Abstract:
A pet enclosure for dogs and cats which is an attractive piece of furniture. The pet enclosure includes a decorative exterior cabinet with a padded lower portion for pet comfort. An upper ventilation structure includes a motion activated electric motor and activated carbon filters to provide ventilation for the pet while eliminating odors and airborne pet dander from exiting into the room. The pet enclosure includes a light and a camera connectable to the Internet for viewing pet activity remotely from a computer. Various upgrade packages adapt the features of the pet enclosure, such as the ventilation, lighting, and Internet camera to other pet enclosures.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to beds and indoor enclosures for pets such as dogs and cats.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Pet Enclosures in General  
           [0005]    Pet beds and pet enclosures are for providing a resting place for pets during the day and a comfortable place to sleep at night. One such enclosure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,439 issued to Robertson, Sr. for bedding and also for whelping. A removable curved access opening at the front of the four-sided structure allows easy entrance and exit. A removable base doubles as a lid and along with the front panel to acts as a casket when the pet passes away.  
           [0006]    Unsightly  
           [0007]    One shortcoming of the prior art pet enclosures is that they are somewhat unsightly, not fitting in well with existing furniture in a house or apartment. Attempts have been made to provide pet beds and enclosures which are more aesthetically appealing. One such attempt is a combined bed and housing unit in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 288,970 issued to Runion. The housing unit includes a decorative cabinet having double front doors. A side opening allows entrance and exit of the pet. A pair of upper panels open to ventilate and permit cleaning of the housing unit.  
           [0008]    Another such attempt to provide pet beds and enclosures which are more aesthetically appealing is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,618,568 and 3,797,461 both issued to Breeden. The pet houses disclosed, one being a round version and the other being a rectangular version, are designed as an attractive piece of furniture. The round version includes a circular floor panel which supports an upstanding curved wall and a circular top panel. A door is hingedly connected to the wall and pivots radially outwardly and downwardly to double as an entrance ramp for the pet. A series of screened vents are disposed adjacent an upper edge of the wall to permit the circulation of air through the pet house. The pet house is supported on four legs attached to the bottom panel. A circular pad is disposed within the pet enclosure for comfortable resting and sleeping.  
           [0009]    The rectangular version of the pet house includes a rectangular floor panel which supports a pair of upstanding rectangular side walls, a pair of upstanding rectangular end walls, and a rectangular top panel. A door is hingedly connected to one side wall at the top panel and pivots laterally outwardly and downwardly to double as an entrance ramp for the pet. The pet house further includes a drawer which pulls out through a large opening in the end wall opposite the door. The drawer serves as a potty for the occupant with the opposite end under the door serving as a sleeping area. A screen covers a ventilation opening through one side wall adjacent the drawer.  
           [0010]    Pet Odors  
           [0011]    Another shortcoming of the prior art pet enclosures is that they emit pet odors which foul the smell of the house or apartment. Attempts to control pet odor include drawers or trays for the pet to relieve itself which may contain odor reducing litter. One such attempt is the rectangular version of the pet house disclosed in the Breeden wherein the pull-out drawer and the ventilation opening may control odors to a certain degree.  
           [0012]    Another such attempt to control pet odors is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,568 issued to Healey. The housing structure for cats includes a lower portion of the housing structure is box-like having an open front into which a litter tray slides. A pair of flexible flaps cover the front opening to minimize exiting odors but allow the cat to freely come and go. The tray includes a support for a spray can of deodorizer. An upper portion of the housing structure includes an upright rear wall. A cushion is horizontally disposed above the lower portion along with a cylindrical cushion with attached tethered ball.  
           [0013]    A more aggressive approach to controlling pet odors is the forced ventilation disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,768 issued to Hinton. The pet house disclosed in the document includes a rectangular floor panel which supports a pair of upstanding rectangular side walls, a pair of upstanding rectangular end walls, and a rectangular top panel. A front opening in one end wall allows the pet to enter and exit the pet house. A pair of pull-out drawers extend through one side wall which laterally pull out. One of the drawers can be filled with blankets and the other with kitty litter. Various tethered cat toys are attached to the top of the opposite long side. An electric fan may be mounted to the top of the structure opposite the front opening for drawing air through the front opening and through a plurality of vent openings through the end wall opposite the front opening. The purpose of the electric fan is for keeping the occupant pet cool rather than odor elimination.  
           [0014]    Allergies  
           [0015]    Pet dander and dust is known to cause allergic reactions in people such as a stuffy nose and red eyes. While applicants are aware of pet enclosures having vents, and the above mentioned forced ventilation of Hinton, they are aware of no pet enclosures which provide filtration of the air exiting the pet enclosure to remove pet dander and dust.  
           [0016]    Fleas and Ticks  
           [0017]    Fleas and ticks are frequently brought into pet beds and pet enclosures by the pet from outside the house or apartment. Applicants are, however, not aware of any pet enclosures which are designed to aid in locating and repelling fleas and ticks.  
           [0018]    Improved Pet Enclosure  
           [0019]    There is a need for a pet enclosure that is aesthetically pleasing, which fits in with the style of furniture within the house or apartment while providing additional features such as the elimination of pet odors and airborne particulates causing allergies, and while providing flea and tick detection and repelling.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0020]    1. Advantages of the Invention  
           [0021]    One of the advantages of the present invention is that it provides an enclosure for pets which fits in with and compliments the existing furniture in a house or apartment.  
           [0022]    A further advantage of the present invention is its filtering ventilation assembly which reduces pet odor.  
           [0023]    Another advantage of the present invention is its adaptability to virtually any style of furniture by providing a cabinet of the appropriate styling.  
           [0024]    A still further advantage of the present invention is its filtering ventilation assembly which reduces human allergies and is healthier for the pet by reducing airborne pet dander.  
           [0025]    Yet another advantage of the present invention is its ability to monitor the pet by camera over the Internet.  
           [0026]    These and other advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification, claims, and abstract.  
           [0027]    2. Brief Description of the Invention  
           [0028]    The present invention comprises an enclosure for housing a pet. The enclosure comprises a cabinet having a bottom panel such as a base, and at least one upstanding wall to define a generally circumferentially enclosed sleeping chamber of sufficient size to contain the pet. The upstanding wall has an entrance opening, preferably disposed at the front of the cabinet, of sufficient size to allow the pet to enter and exit the sleeping chamber. The enclosure preferably includes a top panel or a top wherein the upstanding wall interconnects the top and bottom panels. The cabinet is preferably of generally rectangular configuration wherein the top and bottom panels are of generally rectangular shape, being interconnected by generally rectangular front and rear walls, and by a pair of generally rectangular side walls. The cabinet is preferably made of wood or plastic in a decorative style to generally match the style of other furniture with which it will be used. The enclosure can also be built into such other furniture.  
           [0029]    The enclosure preferably includes respective left and right double doors which comprise respective inner and outer panels which are hingedly connected together using respective pairs of hinges. The outer panels are hingedly connected to the front wall laterally adjacent the entrance opening using respective pairs of hinges. The doors allow selective covering of the entrance opening at the front of the cabinet. The doors can also be used to deflect drafts away from the pet within the enclosure. An optional screen or grate is securable to cover the entrance opening with the doors open to secure the pet within the enclosure while allowing the pet proper ventilation.  
           [0030]    The enclosure preferably includes a filtering ventilation assembly which comprises an electric fan and at least one filter. The fan and the filter are operatively connected to the cabinet so as to draw airborne particulate laden interior air from within the sleeping chamber through the filter and out to ambient air as filtered air. The filter removes the airborne particulates from the particulate laden air. The filter can include activated carbon to remove odors from the interior air. The electric fan is automatically activated by a motion detector when the pet enters and occupies the sleeping chamber. An on/off switch activates and deactivates the filtering ventilation assembly.  
           [0031]    A pad assembly preferably fits within a lower portion of the cabinet. The pad assembly may include a lower pad which rests on the bottom panel and at least one upstanding pad which extends for at least a portion of the outside perimeter of the lower pad. The upstanding pad is of such a height so as to closely fit below the ventilation duct and is also of a similar width so as to be generally flush therewith. When the cabinet is of generally rectangular configuration, the lower pad is generally rectangular, and the upstanding pad comprises a pair of opposed side pads and a rear pad, all being of generally rectangular shape.  
           [0032]    A plastic sheet liner of a light color is preferably disposable within at least a lower portion of the cabinet closely adjacent the upstanding wall or walls to highlight fleas and ticks and to provide easy cleaning. An insect repellant such as one or more cedar boards is also disposable within the cabinet to repel fleas and ticks.  
           [0033]    The enclosure preferably includes a camera connectable within the cabinet. The camera is operatively connectable to the Internet for transmitting video images to a remote monitoring location.  
           [0034]    The above description sets forth, rather broadly, the more important features of the present invention so that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0035]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein:  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 1 is substantially a left front perspective view of a pet enclosure according to the present invention of the type having a top panel, and a pair of front double doors, which are shown in an open position to show the cushioned interior of the pet enclosure;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 2 is substantially a right rear perspective view of the pet enclosure showing the rear ventilation opening, the motion detector switch, and the interior light switch;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 is substantially a lateral vertical sectional view taken on line  3 - 3  of FIG. 1 showing the interior of the pet enclosure and the flow of air;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 is substantially a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line  4 - 4  of FIG. 3 showing the air vents, the filter, the fan, and the flow of air; and  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 5 is substantially a longitudinal horizontal sectional view taken on the line  5 - 5  of FIG. 3 showing the flow of air. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0041]    As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention comprises a pet enclosure, generally indicated by reference number  20 . Pet enclosure  20  comprises a decorative exterior cabinet  23 , a lower interior sleeping structure  26 , and an upper ventilation structure  29 .  
         [0042]    Decorative Exterior Wood or Plastic Cabinet  
         [0043]    With continuing reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, cabinet  23  includes a base  32 , respective front and rear walls  35  and  38 , respective left and right side walls  41  and  44 , left and right front doors  47  and  50 , and a top  53 .  
         [0044]    Base: A bottom panel such as a base  32  comprises respective front and rear members  56  and  59 , respective left and right side members  62  and  65 , and a main floor  68 . Members  56 ,  59 ,  62 , and  65  are mitered and glued together at respective left and right front corners  71  and  74 , and at respective left and right rear comers  77  and  80  of cabinet  23 . Main floor  68  is glued atop members  56 ,  59 ,  62 , and  65 , and includes a rectangular cutout  83  for allowing air to flow therethrough for the purpose explained subsequently.  
         [0045]    Walls: Front wall  35  comprises respective left and right upright members  86  and  89  which are glued to main floor  68  adjacent front comers  71  and  74 . An upper member  92  and a lower member  95  are glued to upright members  86  and  89 , and lower member  95  is glued to main floor  68 . Lower member  95  includes an engraving plate  98  such as for the pet&#39;s name and the manufacturer of pet enclosure  20 .  
         [0046]    Rear wall  38  includes respective left and right upright members  101  and  104  which are glued to main floor  68  adjacent rear comers  77  and  80 . An upper member  107  and a lower member  110  are glued to upright members  101  and  104  with a center panel  113  glued therebetween, lower member  110  being glued to main floor  68 . Center panel  113  has a rectangular ventilation hole  116  therethrough surrounded by respective frame members  119 ,  122 , and  128  glued thereto which frame a ventilation screen  131  at ventilation hole  116 .  
         [0047]    Left and right side walls  41  and  44  include respective front upright members  134  and  137 , respective rear upright members  140  and  143 , respective upper members  146  and  149 , respective lower members  152  and  155 , and respective center panels  158  and  161 .  
         [0048]    Top: A top panel such as a top  53  comprises an upper panel  164  and an attached lower panel  167  which is hingedly connected to rear wall  38  for access into cabinet  23 .  
         [0049]    Doors: Left and right front doors  47  and  50  comprise respective inner panels  170  and  173  hingedly connected to respective outer panels  176  and  179  by means of a plurality of infinitely positional hinges, or spring hinges  182  which remain in a ninety degree open or a closed position until moved. Outer panels  176  and  179  are hingedly connected to upright members  86  and  89  by means of a plurality of infinitely positional hinges, or spring hinges  185  which remain in a ninety-degree open position or in a closed position until moved.  
         [0050]    Lower Interior Sleeping Structure  
         [0051]    Lower interior sleeping structure  26  comprises a cedar floor panel  188 , an interior liner  191 , and a pad assembly  194 .  
         [0052]    Cedar Floor Panel: Cedar floor panel  188  comprises a cedar board which is of such size as to sit atop main floor  68  of base  32  above rectangular cutout  83  allowing air to flow against cedar floor panel  188  to repel fleas and ticks from both above and from below. The aromatic odor of the cedar of floor panel  188  provides a pleasing aroma to people while repelling fleas and ticks brought by the dog or cat away from pet enclosure  20 . While floor panel  188  can be permanently affixed within pet enclosure  20 , allowing floor panel  188  to freely rest on base  32  permitting replacement should the cedar odor wane.  
         [0053]    Interior Liner: Interior liner  191  comprises respective left, right, and rear panels  197 ,  200 , and  203 , which are adhesively or otherwise affixed within a sleeping chamber  205  respectively to center panels  113 ,  158 , and  161 . Liner  191  is made of a light colored plastic such as white polyvinyl chloride for cleanability and to highlight fleas and ticks. Liner  191  can also be removable such as for cleaning purposes.  
         [0054]    Pad Assembly: Pad assembly  194  comprises a lower pad  206 , respective left and right side pads  209  and  212 , and a rear pad  215 . Lower member  95  of front wall  35  retains lower pad  206  in position.  
         [0055]    Upper Ventilation Structure  
         [0056]    Upper ventilation structure  29  comprises a filtering ventilation assembly  218 , a light assembly  221 , and an internet camera  224 .  
         [0057]    Filtering Ventilation Assembly: Filtering ventilation assembly  218  comprises a ventilation duct  227 , respective left and right filters  230  and  231 , an electric fan  233 , a motion detector  236 , an on/off switch  239 , and a light emitting diode (LED)  240 . Ventilation duct  227  includes a U-shaped bottom panel  242  affixed to center panel  158  of left side wall  41 , center panel  161  of right side wall  44 , and center panel  113  of rear wall  38  which supports respective left and right side panels  245  and  248 , a rear panel  251 , and a top panel  254  such that a ventilation chamber  257  is formed within cabinet  23 . Fan  233  is affixed to center panel  113  of rear wall  38  within ventilation chamber  257  to force air therefrom. Filters  230  and  231  are removably connected such as by means of respective pairs of brackets (not shown) to the respective left and right side panels  245  and  248  covering respective pluralities of transverse slots  260  and  263  thereof. Motion detector  236  is disposed through top panel  254  and switch  239  through center panel  113  of rear wall  38  such that when switch  239  is in the “on” position, movement within sleeping chamber  205  of pet enclosure  20  activates fan  233  to draw air from sleeping chamber  205  through filters  230  and  231 , through ventilation chamber  257  and out to ambient air with the odor and airborne particulates such as pet dander removed, and LED  240  is illuminated to indicate such.  
         [0058]    Light Assembly  
         [0059]    Light assembly  221  comprises a light fixture  266 , an on/off switch  269 , and a light emitting diode (LED)  272 . Light fixture  266  is disposed through top panel  254  and switch  269  through center panel  113  of rear wall  38  adjacent switch  239  such that when switch  269  is in the “on” position light fixture  266  illuminates sleeping chamber  205  and LED  272  is illuminated indicating such.  
         [0060]    Internet Camera  
         [0061]    Internet camera  224  is disposed through left side panel  245  of ventilation duct  227  such that when it is desired to check on the pet&#39;s status when the owner is away, the pet can be viewed over the Internet by means of camera  224 . Camera  224  can be of the low light variety or used in conjunction with light assembly  221 .  
         [0062]    Front Grate  
         [0063]    A front grate (not shown) can be attached to front wall  35  of exterior cabinet  23  to confine the pet within sleeping chamber  205  while leaving front doors  47  and  50  open for ventilation purposes.  
         [0064]    Retrofit and Manufacturer&#39;s Packages  
         [0065]    Various combinations of the features of the pet enclosure can be sold as packages to manufacturers to incorporate the present invention into their pet enclosures, and sold to owners of existing pet enclosures to “upgrade” their pet enclosures to incorporate the present invention.  
         [0066]    Insert Package: An insert package (not shown) retrofits a version of lower sleeping structure  26  to existing pet enclosures, including analogous component parts to cedar floor panel  188 , interior liner  191 , and a pad assembly  194 , but specifically designed to fit the particular pet enclosure, including the associated parts for physical connection thereof.  
         [0067]    Filtering Ventilation Package: A filtering ventilation package (not shown) retrofits a filtered ventilation system to existing pet enclosures, including analogous component parts to ventilation duct  227  (though not absolutely necessary if the filter is connected directly to the fan), left and right filters  230  and  231  (though only one filter need be included), electric fan  233 , and switch  239 , but specifically designed to fit the particular pet enclosure, including the associated parts for physical and electrical connection thereof. Other features of the filtering ventilation package can include analogous parts to motion detector  236 , and light emitting diode (LED)  240 .  
         [0068]    Internet Camera Package: An Internet camera package (not shown) retrofits a filtered ventilation system to existing pet enclosures, including analogous component parts to internet camera  224 , but specifically designed to fit the particular pet enclosure, including the associated parts for physical and electrical connection thereof  
         [0069]    Light Assembly Package: A light assembly package (not shown) retrofits a light to existing pet enclosures, including analogous component parts to light fixture  266 , and on/off switch  269 , but specifically designed to fit the particular pet enclosure, including the associated parts for physical and electrical connection thereof Other features of the filtering ventilation package can include analogous parts to a light emitting diode (LED)  272 .  
       CONCLUSION  
       [0070]    It can now be seen that the present invention solves many of the problems associated with the prior art. The present invention provides a pet enclosure which fits in with and compliments the existing furniture in a house or apartment. The present invention further provides a filtering ventilation assembly which reduces pet odor. The present invention further provides adaptability to virtually any style of furniture by providing a modified cabinet. The present invention still further provides a filtering ventilation assembly which reduces human allergies and is healthier for the pet by reducing airborne pet dander. The present invention yet further provides the ability to monitor the pet by camera over the Internet.  
         [0071]    Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of presently preferred embodiments of this invention. The specification, for instance, makes reference to pet enclosures such as for dogs and cats. However, the present invention is not intended to be limited to dogs and cats. Rather it is intended that the present invention can be used with any type of pet desired. Likewise, while the enclosure is typically enclosed except for an entrance opening, the present invention can be used with other enclosures which are less enclosed such as by not having a top. While the pet enclosure illustrated is made of wood, the component parts thereof can be made of other materials including plastics such as polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, and polypropylene. Plastic versions might be roto-molded, injection molded, or cut from sheets. The base, the top panel, and the wails can each be a single piece of plastic with the respective members and panels thereof forming the single piece. The panels can be finished to look like real wood, and removably interlock together using hooks and slots or other such devices. Likewise, while the enclosure is shown with the electric fan, the filters, and the ventilation duct positioned adjacent the top of the exterior cabinet, these can be positioned virtually anywhere desired. They might be positioned adjacent the base, or even connected to the outside of the cabinet. Also, the ventilation duct can be eliminated altogether, wherein a filter is attached to the electric fan so as to draw air directly from the interior of the cabinet, through the filter and fan, and exhausted to ambient air. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.