Abstract:
The present invention discloses a pet or animal drying and washing apparatus a two part housing structure with a slidable and removable inner housing shell with guides and an outer housing shell with recesses on their respective side walls so that they can be easily connected together as a single unit and form a heating flow passage there between. The outer shell having inner and outer walls conforming to a contour shape and having support and air channel blocks on a bottom floor to support an inner shell housing having a plurality of slotted vents disposed on side walls and back walls and between bottom floors of the inner and outer shell housings. A blower and heating unit is disposed within a back wall cavity of the outer shell housing and closed by a thermostatic control device to direct heated air in the heating flow passage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/836,329, filed on Jun. 18, 2013, expired. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a unique pet drying and washing apparatus having outer and inner housing shells for receiving variable and controllable forced drying heat for thoroughly drying the fur coat of the pet or animal. The inner shell can be easily removed from the outer shell and utilized for washing, shampooing and rinsing pets or animals. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    At the present time, there are many different types of drying apparatuses utilized for pets or animals after they have gone through a wash, shampoo and rinse cycle. Note that these drying apparatuses are utilized by many pet owners, veterinarians, pet or animal groomers and other pet or animal professionals. 
         [0006]    It is well known that the current drying apparatuses for the drying of pets or animals, primarily dogs&#39; undercoat is not quickly and thoroughly dried after going through the aforementioned wash, shampoo and rinse cycle, which can subject the pet or animal to possible illness. Also, the current drying apparatuses fail to distribute the forced heat efficiently proportional and controllable so that the pets or animals do not experience heat discomfort to their bodies. 
         [0007]    Also, the current pet or animal drying apparatuses fail to teach a removable inner shell housing that can be easily and quickly removed from the outer shell housing for washing, shampooing and rinsing a pet or animal therein without being labor intensive due to many housing components and screws. For the most part, a majority of the current and prior 
         [0008]    The prior art patents disclose pet or animal drying apparatuses with separate blower unit compartments with a blower unit disposed therein, a removable inner housing shell and doors for retaining pets or animals within the pet or animal drying apparatuses 
         [0009]    Note that the pet or animal drying apparatuses, which take on many different designs and structures are disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,175,534 3,962,993, 3,985,102, 4,314,410, 4,559,903, 5,283,962, 6,058,886, 6,425, 947, 6,826,850, U.S. Publication No. 2009/0173286, EP 0144499 and EP 1652425 to name just a few of interest. However, they do not singly or in any combination teach the claimed invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention discloses a pet or animal drying and washing apparatus a two part housing structure with a slidable and removable inner housing shell that can be utilized for washing, shampoo and rinsing a pet or animal. 
         [0011]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides an outer housing shell having a contour shape with a pair of high opposite ends joined by a lower or valley area, which has resembles a wave configuration. The outer housing shell includes a pair of outer and inner walls, an interior back wall, an exterior back wall, a bottom floor and a front face having an arcuate or curved like shape defining an interior open space or compartment for receiving the inner housing shell. This outer housing shell includes a peripheral edge face that borders the pair of outer and inner walls extending from the bottom floor up along the arcuate or curved like front face to the back wall that is integrally connected to the pair of outer and inner walls The arcuate or curved like front face includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding door retaining members for receiving retaining pin members of a door member. 
         [0012]    The interior back wall having a cut-out section that is wider than a fan opening that receives a fan device of a blower and heating unit. 
         [0013]    The pair of interior side walls includes a stepped longitudinal channel extending from the arcuate or curved like front face between the pair of spaced apart upstanding door retaining members to the back wall but spaced from the cut-out section and adjacent the top of the interior side walls. 
         [0014]    Further, the bottom floor of the outer shell includes a plurality of spaced apart raised support members for supporting the inner housing shell and providing heated air flow channels. 
         [0015]    An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention further provides the aforementioned outer housing shell with a rear blower and heater compartment disposed between the back wall cut-out section and the exterior back wall for housing a blower and heating unit and a thermostat control device inserted in a top opening of the compartment for closing and sealing the blower and heater compartment. The exterior back wall includes an opening that receives an electrical adapter plug that connects directly to the blower and heating unit, while at the same time sealing the adapter plug opening. Also, the exterior back wall includes a plurality of slotted intake air vent openings to the blower and heating unit. 
         [0016]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a U-shaped recessed pocket member in each of the outer side walls of the outer housing shell with a center solid member for receiving a pair of handle members therein. The pair of handles having a pair of sliding leg portions joined together at one end by a gripping hand portion and the lower ends of the leg portions having a bent section. The bent sections are joined together by a bar-like member. A small gap is formed between the center solid member and the pair of interior walls of the outer housing shell with a recessed cavity formed along a back surface for receiving the bar-like member. When the pair of handles are retracted upward along the recessed pocket member and the bar-like member is moved along the small gap and into the recessed cavity, the bent portions of the handle members are moved into aligned slots in outer peripheral surfaces of the inner and outer shells, which enable the pair of handle members to pivot to toward each other. This enables a user to easily grasp the pair of handle members and carry the instant pet and or animal drying apparatus. 
         [0017]    When the handles are moved downward to a non-use position, the bent portions are pivoted out of the aligned slots, the bar-like member is moved out of the recessed cavity and slide there along until a bottom portion of the handle grasping portion abuts and rest on a ledge portion below the center solid member until a user want to move or carry the instant pet and or animal drying apparatus. 
         [0018]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a pair of screw retaining openings on opposite sides of the aforementioned pair of U-shaped recessed pocket members that receives a screw retaining member or a screw or a pin and ball retaining device. 
         [0019]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides an inner housing shell that is removably inserted into the outer housing shell. The inner housing shell includes a pair of outer and inner walls, an interior back wall, an exterior back wall, a bottom floor and a front lip face having an arcuate or curved like shape defining an interior open space or compartment for holding a pet or animal therein. This inner housing shell includes a peripheral extending lip that borders the pair of outer and inner walls extending from the bottom floor up along the arcuate or curved like front lip face to the back wall that is integrally connected to the pair of outer and inner walls The arcuate or curved like front lip face includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding door retaining members for aligning with the spaced apart upstanding door retaining members of the outer shell for receiving retaining pin members of a door member there through. 
         [0020]    The interior and exterior back walls having a plurality of slotted vent openings that are spaced from the aforementioned cut-out section fan opening that receives the fan device of the blower and heating unit for receiving heated air flow there through and into the inner shell open compartment. 
         [0021]    The pair of interior side walls includes a stepped longitudinal guide member extending from the arcuate or curved like front face between a pair of spaced apart upstanding door retaining members to the back walls but spaced from the cut-out section of the outer shell and adjacent the top of the interior side walls to be slidably received within the stepped longitudinal channel member to allow the inner housing shell to be fully inserted into the outer housing shell. The stepped longitudinal guide members having a thickness so that when they are slid along the stepped longitudinal channel members, they form an air flow cavity between the inner side walls of the outer housing shell and the outer side walls of the inner housing shell. In addition, this cavity conforms to contour shape of the outer and inner walls of the outer shell. This allows for an even and constant distribution of the heated air flow. In addition, the heated air flow gap is sealed by the extending peripheral lip of the inner shell. This extending lip will cover the entire peripheral edge of the outer housing shell from the bottom floor up along and over the arcuate or curved like front face to the back wall with the cut-out section that is integrally connected to the pair of outer and inner walls. The bottom extending peripheral lip will fit flush with the bottom floor of the outer housing shell. Also, this extending lip and the stepped longitudinal guide member combination define and maintain the heated air flow gap constant. 
         [0022]    Further, the bottom floor of the inner shell rests on the aforementioned plurality of raised and spaced support members of the outer housing and defining a heated air flow gap between the bottom floor of the inner housing shell and the bottom floor of the outer hosing shell. The inner housing shell includes a plurality of spaced apart slotted vent members in the side walls and the bottom floor for receiving a constant heated air flow into the interior open compartment of the inner housing shell from the constant heated air gaps and through the raised and spaced support members that provide heated air flow channels. 
         [0023]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a plurality of spaced apart handle support slots in a top portion of the peripheral extending lip that receives the aforementioned bent handle sections therein when the pair of handles are retracted and pivoted so that a user can easily grasp them to carry or move the instant pet or animal drying and washing apparatus from location to location. The peripheral extending lip includes a plurality of spaced apart upstanding cover retaining members positioned on a back portion thereof and along a side portion above the side walls that is spaced from the arcuate or curved like portion of the peripheral extending lip defining an access opening to gain access to the pet or animal or to allow the pet or animal to see the owner, groomer or other pet professionals. Also, it serves to keep the pet or animal inside the instant pet drying and washing apparatus. 
         [0024]    A further aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a retaining hole near each end of the stepped longitudinal guide members that align with the pair of screw retaining openings on opposite sides of the aforementioned pair of U-shaped recessed pocket members for receiving the screw retaining member or a screw or a pin and ball retaining device to maintain the inner and outer housing together as a single unit. 
         [0025]    Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a separate door and cover secured to the peripheral extending lip of the inner housing shell to close a majority of the interior compartment of the inner housing with an access opening being formed between the door and cover to accommodate the pet or animal. 
         [0026]    An additional aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a hook member secured at a location along the inner back wall of the inner shell for attaching a pet or animal leash thereto for securing the pet within the instant pet drying and washing apparatus. 
         [0027]    Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides the utilization of the inner housing shell as a washing tub for pets or animals, preferably when a pet owner, groomer and other pet or animals want to wash, shampoo and rinse the pet or animal outside. Optionally, a tub liner can be inserted into the inner housing with the door attached so that a pet or animal can be washed, shampooed and rinsed inside or outside, while at the same time reducing messy conditions. 
         [0028]    Additional aspects, objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and the appended claims of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The present invention may be better understood, along with its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side isometric view of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates top view of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective exploded view of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the outer housing shell showing the blower and heating unit and raised bottom floor supports and air channels of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric side cut-out sectional view of the outer housing showing an elongated guide channel on the interior side wall, a blower and heating unit in a back wall portion and raised bottom floor supports and air channels of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the outer housing and inner housing shells connected as unit with a heated air flow gap formed there between unit defined by the raised bottom floor supports and air channels and the elongated sliding channel of the outer shell and the elongated sliding guide member of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  illustrates an isometric side cut-out sectional view of the inner housing with a plurality of slotted vents in the side walls, the back wall and the bottom of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus with handles pulled out for a user according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the unique portable pet drying and washing apparatus  10 . The portable pet drying and washing apparatus  10  shows inner shell housing  4  inserted in an outer housing shell  11 , which will be explained later in greater details as shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 4 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the outer wall  11  has a contour shape that defines a wave like configuration with higher raised ends and connected there between by a lower valley intermediate section. The importance of this configuration will be discussed later. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is an isometric side view that shows the contour shape defined by the side wall  12 , the rear raised end  16  and the raised front end  18 , which is connected by the lower valley intermediate section  17  and the back wall section  20 . The back wall section  20  includes a plurality of slotted vent passages  21  that are either molded or cut therein. Below the vents  21  is a for receiving an electrical adapter plug  39   a  therein to connect directly to the back of the blower and heating unit defined by elements  35 - 38  and  38  as shown in greater details in  FIG. 4 . The electrical adapter plug  39   a  is attached to one end of an electrical cord  39 . Note that the electrical adapter plug  39   a  seals the cut or molded slot. 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is top view of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus  10  shows the contour shape defined by the side wall  12 , the rear raised end  16  and the raised front end  18 , which is connected by the lower valley intermediate section  17  and the back wall section  20 . The top view of the inner shell  40  includes a plurality of cut or molded vent slots  48  in the outer side walls  41  and  43 , outer side walls  42  and  44  and the bottom floor  45 . A thermostatic control device  37  closes the blower and heating unit compartment  35  (see  FIG. 4 ). Element  39  is the electrical cord connected to the blower and heating as recited in  FIG. 2  above. Note the contour and wavy configuration that is defined by elements  16 - 18  shows a flow gap or space that is wider at ends  16  and  18  with a narrower or restricted section  17 . As the heated flows from the larger end  16  to the narrower section  17  to the larger end  18  stays constant throughout. As the flow through the restricted section  17  the flow velocity increases so that the flow at end  18  is always constant. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  is a perspective exploded side view of the inner housing shell assembly  40 , the outer housing shell  11  with a blower and heating assembly unit  35 - 38  and  38   a , door  51  and the cover  56 . First, the outer housing shell  11  will be described in greater details to more clearly explain the claimed invention. 
         [0043]    The outer housing shell includes a pair of outer wall  11 ,  13  and inner walls  12 ,  14 , an interior back wall  15 , an exterior back wall  20 , a bottom floor  30  and a front face peripheral edge  19  having an arcuate or curved like shape defining an interior open space or compartment for receiving the inner housing shell assembly  40 . The front face peripheral edge face  19  continues and borders the pair of outer and inner walls  11 - 14  extending from the bottom floor  30  up along the arcuate or curved like front face edge  19  to the back wall  15  that is integrally connected to the pair of outer and inner walls  11 - 14 . The arcuate or curved like front face edge  19  includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding door retaining members  29  for receiving retaining pin members  51  of a door member  51  that closes the inner shell interior compartment that the pet or animal is placed. 
         [0044]    The interior back wall  15  having a cut-out section  34  that is wider than a fan opening  38   a  that receives a fan device  38  of a blower and heating unit  35 - 38  and  38   a . Note that the back wall  15  has thinner sections along the sides and the top defined by element  33 . This thinner section provides clearance for fan device  38  and enough wall section to maintain the blower and heating unit  35 - 38  and  38   a  within the blower and heating unit cavity  35 . 
         [0045]    The blower and heating unit cavity  35  is closed and sealed by a thermostatic control device  37 . This thermostatic control device  37  preferably has snap-fit arrangement for easy removal of the blower and heating unit  35 - 38  and  38   a  from the blower and heating unit cavity  35 . Note that other types of mechanical securing means could be used to secure the thermostatic control device over the blower and heating unit cavity  35 , such as screws and pins, if desired. The snap-fit arrangement is preferred because it saves on labor time and money when the blower and heating unit has to be serviced. 
         [0046]    The pair of interior side walls  12 ,  14  includes a stepped longitudinal channel  32  extending from the arcuate or curved like front face  19  between the pair of spaced apart upstanding door retaining members  29  to the back wall  15  but spaced from the cut-out section  34  and adjacent the top of the interior side walls  12 ,  14 . This allows heated air to flow evenly through the flow gap between the inner housing shell walls  41 ,  43  and the outer housing shell interior side walls  12 ,  14  as a function of the contour and wavy shape of the outer side walls  11 ,  13  of the outer housing shell as described above. 
         [0047]    Further, the bottom floor of the outer shell includes a plurality of spaced apart raised support members  31  for supporting the inner housing shell assembly  40  and providing heated air flow channels. 
         [0048]    The aforementioned rear blower and heater cavity or compartment  35  is disposed between the back wall cut-out section  34  of back wall  15  and the exterior back wall  20 . The exterior back wall  20  includes an opening that receives an electrical adapter plug  39   a  ( FIG. 2 ) that connects directly to the blower and heating unit  35 - 38  and  38   a , while at the same time sealing the adapter plug opening. Also, the exterior back wall includes a plurality of slotted intake air vent openings  21  that provides outside air directly to the blower and heating unit  35 - 38  and  38   a.    
         [0049]    Please note that the heating element is not shown, but it is one that is well known in the art or industry. The heating element is variably controlled by the thermostatic control device  37  by such variables as temperature, time duration, speed, etc. Also, the fan  38  may be any well known type that is controlled and activated by pressing the fan control means button and/or the on/off buttons shown on the thermostatic control device  37 . The power cord  39  cord and the power plug adapter provides AC power to the blower and heating unit  35 - 38  and  38   a . Furthermore, the blower and heating unit  35 - 38  and  38   a  selected will be one that runs very quietly and energy efficient. In selecting one that is very quiet to make sure the noise does not affect the pet or animal. 
         [0050]      FIG. 4  provides a U-shaped recessed pocket member  22  in each of the outer side walls  11 ,  13  of the outer housing shell  11  with a center solid member  26  for receiving a pair of handle members  25  therein. The pair of handles  25  having a pair of sliding leg portions  25   a  joined together at one end by a gripping hand portion  25  and the lower ends of the leg portions  23  having a bent section  25   b  ( FIG. 9 ). The bent sections  25   b  are joined together by a bar-like member  225   c    FIG. 9 ). A small gap is formed between the center solid member  26  and the pair of interior walls  12 ,  14  of the outer housing shell ( 11 ) with a recessed cavity  226   a  formed along a back surface of the solid member  26  for receiving the bar-like member  26   a.    
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a pair of screw retaining openings is disposed on opposite sides of the aforementioned pair of U-shaped recessed pocket members  23  that receives a screw retaining member or a screw or a pin and ball retaining device that will extend through the pair of retaining holes in the outer shell walls  11 ,  13  into the stepped elongated slide channels  32 . The elongated slide channels  32  are cut or molded in the interior side walls  12 ,  14  of the outer housing shell  11 . 
         [0052]    Further in  FIG. 4 , the inner shell assembly  40  will now be discussed. The inner housing shell assembly  40  is removably inserted into the outer housing shell  11 . The inner housing shell includes a pair of outer walls  41 ,  43  and a pair of inner walls  42 ,  44 , an interior back wall  46 , an exterior back wall  46   a , a bottom floor  45  and a peripheral front lip edge face  45   a  having an arcuate or curved like shape defining an interior open space or compartment for holding a pet or animal therein. The peripheral front lip edge face  45   a  extends to and borders the pair of outer walls and inner walls extending from the bottom floor up along the arcuate or curved like front lip face  45   a  to the back wall  46  that is integrally connected to the pair of outer walls  41 ,  43  and the inner walls  42 ,  44 . The arcuate or curved like peripheral front lip edge face  45   a  includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding door retaining members  49  and retaining slots  49   a  for aligning with the spaced apart upstanding door retaining members  29  of the outer shell  11  for receiving retaining pin members  55  of door member  51  there through to secure the door  51  along the arcuate or curved like peripheral front lip edge face  45   a  of the inner shell assembly  40 . 
         [0053]    The interior and exterior side walls  41 - 44  includes a plurality of slotted vents  48  of the inner shell assembly  40 . The exterior back walls  46 ,  46   a  having a plurality of slotted vent openings  21  that are spaced from the aforementioned cut-out section  34  of back wall  15  and the fan opening  38   a  that receives the fan device of the blower and heating unit  35 - 38  and  38   a  of the outer shell housing  11  for receiving heated air flow there through and into the inner shell open compartment where the pet or animal is placed. 
         [0054]    The pair of exterior side walls  41 ,  43  includes a stepped longitudinal guide member  50  extending from the arcuate or curved like peripheral front edge face  45   a  between a pair of spaced apart upstanding door retaining members  49  and door retaining slots  49   a  to the back wall  46  but spaced from the cut-out section  34  of the back wall  15  and adjacent the top of the interior side walls  41 ,  43  to be slidably received within the stepped longitudinal channel members  32  to allow the inner housing shell assembly  40  to be fully inserted into the outer housing shell  11 . The stepped longitudinal guide members  50  having a thickness such that when they are inserted along the stepped longitudinal channel members  32  defines an air flow cavity between the inner side walls  12 ,  14  of the outer housing shell  11 , and the outer side walls  41 ,  43  of the inner housing shell assembly  40 . In addition, this cavity conforms to contour shape of the outer and inner walls  11 - 14  of the outer shell  11 . This allows for an even and constant distribution of the heated air flow. In addition, the heated air flow gap is sealed by the extending peripheral lip  45   a  of the inner shell assembly  40 . This extending lip  45   a  will cover the entire peripheral edge  19  of the outer housing shell  11  from the bottom floor  30  up along and over the arcuate or curved like peripheral front edge face  19  to the back wall  15  with the cut-out section  34  that is integrally connected to the pair of outer and inner walls  11 - 14 . The bottom extending peripheral lip  45   a  will fit flush with the bottom floor  30  of the outer housing shell  11 . Also, this extending lip  45   a  and the stepped longitudinal guide member  50  combination define and maintain the heated air flow gap constant. 
         [0055]    Further, the bottom floor  30  of the inner shell  11  rests on the aforementioned plurality of raised and spaced support members  31  of the outer housing and defining a heated air flow gap between the bottom floor  30  of the inner housing shell assembly  40  and the bottom floor  30  of the outer housing shell  11 . The inner housing shell assembly  40  includes a plurality of spaced apart slotted vent members  48  in the side walls  41 - 44  and the bottom floor  45  for receiving a constant heated air flow into the interior open compartment of the inner housing shell assembly from the constant heated air gaps and through the raised and spaced support members  31  that provide heated air flow channels. 
         [0056]    Also in  FIG. 4 , a plurality of spaced apart handle support slots  47  in a top portion of the peripheral extending lip  45   a  that receives the aforementioned bent handle sections  26   b  ( FIG. 9 ) therein when the pair of handles are retracted and pivoted so that a user can easily grasp them to carry or move the instant pet or animal drying and washing apparatus from location to location. The peripheral extending lip  45   a  includes a plurality of spaced apart upstanding cover retaining members  45   b  positioned on a back portion thereof above the back wall  46 ,  46   a  and along a side portion above the side walls  41 - 44  and spaced from the arcuate or curved like portion of the peripheral extending lip  45   a  defining an access opening there between to gain access to the pet or animal or to allow the pet or animal to see the owner, groomer or other pet professionals. Also, it serves to keep the pet or animal inside the instant pet drying and washing apparatus. 
         [0057]    A retaining hole  50   a  near each end of the stepped longitudinal guide members  50  align with the pair of screw retaining openings  27  on opposite sides of the aforementioned pair of U-shaped recessed pocket members for receiving the screw retaining member or a screw or a pin and ball retaining device  28  to maintain the outer and inner housing shells  11 ,  40  together as a single unit. 
         [0058]    The door  51  includes retaining pin members  55  at the top and bottom of along the edges  52 . Each of the top retaining pin members having an inward longitudinal inner edge portion forming a slot  55   a , a top closed end  55   b  and a bottom perpendicular extending ledge  55   c  that extends between the outer edge  52  and the inward longitudinal inner edge of and spaced from the end of the retaining pin members  55 . Each of the bottom retaining pin members includes an inward longitudinal inner edge portion forming a slot  55   a  and a top closed end  55   b . When the door is inserted the top pins extend through the door retaining members  29  of the outer shell  11  and  49  of the inner shell assembly  40 . This allows the top end  55   b  to abut the door retaining member  29  when the retaining member  29  is fully inserted into the retaining slot  49   a  and the retaining members  29  and  49  being aligned nested above another. Such is achieved by the slot  55   a  and the inward edge thereof. Once this has happen, the ledge  55   c  will ride underneath the door retaining member  49  and be locked in. The bottom pin  55  is the same except it does not have the bottom ledge  55   c  that will ride underneath the door retaining member  49 . There is no need for this feature on the bottom because element  29  is inserted and supported in slot  49   a  with pin  55  extending through aligned door retaining members  29  and  49  in a tight and retained position. 
         [0059]    Further, the cover  56  is removably locked to the peripheral extending lip  45   a  through cover retaining members  45   b  along the side of lip  45   a  above the side walls  41 - 44  and along back side of lip  45   a  above back walls  46 , 46   a . The cover includes a pair of retaining pins  66  at the top  58  at an edge thereof, and a retaining pin  62  extending from bottom end  59  and inward of the outer edge  57  defining an outward extending ledge  63 . The pin  66  includes a slot formed between the longitudinal pin and the inward edge  57  with a closed top end  61 . When the cover is attached, the upper pins are inserted through cover retaining members  45   b  along the side of lip  45   a  with slot and edge  57  riding along the inner surface of  45   b  and the closed end  61  abutting against the top of  45   b  with pin  66  being fully inserted through cover retaining members  45   b , As pin  66  is inserted, the lower pin  62  is inserted through cover retaining members  45   b  along the back side of lip  45   a , the ledge  63  abutting a portion of the top of cover retaining members  45   b.    
         [0060]    Note that the pins  62  and  66  are tightly fitted within cover retaining members  45   b , but yet easy to remove. It reiterated, that when the cover and door are inserted an access space is formed there between to gain access to the pet or animal or a large enough opening so that the pet or animal can interact with the owner, groomer or other professionals. 
         [0061]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the portable pet drying and washing apparatus outer shell. This view shows the outer and inner shell walls  11 - 14 , the lower bottom  15 , an inner floor  30  with raised and support members that define heated air flow channels. The back wall  33  shows a cut-out section  34  that is wide enough to uncover the blower fan  38  and the fan opening  38   a . Also, the stepped elongated channels  32  are shown. 
         [0062]      FIG. 6  illustrates an isometric side cut-out sectional view of the outer housing shell  11  showing an elongated guide channel  32  on the interior side wall  14 , a blower and heating unit  35 - 37  and  38   a , a back wall portion  33  and a raised bottom floor supports and air channels  31  on a bottom floor  30 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of the outer housing shell  11  and the inner housing shell assembly  40  connected as unit with a heated air flow gap  45   c  formed there between and between the raised bottom floor supports and air channels  31  and the bottom floor  45 . Also,  FIG. 7  shows the elongated sliding channels of the outer shell  11  and the elongated sliding guide members  50  being slidably received therein. The back inner wall  46  is shown with a plurality of molded or cut-in vent slots  21 . The side walls  41 - 44  and the bottom floor  45  are shown with a plurality of molded or cut-in vent slots  48 . 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  illustrates an isometric side cut-out sectional view of the inner housing shell assembly  40  that shows a plurality of slotted vents  48  in the side walls  41 - 44 , the back wall  46  having a plurality of vented slots  21  and the bottom floor having a plurality of slotted vents  48 . Also, the inner housing shell assembly  40  shows the peripheral extending lip edge  45   a  with the door retaining member  49  and slot  49   a  and the handle slot  47  for the handle bent portion  26   b.    
         [0065]      FIG. 9  will not be discussed in details, because it would be redundant to  FIG. 4 . However, the retraction of the handles  25  will now be discussed. When the pair of handles  25  are retracted upward along the recessed pocket member  22  and the bar-like member  25   c  is moved along a small gap behind the solid member  26  and into the recessed cavity  26   a  thereof, the bent portions  25   b  of the handle members are moved into aligned slots  23  and  47  in outer peripheral surfaces of the inner shell  40  and the outer shell  11 . This enables the pair of handle members  25  to pivot to toward each other. This enables a user to easily grasp the pair of handle members  25  and carry the instant pet drying and washing apparatus ( 10 ). 
         [0066]    When the handles  25  are moved downward to a non-use position, the bent portions  26   b  are pivoted out of the aligned slots  23  and  47 , the bar-like member  25   c  is moved out of the recessed cavity  26   a  and slide along the handle leg recess  23  until a bottom portion of the handle  25  abuts and rest on a ledge portion  24  below the center solid member  26  until a user want to move or carry the instant pet drying and washing apparatus ( 10 ). 
         [0067]    Furthermore, the inner back wall  46  includes a hook-like member  15   a  disposed thereon for securing a pet&#39;s leash thereto, if the pet or animal need to be restrained. This hook-like member can be attached in many ways, such as being molded member, a screw-like member or a welded member, if metals are used. 
         [0068]    Note that the inner housing shell can be used as a washing tub for pets or animals, preferably when a pet owner, groomer and other pet or animal professionals need to wash, shampoo and rinse pets or animals outside. Optionally, a tub liner (not shown) can be inserted into the inner housing shell assembly  40  with the door ( 51 ) being attached so that a pet or animal can be washed, shampooed and rinsed inside or outside, while at the same time reducing messy conditions, if desired. 
         [0069]    The entire portable pet drying and washing apparatus ( 10 ) including the door ( 51 ) and the cover ( 56 ) can be made preferably out of different types of rigid plastic materials. However other types of rigid materials, such as polymers, polyethylene, nylon, rubber, nylon, neoprene, Plexiglas, any suitable transparent material and any combination of the aforementioned materials can be used. Note that the above mentioned materials can be semi-rigid material, if desired. Also, the apparatus can be made out of stainless steel or other metals, if desired. 
         [0070]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.