US20080307578A1

US20080307578A1 - Dog bed platform and support leg

Info

Publication number: US20080307578A1
Application number: US11/761,431
Authority: US
Inventors: Noelle Geremia; Mary Jane Rogers; Pam Lindgren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-12
Filing date: 2007-06-12
Publication date: 2008-12-18

Abstract

A dog bed platform and leg comprising: a generally rectangular shaped sheet of material with a rounded end and a squared off end; at least one handle located on the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material, located near an edge of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material; a safety indicator located on a surface of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material near a center of the gravity of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material; a first target located at the rounded end; a second target located at the squared off end; an extendible leg configurable to support an end of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material from the group consisting of the rounded end and the squared off end.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the field of pet beds and more specifically to a pet bed platform and support leg that are designed to allow a pet bed to be located in very close proximity to a person's bed.

BACKGROUND

Pet beds for dogs and cats and the like have become popular in the marketplace. These beds are often constructed of poly foam material covered with a fabric. Pet beds may have both a base and a continuous side wall that is attached to the base forming a soft tray type construction. Other pet beds may only have a base. Some of the current pet beds also include the option of inserting a heating pad between the pad that the animal lays on and the base of the foam tray. However, many pets would prefer to sleep in-close proximity to their human owners, meaning actually sleeping on the pet owner's bed. When this occurs, many times the human owners are forced to sleep in uncomfortable positions to accommodate their pets snuggling activity. This condition can result in a disruption of the pet owner's sleep.
Therefore is a need for a pet bed platform that will allow a pet bed to be placed in close proximity to the top surface of the pet owner's bed and which can be easily put away.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to a dog bed platform and leg comprising: a generally rectangular shaped sheet of material with a rounded end and a squared off end; at least one handle located on the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material, located near an edge of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material; a safety indicator located on a surface of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material near a center of the gravity of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material; a first target located at the rounded end; a second target located at the squared off end; an extendible leg configurable to support an end of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material from the group consisting of the rounded end and the squared off end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood by those skilled in the pertinent art by referencing the accompanying drawings, where like elements are numbered alike in the several figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the disclosed dog bed platform;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the disclosed dog bed platform;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the disclosed extendible leg;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the disclosed platform and leg in use; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of the disclosed platform and leg in a different configuration than shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the disclosed dog bed platform 10. FIG. 2 shows a top view of the disclosed dog bed platform 10 from FIG. 1. The dog bed platform comprises a generally rectangular shaped sheet of material with a rounded end 14, and a squared off end 18. Near the center of gravity of the dog bed platform is a safety indicator 22. The safety indicator 22 may simply be a painted indicator, decal, or engraving showing generally at least a line generally at the center of gravity of the dog bed platform and parallel to the width “W” of the platform 10. In this disclosed embodiment, a line located above and below the line is shown as the safety indicator 22. A plurality of handles 26 is located near the edge of the platform 10. A first target 30 is shown at the rounded end 14, and a second target 34 is shown at the squared off end 18. The targets 30, 34, may be painted onto the platform surface, or may be applied as decals, or engraved onto the platform 10. The platform 10 may be made out of any suitable material, including but not limited to wood, plastic, fiberglass, PVC, and nylon. The platform may have a width of about 20 inches to about 80 inches, and preferably about 39.5 inches. The platform 10 may have a length of about 24 inches to about 96 inches, and preferably about 48 inches. The thickness of the platform may be about ⅛ inch to about ¾ inch.
FIG. 3 shows a front view of a support leg 38. The leg 38 is extendable and retractable. The leg 38 comprises a base 42 and an extendible member 46. There are a plurality of holes 50 on the extendible member 46, and a hole 54 on the base 42. A pin 58 engages the hole 54 and one of the holes 50 to hold the extendible member 46 in place. The leg 38 will be able to change its length from a minimum of about 6 inches to a maximum of about 44 inches, and preferably from a minimum of about 12 inches to a maximum of about 22 inches.
FIG. 4 shows the platform 10 in use with a bed 62. The bed 62 may comprise a mattress 66, box springs 70, and a bed frame 74. The platform 10 slides in between the mattress 66 and bed frame 74. The platform 10 is supported by the support leg 38 such that the platform is oriented horizontal to the ground. A dog bed 78 is shown located on top of the platform 10 next to the bed 62. This dog bed 78 may be a giant dog bed for the giant breeds. The platform 10 is extended out from between the mattress 66 and box springs 70 so that only a small portion of the platform 10 is between the mattress 66 and box spring 70, thus allowing a great deal of surface area on the platform 10 to be useable for dog bed. The actual placement of the leg 38 will vary depending on the size of the dog and the size of the dog bed that will be used on the platform 10. In another embodiment of the disclosed invention, a decal “line” may supplied with the platform 10. The decal line may be attached to the middle of the bed or box spring so that the line divides the bed into an upper half (the upper half corresponding to the “head” of the bed) and a lower half (the lower half corresponding to the “foot” of the bed). Thus when installing the platform, the platform can be centered on the line, as well as the support leg 38. Further, the leg can be placed on that line half way from exposed edge of mattress and edge of dog platform (the edge hanging off the bed). Simply measure or “eyeball” the distance of the platform that is left exposed, divide by 2, and place leg even with the decal line. The dog platform 10 can be used on a twin size bed by turning the platform so that the maximum length would span from the head of the bed to the foot of the bed. Size constraints of the platform would be limited to the dimensions of a twin size bed frame. A platform sized to fit a twin size bed would accommodate a large dog breed. The handles 26 would be used for removal of the platform from under the twin size mattress. The disclosed platform is configurable to be used with a variety of bed sizes, including, but not limited to Twin, Full, Queen, King and California King
FIG. 5 shows the platform 10 orientated so that much more of the platform 10 is between the mattress 66 and box spring 70. Thus a smaller exposed portion of the platform 10 extends out from between the mattress 66 and box spring 70, and hence a smaller dog bed 82, for a medium or small dog may be placed on the smaller portion of the platform.
The targets 30, 34 are used for a guide for setting the platform leg under the platform. A user can simply line up the platform leg 38 underneath one of the targets 30, 34. The safety indicator 22 lets a user know how far he or she can safely extend the platform 10 from out between the mattress 66 and box spring 70. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the rounded end 14 is shown extended from between the mattress 66 and 70, with the squared off end 18 located between the mattress 66 and box spring box spring 70. Of course the user can choose to have the squared off end 18 extending from out between the mattress 66 and 70, with the rounded end 14 located between the mattress 66 and box spring 70.
The advantages of the disclosed pet platform, is that since the platform 10 is flat, it can easily be slid all the way between the mattress 66 and box spring 70, so that the platform is out of view. The leg 38 can be stored under the bed out of view also. The platform 10 can be easily pulled out from between the mattress 66 and box spring 70 due to the handles 26. The platform 10 can be used with a dog bed to prevent a dog, or other pet from sleeping on the user's bed, thus keeping the bedding clean. The platform 10 and leg 38 allows the pet to be generally at the same height as the user when in his or her bed, thus providing comfort to the pet, and/or comfort to the couple who sleep together who differ in their desire for pet proximity, and or comfort to the individual who wishes to sleep near his or her pet. Different sized animals can be easily accommodated by simply sliding the platform to extend more from between the mattress 66 and box spring 70, or the platform can be slid so that less of the platform 10 extends from between the mattress 66 and box spring 70. The platform has both a squared off end and a rounded end, to accommodate different pet bed shapes, and the aesthetic desires of the user.
It should be noted that the terms “first”, “second”, and “third”, and the like may be used herein to modify elements performing similar and/or analogous functions. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated.
While the disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dog bed platform and leg comprising:

a generally rectangular shaped sheet of material with a rounded end and a squared off end;

at least one handle located on the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material, located near an edge of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material;

a safety indicator located on a surface of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material near a center of the gravity of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material;

a first target located at the rounded end;

a second target located at the squared off end;

an extendible leg configurable to support an end of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material from the group consisting of the rounded end and the squared off end.

2. The dog bed platform and leg of claim 1, wherein the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material has a thickness of about ⅛ inch to about ¾ inch.

3. The dog bed platform and leg of claim 1, wherein the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material has a width of about 20 inches to about 80 inches, and a length of about 24 inches to about 96 inches.

4. The dog bed platform and leg of claim 1, wherein the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material has a width of about 39.5 inches, and a length of about 48 inches.

5. The dog bed platform and leg of claim 1, wherein the extendible leg has an extendible length that can vary from about 12 inches to about 22 inches.

6. The dog bed platform and leg of claim 1, wherein the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material can be placed out of sight between a mattress and box spring of a twin sized bed.

7. The dog bed platform and leg of claim 1, wherein the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material is made out of a material selected from the group comprising wood, plastic, fiberglass, PVC, and nylon.

8. The dog bed platform and leg of claim 1, wherein the extendible leg is made generally out of a material selected from the group comprising wood, plastic, fiberglass, PVC, and nylon.

9. The dog bed platform and leg of claim 1, wherein the a safety indicator comprises a line generally at the center of gravity of the dog bed platform and parallel to the width of the generally rectangular shaped sheet of material.