Patent Abstract:
A window mounted pet door device. The device is intended to solve problems inherent in the prior art by providing for installation and use of the device in a window, including upper floor windows, without significantly modifying the window unit, thereby increasing the availability of suitable installation locations and appealing to pet owners who do not wish to structurally modify their homes. It also provides a pet access platform component to give a pet a convenient structure for approaching the device when it is installed above ground or floor level. The device may include an automatic door access component and a pet-specific identification component whereby only authorized animals are permitted to access the pet door.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. Ser. No. 10/320,522, filed Dec. 17, 2002 and currently pending, entitled Window Mounted Automatic Pet Door, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The invention relates generally to the field of pet doors and is directed to a device adapted to be mounted in a window. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved pet door and pet door mounting device designed to be easily installed and deinstalled in a variety of locations with only minimal structural modification required, with optional features including a system of platforms and ramps to allow pets convenient access to the device and means for allowing only designated pets to use the device.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Prior Art  
         [0005]     Pet door devices have been well-know in the field. Early pet door devices were mounted in doors or cut into walls, and consisted of a door panel hinged at the top edge and operated by the pet applying a force against the door panel to allow for through passage. While these early devices permitted pets egress and ingress without the need for owner attention, any animal (or even children or intruders) could pass through the pet door. Subsequent designs sought to incorporate various locking mechanisms with corresponding keys, to allow only certain pets access. Other devices employed power, to allow the pet door to be opened and closed without resort to the pet applying a force against the door panel. In all of these designs, however, the pet door device is a permanent fixture; once installed, it cannot be removed without extensive repair work needed.  
         [0006]     The prior art discloses various pet door devices. One example of a prior art pet door is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,215 (Needham), issued on Oct. 19, 1999. This patent discloses a one- and two-way pet screen door kit for installation in an existing screen door or window screen. This device uses magnetic latches to control access. It also makes use of a ramp for above-ground installations. This device necessarily involves structural modifications to the screen door or window screen for installation purposes. Other pet door devices disclosed in the prior art include: U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,911 (Reid), issued on Nov. 7, 2000, disclosing a pet door providing access via a door with a locking/unlocking mechanism activated by a pet-specific key device consisting of a tuned receiver and a signal transmitting key; U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,516 (Bonge), issued Feb. 16, 1999, disclosing a remotely operated pet door which automatically opens under its own power when it receives a signal from an ultrasonic transmitter worn by a pet; U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,900 (Solowiej), issued Jan. 12, 1993, disclosing an automatic pet door having a vertically moving door activated by a radiation transmitter worn by the pet; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,739 (Small), issued on Oct. 2, 2001, disclosing a powered automatic pet door using a combination of a pet-specific identification device and weight and motion sensors to control access, with the identification device suitable for implantation subcutaneously in the body of the pet. However, each of these prior art devices still necessarily involve structural modifications to a door or wall for installation purposes. None of the foregoing devices utilize a mounting system adapted for easy installation and deinstallation in ordinary windows. Nor do the foregoing devices disclose a platform system enabling pets to access the device when it is mounted in out of the way locations or is otherwise inconvenient to the floor or ground. It is an objective of this invention to provide a new and improved automatic pet door device adapted for window mounting.  
         [0007]     Other objectives of this invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0008]     In one aspect, the invention is directed to a window mounted pet door device. The device is intended to solve problems inherent in the prior art by employing a means for installing and using the device in a window, including upper floor windows, without significantly modifying the window unit, thereby increasing the availability of suitable installation locations and appealing to pet owners who do not wish to structurally modify their homes. The device comprises a casing, a pet access platform component, a window mount component, and a door component, wherein the casing contains a pet access aperture through which a pet may pass, the pet access platform component is situated adjacent to the pet access aperture providing the pet with a platform next to the door on which to stand when the device is located above ground or floor level, the window mount component secures the device to a window and permits operation of both the device and the window, and the door component comprises a door suitably adapted for covering and uncovering the pet access aperture. Optionally, the door component may be automatically operated in conjunction with a pet identification component to permit controlled access through the device.  
         [0009]     The device is intended to be used with small pets, such as cats and small dogs, and may be easily installed and deinstalled in different windows as needed, for example both in a primary residence and seasonally in a vacation home. One aspect of the device employs ramps so that access to the device may be had by pets that cannot jump to the level of a window, such as dogs or older or very young cats, or for use in upper floor windows. Another aspect of the device employs a door locking mechanism which retains the door in a closed position across the pet access aperture. The door locking mechanism may be manually operated or operated automatically in conjunction with a pet identification component.  
         [0010]     Other features and advantages of the invention are described below.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device showing the door in a partially opened position with a door block positioned to allow ingress and egress.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the device as mounted in a double hung window. The final position of the sash fasteners and the bottom fasteners are indicated by dotted lines. Optional components including the enclosure, the roof extension, and the ramps are shown with arrows indicating where they attach to the device.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the device as mounted in a double hung window. It depicts the alternate embodiment of the window mount component comprising a leveling bracket.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the device depicting the door access component.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the device showing the housing containing the radio frequency identification component.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the device showing the housing containing the control component.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the device showing the housing containing the infrared sensing device configured as an “electric eye”.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows the basic components of the pet door device  1  of the present invention, which include a casing  20 , which in turn incorporates a pet access aperture  10  and optionally a housing  21 ; a door  12  adapted to cover and uncover the pet access aperture  10 ; a pet access platform component  40 ; and a window mount component  50 . The casing  20  contains the other components, which are integrated into and attached to the casing  20  and/or enclosed within the optional housing  21 . The window mount component  50  is adapted to secure the device  1  within a window  180 , without necessitating structural modification to the window, walls, or doors, as is necessary with other pet door devices. In one embodiment the window mount component  50  is further adapted to permit operation of the window  180  after mounting the device  1 . The window mount component  50  is also adapted to provide weather proofing when the device  1  is in use.  
         [0019]     The pet access platform component  40  gives a pet  170  a convenient means for approaching the device  1  when the device  1  is installed above ground or floor level. The device  1  is intended to permit pets to enter or exit a structure, such as a house, garage, or other building, through an existing window  180  while minimizing the impact of this activity on the structure.  
         [0020]     The pet access aperture  10  has an uncovered, or open, state, whereby the pet  170  may pass through the pet access aperture  10 , and an covered, or closed, state, whereby the pet  170  is prevented from passing through the pet access aperture  10 . The door  12  is positioned relative to the pet access aperture  10  to effectuate either the open state or the closed state. The door  12  may be manually positioned by direct contact by the pet  170 , or optionally may incorporate a powered door positioning component for moving the door  12  relative to the pet access aperture  10  to allow the pet  170  to pass though the pet access aperture  10  without need too contact the door  12 .  
         [0021]     The device  1  has an interior portion and an exterior portion. The interior portion of the device  1  is that portion which, when the device  1  is installed in a window  180 , is located primarily within the interior of the structure containing the window  180 , e.g., “inside the house,” while the exterior portion of the device  1  is that portion which is located primarily exterior to the structure containing the window  180 , e.g., “outside the house.” A pet  170  utilizing the device  1  to exit a structure approaches the pet access aperture  10  from the interior portion of the device  1 , then passes through the pet access aperture  10 , and continues past the exterior portion of the device  1 .  
         [0022]     The casing  20  is comprised of a top panel  26  and a base panel  28 . The top panel  26  is constructed of a rigid material, is substantially planar, is oriented substantially in a horizontal plane, and has an upper surface and a lower surface. The base panel  28  is constructed of a rigid material, is substantially planar, is oriented substantially in a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the top panel  26 , and has an upper surface and a lower surface. The top panel  26  provides the point of contact between the device  1  and the sash  184  of a window  180 . The base panel  28  provides the point of contact between the device  1  and the base of the window  180 .  
         [0023]     In one embodiment the casing  20  further comprises a housing  21  situated between the top panel  26  and the base panel  28 , with the housing  21  being situated within the casing  20  substantially within the interior portion of the casing  20 , fixedly attached to the lower surface of the top panel  26  and fixedly attached to the upper surface of the base panel  28 .  FIG. 5  shows one embodiment of the housing  21 . In another embodiment, the housing  21  is comprised of lateral sides constructed of a rigid material and which, together with the top panel  26  and the base panel  28 , define a substantially enclosed space. The lateral sides of the housing  21  may be constructed of plexiglass, polystyrene, or other such materials providing strength and rigidity along with being light weight. The housing  21  may be transparent, translucent, tinted, or opaque. In one embodiment the lateral sides of the housing  21  are oriented substantially vertically. One or more of the lateral sides of the housing  21  may be removably attached to the rest of the housing  21 , thereby providing access to the interior of the housing  21 . The housing  21  is suitably adapted to at least partially contain the optional identification and door access components to shield said components from environmental exposure. In one embodiment, the top panel  26 , base panel  28 , and optional housing  21  may be constructed of high impact plastic using injection molding methods.  
         [0024]     The pet access aperture  10  is situated within the casing  20 . In one embodiment the door  12  is planar, is constructed of a rigid material, is of a uniform thickness, is substantially rectangular in shape, and is suitably dimensioned to substantially cover the pet access aperture  10 . Other shapes for the door  12  which accomplish the task of completely covering the pet access aperture  10  are also anticipated by this invention. In one embodiment the door  12  is constructed of a transparent, colorless material, thereby giving the pet  170  a clear view through the device  1 . In another embodiment of the device  1 , the door  12  is constructed of a flexible material. The door  12  may be hinged at the top, allowing the pet  170  to pass through the pet access aperture  10  by pushing the door  12  to a substantially horizontal position and passing underneath. The door  12  may be hinged on the side, allowing the pet  170  to pass through the pet access aperture  10  by pushing the door  12  to the side. The door  12  may retract laterally into the optional housing  21  to allow the pet  170  to pass through the pet access aperture  10 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows various embodiments of the casing  20  and the pet access platform component  40 . In one embodiment, a portion of the top panel  26  is situated above the pet access aperture  10  and extends to the exterior portion of the casing  20 , thereby forming an exterior roof  30  over the pet access aperture  10 . In yet another embodiment, a portion of the top panel  26  is situated above the pet access aperture  10  and extends to the interior portion of the casing  20 , thereby forming an interior roof over the pet access aperture  10 . The exterior roof  30  helps keep rain and snow from coming through the pet access aperture  10  when the door  12  is in the open position. In yet another embodiment, the exterior roof  30  further comprises a roof extension  32  removably attached to the exterior roof  30 , thereby increasing the weather protection offered by the exterior roof  30 . For facilitating shipping and installation of the device  1 , the roof extension  32  may be removed.  
         [0026]     In another embodiment, the casing  20  further comprises an enclosure  34  removably attached to the exterior portion of the casing  20 , such that the enclosure  34  fully encloses the area immediately adjacent to the exterior portion of the casing  20 . This feature is useful, for example, in urban areas where a pet  170  is allowed only restricted egress through the device  1  for safety reasons. The enclosure  34  may be suitably dimensioned to accommodate a litter box, and may be suitably adapted to provide fresh air through apertures and viewing opportunities through windows or clear structural elements, such as walls constructed of a transparent material.  
         [0027]     The pet access platform component  40  comprises an exterior platform  42  oriented substantially coplanar with the base panel  28  and situated adjacent to and in connection with the base panel  28  on the exterior portion of the casing  20 . The exterior platform  42  gives the pet  170  a platform on which to stand when the device  1  is located above ground or floor level. The pet  170  can jump onto the exterior platform  42 , and then move towards the pet access aperture  10  to gain entry. In one embodiment the exterior platform  42  is covered by a non-slip material, providing safety to the pet  170 . In another embodiment the exterior platform  42  is removably attached to the base panel  28 , facilitating shipping and installation of the device  1 . If the device  1  is installed at ground or floor level, or there already exists a platform of some sort exterior to the casing  20 , the removable exterior platform  42  need not be utilized. In yet another embodiment, the exterior platform  42  further comprises an exterior ramp  44 . The exterior ramp  44  is removably attached to the exterior platform  42  and extends to the ground or floor, or to some other stable platform, thereby assisting a pet  170  in gaining access to the device  1 . The exterior ramp  44  may come in various sizes and configurations, thereby allowing use of the device  1  in upper story windows.  
         [0028]     In another embodiment, the pet access platform component  40  further comprises an interior platform  46 , oriented substantially coplanar with the base panel  28  and situated adjacent to and in connection with the base panel  28  on the interior portion of the casing  20 . The interior platform  46  gives the pet  170  a platform on which to stand when the device  1  is located above ground or floor level. The pet  170  can jump onto the interior platform  46 , and then move towards the pet access aperture  10  to exit. In one embodiment the interior platform  46  is covered by a non-slip material, providing safety to the pet  170 . In another embodiment the interior platform  46  is removably attached to the base panel  28 , facilitating shipping and installation of the device  1 . If the device  1  is installed at ground or floor level, or there already exists a platform of some sort, such as a piece of furniture, interior to the casing  20 , the removable interior platform  46  need not be utilized. In yet another embodiment, the interior platform  46  further comprises an interior ramp  48 . The interior ramp  48  is removably attached to the interior platform  46  and extends to the floor, or to some other stable platform, thereby assisting a pet  170  in gaining access to the device  1 .  
         [0029]     The window mount component  50  is shown in detail in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In one embodiment the window mount component  50  may comprise a bottom flange  52  integrated into the lower surface of the base panel  28  and a top flange  60  integrated into the upper surface of the top panel  26 . The bottom flange  52  is adapted to fit against and exterior to an interior window stop  182  located on the lower portion of a window  180 , such as a stool cap or a sill. Distributed along the length of the bottom flange  52  are a plurality of bottom flange apertures  54  which pass through the bottom flange  52 . A plurality of bottom fasteners  56  are adapted to pass through the bottom flange apertures  54  and into the window stop  182 . Distributed about the base panel  28  are a plurality of base panel apertures  58  which pass through the base panel  28 . A plurality of bottom fasteners  56  are adapted to pass through the base panel apertures  58  and into the window  180 . The bottom fasteners  56  secure the device  1  to the window  180  with a minimum of structural modification to the window  180 . In one embodiment the bottom fasteners  56  are wood screws. The top flange  60  is adapted to fit against and interior to the lower edge of a window sash  184  of a window  180 . Distributed along the length of the top flange  60  are a plurality of top flange apertures  62  which pass through the top flange  60 . A plurality of sash fasteners  64  are adapted to pass through the top flange apertures  62  and into the window sash  184 , thereby securing the window  180  to the device  1 . In one embodiment, the sash fasteners  64  are further adapted to be removably attached to a window sash  184 . In this embodiment the sash fasteners  64  may be cylindrical pins. With the sash fasteners  64  in place, passing through the top flange apertures  62  and into the window sash  184 , the window  180  is secured in the closed position; with the sash fasteners  64  removed, the window  180  may be raised. Additional support devices may be required to maintain the upper sash  184  of the window  180  in the closed position when the device  1  is installed. Screens, storm windows, and the like, which are situated exterior to the window  180 , may be partially raised and then set down on the top panel  26 , enabling them to function with the device  1 .  
         [0030]     The window mount component  50  may further comprises a lateral adaptor panel  66 . The lateral adaptor panel  66  is substantially rectangular and has a height substantially equal to the height of the casing  20 . It is affixed to the casing  20  and is of a suitable shape and size to cover an opening in the window  180  between the casing  20  and the window frame. The lateral adaptor panel  66  is adapted to permit installation of the device  1  in windows of varying width. In one embodiment the lateral adaptor panel  66  is adjustable, permitting it to be dynamically extended laterally to cover the space between the casing  20  and the window frame. In another embodiment the lateral adaptor panel  66  is delivered as a solid panel to be custom cut by the purchaser to fit the space between the casing  20  and the window frame. In yet another embodiment, the window mount component  50  further comprises a second lateral adaptor panel. The second lateral adaptor panel is substantially rectangular and has a height substantially equal. to the height of the casing  20 . It is affixed to the casing  20  on the side of the casing  20  opposite the location of the lateral adaptor panel  66  and adapted to cover an opening in the window  180  between the casing  20  and a window frame on the side of the casing  20  opposite the lateral adaptor panel  66 . The use of the second lateral adaptor panel in conjunction with the lateral adaptor panel  66  gives added flexibility in the size of the window  180  in which the device  1  may be installed. In addition, the use of the two panels on either side of the casing  20  results in there being smaller spaces on either side of the casing  20  between the casing  20  and the window frame, rather than one large space on only one side of the casing  20 , thereby reducing the risk of a security breach if one or either of the lateral adaptor panels is compromised. In yet another embodiment one or both of the lateral adaptor panels may be constructed of a transparent material.  
         [0031]     In yet another embodiment, the window mount component  50  further comprises weather stripping suitably adapted to reduce the incidence of weather passing between the window mount component  50  and the window  180 . The weather stripping may consist of rubberized strips, or felt, or any such other suitable material, and should be situated wherever the device  1  is intended to come in contact with the window  180 . In one embodiment, the weather stripping is comprised of a rubberized sheet situated along the lower surface of the base panel  28 , a rubberized strip affixed to the upper surface of the top panel  26  along side, adjacent, and exterior to the top flange  60 , and rubberized strips along the edges of the lateral adaptor panels in contact with the window frame. The weather stripping may also consist of a foam insert to be inserted between the upper and lower sashes of a double hung window  180 , thereby reducing the incidence of weather passing between the two window sashes when the device  1  is installed. The presence of the weather stripping serves the additional purpose of acting as a barrier to insects.  
         [0032]     In yet another embodiment, the window mount component  50  further comprises one or more shims  68  suitably adapted to fit between the base panel  28  and the window  180 . The use of the shims  68  enables the device  1  to be installed securely in a wide range of window designs. In one embodiment the shims  68  are horseshoe shaped. In another embodiment the shims  68  contain apertures adapted to be aligned with the base panel apertures  58  and to accommodate the bottom fasteners, thereby securing the shims  68  in place.  
         [0033]     In yet another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , the window mount component  50  comprises at least one leveling bracket  70  suitably adapted to be fixedly attached to the window  180  and fixedly attached to the base panel  28 , thereby securing the device  1  to the window  180 . The leveling bracket  70  may further be adjustable such that the device  1  may be installed in a level orientation even when attached to a window  180  which is not level. In one embodiment the leveling bracket  70  has an upper attachment flange  72  and a lower attachment flange  74 , with the upper attachment flange  72  movably in connection with the lower attachment flange  74  by a hinge means  76 . The upper attachment flange  72  is fixedly attached to the base panel  28  and the lower attachment flange  74  is fixedly attached to the window  180 , with the hinge means  76  suitably adapted to fixedly position the upper attachment flange  72  in a desired orientation relative to the lower attachment flange  74 . In another embodiment the upper attachment flange  72  contains apertures adapted to be aligned with the base panel apertures  58  and to accommodate the bottom fasteners, thereby securing the upper attachment flange  72  in place.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment the device  1  comprises a locking mechanism  80  suitably adapted to retain the door  12  in a closed position to prevent passage through the pet access aperture  10 . The locking mechanism  80  may be set by the pet owner to control access through the device  1 . Examples of locking mechanisms are well known in the art, including slidable bolts, asymmetric dials, and other physical barriers to door  12  movement. An example of an asymmetric dial locking mechanism  80  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Said locking mechanism  80  may further be adapted to control passage through the pet access aperture  10  on a limited basis, for example, for egress only or for ingress only, as well as for both ingress and egress or for no passage through the pet access aperture  10 .  
         [0035]      FIGS. 4 through 7  show various embodiments of the door access component  90  of the invention. The door access component  90  comprises a door block  92  which is suitably adapted to prevent movement of the door  12 . The door block  92  is positioned by the door access component  90  such that the door block  92  permits the door  12  to be moved to allow the pet  170  to pass through the pet access aperture  10  (the door  12  being in an unlocked state), or prevents the door  12  from moving thereby preventing the pet  170  from passing through the pet access aperture  10  (the door  12  being in a locked state). In one embodiment, the door access component  90  further comprises a powered device  100 , such as an electric motor or a solenoid, a power supply in connection with the powered device  100  and adapted to provide power to the powered device  100 , a mechanical positioning component  110 , and a control component  120 . See  FIG. 4 . The powered device  100 , as controlled by the control component  120 , causes the mechanical positioning component  110  to move the door block  92  to a first position in which the door  12  is permitted to move, allowing the pet access aperture  10  to become at least partially uncovered such that the pet  170  has access through the pet access aperture  10  (unlocked state), and to a second position preventing the door  12  from being moved, thereby preventing access through the pet access aperture  10  (locked state). The control component  120  controls the mechanical positioning component  110  by a means which activates the powered device  100  in response to inputs from the identification component  130 , such that the door block  92  is moved to either the first position or the second position achieving either an unlocked door state or a locked door state, respectively. In another embodiment the door access component  90  may automatically perform a sequence of steps to move the door  12  to uncover the pet access aperture  10  and then move the door  12  to cover the pet access aperture  10 .  
         [0036]     In one embodiment, the door block  92  consists of a lever which is hingedly attached to the base panel  28  proximate to the pet access aperture  10 . The lever is in connection with the powered device  100  by the mechanical positioning component  110 . Movement of the mechanical positioning component  110  positions the lever either flush with the surface of the base panel  28 , thereby permitting the door  12  to swing freely (unlocked state), or positions the lever above the base panel  28  and within the arc of the door swing in close proximity to the door  12 , thereby restricting the swing of the door  12  (locked state). The lever may be retained in either position or may be automatically returned to a default position (either the locked or unlocked state) by the control component  120 . In another embodiment, a pair of door blocks are situated one on each side of the pet access aperture  10 , thereby allowing for selective direction in the movement of the door  12  and allowing the pet  170  to transit the pet access aperture  10  in only one direction, if desired. The paired door blocks may be levers, as described above, or sliding bolts suitably adapted to be positioned by the mechanical positioning component  110 , or any other configuration known in the art for obstructing the free movement of the door  12 .  
         [0037]     The control component  120  is suitably adapted to receive inputs from the identification component  130  and to initiate a predetermined sequence of events based upon said input from the identification component  130 . The predetermined sequence of events includes activation of the powered device  100  and operation of the mechanical positioning component  110  to position one or more door blocks to achieve the desired door state (locked or unlocked). The control component  120  may comprise a timing component to allow for the automatic repositioning of the door block(s) to a default state after a suitable amount of time has elapsed to allow the pet  170  to pass through the pet access aperture  10 . The activation of the timing component may be one of the predetermined sequence of events initiated by the control component  120 . In one embodiment, the control component  120  comprises a programmable microcontroller which incorporates a registry of pets which are permitted to pass through the pet access aperture  10 . If input from the identification component  130  corresponds to data stored in the registry a predetermined sequence of events is initiated by the control component  120  as described above.  
         [0038]     The control component  120  may comprise a data entry device  122 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , situated on the casing  20 , and an interface component  124 , in connection with the data entry device  122  and suitably adapted to communicate data between the data entry device  122  and the control component  120  to perform control functionality. In this embodiment, the data entry device  122  may be used to set the time-out period of the timing component, to select which of multiple key devices  132  will be permitted access, to establish timing and directional restrictions on an individual pet&#39;s access to the device  1 , and to control other aspects of the device  1 . The data entry device  122  may be configured any number of ways, including having a numeric keypad, or up/down scroll buttons, or other suitable means for accomplishing the desired functionality.  
         [0039]     The control component  120  may also comprise an interface component  124  suitably adapted to communicate with a computer for data gathering, processing, and control functionality. Thus, a user may not only modify control aspects of the device  1 , but can also gather and analyze data concerning the use patterns of the device  1  by authorized pets. Utilizing the functionality of the internet, the interface component  124  may allow control and monitoring of the device  1  from remote locations, such as when a pet owner is on vacation.  
         [0040]     The identification component  130  discerns between individual animals and permits access to designated pets under predetermined conditions through the pet access aperture  10  by activating the door access component  90 . The identification component  130  may be configured to accept only certain individual pets, or to permit passage of the pet  170  through the pet access aperture  10  in only one direction (e.g., only to let the pet  170  in or only to let the pet  170  out), or to limit the time periods during which the pet  170  may activate the door  12 , or any combination of the foregoing.  
         [0041]     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5 , the identification component  130  comprises a key device  132 , also known as a transponder, adapted to be carried by the pet  170  and suitably adapted to transmit a radio signal in an identifiable manner, and a radio frequency identification component  136 , also known as an interrogator or reader, situated substantially within the housing  21  and suitably adapted to transmit and receive radio signals a short distance exterior to the housing  21  and in near proximity to the door  12 . In this embodiment, the identification component  130  is adapted to be activated when the pet  170  carrying the key device  132  comes within a predetermined near proximity to the pet access aperture  10 ; when such occurs, the identification component  130  resolves whether the pet  170  is permitted access, and if so, activates the door access component  90 . The key device  132  is energized by the radio signals transmitted by the radio frequency identification component  136 ; it therefore does not need its own independent power supply. The combination of a key device  132  and a radio frequency identification component  136  is well known in the industry. In one embodiment, the radio frequency identification component  136  is adapted to generate a weak radio signal with an effective range of a few inches of the door  12 . An antenna monitors for the presence of radio signals generated by the key device  132 . When the key device  132  is brought within the field of the radio signals, it is energized by the radio signals transmitted by the radio frequency identification component  136  and in turn transmits its own signal, which is received by the radio frequency identification component  136 . The radio frequency identification component  136  compares the radio signal from the key device  132  against a predetermined selection; a match indicates that the key device  132  corresponds to an authorized pet  170  and the door access sequence is initiated. Multiple key devices  132  may be used with the device  1 . A new key device  132  is initialized by placing it within the field of radio signals transmitted by the radio frequency identification component  136  and causing the radio frequency identification component  136  to register the key device  132  for future identification. In one embodiment the key device  132  is a collar tag to be worn by the pet  170 . In another embodiment the key device  132  may be a subcutaneous implant. Thus, other pets wearing similar key devices  132  can be screened, and access to the device  1  can be accurately controlled to the individual pet  170 . Other embodiments of the radio frequency identification component  136  may be utilized in the device  1 , provided the function of individual pet identification is met.  
         [0042]     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 6 , the identification component  130  further comprises a pressure plate  140  and a microswitch  142 . The pressure plate  140  is spring-mounted onto the pet access platform component  40  proximate to the door  12 , such that the application of a downward force on the pressure plate  140  causes the pressure plate  140  to move downward towards the pet access platform component  40  and the removal of the downward force allows the pressure plate  140  to move upward away from the pet access platform component  40 . The microswitch  142  is situated on the pet access platform component  40  below the pressure plate  140 , is in connection with the door access component  90 , and is suitably adapted to send a signal to the door access component  90  when activated. The application of a sufficient downward force to the pressure plate  140  causes the pressure plate  140  to move downwards until it contacts the microswitch  142 , which then initiates the door access sequence. Such a downward force is calibrated to approximate the weight of a small pet  170  standing on the pressure plate  140 .  
         [0043]     In yet another embodiment, the identification component  130  further comprises a magnetic key  132 , adapted to be carried by a pet  170 , and a switch suitably adapted to be activated by a magnetic field and suitably adapted to activate the door access component  90 .  
         [0044]     In yet another embodiment, the identification component  130  further comprises an infrared sensing device  160 , situated substantially within the housing  21 . The infrared sensing device  160  may be activated by a key device  132  adapted to be carried by the pet  170  and suitably adapted to be recognized by the infrared sensing device  160 , for example by the infrared sensing device  160  being adapted to respond to reflected light given off by a number of discreet colors present on the key device  132 . The pet  170  would wear a collar hang tag which incorporated one of these discreet colors and the colored tag would be positioned in such a manner so when the pet  170  presented itself for passage through the pet access aperture  10  it would be identified by the infrared sensing device  160 , thus allowing differentiation between different pets. In yet another embodiment, the infrared sensing device  160  may be suitably adapted to detect temperature variation that the pet  170  presenting itself for passage through the pet access aperture  10  would emit. The infrared sensing device  160  could also be used in conjunction with an infrared emitter. In such case, the infrared sensing device  160  would respond to the presence of the pet  170  by sensing the infrared light reflected off the pet  170  as it approached the pet access aperture  10 . An infrared sensing device  160  and emitter could also be placed opposite each other in a manner such that the passage of the pet  170  between these two components would cause the interruption of the reception of the light source by the infrared sensing device  160 , thus indicating the presence of the pet  170  (i.e., functioning as an “electric eye”), as shown in  FIG. 7 . Other applications of infrared sensing devices known in the art are also contemplated by the present invention.  
         [0045]     As described, the present invention is an improved design for a pet access device  1  over the prior art. It allows installation in a window  180 , thereby avoiding the major structural modification requirements of prior art designs, as well as allowing easy portability, from room to room as needed or even from house to vacation home, for example, if the pet  170  resides in different seasonal locations. The device  1  may incorporate a pet-specific identification component  130  to better restrict access to only authorized pets. The pet access platform component  40  and the available ramp system allows installation of the device  1  in otherwise inconvenient locations, increasing its utility to the pet owner.  
         [0046]     Modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the device  1  without departing from the subject or spirit of the device  1  as defined in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4