Track system with exercise ball - Patent Review 5477814

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to pet toys and more particularly to pet exercising products, such as the popular clear plastic ball used to contain and exercise hamsters. These balls securely enclose the pet, and by use of a running movement, the pet causes the ball to roll. Currently, no system has been devised to contain or control these hamster balls.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly the object of the present invention to provide an effective track system for guiding a rolling hamster ball. This object is accomplished by forming straight and curved track sections which may be placed end to end to form the track system. Each section comprises a base portion and paired support rails protruding upwardly from said base portion, for supporting and guiding the pet exercising ball along the track. Each rail is formed by the convergence of a pair of support legs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a track system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the track of FIG. 1 showing the positioning of the pet exercising ball thereon.

While the invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not the intent to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is the intent to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts a typical track system composed of curved track sections 12 and straight track sections 14 placed end to end to provide continuous support for a ball 16. This ball 16 is of the type well known in the pet industry which contains and encloses a pet, such as a hamster, and which allows the pet to exercise therein, thereby causing the ball to move. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, a track section consists of a base 20 and rails 22 attached to the base and positioned thereby to contact and support the surface 24 of the ball. In the preferred embodiment, these rails comprise an edge formed at the conjunction of converging support legs 26 and 28. Also, as clearly shown in FIG. 2, the rails are separated by a distance less than the diameter of the ball to support the ball above the base 20 and provide clearance between the ball and the base.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that modifications can be made to the apparatus and method for using same without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.

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