Abstract: A play ball has a rubber shell filled with resilient foam having an entire outer peripheral surface thereof intimately attached by heat fusion and adhesive to an entire interior surface of the shell. Such attachment enables the foam to provide additional resiliency by foam tension, as well as by foam compression, thereby significantly extending the effective bounce life of the ball. A seamed dog chew toy has essentially similar construction such that the increased retention force provided by the intimate attachment of the foam to the shell resists the chewing force of the dog popping a seam improving durability.

Abstract: A pet toy includes a wheel base that moves randomly or pseudo-randomly and a rod detachably connected to the wheel base configured to hold a treat or other food item desirable to the pet companion is described herein. The wheel base and/or the rod may have one or more modes of movement that may be activated based on a movement algorithm that randomly or pseudo-randomly moves/turns the wheel base and/or the rod and/or a one or more sensors that detect obstacles. A proximate end of the may be detachably connected to a corresponding rod connector of the wheel base. The distal end of the rod may be configured to grab and/or hold the food item and/or have the food item wedged into it.

Abstract: A hand operated pet grooming and massage tool that transitions between a grooming tool and a massaging tool based on the flex state of the hand operating the tool is disclosed herein. An example grooming tool includes a body, wing members, and a blade holder. The body is made of a deformable material configured to deform between a first position and a second position. The wing members are each connected to opposite sides of the body. The body defines a first distance between in wing members in the first position and a second, shorter distance in the second position. The blade holder is connected to the body and is configured to affix to a grooming blade. When installed, the blade is positioned to groom when the body is in the first position and is not in a position to groom when the body is in the second position.

Abstract: A conical cat house collapsible flat for washing and storage is formed from an elongate strip of sheet form material with lands of identical size at respective opposite ends and joined together by an intermediate bridging portion. One land has a pet access aperture. A zipper extends along the strip edges for progressively drawing edges of the strip together, folding up the strip to a completely enclosed, conically walled pet house with the one land forming an upstanding front conical wall, exposing the aperture for pet access and, the intermediate portion forming an upstanding rear wall and the other land forming a bottom/base. The lands are part-circular and respective opposite free edges of the intermediate bridging portion extend in parallel relation tangentially from edge portions of respective lands on respective opposite sides of the strip and join respective lands at respective re-entrant portions such that the erected pet house is wedge-shape.

Abstract: A play ball has a rubber shell filled with resilient foam having an entire outer peripheral surface thereof intimately attached by heat fusion and adhesive to an entire interior surface of the shell. Such attachment enables the foam to provide additional resiliency by foam tension, as well as by foam compression, thereby significantly extending the effective bounce life of the ball. A seamed dog chew toy has essentially similar construction such that the increased retention force provided by the intimate attachment of the foam to the shell resists the chewing force of the dog popping a seam improving durability.

Abstract: A device for launching an object which includes a flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a handle located at the proximal end sized to enable a user to grip the device while launching an object. An object gripping claw is located at the distal end of the flexible shaft, the gripping claw including first and second flanges which together define a capture volume for an object, the first flange being a stationary post and the second flange being a flexible web extending from the flexible shaft, the second flange being sufficiently flexible to deform in retaining an object within the capture volume and to release an object for launching when the flexible shaft is swung in a forward circular path.

Abstract: An amusement device for humans or pets has an elongate, semi-rigid, floating tube assembly with an outer, sleeve-forming tube of soft, flexible, buoyant material and semi-rigid, modular, inner tubing inserted longitudinally into the sleeve. The inner tubing is assembled from a series of identical, rigid, tubular, plastic links each having ball and a socket joint at respective opposite ends rotatively engaged with respective socket and ball joints of adjacent links. The engaging/abutting surfaces of the joints form interference, watertight fits to join the links in end-to-end relation to any desired length and enabling the tube assembly to be transversely bent by a person into different stable shapes. A creaking sound, audible to a user or pet, such as a dog, is emitted during rotative movement of the joints during transverse bending of the tube assembly. A bite/chew resistant outer skin/layer covers the outer tube.

Abstract: A cat scratcher device fabricated from a kit of parts as well as a method for its assembly. The device includes a base and cylinder both having surfaces covered by cat scratching material. The cylinder has a first end and a second end, the first end abutting the base and the second end extending distally therefrom and an end cap sized to fit over the second end of the cylinder which is provided with an opening for receiving a ribbed cable strap fitting. A ribbed cable strap is included in the kit, the first end of which is secured to the end cap and the second end of which passes along the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and through a centrally located disk positioned at the first end of the cylinder and through an opening in the base and secured thereto through the use of a pawl such that when the ribbed cable strap is pulled through the pawl, it is tensioned to secure the cylinder to the base.

Abstract: A cat scratcher device fabricated from a kit of parts as well as a method for its assembly The device includes a base and cylinder both having surfaces covered by cat scratching material. The cylinder has a first end and a second end, the first end abutting the base and the second end extending distally therefrom and an end cap sized to fit over the second end of the cylinder which is provided with a pawl centrally located therein. A ribbed cable strap is included in the kit, the first end of which is secured to the base and the second end of which passes through the pawl such that when the ribbed cable strap is pulled through the pawl, it is tensioned to secure the cylinder to the base.

Abstract: A device for launching an object which includes a flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a handle located at the proximal end sized to enable a user to grip the device while launching an object. An object gripping claw is located at the distal end of the flexible shaft, the gripping claw including first and second flanges which together define a capture volume for an object, the first flange being a stationary post and the second flange being a flexible web extending from the flexible shaft, the second flange being sufficiently flexible to deform in retaining an object within the capture volume and to release an object for launching when the flexible shaft is swung in a forward circular path.

Abstract: An adjustable pet carrier restraint is configured to accept various sizes, shapes, and configurations of pet carriers. The pet carrier restraint is tethered to a vehicle's child seat restraint system anchors to secure the pet carrier at up to three points. The pet carrier restraint is collapsible and may be positioned against a seat back when no pet carrier is secured therein to allow human passengers to comfortably be seated in the same seat without removal of the pet carrier restraint.

Abstract: A play ball has a rubber shell filled with resilient foam having an entire outer peripheral surface thereof intimately attached by heat fusion and adhesive to an entire interior surface of the shell. Such attachment enables the foam to provide additional resiliency by foam tension, as well as by foam compression, thereby significantly extending the effective bounce life of the ball. A seamed dog chew toy has essentially similar construction such that the increased retention force provided by the intimate attachment of the foam to the shell resists the chewing force of the dog popping a seam improving durability.

Abstract: An amusement device for humans or pets has an elongate, semi-rigid, floating tube assembly with an outer, sleeve-forming tube of soft, flexible, buoyant material and semi-rigid, modular, inner tubing inserted longitudinally into the sleeve. The inner tubing is assembled from a series of identical, rigid, tubular, plastic links each having ball and a socket joint at respective opposite ends rotatively engaged with respective socket and ball joints of adjacent links. The engaging/abutting surfaces of the joints form interference, watertight fits to join the links in end-to-end relation to any desired length and enabling the tube assembly to be transversely bent by a person into different stable shapes. A creaking sound, audible to a user or pet, such as a dog, is emitted during rotative movement of the joints during transverse bending of the tube assembly. A bite/chew resistant outer skin/layer covers the outer tube.

Abstract: An adjustable pet carrier restraint is configured to accept various sizes, shapes, and configurations of pet carriers. The pet carrier restraint is tethered to a vehicle's child seat restraint system anchors to secure the pet carrier at up to three points. The pet carrier restraint is collapsible and may be positioned against a seat back when no pet carrier is secured therein to allow human passengers to comfortably be seated in the same seat without removal of the pet carrier restraint.

Abstract: An amusement device is formed by an elongate, semi-rigid, floating tube assembly with an outer, sleeve-forming tube of soft, flexible, buoyant material and semi-rigid, modular, inner tubing inserted longitudinally into the sleeve. The inner tubing is assembled from a series of identical, rigid, tubular, plastic links each having ball and a socket joint at respective opposite ends rotatively engaged with respective socket and ball joints of adjacent links. The engaging/abutting surfaces of the joints form interference, watertight fits to join the links in end-to-end relation to any desired length and enabling the tube assembly to be transversely bent by a person into different stable shapes. A creaking sound, audible to a user, is emitted during rotative movement of the joints during transverse bending of the tube assembly.

Abstract: Microencapsulated catnip oil comprising microcapsules in the range of 5-60 micrometers, apparatuses useful in the application of the microencapsulated catnip, and methods of using the same, are disclosed.

Abstract: A video monitor mount includes at least a first hook and a wall mount. The mount further includes a monitor mount plate, a first motor for driving a pan gear along a first axis and a second motor for driving a tilt gear. The tilt gear includes a plurality of teeth along a first side of the tilt gear, a substantially straight portion, and a curved portion. Translation of a mating gear connected to the monitor mount plate along the tilt gear moves the monitor mount plate in a first direction substantially parallel with the substantially straight portion and in a direction substantially parallel with the curved portion responsive to the position of the monitor mount plate relative to the tilt gear.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a product dispenser for dispensing a plurality of items is provided. The product dispenser comprises a housing, cradle and a movable platform. The housing has a sidewall and a substantially planar base. The base has an aperture configured to permit at least one item to fit therethrough. The cradle is disposed within the housing. The movable platform is disposed within the housing adjacent to the cradle and is configured to support the plurality of items. The movable platform is movable between a first and a second position. When the movable platform is in the first position, the movable platform is substantially parallel to the base. When the movable platform is in the second position, the movable platform is at an acute angle relative to the base. In response to movement to the second position, the cradle is adapted to receive the item.

Abstract: A toy (10) is disclosed including a spinner (34) having an annular member (38) formed of compressible material rotatably moveable relative to first and second, semiconductor walls (18, 28). A first track wall defined by walls (14, 16, 20) extends between the extremities of the first wall (18). A second track wall defined by walls (24, 26, 30) extends between the extremities of the second wall (28) parallel to and spaced from the first track wall, with the first and second track walls defining a track for rolling receipt of the balls (76). The track includes first and second inclined portions having a bell (68) at their interconnection. In operation, balls (76) compress the compressible material and are captured between the annular member (38) and the first wall (18) when the spinner (34) is rotated.