The present invention relates to a ball-throwing scoop for interaction with a pet, comprising a scoop body and a handle. The scoop body includes a scoop opening, two sides and a base portion. The scoop body resembles a smaller half of a circular tube or approximately circular tube longitudinally cut off, the longitudinal central axis y of which is an arc having a larger radius R; r is used to denote the radius of the smaller half of the circular tube, R>>r; the base portion of the scoop body is connected to the handle in the shape of a hollow cylinder, the central axis of the handle obliquely intersects the longitudinal central axis of the scoop body, a cavity of the handle can store liquid or solid pet drinks/foods, especially a cylindrical biscuit box.

Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems, apparatuses, and methods for exercising and entertaining a pet. In one implementation, a pet exercise and entertainment device includes a launch funnel for launching projectiles for a pet to retrieve. The launch funnel has a feeder and a chute. The feeder is configured to receive a projectile and transport the projectile to an intake end of the chute. A sensor is configured to sense the projectile in the intake end of the chute and to command one or more motors to power up in response to sensing the projectile. An actuator is configured to release the projectile from the intake end of the chute into the launch end of the chute after a pre-determined time has elapsed. One or more wheels, rotated by the one or more motors, are configured to launch the projectile from the launch end of the chute.

A ball trainer with a launcher function and a dropper function is provided. The ball trainer includes: a dropper unit that is disposed on one side in a housing and is formed in a holder shape capable of dropping a ball downward, the dropper unit including a storage space with a variable length in which two or more balls are stored; a launcher unit that is disposed on the other side in the housing and launches a ball which is received from outside; a control module that selectively controls the dropper unit and the launcher unit depending on an operation mode; and a communication module that is connected to the control module and transmits a signal received from the outside in a wireless or wired manner.

A ball launching apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a funnel residing at an upper end of a housing. The funnel includes a channel for gravitationally directing a ball into a launch point within an interior compartment of the housing. The apparatus includes a hammer that strikes a ball through a chute, thereby releasing the ball from the housing. Both the distance at which the ball travels and the angle at which the ball leaves the chute may be adjusted by the operator. A method of exercising a dog is also provided herein.

A flip toy assembly provides a launcher having and a projectile that is launched and can be caught by the launcher. The launcher has an elongate handle. The handle has a top end and a bottom end, distal from the top end. A head is fixedly attached to the bottom end. A projectile has an apex having a first side and a second side. A first leg extends away from the first side of the apex and a second leg extends away from the second side of the apex. A method of playing a game with the flip toy assembly is also provided.

The present invention is a guide mat having guide indicia thereon for use in particular for guiding proper positioning of a person engaged in roping an animal, including heading (roping all or a portion of the head of the animal) and heeling (roping all or a portion of the rear legs of the animal). The guide may also be useful in properly positioning a participant in other sporting activities.

A weight training apparatus for animals includes a leg strap with a proximal face and distal face, at least one pocket integrated into the leg strap, a first interlocking piece that rests on the proximal face, and a second interlocking piece that rests on the distal face. The first interlocking piece and second interlocking piece are positioned on the opposite ends of the leg strap. The at least one pocket is placed between the first interlocking piece and the second interlocking piece and is capable of holding at least one selected weight from a plurality of weights.

A carrying apparatus for containing objects such as animal waste attachable to a line, such as an animal leash or a climbing rope. Embodiments of the carrying apparatus can include a bag, a strap, one or more loops, and can coordinate with a line. The carrying apparatus preferably also includes a secondary container, which itself can include an outlet formed on a sidewall thereof.

A ball game equipment kit includes a ball, at least one launch, a bat, at least one goal, and a C-area. The field layouts include a layout 1 for team play, a layout 2 for individual, small group or team play, and a layout 3 for water play. A field layout includes at least one goal line, at least one batting line, at least one batting circle, at least one batting area, and at least one goal location to define a field for the equipment kit to be positioned. There are three methods for using the ball game equipment kit, including methods to utilize the equipment kit and layout 1, methods to utilize the equipment kit and layout 2, and methods to utilize the equipment kit and layout 3 on water.

In the process of making a hollow product, especially a deformable toy ball, two halves made from on elastomeric material, a thermoplastic material, rubber, a blend of rubbers, or a thermoplastic elastomer are formed by injection molding with mating edges that engage with each other when the halves are assembled to form the product. The edge of one of the two halves is advantageously formed with a recess centered in the edge, in which a flange formed on the edge of the other of the two halves engages to provide a form-fitting connection between the two halves. The opposing edges are then bonded with each other by fusion or melting or by an adhesive applied to at least one of the edges prior to assembling the halves together. A deformable ball produced by the process is also described.