Abstract:
A bed for a pet such as a cat or dog that includes a frame having a collapsible and expandable network of interlocking legs and a covering for the frame. The covering includes a first cover portion for extending over a top and four sides of the frame, and a second cover portion for further extending over the top side or raised floor of the frame. The network of interlocking legs includes pairs of pivoting legs interconnected via hubs and, as a whole, is resilient so as to provide a forgiving or hammock style of pet bed. The first cover portion hides the networked frame from view. The second cover portion includes a cushion to provide further resiliency to the pet bed and further includes a carpet of soft fibers on which the pet directly makes contact when lying down.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a pet bed, particularly to a pet bed having a frame of interconnected legs that can be collapsed and expanded, and specifically to such a pet bed that further includes a covering for the top and four sides of the frame. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Dogs love beds. Beds are soft, resilient and warm. Moreover, dogs are social animals and prefer to be as close as possible to one or more family members. Even if vacant, beds contain the scent of a family member, perhaps providing security for the dog home alone. 
         [0003]    Of course, some dog owners prefer the dog out of the bed. In such a case, the dog may be provided with a blanket at some location in the house, such as adjacent a heating vent. Or the dog may sleep on his or her own pet bed, such as an overstuffed bean bag type of bed. Sometimes the dog gets the couch at night. 
         [0004]    A blanket is portable. A blanket may provide a level of security for a dog. However, a blanket provides little cushion and no resiliency. 
         [0005]    A couch provides cushion and resiliency. Yet a couch is typically not portable. Couches too, like beds, are often off limits for the family dog. 
         [0006]    A kennel, especially for a larger dog, may be relatively large for being used inside of the house and is minimally portable. Also, the conventional kennel has just one port of access. This cave like feature may provide a level of security for some dogs. However, delegation to such a closed chamber may be taken as punishment by other dogs. 
         [0007]    The bean bag type dog bed is portable and provides some cushion for the dog. However, a bean bag type dog bed is not resilient. Further, a bean bag type dog bed tends to be relatively large for even a relatively small dog and thus takes up a relatively great amount of space. Also, a bean bag type dog seat always occupies the same amount of space; it is not collapsible and thus is not stored easily. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A feature of the present invention is a pet bed that is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
         [0009]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a pet bed that is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration, of at least four first hubs and at least four second hubs, with the first hubs lying generally in a first plane in each of the open and closed configurations, and with the second hubs lying generally in a second plane in each of the open and closed configurations, with the first hubs confronting each other when the pet bed is in the closed position, with the second hubs confronting each other when the pet bed is in the closed position, and with each of the first hubs being paired with and confronting one of the second hubs when the pet bed is in the open position. 
         [0010]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a pet bed that is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration, of at least eight interlocking legs, with each of the interlocking legs having a first end section, a midsection and a second end section, with each of the interlocking legs being pivotally joined to another interlocking leg at the midsection via a first pivot, with each of the first end sections of the interlocking legs being pivotally joined to one of the first hubs, and with each of the second end sections of the interlocking legs being pivotally joined to one of the second hubs such that the frame is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
         [0011]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a pet bed that is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration, of a first brace or stop extending between a first pair of interlocking legs that are pivotally joined to each other such that a further opening of the frame of the pet bed is stopped. 
         [0012]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a pet bed that is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration, of a covering engaged to the frame and capable of receiving and supporting a pet standing, sitting or lying down, with the covering being flexible such that the covering is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration. 
         [0013]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a pet bed that is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration, of the covering including a first cover portion, with the first cover portion providing a raised floor portion and further being disposed over the interlocking legs to generally hide the frame from view. 
         [0014]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a pet bed that is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration, of the covering including a second cover portion, with the second cover portion being releasably engaged to at least one of the hubs and first cover portion, and with the second cover portion including a resilient cushion tracking the four sides of the frame to provide a nest like feature to the pet bed. 
         [0015]    Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a pet bed that is collapsible from an open configuration to a closed configuration and expandable from the closed configuration to the open configuration, of the second cover portion including a soft fiber layer, with the soft fiber layer extending generally from the first side to the second and opposite side and from the third side to the fourth and opposite side, and with the soft fiber layer being exposed such that a pet on the pet bed makes direct contact with the soft fiber layer. 
         [0016]    An advantage of the present invention is a pet bed that can be collapsed to a compact form for storage and is thus portable. One feature contributing to this advantage is the network of legs that pivot at midsections and that pivot at corner hubs. 
         [0017]    Another advantage of the present invention is a pet bed that, despite being collapsible and expandable, is relatively sturdy and supportive for even a large dog such as a Chocolate Labrador. One feature contributing to this advantage is the stop or brace that stops the network from further expansion and supports the network while the network is in an open configuration. A pair of first stops is disposed on one side of the frame and a pair of second stops is disposed on the opposite side of the frame. 
         [0018]    Another advantage of the present invention is a pet bed that is resilient. Features contributing to such resiliency are the frame and free standing hubs, and the covering that pulls in a hammock fashion from the free standing hubs. With connection at four corner hubs, the covering does not spin like a hammock but provides the resiliency of a hammock. 
         [0019]    Another advantage of the present invention is a pet bad that provides a nest in at least two different ways. First, the hammock style arrangement provides a depression in the nature of a nest. Second, the resilient cushion tracks the first, second, third and fourth sides of the frame to extend about a periphery of the top of the covering such that the central portion of the covering is lower than such periphery. 
         [0020]    Another advantage of the present invention is that it is inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0021]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the pet bed is open. That is, a pet may step onto the pet bed from any direction, from any of the four sides of the pet bed, or from any of the corners of the pet bed. 
         [0022]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the raised floor of the covering is spaced from the surface on which the pet bed rests, such as a floor of a house or a lawn. A floor may be cold or warm. Whether the floor is cold or warm, the pet bed may be placed next to a vent that may dispense warm air in the winter or cool air in the summer, and such air may then be circulated over and under the pet and pet bed. Even if not adjacent a vent, the raised floor of the pet bed takes on the temperature of the surrounding air, not the temperature of the cold cement floor of the garage or basement, or the temperature of the cold tile floor of the kitchen or basement, or the temperature of the cold hardwood floor of the living room or bedroom. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present pet bed in an open and operating configuration. 
           [0024]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the pet bed of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed configuration. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the pet bed of  FIG. 1  having a canopy. 
           [0026]      FIG. 2B  is a detail perspective view of a portion of the frame of the pet bed of  FIG. 1  and shows a stop that prevents the frame from further expansion. 
           [0027]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present pet bed in an open and operating configuration. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3B  is a detail perspective view of a hub that may be utilized for any of the hubs of the pet bed of  FIGS. 1A  or  3 A. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the pet bed of  FIG. 3A  in a collapsed configuration. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the pet bed of  FIG. 3A  and shows how the first cover portion is engaged to the frame and how the second cover portion is engaged to the first cover portion. 
           [0031]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the frame of the pet bed of either  FIG. 1A  or  FIG. 3A . 
           [0032]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the pet bed of  FIG. 3A  having a canopy. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the preferred embodiment of the pet bed is indicated in general by the reference numeral  10 . Pet bed  10  includes a network or frame  12  of interconnected legs  14  and hubs  16 . Pet bed  10  further includes a covering  18  having a first cover portion  20  and a second cover portion  22  disposed on top of the first cover portion  20  such that the top of the pet bed  10  includes two cover layers. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 4  and SA shows the frame  12  free of the covering  18 .  FIG. 4  shows the frame  12  in an open configuration.  FIG. 5A  shows the frame  12  in a configuration that is approaching and close to the closed configuration. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5A , leg  14  includes a midsection  24  where a pivot  26  pivotally joins such midsection  24  to a midsection of a paired leg  14 . Leg  14  further includes a half-section  28  and a pair of end sections  30 . Leg half-section  28  extends from one of the end sections  30  to the midsection  24  where the pivot  26  is located. Each of the end sections  30  is pivotally jointed via a pivot  32  to one of the hubs  16 . Leg  14  is preferably, tubular. Leg  14  is preferably formed of a metal such as steel or aluminum. Leg  14  is preferably relatively rigid yet somewhat resilient. 
         [0036]    Hub  16  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 2B and 3B . Hub  16  includes a circular or disk shaped flat face  34 . Flat face  34  is turned upwardly when hub  16  is one of the upper four hubs of the frame  12 . Here such a flat face  34  minimizes any discomfort to any portion of the body of a pet that may be lying on a corner of the pet bed  10 . Flat face  34  is turned downwardly when flat face  34  is one of the lower four hubs of the frame  12 . Here such a flat face  34  maximizes the stability of the pet bed  10  and serves as a flat foot for the pet bed  10 . Flat face  34  is opposed by a T-shaped flat face  38 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . Flat face  34  resides on a disk portion  38  of hub  16 . Flat face  36  resides on a T-shaped portion  40  of hub  16 , and such T-shaped portion  40  of hub  16  extends for a great amount of the height of the hub  16 . T-shaped portion  40  includes a first wall that serves as a base for engaging one pivot  32  that in turn engages one leg  14  of a particular hub  16 . T-shaped portion  42  includes a second wall that serves as a base for engaging another pivot  32  that in turn engages the other leg  14  joined to such hub  16 . Such two pivots  32  of a particular hub  16  are disposed on respective axes set perpendicular to each other. Such two pivots  32  are connected within hub  16 , not on an exterior of hub  16 . Such a recession of the pivots  32  and the protection of the relatively wide disk shaped portion  38  minimize a pinching of fingers when the frame  12  is expanded and collapsed. Hub  16  further includes a through opening  42  that extends to and between the faces  34  and  36 . Hub  16  further includes support ribs extending between the disk portion  38  and the T-shaped portion  40 . 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , frame  12  includes a first side  44  opposite a second side  46 . Frame  12  further includes a third side  48  opposite a fourth side  50 . Each of the sides  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  is formed by a pair of interconnected legs  14 . Each of the interconnected legs  14  is pivotally joined to an upper hub, to a lower hub, and to one other leg  14 . The path of travel from leg  14  to leg  14  or, more specifically, from the distal end of a first leg  14 , across a first hub  16 , to the proximal end of a second leg  14  engaged to the first hub  16 , to the distal end of the second leg  14 , across a second hub  16 , to the proximal end of a third leg  14  is as follows: from an upper first hub, a first leg  14  extends outwardly of a leg to which it is pivotally joined to a lower second hub, a second leg  14  then extends from the lower second hub and inwardly of a leg to which it is pivotally joined to an upper third hub, a third leg  14  then extends from the upper third hub and outwardly of a leg to which it is pivotally joined to a lower fourth hub, and a fourth leg  14  then extends from the lower fourth hub and inwardly of a leg to which it is pivotally joined to the first hub. A second set of four legs  14  is provided with the same path of travel as the first set of legs  14  except that the second set of four legs  14  is offset by the distance of one-half of a leg  14 . 
         [0038]    The pet bed  10  includes at least four first and upper hubs  16  and at least four second and lower hubs  16 . The first hubs  16  lie generally in a first plane in each of the open and closed configurations. The second hubs  16  lie generally in a second plane in each of the open and closed configurations. The first hubs  16  confront each other when the pet bed  10  is in the closed position. The second hubs  16  confront each other when the pet bed  10  is in the closed position. Each of the first hubs  16  is paired with and confront one of the second hubs  16  when the pet bed  10  is in the open position. Each of said second hubs  16  includes a face for confronting a surface on which the pet bed rests. 
         [0039]    As shown in detail in  FIG. 2B , frame  12  includes a stop or brace  52  that prevents further expansion of frame  12  so as to maintain frame  12  in a position operable to provide support for covering  18 . Stop  52  includes a cradle  54  to confront and make contact with a leg  14 . Cradle  54  is elongate in the direction of the axis of the leg  14  with which it engages. Stop  52  is in the shape of a thin bar or sheet. As shown in  FIG. 2B , stop  52  is rigidly fixed to one leg  14  and releasably engages the paired pivoting leg  14 . Stop  52 , or its axis, extends obliquely downwardly from the leg  14  to which it is rigidly affixed and meets up with the other leg  14  at generally a perpendicular angle. Stop  52  depends from an outward or inner portion of the leg  14  to which it is rigidly affixed and then bends inwardly or outwardly such that a lower portion of stop  52  is aligned in generally a common vertical plane with the leg  14  that it releasably engages. 
         [0040]    As indicated above, covering  18  includes a first cover portion  20  and a second cover portion  22 . First cover portion  20  generally includes a top cover section  56  engaged, such as by stitching, to a side cover section  58 . Top cover section  56  when utilized alone without side cover section  58  is shown in the exploded view in  FIG. 4  of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , side cover section  58  covers each of the first, second, third and fourth sides  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  from a first horizontal plane defined by the four upper hubs to generally a second horizontal plane defined by a location at or slightly above the four lower hubs. When a pet is in the pet bed, the lower edge of the side cover section  58  may terminate slightly above a horizontal plane defined by the four lower hubs because of an upward pulling of the side cover section  58  caused by the weight of the pet. When a pet is not in the pet bed, the lower edge of the side cover section  58  may terminate at a location in a horizontal plane defined by about a medial portion of the four lower hubs. The side cover section  58  is preferably formed of an opaque material to hide the frame  12 . The side cover section  58  may be formed of a relatively lightweight nylon material. 
         [0042]    The first cover portion  20  further includes the top cover section  56 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the top cover section  56  includes a grommet or reinforced through opening  60  in each of the four corners of the top cover section  56 . A pin connector  62  inserted through grommet  60  and hub  16  via hub opening  42  engages the top cover section  56  and hence the first covering  18  to the frame  12 . Pin connector  62  can be formed in two parts where one part is a keyed cap that engages a slotted hub opening  42  and wherein the other part is a threaded pin that screws into the keyed cap, and such two parts are shown in  FIG. 4 . Top cover section  56  is preferably formed of a material of greater strength and durability than side cover section  58 . For example, top cover section  56  can be formed of a relatively heavy weight nylon or canvas material. 
         [0043]    The second cover portion  22  lies on top of the top cover section  56  and engages the top cover section  56  via a quick connect  64 , which quick connect  64  is shown in  FIG. 4  with the alternate embodiment. Quick connect  64  includes a hook and loop connector, such as Velcro®, where a first length of material  66  includes a plurality of hooks and where a second length of material  68  includes a plurality of loops. Hook material  66  is stitched to the upper face of top cover section  56  and loop material  68  is stitched to the lower face of second cover portion  22 . With the quick connect  64 , top cover portion  22  can be easily removed and washed. 
         [0044]    Top cover portion  22  includes a carpet or carpet like material  70  that includes a plurality of soft fibers. A pet lying on the pet bed  10  makes direct contact with such soft fibers. The carpet and soft fibers extend from the first side  44  to the second and opposite side  46  and from the third side  48  to the fourth and opposite side  50 . 
         [0045]    Top cover portion  22  further includes a generally square border of cushioned material  72 , such as open or closed cell foam, sandwiched between a base and the soft fiber upper layer of the top cover portion  22 . The border of cushioned material  72  minimizes any hardness of the frame  12  that may be felt through the covering  18 . The border of cushioned material  72  further lends to the creation of a nest for the pet, which nest is further created by the weight of the pet pulling down on the hammock style covering  18  and forming a depression within the four sides  44 ,  46 ,  48  and  50  of the frame  12 , without such a depression making contact with the surface on which the pet bed  10  rests, such that the depression is above a horizontal plane defined by the four lower hubs  16 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 2A  shows that pet bed  10  may further include a canopy  74  for shade such as when the pet bed  10  is used outside. Canopy  74  includes a pair of vertical supports  76  engaged to frame  12 , such as by each of the vertical supports  76  being inserted through hub opening  42  of an upper hub  16  and then into hub opening  42  of the aligned lower hub  16 . The vertical supports  76  in turn are engaged to and support a generally square canopy frame  78 , which in turn supports canopy sheeting  80  engaged to and over canopy from  78 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 3A  shows an alternate embodiment of the invention, namely a pet bed  82 . Pet bed  82  is identical to pet bed  10  except that pet bed  82  does not include the side cover sheeting  58  that hides the frame  12  from view. 
         [0048]      FIG. 5B  shows pet bed  82  having canopy  74 , canopy frame  78  and canopy sheeting  80 , except that canopy  74  includes vertical support members  84  that engage only the upper hubs  16 . 
         [0049]    Pet bed  10  or  82  may be stored in the configuration as shown in  FIGS. 1B and 3C . Such a stored configuration may be even more compact such that the lower hubs  16  may be drawn even closer to each other and such that the upper hubs  16  may be drawn even closer to each other. In the stored configuration, pet bed  10  or  82  may reside in a storage bag, or on its side, or with a band placed therearound, or in a closet or other confined space such that the lower hubs  16  do not slide apart. Such prevents the frame  12  from spreading out and assuming an open position. 
         [0050]    In operation, the pet bed  10  or  82  is placed on a surface with the lower hubs  16  making contact with such surface. When such a surface is a hardwood or tiled floor, the lower hubs  16  automatically slide apart such that the pet bed  10  or  82  automatically assumes the open position under the weight of gravity and under the weight of the covering  18 . When such a surface is cement or an undulating carpet or rug, the frame  12  spreads out automatically or with the aid of slight pressure, such as slight hand pressure, upon one of the upper hubs  16 . With the weight of the frame  12  alone, or with the weight of the dog in the pet bed  10  or  82 , the frame  12  is prevented from expanding by the cradles  54  engaging their respective legs  14 . When the cradles  54  are so engaged, the pet bed  10  or  82  is in the fully open configuration. As the pet bed  10  assumes the open position, the side cover section  58  naturally falls by gravity to hide a great portion of the frame  12  from view. 
         [0051]    When the pet bed  10  or  82  is in the open position, a pet such as a dog can climb up and onto the covering  18  and stand or sit or lie down on the second cover portion  22 . When standing or sitting or lying down, the covering  18  assumes a hammock or nest configuration where a central portion of the covering  18  is depressed and where the covering  18  adjacent the upper hubs  16  is relatively high. In such a nest configuration, the top cover section  56  pulls on the four pin connectors  62  much like the manner the connected ends of a hammock pulls on the two trees or two posts from which the hammock hangs. Such a pull is a resilient pull with such resiliency being provided by one or more of the frame  12  and covering  18 . Supplementing the nest configuration is the square border of cushioned material  72 , to provide even more of a nest for the curled up dog. When the pet bed  10  or  82  is occupied, even under the weight of a relatively large dog, the central portion of the covering  18  that bears the weight of the dog, is spaced from the surface confronted by the lower hubs  16 . Just like walking onto the covering  18 , the pet can walk off the covering  18 . 
         [0052]    Then, to store the pet bed  10  or  82 , the frame  12  can be collapsed by lifting up the upper hubs  16  by hand. Then the pet bed  10  or  82  can be set on its side, or placed in a bag, or wrapped with a tie or band, or set in a confined place in the upright position such that the lower hubs  16  cannot spread automatically apart. 
         [0053]    Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.