Coil the springy thingy

Abstract

A cat toy and method of making a cat toy, which is a springy thingy. The lightweight section of plastic coil has at least two windings, said windings allow storage and release of potential energy. The coil offers a cat a lifelike chaotically varied motion and response to mimic a cat's natural prey and evoke a cat's natural hunting instincts. The coil can jump when hit at an end by a cat. A cat can also roll the coil along a floor.

1 . A cat toy comprising: a lightweight section of plastic coil having at least two windings, said windings allowing storage and release of potential energy, whereby said coil can jump when hit at an end by a cat, whereby a cat can also roll said coil along a floor.  
     
     
         2 . The cat toy of  claim 1 , wherein said coil is substantially cylindrical.  
     
     
         3 . The cat toy of  claim 2 , wherein said coil is approximately 2 inches in total length, 1 inch in diameter, and 30 mil in thickness, said coil having initially between 2 to 4 windings per inch, said coil having about four windings total, said coil having a weight of less than 2 oz, wherein said coil can be stretched beyond a 4 to 1 pitch.  
     
     
         4 . The cat toy of  claim 2 , wherein the number of windings equals 4.  
     
     
         5 . The cat toy of  claim 1 , wherein said coil is cone shaped having a wider circumference at one end.  
     
     
         6 . The cat toy of  claim 5 , wherein the coil is made of plastic PVC material.  
     
     
         7 . The cat toy of  claim 5 , wherein said coil is approximately 2 inches in total length, 1 inch in diameter, and 30 mil in thickness, said coil having initially between 2 to 4 windings per inch, said coil having about four windings total, said coil having a weight of less than 2 oz, wherein said coil can be stretched beyond a 4 to 1 pitch.  
     
     
         8 . The cat toy of  claim 5 , wherein the number of windings equals 4.  
     
     
         9 . The cat toy of  claim 5 , wherein the coil is made of plastic PVC material.  
     
     
         10 . A method of forming a plastic coil for use as a cat toy comprising the steps of: 
 a. Cutting a section of lightweight plastic coil from a longer stock coil, said section of lightweight plastic coil having at least two windings, said windings allowing storage and release of potential energy, whereby said coil can jump when hit at an end by a cat, whereby a cat can also roll said coil along a floor.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 b. selecting a plastic stock coil of 1 inch in diameter, and 30 mil in thickness, said coil having initially between 2 to 4 windings per inch, said coil having about four windings total,    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 c. selecting a cutting location such that said section of lightweight plastic is approximately 2 inches in total length, and has a weight of less than 2 oz.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of: 
 d. adjusting the coil by plastically stretching said plastic coil to a pitch beyond 4 to 1.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the coil is made of plastic PVC material.