Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MAGNETICALLY ATTACHABLE BEDDING FOR AN ANIMAL HOUSE
BACKGROUND OF THE XNVENTIOl'+T
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a magnetically attachable bedding and more
specifically to a
magnetically attachable pillow for an animal housing.
Back round of the Invention
Pillows are often placed on bedding. Drawbacks to the typical pillows include
unwanted
movement of the pillow in relation to the bedding. For instance, pillows may
be used in bedding
for animals. Animals are not typically statioriary in the bedding, and the
movement of such animals
may facilitate movement of the pillow. Such movement of the pillow may be
unwanted by the
anirnal owner. In some instances, such pillow and bedding are disposed in a
housing for an animal
such as a cage. In such instances, drawbacks to such unwanted movexnent of the
pillow include
blocking of entry into the cage by the pillow.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved anethod for preventing -uriwanted
niovexnent of a
pillow. Further needs include improved bedding.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SON.IE OF THE PREFERRED EM$ODIMENTS
These and other needs in the art are addressed by an aniinal housing. The
animal housing
includes a top and a plurality of sides. The plurality of sides provide
support to the top. The aninnal
housing fiuther includes a bedding. The bedding includes a cushion, a pillow,
a magnet, and a
magnetically attractive xnaterial. Magnetism of the magnet attracting the
magnet to the
magnetically attractive material secures the pillow to the cushion.
In another embodiment, these and other needs in the axt are addressed by a
nrethod for
providing bedding for an animal housing. The method includes providing an
animal housing. The
axdxxial housing includes a top and a plurality of sides. The plurality of
sides provides support to the
top. In addition, the method includes providing a cushion and a pillow. The
method fiuther
includes securing the pillow to the cushion by magnetic attraction to provide
the bedding. The
method also includes disposing the bedding on the top or inside the animal
housing.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical
advantages of the
present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that
follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages of the inveFition will be
desciibed hereinafter that
form the subject of the claims of the invent.ion. It should be appreciated by
those skilled in the art
that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily
utilized as a basis for
modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of
the present invention.
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It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent
constructions do not depart
from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended
claims.
.SRTEF DESC1tT1'TYON OF THE DRAWINGS
For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention,
reference will noyv
be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates an arii..nxal housing;
Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of Figure 1 with the top at an open
position;
Figure 3 illustrates an animal housing with a ramp;
Figure 4 illustrates an anirnal housing with a cushion;
Figure 5 illustrates a eushion;
Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of a pillow magnetically secured to the
cushion;
Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a pillow magnetically secured to the
cushion; -
Figure 8 illustrates another embodiment of a pillow magnetically secured to
the cushion;
Figure 9 illustrates a racxap;
Tigure 10 illustrates a cross-sectio3nal side view of the ramp of Figure 9;
Figure 11 illustrates a mat;
Figure 12 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the mat of Figure 11;
Figure 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bedding;
Figure 14 illustrates a back side of the animal housing with a rack means;
Figure 15 illustrates a detachable grate;
Figure 16 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a guide;
Figure 17 illustrates a front view of an anirnal housing showing a front and
top side and
having a cage and an outer covering;
Figure 18(a) illustrates an embodiment of a side of the outer covering;
Figure 18(b) illustrates an embodiment of a side of the outer covering;
Figure 19 illustrates an eraabod7ixxaent showing a cage and an outer covering
with the top side
of the outer covering removed;
Figure 20 illustrates an aninzal housing comprising a cage;
Figu.re 21 illustrates an embodiment of the aniznal housing of Figure 17 with
a door in an
open position;
Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment of the animal housing having a base and a
grate;
Figure 23 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a base;
Figure 24 illustrates a top view of an altemate configuration of an embodiment
of a base;
Figure 25 illustrates a cross sectional side view of the animal housing having
a base and a
cage;
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Figure 26 illustrates a side having a grate; and
Figure 27 illustrates securing a pillow to a wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PItEFERRED EMBODIlVIEENTS
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of animal housing 5 having a top 10, a
front side 12, a
back side 14, and side walls 16, 18. Animal housing 5 may also contain a floor
20_ Front side 12
has an opening 22. Opening 22 may be of any desirable size. lti aix
enabodiment, opening 22 is of a
size suitable for a desired animal to pass therethrough_ Anirnal housing 5
also has openings 24, 26
disposed in the side walls 16, 18_ Without being limited by theory, openings
24, 26 may improve
ventilation in atjimal housing S. Each side wall may have one or more than one
opening. In.
alternative erabodiments (not illustrated), at least one side wall lnay not
have an opening. It is to be
understood that openings in side walls may be of any desired shape and size.
Front side 12 also has
a lip 28. .ln some embodiments, a lip section (not illustrated) may also be
attached to top 10.
Without limitat.ion, such a lip section may serve as a restraining rneans to
stabilize and keep a
bedding stationary when an animal is resting thereupon. lti etnbod,ix.nents,
side walls 16, 18 provide
physical suppot-t to top 10. It is to be understood that aninial housing 5 is
not limited to side walls
16, 18 but may instead include any number of sides (e.g., a plurality of side
walls) depending, for
instance, on the desired configuration. An animal housing is disclosed in U.S.
Patent Application
Serial No. 11/459,868, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
It is to be understood that side walls 16, 18 may have one or more than one
opening,
respectively, and that side walls 16, 18 are shown in Figure 1 with each side
wall 16, 18 having one
opening each (openings 24, 26) for illustration purposes only. It is also to
be understood that back
side 14 may have no sucli openings or one or xiiore such openings. In an
alternative embodiment,
one or iTxore of the sides iiAay have no such openings. Openings in side walls
16, 18 and back side
14 may have any shape, configuration, and size suitable for allowing
ventilation and visibility into
and out of animal housing 5. For instance, such openings may have the shape of
characters such as
animals, cartoon figures, toys, lettering, numbering, symbols, and the like.
Without limitation,
exainples of anirnal shapes include dogs, cats, and the like. In addition,
without lirnitation,
exaznples of cartoon #"fgures include NIICKEY MOUSE (which is a mark owned by
Disney
Enterprises, Inc.), SUPERMAN (which is a mark owned by DC Comics Warner
Communications
Inc.), and the like. Examples of toys inciude, without lirnitation, trucks,
cars, airplanes, and the
like. The character shape operungs may be applied to the sides by any suitable
process such as by a
cutting apparatus, press, or the like.
Animal housing 5 may be composed of any material suitable for the uses of
animal housing
5. For instance, animal housing 5 may include wood, mesh, wire, plastic,
metal, and the like. In
such an embodiment, back side 14 and/or side walls 16 and 18 may comprise
wire, mesh, netting,
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weaving, and the like, preferably wire or mesh, and more preferably wire or
wire-like material.
Moreover, back side 14 and/or side walls 16 and 18 may be composed of any
porous material
suitable for use as a side in an anirn.al cage (e.g., porous metal or plastic
siding). In an embodimeat,
back side 14 and/or side walls 16 and 18 are composed of a plastic, wood,
metal, or the like wire or
wire-like rnaterial, One or more of side walls 16 and 18 (preferably both side
walls 16, 18) may be
composed of such materials. In an ein.bodiunent (not illustrated), an outer
covering may be disposed
on the outside and/or inside surface of one or more of any side (e.g., front
side 12, back side 14,
side walls 16 and 18, top 10, floor 20), preferably an outer covering is
disposed on the outside
surface. In some eirnbodiments, an outer covering is disposed on the outside
surface of side walls
16 and 18, back side 14 and/or top 10. The outer covering may cover any
desired porlion of a side.
In addition, the outer covering may comprise any suitable covering for use
with animals. For
instance, the outer covering may be composed of natural or synthetic woods,
veneers, vinyl, a
weaving, plastic, ceramic, and the like. The weaving may include wicker,
vinyl, and any other
weavable material suitable for use witli auiinal housing 5. In an embodiment,
top 10 and/or front
side 12 may also be composed of such plurality of openings and/or
alternatively may also include
such an outer covering. In alternative embodiments, at least oxte side and/or
wall of animal housing
5 comprises a substantially solid material.
Figure 2 shows animal housing 5 with top 10 extended in an upward position. As
shown, a
bar 30 extends across front side 12. .Iu an embodiment, bar 30 may provide
support to top 10.
Hinges 32 and 34 attach top 10 to back side 14 and allow top 10 to open and
close as desired.
Attached to the inside surface of top 10 side is a rack member 36 for holding
a ramp member when
sucli ram.p member is not in use. Rack member 36 may have any suitable shape
(e.g., an L-shape)
that fits with the shape of a rectangular ramp membcr. In an embodiment, rack
member 36 is a
groove with a generally u-shape in which the ramp member is placed. When the
raTp member is
placed in rack member 36, a latch 38 secures the ramp in rack meinber 36_
Figure 3 shows a configuration of animal housing 5 with a detachable ramp 40
engaged at
one side. In this configuration, an animal may climb to top 10 of animal
housing 5. Depending on
the height of animal housing 5, the length of ramp 40 may vary such that the
inclination angle
formed by the engagement of ramp 40 to animal housing 5 is not too steep for
the animal to safely
climb.
Figure 4 shows animal housing 5 with a bedding 42 positioned on top 10.
Bedding 42 may
be composed of any suitable rnaterials on which an animal may be disposed such
as a cushion,
mattress, pillow and the like. Figure 13 shows a cross-section of an
embodiment of bedding 42_
Bedding 42 may have any desirable shape suitable for use with animal housing
5. Bedding
42 may comprise any soft material suitable for an animal to be disposed
thereupon. WithouL
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limitation, examples of such materials of which bedding 42 may be composed
include wool, hair,
feathers, polyester staple fiber, foam, paper, or combinations thereof. The
foam may comprise any
suitable foam for use with an aniinal. In an exn.bodiment, the foam includes
memory foam. It is to
be understood that memory foam refers to visco-elastic polyurethane foam.
Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of bedding 42 having a cushion 450 disposed
within a
cover 400. Cover 400 may be composed of any suitable material for use with a
cuslaioia 450.
Without limitation, examples of suitable materials for cover 400 include
cloth, linen, plastic, or
combination thereof Cover 400 may be openable and closeable and includes a
closing means for
closing cover 400. The closing means .inay include any closing means' suitable
for closing an
opening in cover 400. Without l7ixnitat.ion, examples of suitable closing
means include buttons,
zippers, VELCRO, and the like. VELCRO is a hook and loop type fastener that is
commercially
available from Velcro Industries N.V. As shown in Figure 5, cover 400 includes
the closing means
comprising a zipper 405. Any type of zipper suitable for closing an opening in
cover 400 may be
used. It is to be understood that Figure 5 illustraEes cover 400 with an open
portion 410 and a
closed por[ion 415. In sucli an embodiment, zipper 405 may be nioved to close
open portion 410.
Tt is to be fii-ther understood that zipper 405 may be moved to open or close
m.ore of cover 400 than
shown in Figure 5. ln some embodiments (not illustrated), cover 400 has more
one or more zippers
405 and(or one or more other closing means (e.g., VELCRO). In addition,
closing means (e.g.,
zipper 405) is not limited to extending along the length of cushion 450, but
instead may cover a
portion of the length of cushion 450. In some embodiments (not illustrated),
one or more closing
means may extend at an angle or angles to a horizonta.l plane intersecting
cushion 450. In an
em.bodiment, cover 400 inay be sufficiently openable to provide an open
portion 410 that allows
access to the .interior of cover 400. For iiastance, zipper 405 may be moved
to provide an open
portion 410 of cover 400 that allows a user access to the interior of cover
400.
Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment in which bedding 42 includes a pillow 425
secured to
cushion 450. As illustrated in Figure 6, pillow 425 has magnets 420. In an
embodiment, magnets
420 are permanent magnets. In other embodiments (not illustrated), pillow 420
has one magnet 420
or more than two magnets 420. In an embodiment as shown in Figure 6,
magnetically attractive
material 430 is disposed within cover 400 and secured to magnets 420 by
magnetic force.
Perma.nent magnets 420 of any strength xnay be selected. In some embodiments,
permanent
rnagiiets 420 are selected to sufficiently secure pillow 425 to cushion 450.
Magnetically attractive
material 430 may include any material that attracts a magnetic force. Without
limitation, examples
of suitable magnetically attractive material includes a magnet, iron, steel,
and the like. Magnets 420
may be secured to pillow 425 by any suitable means. For instance, such means
may include gluing
magnets 420 to pillow 425, sewing magnets 420 to pillow 425, and the like. In
some embodiments,
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magnets 420 may be embedded in a pillow cover or secured to a pillow cover in
which pillow 425
is disposed.
In an embodiment as shown in Figure 6, pillow 425 is secured io cushion 450.
In such an
embodiment, to accomplish securing pillow 425 to cushion 450, zipper 405 is
moved to provide an
open portion 410 of sufficient size to allow access to the interior of cover
400. Magnetically
attractive material 430 may then be placed into the interior of cover 400.
Magnets 420 attract
magnetically attractive materia1430 and secure pillow 425 to cusbion 450.
Without being limited
by theory, pillow 425 may be secured at any desired location on cushion 450.
In an altertxative
embodiment, magnetically attractive material 430 is attached to the interior
of cover 400 by any
suitable method such as by glue, sewn to cover 400, and the like. In such an
alternative
cmbodiment, at least a portion of the magnetically attractive materials 430
are secured to cover 400
a similar distance apart as magnets 420. In addition, in such an alternative
embodiment, pillow 425
may be placed on cushion 450 and secured to cushi.on 450 when magnets 420
attract magnetically
attractive material 430.
Figure 7 illustrates an embodirnetit in whicli bedding 42 includes a
znagnetically attractive
material 430 securecl to pillow 425. Magnetically attractive materia1430 may
be secured to pillow
425 by any suitable means, For instance, such means may include gluing
magnetically attractive
material 430 to pillow 425, sewing magnetically attractive material 430 to
pillow 425, and the like.
In some embodiments, magnetically attractive material 430 may be embedded in a
pillow cover or
secured to a pillow cover in which pillow 425 is disposed.
in an embodiment as slaown in Figure 7, pillow 425 is secured to cuskxion 450.
In such an
embodiment, zipper 405 is moved to provide an open portion 410 of sufficient
size to allow access
to the interior of cover 400. Magnets 420 iiiay then be placed into the
interior of cover 400.
Magnets 420 attract magnetically attractive xnateria1430 and secure pillow 425
to cushion 450. In
an alternative embodiment, magnets 420 are attached to the interior of cover
400 by any suitable
method such as by glue, sewn to cover 400, and the like. In such an
alternative embodiment, at
least a portion of magnets 420 are secured to cover 400 a similar distance
apart as magnetically
attractive material 430. In addition, in such an alternative embodiment,
pillow 425 may be placed
on cushion 450 and secured to cushion 450 when magnets 420 attract
magnetically attractive
materia1430.
Figure 8 illustrates an embodinient of bedding 42 in which cushion 450 is not
disposed
within cover 410. As illustrated in Figure 8, magnetically attractive material
430 are secured to
cushion 450. Magnetically attractive material 430 may be secured to cushion
450 by any suitable
method. For instance, magnetically attractive material 430 may be secured to
cushion 450 by glue,
sewn to cushion 450, arnd the like. Magnets 420 are secured to pillow 425.
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As shown in Figure 8, pillow 425 is secured to cushion 450. In such an
embodiment,
magnets 420 attract magnctically attractive material 430 and secure pillow 425
to cushion 450. In
an embodiment (not illustrated), pillow 425 may be disposed within a cover
(e.g., a pillow cover).
In such an embodiment, pillow 425 may be placed over the area of cushion 450
in which.
magnetically attractive materia1430 is disposed_ Further, tnagnets 420 are
placed in the cover (e.g.,
pillow cover) and magnetically attracted to magn:eti.cally attractive material
430, thereby securi.ng
pillow 425 to cushi.on 450. In an alternative embodiment (not illtist.rated),
magnetfi 420 are secured
to cushion. 450 and magnetically attractive material 430 is attached to pillow
425. In another
alternative embodiment (not illustrated), pillow 425 is disposed within a
cover (e.g., pillow cover).
In such another alternative embodiment, magnetically attractive material 430
is placed within the
cover (e.g., pillow cover) and magnets 420 are magnetically attracted thereto,
thereby securing
pillow 425 to cushion 450.
It is to be understood that embodiments of bedding 42 having cushion 450 and
pillow 425
are not limited to disposition in ani.mal housing 5 and/or on top 10 but
instead may be used reinote
from animal housing 5. For instance, such bedding 42 may be used witli huunans
or otlier anunals.
As an example, bedding 42 anay be used with a couch, a human bed, and the
like.
In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), at least one magnet is secured
to a pillow. In
addition, magnetically attractive material may be attached to an object such
as a wall, fulniture, and
the like. The magnetically attractive material may be attached to the wall by
glue, screws, or any
other suitable method. In sorne embodiments, the magnetically attractive
material may be
embedded in the object (e.g., embedded in the wall). The paagnetically
attractive material is
secured to the object a desired distance above top 10. Aturnal housing 5 may
be disposed against or
near the object. The pillow may be disposed on top 10 of anin-ial housing 5
with the at least one
magnet in contact with the magnetically attractive material to secure the
pillow to the wall. For
instance, as shown in Figure 27, magnetically attractive material 305 are
secured to wall 300.
Axjimal housing 5 is disposed against or near wall 300. A pillow (not
illustrated) may then be
disposed on top 10. At least one magnet in the pillow is secured to at least
one of the magnetically
attractive rnaterial 305 to secure the pillow to wall 300. It is to be
understood that in alternative
embodiments the pillow may include magnetically attractive material and
magnets may be secured
to the object.
Figure 9 shows a front view of ramp member 40. A fiber-type material 44 (e.g.,
cloth or
carpet material) is attached thereto_ Tn an embodiment, fiber-type material 44
increases the friction
of ramp member 40 such that an animal may have improved traction as the animal
climbs ramp
member 40 to top 10. Figure 10 shows a side cross-sectional view of ramp
member 40. Ramp
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member 40 contains a lip 46 that engages an edge of top 10 securing ramp
member 40 to animal
housing 5.
Figure 11 shows a view of a floor 20 of animal housing 5 on which mat material
48 is
disposed. Mat material 48 may be an elastic or rubber type of material or
other type of water-proof
rnaterial. Mat material 48 extends up the side walls of anixnal housing 5
thereby covering
substantially all or a portion of floor 20. Without being lirxrited by theory,
mat material 48 provides
a way to easily clean animal housing 5. In an exnboditnent, mat material 48 is
removeable from
animal housing 5.
Figure 12 shows the cross-section of mat material 48. Edge 50 of mat material
48 has a lip
shape that prevents substances from escaping the mat material 48 surface. Mat
material 48 may
also havc a ridgcd surface similar to Figure 13 for channeling liquid. lz.i
alternative embodiments,
animal housing 5 may comprise mat material 48 and/or a thermoelectric cushion
(not illustrated).
In an embodiment, the therxnoelectric cushion is disposed on mat material 48.
In some
embodiments, animal housing 5 comprises more than one thermoelectric cushion.
The
thermoelectric cushion may comprise any desired shape aiid size. For instance,
the thermoelectric
cushion may be suitable as an animal bed. The therfnoelectric cushion may
provide heating and/or
cooling functions. Without limitation, a commercial exarnple of a
thermoelectric cushion is the
THERMOELECTRIC COOLER & PET BED, which is a thermoelectric bed commercially
available from Laurina Company Limited. In alternative ernbodi.rnents, a
thermoelectric cushion
maybe disposed on top 10.
Figure 14 shows back side 14 of animal housing 5. Attached to back side 14 is
a storage
rack 52 similar to rack member 36. Without liinutatiozt, storage imck 52 inay
hold grate 54, which is
shown in Figure 15. Storage rack 52 has a general shape that niatches the
shape of grate 54. Figure
16 shows a cross-section of storage rack 52. Storage rack 52 has two sides 56
and 58 and a base 60.
The two sides 56, 58 are perpendicularly attached to the base 60. 4ne side is
also attached to the
back side 14. When grate 54 is not in use, grate 54 may be slid into storage
rack 52. Grate 54 may
be disposed in front opening 22. Grate 54 may have different designs and may
also be composed of
screen material. In other embodiments, any suitable nxaterial (e.g., plastic)
may be disposed in front
opening 22 in place of or in addition to grate 54. It is to be understood that
a grate refers to a
framework of parallel or latticed bars that may be suitable for bloclcing an.
opening.
In an embodiment, animal housing 5 coniprises a cage and/or an outer covering
on top side
10, back side 14, front side 12, and sides 16, 18 of the cage (e.g., on all
sides of the cage). In an
alternative embodiment, animal housing 5 also comprises an outer covering on
bottom side (e.g.,
floor 20). Figure 17 illustrates a front view of such an embodiment showing
front side 12 and top
10. In such an embodiment, anirnal housing 5 comprises a cage 100 and an outer
covering 105.
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Cage 100 may comprise any suitable rnaterial for containing an animal. For
instance, cage 100 may
comprise metal, wood, plas#ic, ceramic, and the like. The sides of cage 100
rnay be attached by any
suitablc mcans. In an embodiment, top side 10 has a door 115 that is inovably
openable and
closable. Door 115 comprises a latching meehandsm 120 by which door 115 may be
secured to top
side 10 and substantially prevented from movement. Latching mechanism 120 may
comprise any
suitable mechanism for opening and closing door 115 and also suitable for
securing door 115
against movement relative to top side 10. It is to be understood that Figure
17 shows door 115 in a
closed position. Figure 21 ilhlstrates an embodiment in wbich door 115 is in
an open position. As
shown in Figure 17, outer covering 105 on front side 12 has opening 125 by
which cage 100 is
exposed therethrough. In an embodiznent, at least one side of outer covering
105 has an opening;
altematively front sidc 12, sides 16, 18, and back side 14 of outer covering
105 has such openings;
and alternatively alI sides of outer covering 105 have an opening. Figures
18(a) and 18(b) show
embodiments of sides of outer covering 105 having different opening
configurations. For instance,
Figure 18(a) illustrates outer covering 105 having opening 125 iherelhrough.
Outer covering 105
having such opening 125 may be suitable as side 16, side 18, and/or back side
14. It is to be
understood that outer covering 105 may have more than one opening 125. Opening
125 may have
any desirable shape and size. Figure 18(b) illustrates an embodiment of front
side 12 having outer
covering 105 with opening 125. In such an embodiment, opening 125 may be of
sufficient size to
allow a desirable animal to pass therethrough. Further referring to Figure 17,
in an alternative
embodiment, front side 12 of cage 100 may be movably attached to side 16 or 18
of cage 100. In
such an embodiment, front side 12 of cage 100 may be sufficiently movable to
allow a desirable
animal to pass tlu-ough opening 125 in front side 12. In such an alternative
ernbodiment, front side
12 of cage 100 may also be sufficiently closable to prevent the desirable
animal from passing
through capening 125 in front side 12. In an alternative embodiment (not
illustrated), another side is
openable to allow a desirable animal to pass through an opening 125 therein
into multiple
functional animal furniture piece 5. In such an altenzative embodiment, top
side 10 may or may xiot
be openable.
It is to be understood that outer covering 105 may be secured to cage 100 or
not secured to
cage 100. In an embodirrtent in which outer covering 105 is secured to cage
100, outer covering
105 may be secured by any suitable method. For instance, outer covering 105
may be secured to
cage 100 by one or more grooves in outer covering 105_ As an example, portions
of cage 100 may
be suitably secured into a groove disposed in outer covering 105.
Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment of Figure 17 with outer covering 105 of
top 10
removed to expose top 10 of cage 100 for illustration purposes. As shown, door
115. has latching
mechanism 120.
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The sides of outer covering 105 may be attached by any suitable method. For
instance, the
sides may be connected by magnets, glue, hooks, and the like. In an
embodiment, the sides are
connected by magnets. Each side of outer covering 105 may have any number of
magnets suitable
to sufficiently secure one such side to another such side (e.g., by magnetic
attraction to another
side). The magnets may be secured to the exterior of the outer covering 105
(e.g., by glue) and/or
may be embedded in the outer covering 105. It is to be understood that each
side of outer covering
105 may be separated from another side by applying sufficient force to
overcome the force of the
magnet. Thereby, one or more side;s of outer covering 105 may be removed to
expose cage 100. In
an alternative embodiment, magnets disposed on the outer covering 105 may also
be used to secure
outer covering 105 to cage 100. kor instance, Figure 21 illustrates an
embodiment in which
magnets 130 on outer covering 105 of door 115 secure such outer covering 105
of door 115 to the
cage portion 100 of door 115.
It is to be understood that sides 12, 14, 16, and 18 are for illustration and
explanatory
purposes and embodiments described for one of such part.icular sides inay be
suitable for one or
more other of such sides.
Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment in which animal housing 5 coznprises a
base 500 and
an outer covering 510. Anirnal housing 5 may optionally comprise a cage 100
(not illustrated).
Base 500 comprises any material suitable for use with an animal cage. Without
limitation,
examples of suitable materials include plastic, ceraxnic, stainless steel, and
the like. Preferable
materials include plastic. Base 500 preferably comprises a similar
configuration to that of outer
covering 510. In addition, base 500 has a width and length suitable for outer
covering 510 to be
disposed inside of base 500. Preferably, outer coverhig 510 is disposed within
sufficient proximity
to base 500 for wagnets 515 disposed within base 500 and/or outer covering 510
to provide a
desirable stability (e.g., lateral and vertical stability) to outer eovering
510. Base 500 may comprise
any height suitable for providing strength and integrity to outer covering
510. In an embodiment,
the height of base 500 is less than the height of outer covering 510.
As shown in Figure 22, outer covering 510 comprises magnets 515. In
alternative
embodiments (not illustrated), base 500 and/or outer covering 510 comprise
magnets 515. Magnets
515 may be attached to base 500 and/or outer covering 510 and/or may be
embedded in base 500
and/or outer covering 510. In such an embodiment, animal housing 5 may
comprise any desired
number and type of inagnets. In an eznboditnent (not illustrated), magnets 515
are disposcd in base
500. Tn such an embodiment, magnetically attractive material may be attached
to outer covering
510 in sufficient locations that when outer covering 510 is placed in base
500, the magnets 515
secure outer covering 510 to base 500. The magnetically attractive material
may be attached to
outer covering 510 by any suitable means such as by glue. For instance, the
magnetically attractive
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material may be disposed in locations on outer covering 510 that correspond to
locations on base
500. The magnets 515 also may serve to latcrally and vertically secure cage
100.
As further shown in Figure 22, animal housing 5 may also compxise a grate 520.
Grate 520
comprises any suitable grate-like sbape and configuratioza. Without
limitation, grate 520 coxnpi-ises
openings of a sufficient diameter to allow animal waste to fall through grate
520. In another
embodiment, a pan (not illustrated) is disposed beneath grate 520. The pan may
be comprised of
any suitable material. Without being linlited by theory, animal waste that
falls through grate 520 is
captured by the pan. Grate 520 a-nd the pan are slidably insertable into base
500. Grate 520 and the
pan may be inserted and removed from base 500 in the directions as illustrated
by arrow 525. In an
embodiment (not illustrated), grate 520 and the pan are inserted into base 500
through an opening in
base 500. ln some embodi.ments, a thermoelectric cushion may be disposed on
the grate.
Figure 23 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of base 500. In such an
embodiment,
base 500 comprises a plurality of drairi. holes 530. Without being limited by
theory, drain holes 530
allow fluid such as water to pass into the pan. Figure 24 illustrates an
embodiment of base 500
having a different configuration than that shown in Figure 23.
Figure 25 illustrates a cross sectional side view of an embodiment of base 500
having a lip
580. 7n such an embodiment, lip 580 provides a cavity 540 in whzch grate 520
may be inserted.
For instance, lip 580 comprises a raised portion of base 500. The walls 570
and coxners 560 of base
500 are disposed upon lip 580, which provides cavity 540 for insertion of
grate 520. In such an
cmbodiment, the pan is disposed beneath gmte 520, which provides spacing in
cavity 540 between
the grate 520 and the pan. Lip 580 may also comprise one or more drain holes
530. As further
illustrated, magnets 515 may disposed on corner 560 and wa11570.
In an embodiment (not illust.rated), animal llousilig 5 con7pr.ir'ses an air
purifier. In
alternative embodiments, animal housing 5 comprises more than one air
purifier. Any air purifier
suitable for use in removing contaminants from the air within animal housing 5
may be used.
Without limitation, examples of suitable air purifiers include mechanical
filter devices, absorbent
devices (e.g., devices that filter air through absorbents such as charcoal),
and air ionizers. Any air
ionizer suitable for removing particulate from air in animal housing 5 may be
used. An example of
an air ionizer is an electrostatic precipitator. Electrostatic precipitators
refer to a particulate
collection device that removes particles from air using the force of an
induced electrostatic charge.
Without limitation, examples of commercial electrostatic precipitators include
the NATURAL AIR
and HYBRID GP. The NATLTRAL AiR is an electrostatic precipitator commercially
available
feom Natural Air Systems, Inc. HYBRID GP is an electrostatic precipitator
commercially available
from THE SHA1tPER IMAGE. The air purifler may be disposed at any suitable
location on animal
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housing 5 by which the air purifier may remove particulate from the air within
animal housing 5.
For instance, one or more air purifiers may be disposed on the inside of a
side of animal housing 5.
In an embodiment, aninnal housing 5 has a grate disposed in at least one
opening. In such
an embodiment, animal housing 5 may or may not have a cage 100, preferably
animal housing 5
does not have cage 100 in such embodiments. Such grates may be secured to
animal housing 5 by
any suitable means. In some embodiments, all openings of animal housing 5
include a grate. The
grate may extend across all or a portion of an opening, preferabl.y all of an
opening. Figure 26 .
illustrates an embodiment in which side 16 has grate 200 in opening 26.
.In some embodiments (not illustrated), an air purifier is attached to a grate
or cage 100 in an
operiing of animal housing 5. The air purifier may be attached to a grate or
cage 100 by any
suitable nzeans. In an embodiment, the air ,purifier is attached to a grate or
cage 100 by hooks. For
instance, hooks are attached to a side of the air purifier. In an embodiment,
the air puxifier has one
or more than one hook, alternatively the air purifier has two hooks. The hooks
may be of any size
suitable for attaching the air purifier. The hooks may be attached to the air
purifier by any suitable
means such as by injection molding, welds, glue, screws, and the like. In an
embodiment, the air
purifier is movably attached to a grate or cage 100. For instance, the air
purifier may swivel in a
vertical direction in relation to a grate or cage 100. In some embodiments,
one or more magnets
may also be attached to the air purifier. In an embodiment, one or more
magnets are attached to the
same side of the air purifier as the hooks. Any magnet suitable for securing
the air purifier to a
grate or cage 100 may be used. In some embodiments, the magnet is a permanent
magnet. In an
embodiment, the air purifier is attached to a grate or cage 100 by one or more
hooks. In such an
embodiment, the air purifier then may swivel down until at least one magnet is
in inagnetic
attraction to the grate or cage 100 thereby securing the air purifier. It is
to be understood that the
grate azad cage 100 in such einbodiments is composed of a magnetically
attractive material (e.g., a
magnet, iron, steel, and the like). In an embodiment in which animal housing 5
includes an outer
covering of a weaving, the air purifier may be attached to the weaving. For
instance, the weaving
may be pliable, and the hooks may slide down between gaps in the weaving to
thereby secure the
air puxifier to the outer covering. In an embodiment in which animal housing 5
has plastic sides,
the air purifier na.ay be secured to animal housing 5 by each hook sliding
into an opening in a side of
animal housing 5.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in
detail, it should
be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made
herein without
departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended
claims.
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