Pet treat holder

{
  "publication_number": "US11997986B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Pet treat holder",
  "abstract": "A pet treat holder comprising a body, a clamp, a gripper frame, and a treat gripper, and a method of providing a pet treat to an animal.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A pet treat holder, comprising a body, a clamp affixed to the body, and a gripper frame affixed to the body, said gripper frame comprising a treat gripper, a first ridged frame element and a second frame element opposed to the first ridged frame element, wherein the first ridged frame element which comprises two or more stepped ridges opposed to the second frame element, defines a first cavity in the shape of an inverted pyramid within the gripper frame, wherein the two or more stepped ridges opposed to the second frame element comprise a first stepped ridge comprising a first ridge tread and a first ridge riser, and a second stepped ridge comprising a second ridge tread and a second ridge riser, wherein the second ridge riser opposes the first ridge riser and the first and second ridge treads oppose the second frame element, wherein the first cavity is adapted and configured to secure pet treats of different shapes and sizes, whereby the pet treat holder is adapted and configured to prevent removal of the treat from the pet treat holder while the pet is actively using the pet treat.",
    "2. The pet treat holder of claim 1 wherein the clamp comprises a first jaw with a first gripping surface and a second jaw with a second gripping surface that is angled relative to the first gripping surface.",
    "3. The pet treat holder of claim 1 wherein a rear surface of the gripper frame meets a rear surface of the body at an angle between 90-180 degrees and a front surface of the gripper frame meets a front surface of the body at an angle between 180 and 270 degrees.",
    "4. The pet treat holder of claim 1 wherein the gripper frame comprises a body side and a distal side opposed to the body side, wherein the width of the distal side is greater than the width of the body side.",
    "5. The pet treat holder of claim 1 wherein the treat gripper comprises a displaceable gripping surface opposed to the first ridged frame element.",
    "6. The pet treat holder of claim 5 wherein the treat gripper is adapted and configured to securely grip a pet treat between the displaceable gripping surface and the first ridged frame element.",
    "7. The pet treat holder of claim 5 wherein the displaceable gripping surface is selected from the group consisting of a flat surface, a pointed surface, a semi-spherical surface, an inverted pyramid, a bar, a jaw, and a swivel head.",
    "8. The pet treat holder of claim 5 wherein the displaceable gripping surface is affixed to a threaded rod.",
    "9. The pet treat holder of claim 8 wherein the threaded rod is threadedly secured in the second frame element.",
    "10. The pet treat holder of claim 1 wherein the first ridged frame element defines a second cavity in the shape of an inverted pyramid.",
    "11. The pet treat holder of claim 10 wherein the second cavity is adapted and configured to expose more of the pet treat to the use of the animal.",
    "12. The pet treat holder of claim 1 further comprising a pet treat dispenser affixed to the pet treat holder.",
    "13. The pet treat holder of claim 1 wherein at least one of the clamp or treat gripper comprises a rounded handle comprising one or more facets adapted and configured to fit a wrench.",
    "14. The pet treat holder of claim 1 wherein the first ridged frame element comprises two or more symmetrical stepped ridges opposed to the second frame element.",
    "15. The pet treat holder of claim 1, wherein the first ridged element comprises two or more different substantially planar surfaces opposed to the second frame element.",
    "16. The pet treat holder of claim 15 wherein the first ridged element comprises three or more different substantially planar surfaces opposed to the second frame element.",
    "17. The pet treat holder of claim 1, wherein the first stepped ridge further comprises a third stepped ridge comprising a third ridge tread and a third ridge riser, and the second stepped ridge further comprises a fourth stepped ridge comprising a fourth ridge tread and a fourth ridge riser, wherein the fourth ridge riser opposes the third ridge riser, the third and fourth ridge treads oppose the second frame element, and the first stepped ridge and second stepped ridge do not abut each other."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application claims priority to and incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/033,759, filed Jun. 2, 2020.\n\nThis invention relates to a pet treat holder.\n\nDogs and other pets enjoy pet treats, food treats, and chew toys. Pet owners give their dogs and pets pet treats and pet toys for the pleasure of it, but also for utilitarian reasons such as training, diverting the dog's destructive energy, entertaining the dog, rewarding the dog, and diverting the dog's attention. Some dogs are enthusiastic or aggressive chewers, and pet treats such as pizzle sticks, yak cheese sticks, bully sticks, rawhide sticks or strips, bone, and antler, are popular chew toys for these dogs.\n\nOne problem, especially with enthusiastic or aggressive chewers, is that there is no way to grip or secure the chew toy so that the pet can enjoy it. There are devices on the market that can grasp a pizzle stick or bone, but they do not hold the stick/bone in place. The only other option is to hold the stick, bone or treat in your hand or with a pair of pliers. Using pliers or your hands is entirely inconvenient, messy, is not possible for many pet owners, and prevents the pet owner from doing other things while the pet is chewing the stick, bone or treat. There is a need for a device that can securely grip pet treats for consumption by dogs and other pets.\n\nPet treats, moreover, come in all shapes and sizes. There is a need for a device that can securely hold pet treats of all shapes and sizes.",
  "cpc": [
    "A01K 15/026",
    "A01K 29/00",
    "F16B 2/065",
    "F16B 2/12",
    "F16B 7/0493",
    "F16M 13/022"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01K 15/02",
    "A01K 29/00",
    "F16M 13/02"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Barkerfun Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Susan Mravca",
    "Jim Mravca"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2021-05-28",
  "publication_date": "2024-06-04",
  "grant_date": "2024-06-04",
  "priority_date": "2020-06-02",
  "application_number": "US-202117334661-A",
  "family_id": "78706953",
  "cited_by_count": 3,
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}