Method of using a dog toy container, and a dog toy container
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
A01K-015/02
B65D-051/24
B65D-025/54
B65D-043/26
B65D-043/16
E05F-015/73
A01K-005/02
E05F-001/00
E05F-015/614
출원번호
US-0824284
(2017-11-28)
등록번호
US-10085421
(2018-10-02)
발명자
/ 주소
Miedel, Jeffrey
출원인 / 주소
Miedel, Jeffrey
대리인 / 주소
Nils H. Ljungman & Associates
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
12
초록▼
A dog toy container can be used to store dog toys or consumable objects, such as chew toys, ropes, balls, stuffed animals, edible chews, bones, and other similar objects used to entertain or reward or please dogs. The dog toy container having a pedal arrangement and a lid in connection with a motori
A dog toy container can be used to store dog toys or consumable objects, such as chew toys, ropes, balls, stuffed animals, edible chews, bones, and other similar objects used to entertain or reward or please dogs. The dog toy container having a pedal arrangement and a lid in connection with a motorized movement arrangement, such that when a dog depresses the pedal arrangement with its paw, the dog will activate the motor to lift or lower the lid and thereby permit the dog access to the storage area.
대표청구항▼
1. A method of storing and accessing dog toys in a dog toy container, said dog toy container comprising: a frame comprising wall portions configured and disposed to define a dog toy storage area therein;said frame comprising an opening to permit access into said dog toy storage area by a dog;a lid b
1. A method of storing and accessing dog toys in a dog toy container, said dog toy container comprising: a frame comprising wall portions configured and disposed to define a dog toy storage area therein;said frame comprising an opening to permit access into said dog toy storage area by a dog;a lid being configured and disposed to cover said opening;said lid comprising a first end portion being affixed to said frame, and a second end portion being disposed opposite said first end portion and not being affixed to said frame;a movement arrangement being connected to said lid;said movement arrangement comprising a motor being configured to: lift said second end portion of said lid away from said frame to uncover said opening and permit access to said toy storage area by said dog through said opening, andlower said second end portion of said lid toward said frame to cover said opening with said lid;an activation pedal arrangement being operatively connected to said motor;said pedal activation arrangement being configured and disposed to be activated by said dog to activate said motor to lift said lid and thereby permit the dog to access said dog toy storage area to either retrieve a dog toy from said dog toy storage area, or deposit said dog toy into said dog toy storage area; andsaid pedal activation arrangement being configured and disposed to be activated by said dog to activate said motor to lower said lid and thereby cover said opening with said lid to close the dog toy container;said method comprising the steps of: a. showing said dog toy to said dog;b. engaging said pedal activation arrangement and lifting said lid to open said dog toy container;c. placing said dog toy into said dog toy container;d. engaging said pedal activation arrangement and lowering said lid to close said dog toy container;e. teaching said dog to engage said pedal activation arrangement with a paw of said dog to and training said dog to lift and lower said lid using said pedal activation arrangement;f. instructing said dog how to lift said lid and open said dog toy container to permit removal or return of said dog toy from or to said dog toy container;g. said instructing comprising instructing said dog how to lower said lid to close said dog toy container after said removal or return of said dog toy;h. permitting said dog to activate said motor by engaging said pedal activation arrangement and thereby lifting said lid and open said dog toy container to permit said dog to remove said dog toy from said dog toy container;i. permitting said dog to activate said motor by engaging said pedal activation arrangement to thereby lower said lid and close said dog toy container;j. permitting said dog to activate said motor by engaging said pedal activation arrangement to thereby lift said lid and open said dog toy container to permit said dog to return said dog toy back into said dog toy container; andk. permitting said dog to activate said motor by engaging said pedal activation arrangement to thereby lower said lid and close said dog toy container to store said dog toy. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: said pedal activation arrangement comprises an opening pedal and a closing pedal;said opening pedal is configured to be depressed by said dog to activate said motor to lift said lid;said closing pedal is configured to be depressed by said dog to activate said motor to lower said lid;said step of engaging said pedal arrangement and lifting said lid to open said dog toy container comprises depressing said opening pedal;said step of engaging said pedal arrangement and lowering said lid to close said dog toy container comprises depressing said closing pedal;the dog toy container further comprises: a first limit switch being configured and disposed to stop said motor upon said lid being lifted to a fully open position and engaged with said first limit switch; anda second limit switch being configured and disposed to stop said motor upon said lid being lowered to a fully closed position and engaged with said second limit switch;said method further comprises: stopping lifting of said lid by engaging said first limit switch with said lid and thereby stopping said motor; andstopping lowering of said lid by engaging said second limit switch with said lid and thereby stopping said motor;further comprising one of (A) and (B): (A) said step of engaging said pedal arrangement and lifting said lid comprises automatically lifting said lid to said fully open position by depressing and releasing said opening pedal; andsaid step of engaging said pedal arrangement and lowering said lid comprises automatically lowering said lid to said fully closed position by depressing and releasing said closing pedal; and(B) said step of engaging said pedal arrangement and lifting said lid comprises lifting said lid by depressing and holding said opening pedal in a first depressed position, and stopping lifting of said lid by releasing said opening pedal; andsaid step of engaging said pedal arrangement and lowering said lid comprises lowering said lid by depressing and holding said closing pedal in a second depressed position, and stopping lowering of said lid by releasing said closing pedal;the dog toy container further comprises a safety arrangement mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said motor;said safety arrangement is configured and disposed to detect the presence of an object, an animal, a person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in a path of said lid during the lowering or a closing of said lid;said safety arrangement is configured to stop said motor or activate said motor to lift said lid upon detection of a presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof by said safety arrangement, to thereby minimize injury or damage to the object, the animal, the person, or the dog toy container;said method further comprises: using said safety arrangement to detect the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in the path of said lid during the lowering or closing of said lid; andupon detecting the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in the path of said lid during the lowering or closing of said lid, stopping said motor or activating said motor to lift said lid;said opening pedal comprises an opening pedal structure and an opening pedal arm, and said closing pedal comprises a closing pedal structure and a closing pedal arm;a front wall portion comprises a first opening and a second opening therein;said front wall portion comprises a first support piece comprising a first recess aligned with said first opening, and a second support piece comprising a second recess aligned with said second opening;said opening pedal arm is disposed to pass through said first opening into said first recess, and said closing pedal arm is disposed to pass through said second opening into said second recess;the dog toy container comprises an opening contact structure disposed in said first recess, and a closing contact structure disposed in said second recess;said contact structures are operatively connected to said motor;each of said opening pedal arm and said closing pedal arm is pivotably mounted on a corresponding pivot pin connected to said front wall portion within said first and second openings;said step of engaging said pedal arrangement and lifting said lid comprises depressing said opening pedal structure and pivoting said opening pedal arm about its pivot pin, and thereby pivoting an end of said opening pedal arm into said opening contact structure to activate said motor to lift said lid;said step of engaging said pedal arrangement and lowering said lid comprises depressing said closing pedal structure and pivoting said closing pedal arm about its pivot pin, to thereby pivot an end of said closing pedal arm into said closing contact structure to activate said motor to lower said lid;the dog toy container comprises an emergency switch operatively connected to said motor to permit the person to perform at least one of interrupting power to said motor and mechanically disengaging said motor in an emergency situation in which a movement of said lid may cause injury to the animal or the person; andsaid method further comprises activating said emergency switch and thereby performing at least one of interrupting power to said motor and mechanically disengaging said motor in the emergency situation in which the movement of said lid may cause injury to the animal or the person. 3. A method of storing and accessing pet toys in a pet toy container, said pet toy container comprising: a frame comprising wall portions configured and disposed to define a pet toy storage area therein;said frame comprising an opening to permit access into said pet toy storage area by a pet;a lid being configured and disposed to cover said opening;said lid comprising a first end portion being affixed to said frame, and a second end portion being disposed opposite said first end portion and not being affixed to said frame;a movement arrangement being connected to said lid;said movement arrangement comprising a motor being configured to: lift said second end portion of said lid away from said frame to uncover said opening and permit access to said toy storage area by said pet through said opening, andlower said second end portion of said lid toward said frame to cover said opening with said lid;an activation arrangement being operatively connected to said motor;said activation arrangement being configured and disposed to be activated by said pet to activate said motor to lift said lid and thereby permit the pet to access said pet toy storage area to either retrieve a pet toy from said pet toy storage area, or deposit said pet toy into said pet toy storage area; andsaid activation arrangement being configured and disposed to be activated by said pet to activate said motor to lower said lid and thereby cover said opening with said lid to close the pet toy container;said method comprising the steps of: a. showing said pet toy to said pet;b. engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said lid to open said pet toy container;c. placing said pet toy into said pet toy container;d. engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said lid to close said pet toy container;e. teaching said pet to engage said activation arrangement to and training said pet to lift and lower said lid using said activation arrangement;f. instructing said pet how to lift said lid and open said pet toy container to permit removal or return of said pet toy from or to said pet toy container;g. said instructing comprising instructing said pet how to lower said lid to close said pet toy container after said removal or return of said pet toy;h. permitting said pet to activate said motor by engaging said activation arrangement and thereby lifting said lid and open said pet toy container to permit said pet to remove said pet toy from said pet toy container;i. permitting said pet to activate said motor by engaging said activation arrangement to thereby lower said lid and close said pet toy container;j. permitting said pet to activate said motor by engaging said activation arrangement to thereby lift said lid and open said pet toy container to permit said pet to return said pet toy back into said pet toy container; andk. permitting said pet to activate said motor by engaging said activation arrangement to thereby lower said lid and close said pet toy container to store said pet toy. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: said activation arrangement comprises an opening pedal and a closing pedal;said opening pedal is configured to be activated by said pet to activate said motor to lift said lid;said closing pedal is configured to be activated by said pet to activate said motor to lower said lid;said step of engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said lid to open said pet toy container comprises depressing said opening pedal; andsaid step of engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said lid to close said pet toy container comprises depressing said closing pedal. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: the pet toy container further comprises: a first limit motion arrangement being configured and disposed to stop said motor upon said lid being lifted to a fully open position; anda second limit motion arrangement being configured and disposed to stop said motor upon said lid being lowered to a fully closed position;said method further comprises: stopping lifting of said lid by engaging said first limit motion arrangement with said lid and thereby stopping said motor; andstopping lowering of said lid by engaging said second limit motion arrangement with said lid and thereby stopping said motor. 6. The method according to claim 3, wherein: the pet toy container further comprises: a first limit motion arrangement being configured and disposed to stop said motor upon said lid being lifted to a fully open position; anda second limit motion arrangement being configured and disposed to stop said motor upon said lid being lowered to a fully closed position;said method further comprises: stopping lifting of said lid by engaging said first limit motion arrangement with said lid and thereby stopping said motor; andstopping lowering of said lid by engaging said second limit motion arrangement with said lid and thereby stopping said motor. 7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising one of (A) and (B): (A) said step of engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said lid comprises automatically lifting said lid to said fully open position by depressing and releasing said opening pedal; andsaid step of engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said lid comprises automatically lowering said lid to said fully closed position by depressing and releasing said closing pedal; and(B) said step of engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said lid comprises lifting said lid by depressing and holding said opening pedal in a first activated position, and stopping lifting of said lid by releasing said opening pedal; andsaid step of engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said lid comprises lowering said lid by depressing and holding said closing pedal in a second activated position, and stopping lowering of said lid by releasing said closing pedal. 8. The method according to claim 3, further comprising one of (A) and (B): (A) said step of engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said lid comprises automatically lifting said lid to a fully open position by depressing and releasing an opening pedal; andsaid step of engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said lid comprises automatically lowering said lid to a fully closed position by depressing and releasing a closing pedal; and(B) said step of engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said lid comprises lifting said lid by depressing and holding said opening pedal in a first activated position, and stopping lifting of said lid by releasing said opening pedal; andsaid step of engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said lid comprises lowering said lid by depressing and holding said closing pedal in a second activated position, and stopping lowering of said lid by releasing said closing pedal. 9. The method according to claim 7, wherein: the pet toy container further comprises a safety arrangement mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said motor;said safety arrangement is configured and disposed to detect a presence of an object, an animal, a person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in a path of said lid during the lowering or a closing of said lid;said safety arrangement is configured to stop said motor or activate said motor to lift said lid upon detection of the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof by said safety arrangement, to thereby minimize injury or damage to the object, the animal, the person, or the pet toy container; andsaid method further comprises: using said safety arrangement to detect the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in the path of said lid during the lowering or closing of said lid; andupon detecting the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in the path of said lid during the lowering or closing of said lid, stopping said motor or activating said motor to lift said lid. 10. The method according to claim 3, wherein: the pet toy container further comprises a safety arrangement mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said motor;said safety arrangement is configured and disposed to detect a presence of an object, an animal, a person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in a path of said lid during the lowering or a closing of said lid;said safety arrangement is configured to stop said motor or activate said motor to lift said lid upon detection of the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof by said safety arrangement, to thereby minimize injury or damage to the object, the animal, the person, or the pet toy container; andsaid method further comprises: using said safety arrangement to detect the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in the path of said lid during the lowering or closing of said lid; andupon detecting the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in the path of said lid during the lowering or closing of said lid, stopping said motor or activating said motor to lift said lid. 11. The method according to claim 9, wherein: said opening pedal comprises an opening activation structure and an opening activation arm, and said closing pedal comprises a closing activation structure and a closing activation arm;a front wall portion comprises a first opening and a second opening therein;said front wall portion comprises a first support piece comprising a first recess aligned with said first opening, and a second support piece comprising a second recess aligned with said second opening;said opening activation arm is disposed to pass through said first opening into said first recess, and said closing activation arm is disposed to pass through said second opening into said second recess;the pet toy container comprises an opening contact structure disposed in said first recess, and a closing contact structure disposed in said second recess;said contact structures are operatively connected to said motor;each of said opening activation arm and said closing activation arm is pivotably mounted on a corresponding pivot pin connected to said front wall portion within said first and second openings;said step of engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said lid comprises depressing said opening activation structure and pivoting said opening activation arm about its pivot pin, and thereby pivoting an end of said opening activation arm into said opening contact structure to activate said motor to lift said lid; andsaid step of engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said lid comprises depressing said closing activation structure and pivoting said closing activation arm about its pivot pin, to thereby pivot an end of said closing activation arm into said closing contact structure to activate said motor to lower said lid. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: the pet toy container comprises an emergency disconnecting arrangement operatively connected to said motor to permit the person to perform at least one of interrupting power to said motor and mechanically disengaging said motor in an emergency situation in which a movement of said lid may cause injury to the animal or the person; andsaid method further comprises activating said emergency disconnecting arrangement and thereby performing at least one of interrupting power to said motor and mechanically disengaging said motor in the emergency situation in which the movement of said lid may cause injury to the animal or the person. 13. The method according to claim 3, wherein: the pet toy container comprises an emergency disconnecting arrangement operatively connected to said motor to permit a person to perform at least one of interrupting power to said motor and mechanically disengaging said motor in an emergency situation in which a movement of said lid may cause injury to an animal or the person; andsaid method further comprises activating said emergency disconnecting arrangement and thereby performing at least one of interrupting power to said motor and mechanically disengaging said motor in the emergency situation in which the movement of said lid may cause injury to the animal or the person. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said pet is at least one of: a dog, a cat, and a pig. 15. The method according to claim 3, wherein said pet is at least one of: a dog, a cat, and a pig. 16. The method according to claim 3, wherein: the pet toy container further comprises a safety arrangement mounted on said frame and operatively connected to said motor;said safety arrangement is configured and disposed to detect a presence of an object, an animal, a person, or parts thereof, located within at least one of said frame and in a path of said lid during the lowering or a closing of said lid; andsaid safety arrangement is configured to stop said motor or activate said motor to lift said lid upon detection of the presence of the object, the animal, the person, or parts thereof by said safety arrangement, to thereby minimize injury or damage to the object, the animal, the person, or the pet toy container. 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: said activation arrangement comprises an opening pedal and a closing pedal, said opening pedal comprises an opening pedal structure and an opening pedal arm, and said closing pedal comprises a closing pedal structure and a closing pedal arm;a front wall portion comprises a first opening and a second opening therein;said front wall portion comprises a first support piece comprising a first recess aligned with said first opening, and a second support piece comprising a second recess aligned with said second opening;said opening pedal arm is disposed to pass through said first opening into said first recess, and said closing pedal arm is disposed to pass through said second opening into said second recess;the pet toy container comprises an opening contact structure disposed in said first recess, and a closing contact structure disposed in said second recess;said contact structures are operatively connected to said motor;each of said opening pedal arm and said closing pedal arm is pivotably mounted on a corresponding pivot pin connected to said front wall portion within said first and second openings;said opening pedal structure is configured and disposed to be depressed to pivot said opening pedal arm about its pivot pin, to thereby pivot an end of said opening pedal arm into said opening contact structure to activate said motor to lift said lid; andsaid closing pedal structure is configured and disposed to be depressed to pivot said closing pedal arm about its pivot pin, to thereby pivot an end of said closing pedal arm into said closing contact structure to activate said motor to lower said lid. 18. The method according to claim 3, wherein: said pet toy container comprises: hinges configured to permit opening and closing of said pet toy container;said motor comprising a gear arrangement connected to power said lid up and down. 19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said activation arrangement comprises an opening pedal structure and a closing pedal structure, and wherein each of said opening pedal structure and said closing pedal structure is in the shape of a pet paw or paw print. 20. The method according to claim 3, wherein: said frame comprises wood or plastic or a combination thereof; andsaid lid comprises wood or plastic or a combination thereof. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein a bottom wall portion comprises at least one of (C), (D), and (E): (C) projecting feet configured to keep said bottom wall portion off of a floor surface;(D) anti-skid material or coating to minimize sliding movement of the pet toy container on the floor surface; and(E) weight or weights configured to minimize at least one of shifting, sliding, and tipping over of the pet toy container. 22. The method according to claim 21, further comprising one of (F), (G), and (H): (F) said lid and said frame are made of transparent or translucent material to permit viewing of contents of the pet toy container;(G) said lid is made of transparent or translucent material to permit viewing of the contents of the pet toy container, and said frame is made of opaque material; and(H) said lid and said frame are made of opaque material, and said lid comprises openings therein to permit viewing of the contents of the pet toy container, the openings in the lid are formed in a decorative shape or in the shape of a pet paw print. 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein: said motor comprises a skipping motor configured to allow the motor to skip upon encountering resistance to lifting or lowering movement of said lid; andthe pet toy container comprises an emergency switch operatively connected to said motor to perform at least one of automatically interrupting power to said motor, permitting a person to interrupting power to said motor and mechanically disengaging said motor in an emergency situation in which the movement of said lid may cause injury to an animal or the person. 24. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of engaging said activation arrangement and lifting said lid comprises automatically lifting said lid to a fully open position by depressing and releasing an opening pedal; said step of engaging said activation arrangement and lowering said lid comprises automatically lowering said lid to a fully closed position by depressing and releasing a closing pedal.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Meyer Burton C. (Downers Grove IL) Gardner Denise (Downers Grove IL), Animated toy box.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.