The present invention generally pertains to modular furniture and, more particularly, modular furniture creating a living environment for one or more cats.
Environmental needs include a cat's physical surroundings (indoors, outdoors, or both) and social interactions with humans and other pets. Cats often do not express obvious signs of stress, pain, or sickness that we can easily recognize. If the pet's owner is proactive and meets appropriate environmental needs throughout a cat's life, he or she can potentially avoid environmental stressors that can cause unwanted behaviors and even impact medical health.
Nowadays, the needs of cats have changed little from those of their wild ancestor, Felis lybica, the African wildcat. Specifically, cats are solitary hunters, spending much of their day searching the environment for hunting opportunities. They need to protect themselves from perceived dangers, which include unfamiliar individuals or environment. Cats are territorial animals. They feel threatened when their territory is disturbed, either by another animal or physically. Cats use scent, posturing, and vocalizations to communicate their unhappiness if they feel threatened. Cats have a superior sense of smell and hearing. Stress can occur due to strong or strange smells or sounds, which are undetectable or insignificant to us. Cats are social animals, but their social structure differs from ours. Cats may be content as a single cat or living with other cats, preferably related cats such as siblings.
The environment provided for cats, especially in a typical apartment or a house, is limited and very different from cats' natural outdoors and trees habitat. In order to provide an enriching experience which is closer to nature and is more intriguing and challenging for the cat or cats, cat owners typically invest in cat furniture, such as cat condos, scratching posts, water fountains and toys. The cat's furniture then becomes part of the household.
However, typical cat furniture and accessories lack modern design and esthetics. Often, they are not robust enough and do not last long; or, for long-term use, have very limited or no adjustability, have limited functionality, and are lacking in dynamic capabilities.
According to recommendations of veterinarians (see, for example, Sarah L H Ellis e al, AAFP and ISFM Feline Environmental Needs Guidelines, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (2013) 15, 219-230), for a cat, a safe place is a private and secure area, often in a raised location. These features give the cat a sense of enclosure, isolation or seclusion. A safe place is one that a cat can retreat to so that it feels protected. If the cat cannot see a potential threat, it feels safer, even if its whole body is not fully concealed. When a cat is relaxed, a safe place can also function as a resting or sleeping area.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,464 discloses a modular pet furniture comprising one or more vertical columns constructed from a series of interconnected column segments supporting one or more platforms upon which a pet may rest. Tubular column segments are interconnected within mating sockets provided on the platforms as well as on lateral connectors used for interconnecting and mutually supporting adjacent modular columns. Each platform as well as the entire column upon which each platform is supported may be rotated to any desired angle with respect to an adjacent support column to vary the size and configuration of the assembly.
Therefore, there is a long-felt need to provide vertically arranged pieces of cat furniture meeting requirements of cat natural behavior.
It is hence one object of the invention to disclose a furniture connector comprising: (a) first and second articles having at least one first terminal face each; said terminal portion has a blind bore thereon; (b) an intermediate member defined by contralaterally arranged first and second engaging faces; said intermediate member having a first through bore getting through said first and second engaging faces; (c) a dowel insertable into said blind bores of said first and second articles and said first through bore.
It is hence one object of the invention to disclose the terminal face of terminal first article engageable to first face of said intermediate member and second engaging face of said intermediate member is engageable to said terminal face of said second article by means of a plug-socket connectors such that said blind bores of said first and second articles and said first through bore of said intermediate member are coaxially arranged and configured for receiving said dowel in a releasable manner.
Another object of the invention is to disclose at least one of said first and second articles has a second through bore transversely oriented to said blind bore; said dowel has a third through bore at least one terminal of said dowel cooperatively disposed such that, when said dowel is inserted into said blind bore of at least one of said first and second articles, said second and third through bore are arranged coaxially and a stud releasably securable therewithin is insertable.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the third through bore having a middle bore portion and terminal portions adjacent thereto; said terminal portions are tapered such that said stud is frictionally securable in said middle portion of said third trough bore.
A further object of the invention is to disclose at least one of said plug-socket connectors comprising a pair of surfaces facing each other; at least one of said surfaces has at least one pin projecting therefrom and releasably insertable into at least one hole on a facing surface.
A further object of the invention is to disclose at least one of said first and second articles having an axisymmetrical body.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the axisymmetrical body having a middle portion and terminal portions adjacent thereto. The axisymmetrical body gradually grows in diameter thereof from said middle portion to said terminal portion.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a side surface of said axisymmetrical body which is coiled with a rope.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a rope fastener that holds the rope end with a ring and a screw that penetrates the rope.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the said axisymmetrical body having at least one fourth through bore having a middle bore portion and terminal portions adjacent thereto; said terminal portions are tapered. At least one terminal of said rope is inserted into said at least one forth through bore such that said rope is frictionally securable in said middle portion of said forth though bore.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the dowel threadly insertable into said blind bores of said first and second articles and said first through bore.
A further object of the invention is to disclose at least one of said plug-socket connectors which is threaded.
A further object of the invention is to disclose at least one of first and second articles having a second terminal face placeable on or securable to a surface of interest.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the surface of interest selected from the group consisting of a floor, a wall, a ceiling and any combination.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a kit for assembling a piece of furniture or at least a part thereof. The foresaid kit comprises: (a) a plurality of furniture connectors assemblable into vertically mountable furniture assembly units; each furniture connector of said assembly unit further comprising: (i) first and second articles having at least one terminal face each; said terminal portion has a blind bore thereon; (ii) an intermediate member defined by contralaterally arranged first and second engaging faces; said intermediate member having a first through bore getting through said first and second engaging faces; (iii) a dowel insertable into said blind bores of said first and second articles and said first through bores; said terminal face of terminal first article is engageable to first face of said intermediate member and second engaging face of said intermediate member is engageable to said terminal face of said second article by means of a plug-socket connectors such that said blind bores of said first and second articles and said first through bore of said intermediate member are coaxially arranged and configured for receiving said dowel in a releasable manner; and (b) at least one linking member configured for interconnecting said vertically mountable assembly units.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a kit for assembling a piece of furniture or at least a part thereof. The aforesaid kit comprises: (a) a plurality of furniture connectors assemblable into mountable furniture assembly units; each furniture connector of said assembly unit further comprising: (i) first and second articles having at least one terminal face each; said terminal portion has a blind bore thereon; (ii) an intermediate member defined by contralaterally arranged first and second engaging faces; said intermediate member having a first through bore getting through said first and second engaging faces; (iii) a dowel insertable into said blind bores of said first and second articles and said first through bores; said terminal face of terminal first article is engageable to first face of said intermediate member and second engaging face of said intermediate member is engageable to said terminal face of said second article by means of a plug-socket connectors such that said blind bores of said first and second articles and said first through bore of said intermediate member are coaxially arranged and configured for receiving said dowel in a releasable manner; at least one of said first and second articles has a second through bore transversely oriented to said blind bore; said dowel has a third through bore at at least one terminal of said dowel cooperatively disposed such that, when said dowel is inserted into said blind bore of at least one of said first and second articles, said second and third through bore are arranged coaxially and a stud releasably securable therewithin is insertable; and (b) at least one linking member configured for interconnecting said vertically mountable assembly units.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a computer-implemented device for monitoring behavior of at least one habitant. The aforesaid system comprises: (a) a sensor arrangement further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of a touch pad, a microphone, a camera, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, a laser rangefinder, a CO2 sensor, an RFID antenna, a gyroscopic sensor, a pressure sensor, an illumination sensor, a heart-beat rate sensor and any combination thereof; (b) a processor; (c) at least one user unit further comprising a user interface; (d) a memory unit/server storing instructions to said processor to perform: (i) sensing data relating to behavior of at least one habitant; (ii) accumulating said data within said memory unit; (iii) recognizing a typical behavior pattern of said habitant; (iv) correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern; (v) sending a report relating to abnormal behavior of said habitant to said at least one user device.
Performing said instructions of recognizing a typical behavior pattern of said habitant and correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern comprises applying a convolutional neural network algorithm to said accumulated data.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the sensor arrangement, processor, at least one user unit and memory unit which are interconnected with each other by means of a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of: a wire connection, BlueTooth, Wi-Fi, broad band internet, an optical fiber and any combination thereof.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a computer-implemented method of monitoring behavior of at least habitant. The aforesaid method comprises steps of: (a) providing a device for monitoring behavior of at least one habitant further comprising: (i) a sensor arrangement further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of a touch pad, a microphone, a camera, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, an blood oxygen sensor, laser distance meters, a CO2 sensor, an RFID antenna, a scale, a gyroscopic sensor, a pressure sensor, a illumination sensor, a heart-beat rate sensor and any combination thereof; (ii) a processor; (iii) at least one user unit further comprising a user interface; (iv) a memory unit storing instructions to said processor; (b) sensing data relating to behavior of at least one habitant; (c) accumulating said data within said memory unit; (d) recognizing a typical behavior pattern of said at least one habitant; (e) correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern; (f) sending a report relating to abnormal behavior of said at least habitant to said at least one user device; performing said instructions of recognizing a typical behavior pattern of said at least one habitant and correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern comprises applying a convolutional neural network algorithm to said accumulated data.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a cloud-based computer-implemented system for monitoring habitant behavior. The aforesaid system comprises: (a) a plurality of devices for monitoring behavior of at least habitant; each said system further comprising (i) a sensor arrangement further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of touch pad, a microphone, a camera, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, an blood oxygen sensor, laser ranfinder, a CO2 sensor, an RFID antenna, a scale, a gyroscopic sensor, a pressure sensor, an illumination sensor, a heart-beat rate sensor and any combination thereof; (ii) a processor; (iii) at least one user unit further comprising a user interface; (iv) a memory unit storing instructions to said processor to perform: (1) sensing data relating to behavior of at least habitant; (2) accumulating said data within said memory unit; (b) cloud-based software means configured for: (i) interrogating said data accumulated in said memory units of said plurality of said systems for monitoring behavior of habitant; (ii) recognizing a typical habitant pattern; (iii) correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern; (iv) sending a report relating to abnormal behavior of said habitant to said at least one user device belonging to said at least one user device belonging to a corresponding system for monitoring behavior of habitant; performing said instructions of recognizing a typical behavior pattern and correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern comprises applying a convolutional neural network algorithm to said accumulated data.
A further object of the invention is to disclose the sensor arrangement, processor, at least one user unit, memory unit and cloud-based software means which are interconnected with each other by means of a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of: a wire connection, BlueTooth, Wi-Fi, broad band internet and any combination thereof.
A further object of the invention is to disclose a method of monitoring habitant behavior. The aforesaid method comprises steps of: (a) providing a cloud-based computer-implemented system for monitoring habitant behavior; said system comprising: (i) a plurality of devices for monitoring behavior of habitant; each said system further comprising a sensor arrangement further comprising a sensor selected from the group consisting of touch pad, a microphone, a camera, a motion sensor, a temperature sensor, a blood oxygen sensor, a laser rangefinder, a CO2 sensor, an RFID antenna, a scale, a gyroscopic sensor, a pressure sensor, an illumination sensor, a heart-beat rate sensor and any combination; (ii) a processor; (iii) at least one user unit further comprising a user interface; (iv) a memory unit; (b) cloud-based software means configured for: (i) interrogating said data accumulated in said memory units of said plurality of said systems for monitoring behavior of habitant; (ii) recognizing a typical behavior pattern; (iii) correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern; (iv) sending a report relating to abnormal behavior of said habitant to said at least one user device belonging to said at least one user device belonging to a corresponding system for monitoring behavior habitant; (b) sensing data relating to behavior of habitant by each of said plurality of said devices; (c) accumulating said data within said memory unit; (d) interrogating said data accumulated in said memory units of said plurality of said systems for monitoring behavior of habitant; (e) recognizing a typical habitant behavior pattern; (f) correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern; (g) sending a report relating to abnormal behavior of said habitant to said at least one user device belonging to said at least one user device belonging to a corresponding system for monitoring behavior of habitant; performing said instructions of recognizing a typical behavior pattern and correlating currently sensed data with said typical behavior pattern comprises applying a convolutional neural network algorithm to said accumulated data.
In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be implemented in practice, a plurality of embodiments is adapted to now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
The following description is provided, so as to enable any person skilled in the art to make use of said invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out this invention. Various modifications, however, are adapted to remain apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined specifically to provide a furniture connector and a kit for assembling a piece of furniture.
The term “habitant” hereinafter refers to any climbing animal.
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Face 33a of first terminal article 3a is engageable to first face 57a of intermediate member 5. Second engaging face 57b of intermediate member 5 is engageable to terminal face 33b of second article 3b. Male portions 37 belonging to first and second articles 3a and 3b are inserted into female portions 53 of intermediate member 3 and form a plug-socket connection. Blind bores 35 of first and second articles 3a and 3b and first through bore 55 of intermediate member 5 are coaxially arranged and configured for receiving dowel 7 in a releasable manner.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the articles have axisymmetrical body 51 as shown, for example, in
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Specifically, male thread 75 is screwed into female thread 39. Similar to the previous embodiments, dowel 7 interconnects blind bores of within articles 71 via through bore within intermediate member 352.
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Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IL2023/050368 | 4/4/2023 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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63327395 | Apr 2022 | US |