Patents Assigned to Bounce, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11678644
    Abstract: The pet toy of the invention comprises a spherical shaped body with eight distinct quadrants formed on the exterior surface thereof. Each section is three sided, similar to an equilateral triangle except each corner of the triangular-shaped is curved or rounded. A central opening is formed through the pet toy. Preferably, the pet toy is hollow and the pet toy has a substantially uniform sidewall thickness, thereby creating an open core. Measured parameters of the pet toy are provided to minimize the potential of the toy becoming caught in an animal's throat yet the pet toy is still configured to maximize play potential. The measured parameters include in various combinations of a weight of the pet toy, a diameter of the pet toy, depths of grooves in the pet toy, widths of the grooves and shapes of the grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: 10905098
    Abstract: The invention includes a feeder device that may be used to entertain or feed an animal. The feeder device has a body with an outer peripheral edge and a central opening. A plurality of depressions or grooves and a plurality of through holes are incorporated on the body. Preferably the feeder device is made of a flexible and elastomeric material. The feeder device may be secured to a base element that extends through the central opening to form a feeder device combination. The size and shape of the central opening is adjustable because of the elastomeric material. A desired pattern and spacing may be adopted for the grooves and through holes. According to a method of the invention, a user selects an object to which the feeder device is to be attached. The feeder device is placed over the object and the body of the device stretches to accommodate the central opening to frictionally engage the object. A user loads the device with a desired treats or feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: BOUNCE, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: 6546896
    Abstract: An animal toy includes a plurality of irregular outer features to hold one or more animal treats which are placed within the irregular outer features. The features may be of varying sizes, shapes, and combinations so that treats are held at varying depths therein. The animal toy may have a hollow core to further receive animal treats, or to receive a buoyant material allowing the animal toy to float. The treats may be held in the irregular outer features by friction or adhesion. The irregular outer features further serve to increase contact with the animal's mouth thereby also increasing the cleaning action of the animal toy with respect to the animal's teeth and gums. The animal toy can be made of a desired resilient flexible material which enhances dental cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: 6439166
    Abstract: An animal toy includes a plurality of raised features to enhance the dental cleaning action of the animal toy with the animal's mouth. The raised features may be made of varying shapes and designs. The animal toy may have a hollow core to further receive animal treats, or to receive a buoyant material allowing the animal toy to float. The animal toy can be made of desired resilient flexible material which enhances the dental cleaning. The raised features may be made in any desired format to include outline form and solid form. Furthermore, the raised features may have differing tips or ends which also have beneficial effects on the animal's mouth for dental cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: 6354050
    Abstract: A fabricated foundation wall is constructed in soil below grade level and has three major components. The first is a basement wall grid which includes a lower beam mounted on spaced piers. A plurality of vertical support members are spaced along and extend upwardly from the lower beam. An identical upper beam spans and is attached to upper ends of the vertical support members. The second component is an outer wall structure which attaches to and extends across the outer surface of the basement wall grid and extends below the lower beam to form an air void. The third component is an inner wall structure which includes lower and upper tracks attached to the lower and upper beams, respectively, and which receive a plurality of laterally spaced vertical studs each having inner surfaces which are flush with the inner surfaces of the vertical support members for attaching wall sheathing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Pankoski
  • Patent number: 6129053
    Abstract: A pet toy product for holding one or more animal treats has a body member having an outer surface with one or more recesses for removably holding one or more animal treats. The recesses may be of varying depth so that the treats in the deeper recesses are more difficult for the animal to extract than are the treats in the shallower recesses. The recesses may be circular, triangular, irregular, in the form of a groove or any other suitable configuration. The outer surface of the toy may be raised to accommodate the recesses or the recesses may extend into the surface. The pet toy may have recesses forming openings which extend through the pet toy product for receiving treats. With the structure recited, the pet owner can replenish the treats as often as necessary to maintain the pet's interest in the toy. Different treats can be provided with different nutritional values and tastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Markham, Brent P. Johnson, Gary D. Fields
  • Patent number: 5947061
    Abstract: A pet toy product for holding one or more animal treats has a body member having an outer surface with one or more recesses for removably holding one or more animal treats. The recesses may be of varying depth so that the treats in the deeper recesses are more difficult for the animal to extract than are the treats in the shallower recesses. The recesses may be circular, triangular, irregular, in the form of a groove or any other suitable configuration. The outer surface of the toy may be raised to accommodate the recesses or the recesses may extend into the surface. The pet toy may have recesses forming openings which extend through the side wall of the pet toy product for receiving treats. With the structure recited, the pet owner can replenish the treats as often as necessary to maintain the pet's interest in the toy. Different treats can be provided with different nutritional values and tastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Markham, Brent P. Johnson, Gary D. Fields
  • Patent number: 5904118
    Abstract: A floatable pet toy including a hollow deformable body with a buoyant material, such as a closed cell foam, inside of the body. The buoyant material increases the pet toy's buoyancy and resistance to deformation for durability. A rope may be attached to the body. In a second embodiment, the body may be elongated, made from elastomeric material, and substantially filled with a closed cell foam insert. This insert has a rope running longitudinally through its center and through an opening in a second end of the body. In a further embodiment, the body may be made from a flexible material, such as canvas or plastic. In a still further embodiment, the buoyant material may be injected into a sealed hollow deformable body for increased buoyancy and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: 5865146
    Abstract: A pet toy has an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal axis with first and second spaced bulbous sections, each having a side wall of substantially constant cross-section throughout. The first and second sections each include respective first and second openings defining respective first and second diameters. A center section has an inner surface forming a center opening of a third diameter which is less than at least one of the first and second diameters. The center section interconnects the first and second bulbous sections. A plurality of longitudinally spaced annular ribs extend around the periphery of the bulbous sections forming grooves to facilitate an animal gripping the toy with its teeth. At least one of the bulbous ends has an opening with a diameter greater than the diameter of the center section so that a knot of a pull rope extending through the center of the pet toy will pass through the opening in the bulbous section but will not pass through the center section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: 5832877
    Abstract: An elongated elastomeric pet toy includes a longitudinal panel with first and second lips formed along opposite respective longitudinal edges of the panel. These edges are folded over to form respective bights which serve as deformable hollow shape-retaining receptacles for receiving an animal treat. The lip forms a longitudinal slit along the panel through which the treat can be inserted in the respective receptacles. When the animal chews on the pet toy, the treats will be forced out through the longitudinal slit so that the animal can eat them. Also, the receptacles may have open ends through which the treats can be inserted by a person and dispensed from the toy by the animal chewing on the toy. In one embodiment, the lips are folded over on the same side of the longitudinal panel to create bights which form adjacent receptacles. In another embodiment, the lips are folded on opposite sides of the longitudinal panel to create bights which form receptacles on opposite sides of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: 5640931
    Abstract: A pet toy product with activatable scent is provided which includes sheet-like material that has applied to it a scent producing element. The scent is activatable and controllable in terms of intensity and duration. The sheet material may be formed into a desired shape, and a desired image may be applied to the sheet material as well. The pet toy product may be used by itself for stimulation of an animal or may be used in conjunction with a pet toy to enhance its effectiveness upon an animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: RE39563
    Abstract: A pet toy product for holding one or more animal treats has a body member having an outer surface with one or more recesses for removably holding one or more animal treats. The recesses may be of varying depth so that the treats in the deeper recesses are more difficult for the animal to extract then are the treats in the shallower recesses. The recesses may be circular, triangular, irregular, in the form of a groove or any other suitable configuration. The outer surface of the toy may be raised to accommodate the recesses or the recesses may extend into the surface. The pet toy may have recesses forming openings which extend through the pet toy product for receiving treats. With the structure recited, the pet owner can replenish the treats as often as necessary to maintain the pet's interest in the toy. Different treats can be provided with different nutritional values and tastes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: D308122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Markham, Peter Emily
  • Patent number: RE34352
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dental hygienic pet toy for dental prophylaxis on the teeth of a dog or other .[.carnivore.]. .Iadd.animal .Iaddend.as the toy is chewed by the carnivore. The toy includes an elastomeric body having an outer surface and at least one groove which opens onto the outer surface. The groove is sized and configured so that a functional prophylaxis lip will scrap plaque and other debris from a tooth and gingiva of a carnivore which is repeatedly inserted into and at least partially withdrawn from the groove as the toy is chewed by the .[.carnivore.]. .Iadd.animal.Iaddend.. An oral hygiene substance may be provided along the lip to enhance the benefit to the teeth and gingiva.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Markham, Peter Emily
  • Patent number: D344161
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: D349786
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: D373859
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph P. Markham, James W. Golden
  • Patent number: D975379
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: D984758
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham
  • Patent number: D1027333
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Bounce, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph P. Markham