LIT PLIABLE ET PORTABLE POUR ANIMAL DE COMPAGNIE

PORTABLE, FOLDABLE PET BED

Abrégé anglais

A pet bed comprising a flat platform surrounded by a box-like frame and
supported on a base which is equipped with feet for elevation is provided.
Means
are provided to allow for the bed to be folded and secured into a closed
position for
efficient transportation or convenient storage.

Revendications

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A folding pet bed comprising:
a) a rectangular floor made up of a central rectangular panel, flanked by
two rectangular side panels hinged thereto;
b) a base member connected to each end of said rectangular side panel,
and extending under said central rectangular panel, to support same,
said base members at each end of said rectangular floor meeting in the
middle of said central rectangular panel;
c) an end wall panel at each end of each said rectangular side panel,
affixed thereto to define an end wall extending upwardly at each end of
each rectangular side panel, said end wall panels at each end of said
floor meeting in the middle of said central rectangular panel;
d) upright side wall panels at each side of said rectangular side panels
remote from said central rectangular panel, spanning the distance
between the end wall panels at each end of a said rectangular side
panel.
2. A pet bed as claimed in 1, wherein said side wall panels and end wall
panels
are about half the height of the width of said central rectangular panel.
3. A pet bed as claimed in 2, wherein said end wall panels, where they meet,
are
cut back in a substantially triangular pattern whereby folding of said ped bed
is facilitated.

Description

CA 02301789 2001-O1-16
PORTABLE, FOLDABLE PET BED
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a pet bed, more particularly a portable, foldable
bed
for use by domestic animals when sleeping or resting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The traditional pet bed usually consists of a cushion or pillow placed either
on
the floor, or in a small tub or basket which is in direct contact with the
floor. While
these arrangements are somewhat satisfactory, they can cause an animal
discomfort and increase the risk of illness, particularly in circumstances
where the
floor surface is damp or cold.
In some pet beds this problem has been overcome by providing an
elevational means to the bed. However, these beds are not without deficiencies
of
their own. In addition to being somewhat space consuming and difficult to
transport,
they are also sometimes elevated at a height which makes it difficult for an
animal to
safely and easily access the bed. As such, there still remains a need for
improved
resting and sleeping arrangements for domestic animals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a safely and
easily accessed pet bed that is elevated from the floor to protect an animal
from
exposure to cold or damp conditions. It is a further objective of the
invention to
provide a bed that is portable and convenient to store.
Regarding the first objective, a flat platform, upon which to place a
mattress,
is provided for an animal to sleep or rest on. The platform is surrounded by a
box-
shaped frame and rests on a supporting base, which is equipped with several
round
rubber feet. In combination, the feet and base ensure that the pet is not kept
in
close proximity to the floor while sleeping or resting on the mattress. As the
feet are
quite short, and the supporting base is low to the ground, the bed is elevated
only to
a height that will allow it to remain easily and safely accessible to a pet.
In addition
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CA 02301789 2002-03-08
to providing elevation, the rubber feet also prevent the bed from sliding and
protect
the floor surface from being scratched or damaged.
The objective of providing a bed that is portable and easily stored is
accomplished by the addition of hinges to the platform and a break in the end
wall
panels of the box-shaped frame and the base pieces, so as to permit a folding
capability.
The platform consists of one centre floor panel that is attached by hinges to
two outer floor panels that are slightly greater in width. Each end of the two
outer
panels screws into the top of the supporting base, and into an end wall panel
of the
frame. The centre floor panel of the platform rests on the inside ledge of the
base.
The box-shaped frame is composed of a pair of side panels and end panels,
each end panel being made up of two short panels. The four shorter end wall
panels each screw into a piece of the supporting base but are not attached to
one
another.
The pet bed can be folded over for storage or handling, as the top and bottom
portions are securable together by two closing mechanisms that are located on
the
outer surfaces of the side panels of the frame. Once the closing mechanisms
have
been fastened together and the bed is more compact in form, it can be easily
stored,
or carried, by means of a handle provided on the outer surface of a side
panel.
In a broad aspect, then, the present invention relates to a pet bed comprising
(a) a rectangular floor made up of a central rectangular panel, flanked by two
rectangular side panels hinged thereto, (b) a base member connected to each
end of
said rectangular side panel, and extending under said central rectangular
panel, to
support same, said base members at each end of said rectangular floor meeting
in
the middle of said central rectangular panel, (c) an end wall panel at each
end of
each said rectangular side panel, affixed thereto to define an end wall
extending
upwardly at each end of each rectangular side panel, said end wall panels at
each
end of said floor meeting in the middle of said central rectangular panel, and
(d) upright side wall panels at each side of said rectangular side panels
remote from
said central rectangular panel, spanning the distance between the end wall
panels at
each end of a said rectangular side panel.
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CA 02301789 2002-03-08
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in
greater detail, and will be better understood when read in conjunction with
the
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CA 02301789 2001-03-14
Figure 1 illustrates a top corner perspective view of the pet bed in an open
position;
Figure 1 a illustrates a top end perspective view of the pet bed in an open
position;
Figure 1 b illustrates in a top side perspective view the pet bed in an open
position;
Figure 2 illustrates an exploded top corner perspective view of the pet bed in
an open position;
Figure 3 illustrates a top corner perspective view of the pet bed folded
closed
and positioned on it's side; and
Figure 4 illustrates a top corner perspective view of the pet bed folded
closed
and positioned upright.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures 1 to 1 b show the pet bed folded out into an open position and ready
for a pet to rest or sleep on. The bed includes a platform composed of one
centre
floor panel 12, and two outer floor panels 13, all of which rest on top of a
supporting
base 5. The platform is surrounded by a box-like frame comprising four short
end
wall panels 7, and two longer side wall panels 8 & 9. Several rubber feet 6
are
screwed into the bottom of the base 5 to elevate the entire unit and provide
protection to the surface of the floor.
The construction of the base, platform and frame are illustrated in greater
detail in Figure 2, which provides an exploded perspective view of the pet
bed. The
base 5, which provides support and elevation to the platform and the frame, is
composed of four equally sized rectangular pieces of wood. Two pieces of the
base
are positioned at each end of the platform and are attached by screws 11 to
only
the outer floor panels 13. The center floor panel 12 of the platform rests
unattached,
on the top interior edge of the base pieces 5. The outer floor panels 13 are
connected by hinges 4, to the centre floor panel 12, enabling the platform to
be
folded in half.
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CA 02301789 2001-O1-16
Each of the four rectangular pieces forming the base 5 are also secured by
screws 15 to the four short end wall panels 7 which form part of the frame.
Also
forming part of the frame are elongated side wall panels 8 and 9. The end wall
panels 7 are rectangular in shape, with a small triangular wedge cut out from
the top
interior corner of each end. The adjacent wedge cuts form a triangular space
14 that
permits the bed to be folded. In this regard, therefore, it will be understood
that the
outer floor panels 13 will be twice as wide as the height of the end wall
panels 7, and
the wedge cut at the inner upper corner of the end wall panels 7 will have a
horizontal length about equal to the height of the end wall panels 7 (height
meaning
the height above the floor panels). Alternatively, the wedge may be an arcuate
cut
using the outer corner of the centre floor panel 12 as a centre point, and the
height
of the end wall panel 7 as a radius. Moreover, if desired, a rectangular cut-
out
corresponding generally to the width of the center floor panel 12 may be
provided at
each end of the bed, at the inner ends of the end wall panels 7.
Figure 3 shows the bed folded onto one side and secured by two latching
closing mechanisms 10 located on each side of the side panels 8 & 9 of the
frame.
The closing mechanisms 10 prevent the folded halves of the bed from coming
apart
from one another while the bed is being stored or transported.
Figure 4 shows the bed folded closed and in an upright position with closing
mechanisms 10 fastened to secure the two halves of the bed together and
prevent
the mattress from falling out. The end wall panels 7 of the frame act as
supporting
legs and the center panel 12 of the platform is elevated within the structure
to
support the mattress. A handle attachment 3 is provided for portability.
The preferred material for the construction of the invention is wood, however
other rigid materials such as plastic or metal may also be used.
It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and
described is to be taken as the preferred construction of the bed and
modifications in
size may be made without departing from the basic structure of the invention
or the
scope of the claims. Additional support or bracing may be required to
compensate
for an increase in size and could also be added without departing from the
basic
structure of the invention or the scope of the claims.
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CA 02301789 2001-O1-16
Any modifications which would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art,
are intended to be within the scope of the present invention. The only
limitations to
the scope of the present invention are set forth in the claims appended
hereto.
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