Abstract:
A modular pet assembly having a pair of end members that define an opening sized and shaped for the entrance and exit of a pet. At least one end member is configured for wall mounting at a selected elevation. A lateral member interchangeably engages between the end members at a plurality of locations for arrangement of the modular pet assembly in a plurality of configurations. The pet assembly assembles into a configuration for accommodating a pet, and disassembles into a configuration for storage and shipping.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Non-Provisional application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/448,039 filed Mar. 1, 2011, and which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The disclosure is generally related to wall mounted pet beds, and more specifically to wall mounted modular pet beds. 
         [0004]    Some domesticated animals, and in particular cats, have a fondness of perching. According to animal behaviorists, cats favor high places because it provides a good vantage point for watching for prey and gives cats a feeling of security. In contrast to the cat&#39;s natural instincts, most furniture for cats, such as a bed, is designed for placement on the floor. In addition, most furniture is inflexible and can not be reconfigured to accommodate different needs and tastes by the pet and its owner. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a pet enclosure is needed that can be wall mounted and is modular for reconfiguration according to a pet owner&#39;s needs and tastes. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular pet assembly mounted on a wall; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the modular pet assembly; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a top view of a dowel fastener; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4A  is a top view of a cam-lock; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4B  is a side view of the cam-lock; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a top view of a dowel fastener engaged with a lateral member; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a top view of a dowel fastener and cam-lock engaged with a lateral member; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the modular pet assembly mounted on the wall; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is another perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the modular pet assembly mounted on the wall and defining open slots. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the claimed invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the claimed invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the claimed invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The claimed invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, generally referred to as a modular pet assembly  10 , is configured as a generally hexagonal prism that includes a pair of end members  12  and  14  connected by a plurality of lateral members  16 . The modular pet assembly  10  can be mounted on a wall  17  so that a pet can perch on top of the assembly  10  or within a chamber  18  defined by the end members  12  and  14  and lateral members  16 . 
         [0019]    Although the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  is preferably for use by a domestic cat, the assembly  10  can be used by any domesticated or tamed animal, including, but not limited to, dogs, rabbits, reptiles, and ferrets. 
         [0020]    Each of the end members  12  and  14  is generally a planar hexagonal panel that defines a through hole  19 , an inner face  20 , an outer face  22 , an inner edge  24 , and an outer edge  26 . However, the end members  12  and  14  can be any suitable shape and size, such as, square, octagonal, pentagonal, circular or oval. The through hole  19  is preferably hexagonal shaped to generally correspond to the shape of the end members  12  and  14 . However, the through hole  19  can be any shape and size that that allows a pet to enter and exit the assembly  10 , such as square, octagonal, pentagonal, circular or oval. The inner face  20  defines a plurality of dowel recesses  21  shaped and sized to receive fasteners  23 , such as dowel and cam-lock fasteners. Each dowel recess  21  should be sized and shaped to receive a dowel  25 . 
         [0021]    Each lateral member  16  is a generally rectangular planar panel defining cam recesses  27  in the inner face  29  shaped and sized to receive a cam-lock  31 . Corresponding through holes  33  extend from the cam recess  27  to an edge  35  for alignment with a corresponding dowel recess  21  of the end member  12  or  14 . To enhance the comfort of the assembly  10 , the lateral member  16  can be at least partially enclosed by a suitable covering, including, but not limited to, carpet, felt, fabric, upholstery, canvas, sisal, fleece, cork, and the like. 
         [0022]    The assembly  10  is preferably made from wood, but can also be made from any other suitable material or combination of materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, particle board, or other suitable material. 
         [0023]    The assembly  10  components can be assembled using fasteners  23  to secure the lateral members  16  between the end members  12  and  14 . For instance, dowels  25  are secured in the dowel recesses  21  and extend through the through holes  33  to secure with the cam-locks  31  within the cam recesses  27 . Any number of lateral members  16  can engage the end members  12  and  14  at any of the positions defined by the recesses  21  and  27 . In this way, the assembly  10  can be assembled into numerous different configurations. For example, with the hexagonal configuration shown, four lateral members  16  are connected between the end members  12  and  14 . Alternatively, three lateral members  16  can be mounted in the lowermost available positions such as shown in  FIG. 1 , and a single lateral member  16  located at the uppermost position as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]    The end members  12  and  14  can have other shapes, such as square, oval, circular, or octagonal. 
         [0025]    The assembly  10  is mounted to the wall  17  at an appropriate height for the pet using a suitable means, such as fasteners, including but not limited to, nails, screws, French clip, anchors, or adhesive. The modular design of the assembly  10  permits shipping and transport in an unassembled position, thereby reducing cost. When unassembled, the assembly can be configured into a reduced volume arrangement to reduce the size for storage, transport, and shipping. The reduced volume arrangement can comprise any suitable arrangement, including, but not limited to, rectangular, hexagonal, and the like. 
         [0026]    In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , each of the end members  112  and  114  is generally a planar hexagonal panel that defines a through hole  119 , an inner face  120 , an outer face  122 , an inner edge  124 , and an outer edge  126 . However, the end members  112  and  114  can be any suitable shape and size, such as, square, octagonal, pentagonal, circular or oval. The through hole  118  is preferably hexagonal shaped to generally correspond to the shape of the end members  112  and  114 . However, the through hole  118  can be any shape and size that that allows a pet to enter and exit the assembly  110 , such as square, octagonal, pentagonal, circular or oval. The inner face  120  defines a plurality of grooves  126  shaped and sized to receive corresponding lateral members  116 . In  FIGS. 7-8 , each groove  126  is generally rectangular with a length about equal to a corresponding segment  128  of the end members  112  and  114  and positioned generally parallel with the corresponding segment  128 . The groove  126  can extend partially or entirely through the thickness of the end members  112  and  114 . 
         [0027]    Each lateral member  116  is a generally rectangular planar panel with a tongue  130  projecting from each of the ends of member  116 . The tongues  130  are sized and shaped to seat within a corresponding groove  126 . The tongues  130  and grooves  126  are preferably all of a generally consistent shape and size for interchangeable mating between the any tongue  130  and any groove  126  so that any particular lateral member  116  can be mounted with its tongues  130  inserted with any of the available grooves. To enhance the comfort of the assembly  110 , the lateral member  116  can be at least partially enclosed by a suitable covering, including, but not limited to, carpet, felt, fabric, upholstery, canvas, sisal, fleece, cork, and the like. 
         [0028]    The assembly  110  is preferably made from wood, but can also be made from any other suitable material or combination of materials, including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, glass, ceramic, particle board, or other suitable material. 
         [0029]    The assembly  110  components can be fit together by hand. To assemble, each lateral member  116  can be moved by hand to have its tongues  130  at one end fit within the grooves  126  of one of the end members, such as member  112 . After that, the tongues  130  at the opposite ends of lateral members  116  can be inserted into the grooves  126  of the other end member  114 . The tongues  130  are secured within the grooves  126  using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, fasteners, friction fit, or adhesive. Any number of lateral members  116  can engage the end members  112  and  114  at any of the positions defined by the grooves  126 . In this way, the assembly  110  can be assembled into numerous different configurations. For example, with the hexagonal configuration shown, six lateral members  116  can have their corresponding tongues  130  inserted in the end member  112  and  114 . Alternatively, three lateral members  116  can be mounted in the lowermost available positions such as shown in  FIG. 8 , and a single lateral member  116  located at the uppermost position as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0030]    The grooves  126  are shown as extending completely through the sides of the end members  112  and  114 . However the grooves can extend only partially into the inside wall of the end members  112  and  114 , so that the outer side of the grooves  126  are closed. This presents a different finish appearance to the exterior of the end members  112  and  114 . 
         [0031]    The end members  112  and  114  can have other shapes, such as square, oval, circular, or octagonal. In the case of square shaped end members there could be grooves therein to receive the tongues of lateral members so that each side of the end member  112  and  114  could have a corresponding lateral member extending generally parallel with each of its four sides. If the end members are octagonal, eight sets of grooves could be available for eight lateral members with tongues. 
         [0032]    The assembly is mounted to the wall  117  at an appropriate height for the pet using a suitable means, such as fasteners, including but not limited to, nails, screws, French clip, anchors, or adhesive. The modular design of the assembly  110  permits shipping and transport in an unassembled position, thereby reducing cost. 
         [0033]    Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.