GB2448559A

GB2448559A - Folding animal enclosure with base

Info

Publication number: GB2448559A
Application number: GB0716744A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Campbell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-04-16
Filing date: 2007-08-29
Publication date: 2008-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 2027-08-29
Also published as: GB2448559B; GB0716744D0

Abstract

A kit of parts for forming an animal enclosure comprises five mesh pieces 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 being the top 3 and side panels 1, 2, 4, 5 of the enclosure, a base piece 8 and connecting pieces to join all the parts together. The base 8 comprises a rectangular central portion 10 with triangular 9 portions at opposite ends. The base is foldable in three places 32, where each triangle 9 joins the rectangular central portion 10 and through the midline of the base. A pet carrying case may be made by joining two mesh pieces together and folding the triangular sections 9 upwards to create two end pieces. One of the mesh panels may have an opening door 6. The enclosure may be used for cats, rabbits, birds, tortoises and small dogs etc. The pet enclosure can fold flat for storage purposes. The pet structure may also incorporate a foldable container for food or animal litter.

Description

Description:

Multi Functional Convertible Pet Structure:

Background of the invention

This invention relates to a multi functional convertible structure which can be assembled for use either as a pet home, a pet carrier, a pet pen, a pet shade, a pet hide away, a pet play tunnel, pet play frames and a number of different types of pet climbing apparatus including towers, and which can be readily converted between all the different uses. The invention is intended primarily for use with a cat but can also be used with other pets such as rabbits, a range of birds, tortoises, small dogs and a verity of other various animals.

Pet homes, pet pens, pet carriers, pet hide aways, pet tunnels and pet play activity centres are all currently available to buy separately, and if pet owners desire each item, they must make several separate purchases. This is a large outlay, since each item can be very expensive, and the current practice is also inconvenient in its use of storage space, since typically only one item is in use at any one time, and it is wasteful of materials if that similar frame may be used in each item, but are not utilized together.

Summary of the invention

It is the object of the invention to provide a combination structure which can be assembled into several usable popular pet items, which can be readily converted between all the uses and which can be folded down when not in use to form a compact package ready for storage or to be transported.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination structure (as above) which is more economical to manufacture and purchase, than several pet items of comparable scale. Another object of the invention is to provide a combination pet structure with several uses that is simple to set up, take down and convert from one use to the other without the need of instructions because its that simple to construct.

An example of the use of the invention is: you have a feline pet that you love and cherish and like all cat owners you want your pet to be health and active and have the freedom to come and go in and out of the home as it pleases, as well as having its own comfortable place in the home, so you think about fitting some sort of small pet door way, like a cat flap, the only problem now is that although your beloved pet now has the freedom to come in and out of the home as it pleases so do other cats, also your beloved pet can get up to mischief when you are out or in bed without your acknowledgment like bringing unwanted items into your home and hiding them without your knowledge, things such as bits of rubbish and dead rodents, and another problem is that when your in bed or out your much-loved pet will jump on furniture and tops as well as scratching furniture, these are just a few of the problems that cat owners have who have installed some kind of small opening in there home so that there pet has comfort and freedom.

Other problems that accrue with owning a cat is that they are very active and you find yourself having to buy lots of pet like toy and apparatus to keep them busy, things like scratching posts, towers, hide aways, tunnels and ailsorts of other toys, in the end it can become very costly and there are other things that your pet will most certainly need such as some sort of pet carrier for trips to the vets, and things like a food bowl and a litter tray, buying all these things separately can be expensive and there's the other aspect of having all these items just laying around the house separately and in the way.

This invention solves all these problems and many more, you can set up the pet home so that it can be used in conjunction with a cat flap (see figure 17 and 28), the invention can be quickly clipped onto the back of a door and can be folded up so that it can be stored on the back of the door or it can be removed and stored elsewhere (see figures 28, 29, 30 and 31), the pet structure in this form acts as a contained cosy hide away for your pet that allows your pet the freedom to go in and out of the home as it pleases or just relax in comfort inside the pet home, this at the same time keeps your pet out of mischief day and night by your pet not being able to scratch furniture, jump on tops and bring rubbish or dead rodents into your home without you knowing.

The pet structure in this form also allows friends and neighbours to give your pet food and fresh water through the pet door way while your away for a few days without ever having to enter your home, this way you do not have to give anyone a key to your home if you do not want to and your pet is still safe and being looked after.

And also the pet structure in this form reduces the amount of cat hairs in your home, as well as preventing strays from entering your home through your pet door way, by containing them in the pet home, it does not trap strays, just contains them and stops them going deep into your home but allows them to exit the same way they came in and that's back through the pet door way.

This invention is not just another pet shelter; it can be transformed into many things, one of which is a pet carrier (see figures 2, 15 and 16), this is made up by the removal of (4) and (5) the two play frames and then rearranging the other three frames (see figures 8, 9 and 15), the carrier is triangular in shape and not only has a door for exiting and entering but also can fully open down from the sides, this helps as some pets are shy when visiting a vet and struggle to come out.

The pet structure also transforms into many various different types of climbing apparatus and activity centres such as towers and tunnels with scratching and stretching pads and many toys to keep your pet amused for hours on end (see figures 3, 6, 7, and 20). It also transform into a pet pen that can be made up into many different shapes and sizes (see figure 4), and there are two play frames with many pet toys on them that can be placed anywhere inside or outside the home for your pets amusement (see figure 19).

And there's a feeding tray that is also attached to the pet structure (see figures 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25) that folds up flat so that it does not get in the way when the whole unit (see figure 31) is folded up. A bigger version of the feeding tray is done and that works as the litter tray in exactly the same way, both the feeding tray and litter tray can be removed to be placed elsewhere such as outside.

The aid panel of the pet structure serves many purposes, it has a different surface on each side; one side keeps things cool and the other side keeps things warm, so that in winter or summer you can face up which ever side you feel is going to make your pet more comfortable in the pet home or carrier when used as the floor, the aid panel (8) also can be removed and used elsewhere on its own as a pet shade, this is useful in the summer for outdoor use to keep food and fresh water cooler for longer and it also gives your pet somewhere cool to relax (see figure 4), the aid panel bends in three places so that you can tuck the sides in to make the floor of the pet home, and bring them out to make the floor and sides of the carrier, and also the sides help it stand up for the pet shade (see figures 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16). The aid panel also folds up to make the hide away on the tunnel and towers (see figures 3, 6, 7, 18, and 20), So as you can see the pet home is a one stop shop for everything that you will ever need for your pet and all in one unit and it solves every problem your likely to have and at the same time making life better for you and your pet, The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying figures, it should be kept in mind that the following described embodiments are only given as an example and should not be construed as limiting the inventive concept to any particular physical configuration.

The pet structure is made up of two main parts, first of which are the frames (I) the top frame (2) the bottom frame (3) the central frame, then (4) and (5) the left and right play frames, all these five frames are fixed together with (11) the hinge type fastening devices, which enables the frames to be separated and rearranged to make the item that is needed at that time and them clipped back together again (see figures 8, 9,32 and 34). Each of the five frames has (33) two piercing rods that can be pressed into soft ground such as grass and they help to keep the apparatus more stable when used outside and the piercing rods can be folded back up out of the way for use indoors (see figures 17 and 19).

The second main part of the pet master is (8) the aid panel (see figure 10), the aid panel is one whole unit that does not separate but has (32) three aid panel creases that enables the aid panel to bend in three places giving the aid panel four counter panels which are (10) two central aid panels and (9) two wing aid panels (see figures 10 and 11), each of the central aid panels has a (12) aid panel holder which work in conjunction with (7) the aid panel grips that are located on (2) the bottom frame which enables (8) the aid panel to be placed securely onto (2) the bottom frame (see figures 13 and 14), when (9) the two wing aid panels are tucked underneath (10) the two central aid panels then (8) the aid panel becomes the floor of the cage (see figure 14).

The aid panel (8) for the pet home works in the same way for the floor of the pet carrier only (9) the two wing aid panels are left out and are not tucked underneath (see figure 13), the two wing aid panels have (13) a series of wing aid panel holders that work in conjunction with (14) the wing aid panel grips that are located on (1) the top frame and (3) the central frame so that when (2) the bottom frame is manoeuvred between the top and central frames the top and central frames become the two sides of the carrier and when they are brought upwards the (13) wing aid panel holders will slot straight into (14) the wing aid panel grips (see figures 2, 15 and 16), The carry handle (15) for the pet carrier is attached to (3) the central frame (see figures 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 and 21), the carry handle has a (28) carry handle slit all the way along it (see figure 26) this is so that when (1) the top frame and (3) the central frame are being brought together to make the pet carrier, the top gap in (1) the top frame slips into (28) the carry handle slit and forms the handle for the carrier (see figure 16), All the five frames of the pet structure can be taken apart rearranged and put back together again by the use of(1l) the frame fastening devices (see figure 9, 32 and 34), the frame fastening devices will attach anywhere on any five of the frames, this allows the pet structure to be transformed into many different items such as pet pens, climbing apparatus, towers and tunnels (see figures 3 to 7), (4) and (5) the two play frames are filled with different types of pet toys including scratching pads and stretching pads so that know matter what item you transform the pet structure into the pet will have plenty of activities to keep it amused for hours, The aid panel (8) also has many other uses either on its own or with the five frames, by bending the aid panel using (32) the aid panel creases it can be propped up by bending (9) both wing panels inwards (see figure 12), so that the aid panel now becomes a pet shade and can be used to help keep food, fresh water and your pet cooler when outside in the sun (see figure 4), also by bending all three (32) aid panel creases the aid panel becomes a hide away for a pet (see figure 18) and the hide away can then be used on its own as shown in figure 18 or used with the five frames to create lots of other apparatus (see figures 3, 6, 7, and 20), There is also a feeding tray (21) that is attached to the pet structure by (22) the feeding tray catch (see figure 21 and 25), the feeding tray can be removed and replaced anywhere on any of the five frames or removed from the pet structure altogether and used on its own elsewhere, the feeding tray also folds up flat by simply pushing in (24) the feeding tray fold in sides (see figure 24) and by pushing in (24) the feeding tray fold in sides the (26) and (27) the feeding tray back and front sides will automatically come together (see figure 25), with (22) the feeding tray catch attached to one of the frames all you need to do then is bring the whole feeding tray up flat against the frame and then use (23) the feeding tray swing catch to attach the feeding tray flat and securely to the frame (see figures 22 and 25). The same method is used for the litter tray only the litter tray would be larger.

(31) the hook up catch (see figure 27) is used to do several things one being to secure the whole unit together (see figure 31), another use for the hook up catch is to be able to be hooked anywhere on any of the climbing apparatus to swing toys from or even a play frame (see figure 20), when not being used the (31) hook up catch is just hooked onto (2) the bottom frame (see figures 8 and 9).

The said pet structure with a little imagination and the help of the five frames, aid panel and hinge type fastening devices that clip on and clip off, makes it possible for other pet items to be thought up, just like any other type of building elements, and with extra frames and extra clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices and aid panels added a whole array of items could be achieved.

So what you have with this inventive structure unit is a one stop shop for everything that will ever be needed for most popular pets: 1. Two pet homes 2. Pet Carrier 3. Various Types of Pet Climbing Apparatus 4. Multiple Pet Toys S. Pet Play Frames 6. PetPlayTunnel 7. Pet Shade 8. Pet Pen 9. Feeding bowl 10. Litter tray The invention is a unit that is designed largely for the feline type of pet but can be used with a variety of various other types of pets such as rabbits, medium to large birds, tortoises and small dogs (ect), it's a pet multi functional structure that hosts all the apparatus and activities that a pet will ever need, it packs away nice and neatly and is safe in all aspects, Key to Drawings: 1. Top Frame 2. Bottom Frame 3. Central Frame 4. Left Play Frame 5. Right Play Frame 6. Central Door 7. Aid Panel Grip 8. Aid Panel 9. Wing Aid Panel 10. Central Aid Panel 11. Hinge Type Fastening Device 12. Aid Panel Holder 13. Wing Aid Panel Holder 14. Wing Aid Panel Grip 15. Carry Handle 16. Pet Toys 17. Scratching Pad IS. Stretching Pad 19. Central Door Hinge 20. Central Door Catch 21. Feeding Tray 22. Feeding Tray Catch 23. Feeding Tray Swing Catch 24. Feeding Tray Fold in Side 25. Feeding Tray Floor 26. Feeding Tray Back Side 27. Feeding Tray Front Side 28. Carry Handle Slit 29. Frame Door Catcher 30. Folded Unit 31. Hook up Catch 32. Aid Panel Crease 33. Piercing Rod

Claims

Claims: I. A multi functional convertible pet structure, that can be

used inside or outside of the home, it is erected selectively into numerous pet equipment forming modules, these being two types of pet homes, a pet carrier, a pet pen, a pet shade, a pet hide away and various pet play activity centres namely a pet play tunnel, pet play frames and a verity of pet climbing apparatus including towers, the unit is comprised of five frames, an aid panel and numerous clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices, the five frames consist of three of equal size one of which has a pet door way in the centre, and two play frames that are much shorter in length and are filled with a variety of pet toys, the aid panel is a flat one piece board that is rectangular shaped in the centre and triangular shaped at both ends it also bends in three areas, down the centre and at the starting point of the triangles at each end, this allows the aid panel to be assembled into several items to assist the five frames in the said modules, the clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices are the devices that able all five frames to be connected and disconnected from each other so the frames can be rearranged and assembled so that each said module can be achieved along with the aid of the aid panel, the whole unit is a portable collapsible unit and folds down flat and compact for easy storage.
2. The five frames as claimed in claim 1 can be made from a multiple of different materials such as metal, wire mesh, wood, (ect), each of which would be shaped as bars that crisscross each other vertically and horizontally forming a grid.

3. The aid panel as claimed in claim 1 is a flat one piece board that is rectangular shaped in the centre and triangular shaped at both ends, each side of the aid panel has a different surface for different uses, one side has a surface that helps keep things cool in warm weather and the opposite side has a surface that helps keep things warm in cool weather, it also bends in three areas, down the centre and at the starting point of the triangles at each end, this allows the aid panel to be assembled into several items.

4. The pet pen forming module as claimed in claim 1 is comprised of the five said frames set out end to end and connected to each other at the edges using the said clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices, creating one long frame that bends in five places, all five frames are then propped up and the two free edges at opposite ends are then brought together to form an enclosed pet play pen or exercise pen.

5. The pet hide away forming module as claimed in claim I is comprised of the said aid panel that is claimed in claims 1 and 3, the aid panel is bent inwards at all three bending points until the two triangular points at each end are over lapping each other this creates a triangular shaped hide, the whole item is then placed on the floor with the triangular ends face down.

6. The pet shade forming module as claimed in claim 1 is comprised of the said aid panel that is claimed in claims I and 3, the aid panel is bent at both ends so that the triangular parts of the aid panel will prop up the whole aid panel when it is stood up on its edge and the triangular side edges will allow the rectangular centre part of the aid panel to lean forward when they are rested on the ground, this now gives a shade for a pet to keep cool in warm weather.

7. The pet play frames forming module as claimed in claim 1 is comprised of the two said shorter frames with bars that crisscross each other vertically and horizontally forming a grid, these two frames are filled with an array of beads, bells and other pet toys, also scratching pads and stretching pads, the two play frames can be used separately or placed together using the said clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices.

8. The pet play tunnel forming module as claimed in claim 1 is comprised of the said aid panel and the said five frames, two of the said frames are placed side by side with the longest edges touching each other and then both frames are connected together using the said clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices, the two frames are then propped up so that they make a long triangular shaped typed tunnel along the floor, the aid panel is then bent inwards at all three areas it bends at to create a triangular shaped hide which is then placed at either end of the two frames to lengthen the tunnel, the tunnel can be made even longer with the assist of the other three said frames if needed.

9. The pet climbing apparatus and tower forming module as claimed in claim 1 is comprised of the said five frames and the said aid panel, two of the three larger said frames are stood up parallel to each other and the two said smaller frames are then used along with the said clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices to hold them steady and upright by fixing one along the top between the said larger frames and the other smaller said frame along the bottom with one edge on the ground, the said aid panel is then bent at the three areas inwards that it bends at to create a triangular hide that is placed on the top of the said structure, the remaining larger frame is fixed at a sloping angle at either side of the structure as a ramp to the tower.

10. The pet home forming modules as claimed in claim 1 is comprised of the said aid panel, the said five frames and the said clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices, there are two different types of pet home modules that the structure makes up the first being, a) where the home consists of a front and back frame, a top frame and two side frames and a floor panel, the front frame has a pet access door way in the centre and the two side frames are filled with an array of pet toys, b) the second pet home module consists of a front frame that has a central pet access door way, a top frame, a bottom frame and two side frames that again are filled with array of pet toys, also it has a floor panel, this second pet home module has no back frame as it is best used either up against a wall or on the back off a door with some sort of pet door way such as a cat flap, the said clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices connect the frames.

11. The pet carrier forming module as claimed in claim 1 is comprised of the said aid panel and the said three large frames one of which has a pet access door way, the said large three frames are set side by side with the one with the said pet door way placed in an outer position, all three said frames are fixed together with the said clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices, the said aid panel is then placed on top off the centre frame with both triangular ends sticking up, the end two frames are then brought up together to create a triangular shaped pet carrier that has a central door way and carry handle.

12. The pet structure as claimed in all the above claims folds down flat into a compact package making it easier for storage, the structure can even be used and stored on the back of a door or against a wall with the aid of quick release frame door catchers that enable the structure to be removed from a wall or door very quickly with just a slight pull, this is practical for when a quick exit is needed such as a fire situation.

13. The pet structure as claimed in claim 1 can be used with a fold up container which when opened Out will hold dry food and fresh water for a pet, the container can be removed and placed anywhere on the inside or the outside of the structure or removed and used on its own elsewhere, a larger version can be used as a litter tray.

14. The pet structure as claimed in claim 1 can be used with a variety of various popular pets such as cats, rabbits, a range of birds, tortoises and small dogs (ect).

15. The pet structure as claimed in claim 1 can also be extended to accomplish other items, and with a little imagination and the help of the five frames, aid panel and hinge type fastening devices that clip on and off, makes it so that other pet items can be thought up, just like any other type of building elements, and with extra frames and extra clip on clip off hinge type fastening devices and aid panels added, a whole array of items can be achieved.

Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. Apparatus for a multi-functional convertible pet structure, comprising: a plurality of frame panels, one of which defines a door at a substantially central position, a plurality of clips, each clip configured to releasably clip a first and a second frame panel together; wherein said apparatus further comprises an aid panel, said aid panel comprising.

a rectangular middle portion, a first triangular end portion having a first base side that extends from a first side of said rectangular middle portion, and a second triangular end portion having a second base side that extends from a second side of said rectangular middle portion, said second side being opposite to said first side; and said aid panel defines: a first fold line extending along said first base side, such that said first triangular end portion is foldable relative to said rectangular middle portion, a second fold line extending along said second base side, such that said second triangular end portion is foldable relative to said rectangular middle portion, and a third fold line extending between said first fold line and said second fold line, and extending substantially parallel thereto, such that said rectangular middle portion is foldable. * **

SI * . . * ** 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said aid panel is configured to *I** be configurable from a first unfolded configuration into a second configuration in which said first and second fold lines are folded relative to said rectangular middle portion, whereby said aid panel provides a pet shelter. * I.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said aid panel is configured to * 5.5*' * S be configurable from a first unfolded configuration into a second configuration in which said first and second fold lines are folded relative to said rectangular middle portion, and said aid panel is further configured to be combined with said plurality of frame panels and said plurality of clips to provide the base of a pet carrier.
4. Apparatus according to claims 2 and 3, wherein said aid panel is configured to be configurable from said first unfolded configuration or said second configuration into a third configuration in which said first, second and third fold lines are folded to provide a pet shelter.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said aid panel presents a first surface on a first side and a second surface on a second side that is different from said first surface.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first surface is configured to reflect heat and said second surface is configured absorb heat.
7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said third fold line is at a substantially central position.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said plurality of frame panels comprises first, second and third frame panels having substantially equal first dimensions, and fourth and fifth frame panels having substantially equal second dimensions, said second dimensions comprising a length that is shorter than the length I... * *

25 of said first dimensions. S.. * *5 S. S
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said door of said : * frame panel is hinged. S.. .

S

*..... *
10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of said frame panels comprises an array of beads.
11. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said frame panels are comprised of wire mesh.
12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said frame panels are comprised of aluminium, stainless steel, a plastics material or any other natural or manmade material.
13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said apparatus is configured to be disassembled and configured into a substantially flat storable structure.
14. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one of: a feeding tray, a drinking bowl, a scratching pad, a pet toy, a carry handle, a litter tray, a stretching pad.
15. Use of the apparatus of claim 1, as: a pet carrier, a pet play pen, a pet shelter, a pet cage, a pet home, a pet climbing apparatus, an exercise pen; indoors, outdoors; when the pet guardian is present, when the pet guardian is not present.
16. Use according to claim 15, wherein said pet is: a cat, a dog, a bird, a rabbit, a tortoise. * ** * * * * *. * ,s*
17. Use of apparatus for a multi-functional convertible pet structure, substantially as herein described with reference to accompanying figures. * I..

* **
18. Apparatus for a multi-functional convertible pet structure, substantially S. * * as herein described with reference to accompanying figures.

S..... * )