ANIMAL GROOMING WAGON

Animal grooming wagons are presented including: a base having a substantially planar top surface and forming a rectangular shape, where the base includes: a pair of end wall receiving slots each positioned along opposite end portions of the base; a pair of side wall receiving slots each positioned along opposite side portions of the base; removable inserts positioned along the top surface of the base; a front steerable wheeled axle positioned along the front-end portion of the base; a rear wheeled axle positioned along the rear-end portion of the base; a steering bar for steering the front steerable wheeled axle; and an anchor point positioned centrally along the top surface of the base.

BACKGROUND

Animals each have distinct personalities and habits. While some animals are calm or docile, others are aggressive or excitable. Grooming carries with it special considerations. Often, for example, a pet will hide from an owner when a wash basin is being prepared. In other examples, a pet will run away during bathing or refuse to sit still for nail clipping or fur trimming. In these examples, owners are often frustrated which can compound the anxiety for the animal. Conventional solutions include professional grooming tables that hold and secure an animal in a semi-fixed position during grooming. These tables are typically waist high and can occasionally lead to injury when the animal attempts to escape the grooming. In other examples, an animal may need to be transported to a washing station but resists by excessing pulling on the leash. All of these issues contribute to a poor experience both for the owner/groomer and the animal.

As such animal grooming wagons are presented herein.

SUMMARY

As such, animal grooming wagons are presented including: a base having a substantially planar top surface and forming a rectangular shape, where the base includes: a pair of end wall receiving slots each positioned along opposite end portions of the base; a pair of side wall receiving slots each positioned along opposite side portions of the base; removable inserts positioned along the top surface of the base; a front steerable wheeled axle positioned along the front-end portion of the base; a rear wheeled axle positioned along the rear-end portion of the base; a steering bar for steering the front steerable wheeled axle; and an anchor point positioned centrally along the top surface of the base; a first removable end wall having a first tab along a first bottom edge and sized to either of the pair of end wall receiving slots; a second removable end wall having a second tab along a second bottom edge and sized to either of the pair of end wall receiving slots; a first removable side wall having a third tab along a third bottom edge and sized to either of the pair of side wall receiving slots; and a second removable side wall having a third tab along a third bottom edge and sized to either of the pair of side wall receiving slots. In some embodiments, the steerable front wheeled axle further includes: a braking mechanism. In some embodiments, the braking mechanism is actuated by the steering bar, where when the steering bar is released, the braking mechanism is engaged, and where when the steering bar is elevated, the braking mechanism is released. In some embodiments, the rear steerable wheeled axle further includes: a cable actuated braking mechanism. In some embodiments, the plurality of removable inserts includes drain grates having a slot width of less than approximately 0.5 inches. In some embodiments, the anchor point further includes an adjustable anchor strap.

In other embodiments, animal grooming systems are presented including: an animal grooming wagon including: a base having a substantially planar top surface and forming a rectangular shape, where the base includes: a pair of end wall receiving slots each positioned along opposite end portions of the base; a pair of side wall receiving slots each positioned along opposite side portions of the base; removable inserts positioned along the top surface of the base; a steerable front wheeled axle positioned along the front-end portion of the base; a rear wheeled axle positioned along the rear-end portion of the base; a steering bar for steering the front steerable wheeled axle; and an anchor point positioned centrally along the top surface of the base; a first removable end wall having a first tab along a first bottom edge and sized to either of the pair of end wall receiving slots; a second removable end wall having a second tab along a second bottom edge and sized to either of the pair of end wall receiving slots; a first removable side wall having a third tab along a third bottom edge and sized to either of the pair of side wall receiving slots; and a second removable side wall having a third tab along a third bottom edge and sized to either of the pair of side wall receiving slots; an adjustable anchor strap; and an adjustable animal harness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In still other instances, specific numeric references such as “first material,” may be made. However, the specific numeric reference should not be interpreted as a literal sequential order but rather interpreted that the “first material” is different than a “second material.” Thus, the specific details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The term “coupled” is defined as meaning connected either directly to the component or indirectly to the component through another component. Further, as used herein, the terms “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” for any numerical values or ranges indicate a suitable dimensional tolerance that allows the part or collection of components to function for its intended purpose as described herein.

FIG.1is an illustrative sideview representation of an animal grooming wagon in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular,FIG.1illustrates unwalled animal grooming wagon100and partially walled animal grooming wagon110. It is noted that animals each have different levels of anxiety when grooming. While some animals are fairly docile, others may experience anxiety leading to disruptive behavior. Animal grooming wagon embodiments provide several levels of security for an animal to best accommodate an individual animal's needs. As such, animal grooming embodiments may be unwalled, partially walled, or fully walled. For docile animals, securing and transporting may be accomplished with an unwalled animal grooming wagon embodiment. In contrast, for other more anxious animals, securing and transporting may be accomplished with a partially or fully walled animal grooming wagon embodiment. As illustrated base102is initially unwalled. Base embodiments include a substantially planar top surface and form a substantially rectangular shape. Further illustrated are end walls104A and104B, which may be removably installed onto base102along opposite end portions of the base. Each end wall includes tab106located along the bottom edge of the end wall and sized to engage end wall receiving slots (shown inFIGS.3and4) located along opposite end portions of the base. In embodiments, end walls are interchangeable and may be installed on either end of the base. When end walls104A and104B are installed onto base102, a partially walled animal grooming wagon110results. It should be noted that end walls may be installed and removed with or without an animal being secured to the base. Still further illustrated is upper side wall receiving slot108for receiving an upper side wall tab. Upper side walls will be discussed in further detail below forFIG.2.

FIG.2is an illustrative sideview representation of an animal grooming wagon in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular,FIG.2illustrates partially walled animal grooming wagon200and fully walled animal grooming wagon210. As noted above, animals each have different levels of anxiety when grooming. While some animals are fairly docile, others may experience anxiety leading to disruptive behavior. Animal grooming wagon embodiments provide several levels of security for an animal to best accommodate an individual animal's needs. As such, animal grooming embodiments may be unwalled, partially walled, or fully walled. For docile animals, securing and transporting may be accomplished with an unwalled animal grooming wagon embodiment. In contrast, for other more anxious animals, securing and transporting may be accomplished with a partially or fully walled animal grooming wagon embodiment. As illustrated base202is partially walled with end walls208A and208B. Further illustrated is side wall218, which may be removably installed onto base along opposite side portions of the base. In embodiments, side walls are interchangeable and may be installed on either side of the base. Each side wall includes upper side wall tab216located along the top edge of the side wall and sized to engaged upper side wall receiving slot206located along a top edge of the end wall. Each side wall further includes tab214located along the bottom edge of the side wall and sized to engage side wall receiving slot204located along opposite side portions of the base. In some embodiments, handles212may be formed along an upper portion of the sidewall. When side walls218are installed onto base202, a fully walled animal grooming wagon210results. It should be noted that side walls may be installed and removed with or without an animal being secured to the base.

FIG.3is an illustrative front-view representation of an animal grooming wagon300in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, base302is removably coupled with end wall310. In this illustration, end wall310is positioned along the front edge of the base. As noted above, end wall310includes tab located along the bottom edge of the end wall and sized to engage end wall receiving slot304positioned along the front edge of the base. Front-view further illustrates steering bar308which is utilized for steering front steerable wheeled axle306that is positioned along the front-end portion of the base. In some embodiments, a braking mechanism may be utilized using any braking mechanism known in the art. Further, in some embodiments, the braking mechanism is actuated by the front steering bar so that when the steering bar is released, the braking mechanism is engaged, and when the front steering bar is elevated, the braking mechanism is released. In other embodiments the braking mechanism may be a cable actuated braking mechanism. In embodiments, the braking mechanism may be engaged on either the front steerable axle or the rear wheeled axle. A braking mechanism may provide additional safety when securing, transporting, and grooming an animal.

FIG.4is an illustrative rear-view representation of an animal grooming wagon400in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, base402is removably coupled with end wall410. In this illustration, end wall410is positioned along the front edge of the base. As noted above, end wall410that includes tab located along the bottom edge of the end wall and sized to engage end wall receiving slot404positioned along the rear edge of the base. Rear-view further illustrates rear wheeled axle406that is positioned along the rear-end portion of the base. In some embodiments, a braking mechanism may be utilized using any braking mechanism known in the art. Further, in some embodiments, the braking mechanism is actuated by the front steering bar so that when the steering bar is released, the braking mechanism is engaged, and when the front steering bar is elevated, the braking mechanism is released. In other embodiments the braking mechanism may be a cable actuated braking mechanism. In embodiments, the braking mechanism may be engaged on either the front steerable axle or the rear wheeled axle. A braking mechanism may provide additional safety when securing, transporting, and grooming an animal.

FIG.5is an illustrative top-view representation of an animal grooming wagon500in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular,FIG.5illustrates partially walled animal grooming wagon500. As illustrated, animal grooming wagon500includes removable inserts502positioned along a top surface of the base. In some embodiments, the removable inserts are drain grates having a slot width of less than approximately 0.5 inches. As may be appreciated, grooming may include bathing an animal. In order to provide adequate drainage, removable inserts may be utilized. Removable inserts are easy to clean and replace. Where drainage is not required, removable inserts may include a solid flat surface. In other embodiments, inserts may be padded to provide a more comfortable resting surface for the animal. In still other embodiments, inserts may include a textured surface for better traction. As such, any type of insert may be utilized to accommodate a particular animal without limitation and without departing from embodiments provided herein. Further illustrated is anchor point504positioned centrally along the top surface of the base. A centrally located anchor point is useful to keep an animal from misstep on an edge of the base. In some embodiments, other anchor points506may be utilized to accommodate animals of various sizes. In some embodiments, the anchor point further comprises an adjustable anchor strap.

FIG.6is an illustrative sideview representation of animal grooming wagon600in use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular,FIG.6illustrates fully walled animal grooming wagon600with animal602secured and ready for transport or grooming. It may be appreciated that various animals of various sizes may benefit from embodiments provided herein. In some cases, an animal may become frightened or spooked when being transported on an open platform. The removable walls of animal grooming wagon embodiments provide physical as well as psychological security for an animal so that the animal may arrive relaxed and calm.

FIG.7is an illustrative sideview representation of animal grooming wagon700in use in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In particular,FIG.7illustrates partially walled animal grooming wagon700with animal702secured and ready for transport or grooming. It may be appreciated that various animals of various sizes may benefit from embodiments provided herein. To secure an animal, an appropriately sized adjustable animal harness704may be utilized. In addition, adjustable anchor strap706may be secured with anchor point708to secure the animal and accommodate differently sized animals. In some cases, an animal may become frightened or spooked when being transported on an open platform. In a partially walled embodiment, the removable walls of animal grooming wagon embodiments provide physical security as well as psychological security for an animal so that the animal may arrive relaxed and calm.

While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. Furthermore, unless explicitly stated, any method embodiments described herein are not constrained to a particular order or sequence. Further, the Abstract is provided herein for convenience and should not be employed to construe or limit the overall invention, which is expressed in the claims. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.