How to Exercise Your Cat Using a Laser Pointer
A 1995 patent describing the method of using a handheld laser pointer to create a moving light target that encourages cats to run and play.
Original patent title: “Method of exercising a cat”
A 1995 patent describing the method of using a handheld laser pointer to create a moving light target that encourages cats to run and play. Granted to Individual in 1995 with 5 claims and 35 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent outlines a specific technique for feline exercise. It involves using a handheld laser to project a small, highly-focused, and intense beam of light onto a surface like a wall or floor. The user then moves the laser so the light spot travels in an irregular pattern, which triggers a cat's natural predatory chase instinct. By keeping the light just out of the cat's reach, the user forces the animal to run and jump, providing aerobic exercise.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover the manufacturing of the laser device itself.
- Does not cover using non-laser light sources, such as flashlights or LED pens.
- Does not cover automated systems that move the laser without human intervention.
- Does not cover exercise methods that involve physical toys or physical contact.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The patent identifies the specific speed required to maintain a cat's interest, claiming a range of five to twenty-five feet per second for the light spot's movement.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Standard handheld red laser pointers
Pet-specific laser toys
Automated laser cat toys
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent is a famous example of a simple, everyday activity being codified into intellectual property. While it highlights the intersection of consumer technology and pet care, it is often cited in discussions about the limits of what should be patentable, as it describes a common behavior rather than a complex technological innovation.
Filed
November 2, 1993
Granted
August 22, 1995
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
The pet toy industry has largely commoditized this concept. Companies like PetSafe and various generic manufacturers produce automated laser toys that rely on the basic principle of moving a light source to stimulate feline movement.
Market impact
The patent did not create a new industry, but it serves as a historical marker for how consumer electronics were applied to the pet care market in the 1990s. It is widely regarded as a curiosity in patent law rather than a barrier to entry for pet product manufacturers.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent outlines a specific technique for feline exercise. It involves using a handheld laser to project a small, highly-focused, and intense beam of light onto a surface like a wall or floor. The user then moves the laser so the light spot travels in an irregular pattern, which triggers a cat's natural predatory chase instinct. By keeping the light just out of the cat's reach, the user forces the animal to run and jump, providing aerobic exercise.
The clever bit
The patent identifies the specific speed required to maintain a cat's interest, claiming a range of five to twenty-five feet per second for the light spot's movement.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover the manufacturing of the laser device itself.
- Does not cover using non-laser light sources, such as flashlights or LED pens.
- Does not cover automated systems that move the laser without human intervention.
- Does not cover exercise methods that involve physical toys or physical contact.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
31/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
3/20
Moderate scope
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$24K – $76K
Midpoint $48K · expired or expiring · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
5 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Abbott, M. H., & Amiss, K. T. (1995). How to Exercise Your Cat Using a Laser Pointer (U.S. Patent No. 5,443,036). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5443036/laser-pointer-cat-exercise
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How to Exercise Your Cat Using a Laser Pointer cover?
A 1995 patent describing the method of using a handheld laser pointer to create a moving light target that encourages cats to run and play.
Who owns patent US 5443036?
Individual owns this patent, granted in 1995.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 5443036 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 35 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent is a famous example of a simple, everyday activity being codified into intellectual property. While it highlights the intersection of consumer technology and pet care, it is often cited in discussions about the limits of what should be patentable, as it describes a common behavior rather than a complex technological innovation.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover the manufacturing of the laser device itself.
Same assignee
More from Individual
Patent monitoring