Abstract:
The present invention provides a sink enclosure for bathing pets that provides a safe environment for such bathing. The sink enclosure is composed of a number of vertical posts which support a heavy duty vinyl panel that extends around the sink and withstand water flow, spray, and pet nail penetration. An adjustable front access panel allows the pet owner easy access to the pet within the enclosure. The sink enclosure provides a water barrier and pet restraint. The invention adapts to any size sinks and configuration, and is highly durable and adds a high level of safety for both the animal and the bather. The enclosure is easy and fast to put up and take down, usually within a few minutes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/666,598 filed Jun. 29, 2012 entitled ““Sink Enclosure for Bathing Pets” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of pet care devices, and more particularly to a sink enclosure for bathing pets. 
     It is a well known fact that many pet owners wash their small to medium sized pets in a kitchen sink. Not only does this create a watery mess which can damage kitchen counters, floor areas, as well as soil the surrounding window coverings with dirty water stains, it creates an unsafe condition for the animal. The pet, even if restrained, can injure itself seeking to jump out of the sink. It is possible for a dog to jump out of the sink and having wet feet, can actually break its leg or legs. 
     Many pet owners wash their animals in the bathtub, or in the stall shower. Many disadvantages to this method are lacking control of the pet, allowing the pet to jump out of the tub when soaking wet to run through the living area shaking water all over furniture, carpet, and at the same time the pet could harm themselves by slipping on the floor. Bathing in an area like a bathtub or shower creates a stressful, high anxiety washing environment for the pet. Once a pet knows what is coming with washing in the tub or shower, the pet is in a state of high anxiety. 
     Bathing a pet in a tub means the owner must lean over the tub and put stress on their back and possibly bring on some injury. If an owner prefers to wash the pet in the stall shower, the owner must get in the shower with the pet. Not only does the animal get stressed, but the owner is also stressed. The animal could jump on the owner and cause serious harm to both itself and the owner. 
     As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved enclosure for a sink for bathing pets, and the provision of such a device is a stated object of the present invention. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,749,064; 3,793,987; 4,057,032; 4,083,328; 8,061,301; and U.S. Publn. 20110083613, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse pet bathing devices. 
     While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical device for bathing pets in a sink. 
     As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved, sink enclosure for bathing pets, and the provision of such a device is a stated object of the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly stated, the present invention provides a sink enclosure for bathing pets that provides a safe environment for such bathing. The sink enclosure is composed of a number of vertical posts which support a heavy duty vinyl panel that extends around the sink and withstand water flow, spray, and pet nail penetration. An adjustable front access panel allows the pet owner easy access to the pet within the enclosure. The sink enclosure provides a water barrier and pet restraint. The invention adapts to any size sinks and configuration, and is highly durable and adds a high level of safety for both the animal and the bather. The enclosure is easy and fast to put up and take down, usually within a few minutes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other attributes of the invention will become more clear upon a thorough study of the following description of the best mode for carrying out the invention, particularly when reviewed in conjunction with drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the sink enclosure for bathing pets of the present invention, with a dashed line showing a sink to which the enclosure is attached; 
         FIG. 1A  is a rear elevational sectional view of the sink enclosure taken along line  1 A- 1 A of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the rear vertical post showing the flexibility of the upper portion of the post; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view showing one of the posts releasably attached at a vertical face of the sink; 
         FIG. 2A  is an enlarged perspective view of the post showing the panel clamp carried on a top portion thereof; 
         FIG. 2B  is a partial perspective view of the post showing the suction cups carried on a lower portion thereof for releasable attachment to the vertical face of the sink; 
         FIG. 2C  is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the panel clamping device; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of one of the front posts that has the attached vinyl panel extending back to the rear vertical posts; 
         FIG. 3A  is an enlarged rear perspective view of the front post showing the suction cups carried on a lower portion and a cord stop carried on a top portion thereof; 
         FIG. 3B  is an enlarged front perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial left side perspective view of the front post showing the cord adjustment attached to the adjustable front access panel; and 
         FIG. 4A  is a partial left side elevational view of the front post showing the cord adjustment secured by the cord stop to secure the adjustable front access panel in a selected position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As can be seen by reference to the drawings, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , the sink enclosure for bathing pets in a sink that forms the basis of the present invention is designated generally by the reference to number  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , three vertical fiberglass posts  20  are shown releasably attached to a rear vertical face  3  of a sink  1 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , attached to each of these three posts  20  are a pair of suction cups  22  secured by screws  24  to a lower portion of the post  10 . An upper portion of each post  20  carries a panel clamp  26 . 
       FIG. 1B  shows an alternate embodiment where the vertical post  120  has a deformable section  122  located between the suction cups  22  and the panel clamps  26 . 
     The post  120  allows the flexibility of adjusting the posts in any shape, including creating a canopy to accommodate any kitchen sinks that have cabinets overhanging the kitchen sink, which is a nonflexible post  20  could not accommodate. 
     FIGS.  1  and  3 - 3 B show the front posts  30  having a pair of spaced suction cups  32  carried at a lower portion of each post  30  and a cord stop  34  carried on the top portion. A flexible vinyl panel  40  is wrapped around the post  30  at a middle portion thereof. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the flexible panel  40  is extended back to be secured by the panel clamps  26 . The panels  40  extending back from the left and right front posts  30  overlap at the rear ( FIG. 1A ) and are secured together by hook and loop fasteners  42 . 
     As shown in FIGS.  1  and  4 - 4 A, an adjustable front access panel  50  has a bottom portion secured to the front vertical face  3  of the sink  1  by suction cups  52 . A top portion of the access panel  50  is secured to the top of each of the front posts  30  by a cord  54  that interconnects the top portion of the access panel  50  and the cord stop  34 . A Rigid horizontal rod  56  is carried in the top portion of the access panel  50 . When the pet is standing with it&#39;s front legs on the inside of the access panel  50 , the top portion of the panel  50  is pulled down several inches. Thus, the pet owner has greater access to the pet while providing a sufficiently high water barrier and pet restraint. 
     In use, the user presses the three rear posts  20  with the suction cups  22  close to the top edge of the sink face  3 , to space the posts  20  at the rear left, rear center, rear right. The front left and right side posts  30  are attached to the sink face  3  with cups  32  near the bottom of the sink face  3  placed at a slight angle leaning the rod forward. 
     The vinyl panel  40  is then extended out from both left and right posts  30  to where they meet at the center rear post  20  while panel  40  conforms to the face  3  of the sink  1 . Using the attached panel clamps  26 , the upper portion of the panel  40  is attached and secured to the posts  26  and the overlapping portion of the panel  40  are secured by hook and loop fasteners  42 . If needed to accommodate the water faucet, a slit may be cut in the rear of the panel  40  so the faucets can extend through into the enclosure  20 . 
     The front access panel  50  is then unfolded and secured by the cord  54  through cord  34  on top of each front post  30 . The access panel  50  is then slid behind both front posts  30  and the suction cups  52  the bottom of the access panel  50  are attached to the sink face  3 . The user is now ready to bathe the animal. 
     Before placing the pet in the sink, make sure the water temperature has already been tested to see if it is in the comfort range for washing. 
     Place the pet in the sink without any running water. Let it get comfortable in the enclosed area first. More than likely, the pet will attempt to stand on the front access panel  50 , which is what you want it to do. 
     Once the pet is standing on the panel  50 , take the water source and spray the rear portion of the pet, hind legs/feet, buttocks, tummy etc. This is the gradualist approach and is effective against the pet getting nervous and panicky. A light, wide spray on the pet will do wonders to maintain composure and make washing of the pet easy and fun. Do not at this time do any portion of the head, around the eyes and mouth, this will be done much later, for in so doing, the pet will remain comfortable and composed. During this process, the pet is accepting the user&#39;s initiatives and its&#39; wash surrounds. Continue to gently place water going from the rear and gradually moving to the upper portion of the pet to it&#39;s neck. 
     Once the pet&#39;s body is saturated with water (except the head down to it&#39;s neck) place the shampoo on the rear portion and gradually work up to the neck area. Most likely, the pet will be standing on the access panel  50  so the user will have excellent access to wash the rear, tummy and rear paws, in fact, most of the body except the head area. 
     Continue shampooing the entire pet, all areas except for the head. It is at this stage in the washing cycle, the bather can maximize the time spent shampooing to create a whole new sense of comfort and relaxation for the pet. Because of the front access panel  50 , the bather has the ability to create a spa like environment for the pet. With no water pounding on the pet&#39;s head and having clear access to the entire body, the bather can institute massage therapy that enhances the pet&#39;s health and well being. A number of massage techniques can be institute that enhances the overall health of the pet. In addition, the bather&#39;s creating a function where the pet will be more receptive to future washes. A chore now becomes a welcome enhancement activity for the well being of the pet. 
     After massage therapy, rinse all the shampoo out of the hair. 
     Once the body is finished, the pet now should be comfortable with the whole process so the bather can apply a gentle spray of water and shampoo on the entire head, even while the pet is standing in the enclosure  10 . By this time, the pet should be relaxed and accept initiatives. Never leave the pet unattended during any phases of the wash. 
     A final rinsing should be done over the entire body to make sure no shampoo and/or conditioner remains on the skin. 
     Towel dry the entire body, particularly make sure the inner ears have been thoroughly dried. 
     Now the pet has been treated to a whole new way of bathing which provides a comfortable washing environment, both for the user and the pet. 
     Although only an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims. 
     Having thereby described the subject matter of the present invention, it should be apparent that many substitutions, modifications, and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that the invention as taught and described herein is only to be limited to the extent of the breadth and scope of the appended claims.