Abstract:
The present invention provides for a cat scratching device that can be used in two different positions. The cat scratching device can be either laid parallel with a horizontal surface, or self-supported at an angle with respect to a horizontal surface by two plate-like arms. The arms are attached with a pivot and are held in the self-supporting position by holders on the back surface of the base. Thus, the present invention provides for an inexpensive, expandable cat scratching device. Additionally, the scratch resistant material can be easily replaced, further lowering the initial cost of the cat scratching device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claim priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/723,366 filed on Oct. 3, 2005 and incorporated herein, by reference, in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to a cat scratching device. In particular, the present invention relates to a cat scratching device capable of expanding from a flat position to an inclined one.  
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
       [0003]     It is well known by those who keep pets, such as cats and kittens, that they often scratch furniture, carpeting, and other fabrics and surfaces in an effort to sharpen and maintain their claws. This behavior can be destructive and often causes damage in the household.  
         [0004]     In order to prevent the damage caused by this scratching, it has become a common practice to provide cats with an alternative scratching device. Various scratching devices, such as scratching posts, boards, and toys have been developed.  
         [0005]     The object of the present invention is to provide a cat scratching device having a planar scratching surface and an expandable, self-supporting means that allows the device to be laid parallel with a horizontal surface or angled with respect to a horizontal surface. A further object of the present invention is to provide a cat scratching device that does not need to be fastened to a door or wall, is inexpensive, and allows for easy assembly and compact storage.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     The present invention provides a cat scratching device with a planar scratching surface, wherein the device can be used in two different positions. The device comprises a base, with a front and a back side, made of an inexpensive material such as plastic that holds a scratch resistant material, such as corrugated cardboard. The self-supporting means comprises two plate-like legs, each having a top and a bottom end. The first leg is attached at its bottom end to the back side of the base, and at its top end to the second leg. The top end of the second leg can be secured to the back of the base, causing the two legs to form roughly a ninety degree angle. The base is thusly supported in an inclined position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cat scratching device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention shown in an inclined position;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view along line  2 - 2  of the cat scratching device of  FIG. 1  in an inclined position;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a cross sectional view of the cat scratching device of  FIG. 1  in a flat position;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional detail view of a locking mechanism for a cat scratching device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in an inclined position;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the back of a cat scratching device in a flat position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of a locking mechanism of the cat scratching device in a flat position;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of a hinge for a self-supporting means of the cat scratching device in a flat position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of an overlapping section of a self-supporting means of the cat scratching device in a flat position,  
         [0016]      FIG. 9  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 10  is a cross section along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     In the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the cat scratching device includes a base  102 , scratch resistant material  104 , and a pair of plate-like legs  106 ,  108  to support the cat scratching device. The base is configured into a rectangular shape with side walls  110 , top flap  112  and bottom flap  114 , and is composed of molded plastic. The scratch resistant material  104  is cut into a rectangular sheet that sits on the base  102 . Small pins  116  extend from the front of the base  102  and secure the scratch resistant material  104 . The cat scratching device is designed so as to allow the replacement of the scratch resistant material  104 .  
         [0019]     To replace the scratch resistant material  104 , the top flap  112  rotates from the flat ‘closed position’ through approximately ninety degrees to the ‘open position.’ When in the closed position, the top flap  112  extends over the top of the scratch resistant material  104 , holding it in place. By rotating the top flap  112  to the open position, the scratch resistant material  104  can be removed. The back of the top flap  112  articulates against the side walls  110  when switching from the open position to the closed position. In the closed position, the top flap  112  does not contact the side walls  110 , thus the top flap  112  clicks into the closed position once the friction of the contact with the side walls  110  is removed.  
         [0020]     The bottom flap  114  also secures the scratch resistant material  104 . The bottom flap  114  can be removed, and is held in place by several flat plates  118  that protrude from the inside of the bottom flap  114  and are inserted into corresponding holes in the side wall of the base  110 . It is not necessary to remove the bottom flap  114  in order to replace the scratch resistant material  104 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates base  102  supported by a first leg  106  and a second leg  108 . The first leg  106  has a rounded bottom end that extends past its width on both sides. This rounded bottom end acts as an axle, where the portions that extend past the width of the first leg  106  act as pins  120 ,  122 . The pins  120 ,  122  are inserted into holes in the walls  124 ,  126 . This arrangement allows the first leg  106  to pivot where it is attached to the base  102 .  
         [0022]     The first leg  106  connects with the second leg  108  at a point  128  (see  FIG. 1 ) near the rounded top end of the first leg  106 . From the point of the connection  128  to the top end of the first leg  106 , the sides of the plate-like first leg  106  narrow slightly. Pins  130 ,  132  (see  FIG. 1 ) are located on either side of the top end of the first leg  106  where it has narrowed. These pins fit into circular holes  134 ,  136  on either side of the bottom end of the second leg  108 . By articulation of the pins  130 ,  132  in the holes  134 ,  136 , the bottom end of the second leg  108  can pivot through approximately ninety degrees.  
         [0023]     At the top end of the first leg  106 , there are two rubber cylinders  138 ,  140  which act to retard horizontal motion of the cat scratching device when in its inclined position. These two cylinders  138 ,  140  fit around opposing sides of the top of the first leg  106 .  
         [0024]     When the scratching device is in its flat position, as seen in  FIG. 5 , the legs  106 ,  108  are laid down on the back of the base  102 . The top end of the first leg  106  overlaps the bottom end of the second leg  108 . The bottom end of the second leg  108  has a recessed front face  142  that accepts the top end of the first leg  106 . To aid in joining the top end of the first leg  106  to the bottom end of the second leg  108 , there are two pins  144 ,  146  on the top end of the first leg  106 . These pins  144 ,  146  fit in corresponding holes  148 ,  150  on the bottom end of the second leg  108 .  
         [0025]     Additionally, when in the flat position, the rubber cylinders  138 ,  140  fit into square holes cut out of the recessed front face  142  of the bottom end of the second leg  108 . Thus, when in the flat position, the two legs  106 ,  108  and the cylinders  138 ,  140  lie flat against one another. This feature allows the cat scratching device in the flat position to be placed flat on a horizontal surface and sit evenly, without the legs  106 ,  108  or the cylinders  138 ,  140  protruding from the back of the base.  
         [0026]     Four hollow, cylindrical supports  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158  hold up the base  102  when in the flat position. The supports  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 , which can be seen in  FIG. 3 , are located at each corner of the rectangular base  102 . At the bottom of the supports  152 ,  154 ,  156 ,  158 , are inserted feet  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 , which are circular and flat on their bottoms.  
         [0027]     When the base  102  is supported in the inclined position, as seen in  FIG. 2 , the second leg  108  makes an approximately right angle with the first leg  106 . The top end of the second leg  108  contacts the back of the base  102  approximately halfway between the top and bottom ends of the base  102 . The rounded top end of the second leg  108  is secured to the base  102  between a top holder  168  and a pair of bottom holders  170 ,  172 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . The top holder  168  is centrally located on the back of the base  102 , and has a curved surface for holding the rounded top end of the second leg  108 . The pair of bottom holders  170 ,  172  are located slightly below and to either side of the top holder  168 . The second leg  108  is easily attached to and separated from the holders  168 ,  170 ,  172 , providing for easy assembly and disassembly.  
         [0028]      FIG. 5  illustrates the plate-like legs  106 ,  108  which have cut-out patterns  174 ,  176 . The holes in the pattern of the second leg  108  provide locations for holding the leg  108  in place when laid flat against the back of the base  102 . In the flat position, the second leg  108  is held in place by the pair of holders  178 ,  180 , which are on the back of the base  102 , near the top end.  
         [0029]     The two legs  106 ,  108  for supporting the base  102  in an inclined position have been described for purposes of illustration only and not for purposes of limitation. The supporting structure for the scratching apparatus can alternatively be any structure known in the art that can expand to allow the base  102  to be positioned on an incline.  
         [0030]      FIG. 9  shows a second embodiment of the invention in which a stabilizer  200  is attached to the bottom plate  106 . The stabilizer includes two holes  202  in its center region which can engage a pair of pins  204  extending upwardly from the end of the leg  106  furthest from the scratching surface. The stabilizer  200  includes enlarged lateral extensions  206  and  208  which are adapted to engage the surface on which the device is mounted thereby stabilizing the device during use. As illustrated, the legs  106  and  108  and stabilizer  200  may be provided with decorative surfaces to enhance the visual appeal of the device. Preferably, the stabilizer is attached at the time of use by inserting pins  204  into holes  202 , but the parts may also be permanently attached during manufacture.  
         [0031]     Many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art in light of the above detailed description. All such obvious variations are within the fully intended scope of the application.