Abstract: An exercise and amusement toy for a dog or other pet includes a reinforced rubber tube stuffed with a sponge rubber stuffing. A bottom panel is attached to the tube. A rope is passed through the tube and through a hole in the bottom panel and is secured with a knot. The rope is then attached to a resilient tether which is suspended from a mounting bracket, ceiling, tree limb, etc. The tube is covered with a bag made of a fur-like material which closes at the top with a draw string. In another embodiment, the body member is made of a retrieving dummy.

Abstract: A feeder having a drop tube threadably received in a central bore of a grillwork to adjust the height of the drop tube. A unique lock is provided for the height adjustment and to prevent movement of the drop tube with respect to a conveyor to which it is mounted. A split collar mounts the drop tube to the conveyor and is disassembled along the axis of the conveyor without implements. The grillworks mount the drop tube to a pan by a split circumferential flange which requires radial and axial initial forces for removal.

Abstract: A one or two story housing unit for a cat includes an enclosure having a roof portion, three solid walls and one port wall containing an opening through which a cat can enter the enclosure. Extending from the port wall is an open top porch area substantially surrounded by a vertical wall over which the cat can step and lie down in the porch or enter the enclosure. In the one story embodiment, the port wall opening is spaced from the bottom of the port wall and that portion of the port wall below the opening forms a portion of the porch enclosure. In the two story embodiment, a horizontal panel is positioned in the enclosure and the port wall extends from the horizontal panel upward to the roof.

Abstract: An animal cage having a hinged door with extending horizontal latching pins that engage a latch is disclosed. The latch is provided with sound deadening parts and spacers to provide quiet operation.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus is disclosed for use in exercising dogs indoors. The apparatus includes an endless monorail mounted on a base plate. An electric self-propelled travelling body is detachably installed over the monorail in such a manner that it straddles the monorail. On the outer side of this self-propelled travelling body, a feeder supporting part is mounted so as to extend outwardly. On this feeder supporting part, a feeder table is mounted detachably, and once a dog treat is placed on this feeder table and the self-propelled travelling body is started, the dog will run after the bait as it moves along the monorail.

Abstract: A therapeutic animal tug toy comprising a length of cotton rope which is woven so as to define a closed loop handle, a shaft portion extending from the loop handle and a pair of tail portions extending from the shaft portion. The tail portions each define a knot therein proximate their extended ends. A cylindrical handle member is disposed about a portion of the closed loop handle whereby upon a person gripping the handle member and one or two animals gripping and tugging on one or both of the tail portions, the toy provides playful exercise, cleaning of the animal's teeth and massaging of the animal's gums, and upon twisting of the toy, the handle member maintains the loop handle in a loop configuration to protect the person's hand disposed thereon. In an alternate embodiment of the tug toy adapted for use with only a single dog at one time, the rope is woven so as to define a closed gripping loop extending from the shaft portion in lieu of a pair of tail portions.

Abstract: A litter catcher and cover are provided for an animal cage which are easily removed and cleaned. The litter catcher employs a frame, a sheet supported along its periphery by the frame, and hooks for attaching the frame to the animal cage. The sheet is fastened to the frame by Velcro or other fasteners. The cover is severed from its center to one of its edges so as to form two sides. The sides are fastened to each other by Velcro or other fasteners.

Abstract: A stalling cage for small rodents includes a rotatably supported wheel for measuring the activity of the rodent. This cage contains food and drink dispensers for stalling the rodent and a rotary wheel for measuring activity of the rodent. This cage avoids the need for separate stalling cages and activity measurement cages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device including a hitching mechanism designed to allow attachment of a chain for restraining a pet such a dog. The device has a housing preferably made to resemble a fire hydrant and including a storage chamber inside. The housing has a plurality of ground insertion spikes which may be retracted when not in use.

Abstract: A bird feeder for preventing rodents from grabbing bird seed in the bird feeder. The feeder includes a silo having a first end and a second end with an opening to permit seed to flow onto a supporting tray below the silo. A conically shaped cover is attached adjacent the silo. The cover extends outward in a substantially straight line from a narrow portion which is connected to the top of the silo to a wide portion. The straight line terminates the cover in the wide portion. The diameter of the perimeter of the wide portion, has a ratio selected with respect to the diameter of the perimeter of the feeder tray, to prevent rodents from accessing the feeder.

Abstract: A trainer designed primarily for dogs but no doubt useful for other small pets has a wide panel surrounded by a continuous peripheral lip which seats one or more layers of newspaper. A pet tether connected centrally of the panel is attached at its distal end to the collar of the pet, preventing the pet from escaping beyond the confines of the panel so that the pet develops the habit of relieving itself on the newspapers in the pet trainer.

Abstract: A litter marketing, use and disposal box assembly is provided of generally rectangular shape and the upper marginal edges of the sides and ends of the box include upwardly and outwardly inclined flaps joined together by integral inwardly foldable corner portions. After the box has been used, the side and end flaps may be folded inwardly over the top of the box to close the same and the side and end flaps include coacting structure for sealing the closed box against leakage of litter material therefrom, one side of the box including an outwardly projecting handle supported therefrom whereby the used and sealed closed box may be readily transported to a point of refuse disposal.

Abstract: An animal play unit for self amusement and for enhancing movement, agility and jumping ability of animals. The play unit is a frame shaped structure having portions thereof interconnected to form multiple open passageways through which an animal can move. The frame structure is of a hollow cube shaped configuration that has panels selectively mounted in dfferent external positions of the cubically shaped frame for closing off top or bottom or any one or more of its four open side surfaces. A number of these cubes are adapted to be interconnected with one another to provide additional passageways and jumping areas as the animal moves from one hollow structual cube to or through another.

Abstract: A bird feeder assembly has a feed bin and a feed bin cover and utilizes a plurality of extension members and a plurality of complementary shoulder members to slidably and securely engage the feed bin within the feed bin cover.

Abstract: An animal-operated watering device includes a valve body having a passageway through the body with an inlet and an outlet with a moveable valve operating member having a head portion resting on a collar portion of the valve body and extending substantially the length of a first passage portion in the valve body, with the moveable valve member further including a stem extending through a second passage and projecting beyond the outlet end of the valve body where a spacer lies on the valve element and extends upwardly a portion of the passageway between the valve element and the inlet, where the valve element includes a portion contacting the valve seat which is sufficiently elastomeric to flow along the seat to effectuate a substantially water-tight seal at the seat responsively to an urging member bearing on the valve element.

Abstract: A pet bed and enclosure device specifically designed for cats includes a spring support device from which is suspended a cloth panel bed. The spring support device includes an upper square frame supported over a lower square frame by two spring steel members attached at a rear section of the upper frame and angled forwardly and attached to the front section of the base frame. A fabric cover enclosure is supported by resilient support members pulled into a round shape by tab ends extending from each corner of the cover which wrap around the upper frame and hook onto horizontal hook members extending inwardly from the corners of the upper frame. A hole in the cover allows the cat to enter the enclosure and rest on the cloth bed that is springably supported.

Abstract: A watering assembly for controllably dispensing water from a supply source into a drinking cup mounted on an animal watering apparatus and formed to prevent the accumulation of particulate matter on the top of the valve and induce and enhance agitating flow patterns created by water being discharged from the watering assembly. The watering assembly has a valve which is at least partially disposed within the cup and has a regulating portion which is activated by an animal forceably contacting the valve. Once activated, water flows from the valve and is directed downwardly into the cup by a deflector member whereupon the water flows over a flow directing portion of the valve which enhances the agitating flow patterns to thoroughly mix the water with any sedimentation which may have accumulated in the cup. Enhanced flow patterns created by the flow directing portion of the valve thoroughly mix the water in the cup preventing sedimentation build-up in blind areas or still areas.

Abstract: A new teat cup inflation comprises a flexible tubular member having upper and lower barrels and a mouthpiece chamber. The walls of the upper and lower barrels are formed as continuous bands of alternating internal and external flutes. The lower end of the lower barrel is formed with an external projection that is received in a groove in a teat cup shell. The wall of the inflation upper barrel diverges from the lower barrel toward the mouthpiece chamber. The wall of a portion of the mouthpiece chamber is fluted on the interior and has a frusto-conical surface on the exterior. The mouthpiece chamber further has a band portion that receives a retaining ring for assembling the inflation in the teat cup without tools and without stressing the inflation mouthpiece after assembly. The new inflation provides better control for teat penetration for improved milkout.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unified safety harness worn on the upper torso of a child. It has a front vest section and a pair of criss crossing back straps. A waist belt extends around the lower section of the harness and is releasably secured at the back by a locking mechanism. A tether belt is an integral extension of the back end of the waist belt and can be either self-contained on the harness or hooked around a persons wrist. An emblem depicting a logo is secured on the front of the vest section.

Abstract: An animal dish is disclosed which includes a moat sized and adapted to be filled with water to inhibit crawling insects from having access to the food or drink in the dish. The dish, which includes two elements, is configured to inhibit food or drink from the dish from passing into and contaminating the water in the moat.