Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a door frame assembly that includes a frame that defines an opening therein for allowing access therethrough. The door frame also includes a door pivotally coupled to a first vertical wire of the of the frame for pivoting the door between an open position and a close position. The door frame further includes a first coupling mechanism and a second coupling mechanism. The first coupling mechanism releasably couples the door to the frame and is formed by a first horizontal wire. The first horizontal wire forms a hooked end protruding outward toward the door and spaced inwardly of the frame to intersect with the opening. The second coupling mechanism releasably couples the door to the frame. The second coupling mechanism includes a portion configured to limit movement of the door relative to the frame until the second portion is pivoted in a direction toward the door.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/715,400, filed Oct. 18, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to an animal enclosure, and more particularly to an animal enclosure useful for containing and maintaining animals. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Animal crates and the like are popular for pet owners to purchase for housing their domestic pet. The cage can allow the pet owner to enjoy their pet while also maintaining the pet in an enclosed and controlled environment. Cages or other similar enclosures can be made from a variety of materials such as plastic, iron, steel, wood, aluminum, woven fabric, etc. The material from which the cage is made can depend on whether the cage is primarily used indoors or outdoors. In any event, pet owners want cages to be durable so that animals enclosed within the cage cannot escape and animals outside the cage cannot enter. 
     Cages also can include multiple functions in addition to providing a safe enclosure for the pet. For example, the cage can provide a sanitary environment for the pet, and in some instances where more than one pet is contained within the same cage, the cage can include structure for dividing the interior thereof for separating multiple pets. Also, some cages can be easily transportable. Other similar cages can include a handle or other device for transporting the cage. 
     However, many cages can impose safety and health concerns to animals contained therein. For instance, some wire crates can have wires or latches that tangle with an animal&#39;s collar. In other instances, an animal may chew and possibly swallow part of a cage. Moreover, some animals are able to open a cage door and escape from the confinement of the cage. 
     Therefore, a need exists for an animal enclosure that is safe, secure, and capable of containing an animal without the risk of the animal escaping from containment. 
     SUMMARY 
     In a first embodiment, an animal enclosure is provided for containing an animal. The animal enclosure includes a housing defining an interior, the housing including a top, a bottom, a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, wherein the top, the bottom, the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side each including a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires; a door frame formed in one of the first side, the second side, the third side, and the fourth side, the door frame including a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires, wherein the door frame defines an opening therein for allowing access to the interior of the housing; a door pivotally coupled to a first vertical wire of the of the door frame for pivoting the door between an open position and a close position, the door including a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires; a first coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the door to the door frame, the first coupling mechanism formed by a first horizontal wire of the door frame, wherein the first horizontal wire forms a hooked end spaced inwardly of the door frame and intersects the opening defined by the door frame; and a second coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the door to the door frame, the second coupling mechanism including a first portion pivotally coupled to the door and a second portion configured to limit movement of the door relative to the door frame without first pivoting the second portion away from the door frame. 
     In one example, the door frame comprises at least two first coupling mechanisms. In a second example, a horizontal wire of the door is positioned within the hooked end of the first coupling mechanism in the close position. In a third example, the first horizontal wire includes the hooked end and another end disposed opposite thereof, the first horizontal wire comprising a bend of approximately 90° therebetween. In a fourth example, the second coupling mechanism comprises a substantially U-shaped structure. In a fifth example, the door is movable about a first direction and a second direction when being moved from the close position to the open position. In a sixth example, the door frame comprises a plurality of hooks for coupling to the top and bottom. In a seventh example, at least two of the plurality of horizontal wires comprises curled ends that are coupled to a vertical wire of the door to form an opening configured to receive the first vertical wire. 
     In another embodiment, a method is provided for opening a door of an animal enclosure from a close position. The method includes providing a door frame, a door pivotally coupled to the door frame, a first coupling mechanism, and a second coupling mechanism including a stopper mechanism; pivoting the second coupling mechanism about a first horizontal wire on the door until the stopper mechanism moves to a position away from and clears the door frame; with the stopper mechanism clear from contacting the door frame, lifting the door until a second horizontal wire of the door clears the first coupling mechanism; and pivoting the door to the open position. 
     In one example, the method includes lifting the door until a third horizontal wire of the door clears the first coupling mechanism. In a second example, the method includes pivoting the door about a first vertical wire of the door frame. In a third example, the second coupling mechanism comprises a latch formed of a single wire. In a fourth example, the pivoting the second coupling mechanism step is performed before the lifting the door step. In a fifth example, the method includes substantially preventing any lifting movement of the door until the second coupling mechanism is pivoted. In a sixth example, the method includes substantially preventing any lifting movement of the door until the stopper mechanism clears the door frame. In a seventh example, the method includes substantially preventing the pivoting the door step until after the pivoting the second coupling mechanism step and the lifting the door step. 
     In a different embodiment, a door frame assembly is provided for an animal enclosure. The door frame assembly includes a frame including a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires that define an opening in the frame for allowing access therethrough; a door pivotally coupled to a first vertical wire of the of the frame for pivoting the door between an open position and a close position, the door including a plurality of interconnected horizontal and vertical wires; a first coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the door to the frame, the first coupling mechanism formed by a first horizontal wire of the frame, wherein the first horizontal wire forms a hooked end protruding outward toward the door and spaced inwardly of the frame to intersect with the opening defined by the frame; and a second coupling mechanism for releasably coupling the door to the frame, the second coupling mechanism including a first portion pivotally coupled to the door and a second portion configured to limit movement of the door relative to the frame until the second portion is pivoted in a direction toward the door. 
     In one example, a horizontal wire of the door is coupled to the first coupling mechanism in the close position. In a second example, the frame comprises at least two first coupling mechanisms spaced vertically from one another. In a third example, in the close position, a first horizontal wire of the door is positioned within an opening formed by one of the first coupling mechanisms and a second horizontal wire of the door is positioned within an opening formed by another of the first coupling mechanisms. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an animal enclosure in an upright position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a frame and door assembly for the animal enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the frame and door assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged view of a coupler of the frame of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the frame and door assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a coupler of the frame of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the frame and door assembly of  FIG. 2  with the door in an open position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a door latch; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of a different embodiment of a frame and door assembly for the animal enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the animal enclosure of  FIG. 1  in a collapsed position. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure. 
     An exemplary embodiment of an animal enclosure is shown in  FIG. 1 . The animal enclosure  100  can be structured to include a top  102 , a bottom  104 , a front  106 , a back  108 , a first side  110 , and a second side  112 . The animal enclosure  100  can be formed of any material, but as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , it can be formed of wire material. Each of the top  102 , bottom  104 , front  106 , back  108 , first side  110 , and second side  112  can be individually coupled to one another to form the enclosure  100 . As such, each piece can be removably coupled so that the enclosure  100  can be collapsed for storage (see  FIG. 10 ) and assembled quickly for containing an animal. Alternatively, the top  102 , bottom  104 , first side  110 , and second  112  may form a single piece where the first side  110  and second side  112  are pivotally coupled to both the top  102  and bottom  104 , respectively. In this arrangement, the front  106  and back  108  may be decoupled from either the top  102  or bottom  104  and then folded inwardly on top of at least one of the top  102 , bottom  104 , first side  110 , and second side  112 . This will be further explained in detail below. 
     In a different embodiment, the enclosure  100  may not be collapsible such that the enclosure  100  is always in an upright position. For instance, the top  102  may be affixed to the first side  110  and second side  112  to prevent collapsing the enclosure. Likewise, the bottom  104  may be affixed to the first side  110  and second side  112 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the front  106  can include a front frame and door assembly. The assembly, for example, includes a door  114  pivotably coupled to an outer frame  116 . The door  114  and frame  116  can be formed of metal wire, similar to the rest of the enclosure  100 , although in other embodiments it may be desirable to form either of a different material. In  FIG. 2 , however, the door  114  can include a plurality of horizontal wires  208  and vertical wires  210  and the frame  116  can include a plurality of horizontal wires  204  and vertical wires  206 . 
     A door latch  118  can be pivotably coupled to the door  114 . The latch  118  can include structure that defines a stopper mechanism that engages the frame  116  to prevent the door  114  from opening. This will be described in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 3-7 . 
     The frame  116  can include one or more upper hook members  122  that engage a wire on the top  102 . Likewise, the frame  116  can include one or more lower hook members  124  that engage a wire on the bottom  104 . As such, in an upright orientation, the frame  116  is coupled to the top  102  and bottom  104  and disposed substantially perpendicular to both the top  102  and bottom  104 . Moreover, the frame  116  is disposed substantially parallel to the back  108 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , there is no corresponding hook member for engaging the first side  110  and/or second side  112 . In a different embodiment, however, there can be corresponding hook members for coupling the frame  116  to the first side  110  or second side  112 . 
     The frame  116  can also include one or more couplers  120  disposed at one end thereof. In particular, the one or more couplers  120  is disposed at the end opposite where the door  114  is pivotably coupled to the frame  116 . The couplers  120  are disposed outwardly from the frame  116  so that an animal collar does not get tangled or caught on one of the couplers  120 . Each coupler  120  can form a hook or loop for engaging with a horizontal wire on the door  114 . In addition, when the door  114  is opened, access to the interior of the animal enclosure  100  is available through a defined opening  702  (see  FIG. 7 ). The size of the opening  702  is defined by the frame  116 . In the present disclosure, each of the couplers  120  can extend inward of the frame  116  such that the couplers protrude into the opening  702 . This is further described below. 
     The couplers  120 , in combination with the latch  118 , provide a means for coupling or maintaining the door  114  is a closed position relative to the frame  116 . Moreover, to unlatch or unlock the door  114  relative to the frame  116  can require disengaging the latch  118  from the frame  116  and the door  114  from the couplers  120 . This is best illustrated in  FIGS. 3-7 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the door  114  can include a first wire  200  and a second wire  202 . The first wire  200  and second wire  202  are substantially parallel to and vertically spaced from one another. Each can be disposed horizontally from one end to an opposite end of the door  114 . The first wire  200  can engage an uppermost coupler  120 , whereas the second wire  202  can engage a lowermost coupler  120  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The first wire  200  and second wire  202  are engaged with the couplers  120  when the door  114  is configured in a closed position. 
     To allow access to the interior of the enclosure  100 , the door  114  can be opened. For instance, each of the substantially horizontally-disposed wires (e.g.,  200 ,  202 ) can include curled or hooked ends  300 . The curled or hooked ends  300  are disposed at an end opposite the couplers  120  so that the door  114  can pivot with respect to a substantially vertically-disposed wire  302  of the frame  116 . In other words, the wire  302  can pass through each of the curled or hooked ends  300  of the door  114  to permit the door  114  to pivot between an open and closed position with respect to the frame  116 . In addition, to maintain the pivotal coupling of the door  114  to the frame  116 , the door  114  can include a first vertical wire  310  that is positioned adjacent to the vertical wire  302  of the frame  116 . The curled or hooked ends  300  of each horizontal wire can be coupled to the first vertical wire  310 . Alternatively, the curled or hooked ends  300  can be bent such that the end of the wire that forms the curled or hooked ends  300  can be in contact or in near contact with the first vertical wire  310 . As such, the curled or hooked ends  300  form an opening through which the vertical wire  302  of the frame  116  can fit and the pivot connection is established. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, however, simply disengaging the first wire  200  and second wire  202  from the couplers  120  does not allow the door  114  to be disengaged from the frame  116 . To disengage the wires from the couplers, the door  114  is lifted with respect to the frame  116 . However, the door latch  118  is structured as a second coupling mechanism for coupling the door  114  to the frame  116  such that the door latch  118  can prevent the door  114  from being opened. 
     In  FIG. 8 , for example, an exemplary embodiment of the door latch  118  is illustrated. Here, the door latch  118  is in the form of a substantially U-shaped wire  800 . The U-shaped wire  800  can be a single wire or a plurality of wires coupled to one another. Moreover, the shape of the wire  800  is in the form of a handle so that a user can disengage the door  114  from the frame  116  by using only one hand. At both ends of the wire  800 , the latch  118  includes a coupling mechanism  806 . In particular, the wire  800  can be bent in such a way as to define a pivot portion  802  and a stopper portion  804 . In  FIG. 3 , for example, the pivot portion  802  of the latch  118  is pivotally coupled to a substantially horizontal wire  308  of the door  114 . This allows the latch  118  to pivot freely with respect to the door  114 . In addition, the stopper portion  804  defines an opening or slot that can engage a horizontally-disposed wire  304  on the frame  116 . Thus, if the latch  118  is in a downward orientation (e.g., in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), the door  114  cannot be lifted to disengage the first wire  200  and second wire  202  from the couplers  120  due to the stopper portion  804  engaging the wire  304 . In this embodiment, interference between the latch  118  and frame  116  is removed before the door is disengaged from the couplers  120 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , potential interference between the latch  118  and frame  116  can be removed or avoided by pivoting the latch  118  along a direction indicated by arrow  306 . In doing so, the coupling mechanism  806 , and in particular the stopper portion  804 , is rotated away from the frame  116 . In one aspect, the latch  118  can be pivoted nearly 180°. In another aspect, the latch  118  can be pivoted at least 180°. As the latch  118  is pivoted nearly 180°, it can be raised to then disengage the first wire  200  and second wire  202  from the couplers  120 . This is best shown in  FIGS. 4-6 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , for instance, the coupler  120  can form a single wire  400  of the frame. One end  402  of the wire  400  can be affixed to the frame  116 . For instance, the end  402  can be welded or adhered to the frame  116 . A portion of the wire  400  spaced from the end  402  can include an approximately 90° bend  600  such that the wire  400  protrudes toward the door  114  (see  FIG. 6 ). The wire  400  can include a curled or hooked end  602  which is opposite from the end  402  of the wire  400 . The curled or hooked end  602  forms the coupling function of the coupler  120 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the curled or hooked end  602  not only protrudes outward from the frame  116 , but it also protrudes inwardly and intersects the access opening  702  of the enclosure  100 . In other words, the frame  116  can include a horizontal wire  606  that defines the top edge of the access opening  702  and a vertical wire  604  that defines a right edge of the opening  702  (see  FIG. 6 ). The wire  400 , and in particular the curled or hooked end  602 , can protrude into the access opening  702  such that it is positioned to the left of the vertical wire  604  and below the horizontal wire  606 . The position of the curled or hooked end  602 , however, can be spaced from the vertical wire  604  and horizontal wire  606  by a small distance such that an animal entering or exiting the enclosure  100  is unaffected by the location of the ends  602 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , once the door latch  118  is pivoted about direction  306 , the latch  118  or door  114  can be moved along a direction indicated by arrow  500 . In this manner, the curled or hooked ends  300  of the horizontally-disposed wires of the door  114  can slide or move relative to the vertically-disposed wire  302  of the frame  116 . Once the first wire  200  and second wire  202  clear each of the couplers  120 , the door  114  can be pivoted or moved along a direction indicated by arrow  700  in  FIG. 7  to an open position. In doing so, the curled or hooked ends  300  can pivot or rotate about wire  302  of the frame. Once the door  114  is opened, access through an opening  702  defined in the frame  116  is available. 
     Although only the front  106  of the enclosure is shown in  FIG. 1  as including a frame and door assembly, it is possible to include additional frame and door assemblies in the back  108 , first side  110 , and/or second side  112 . For example, the enclosure  100  may include a frame and door assembly in the front  106  and first side  110 . The size of the door  114  can be the same regardless of whether it is formed in the front  106 , back  108 , first side  110  or second side  112 . Alternatively, the size of the door  114  can be proportional to the side it is formed in. For instance, if the enclosure is shaped as a rectangle, the enclosure may include both a smaller and larger sized doors. In a different embodiment, it is also possible to include a frame and door assembly in the top  102  of the enclosure  100 . This allows access through the top of the enclosure  100  and may be advantageous depending on the type and size of animal being contained. 
     Although not shown, it is also possible to include a divider panel coupled to one or more of the top  102 , bottom  104 , front  106 , back  108 , first side  110  and second side  112  so that several animals may be contained in the enclosure  100 . An example of a divider panel is illustrated in U.S. Design Pat. No. D668,397, entitled “Divider Panel for an Animal Cage”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , another embodiment of a frame and door assembly  900  is shown. The assembly  900  includes an outer frame  902  similar to the frame  116  of  FIG. 1 . A door  904  is pivotally coupled to the frame  902  in a manner similar to the one described above. The door  904  can include a door latch  118  as shown. The door latch  118 , however, can include a grip portion  906 . The grip portion  906  can be made of a plastic or rubber material. In addition, the grip portion  906  can include one or more indentations or grooves  908  to facilitate a more ergonomically and aesthetically-pleasing handle. 
     In a further embodiment, the couplers  120  can be formed from wires on the door  114  rather than as the wire  400  on the frame  116 . In this embodiment, the frame  116  includes the first wire  200  and second wire  202  for engaging the couplers  120  on the door  114 . In this embodiment, the couplers  120  can be oriented either upward or downward such that the door  114  can be moved either upward or downward depending on the orientation of the couplers  120 . Once the door  114  is moved to disengage the couplers  120  from the first and second wires, the door  114  can be pivoted to the open position. The manner in which the couplers  120  are oriented is not dependent on the manner in which the door latch  118  engages the frame  116 , so the latch  118  can first be pivoted about wire  308  before the couplers  120  are disengaged from the wires  200 ,  202 . 
     In a different embodiment, the frame and door assembly of the present disclosure can be incorporated into an exercise pen-style enclosure. The exercise pen enclosure may not include a top  102  or bottom  104 , and may include a plurality of sides. At least one of the plurality of sides may include the frame and door assembly such that the advantages of the door latch  118  and couplers  120  is provided in an exercise pen enclosure. 
     While exemplary embodiments incorporating the principles of the present disclosure have been disclosed hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.