Abstract:
A crate cover assembly for covering a pet crate that includes a crate top having a crate top perimeter, a crate bottom perimeter, and at least one crate side wall, includes: a frame assembly positioned on the crate top, the frame assembly including (i) a frame base having a base perimeter that is sized and shaped to match the size and shape of the top perimeter of the pet crate, and (ii) a frame support structure that extends upward from the frame base; and a cover assembly that fits over and covers the frame assembly.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/008,390, filed Jun. 5, 2014 and entitled “CRATE COVER ASSEMBLY FOR A PET CRATE”. As far as permitted, the contents of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/008,390 are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Pet crates are helpful for pets and owners. Unfortunately pet crates can be unsightly and difficult to customize to a specific decorating style. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed towards a crate cover assembly for covering a pet crate that includes a crate top having a crate top perimeter, a crate bottom perimeter, and at least one crate side wall. In one embodiment, the crate cover assembly includes: a frame assembly positioned on the crate top, the frame assembly including (i) a frame base having a base perimeter that is sized and shaped to match the size and shape of the top perimeter of the pet crate, and (ii) a frame support structure that extends upward from the frame base; and a cover assembly that fits over and covers the frame assembly. 
         [0004]    In one embodiment, the frame base is generally rectangular shaped, the frame support structure is pyramidal shaped and includes a plurality of support rods extending away from the frame base, and the cover assembly includes a top cover that is pyramidal shaped. Additionally, the pet crate cover assembly can include at least one side curtain that selectively attaches to the frame support structure to cover at least a portion of the crate side wall. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the present invention is directed to a combination that includes the pet crate cover assembly and a pet crate that is generally rectangular shaped with four crate side walls, a crate top perimeter and a crate bottom perimeter, and at least one pet door. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the frame base includes a base perimeter, and the frame base is adjustable to change the size and shape of the base perimeter. For example, the frame base can include a plurality of adjustable joints. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pet crate assembly including a pet crate and a crate cover assembly having features of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a frame assembly attached to a pet crate, the design of the pet crate in  FIG. 2  is slightly different than the design of the pet crate in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 2  with side panel curtains extended to cover the side walls of the pet crate; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the frame assembly in which a crate cover assembly is attached to and covers the frame assembly; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the frame assembly in which the frame assembly is attached to a pet crate; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the frame assembly in which the frame assembly is detached from a pet crate; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4D  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4C ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4E  is a perspective view of the frame assembly in which the frame support beams are connected to the top connector and the corner connectors using ball and socket joints; the front beam, rear beam, and side beams are connected to corner connectors through apertures in the corner connectors; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4F  is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the frame assembly in which the front beam, rear beam, and side beams are detached from the apertures of the corner connectors; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4G  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4F ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4H  is a perspective view of the frame assembly in which a frame support beam is connected to a top connector joint and a corner connector joint and in which a side beam and a rear beam are detached from the apertures of the corner connector joint; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4I  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4H ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4J  is a perspective view in which a corner connector joint contains a socket which receives a ball to connect a frame support beam to the corner connector joint; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4K  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4J ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4L  is a perspective view of a top connector joint containing ball and socket joints to connect the frame support beams to the top connector joint; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4M  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4L ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4N  is a perspective view in which the front beam, rear beam, and side beams have been detached from the frame assembly and the frame assembly has been compressed from a generally pyramidal shaped to a generally lineal shape; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4O  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4N ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4P  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4O ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment in which the crate cover assembly is attached to the frame base and frame support structure; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  is an alternate perspective view in which the crate cover assembly is detached from the frame base and frame support structure; 
           [0029]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the frame base and frame support structure of the frame assembly; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5D  is an exploded perspective view of the frame base and frame support structure of the frame assembly; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5E  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly shown in  FIG. 5D ; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 5F  is an alternate exploded perspective view of a portion of the crate cover assembly shown in  FIG. 5D . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the present invention is directed toward a pet crate assembly  10  that includes a pet crate  12 , and a crate cover assembly  14 . As provided herein, the crate cover assembly  14  is uniquely designed to be selectively attached to and detached from the pet crate  12  without damaging the pet crate  12  or the crate cover assembly  14 . Moreover, the crate cover assembly  14  is designed such that multiple, alternative crate cover assemblies  14  can also be selectively attached to and detached from the pet crate  12  without damaging the pet crate  12  or the crate cover assemblies  14 . With this design, the crate cover assembly  14  can be used to easily add design flair to an existing pet crate  12  or a new pet crate  12 . As a result thereof, the pet crate assembly  10  can be positioned in a prominent location in a home or other location as a decorative piece, instead of something that is hidden in the garage or spare bedroom. 
         [0034]    The size, shape, and design of the pet crate  12  can be varied to suit the requirements of the pet.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one non-exclusive embodiment of the pet crate  12 . In this embodiment, the pet crate  12  is generally rectangular shaped and includes a flat, top wall  16 ; a flat, bottom wall  18 , and four flat, side walls  20  that are fastened together to form the pet crate  12 . In this design, the four side walls extend between the top wall  16  and the bottom wall  18 . Further, one of the side walls  20  includes a pet door  22  that can be selectively opened and closed. Moreover, in this embodiment, the top wall  16  has a top perimeter  16 A that is generally rectangular shaped and includes a top width  16 B, a top length  16 C, and four corners  16 D (illustrated in  FIG. 4C ). It should be noted that the pet crate  12  is  FIG. 2  is different in design from the pet crate  12  in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, for example, the pet crate  12  could have a cylindrical shape and the top perimeter can have a circular shape. 
         [0035]    The type of material used in the pet crate  12  can be varied. As a non-exclusive example, each wall  16 ,  18 ,  20  can be made as a wire frame. Alternatively, for example, one or more of the walls  16 ,  18 ,  20  can be made of plastic. 
         [0036]    Alternatively, the pet crate  12  can have a size or shape different than that illustrated in  FIG. 2 . For example, in an alternative embodiment, the top wall and the bottom wall can be disk shaped, and the pet crate  12  can include a single, tubular shaped wall. 
         [0037]    The design of the crate cover assembly  14  can be varied to suit the design of the pet crate  12 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates a first embodiment of a frame assembly in which a portion of the crate cover assembly  14  is sized and shaped to fit the rectangular shaped pet crate  12 . 
         [0038]    In this first embodiment, the crate cover assembly  14  includes a frame assembly  426 . The frame assembly  426  is designed to selectively and removably fit the pet crate  12  and support a cover assembly  428  (illustrated in  FIG. 4A ). In one non-exclusive embodiment, the frame assembly  426  includes (i) a frame base  424  and (ii) a frame support structure  430  that cooperate to support the cover assembly  428  illustrated in  FIG. 4A . In one non-exclusive embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the frame base  424  also serve as support for detachable side panel curtains  54  secured in a non-extended position by curtain ties  56 . The side panel curtains  54  are detachable from the frame base  424 . The side panel curtains  54  are made of a flexible material, such as cloth, plastic or other suitable material, and are the desired color and style. The curtain ties  56  are made of a flexible material, such as cloth, plastic, or other suitable material, and are the desired color and style. The curtain ties  56  are detachable from the side panel curtains  54 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 2  in which the curtain ties  56  illustrated in  FIG. 3A  have been detached from the side panel curtains  54  and in which the side panel curtains  54  have been extended to cover the side walls  20  of the pet crate  12 . With this design, the curtains are both decorative, but can also be moved to selectively encircle and enclose the pet crate  12 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view in which the cover assembly  428  is generally pyramidal in shape and fits over the generally pyramidal-shaped frame support structure  430  (illustrated in  FIG. 4B ). The design of these components can be varied pursuant to the teachings provided herein. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the generally pyramidal-shape frame assembly  426  without the cover assembly  428  (illustrated in  FIG. 4A ) which is generally pyramidal in shape and fits over the frame assembly  426 . The frame support structure  430  is generally pyramidal-shape and the frame base  424  is generally rectangular-shaped to fit on top of the generally rectangular-shaped pet crate  12 . It should be noted that the pet crate  12  is illustrated as a square box for simplicity. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4C  is a perspective view in which the frame base  424  forms a generally rectangular shape to fit on top of a generally rectangular shaped pet crate  12 . In this embodiment, the frame base  424  includes a front beam  432 , a rear beam  434 , two side beams  436 , and a plurality of corner connector joints  440 . It should be noted that any of these beams could be referred to as a first, second, third, or fourth beam. For example, each of the beams can be tubular shaped. 
         [0043]    The front beam  432  is connected to the side beams  436  using the plurality of corner connector joints  440 . The rear beam  434  is connected to the side beams  436  using the plurality of corner connector joints  440 . In this embodiment, there are four corner connector joints  440 , with a separated corner connector joint  440  being positioned at each of the four corners  444  of the frame base  424  and each corner  16 D of the crate  12 . In this embodiment, the frame support structure  430  is connected at a location above the frame base  424  by a top connector joint  446 . Four frame support beams  448 , each of which is connected to one corner connector joint  440  and also to the top connector joint  446 , form a generally pyramidal shape. The front beam  432 , the rear beam  434 , and the side beams  436  of the frame base  424  all function as curtain rods for detachable side panel curtains  54  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0044]      FIG. 4D  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4C . 
         [0045]      FIG. 4E  is a perspective view in which the top connector joint  446  contains a plurality of ball and socket joints  460  and in which the corner connector joints  440  contain a plurality of ball and socket joints  460 . In this embodiment, the top connector joint  446  include four ball and socket joints  460  (one to attach each support beam  448 ), and each corner connector joint  440  includes one ball and socket joint  460  to attach one of the support beams  448 . Stated in another fashion, the frame support beams  448  are connected to the top connector joint  446  using ball and socket joints  460 . The frame support beams  448  are also connected to the corner connector joints  440  using ball and socket joints  460 . In this embodiment, (i) the top connector joint  446  defines four sockets, with each socket receiving a cylindrical ball that includes an aperture for receiving one of the support beams  448 , and (ii) each corner connector joint  440  defines one socket which receives a cylindrical ball that includes an aperture for receiving one of the support beams  448 . 
         [0046]    In this embodiment, the front beam  432  is connected to two, spaced apart corner connectors  440  through apertures  462  of two corner connector joints  440 . The rear beam  434  is connected to two, spaced corner connectors  440  through apertures of two corner connector joints  440 . The side beams  436  are connected to two, spaced apart corner connectors  440  through apertures  462  of two corner connector joints  440 . 
         [0047]    It should be noted that each corner connector  440  can define a right angle shaped groove that engages one of the corner  16 D (illustrated in  FIG. 4C ) of the pet crate  12  to secure the frame base  424  to the pet crate  12 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 4F  is a perspective view in which the frame base  424  (illustrated in  FIG. 4B ) is adjustable. The frame base  424  is selectively adjusted to conform to the dimensions of the top perimeter  16 A (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) of the pet crate  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), the top width  16 B (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) of the pet crate  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), and the top length  16 C (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) of the pet crate  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). The frame base  424  is selectively adjusted by selectively adjusting the dimensions of the front beam  432 , the rear beam  434 , and/or the side beams  436  of the frame base  424 . For example, each of the tubular shaped beams  432 ,  434 ,  436  can be cut to adjust the dimensions. Thus, the frame support structure  430  (illustrated in  FIG. 4B ) is adjustable. With this design, the frame support structure  430  is selectively adjusted to conform to the dimensions of the pet crate  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 4B ). The frame support structure  430  is selectively adjusted by selectively adjusting the dimensions of the frame support beams  448  and rotation of the ball and socket joints. It should be noted that the joints could be fixed with an adhesive. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4G  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4F . 
         [0050]      FIG. 4H  is a partly exploded, perspective view in which a frame support beam  448  is connected to a corner connector joint  440  using a ball and socket joint  460  and in which the frame support beam  448  is connected to a top connector joint  446  using a ball and socket joint  460  (with the respective beam  448  being positioned in an aperture in the ball) and in which a side beam  436  and a rear beam  434  are connected to the corner connector joint  440  by positioning these beams  434 ,  436  in a separate aperture  462  in the corner connector joint  440 . In this embodiment, there are two apertures  462  in the corner connector joint  440 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 4I  is an alternate perspective view with one of the corner connector joints  440  rotated relative to the beam  448 ,  436 ,  434 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 4J  is an exploded perspective view in which a corner connector joint  440  contains a socket  464  which receives a ball  466  to connect a frame support beam  448  to the corner connector joint  440 . In this embodiment, the ball  466  includes a ball aperture  467  that is sized and shaped to receive one of the support beams  448 . It should be noted that the support beam  448  can be positioned within and fixedly secured to the ball  466  with an adhesive. 
         [0053]      FIG. 4K  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4J . 
         [0054]      FIG. 4L  is a perspective view of a top connector joint  446  containing the plurality of equally spaced apart, ball and socket joints  460  that connect a plurality of frame support beams  448  to the top connector joint  446 . In this embodiment, the top connector joint  446  contains four ball and socket joints  460 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 4M  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 4L . In this embodiment, (i) the top connector joint  446  defines four sockets  469  (semi-cylindrical shaped openings), with each socket  469  receiving a cylindrical ball  471  that includes an aperture  473  for receiving one of the support beams  448 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 4N  is a perspective view of a portion of the frame assembly  426  in a folded configuration, without the beams  432 ,  434 ,  436 . Again, in this embodiment, the top connector joint  446  contains a plurality of ball and socket joints  460  and in which corner connector joints  440  contain a plurality of ball and socket joints  460  and in which frame support beams  448  are connected to both the top connector joint  446  and to a corner connector joint  440  using ball and socket joints  460 . In this embodiment, the front beam  432  (illustrated in  FIG. 4F ), rear beam  434  (illustrated in  FIG. 4F ), and side beams  436  (illustrated in  FIG. 4F ) have been detached from the frame assembly  426  (illustrated in  FIG. 4B ) and the frame assembly  426  has been compressed from a generally pyramidal shaped to a generally lineal shape for ease of shipping or storage. 
         [0057]      FIG. 4O  is an alternate perspective view of the portion of the frame assembly  426  of  FIG. 4N . 
         [0058]      FIG. 4P  is an alternate perspective view of the portion of the frame assembly  426  of  FIG. 4O . 
         [0059]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment in which the cover assembly  528  is generally pyramidal in shape and fits over the generally pyramidal-shape frame assembly  526 . The frame support structure  530  is generally pyramidal-shape and the frame base  524  is generally rectangular-shaped. Alternatively, the frame assembly  526  can have another configuration, such as a tent pole design. 
         [0060]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view in which the frame base  524  forms a generally rectangular shape. The frame base  524  includes a front beam  532 , a rear beam  534 , two side beams  536 , and an intermediate connector beam  538 . The front beam  532  is connected to the side beams  536  using a plurality of corner connector joints  540 . The rear beam  534  is connected to the side beams  536  using a plurality of corner connector joints  540 . The intermediate connector beam  538  is connected to the side beams  536  using a plurality of side connector joints  542 . In this embodiment, there are four corner connector joints  540  at the four corners  544  of the frame base  524  and two side connector joints  542  on the two sides  545  of the frame base  524 . The frame support structure  530  is connected at a point above the frame base  524  by a top connector joint  546 . Four frame support beams  548 , each of which is connected to a corner connector joint  540  and also to the top connector joint  546 , form a generally pyramidal shape. The front beam  532 , the rear beam  534 , and the side beams  536  of the frame base  524  all function as curtain rods for side panel curtains  554 . In this embodiment, the side panel curtains  554  are tied at the four corners  544  of the frame base  524  using curtain ties  556 . Alternatively, the side panel curtains  554  may be untied and extended so that they cover the side walls  20  of the pet crate  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0061]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view in which the frame base  524  (illustrated in  FIG. 5A ) is adjustable. The frame base  524  is selectively adjusted to conform to the dimensions of the top perimeter  16 A (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) of the pet crate  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), the top width  16 B (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) of the pet crate  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), and the top length  16 C (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ) of the pet crate  12  (illustrated in  FIG. 2 ). The frame base  524  is selectively adjusted by selectively adjusting the dimensions of the front beam  532 , the rear beam  534 , and/or the side beams  536  of the frame base  524 . The frame support structure  530  (illustrated in  FIG. 5A ) is adjustable. The frame support structure  530  is selectively adjusted to conform to the dimensions of the crate cover assembly  428  (illustrated in  FIG. 4A ). The frame support structure  530  is selectively adjusted by selectively adjusting the dimensions of the frame support beams  548 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 5D  is a perspective view in which a front beam  532 , a side beam  536 , and a frame support beam  548  are all detached from a corner connector joint  540  with a plurality of corner connector prongs  552 . In this embodiment, the corner connector joint  540  has three corner connector prongs  552 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 5E  is an alternate perspective view of  FIG. 5D . In this embodiment, each corner connector joint  540  defines three cylindrical shaped apertures  541 , with each aperture  541  being sized and shaped to receive a portion of one of the beams  532 ,  536 ,  548 . In one embodiment, each beam  532 ,  536 ,  538  is tubular shaped and each aperture  541  is tubular shaped. 
         [0064]      FIG. 5F  is a perspective view in which a plurality of frame support beams  548  are detached from a top connector joint  546  containing a plurality of top connector prongs  550 . In this embodiment, there are four frame support beams  548  and four top connector prongs  550 . Further, in this embodiment, each top prong  550  defines an aperture  551  that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of one of the beams  548 . In one embodiment, each beam  548  is tubular shaped and each aperture  551  is tubular shaped. 
         [0065]    It should be noted that the combination of the pet crate and the crate cover assembly can have other shapes and dimensions than illustrated herein. For example, the top of the pet crate can be round and the crate cover assembly can be designed to fit the round pet crate. 
         [0066]    While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments of a crate cover assembly  14  have been shown and disclosed herein above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the crate cover assembly  14  shall be interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope, and no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown.