Pet chew device

Abstract

A pet chew device that includes a main body having a longitudinal inner bore and first and second opposite ends, and an actuator rotatably coupled to the first end of the main body. A pusher assembly is received within the inner bore of the main body and is movable between a first position near the first end of the main body and a second position near the second end of the main body by rotating the actuator.

1 . A pet chew device, comprising: 
 a main body having a longitudinal inner bore and first and second opposite ends;    an actuator rotatably coupled to said first end of said main body; and    a pusher assembly received within said inner bore of said main body that is movable between a first position near said first end of said main body and a second position near said second end of said main body by rotating said actuator.    
   
   
       2 . A pet chew device according to  claim 1 , wherein  
     said pusher assembly engages threads of said inner bore of said main body.  
   
   
       3 . A pet chew device according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said pusher assembly includes a pusher member received within a collet member.    
   
   
       4 . A pet chew device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said pusher member is resilient.    
   
   
       5 . A pet chew device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said pusher member is slidable within said collet member.    
   
   
       6 . A pet chew device according to  claim 5 , wherein 
 said pusher member includes at least one lug slidable within at least one slot of said collet member.    
   
   
       7 . A pet chew device according to  claim 6 , wherein 
 said lug engages threads of said inner bore of said main body to move said pusher assembly between said first and second positions.    
   
   
       8 . A pet chew device according to  claim 3 , wherein 
 said collet member includes a plurality of resilient fingers extending from an end thereof for holding a food product.    
   
   
       9 . A pet chew device according to  claim 1 , wherein 
 said actuator forms a first knob at said first end of said main body, and said second end of said main body forms a second knob.    
   
   
       10 . A pet chew device, comprising: 
 a main body having a longitudinal inner bore and first and second opposite ends, said inner bore including threads extending between said first and second ends;    an actuator rotatably coupled to said first end of said main body; and    a pusher assembly received within said inner bore of said main body that is movable between a first position near said first end of said main body and a second position near said second end of said main body by rotating said actuator, said pusher assembly including a pusher member received within a collet member, said pusher member engaging said threads of said inner bore of said main body.    
   
   
       11 . A pet chew device according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 said pusher member including at least one radial lug that engages said threads of said inner bore.    
   
   
       12 . A pet chew device according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 said pusher member including at least radial lug that engages at least one slot disposed in said collet member.    
   
   
       13 . A pet chew device according to  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a rotatable sleeve connected to said actuator and received in said inner bore, said sleeve engaging said pusher member to rotate said pusher member when said actuator is rotated.    
   
   
       14 . A pet chew device according to  claim 13 , wherein 
 at least one radial lug of said pusher member engages a longitudinal slot of said rotatable sleeve.    
   
   
       15 . A pet chew device according to  claim 14 , wherein 
 Said at least one radial lug includes a sloped outer surface.    
   
   
       16 . A pet chew device according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 said pusher member is resilient and includes a slot for receiving a ridge of said collet member when said pusher assembly is in said first position.    
   
   
       17 . A pet chew device according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 said pusher member is resilient and includes a slot for receiving a portion of a plug member slidably coupled to said pusher member when said pusher assembly is in said first position.    
   
   
       18 . A pet chew device according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 said collet member includes a plurality of resilient fingers extending from an end thereof for holding a food product.    
   
   
       19 . A pet chew device according to  claim 10 , wherein 
 said threads of said inner bore are disposed on a stationary sleeve disposed in said inner bore.    said pusher member being slidable with respect to said collet member.    
   
   
       20 . A pet chew device, comprising: 
 a main body having a longitudinal inner bore and first and second opposite ends;    an actuator rotatably coupled to said first end of said main body;    a pusher assembly received within said inner bore of said main body that is movable between a first position near said first end of said main body and a second position near said second end of said main body by rotating said actuator, said pusher assembly including a pusher member received within a collet member, said pusher member having at least one lug that is slidable within a complementary slot of said collet member; and    a food product received within said inner bore of said main body, said pusher assembly moving said food product with respect to said inner bore as the actuator is rotated.    
   
   
       21 . A pet chew device according to  claim 20 , wherein 
 said food product includes a tapered end that facilitates engagement with said pusher assembly and an annular groove for engaging said pusher assembly.    
   
   
       22 . A pet chew device according to  claim 20 , wherein 
 said collet member includes a plurality of fingers having angled pads that engage said food product to securely hold said food product.    
   
   
       23 . A pet A pet chew device, comprising: 
 a main body having a longitudinal inner bore and first and second opposite ends;    an actuator rotatably coupled to said first end of said main body;    a pusher assembly received within said inner bore of said main body that is movable between a first position near said first end of said main body and a second position near said second end of said main body by rotating said actuator; and    a food product received within said inner bore of said main body, said food product including a tapered end and an annular groove for engaging the pusher assembly, said pusher assembly moving said food product with respect to said inner bore as the actuator is rotated.    
   
   
       24 . A pet chew device according to  claim 23 , wherein 
 said pusher assembly includes resilient fingers that engage said annular groove of said food product, said resilient fingers and annular groove having complementary shapes.    
   
   
       25 . A pet chew device according to  claim 24 , wherein 
 said resilient fingers include an acutely angled surface that engages said annular groove of said food product, thereby substantially preventing removal of said food product.