Abstract:
The instant invention is directed to a pet shelter for domestic pets. More specifically, the instant invention is a pet shelter constructed from a plurality of plastic panels each having integral connectors. The panels are constructed and arranged to be shipped and/or stored in a nested or stacked arrangement to reduce space requirements and shipping costs. The integral fasteners formed onto the panels intermesh to allow the panels to be snapped together without the need for additional fasteners or tools.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention is directed to pet shelters and in particular to an all plastic pet shelter for use in an outdoor setting for protection of a pet from the elements. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The companionship provided by pets is well documented. Dogs in particular, commonly referred too as “mans best friend” have become so integrated into the lives of the lives of their owner that their well being and safety is of paramount concern. However, not all pets can remain near their owner at all time and in many instances enjoy being placed outdoors. For some pets, particularly large dogs, placement outside is necessary for their health. The outdoors provide an area for exercise and provides stimulation that that improves the disposition of the dog. However, dogs cannot take care of themselves and being placed outdoors requires that some sort of protection is provided from the elements. This is especially important where a pet is keep on a lease thereby limiting the ability for the dog to escape the elements. For this reason pet owners typically provide a pet shelter to protect the pet from the weather. 
     Pet shelters have been constructed from most every type of material with the main purpose of protecting the pet from direct sunlight, rain, wind, cold and if the pet is left outside the shelter may operate as an enclosure to shelter the pet from other animals that may roam the night. The construction of most known pet shelters include items that are problematic in assembly or require tools for assembly. Further, prior art designs may include materials that are subject to rot such as wood, or require the use of metal fasteners that are subject to rusting. In addition, known prior art include assembly kits that were not designed to store compactly for purposes of shipping necessitating larger packaging containers that take more space to store and are more expensive to ship. 
     What is needed in the art is pre-constructed pet shelter that can be compactly stored/shipped, can be assembled without tools, is made entirely of plastic to prevent premature degradation, and is structurally sound so as to provide the pet with comfort in most any weather condition. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,883 discloses a prefabricated doghouse structure having a separate sections secured in place by interlocking components. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,614 discloses a modular animal enclosure including a housing comprising a top portion affixed to a base portion to form a sheltered interior. The housing includes a door aperture and a climate conditioning aperture with an attachable climate conditioning unit installed over it to facilitate a flow of atmospheric air from the exterior environment into the interior of the housing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,167 discloses a modular pet house having peripheral walls with a plurality of mountings selectively mountable in the housing. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,792 discloses a pet shelter construction including a floor unit having a solar heat reservoir raised above the ground. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,501 discloses a doghouse having walls supported by a base unit and a roof supported by the walls. The walls include an aperture portion, a far lateral aperture portion, a topmost aperture portion, and a near lateral aperture portion. The entrance opening wall includes a near wall half and a far wall half. The entrance opening is entirely included in the near wall half. The bottommost aperture portion of the entrance opening is spaced above the base unit by a vertical offset distance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,239 discloses a doghouse having a press-fit attachment described with a first member of each pair being integral with the base portion and a second member of each pair being integral with the top portion. Another aspect of the present invention employs a stake through an opening in an interior floor surface to secure the animal shelter to the ground. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,956 discloses a doghouse with multi-channel flow-through fresh air ventilation comprising a generally arcuate-shaped hollow top part which has a rectangular circumferential bottom rim configured with four sharp corners, and a generally box-shaped hollow bottom part which has an octagonal circumferential top rim configured with four cut corners. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,443 discloses a dome-shaped animal shelter having a separable housing and base made from reinforced plastic. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,293 discloses an animal shelter including a top, where the entrance is, formed as a unitary shell and shaped to resemble a natural object having an irregular surface, such as a tree stump to resemble a natural object so the animal shelter blends into a natural setting. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,243 discloses a pet shelter including a bottom and a top member both having an edge, and a medial member with a top and bottom edge disposed between the top and bottom members. The pet shelter includes a lock for selectively interconnecting the bottom member to the bottom edge of the medial member and a lock for selectively interconnecting the top member to the top edge of the medial member. The lock includes a tab disposed in the bottom edge of the medial member and a tab disposed in the edge of the top member. The bottom member includes an aperture for receiving the medial member tab to thereby selectively lock the bottom member to the medial member. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A pet shelter constructed for plastic panels having interlocking connectors for ease of assembly and elimination of early degradation components typically found in pet shelters containing metal or wood components. The pet shelter of the instant construction having a two piece floor with interlocking connectors for use in support of one piece side wall panels and a front and rear wall panel. Each of said wall panels having bottom edge constructed and arranged to cooperate with the floor panel for securement by use of interlocking tabs, each said wall further coupling to an adjoining wall further by use of interlocking tabs. The front wall panel includes a door for providing ingress and egress. A roof is provided for enclosing the top of the pet shelter, the roof includes a first and second interconnecting panel. The roof panels secure to the top of the each wall panel by use of interlocking tabs. 
     Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to disclose a pet shelter that can be assembled without tools. 
     It is a further objective of the instant invention to disclose a pet shelter having modular components to allow storage and shipping with minimal packaging. 
     It is yet another objective of the instant invention to disclose a pet shelter constructed of plastic thereby eliminating early degradation typical of wood and/or metal construction. 
     It is a still further objective of the invention to disclose the use of overlapping roof panels that overlie the roof crown to inhibit weather entry. 
     Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the pet shelter of the instant invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the pet shelter; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the bottom of the floor panels; 
         FIG. 4B  is a partially enlarged perspective view of the floor panel connector; 
         FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the top of the floor panels; 
         FIG. 5B  is a partially enlarged perspective view of the floor panel connector; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an assembled floor panels with arrows illustrating interlocking; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a side wall panel connected to the floor panels; 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective bottom view of the front wall panel about to be coupled to the floor panel and side wall panel; 
         FIG. 8B  is an enlarged view of a bottom connector depicted in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C  is a perspective bottom view of the front panel coupled to the floor panel and side wall panel; 
         FIG. 8D  is an enlarged view of the front panel in a coupled position to the floor panel; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a rear wall panel being connected to a side wall panel; 
         FIG. 9B  is an enlarged view of a side wall connector depicted in  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the side panel being coupled to the front panel; 
         FIG. 10B  is an enlarged view of the side wall connector depicted in  FIG. 10A ; 
         FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a front panel coupled to a side panel; 
         FIG. 11B  is an enlarged view of the side wall connector depicted in  FIG. 11   a;    
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded view of the first and second roof panel; 
         FIG. 12B  is an enlarged view of a connector of the roof panel depicted in  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12C  depicts the roof panels at an angle to allow a view of the receptacle or the roof locking mechanism; 
         FIG. 12D  is an enlarged view of the roof receptacle; 
         FIG. 12E  is the locking element for securement of the roof panel to a side wall panel; 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a front panel with flex doors; 
         FIG. 13B  is an enlarged view of the connectors for the flex door depicted in  FIG. 12   a;    
         FIG. 14  is a top plain view of all panels of the pet shelter in a storage/shipping position; and 
         FIG. 15  is an end view of panels in a storage/shipping condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , depicted is a prefabricated plastic pet shelter ( 10 ) of the instant invention. The pet shelter is defined by a first roof panel ( 12 ) and a second roof panel ( 12 ′). The roof panels are interchangeable and overlap as will be further explained. The roof panels may include ornamental shapes such as tiles or simulated shingles ( 24 ) to provide the appearance of a conventional roof. Each said roof panel is supported by a side wall panel ( 16  &amp;  16 ′), a front wall panel ( 20 ) and a rear wall panel ( 22 ). 
     The side wall panels ( 16  &amp;  16 ′) are interchangeable and may include ornamental shapes such as siding ( 18  &amp;  18 ′), a window ( 26  &amp;  26 ′), and shutters ( 28  &amp;  28 ′). The front wall panel ( 20 ) includes simulated siding ( 30 ), and ornamental crown ( 32 ). The front wall panel further includes an opening ( 34 ) with flexible swinging doors ( 36  and  36 ′). The rear wall panel ( 22 ) may also include siding ( 17 ), a fanciful crown ( 19 ) and a false doorway ( 21 ). In this embodiment, the false doorway may include windows ( 23 ) and have an outer texture ( 25 ) that provides the appearance of a wood slat doorway. 
     The exploded view depicted in  FIG. 3  illustrates the pet shelter in its component parts. Depicted is the pet shelter right side wall ( 16 ), left side wall ( 16 ′), front wall ( 20 ) and rear wall ( 22 ). Further shown is a roof comprising panels ( 12  and  12 ′). The foundation for the doghouse is a floor which consists of a first floor panel ( 44 ) having a first edge ( 47 ) operatively associated with a second floor panel ( 48 ) having a first edge ( 49 ). The floor panel ( 44 ) is further defined by a second edge ( 52 ), third edge ( 54 ) and fourth edge ( 56 ). The second edge ( 52 ) of floor panel ( 44 ) allows for securement to the bottom edge ( 21 ) of front panel ( 20 ) by use of interlocks described later in this application. Third edge ( 54 ) and forth edge ( 56 ) also permit coupling to their respective side wall panel ( 16  and  16 ′)) using interlocks. Similarly, second panel ( 48 ) includes a first edge ( 49 ) for securement to the adjoining edge ( 47 ) of the first panel ( 44 ). The second floor panel ( 48 ) includes a second edge ( 57 ) operatively associated for coupling to the bottom edge ( 23 ) of rear panel ( 22 ). A third edge ( 51 ) is secure to the panel ( 16 ′) and a forth edge ( 55 ) secures to the wall panel ( 16 ). Front door panels ( 36  &amp;  36 ′) are securable to the front panel ( 20 ) by fasteners ( 39 ). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B  there shown is a bottom view of floor panels ( 44  and  48 ). The means for connecting the panels ( 44  and  48 ) includes a longitudinally extending wall ( 60  and  61 ) with a tab member ( 64 ) operatively associated with the aperture ( 66 ) located in the longitudinally edge wall ( 61 ) which allows for insertion of the tab member through the aperture as depicted by the directional arrow ( 65 ) with a locking condition provided by movement of panels ( 44  and  48 ), shown in  FIG. 6 , by sliding of the panels in accordance with the directional arrows ( 69  and  71 ). The assembly creates a seamed floor that minimizes the entry of the elements. Raised ridges ( 33 ) space the floor above the ground providing an air gap; the air gap providing an insulating barrier between the pet and the ground. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B  a top view of the floor is shown in  FIG. 5A . Another means for connecting the floor panels ( 44  and  48 ) includes an upstanding projection member ( 62 ) and an associated aperture ( 63 ). The upstanding projection member ( 62 ) of one floor panel passes through the aperture ( 63 ) of the other floor panel, as depicted by directional arrows ( 67 ). A locking condition of the floor panels is then provided by movement of the panels ( 44  and  48 ), shown in  FIG. 6 , by sliding of the panels in accordance with the directional arrows ( 69  and  71 ). This assembly creates a seamed floor that minimizes the entry of the elements. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , depicted are the floor panels ( 44  and  48 ) coupled to the left panel side wall ( 16 ′) wherein alignment tabs ( 76 ) are formed integral thereto and are positionable above the edge of the floor panels ( 44  and  48 ). Similarly, a right side panel, not shown, includes alignment tabs for positioning over the edge ( 54  and  51 ) of each floor panel. The side wall panel ( 16 ′) locks the floor panels in position by preventing the transverse movement needed for assembly of the floor panels. 
       FIGS. 8A-8D  depict a series of alignment bosses ( 80 ) positioned along the bottom and top edge of the wall panels operatively associated with an aperture ( 82 ) on an adjoining front or rear panel and being constructed and arranged so that the alignment boss enters into and engages the aperture and secures the wall panels to the end panels together. The bosses and apertures are located on each side wall for engagement with the front wall and rear wall. The alignment boss maintains the panels in a fixed position without use of an independent fastener.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict an unassembled connection while  FIGS. 8C and 8D  depict the alignment boss ( 80 ) placed through the aperture ( 82 ) and locked in position with the front and rear panel. Referring now to  FIGS. 9A and 9B  shown is the front panel ( 22 ) provided with a spaced apart finger ( 90 ) and alignment boss ( 92 ) shown in an adjacent side wall panel ( 16 ′)). These fingers and bosses are constructed and arranged so that the fingers overlap and engage the bosses to secure the vertical portion of each front panel and rear panel to the side panels.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  depict the placement of the alignment boss ( 80 ) and recess ( 82 ) allowing a position at the top of the side panel ( 16 ) and front panel ( 20 ).  FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  depict the alignment boss ( 80 ) placed into the aperture ( 82 ) thereby locking the upper edge in this figure ( 91 ) of side panel ( 16 ) to the upper edge ( 93 ) of front panel ( 20 ). 
     In a manner similar to the floor panels, the roof panels ( 12  &amp;  12 ′) include a slideable interlock wherein each roof panel has a first edge ( 102 ) which is secureable to the first edge of an adjacent panel ( 102 ′) having a series of spaced apart connecting members ( 106  and  106 ′). Connecting members ( 106  and  106 ′) on one of the roof panels are provided with projections ( 107 ) which are insertable into apertures or recesses ( 108 ) on corresponding connecting members ( 106 ). For similar purposes, each of the roof panels ( 12  and  12 ′) are assembled together at an acute angle wherein the spaced apart projections ( 107 ) of connecting members ( 106 ) are inserted into the recesses ( 108 ) of corresponding connecting members ( 106 ) The panels are slid together to engage the projections and recesses and then each panel ( 12  and  12 ′) rotated so that the overlapping panel flaps ( 110  and  110 ′) provide a seal over the adjacent panel and attachment fingers and recesses. A seal ( 109 ) is placed at the junction of the two overlapping roof flaps and shown in  FIG. 12A . 
     At an end of each of the roof flaps ( 110  and  110 ′) there is an alignment boss ( 111 ) and a corresponding alignment socket ( 113 ). The alignment boss ( 111 ) engages the alignment socket ( 113 ) locking the roof panels together after the roof panels have been rotated into their final position. 
       FIG. 12E  depicts use of an alignment boss ( 120 ) for use in engaging an alignment socket ( 122 ) as shown in  FIG. 9A  which upon placement forces the raised portion ( 121 ) of the alignment boss ( 120 ) into each alignment socket ( 122 ). In this manner, the floor panels, side walls, front and rear wall, and roof panels can be assembled without fasteners with the use of alignment tabs and fingers with associated sockets and receptacles. 
     A vent can be optionally provided the side wall panels ( 16  and  16 ′) as shown in  FIG. 10A . A sliding member ( 115 ) is positionable over aperture ( 117 ) located in the top portion of the side wall panel. This vent allows warm air to be vented from the pet shelter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13A and 13B , the front wall forms an opening into the assembly pet shelter by allowing the dog to enter the housing by pushing of the flexible doors ( 36  or  36 ′) which are attached to the front panel ( 20 ) by bosses ( 41 ) that receive the fastener ( 39 ) thereby engaging each of the flexible front doors therebetween. It should be noted that the many of these reference components can be interchanged, for instance, each side wall can be made to form a mirror image of the opposite side wall. The first roof panel can be made a mirror image of the second roof panel. The first floor panel can be made a mirror image of the second floor panel. The flexible doors may also be interchanged. The interchangeability allows reduces the need for extra manufacturing equipment. However, for purposes of assembly each panel may be marked individual to assist the individual during the assembly process. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the compactness of the doghouse is shown for purposes of shipment and storage with the width (w) of the package together with the height (h) and depth (d) providing for low cost storage and shipping. 
     All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein. 
     One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.