Pet Portal

Disclosed is pet portal that allows various sizes of pets to easily enter/exit a house through a baffle opening. The baffle opening made out a flexible insulating material that bounces back into its original shape after being disturbed when an animal passes through the portal. While in the closed orientation the baffle material blocks the outdoor environment, maintaining a constant and comfortable temperature inside the house.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention is an alternative to traditional pet doors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People like to let their pets come and go quickly from inside the house at all hours and during all seasons. Many types and styles of pet doors are on the market to accommodate this need. These previous doors have many drawbacks. Some pet doors have an opening without any cover, which when not in use, results in drafts/outdoor environment and insects entering the house. Many traditional pet doors employ a swinging rigid rectangular flap made of either plastic, vinyl, or rubber. To minimize drafts/outdoor environment from coming indoors, they either rely on the stiffness/rigidity and the weight of the flap to close the opening after a pet goes through, or they may utilize magnets or other mechanical means to seal the opening closed. These traditional pet doors also allow insects to invade homes too easily. Some more modern cat doors employ a four-way mechanical hard plastic flap which often breaks over time and requires human intervention to lock/unlock; electromagnetic technology which requires a cat to wear a collar and for the magnet on the collar to be facing forward at all times; or microchip-locking mechanisms which are expensive and require cats to have an embedded microchip.

What is needed is a pet portal that allows various sizes of pets to easily enter/exit a house through an opening, but at the same time, that blocks the outdoor environment, maintaining a constant and comfortable temperature inside the house all year long (thus, saving valuable energy and money) and prevents flying insects from entering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a pet portal that utilizes a baffle design for the opening. The baffle is comprised of a flexible insulating material and is cut in such a way that it flexes both inward and outward as a cat/small pet comes and goes through it, and then springs back into place. The baffle design is biased to be in the closed orientation with the triangular flaps sealing as they mate with one another, except when a pet is passing through.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The pet portal of the claimed invention can be incorporated into either a window, a wall, or an interior/exterior door or wall of a house. Unlike traditional pet doors that are comprised of a hard, large flapping rectangular piece of plastic, vinyl, or rubber, or ones that have no barrier at all, the pet portal of the claimed invention utilizes a baffle style opening made of flexible insulating material that can easily be traversed by a pet, but doesn't require any accessories to enable a closed orientation when not in use. The closed orientation minimizes the entry of harsh weather and flying insects into a home.

The pet portal of the claimed invention is comprised of a baffle opening made out a flexible insulating material that bounces back into its original shape after being disturbed when an animal passes through the portal. The flexible insulating material is cut into triangular flaps such that the opening resembles a sliced pie where all points meet in the center. This design innately forms a barrier when in the closed orientation. The flexible insulating material can be attached by any means known in the art to a frame shaped to accommodate the shape of the baffle opening. This frame can in turn be attached to an outer surface a base support for use with a window opening or can be directly inserted into an opening in the of a door or window insert, they themselves acting as a base support. A frame that attaches to the outer surface of a base support can be various styles and shapes and can be plain, covered with decals, fabric, or other material. Preferably for the safety of the animals, an inner protective ring is then seated inside the base or door opening and attached to the base or door using any method known to those in the art. The purpose of the inner protective is to a) act as the sides of a tunnel through which the pet travels when the frames are mounted on an interior hollow door, and b) act as a shield to protect pets against any wood or metal splinters when the frames are mounted on a solid wood or insulated metal exterior door.

The baffle opening can be configured as a single baffle opening or a double baffle opening. The gap between the baffle openings will only be the width of the door, wall or window in which the pet portal is being used. Because of the baffle design, pets are able to navigate these openings quite easily. The advantage of using the double baffle opening configuration is that there are now two barriers to prevent weather/insects from entering the house if being used to provide access to the exterior of the house. Optionally only a single piece of flexible insulating material can be used that is attached to only one of the side surfaces while the other side has a non-barrier opening. The baffle opening can be sized to accommodate pets of any size. The preferred shape of the baffle opening is a vertical ellipse as shown in the figures, however these is non-limiting examples, and any shape opening (oval, circular, square, rectangular, simple polygon or a partial of any shape that abuts against a bottom plane such as a window sill or a door frame) is covered by this disclosure.

FIGS. 1A-1Bdisclose pet portal1for use with a window opening, with1B and1C showing an interior portal configuration shown from an interior view. Pet portal1is comprised of a base insert2, external frame3, and baffle material sheet5with baffle opening4. Base insert2has a central opening that is sized to accommodate an animal a size of typical household pet and base insert2is comprised of any suitable solid material cut to the size of a window opening. External frame3had an elliptical opening corresponding in size and shape of the diameter of the opening in the base insert2and can be comprised of any suitable material. Baffle opening4is comprised of triangular flaps6that are cut like a pie so that all central angled points meet in the center point to form a barrier when in the closed orientation. Baffle material sheet5is comprised of a flexible insulating material that is rigid enough so that the baffle is biased to be in the closed position except when a pet is passing through and is pliable enough to allow a typical household pet to navigate through the baffle opening. External frame3can attach to baffle material sheet5by any means known in the art. Baffle opening4is corresponding in size and shape of the diameter of the opening in the base insert2, alternatively baffle opening4could be slightly smaller to allow for an uncut edge to provide stability. Alternatively, the base inserted can be used with a door opening rather than a window opening.

As seenFIG. 1C, optionally, an inner protective layer7has a diameter corresponding in size and shape to a diameter in an opening in a base and the inner protective layer7has an interior width piece8that corresponds to the width of the base insert2, the inner protective layer7having external flaps9attached to the interior width piece8, the external flaps9being capable of attaching to the base window insert via an area adjacent to the base opening. Inner protective layer7can be comprised of any material suitable. Inner protective layer7can attach to the base window insert by any means known in the art. Preferably, inner protective layer7is a circular piece of strong but flexible plastic that forms a safe pass-through along the inside of the base opening, which opening is hidden after the external frame(s) are attached.

Here is the portal configuration is shown on the interior, optionally the portal configuration can be placed on the exterior of the base window insert. Either configuration forms a single baffle portal. Alternatively, portal configuration can be placed on both the exterior and the interior forming a double baffle portal.

As shown here, the baffle material sheet5is positioned in between the external frame3and base insert2. Optionally (not shown), the baffle material sheet5can be positioned the outward facing surface of the external frame3, wherein a stabilizer ring (not shown) corresponding size and shape of each external frame3is placed on the outward facing surface of the baffle material sheet5, the stabilizer ring aligning with its corresponding external frame.

FIG. 2disclose pet portal10for use with a door12acting as a base showing an interior portal configuration shown from an interior view. Pet portal10is comprised external frame13, and baffle material sheet15with baffle opening14. Door12has an opening that is sized to accommodate an animal a size of typical household pet. External frame13had an elliptical opening corresponding in size and shape of the diameter of the opening in the door12and can be comprised of any suitable material. Baffle opening14is comprised of triangular flaps16that are cut like a pie so that all central angled points meet in the center point to form a barrier when in the closed orientation. Baffle material sheet15is comprised of a flexible insulating material that is rigid enough so that the baffle is biased to be in the closed position except when a pet is passing through and is pliable enough to allow a typical household pet to navigate through the baffle opening. External frame13can attach to baffle material sheet15by any means known in the art. Baffle opening14is corresponding in size and shape of the diameter of the opening in the door12, alternatively baffle opening14could be slightly smaller to allow for an uncut edge to provide stability.

Here is the portal configuration is shown on the interior, optionally the portal configuration can be placed on the exterior of the door base. Either configuration forms a single baffle portal. Alternatively, portal configuration can be placed on both the exterior and the interior forming a double baffle portal.

As shown here, the baffle material sheet15is positioned in between the external frame13and door12. Optionally (not shown), the baffle material sheet15can be positioned the outward facing surface of the external frame13, wherein a stabilizer ring (no shown) corresponding size and shape of each external frame13is placed on the outward facing surface of the baffle material sheet15, the stabilizer ring aligning with its corresponding external frame.

Similar to the window insert embodiment, in this door embodiment, preferably an inner protective layer that has a diameter corresponding in size and shape to a diameter in the opening in the door and that has an interior width piece that corresponds to the width of the door is used. The inner protective layer has external flaps attached to the interior width piece, with the external flaps being capable of attaching to the door via an area adjacent to the door base opening. Inner protective layer can be comprised of any material suitable. Preferably, inner protective layer is a circular piece of strong but flexible plastic that forms a safe pass-through along the inside of the base opening, which opening is hidden after the external frame(s) are attached.

FIG. 3A-3Bdiscloses an independent portal unit that can be inserted into an opening such as an opening in a door. Pet portal unit20is comprised of an interior frame21with an elliptical opening corresponding in size and shape to a diameter of an opening in the base and capable of being inserted in an inner diameter in the opening in the base. The elliptical opening being sized to accommodate an animal a size of typical household pet. Pet portal unit20has at least one attachment frame22with an outer diameter and an interior diameter with an elliptical opening, the outer diameter corresponding in size and shape to the outer diameter of the interior frame21, the attachment frame22capable of being inserted in the inner diameter in the opening in the base, the elliptical opening in the attachment frame22corresponds in size and shape to the elliptical opening of the interior frame.

The interior side of the attachment frame22is connected to baffle material sheet23, which in turn is connected to the interior frame21such that the elliptical opening of the attachment frame22and the elliptical opening of the interior frame are aligned and the outer diameter of the attachment frame22and the outer diameter interior frame21are aligned. The attachment frame22being attached to a baffle material sheet23, the baffle material sheet being comprised of baffle opening24, the baffle opening24being elliptical in shape and the baffle opening24having a center point and being comprised of a plurality of triangular flaps25, each triangular flap comprising a central angled shaped point such that each one of the central angled shaped points meet in the center point of the baffle opening25to form a barrier when in a closed orientation, the baffle material sheet23being comprised of a flexible insulating material, the baffle opening24being sized to accommodate an animal a size of a typical household pet and whereby the flexible insulating material is pliable enough to allow a typical household pet to navigate through the baffle opening24, and whereby the flexible insulating material is rigid enough so that the baffle opening24is biased to be in the closed orientation when not in use.

As shown here, the baffle material sheet23is positioned on the inward facing side of the attachment frame22. In an alternative configuration, the baffle material sheet can be attached to the outward facing of the attachment ring, and a stabilizer ring (not shown) corresponding size and shape of each attachment frame22can be placed on the outward facing surface of the baffle material sheet23, the stabilizer ring aligning with its corresponding outward surface of the attachment frame.

Here is the portal configuration is shown that when inserted the baffle opening24would be facing the exterior, optionally the portal configuration can be reversed where the baffle opening24would be on the interior of the door base. Either configuration forms a single baffle portal. Alternatively, portal configuration can be placed on both the exterior and the interior facing sides forming a double baffle portal.

Similar to the base insert embodiments, n inner protective layer that has a diameter corresponding in size and shape to a diameter in the opening in the door and that has an interior width piece that corresponds to the width of the door can be used. The inner protective layer has external flaps attached to the interior width piece, with the external flaps being capable of attaching to the door via an area adjacent to the door base opening. Inner protective layer can be comprised of any material suitable. Preferably, inner protective layer is a circular piece of strong but flexible plastic that forms a safe pass-through along the inside of the base opening, which opening is hidden after the external frame(s) are attached. Here the inner protective layer can be used to ease the insertion of the pet portal unit20when assembled.

Typically, the base insert can fit into a single hung or double hung window opening or into an opening cut out of door acting as base. Base insert can be any material including various polymers, wood, treated wood, or a rust resistant metal, and any material suitable for use in this disclosure. Preferably, the frame is comprised of a durable polycarbonate or any other high-impact plastic. The frame needs to be durable, sturdy, weather resistant, and capable of receiving the baffle material sheet with a baffle opening, said baffle material sheet being comprised of flexible insulating material. If a frame/base has exterior and interior pieces, the exterior frame/base and interior frame/base can be comprised of the same material or comprised of different materials if the end user wishes for either piece to better match the side of the door/wall or window to which it is attached. Attachment of the frame to a base insert or to a door can be done by any means known to those with skill in the art. Alternatively, a portal unit can be fitted to insert into a hole cut in a door or a wall.

The baffle opening material is comprised of a flexible insulating material. Some insulating materials may be a dual composition comprising an interior insulation covered with an outer layer to contain the insulation and to provide structure to form the baffle design. Other insulating materials may be comprised of a single composition that both insulates and that provides structure to form the baffle design. The insulating material whether single composition or dual composition, needs to be flexible enough to allow a small animal to easily pass through, but rigid enough to spring back into a fully closed orientation. The size and shape of the baffle opening can vary based on the size/shape of the animal the portal is intended for. Preferably the outer layer of the insulating material or the single composition insulating material is also durable and weather resistant. Some non-limiting examples of single composition flexible insulating materials include various rubber and vinyl formulations. Some non-limiting examples of interior insulation include polyethylene bubble film, polyester fiber batting, Jute fiber batting, cotton batting, fiberglass, wool, cellulose, or flexible foam. Some non-limiting examples of an outer layer composition include metal/foil outer layer, denim, or any viable type of flexible polymer. The baffle opening can be single baffle configuration, or a double baffle configuration as described above.

After installation of the pet portal, pets can freely move through the baffle opening. While not in use the baffle opening remains in the closed orientation blocking out the weather and flying insects. The pet portal doesn't require human interaction or accessories such as magnets, mechanical means, etc. for the pet portal to function properly.

Although the above illustrative embodiments of the claimed invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.