GB2465798A

GB2465798A - Animal warmer

Info

Publication number: GB2465798A
Application number: GB0821851A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Ashley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-12-01
Filing date: 2008-12-01
Publication date: 2010-06-02
Also published as: GB0821851D0

Abstract

An animal warmer 10 comprising a heat source 14 in the form of a light bulb 15, and a reflector element 16 for reflecting heat produced by the bulb. The bulb and reflector are situated in a housing 11, 12 which is placed beneath the animal to be warmed. An animal cage (41, fig 3) can be placed above the housing so that the animal is heated from below.

Description

Animal Warmer The present invention relates to an apparatus for warming animals, it is particularly applicable for warming cats and dogs and in particular for warming animals in cages.

When animals are sick and/or cold it is important to keep them warm to assist in recovery, if they are sick, and to help avoid the animals developing a sickness if the animals are cold.

Technologies exist for warming animals from above, such as heat lamps used in egg incubators. The problem with warming animals from above is that the heat can be quite direct and hot, and the animal can easily move away from the heat source.

Often when animals are sick they will curl up into a ball and the heat will direct onto their backs, leaving their undersides cold.

There is therefore a need for an alternative animal warmer.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal warmer comprising: a) a heat source comprising a bulb and a reflector element for reflecting heat produced by the bulb; and b) a housing in which the heat source is encased; wherein the housing is placed beneath an animal and the animal is warmed from underneath. This is advantageous as being warmed from underneath rather than on top will give more comfort to the animal and the heat will rise up through the animal.

Preferably the bulb is a tungsten filament bulb.

Preferably the bulb is a 60 Watt bulb.

Preferably the reflector element is provided with mounting means for mounting the bulb. Ideally the mounting means mounts the bulb within the reflector element.

Preferably the mounting means is a screw connection.

Preferably the mounting means is a bayonet connection.

Preferably the bulb is connected to an external electrical source.

Preferably the bulb is connected to an external electrical source by means of an electrical cable connectable to the bulb and passes through an aperture provided in the housing.

Preferably the aperture in the housing is provided with a sealing means for providing a liquid tight seal around the electrical cable. This is particularly advantageous as this prevents advent of fluids into the internal electrics of the animal warmer Preferably the electrical cable is provided with a chew resistant outer sheath. This is particularly advantageous as it prevents animals from chewing through the electrical cable and electrocuting themselves Preferably the housing is formed from a plastics material.

Preferably the housing is formed from a fire retardant material.

Preferably the housing is formed from a liquid resistant material.

Preferably the housing is formed from two portions.

Preferably the first portion is a base portion and the second portion is a cover portion, the cover portion fitting over the base portion.

Preferably the cover portion overlaps the base portion to form a liquid tight seal there between. This means that if liquids are poured onto the top of the housing, such as the animal's urine, they run off the housing and do not interfere with the electrics inside the housing.

Preferably the animal warmer is provided within a cage.

Preferably the cage has a first compartment for an animal and a second compartment under the first compartment for housing the animal warmer.

Preferably the cage is provided with a mat for the animal's comfort.

The animal warmer is suitable for warming cats and dogs.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a side cross section view of a first embodiment of the animal warmer.

Figure 2 illustrates a side cross section view of a second embodiment of the animal warmer.

Figure 3 illustrates a view of the second embodiment animal warmer in use in conjunction with a cage.

Referring to Figure 1 this shows the animal warmer 10 having a base portion of the housing 11 and a cover portion of the housing 12. When fitted together the base portion 11 and cover portion 12 overlap at point 13. The cover portion 12 overlapping the base portion 11. The cover portion 12 and base portion 11 in one embodiment snap fit together in a releasable fashion for removal and replacement of internal components, in an alternate embodiment the cover portion 12 and base portion 11 are provided with a fixing means such as screws. In a further alternative embodiment the cover portion 12 and base portion 11 screw together.

Inside the housing is the heat source 14 which is a bulb 15 and reflector element 16.

The bulb 15 is mounted within the reflector element 16 by a connection means 17 which connects the bulb to external electrics. In one alternative the connection means is formed from a metal material in another alternative the connection means is formed from a heat resistant material. The connection means 17 is integral to the reflector element 16 and is a bayonet bulb fitting. In an alternative embodiment the connection means 17 is separate to the reflector element 16 and in a further embodiment the connection means 17 is a screw fitting, in a further alternative the connection means is a bayonet fitting. The connection means 17 is connected to an electrical cable 18, which passes through the housing through an aperture 19 provided in the base portion 11. In an alternative embodiment the electrical cable passes through the housing through an aperture provided in the cover portion 12.

The electrical cable internal to the animal warmer is provided with a heat resistant coating or sheath. The aperture 19 is plugged with a sealing means 20 to prevent ingress of fluids and to stop any further electrical cable from entering or exiting the housing. The sealing means is a rubber plug which forms a liquid tight seal with the housing and has a central aperture with a gripping mechanism which allows electrical cable to pass through the aperture but is held in position by the gripping means. After the electrical cable 18 has exited the housing it is sheathed in a chew resistant material 21.

In a alternative embodiment seen in Figure 2 the base portion 30 and cover portion 31 are curved to form an ovoid shape when connected together. This helps liquid run off the surface of the animal warmer.

Referring now to Figure 3, which shows the animal warmer in use. The animal warmer is provided with a cage 40 with two compartments 41, 42. The first compartment 41 is arranged to receive an animal 51 and the second compartment 42 located below the first compartment 41 is for the animal warmer 50. The animal warmer 50 is connected to the mains electric through electrical cable 43 which results in the bulb inside the animal warmer turning on. The bulb inside the animal warmer generates heat which through the reflector is directed to emanate from the animal warmer 50. The heat moves upwards from the animal warmer 50 to the animal 51 located in the first compartment of the cage 40, warming the animal. The cage is provided with a mat 44 to provide additional comfort to the animal 51.

The animal warmer in one alternative, is provided with a switch for turning the electric on and off. In another alternative the animal warmer is provided with a thermostat for turning the electric off once a certain temperature has been reached.

In another alternative the animal warmer is provided with a means for varying the power output of the lamp such as a dimmer switch.

The animal warmer is preferably constructed from a plastics material which is both resistant to liquids and fire retardant so that it wont catch on fire from the heat generated by the bulb. The plastics material is preferably one which retains heat such that the material can distribute the heat. The plastics material in an alternative is formed from a transparent plastics material.

The cage itself may be of a plurality of sizes and shapes, and so suitable for animals of all shapes and sizes.

In an alternative the housing may be further provided with a cover, such as an insulating cover like a cushion cover in order that the animal can be placed directly on top of the housing.

In a further alternative a stand is provided that contains an animal holder, which is shaped to accommodate an animal. The animal holder is formed from a moulded plastics material, the animal holder is shaped and has sloping sides to support the animal, the animal holder may also in one alternative be provided with ridges or grooves to provide a non-slip surface. The animal holder is in one alternative moulded around the stand in order that it stays in position. Below the animal holder are shelves, there may be 1 shelf or 2 shelves. The housing for the animal warmer is placed on the uppermost shelf, and the lower shelf, if present, is for holding other miscellaneous items. In one alternative the shelves are boxed into the stand and may be removable The animal holder is provide with a means for retaining itself on the shelf. The retain means may be grooves in the bottom of the housing which correspond to raised areas in the shelf, or straps and buckles may be provided to secure the animal warmer in place. The shelf and stand are formed from a metal material which is powder coated or in the alternative from a plastics material. A slope is provided in one alternative so that animals can walk up the slope into the animal holder. The stand is provided on casters in one alternative, or on rounded feet in another alternative. The animal holder may further be provide with a bar in the case of dogs, to stop the dog from squashing any pups that also may be present. The stand may further be provided with receptacles for holding food and water for the animal.

In a further alternative the animal warmer is provided with a transformer so that the animal warmer can be used outside.

The animal warmer assembly with stand may further be provided with a free standing light to light the animal from the top.

For larger animals, larger animal warmers can be provided containing a plurality of the lamps internal to the animal warmer described above.

In the summer when heat is not required the animal warmer when switched off is cool to the touch and can additionally be used to cool warm animals.

In an alternative embodiment a plastic enclosure is provided which houses the animal warmer directly. Fitted above the plastic enclosure is the animal holder. In this embodiment a plurality of lamps and reflectors are provided internal to the animal warmer inside the plastic enclosure. The plastic enclosure is provided with thermostatic control on the outside of the plastic enclosure, which may optionally be fitted with a grill to stop the thermostatic control being unintentionally changed. The plastic enclosure is also fitted with a plug socket for external connected to the mains power supply.

Any combination of the above embodiments may be employed in the working of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An animal warmer comprising: a) a heat source comprising a bulb and a reflector element for reflecting heat produced by the bulb; and b) a housing in which the heat source is situated; wherein the housing is placed beneath an animal and the animal is warmed from underneath.
2. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the bulb is a tungsten filament bulb.
3. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the bulb is a 60 Watt bulb.
4. An animal warmer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reflector element is provided with mounting means for mounting the bulb.
5. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the mounting means is a screw connection.
6. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the mounting means is a bayonet connection.
7. An animal warmer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bulb is connected to an external electrical source.
8. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the bulb is connected to an external electrical source by means of an electrical cable connectable to the bulb and exists through an aperture provided in the housing.
9. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the aperture in the housing is provided with a sealing means for providing a liquid tight seal between the electrical cable and the housing wall.
10. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the electrical cable is provided with a chew resistant outer sheath.
11. An animal warmer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing is formed from a plastics material.
12. An animal warmer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing is formed from a fire retardant material.
13. An animal warmer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing is formed from a liquid resistant material.
14. An animal warmer as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the housing is formed from two portions.
15. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the first portion is a base portion and the second portion is a cover portion, the cover portion fitting over the base portion.
16. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the cover portion overlaps the base portion to form a liquid tight seal there between.
17. An animal warmer as claimed in any of the preceding claims further comprising a cage.
18. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 17 wherein the cage has a first compartment for an animal and a second compartment under the first compartment for housing the animal warmer.
19. An animal warmer as claimed in Claim 18 wherein the cage is provided with a mat separating the first compartment from the second compartment for the animal's comfort.
20. An animal warmer as claimed in any preceding claim suitable for warming cats.
21. An animal warmer as claimed in any preceding claim suitable for warming dogs.
22. An animal warmer as substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.