Pet Alert System

A pet alert system is provided. The pet alert system includes an elongated base. The elongated base includes a fastener. The fastener is used to attach the elongated base to a vertical surface. A number of actuators are placed on the bottom end of the elongated base. The actuators may be connected at least one sensor. When connected to the actuator, the sensor is, in turn, connected to a wireless signal transceiver. The wireless signal transceiver is designed to emit a wireless signal when the sensor is activated by an actuator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pet alert system. More specifically, the present invention could provide a physical mechanism by which a pet may interact to send an alert to his or her owner.

Many people own pets because they enjoy the companionship or security that having domesticated animals in their homes provides. For example, many individuals own pets such as dogs, cats, or the like. These types of pets generally have sufficient mobility and freedom within their homes to move around as desired. Owning a pet is a responsibility that requires regular actions to be taken by the owner. In order to be a responsible pet owner, one must provide food, water, bedding, exercise, bathroom trips and entertainment to his or her pets in order to keep the pets happy and healthy. In the course of a pet owner's daily life, however, it is possible that he or she may become distracted and forget to provide their pet with a necessary resource or activity. When this happens, an accident can result, such as the pet urinating or defecating on the floor or the pet could damage the pet owner's belongings if they are not hungry, thirsty or otherwise unhappy. This type of damage can be expensive or time-consuming to remedy. Furthermore, it is unhealthy for pets to have to restrain themselves from going to the bathroom for prolonged periods of time.

To prevent these types of situations from occurring, many pet owners will utilize various types of pet notification devices or will monitor their pets' behaviors as adequately as they are able to. Pets that are mentally or physically disabled may require an even higher level of attention from their owners. Most pet notification devices still require the pet owner to actively monitor their pet at some level, not necessarily preventing the pet owner from becoming distracted and forgetting to monitor their pet. Many passive monitoring systems are also ineffective as they may require a high level of understanding by the pet to directly engage them in a difficult or complex manner. Many pets may be unable to learn how to activate a singular pet alert device (such as a bell) without a prolonged period of training. Furthermore, many of these existing devices fail to provide options for hearing-impaired or sight-impaired pet owners.

Therefore, there is a defined need amongst the known prior art references for a pet alert device that allows for the pet owner to passively monitor when his or her pet needs attention. The device may be capable of providing a notification that is accessible remotely and by hearing-impaired or visually-impaired pet owners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of pet monitoring and alert devices and methods now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a pet alert device wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when alerting a pet owner to a need for attention by his or her pet.

The present system comprises an elongated base. The elongated base comprises at least one fastener. The fastener, or fasteners, is configured to secure the elongated base to a vertical surface. A plurality of actuators is disposed on a bottom end of the elongated base. The plurality of actuators is provided at a location such that they can be engaged by a pet. Each actuator of the plurality of actuators may be in operable connection with at least one sensor. The plurality of sensors, when present, is in operable connection with a wireless signal transceiver. The wireless signal transceiver is configured to emit a wireless signal in response to a sensor of the plurality of sensors being activated. The sensors are activated when an actuator of the plurality of actuators is actuated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now toFIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of an embodiment of the pet alert system. The pet alert system10comprises an elongated base11. The elongated base11is configured to secure directly to a desired location. The desired location, as contemplated, will be a vertical surface that is accessible by a pet. In the illustrated embodiment, the pet alert system10further comprises a mobile device12. The elongated base11is in operable connection with the mobile device12, such that information can pass from the elongated base11to the mobile device12.

The elongated base11comprises a plurality of actuators13. The actuators13are of any suitable structure, size and configuration to be engaged by the pet when the pet desires to alert the user to their need for attention. For example, the plurality of actuators13may comprise a plurality of bells or a plurality of buttons that are configured to be activated by the pet. The actuators13are configured to provide a pet-friendly mechanism by which the pet can interact with the elongated base11via a controlled action by the pet, such as swiping the actuator13with a paw or manipulating the actuator13with a nose.

In some embodiments, the plurality of actuators13are in operable connection with at least one sensor14. The sensor, or sensors,14are of any suitable design and configuration for sensing the controlled action performed upon an actuator of the plurality of actuators13. Additionally, the sensor14may be configured to sense direct contact with or movement of the sensor14, such that a controlled action that is not detected by the plurality of actuators13may be detected by the sensor14if the sensor14itself is moved or touched.

In the demonstrated embodiment, the sensor14is in operable connection with a wireless signal transceiver15. The wireless signal transceiver15is configured to transmit a wireless signal when the sensor14detects activation of an actuator13and/or the sensor14itself. In some embodiments, the wireless signal transceiver15may be confined to the same housing as the sensor14. When a wireless signal is transmitted from the wireless signal transceiver15, the wireless signal is configured to be detected and received by a wireless signal receiver16that is in operable connection with the mobile device12. In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated base11further comprises a power source18. The power source18is configured to supply power to the components of the elongated base11including the actuator13(if necessary), the sensor14and the wireless signal transceiver15.

The mobile device12comprises a processor17in operable connection with the wireless signal receiver16. The processor17is, among other functions, configured to run and execute an application. The application is configured to emit an alert upon the display of the mobile device12, when the processor17detects that a wireless signal has been received by the wireless signal receiver16from the wireless signal transceiver15of the elongated base11. As such, the user will be notified through the mobile device12when the plurality of actuators13are engaged by the pet of the user.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the pet alert system. The elongated base11, as shown, is rectangular in shape. Ideally, the elongated base11will be dimensioned such that it can be mounted upon a vertical surface, such as a door, as desired by the owner of the pet. In some embodiments, the elongated base11is extendable, such that the user may adjust the length of the elongated base11, making it so that the elongated base11may be applied to multiple different vertical surfaces. Structurally, the elongated base11may be extendable and contractable by any known mechanism. For example, the elongated base11may be telescopic or may consist of a plurality of attachable and detachable segments. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the elongated base11may be foldable, such that the elongated base11may be stored and transported easier.

The elongated base11further comprises a plurality of actuators13. The plurality of actuators13extend downward from the elongated base11, such that they may be accessible from the area below the elongated base11. The plurality of actuators13, as shown, may be movably affixed to the elongated base11, such that they may be more easily moved and actuated when they are engaged by the pet. For example, the plurality of actuators13may be connected to the elongated base11via a connector ring. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of actuators13consists of a plurality of bells. The plurality of bells provides an actuator13that independently creates an audible noise when engaged by the pet. As such, in addition to engaging the sensor14, the plurality of bells creates a separate audible alert to the pet owner in the area of the elongated base11.

In the illustrated embodiment, the elongated base11further defines a tubular channel19extending downward therefrom. As shown, the tubular channel19runs parallel to the elongated base11. Ideally, the tubular channel19is constructed of a semi-rigid material, such that the tubular channel19is maintained in a generally opened position (as shown). For example, the tubular channel19may be constructed of a plastic crochet lattice material, as shown in the illustrated embodiment. This allows for the tubular channel19to be provided at a space outward from the vertical surface on which the elongated base11is mounted. As such, the risk of damage to the vertical surface is reduced when the pet engages the plurality of actuators13or the tubular channel19itself.

In the demonstrated embodiment, the plurality of bells is placed on the bottom of the tubular channel19. As such, the plurality of bells is placed outward at a defined distance from the vertical surface on which the elongated base11is mounted to allow for a more effective reverberation of the plurality of bells, Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the sensor14is internally placed upon an outer side of the tubular channel19. As such, when the tubular channel19itself is engaged by the pet, the plurality of bells is engaged, or in embodiments having a wireless transceiver, the sensor14will detect the motion of the tubular channel19, engaging the wireless signal transceiver to send the alert to the mobile device.

Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown a close-up view of a rear surface of an embodiment of the pet alert system. The elongated base11further comprises at least one fastener20. The fastener, or fasteners,20is/are placed on the rear surface21. of the elongated base, such that the fastener20may be utilized to secure the elongated base11to a vertical surface, such as a door or a wall. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener20comprises a plurality of suction cups that are evenly placed along the length of the elongated base11. Furthermore, in the demonstrated embodiment, a spacer22is also disposed on the rear surface21of the elongated base11in order o reduce the impact of the elongated base upon the vertical surface. In alternate embodiments, the fastener20may comprise a hook and loop fastener. The choice of fastener varies and may depend on the door structure or other considerations.

Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the pet alert system in use. In use, the pet alert system is utilized to provide a mechanism by which the pet24may be passively monitored by the pet's owner25. In the demonstrated embodiment, the elongated base11is affixed to a door23via engagement of tine fasteners with the door23. When the pet24is in need of attention, it will, having been conditioned, engaged the plurality of actuators and/or the sensor, Upon engagement of the plurality of actuators and/or the sensor, the wireless signal transceiver will transmit a signal from the elongated base11to the mobile device12of the user. The mobile device12will then provide a visual alert26, or a sounding alert, upon the display of the mobile device12to alert the pet's owner25that the pet24is in need of attention.