Abstract:
System and method directed to the art of pet kennels, more particularly collapsible pet kennels, are provided. A collapsible pet kennel having a first framework and a second framework both rotatably attached to a base framework, a first swing arm pivotably attached to the first framework and removably engageable with the second framework, a second swing arm pivotably attached to the second framework and removably engageable with the first framework, and a covering which encloses the pet kennel. The pet kennel is capable of being collapsed without removing the covering.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    To many people, pets are considered members of the family and therefore should be included in all family activities, whether it&#39;s grilling out in the backyard or relaxing in a park. Generally, this may also mean that there needs to be a place in which the pet can be go for shade or for safe keeping. 
         [0002]    Pet kennels are well known in the art, however, many are bulky solid structures that take up a lot of room when in use and also when not in use. Collapsible pet kennels may provide some convenience but are too unstable to provide the type of structure preferred in some situations and/or environments. Accordingly, the art of pet kennels could benefit from a pet kennel capable of collapsing for ease of transporting and storing the kennel, yet capable of providing a rigid frame to provide added strength to the kennel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to a pet kennel capable of collapsing for transporting or storing the kennel, and also provides a rigid frame for added strength when in use. 
         [0004]    One object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible pet kennel having a base framework; a first framework and a second framework opposite the first framework, each extending from, and pivotably affixed to, the base framework; a first swing arm pivotably attached to the first framework and removably engageable with the second framework; a second swing arm pivotably attached to the second frame work and removably engageable with the first framework; a covering extending substantially across the base framework, the first framework, the second framework, and between the first and second frameworks defining a plurality of surface members; whereby the covering is removably attachable to the first and second swing arms; and wherein a door is located in at least one of the plurality of surface members. 
         [0005]    The base framework may have a plurality of interconnected base members and the covering may have a plurality of channels located at the intersections of the surface members extending across and from the base framework through which the base members are placed. 
         [0006]    The first framework may have a plurality of first framework members and the second framework may have a plurality of second framework members. The covering may also have a plurality of channels located at the intersections of the surface members extending across and from the first and second framework members through which the first framework members and the second framework members are placed. 
         [0007]    At least one of the plurality of surface members may have a window. 
         [0008]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible pet kennel having a base framework with four elongate base members forming a closed loop connected end-to-end by a plurality of three-way corner pieces; a first framework having a first framework first upstanding member, a first framework second upstanding member, a first framework lateral member, and a first framework swing arm; a second framework having a second framework first upstanding member, a second framework second upstanding member, a second framework lateral member, and a second framework swing arm; a plurality of in-line hinge connectors affixed between each of the plurality of corner pieces and the respective first framework first and second upstanding members and the second framework first and second upstanding members; a first clip connector and a second clip connector, each having a first clip connector port, a second clip connector port, and a third clip connector port with a biasable opening; a first pivot connector and a second pivot connector, each having a first pivot connector port, a second pivot connector port, and a third pivot connector port pivotably attached by a pivot member; the first framework first upstanding member affixed to the first clip connector first port, the first framework second upstanding member affixed to the first pivot connector first port, the first framework lateral member affixed to the first clip connector second port and the first pivot connector second port, and the first framework swing arm affixed to the first pivot connector third port; the second framework first upstanding member affixed to the second clip connector first port, the second framework second upstanding member affixed to the second pivot connector first port, the second framework lateral member affixed to the second clip connector second port and the second pivot connector second port, and the second framework swing arm affixed to the second pivot connector third port; the first framework swing arm removably engageable with the biasable opening of the second clip connector third port; the second framework swing arm removably engageable with the biasable opening of the first clip connector third port; a covering extending substantially across the base framework, the first framework, the second framework, and between the first and second frameworks defining a plurality of surface members; wherein the covering is removably attachable to the first and second framework swing arms; and wherein a door is located in at least one of the plurality of surface members. 
         [0009]    The door may be located in the surface member located between the first framework second upstanding member, the first framework swing arm, the second framework first upstanding member, and the corresponding base member. 
         [0010]    The covering may have a plurality of channels located at the intersections of the surface members through which the first framework upstanding members and lateral member, second framework upstanding members and lateral member, and base framework base members are placed. 
         [0011]    At least one of the plurality of surface members may have a window. 
         [0012]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for erecting a collapsible pet kennel, the method comprising the steps of: providing a collapsible pet kennel comprising a base framework; a first framework and a second framework opposite the first framework, each extending from, and pivotably affixed to, the base framework by a plurality of in-line hinge connectors; a first framework swing arm pivotably attached to the first framework by a first framework pivot connector and removably engageable with the second framework at a second framework clip connector; a second framework swing arm pivotably attached to the second framework by a second framework pivot connector and removably engageable with the first framework at a first framework clip connector; a covering extending substantially across the base framework, the first framework, the second framework, and between the first and second frameworks defining a plurality of surface members; whereby the covering is removably attachable to the first and second swing arms; and whereby the first swing arm is positioned against the first framework, the second swing arm is positioned against the second framework, the first framework is positioned across the base framework, and the second framework is positioned across the first framework; rotating the second framework away from the first framework about the in-line hinge connectors; rotating the first framework away from the base framework about the in-line hinge connectors; rotating the first framework swing arm away from the first framework; engaging the first framework swing arm within the second framework clip connector; attaching the covering to the first framework swing arm; rotating the second framework swing arm away from the second framework; engaging the second framework swing arm within the first framework clip connector; and attaching the covering to the second framework swing arm. 
         [0013]    The first and second framework clip connectors may have a biasable opening. Further, the first and second framework swing arms may be attached to the covering with a plurality of interfacing hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0014]    The base framework may have a plurality of interconnected base members, and the covering may have a plurality of channels located at the intersections of the surface members extending across or from the base framework through which the base members are placed. 
         [0015]    The first framework may have a plurality of first framework members and the second framework may have a plurality of second framework members. The covering may further have a plurality of channels located at the intersections of the surface members extending across or from the first and second frameworks through which the first framework members and the second framework members are placed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the pet kennel according to the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of the framework of the pet kennel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 2B  is a partially exploded view of the framework of the pet kennel shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3A  is a close-up view of the pet kennel within section  3 A of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 3B  is close-up view of the pet kennel within section  3 B of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3C  is a close-up view of the pet kennel within section  3 C of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4-8  depict a progressive method of erecting the pet kennel of  FIG. 1  according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0023]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0024]    A preferred embodiment  10  of the pet kennel according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 1  and is shown housing a pet  80  in  FIG. 8 . The pet kennel  10  is depicted in a fully configured and upstanding orientation. The pet kennel  10  comprises a base framework  100 , a first framework  200 A, a second framework  200 B, a first swing arm  270 A, a second swing arm  270 B, and a covering  500 . 
         [0025]    The base framework  100 , as shown more clearly in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , comprises a plurality of pipe-like base members  110  and a plurality of corner pieces  120  for receiving and joining the base members  110  together. Preferably, the base framework  100  comprises four elongate base members  110 , the corner pieces  120  comprise three-way elbows or the like, and the joined base members  110  form a rectangle. 
         [0026]    The first and the second frameworks  200 A,  200 B are substantially similar and therefore, for the sake of brevity, the following description should be construed as applicable to both the first and the second frameworks  200 A,  200 B, however, only the first framework  200 A will be described with some reference to the second framework  200 B in regards to the interaction between the frameworks  200 A,  200 B. 
         [0027]    The first framework  200 A preferably comprises a first upstanding member  210 A, a second upstanding member  220 A, a lateral member  230 A extending between the first upstanding member  210 A and the second upstanding member  220 A, a pair of in-line hinge connectors  240 A (See  FIG. 3C ), a clip connector  250 A, a pivot connector  260 A, and a swing arm  270 A. 
         [0028]    Now referring to  FIG. 3C , each of the in-line hinge connectors  240 A preferably comprise a first in-line connector port  242 A hingedly affixed to a second in-line connector port  244 A via a hinge member  246 A. The first in-line connector port  242 A is attached to the base framework  100  approximately at or near the corner pieces  120 . As shown here, the in-line hinge connector  240 A is joined to the corner pieces  120  by a nipple  60  received within the corner piece  120  and within the first in-line connector port  242 A. It is preferable that the in-line hinge connectors  240 A provide a hinge point at a position between the corner pieces  120  and the midpoint of the respective upstanding member  210 A,  220 A (See  FIG. 2B ). 
         [0029]    Received within each of the second in-line connector ports  244 A is the first framework first and second upstanding members  210 A,  220 A. The first framework first upstanding member  210 A preferably terminates in a clip connector  250 A (See  FIG. 3B ). The clip connector  250 A preferably comprises a three-way elbow having a first clip connector port  252 A, a second clip connector port  254 A, and a third clip connector port  256 A, all projecting outwardly away from each other in three different directions at approximately 90 degrees, or isometrically. 
         [0030]    The first and second clip connector ports  252 A,  254 A are preferably cylindrical and are configured to receive the first framework first upstanding member  210 A and the first framework lateral member  230 A, respectively, coaxially therein. The third clip connector port  256 A is sized and configured to have a biasable opening  258 A about a portion of the periphery to receive the distal end portion  272 B of the swing arm  270 B of the second framework  200 B (See  FIG. 3B ). 
         [0031]    The opening  258 A expands upon applying force to the swing arm distal end portion  272 B against the opening  258 A and whereby the third clip connector port  256 A will substantially retain the original shape after the swing arm distal end portion  272 B passes through and into the third clip connector port  256 A. The same biasing force must be overcome when removing the swing arm distal end portion  272 B from the third clip connector port  256 A. 
         [0032]    The first framework second upstanding member  220 A preferably terminates in a pivot connector  260 A (See  FIG. 3A ). The pivot connector  260 A preferably comprises a three-way elbow having a first pivot connector port  262 A, a second pivot connector port  264 A, and a third pivot connector port  266 A, all projecting outward from each other in three different directions at approximately 90 degrees, or isometrically. 
         [0033]    The first and second pivot connector ports  262 A,  264 A are preferably cylindrical and are configured to receive the first framework second upstanding member  220 A and the first framework lateral member  230 A, respectively, coaxially therewith. The third pivot connector port  266 A has a pivot member  268 A connecting the third pivot connector port  266 A to or near the junction of the first and second pivot connector ports  262 A,  264 A. 
         [0034]    The third connector port  266 A of the pivot connector  260 A is sized and configured to receive the swing arm  270 A therein and permits the swing arm  270 A to rotate about the pivot member  268 A in the direction of the adjacent first framework lateral member  230 A. 
         [0035]    Looking back to  FIG. 1 , the pet kennel  10  is shown having a covering  500 . The covering  500  preferably extends substantially across the base and the first and second frameworks  200 A,  200 B and between the first and second frameworks  200 A,  200 B to completely enclose the pet kennel  10  and define a plurality of surface members: a first surface member  510 , a second surface member  520 , a third surface member  530 , a fourth surface member  540 , a fifth surface member  550 , and a base surface member  560 . 
         [0036]    The base surface member  560  extends substantially across the base framework  100  from and between the base members  110 . The first surface member  510  extends substantially from and between the first framework first and second upstanding members  210 A,  220 A and substantially from and between the adjacent base member  110  and the first framework lateral member  230 A. 
         [0037]    At the intersection of the base surface member  560  and the first surface member  510  a channel  20  preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding base member  110  may pass. 
         [0038]    The second surface member  520  extends substantially from and between the second framework first and second upstanding members  210 B,  220 B and from and between the adjacent base member  110  and the second framework lateral member  230 B. 
         [0039]    At the intersection of the second surface member  520  and the base surface member  560  a channel  22  (hidden) preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding base member  110  may pass. 
         [0040]    The third surface member  530  extends substantially from and between the first framework lateral member  230 A and the second framework lateral member  230 B and substantially from and between the first and second swing arms  270 A,  270 B when the first and second swing arms  270 A,  270 B are installed within their respective clip connector  250 A,  250 B. 
         [0041]    At the intersection of the third surface member  530  and the first surface member  510  a channel  24  preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding first framework lateral member  230 A may pass. At the intersection of the third surface member  530  and the second surface member  520  a channel  26  extends therefrom through which the corresponding second framework lateral member  230 B may pass. 
         [0042]    The connection of the third surface member  530  to the first and second framework swing arms  270 A,  270 B is preferably achieved with a plurality of support fasteners  70 . The connection is preferably a reversible one. As shown here, the support fasteners  70  comprise a plurality of hook and loop strap pairs; however, any type of removable connector may be used, including, but not limited to, elastically biased hooks (not shown). 
         [0043]    The fourth surface member  540  extends substantially from and between the first framework first upstanding member  210 A and the second framework second upstanding member  220 B, and substantially from and between the adjacent base member  110  and the second framework swing arm  270 B. 
         [0044]    At the intersection of the fourth surface member  540  and the first surface member  510  a channel  28  preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding first framework first upstanding member  210 A may pass. At the intersection of the fourth surface member  540  and the second surface member  520  a channel  30  (hidden) preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding second framework second upstanding member  220 B may pass. At the intersection of the fourth surface member  540  and the base surface member  560 , a channel  32  (hidden) preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding base member  110  may pass. 
         [0045]    The connection of the fourth surface member  540  to the second framework swing arm  270 B is preferably achieved through the support fasteners  70  which also connect the third surface member  530  to the second framework swing arm  270 B. 
         [0046]    The fifth surface member  550  extends substantially from and between the first framework second upstanding member  220 A and the second framework first upstanding member  210 B, and substantially from and between the adjacent base member  110  and the first framework swing arm  270 A. 
         [0047]    At the intersection of the fifth surface member  550  and the first surface member  510  a channel  34  preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding first framework second upstanding member  220 A may pass. At the intersection of the fifth surface member  550  and the second surface member  520  a channel  36  preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding second framework first upstanding member  210 B may pass. At the intersection of the fifth surface member  550  and the base surface member  560 , a channel  38  preferably extends therefrom through which the corresponding base member  110  may pass. 
         [0048]    The connection of the fifth surface member  550  to the first framework swing arm  270 A is preferably achieved through the support fasteners  70  which also connect the third surface member  530  to the first framework swing arm  270 A. 
         [0049]    A door  552  is preferably located within the fifth surface member  550 . The entry door  552  is preferably a closeable door. For example, the embodiment shown here employs a zipper which may be used to open and close the door  552 . 
         [0050]    Additionally or alternatively, mesh windows  570  may be included within the first, second, and fourth surface members  510 ,  520 ,  540 . The entry door  552  may also comprises a mesh-type material. It should be noted that other types of material which allow air to pass through the pet kennel  10  are also contemplated. 
         [0051]    Looking now to  FIGS. 4-8 , the process of transforming the pet kennel  10  from the collapsed configuration ( FIG. 4 ) to the fully assembled configuration ( FIG. 8 ) is shown.  FIG. 4  illustrates the step of providing a pet kennel  10  according to the present invention in a collapsed configuration. In this state, the second framework swing arm  270 B is rotated about the pivot member  268 B and is positioned against the second framework lateral member  230 B and the first framework swing arm  270 A (hidden) is pivoted about the pivot member  268 A (hidden) and positioned against the first framework lateral member  230 A (hidden). The first framework  200 A is positioned over the base framework  100 , and the second framework  200 B is positioned over the first framework  200 A. It is contemplated that the position order of the first framework  200 A and the second framework  200 B may be reversed. 
         [0052]    A retaining device  40  may be employed to maintain the pet kennel  100  in the collapsed position ( FIG. 4 ). In the embodiment shown, a hook and loop type mating pair of straps  42 A,  42 B are used, whereby a first strap  42 A is attached approximately at or near the channel  20  between the base surface member  560  and the first surface member  510  and a second strap  42 B is attached approximately at or near the channel  26  between the second surface member  520  and the third surface member  530 . Whereby, when the pet kennel  10  is in the collapsed position, the first strap  42 A is adjacent to the second strap  42 B and the two straps  42 A,  42 B can be interfaced together. 
         [0053]      FIG. 5  illustrates rotating the second framework  200 B about the second framework in-line hinge connectors  240 B away from the first framework  200 A to a position substantially perpendicular with the base framework  100 . 
         [0054]    Additionally or alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , swing arm straps  50  are provided to retain the swing arms  270 A,  270 B from pivoting during the assembly or collapsing process. Preferably the swing arm straps  50  comprise a hook and loop type strap (see  FIG. 7 ). The straps  50  for the first framework swing arm  270 A are preferably attached at or near the third surface member  530  side of the channel  24  between the first surface member  510  and the third surface member  530 . The straps  50  for the second framework swing arm  270 B are preferably attached at or near the third surface member  530  side of the channel  26  between the second surface member  520  and the third surface member  530 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 6  illustrates rotating the first framework  200 A about the first framework in-line hinge connectors  240 A away from the base framework  100  to a position substantially perpendicular to the base framework  100  and substantially parallel with the second framework  200 B. 
         [0056]      FIG. 7  shows the step of rotating the first framework swing arm  270 A away from the first framework lateral member  230 A about the first framework pivot connector  260 A towards the second framework clip connector  250 B and rotating the second framework swing arm  270 B away from the second framework lateral member  230 B about the second framework pivot connector  260 B and towards the first framework clip connector  250 A. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8  illustrates the steps of inserting the first and second framework swing arm distal end portions  272 A,  272 B into the corresponding clip connectors  250 A,  250 B and affixing each support fasteners about the respective swing arm  270 A,  270 B. 
         [0058]    It should be noted that the steps put forth above may be reversed to collapse the pet kennel  10  to place it back into the configuration as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0059]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.