Patent Application
20220378013
Some types of indoor pets, such as rabbits, are trained to use a litter box when relieving themselves of waste. Often, the pet's litter box is kept in a convenient location, such as a room, closet or the like. Further, food for the pet may be left out so that the pet is able to eat (free feed) throughout the day.
In some situations, the pet is placed in an enclosure while the pet owner is away from their home. Often, the pet's litter box and/or food is placed in the enclosure (interchangeably referred to herein as a hutch). However, such enclosures may be difficult to clean, access to replace litter and/or food, and my not be particularly pleasing to look at.
Accordingly, in the arts of pet keeping, there is a need to provide an improved pet enclosure.
Embodiments of the integrated pet enclosure system provide a system and method provides an integrated food storage region and a supply storage region, wherein the integrated pet enclosure system has a cabinet top, a cabinet bottom, a first cabinet end piece, a second cabinet end piece, and a back panel that all cooperatively define the integrated pet enclosure system. The integrated pet enclosure system comprises an entrance interior region; a litter box interior region; and a divider between the entrance interior region and the litter box interior region. The divider includes a hole to permit passage of a pet between the entrance interior region and the litter box interior region.
The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Embodiments of the integrated pet enclosure system 100 provide a visually aesthetic indoor pet enclosure, and in particular, a visually aesthetic indoor pet rabbit enclosure. The integrated pet enclosure system 100 may be suitable for any pet that uses a litter box and, at the preference of the pet owner, needs to be secured in the enclosure while the pet owner is away, at night, or at other times of interest. One skilled in the art appreciates that the integrated pet enclosure system 100 may be used to house any type of house pet. Blankets, pillows, toys or the like may be placed within the entrance interior region 104.
The disclosed systems and methods for an integrated pet enclosure system 100 will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations, however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, a variety of examples for systems and methods for an integrated pet enclosure system 100 are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
The following definitions apply herein, unless otherwise indicated.
“Substantially” means to be more-or-less conforming to the particular dimension, range, shape, concept, or other aspect modified by the term, such that a feature or component need not conform exactly. For example, a “substantially cylindrical” object means that the object resembles a cylinder, but may have one or more deviations from a true cylinder.
“Comprising,” “including,” and “having” (and conjugations thereof) are used interchangeably to mean including but not necessarily limited to, and are open-ended terms not intended to exclude additional, elements or method steps not expressly recited.
Terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group, or the like, and are not intended to denote a serial, chronological, or numerical limitation.
“Coupled” means connected, either permanently or releasably, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components. “Secured to” means directly connected without intervening components.
Returning to
In the example embodiment, the lower end (first edge 108a) of the ramp 108 is hinged-connected to the cabinet bottom 126. When the ramp 108 is oriented vertically, an opening into the integrated pet enclosure system is closed. When the ramp is oriented horizontally or is slanted downwardly, the pet owner can lower the ramp 108 so that the opposing upper end (second edge 108b) of the ramp 108 rests on the floor (see
Non-slip adhesive treads 302 (
In an alternative embodiment, the ramp 108 can be configured as a sliding door 108. Here, the bottom edge of the sliding door 108 is configured as a rail that slides along a corresponding track disposed along the outer edge of the cabinet bottom 126. A corresponding track may be optionally included in the cabinet top 124 that receives a rail at the top of the sliding door 108.
An optional divider 112 separates the entrance interior region 104 from the litter box interior region 106. The hole 114 permits the pet 402 to move freely between the entrance interior region 104 and the litter box interior region 106. An unexpected benefit provided by the divider 112 is to retain the litter from the litter box 602 (
In the example preferred embodiment, a barrier means, such as a plurality of barrier dowels 116, is set along and between the front edges of the cabinet top 124 and cabinet bottom 126. The barrier dowels 116 provide viewing of the pet 402 into an area proximate to the integrated pet enclosure system 100, and facilitate air circulation within the entrance interior region 104. When the ramp 108 is closed with the pet 402 inside the integrated pet enclosure system 100, the pet is restrained within the confines of the integrated pet enclosure system 100, yet is still able to view its outside environment through the barrier dowels 116. Any suitable material may be used for the barrier dowels 116, such as metal, powder coated metal, wood, plastic or the like. The barrier dowels 116 may have any suitable cross sectional shape.
In an example embodiment, the spacing and/or size of the barrier dowels 116 may be designed based upon the particular characteristics of the pet 402. Here, the spacing between the barrier dowels 116 is such that the pet 402 cannot squeeze between two adjacent barrier dowels 116 to make an escape from the integrated pet enclosure system 100. For example, the barrier dowels 116 may be more closely spaced together if the pet is a ferret (as contrasted to a relatively large house rabbit). In some embodiments, the barrier dowels 116 may be removeable for ease of access and to facilitate cleaning.
Any suitable structure can be used (rather than the barrier dowels 116). For example, a sheet of glass, acrylic, plexiglass or the like may be used instead of, or in conjunction with, the barrier dowels 116. Rungs (similar to horizontal oriented dowels) may be used and have any suitable cross sectional shape. In some embodiments, a wire screen, mesh, or the like may be used instead of, or in conjunction with, the barrier dowels 116. In some embodiments, a series of vertical and/or horizontal slits of a predefined width may be cut into a panel to emulate the series of barrier dowels 116. All such barrier means are intended to be within the scope of this disclosure and to be protected by the accompanying claims.
When the pet 104 is inside the integrated pet enclosure system 100, the ramp 108 may be closed (
In the illustrated example embodiment, an inverted L-shaped member 304 (
Optionally, a plurality of vertically aligned food storage dowels 306 (
For example, if the pet 402 is a house rabbit, hay stored in the food storage region 120 can be retailed by the food storage dowels 306 while allowing access to the hay by the house rabbit. A water bottle (not shown) may be optionally suspended from the food storage dowels 306 and/or from the bottom surface of the cabinet top 124. For other types of pets 402, a short sheet of wood, metal, plastic or the like may be secured along the top outer edge of the L-shaped member 304. The sheet of material protrudes upwards so as to retain food bowls and/or water bowls within the food storage region 120. The height of the L-shaped member 304 may be defined so as to position the food storage region 120 at a level that is easily accessed by the pet 402 and/or to provide a suitable storage space for pet supplies.
In an example embodiment, the lower end of the litter box region cover 110 is hinged-connected to the cabinet bottom 126. The pet owner can lower the litter box region cover 110 so that the upper end of the litter box region cover 110 rests on the floor (see
In an alternative embodiment, the litter box region cover 110 can be configured as a sliding door. Here, the bottom edge of the litter box region cover 110 is configured as a rail that slides along a corresponding track disposed along the outer edge of the cabinet bottom 126. A corresponding track may be optionally included in the cabinet top 124 that receives a rail at the top of the litter box region cover 110.
One skilled in the art appreciates that an unassembled integrated pet enclosure system 100 can be conveniently packaged and shipped to a purchasing pet owner. The pet owner may then conveniently assemble the integrated pet enclosure system 100.
In an example embodiment, a plurality of connector dowels 702 may be used to secure various elements to each other. Alternatively, screws, nails, slip joints adhesive or other fastening means may be used.
Optionally, some elements may be provided that are secured together prior to shipment to the purchasing pet owner. For example, but not limited to, the barrier dowels 116 may be arranged as secured between two frame pieces 704. The upper frame piece 704 may then be fit into a recess 706 cut into the cabinet top 124. The lower frame piece 704 may then be fit into a recess 708 in the cabinet bottom 126. The location of the recesses 706, 708 may be predefined so that the ramp 108 and the litter box region cover 110 can be secured in their proper locations on either end of the barrier dowels 116.
In an alternative embodiment, the recesses 706, 708 are configured to slidably receive the ramp 108 using a sliding means 710. The litter box region cover 110 may be similarly configured to slidably open via the recesses 706, 708. In such embodiments, the pet owner may slide the ramp 108 sideways into and along the recesses 706, 708. Here, the pet 402 would not have access to the ramp 108 to avoid the grasp of the pet owner. Similarly, the pet owner may slide the litter box region cover 110 sideways into and along the recesses 706, 708 to access the litter box region cover 110, supply storage region 118, and/or food storage region 120. Sliding the litter box region cover 110 may provide easier and more convenient access to these regions as compared to lowering the litter box region cover 110. Some embodiments may employ a hinge mechanism that allows the ramp 108 and/or the litter box region cover 110 to be lowered and to be slid sideways depending upon the preference of the pet owner.
In the various embodiments, grasping means 134 (
In some embodiments, the entrance interior region 104 may be combined with the litter box interior region 106 by omitting the divider 112. Alternatively, the integrated pet enclosure system 100 size may be increased, and/or plurality of dividers 112 may be used to create multiple regions within the cabinet 102.
Embodiments of the integrated pet enclosure system 100, and components thereof, may be made of any suitable material. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, wood, composite board, particle board, molded plastic, metal, etc.
The embodiment of
For example, the cabinet legs 122 illustrated in
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the integrated pet enclosure system 100 are merely possible examples of implementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by any later filed claims.
Furthermore, the disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower, or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.
This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional application, Ser. No. 63/194,380, filed on May 28, 2021, entitled Systems and Methods For Integrated Pet Enclosure, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63194380 | May 2021 | US |
