초록 ▼

A pet toy includes a flexible body with rope support configurations. In one embodiment, the rope configurations include one or more loops that are exposed and one or more knots that are covered by an exterior plush component of the pet toy. In another embodiment, two or more strands of rope material

A pet toy includes a flexible body with rope support configurations. In one embodiment, the rope configurations include one or more loops that are exposed and one or more knots that are covered by an exterior plush component of the pet toy. In another embodiment, two or more strands of rope material are tied in a series of knots, and an additional strand of rope material may be tied to the other strands in a transverse fashion. Preferably, the exterior plush component includes fabric. One or more of the free ends of the strands of rope material may also protrude beyond the plush component. The fabric material is sewn over the exposed portions of the rope material. Enough fabric material is used such that twisting, extending and retracting the rope material does not transfer force directly to the exterior fabric, thereby preserving the exterior plush component. The knots provide internal bulk to the body of the toy eliminating the need for stuffing. The knots also provide a robust structure for biting and tugging that can aid in dental cleaning. The exposed loops or free ends of the rope material act as handles for grasping by the pet owner or animal.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A pet toy comprising: a first loop having a knot;a second loop having a knot and being linked with said first loop;a fabric covering forming a body and being secured to said loops, portions of both of said loops being exposed and not covered by said fabric covering, said first loop located at a f

1. A pet toy comprising: a first loop having a knot;a second loop having a knot and being linked with said first loop;a fabric covering forming a body and being secured to said loops, portions of both of said loops being exposed and not covered by said fabric covering, said first loop located at a first end of the pet toy, and said second loop being located at a second opposite end of the pet toy; andfeatures formed on said body simulating an animal, said features including at least one of a head, ears, eyes, and legs; and wherein said knots are located within and covered by said body. 2. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said toy has a longitudinal axis, and said loops and said body are aligned along said axis. 3. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said loops protrude at respective interfaces of said body. 4. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 1, further including: a third loop connected to one of said first and second loops and linked to said loops, said third loop having a knot. 5. A method of making a pet toy, said method comprising the steps of: providing first and second loops of material, each loop having a knot and the loops being linked to one another;providing a fabric covering over said first and second loops, each of said loops having a portion protruding from said fabric covering, said portion being located at opposite ends of said toy, said portions being especially adapted for grasping with a hand of an owner or a mouth of an animal;sizing the fabric covering to have slack when the loops are pulled apart extending the toy to a full length;wherein said loops are free floating to enable the loops to be pulled in opposite directions thereby extending the toy to the full length, and when releasing the loops, the loops can freely move apart from one another; andwherein the loops can be pulled and released without directly transferring force to the fabric covering. 6. A method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein: the first loop extends through the fabric at a first end of the toy and the first loop has sections sewn to the fabric at two locations defining a first interface between the rope and fabric; andthe second loop extends through the fabric at an opposite second end of the toy and the second loop has sections sewn to the fabric at two locations defining a second interface between the rope and fabric. 7. A pet toy comprising: a first loop having a knot;a second loop having a knot and linked with said first loop;a fabric covering forming a body secured to said loops, a portion of said first loop being exposed and not covered by said fabric covering, a portion of said second loop being exposed and not covered by said fabric coveringfeatures formed on said body simulating an animal, said features including legs and at least one of a head, ears, and eyes; andsaid legs are formed at said second end and said second loop has loop extensions extending through each of said legs. 8. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said toy has a longitudinal axis, and said loops and said body are aligned along said axis. 9. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said knots are located within and covered by said body. 10. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 7, further including: a third loop connected to one of said first and second loops and linked to said loops, said third loop having a knot. 11. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 7, wherein: said first loop has a portion thereof extending through the head. 12. A pet toy, comprising: at least a pair of strands of material having a plurality of knots and joined to one another;a third strand tied to the pair of strands, and the third strand extending transversely to the pair of strands;a fabric covering forming a body and said fabric covering enclosing respective portions of the pair of strands and third strand therein;said pair of strands of material, further including a first loop and a second loop, said first loop located at a first end of the pet toy, and said second loop being located at a second opposite end of said pet toy, a portion of both of said loops being exposed and protruding from said fabric covering; andfeatures formed on said body simulating an animal, said features including at least one of a head, ears, eyes, and legs. 13. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said toy has a longitudinal axis, and said pair of strands with said knots extends along said axis. 14. A pet toy, as claimed in claim 12, wherein: said third strand is tied to said pair of strands by wrapping said third strand around a portion of one of said pair of strands. 15. A method of making a pet toy, said method comprising the steps of: providing first and second lengths of material;tying a series of knots with said first and second lengths of material to form a longitudinal series of knots and interconnecting the knots with a loop formed for each of the first and second lengths of material;providing a third length of material tied to said first and second lengths of material, said third length of material extending transversely as compared to the first and second lengths of material;providing a body defined by a fabric covering placed over said first, second and third lengths of material, one of said first and second lengths of material having an end protruding through and beyond said fabric covering, said protruding end being especially adapted for grasping by a hand of an owner or a mouth of an animal; andwherein said longitudinal series of knots are arranged to fill the body, and said third length of material is oriented to fill a pair of opposing appendages connected to the body. 16. A method of making a pet toy, said method comprising the steps of: selecting material including cotton that is resistant to shredding;providing first and second lengths of the material;tying a series of knots with said first and second lengths of material to form a series of knots and interconnecting the knots with a loop formed for each of the first and second lengths of material;minimizing gaps between the knots by tying the knots with sufficient force to prevent looseness between the knots;providing a body defined by a fabric covering placed over said first and second lengths of material, one of said first and second lengths of material having an end protruding through and beyond said fabric covering, said protruding end being especially adapted for grasping by a hand of an owner or a mouth of an animal; andwherein said series of knots are arranged to fill the body.