The mouse toy is activated to move via a motor inside the scratching post by a two step procedure. First, the device is “turned on” by a switch at the base of the post. This action does not activate the motor. Instead, it activates the touch-activated components and motorized mechanism which cause the coiled spring at the top of the post to turn and move in an irregular motion related to the power and frequency of the force applied to the post or base for an irregular period of time. This irregular pattern of movement of the mouse toy further actuated by a spring-loaded base is intended to create greater interest in the toy from the cat, challenging the cat into play and encouraging the cat to use the scratching post for exercise and grooming.