CA2444132C - Adapter for converting an animal enclosure into a self encased pet crate - Google Patents
Adapter for converting an animal enclosure into a self encased pet crate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2444132C CA2444132C CA002444132A CA2444132A CA2444132C CA 2444132 C CA2444132 C CA 2444132C CA 002444132 A CA002444132 A CA 002444132A CA 2444132 A CA2444132 A CA 2444132A CA 2444132 C CA2444132 C CA 2444132C
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- Prior art keywords
- panel
- adapter
- animal enclosure
- animal
- pet
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- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
- A01K1/0236—Transport boxes, bags, cages, baskets, harnesses for animals; Fittings therefor
- A01K1/0245—Boxes or cages
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
- A01K1/03—Housing for domestic or laboratory animals
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K31/00—Housing birds
- A01K31/06—Cages, e.g. for singing birds
Abstract
An adapter for converting a Foldable Pet Shelter into a self encased pet crate. The crate adapter has an end panel and a bottom panel, both of which may be joined together. The end panel is removably attachable to the Foldable Pet Shelter along the back edge perimeter of the left side, right side, and top panels of the Foldable Pet Shelter, while the bottom panel is removably attachable to the Foldable Pet Shelter along the bottom edge perimeter of the left side, right side, and front side panels of the Foldable Pet Shelter. Component lock elements positioned along various locations on the end and bottom panels of the adapter provide elements for removably securing the adapter to the Foldable Pet Shelter, thereby converting the joined components into a self encased pet crate having a top panel, a right side panel, a left side panel, a front panel, a back panel, and a bottom panel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
6 The field of the invention is pet shelters and the invention relates more 7 particularly to pet/animal crates.
8 Animal cages or crates are commonly used by individuals as a means 9 of restricting an animal's free movement to a particular premises.
Although reasons for crating up an animal vary, there are significant 11 advantages for doing so. For example, housetraining a new pet has long 12 been a difficult and frustrating task for many pet owners. Despite the 13 love that these owners have for their companions, they nevertheless face 14 the problem of teaching their pet not to "go to the bathroom" inside of the residence. Additionally, new pets commonly tear up furniture and 16 valuables inside of the home when someone is not available to control 17 such mischievous behavior. As a result, use of a crate to train the pet 18 has become quite common. Similarly, when traveling with a pet, crates 19 are very useful throughout the course of the trip. They give the animal owner complete control over the pet in times where freedom can be 21 dangerous for the pet and others around. Finally, crates have also been 22 widely used to prevent an animal from coming into contact with other 23 animals or humans. Often, an animal needs to be confined to a particular 24 area simply because they do not interact well with others or due to their uncontrollable nature. As a consequence, use of a crate allows 26 individuals to restrain their animal's aggressive or wild behavior and 27 avoid difficult and harmful situations.
28 As described in United States Pat. No. 6,029,609, a 'Foldable Pet 29 Shelter" is one type of animal enclosure which is used for restricting an animal's free access throughout a residence. Unlike conventional crates, 31 however, which typically have six panels that form a rectangular 32 enclosure, the Foldable Pet Shelter does not have a second end or bottom 33 panel. This is due to the unique design of the Foldable Pet Shelter 34 which substitutes the surface of an exterior panel of a dwelling for the second end panel while the residence floor/ground is used for the bottom 36 panel. By doing this, the Foldable Pet Shelter may be removably mounted 1 to the surface of an exterior panel of a dwelling, around a pet door, so 2 that a pet could enter the shelter with the ability to exit it upon 3 desire. It is notable that the term "Foldable Pet Shelter", (hereinafter 4 "FPS") is defined and understood herein and in all the claims to mean an animal/pet enclosure comprised of a top panel, right side panel, left 6 side panel, and end panel that may be hingedly affixed to a surface of an 7 exterior panel of a dwelling, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
8 6,029,609.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
11 The present invention is for a crate adapter for converting an 12 animal enclosure, such a Foldable Pet Shelter, into a self encased 13 pet/animal crate. The crate adapter has an end panel and bottom panel, 14 both of which may be hingedly joined together. The end panel is removably attachable to the animal enclosure along the back edge 16 perimeter of the left side, right side, and top panels of the animal 17 enclosure, while the bottom panel is removably attachable to the animal 18 enclosure along the bottom edge perimeter of the left side, right side, 19 and front panels of the animal enclosure. When joined together, both the adapter and animal enclosure transform into a self encased, self 21 supporting pet/animal crate which is useful for housetraining a pet as 22 well as restricting its movement within a particular area.
23 Component lock elements attached along the end and bottom panels of 24 the adapter provide elements for securing the adapter to the animal enclosure. Hinges joining the end and bottom panels of the adapter may 26 further allow both panels to be folded along a vertical plane towards one 27 another. This provides for a convenient and compact formation for 28 storing the adapter when it is not in use with the animal enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
31 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the crate adapter 32 illustrating an end panel attached to a bottom panel and containing 33 component lock clips and pins for securing the adapter to a Foldable Pet 34 Shelter.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment for attaching the 36 adapter to a Foldable Pet Shelter whereby the Foldable Pet Shelter is 1 lowered onto the adapter in order to convert the two components into a 2 self encased pet/animal crate.
3 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a self encased crate resulting from 4 having secured the adapter to a Foldable Pet Shelter.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment for attaching the 6 adapter to a Foldable Pet Shelter whereby the Foldable Pet Shelter is 7 slid into sliding tracks that are mounted on the bottom panel of the 8 adapter in order to convert the two components into a self encased 9 pet/animal crate.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1 in a tilted 11 position for illustrating the process by which the end panel may be 12 folded flush atop of the bottom panel.
As shown in FIG. l, the crate adapter 1, has an end panel 3 and a 16 bottom panel 4 perpendicularly positioned next to each other so that the 17 bottom edge 26 of end panel 3 abuts the back edge 25 of bottom panel 4.
18 Crate adapter 1 further has component lock pins 5 and 6 vertically 19 attached to end panel 3 along right side edge 24 and left side edge 27.
Along the perimeter of bottom panel 4, component lock clips, reference 21 characters 7 - 14 are shown in an unlocked open position in a similar 22 manner to component lock clips 15 - 18 which are respectively located 23 along right side edge 24 and left side edge 2? of end panel 3. Both the 24 component lock pins 5 and 6 as well as component lock clips 7-18 provide elements which removably secure a FPS to the 26 adapter 1 when both components are joined together.
27 As indicated by arrow 19 in FIG. 2, a FPS 2 may be joined together 28 with the crate adapter 1 to form a self encased pet crate 49 (as shown in 29 FIG. 3). Upper edge 20 of the adapter end panel 3 is brought together in an abutting manner to the back edge 22 of the top panel 23 of the FPS 2.
31 As shown in the diagram (FIG. 2), upper edge 20 of end panel 3 runs along 32 an extended frame member portion 21 of end panel 3 that is horizontally 33 situated parallel to bottom panel 4. It is noteworthy that extended 34 frame member portion 21 is just one example of how an extending frame member built into either of the adapter panels) 3 or 4 may be used to 36 complete the less then rectangular form of particular panels) of the FPS
1 2. For example, the elongated "u" shaped void that is located at the 2 back edge 22 of FPS top panel 23 is compensated with the extended frame 3 member portion 21 of end panel 3 when the FPS 2 and the adapter 1 are 4 joined together. Of course, end panel 3 need not have extended frame member portion 21 for the adapter 1 to effectively transform the FPS 2 6 into a self encased pet crate, although such may be preferred in order to 7 accommodate the top panel 23 design of the FPS 2.
8 Attachment of the adapter 1 to the FPS 2 further requires that the 9 right side edge 24 of adapter end panel 3 be positioned in an abutting manner to the back edge 25 of the Foldable Pet Shelter's right side panel 11 26. Similarly, left side edge 27 of the adapter end panel 3 would abut 12 the back edge 28 of the Foldable Pet Shelter's left side panel 29. With 13 respect to the bottom panel 4 of the adapter 1, attachment would render 14 the right side edge 30 of bottom panel 4 abutting the bottom edge 32 of the Foldable Pet Shelter's right side panel 26. Likewise, left side edge 16 34 of bottom panel 4 would abut the bottom edge 36 of the Foldable Pet 17 Shelter's left side panel 29. It should be mentioned that similar to the 18 extended frame member portion 21 of end panel 3, the adapter 1 may also 19 contain extended frame member portions) 31 and 35 respectively. Frame member portions 31 and 35 are further examples of how an extending frame 21 member may be built into either panels 3 or 4 of the adapter 1 for the 22 purpose of completing the less then rectangular form of particular 23 panels) of the FPS 2. As shown in FIG. 2, both the right 26 and left 29 24 side panels of the FPS 2 contain a curvature void, 33 and 37 respectively. Although extended frame member portions 31 and 35 need not 26 be present for the adapter 1 to effectively transform the FPS 2 into a 27 self encased pet crate, such may be preferred in order to accommodate the 28 right 26 and left 29 side panel designs of the FPS 2. Finally, 29 attachment of the adapter 1 to the FPS 2 would render the front edge 38 of the adapter bottom panel 4 abutting the bottom edge 39 of the Foldable 31 Pet Shelter's front panel 40.
32 Once the FPS 2 is attached to the crate adapter 1 (in the manner 33 mentioned above), the two components may be removably secured together in 34 a number of different ways. For example, component lock pins 5 and 6 which are vertically mounted on the outer surface of end panel 3 may be 36 inserted into pin sleeves 41 and 42, located on the lower bottom portions 1 of the right 26 and left 29 side panels of the FPS 2. Additionally, 2 component lock clips 7-14 may be used to clamp the bottom panel 4 of the 3 adapter 1 to the FPS 2 along the bottom edge perimeter 32 of the FPS
4 right panel 26, the bottom edge perimeter 36 of the FPS left panel 29, and the bottom edge perimeter 39 of the FPS front panel 40. Furthermore, 6 component lock clips 15-18 may be used to clamp the end panel 3 of the 7 adapter 1 to the FPS 2 along the back edge 25 of the FPS right side panel 8 26 and along the back edge 28 of the FPS left side panel 29. As shown in 9 FIG. 3, the adapter 1 and FPS 2 have been secured together, in the manner discussed above, to form a self encased pet crate 49.
11 Alternatively, FIG. 4 illustrates another example of how the adapter 12 1 can be secured to the FPS 2. As shown, the adapter 1 is equipped with 13 sliding tracks 43 and 44 respectively mounted on the right 30 and left 34 14 side edges of the adapter bottom panel 4. Indicated by direction arrows 45 and 46, the bottom edge 32 of the FPS right side panel 26 and the 16 bottom edge 36 of the FPS left side panel 29 are inserted into the right 17 47 and left 48 channel grooves of right and left sliding tracks 43 and 44 18 respectively. The FPS 2 is thereafter advanced along tracks 43 and 44 19 towards the end panel 3 of the adapter 1 until: i. the back edge 25 of the FPS right side panel 26 abuts the right side edge 24 of adapter end 21 panel 3, and ii. the back edge 28 of the FPS left side panel 29 abuts 22 the left side edge 27 of adapter end panel 3. Thereafter, component lock 23 pins 5 and 6 may be inserted into pin sleeves 41 and 42 respectively, 24 while component lock clips 10 and 11 may be clamped upon the bottom edge 39 of the FPS front panel 40 in order to secure the FPS 2 to the adapter 26 1. It is noteworthy that despite the two mentioned examples for securing 27 the adapter 1 to the FPS 2, it is of course, understood that there are 28 numerous other methods for securing the two components together which are 29 best known to those skilled in the art, and therefore, need not be mentioned herein. Additionally, although the "tilting" component clips 31 7-18 are shown as the elements which removably secure the adapter 1 to 32 the FPS 2, other securing devices, including, but not limited to metal or 33 plastic snap clips, latch and eye arrangement(s), or other type of 34 locking device(s), dependent or independent of the adapter 1, may be used to secure the adapter 1 to the FPS 2.
36 Both the end 3 and bottom 4 panels of the adapter 1 can be made from 1 a total or partially closed sheet of plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, or 2 other material, but are preferably made from a wire grid to further 3 provide ventilation for the animal and less of an enclosed feeling inside 4 the crate 49. Additionally, although end 3 and bottom 4 panels are shown to be in a substantially flat, rectangular formation, they may 6 alternatively undertake any geometric shape, including, but not limited 7 to spherical, triangular, trapezoid, polygon, etc. Finally, it is 8 noteworthy that the bottom panel 4 of the 9 adapter 1 may allow for a plastic/metal pan to be removably attached to its upper surface area so that an animal/pet may have added resting 11 comfort when placed inside the crate 49. The plastic pan may even be the 12 bottom panel 4, thereby eliminating the need to place a grid or similar 13 panel member underneath the pan.
14 Panels 3 and 4 of the adapter 1 are preferably hingedly attached along the bottom edge 26 of end panel 3 and back edge 25 of bottom panel 16 4. Illustrated in FIG. 5, a hinge 51 joining these two panels together 17 will maintain the stability and unification of the adapter 1. Hingedly 18 joining the panels together will also provide for a precise and guided 19 process of folding the panels along a parallel plane towards one another.
As indicated by arrow 50, FIG. 5, adapter end panel 3 is rotated 21 vertically along the hinged axis from which the panels are attached 22 towards a position that places it flush on adapter bottom panel 4.
23 Folding the panels 3, 4 in this manner allows the adapter 1 to be 24 rendered in a compact and flat formation for storage and transportation during times of non-use. Of course, adapter panels 3 and 4 may 26 alternatively be detached from each other and exist as separate 27 components, each of which, can be independently attached to the FPS 2.
28 The present embodiments of this invention are thus to be considered 29 in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the 31 foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and 32 range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
6 The field of the invention is pet shelters and the invention relates more 7 particularly to pet/animal crates.
8 Animal cages or crates are commonly used by individuals as a means 9 of restricting an animal's free movement to a particular premises.
Although reasons for crating up an animal vary, there are significant 11 advantages for doing so. For example, housetraining a new pet has long 12 been a difficult and frustrating task for many pet owners. Despite the 13 love that these owners have for their companions, they nevertheless face 14 the problem of teaching their pet not to "go to the bathroom" inside of the residence. Additionally, new pets commonly tear up furniture and 16 valuables inside of the home when someone is not available to control 17 such mischievous behavior. As a result, use of a crate to train the pet 18 has become quite common. Similarly, when traveling with a pet, crates 19 are very useful throughout the course of the trip. They give the animal owner complete control over the pet in times where freedom can be 21 dangerous for the pet and others around. Finally, crates have also been 22 widely used to prevent an animal from coming into contact with other 23 animals or humans. Often, an animal needs to be confined to a particular 24 area simply because they do not interact well with others or due to their uncontrollable nature. As a consequence, use of a crate allows 26 individuals to restrain their animal's aggressive or wild behavior and 27 avoid difficult and harmful situations.
28 As described in United States Pat. No. 6,029,609, a 'Foldable Pet 29 Shelter" is one type of animal enclosure which is used for restricting an animal's free access throughout a residence. Unlike conventional crates, 31 however, which typically have six panels that form a rectangular 32 enclosure, the Foldable Pet Shelter does not have a second end or bottom 33 panel. This is due to the unique design of the Foldable Pet Shelter 34 which substitutes the surface of an exterior panel of a dwelling for the second end panel while the residence floor/ground is used for the bottom 36 panel. By doing this, the Foldable Pet Shelter may be removably mounted 1 to the surface of an exterior panel of a dwelling, around a pet door, so 2 that a pet could enter the shelter with the ability to exit it upon 3 desire. It is notable that the term "Foldable Pet Shelter", (hereinafter 4 "FPS") is defined and understood herein and in all the claims to mean an animal/pet enclosure comprised of a top panel, right side panel, left 6 side panel, and end panel that may be hingedly affixed to a surface of an 7 exterior panel of a dwelling, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
8 6,029,609.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
11 The present invention is for a crate adapter for converting an 12 animal enclosure, such a Foldable Pet Shelter, into a self encased 13 pet/animal crate. The crate adapter has an end panel and bottom panel, 14 both of which may be hingedly joined together. The end panel is removably attachable to the animal enclosure along the back edge 16 perimeter of the left side, right side, and top panels of the animal 17 enclosure, while the bottom panel is removably attachable to the animal 18 enclosure along the bottom edge perimeter of the left side, right side, 19 and front panels of the animal enclosure. When joined together, both the adapter and animal enclosure transform into a self encased, self 21 supporting pet/animal crate which is useful for housetraining a pet as 22 well as restricting its movement within a particular area.
23 Component lock elements attached along the end and bottom panels of 24 the adapter provide elements for securing the adapter to the animal enclosure. Hinges joining the end and bottom panels of the adapter may 26 further allow both panels to be folded along a vertical plane towards one 27 another. This provides for a convenient and compact formation for 28 storing the adapter when it is not in use with the animal enclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
31 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the crate adapter 32 illustrating an end panel attached to a bottom panel and containing 33 component lock clips and pins for securing the adapter to a Foldable Pet 34 Shelter.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment for attaching the 36 adapter to a Foldable Pet Shelter whereby the Foldable Pet Shelter is 1 lowered onto the adapter in order to convert the two components into a 2 self encased pet/animal crate.
3 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a self encased crate resulting from 4 having secured the adapter to a Foldable Pet Shelter.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment for attaching the 6 adapter to a Foldable Pet Shelter whereby the Foldable Pet Shelter is 7 slid into sliding tracks that are mounted on the bottom panel of the 8 adapter in order to convert the two components into a self encased 9 pet/animal crate.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 1 in a tilted 11 position for illustrating the process by which the end panel may be 12 folded flush atop of the bottom panel.
As shown in FIG. l, the crate adapter 1, has an end panel 3 and a 16 bottom panel 4 perpendicularly positioned next to each other so that the 17 bottom edge 26 of end panel 3 abuts the back edge 25 of bottom panel 4.
18 Crate adapter 1 further has component lock pins 5 and 6 vertically 19 attached to end panel 3 along right side edge 24 and left side edge 27.
Along the perimeter of bottom panel 4, component lock clips, reference 21 characters 7 - 14 are shown in an unlocked open position in a similar 22 manner to component lock clips 15 - 18 which are respectively located 23 along right side edge 24 and left side edge 2? of end panel 3. Both the 24 component lock pins 5 and 6 as well as component lock clips 7-18 provide elements which removably secure a FPS to the 26 adapter 1 when both components are joined together.
27 As indicated by arrow 19 in FIG. 2, a FPS 2 may be joined together 28 with the crate adapter 1 to form a self encased pet crate 49 (as shown in 29 FIG. 3). Upper edge 20 of the adapter end panel 3 is brought together in an abutting manner to the back edge 22 of the top panel 23 of the FPS 2.
31 As shown in the diagram (FIG. 2), upper edge 20 of end panel 3 runs along 32 an extended frame member portion 21 of end panel 3 that is horizontally 33 situated parallel to bottom panel 4. It is noteworthy that extended 34 frame member portion 21 is just one example of how an extending frame member built into either of the adapter panels) 3 or 4 may be used to 36 complete the less then rectangular form of particular panels) of the FPS
1 2. For example, the elongated "u" shaped void that is located at the 2 back edge 22 of FPS top panel 23 is compensated with the extended frame 3 member portion 21 of end panel 3 when the FPS 2 and the adapter 1 are 4 joined together. Of course, end panel 3 need not have extended frame member portion 21 for the adapter 1 to effectively transform the FPS 2 6 into a self encased pet crate, although such may be preferred in order to 7 accommodate the top panel 23 design of the FPS 2.
8 Attachment of the adapter 1 to the FPS 2 further requires that the 9 right side edge 24 of adapter end panel 3 be positioned in an abutting manner to the back edge 25 of the Foldable Pet Shelter's right side panel 11 26. Similarly, left side edge 27 of the adapter end panel 3 would abut 12 the back edge 28 of the Foldable Pet Shelter's left side panel 29. With 13 respect to the bottom panel 4 of the adapter 1, attachment would render 14 the right side edge 30 of bottom panel 4 abutting the bottom edge 32 of the Foldable Pet Shelter's right side panel 26. Likewise, left side edge 16 34 of bottom panel 4 would abut the bottom edge 36 of the Foldable Pet 17 Shelter's left side panel 29. It should be mentioned that similar to the 18 extended frame member portion 21 of end panel 3, the adapter 1 may also 19 contain extended frame member portions) 31 and 35 respectively. Frame member portions 31 and 35 are further examples of how an extending frame 21 member may be built into either panels 3 or 4 of the adapter 1 for the 22 purpose of completing the less then rectangular form of particular 23 panels) of the FPS 2. As shown in FIG. 2, both the right 26 and left 29 24 side panels of the FPS 2 contain a curvature void, 33 and 37 respectively. Although extended frame member portions 31 and 35 need not 26 be present for the adapter 1 to effectively transform the FPS 2 into a 27 self encased pet crate, such may be preferred in order to accommodate the 28 right 26 and left 29 side panel designs of the FPS 2. Finally, 29 attachment of the adapter 1 to the FPS 2 would render the front edge 38 of the adapter bottom panel 4 abutting the bottom edge 39 of the Foldable 31 Pet Shelter's front panel 40.
32 Once the FPS 2 is attached to the crate adapter 1 (in the manner 33 mentioned above), the two components may be removably secured together in 34 a number of different ways. For example, component lock pins 5 and 6 which are vertically mounted on the outer surface of end panel 3 may be 36 inserted into pin sleeves 41 and 42, located on the lower bottom portions 1 of the right 26 and left 29 side panels of the FPS 2. Additionally, 2 component lock clips 7-14 may be used to clamp the bottom panel 4 of the 3 adapter 1 to the FPS 2 along the bottom edge perimeter 32 of the FPS
4 right panel 26, the bottom edge perimeter 36 of the FPS left panel 29, and the bottom edge perimeter 39 of the FPS front panel 40. Furthermore, 6 component lock clips 15-18 may be used to clamp the end panel 3 of the 7 adapter 1 to the FPS 2 along the back edge 25 of the FPS right side panel 8 26 and along the back edge 28 of the FPS left side panel 29. As shown in 9 FIG. 3, the adapter 1 and FPS 2 have been secured together, in the manner discussed above, to form a self encased pet crate 49.
11 Alternatively, FIG. 4 illustrates another example of how the adapter 12 1 can be secured to the FPS 2. As shown, the adapter 1 is equipped with 13 sliding tracks 43 and 44 respectively mounted on the right 30 and left 34 14 side edges of the adapter bottom panel 4. Indicated by direction arrows 45 and 46, the bottom edge 32 of the FPS right side panel 26 and the 16 bottom edge 36 of the FPS left side panel 29 are inserted into the right 17 47 and left 48 channel grooves of right and left sliding tracks 43 and 44 18 respectively. The FPS 2 is thereafter advanced along tracks 43 and 44 19 towards the end panel 3 of the adapter 1 until: i. the back edge 25 of the FPS right side panel 26 abuts the right side edge 24 of adapter end 21 panel 3, and ii. the back edge 28 of the FPS left side panel 29 abuts 22 the left side edge 27 of adapter end panel 3. Thereafter, component lock 23 pins 5 and 6 may be inserted into pin sleeves 41 and 42 respectively, 24 while component lock clips 10 and 11 may be clamped upon the bottom edge 39 of the FPS front panel 40 in order to secure the FPS 2 to the adapter 26 1. It is noteworthy that despite the two mentioned examples for securing 27 the adapter 1 to the FPS 2, it is of course, understood that there are 28 numerous other methods for securing the two components together which are 29 best known to those skilled in the art, and therefore, need not be mentioned herein. Additionally, although the "tilting" component clips 31 7-18 are shown as the elements which removably secure the adapter 1 to 32 the FPS 2, other securing devices, including, but not limited to metal or 33 plastic snap clips, latch and eye arrangement(s), or other type of 34 locking device(s), dependent or independent of the adapter 1, may be used to secure the adapter 1 to the FPS 2.
36 Both the end 3 and bottom 4 panels of the adapter 1 can be made from 1 a total or partially closed sheet of plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, or 2 other material, but are preferably made from a wire grid to further 3 provide ventilation for the animal and less of an enclosed feeling inside 4 the crate 49. Additionally, although end 3 and bottom 4 panels are shown to be in a substantially flat, rectangular formation, they may 6 alternatively undertake any geometric shape, including, but not limited 7 to spherical, triangular, trapezoid, polygon, etc. Finally, it is 8 noteworthy that the bottom panel 4 of the 9 adapter 1 may allow for a plastic/metal pan to be removably attached to its upper surface area so that an animal/pet may have added resting 11 comfort when placed inside the crate 49. The plastic pan may even be the 12 bottom panel 4, thereby eliminating the need to place a grid or similar 13 panel member underneath the pan.
14 Panels 3 and 4 of the adapter 1 are preferably hingedly attached along the bottom edge 26 of end panel 3 and back edge 25 of bottom panel 16 4. Illustrated in FIG. 5, a hinge 51 joining these two panels together 17 will maintain the stability and unification of the adapter 1. Hingedly 18 joining the panels together will also provide for a precise and guided 19 process of folding the panels along a parallel plane towards one another.
As indicated by arrow 50, FIG. 5, adapter end panel 3 is rotated 21 vertically along the hinged axis from which the panels are attached 22 towards a position that places it flush on adapter bottom panel 4.
23 Folding the panels 3, 4 in this manner allows the adapter 1 to be 24 rendered in a compact and flat formation for storage and transportation during times of non-use. Of course, adapter panels 3 and 4 may 26 alternatively be detached from each other and exist as separate 27 components, each of which, can be independently attached to the FPS 2.
28 The present embodiments of this invention are thus to be considered 29 in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the 31 foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and 32 range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Claims (10)
1. An adapter for converting an animal enclosure that is adapted for mounting around a pet door opening into an encased crate, said adapter comprising:
an end panel removably attachable along a back edge perimeter of an animal enclosure, said back edge perimeter being formed from the back edges of the right side, left side, and top panels of said animal enclosure;
a bottom panel removably attachable along a bottom edge perimeter of said animal, enclosure, said bottom edge perimeter being formed from the bottom edges of the right side, left side, and front panel of said animal enclosure.
an end panel removably attachable along a back edge perimeter of an animal enclosure, said back edge perimeter being formed from the back edges of the right side, left side, and top panels of said animal enclosure;
a bottom panel removably attachable along a bottom edge perimeter of said animal, enclosure, said bottom edge perimeter being formed from the bottom edges of the right side, left side, and front panel of said animal enclosure.
2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said adapter end panel is hingedly affixed to said adapter bottom panel.
3. The adapter of claim 1, further including at least one locking mechanism which removably secures said adapter to said animal enclosure.
4. The adapter of claim 3, wherein said at least one locking mechanism is situated on said adapter.
5. The adapter of claim 3, wherein said at least one locking mechanism is attachable to said adapter.
6. The adapter of claim 2, wherein said adapter end and bottom panels may be rotated along the axis from which they are hingedly attached in order to fold said panels flush on top of each other.
7. The adapter of claim 1, wherein said animal enclosure comprises a top panel, a right side panel, a left side panel, and a front panel.
8. The adapter of claim 3, wherein said at least one locking mechanism is attachable to said animal enclosure.
9. A method for converting an animal enclosure that is adapted for mounting around a pet door opening into an encased crate, said method comprising:
providing an animal enclosure, said animal enclosure being detached from a mounted position around a pet door opening;
providing an end panel having, at least, left, right, and top edges; and attaching said end panel to said animal enclosure along the right, left, and top edges of said end panel, wherein said end panel becomes attached to said animal enclosure at a back edge perimeter of said animal enclosure, said back edge perimeter being formed from the back edges of a right side, left side, and top panel of said animal enclosure;
providing a bottom panel having, at least, right, left, and front edges; and attaching said bottom panel to said animal enclosure along said right, left, and front edges of said bottom panel, wherein said bottom panel becomes attached to said animal enclosure at a bottom edge perimeter of said animal enclosure, said bottom edge perimeter being formed from the bottom edges of a right side, left side, and front panel of said animal enclosure.
providing an animal enclosure, said animal enclosure being detached from a mounted position around a pet door opening;
providing an end panel having, at least, left, right, and top edges; and attaching said end panel to said animal enclosure along the right, left, and top edges of said end panel, wherein said end panel becomes attached to said animal enclosure at a back edge perimeter of said animal enclosure, said back edge perimeter being formed from the back edges of a right side, left side, and top panel of said animal enclosure;
providing a bottom panel having, at least, right, left, and front edges; and attaching said bottom panel to said animal enclosure along said right, left, and front edges of said bottom panel, wherein said bottom panel becomes attached to said animal enclosure at a bottom edge perimeter of said animal enclosure, said bottom edge perimeter being formed from the bottom edges of a right side, left side, and front panel of said animal enclosure.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said animal enclosure comprises a top panel, a right side panel, a left side panel, and a front panel.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US10/272,183 US6655321B1 (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2002-10-15 | Adapter for converting an animal enclosure into a self encased pet crate |
| US10/272,183 | 2002-10-15 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2444132A1 CA2444132A1 (en) | 2004-04-15 |
| CA2444132C true CA2444132C (en) | 2007-05-01 |
Family
ID=29549750
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002444132A Expired - Fee Related CA2444132C (en) | 2002-10-15 | 2003-09-30 | Adapter for converting an animal enclosure into a self encased pet crate |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6655321B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2444132C (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20040139924A1 (en) * | 2003-01-22 | 2004-07-22 | Hannon Lawrence E. | Animal pen system |
| TW201106856A (en) * | 2009-08-31 | 2011-03-01 | fu-quan Qiu | Outer frame of cage |
| USD668397S1 (en) * | 2011-01-26 | 2012-10-02 | Mid-West Metal Products Co. Inc. | Divider panel for an animal cage |
| US20140366811A1 (en) * | 2011-11-14 | 2014-12-18 | Kabushiki Kaisha Tominaga Jyushi Kogyosho | Container for raising small animals |
| US9706750B2 (en) * | 2012-05-16 | 2017-07-18 | Ferplast Spa | Modular cage for pets, in particular rabbits |
| US20150128872A1 (en) * | 2013-11-12 | 2015-05-14 | Steven T. Marsh | Rodent Cage |
| USD918484S1 (en) * | 2019-11-19 | 2021-05-04 | Mid-West Metal Products Company, Inc. | Divider panel for an animal enclosure |
| USD919193S1 (en) * | 2019-11-19 | 2021-05-11 | Mid-West Metal Products Company, Inc. | Divider panel for an animal enclosure |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4319545A (en) * | 1978-04-24 | 1982-03-16 | Teho Sou | Sectional pet cage |
| SE8000408L (en) * | 1980-01-18 | 1981-07-19 | Perstorp Ab | MODULE BUILDINGS |
| US4314410A (en) * | 1980-06-13 | 1982-02-09 | Richard Smarzak | Animal dryer |
| US4384547A (en) * | 1981-02-26 | 1983-05-24 | Mattox Robert G | Birdhouse cage |
| US4524721A (en) * | 1984-03-05 | 1985-06-25 | The Beth Israel Hospital Association | Animal cage insert and convertible animal cage |
| US4648351A (en) * | 1984-03-05 | 1987-03-10 | The Beth Israel Hospital Association | Animal cage insert and convertible animal cage |
| US5653194A (en) * | 1995-10-06 | 1997-08-05 | Guy; Jane R. | Collapsible portable animal crate |
| US5845432A (en) * | 1997-05-15 | 1998-12-08 | Woodstream Corporation | Wire mesh cage with snap-on roof |
| US6029609A (en) * | 1998-10-26 | 2000-02-29 | Bahar; Reuben | Foldable pet shelter |
| US6192834B1 (en) * | 1999-02-10 | 2001-02-27 | Doskocil Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Collapsible cage |
-
2002
- 2002-10-15 US US10/272,183 patent/US6655321B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2003
- 2003-09-30 CA CA002444132A patent/CA2444132C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US6655321B1 (en) | 2003-12-02 |
| CA2444132A1 (en) | 2004-04-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20160930 |