Abstract:
An expandable animal crate that expands and retracts in order to receive various sized animals therein. The expandable animal crate includes a first enclosing member adjustably disposed within a second enclosing member, wherein each enclosing member includes a base, one or more sidewalls, an open sidewall, and a top wall. The first enclosing member can be slid from the second enclosing member, thereby allowing the animal crate to be expanded as needed. A sliding mechanism having one or more tracks disposed on the first enclosing member engages one or more rollers disposed on the second enclosing member in order to allow the crate to easily expand and retract. The animal crate further includes a plurality of casters disposed on the base of the crate and a plurality of handles disposed on the sidewalls thereof, which can be utilized to make the crate easier to transport.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/047,722 filed on Sep. 9, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to crate devices. More specifically, the present invention provides an expandable animal crate comprising a plurality of enclosing members, wherein a first enclosing member is adjustably disposed within a second enclosing member via a sliding mechanism. The animal crate further comprises a plurality of casters and handles disposed thereon in order to allow for convenient transport thereof. 
         [0004]    Animal owners have to purchase differently sized cages and crates in order to accommodate their animal as it grows larger. Purchasing additional cages or crates can be expensive, and the user is often unable to reuse the smaller crates. As a result, a pet owner may accumulate several animal crates which may be difficult or inconvenient to store. Additionally, large animal crates cannot be adjusted in size and are thus difficult to store due to the substantial amount of space that the crate consumes. Further, if an individual obtains an additional animal or is taking care of another&#39;s pet, the individual must use a second cage or crate in order to accommodate the new animal. Therefore, there is a need in the prior art for an expandable animal crate or cage that can be increased in size as necessary to accommodate a growing animal or an additional animal. 
         [0005]    It is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing expandable animal crates. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a new expandable animal crate wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when caring for a growing animal or more than one animals. 
         [0007]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved expandable animal crate device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an expandable animal crate comprising a plurality of enclosing members, wherein a first enclosing member is adjustably disposed within a second enclosing member via a sliding mechanism. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable animal crate wherein the sliding mechanism comprises one or more tracks disposed on the upper surface of the top wall of the first enclosing member and one or more rollers disposed on the underside of the second enclosing member, wherein the tracks and rollers engage one another. 
         [0010]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable animal crate further comprising a plurality of apertures disposed on the first and second enclosing member, wherein the apertures of the first enclosing member are adapted to align with the apertures of the second enclosing member so a fastener can be disposed through a pair of aligned apertures in order to allow the enclosing members to lock in a fixed position relative to one another. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable animal crate further comprising a plurality of casters disposed on the base of the crate and a plurality of handles disposed on the sidewalls thereof, which can be utilized to carry the crate. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable animal crate wherein, in alternate embodiments of the enclosing members, the first and second enclosing members each comprise one or more sidewalls hingedly or removably secured to a base and top wall so as to allow the enclosing members to fold in a compact configuration for storing. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable animal crate that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability. 
         [0014]    Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the expandable animal crate. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  shows a close-up view of the sliding mechanism of the expandable animal crate. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  shows a side perspective view of the expandable animal crate device wherein the crate is disposed in a retracted configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the second enclosing member of the expandable animal crate wherein the enclosing member is positioned for folding. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0020]    Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the expandable animal crate. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for caring for a growing animal or more than one animals. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the expandable animal crate. The expandable animal crate  11  is adapted to allow a user to house train an animal or provide a secure location for the animal to remain when unsupervised. The expandable animal crate  11  comprises a plurality of enclosing members, wherein a first enclosing member  12  is adjustably disposed within a second enclosing member  13 . Each enclosing member  12 ,  13  comprises a base  22 , one or more sidewalls  23 , a top wall  24 , and an open sidewall  25 . The open sidewall  25  of the first enclosing member  12  is disposed through the open sidewall  25  of the second enclosing member  13  so as to define a unified interior volume of the expandable animal crate  11 . The interior volume of the crate  11  is adapted to receive one or more animals therein. Preferably, one or more sidewalls  23  comprise a plurality of openings  16  disposed in a grid pattern so as to allow an animal contained therein to view therethrough and to receive adequate air flow. 
         [0022]    In the illustrated embodiment, each enclosing member  12 ,  13  comprises a rectangular shape in order to conveniently and discreetly fit within a corner of a home. The dimension of the first enclosing member  12  is smaller than the second enclosing member  13  in order for the first enclosing member  12  to fit therein. In other embodiments, additional enclosing members may be slidably disposed between the first and second enclosing members  12 ,  13 . The enclosing members disposed between the first and second enclosing members  12 ,  13  comprise open opposing sidewalls so as to allow one or more animals to fit or move between the first and second enclosing members  12 ,  13 . 
         [0023]    The expandable animal crate  11  further comprises one or more doors  18  disposed thereon in order to provide access to the interior volume thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, one or more doors  18  are disposed on the sidewalls  23  of the enclosing members  12 ,  13 . The doors  18  comprise a rectangular shape and are hingedly secured to the sidewall  23  along one edge thereof, whereas the opposing edge is removably secured to the sidewall  23  by a latch mechanism  19 . This configuration of the hinge securement and the latch mechanism  19  disposed on opposing edges of the door  18  allows for the door  18  to remain securely closed if an animal were to push outwards on the door  18  from the interior of the crate  11 . 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, a plurality of casters  15  are disposed on the underside of the base  22  of the enclosing members  12 ,  13 . In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of casters  15  are disposed on the corners of the front end  26  of the first enclosing member  12 , whereas casters  15  are disposed on all four corners of the second enclosing member  13 . Thus, the rear end of the first enclosing member  12  can slide in and out of the second enclosing member  13  without the obstruction of casters  15 . The casters  15  allow a user to conveniently and easily roll the animal crate  11  along a surface in order to reposition or transport the crate  11  from one location to another. In some embodiments, the casters  15  are removable so as to allow the crate  11  to remain in an immobile position. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, one or more handles  17  are disposed on the exterior of the expandable animal crate  11  in order to provide a user with a place to grasp when carrying the crate  11  or sliding the enclosing members  12 ,  13  closer to or further apart from one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the handles  17  are vertically positioned along the sidewalls  23  of the first and second enclosing members  12 ,  13 . However, in alternate embodiments, the handles  17  can be disposed in any suitable position as long as the first enclosing member  12  is able to slide within the second enclosing member  13  in an unobstructed manner. 
         [0026]    The expandable animal crate  11  further comprises a sliding mechanism  27  that allows the first enclosing member  12  to slide within the second enclosing member  13 . The sliding mechanism  27  allows the inner enclosing member to linearly align with the outer enclosing member so as to conveniently expand or retract the crate  11 . The sliding mechanism  27  comprises one or more tracks  14  disposed on the inner enclosing member that engage with one or more rollers  15  on the outer enclosing member. In the illustrated embodiment, the tracks  14  are on the top wall  24  of the first enclosing member  12 , but in other embodiments, the tracks  14  are located on various portions of the enclosing member  12 . The sliding mechanism  27  further comprises one or more rollers  15  disposed on the underside of the top wall  24  of the second enclosing member  13 , wherein a roller  15  engages a track  14  so as to rotate therealong in a linear manner. In alternate embodiments, the rollers are located on various portions of the enclosing member  13  so as to engage with the tracks  14 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a close-up view of the sliding mechanism of the expandable animal crate. Each track  14  comprises a protrusion  28  extending the length thereof, whereas each roller comprises an indentation  29 . The indentation  29  receives the protrusion  28  therein as the roller  21  rotates along the track  14  so that the roller remains in position on the track and does not become displaced therefrom. In alternate embodiments, the track  14  and roller  21  can comprise any suitable configuration that enables the roller  21  to rotate along the track  14 . For example, a track  14  can comprise a channel extending along the length thereof, whereas the roller  21  is adapted to fit within the channel so as to rotate therealong. In some embodiments, the end of the track  14  disposed within the second enclosing member  13  comprises a stopper so as to prevent the first enclosing member  12  from separating from the second enclosing member  13 . Any suitable stopper may be used, such as a vertical section extending upwards from the track  14 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a side perspective view of the expandable animal crate device wherein the crate is disposed in a retracted configuration. The expandable animal crate  11  further includes a locking mechanism that allows the first enclosing member  12  to remain stationary relative to the second enclosing member  13  once the desired crate  11  size is achieved. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of apertures  20  disposed along the top walls  24  of the enclosing members  12 ,  13 . The apertures  20  on the first enclosing member  12  are adapted to align with the apertures  20  on the second enclosing member  13 , wherein a fastener  23  is disposed through the pair of aligned apertures  20 . Thus, the enclosing members  12 ,  13  are locked in place and the crate  11  is unable to expand or retract until the fasteners  23  are removed. In some embodiments, a plurality of fasteners  23 , such as spring loaded locking pins, are disposed through a pair of aligned apertures  20  in order to prevent the fasteners from being easily removed. The apertures  20  can be disposed anywhere along the enclosing members so long as they are adapted to align with one another and avoid obstructing the sliding ability thereof. 
         [0029]    In operation, the first enclosing member  12  and second enclosing member  13  may be slid apart from one another until the crate  11  is disposed in an expanded configuration. The first enclosing member  12  may be slid into the second enclosing member  13  in order to form a retracted configuration. Thus, the expandable animal crate  11  can be expanded as necessary in order to accommodate multiple animals, provide more room to a growing animal, or simply provide more room to an animal for the animal&#39;s comfort. The retracted configuration allows the crate  11  to provide a secure, den-like space for a smaller animal or allow a user to position the crate  11  in a more compact configuration when unoccupied by an animal. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a perspective view of the second enclosing member of the expandable animal crate wherein the enclosing member is positioned for folding. In some embodiments, the connections between the top wall  24 , base  22 , and sidewalls  23  are removable from one another or hingedly attached so as to allow the expandable animal crate  11  to collapse or fold for storage. In the illustrated embodiment, the opposing sidewalls  23  of the enclosing member  13  are hingedly secured to the base  22  and removably secured to the top wall  24 . The sidewall  23  disposed on the rear end  30  of the enclosing member  13  is hingedly secured to both the base  22  and top wall  24 . Any suitable fastener can be used to removably secure the sidewalls  23  to the base  22  or top wall  24 , such as hook and loop material, magnets, or interlocking joints. Thus, the walls  23 ,  24  and base  22  can be folded relative to one another and disposed in a compact configuration. In other embodiments, the edges of the base  22 , sidewalls  24 , and top wall  24  can be hingedly or removably secured to one another in any combination of ways such that the enclosing member  13  is able to collapse for storing. 
         [0031]    It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0032]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, 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, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.