Patent Abstract:
Pet furniture embodiments including one unit that is a bunk when in one orientation and which can be disposed in another orientation forming a nestable enclosure and another unit that includes a maze that can be of multi-level or multi-tiered construction. Assemblies and methods are disclosed for tool-less assembly including one unit utilizing a first tool-less latching arrangement for assembling walls and a second tool-less latching arrangement for assembling a platform upon which a pet can perch, rest or lay to walls when assembled and another unit with hingedly connected walls that include a pair of opposed walls formed by wall sections also hingedly joined enabling the walls to be unfolded from a compact stack during assembly to form a platform-supporting frame that can include one or more integrally formed passages that permit a pet to explore underneath the platform.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/101,436, filed Sep. 30, 2008, the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an interactive unit for a pet and more particular to pet furniture capable of providing pet interaction while being of easy to assemble construction. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Domestic animals, particularly cats, like to perch on raised platforms as well as nest in boxes and enclosures. However, many of the current pet beds, cat houses and other types of pet furniture are heavy, hard to ship, or else made of flimsy material. In many instances, the units are sold to the consumer as fully assembled, which increases shipping costs. Where unassembled, the pet furniture may be assembled at home by the consumer, but may require tools and detailed directions that can be complicated for the average pet owner. 
         [0004]    Thus, there is a need to provide improved pet furniture. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to pet furniture that can take the form of an assembly capable of being assembled without using any tools and which can be of modular construction for ease of construction. In one preferred embodiment, the pet furniture assembly includes a bed and can be oriented in a manner that provides a bunk where the bed is on top and is reversible to provide a nestable box where the bed can be disposed on the bottom. In another preferred embodiment, the pet furniture is configured to provide a multi-tiered maze that is particular well suited for domestic house cats. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the pet furniture assembly is formed of a plurality of pairs of opposed walls that carry a platform that can be configured to provide a support surface for a pet, such as to enable the pet to perch, rest or sleep thereon. Each pair of adjacent walls is engageable during assembly in a manner that requires no tools. The platform is a panel that also is engaged to one or more of the walls in a manner that requires no tools. Releasable engagement enables disassembly if it is desired to stow the pet furniture away. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, there are a plurality of sidewalls that releasably engage each one of a plurality of end walls via a latching arrangement that can include a coupling extension that is disposed interiorly along a corner formed where each one of the sidewalls and end wall engage. Such a latching arrangement can include a latch receiver that can releasably receive an outwardly extending engagement arrangement that includes a post or the like that releasably yet securely engages the latch receiver during assembly. In one preferred embodiment, the latch receiver includes a bracket or plate constructed and arranged to engage and secure the engagement arrangement. In a preferred implementation, the latch receiver is a keyhole fitting that receives a post with an enlarged head. 
         [0008]    The platform is a panel that includes a plurality of movable couplers that engage a plurality of the walls. For example, in one preferred embodiment, each coupler includes a movable finger that is extended outwardly to engage part of a corresponding one of the walls. In one embodiment, the finger is received in a recess formed in a corresponding one of the sidewalls while the platform is disposed on one or more locators carried by the sidewalls. In another embodiment, the panel is received in a slot in each sidewall that is located relative to a corresponding recess or pocket formed in the sidewall in which one of the coupling fingers is received. In one preferred embodiment, each coupler is a turn button whose rotatable finger is receivable in a channel formed in each sidewall that can be a rabbet. 
         [0009]    In another preferred pet furniture embodiment, a first pair of opposed walls are joined via hinges to a second pair of opposed walls with one of the pairs of opposed walls being hinged to enable the entire assembly to be folded up into a compact stack. A platform that can be formed of a plurality of panels connected via another hinge cooperates with a latching arrangement to be releasably attachable when the first and second pairs of walls are unfolded into a platform support frame. The latching arrangement includes a plurality of clips that each releasably receive a dowel with the clips carried by one of the platform and frame and the dowels carried by the other one of the platform and frame. For example, in a preferred embodiment, each one of the platform panels carries a plurality of dowel underneath its top surface and one of the pairs of opposed walls has a plurality of inwardly extending dowels that underlie the platform during assembly so as to register with and be engaged by a corresponding one of the clips in attaching the platform to the frame. The platform can receive a pad, such as of a mattress, upon which a pet can perch, rest or lay. 
         [0010]    In a still further preferred pet furniture embodiment, an enclosure is defined that includes a plurality of animal sized openings that permit pet entry within along with at least one divider that defines a plurality of maze passages or chambers that a pet inside the enclosure can explore. In one embodiment, the divider is horizontally disposed defining a plurality of vertically separated maze passages or chamber levels. In a preferred embodiment, the divider has at least one animal sized opening permitting a pet inside the maze to travel between maze passages or chambers. 
         [0011]    Various other features, advantages and objects will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings. 
     
    
     
       DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
         [0012]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a first embodiment of pet furniture; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of the first pet furniture embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one sidewall of the pet furniture embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another sidewall of the pet furniture embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one end wall of the pet furniture embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another end wall of the pet furniture embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a top or bottom panel of the pet furniture embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first pet furniture embodiment shown fully assembled and in a first orientation; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of another implementation of the first pet furniture embodiment shown assembled and in a second orientation; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a roof overlying the first pet furniture embodiment; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the roof assembled to the first pet furniture embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of pet furniture in a completely disassembled condition; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of second pet furniture embodiment in a partially assembled condition; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of second pet furniture embodiment in an assembled condition; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of pet furniture that is a multi-tiered cat maze; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a second perspective view of the third pet furniture embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    Before explaining one or more embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, which can be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0030]      FIGS. 1-9  illustrates a first embodiment of a pet furniture assembly  30  that can be configured for animal interaction and which also is configurable to provide housing, an enclosure that can be protective and/or a pet support, such as a bed. The pet furniture assembly  30  is of modular construction and capable of being assembled manually without using any tools. The pet furniture assembly  30  is particularly well-suited for use with domestic pets kept in a house, such as a cat or the like. 
         [0031]    With specific reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the pet furniture assembly  30  is a box  32  that can be of elongate construction as shown having a pair of opposed and spaced apart sidewalls  34 ,  36  attached to a pair of spaced apart and opposed end walls  38 ,  40  with a panel  42  extending therebetween. One of the walls, such as end wall  38 , is configured with a passage  44  large enough to allow passage of a pet (not shown) therethrough permitting pet ingress and/or egress. As is best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the passage  44  is a circular opening  46  formed in end wall  38 . 
         [0032]    Each one of the sidewalls  34 ,  36  is a generally rectangular board or panel made of a suitably strong and durable material, such as wood. Similarly, each one of the end walls  38 ,  40  is of generally square or rectangular construction and also made of a suitably strong and durable material, such as wood. Finally, panel  42  is generally rectangular and also made of a suitably strong and durable material, such as wood. In one preferred embodiment, each one of the walls  34 - 40  and panel  42  are made of a pressed fiberboard, such as medium density fiberboard (MDF). If desired, one or more or all of these can be made of another type of material, such as plastic or the like. 
         [0033]    As previously indicated, the pet furniture assembly  30  can be configured in a manner that entices or encourages pet interaction. For example, one or more of the walls can include one or more openings  48  of a size that at least permits a pet located inside or outside of the box  30  to see therethrough. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-9 , each one of the smaller sized openings  48  are sized large enough to allow a pet to insert a limb or portion thereof through the opening  48 . For example, where the pet is a domestic cat, openings  48  preferably are sized large enough to allow a cat to insert its paw therethrough. In addition, as is best shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , each wall, e.g., sidewall  36 , equipped with such openings  48  has at least a plurality of adjacent openings  48  spaced close enough together to permit a paw of a cat to be inserted through one opening  48  while the cat looks through an adjacent opening  48 . In one embodiment, there is at least plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three, such openings  48  formed in at least one of the walls. For example, as is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , sidewall  36  has ten such openings  48  formed therein disposed in two groups of five openings  48  with each openings group having a pair of spaced apart openings  48  disposed adjacent an upper and lower portion of the sidewall  36  with a single opening  48  centrally disposed between the upper and lower pairs. This enables cats of various sizes to be able to extend a paw through one of the openings  48  while being able to look through an opening  48  located above it. 
         [0034]    To further encourage or entice pet interaction, one of the walls, such as sidewall  36 , can be configured to accept a plaything  50 , such as a cat toy  52  carried by an elongate wand  54  that extends outwardly from the wall  36 . Other types of playthings that include other types of cat toys, such as feathers, balls, etc., can be used. To accommodate attachment of a plaything  50  to the wall  36 , the wall  36  has a plurality of plaything holders or anchors  53  that can be receptacles formed in the wall  36 . For example, each plaything holder  53  can include a threaded nut (not shown) embedded in the wall  36  that threadably receives a threaded stem of the wand  54  in attaching the plaything  50  to the wall. 
         [0035]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , panel  42  is generally horizontally disposed and has an outer surface  56  upon which a pad  58 , such as a layer of fabric that can be of padded construction, can be disposed. The fabric layer  58  is shown in  FIG. 2  as overlying the outer surface  56  of panel  42 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , the pad  58  is disposed in a recess  60  formed by panel  42  and an edge  62 ,  64  of the walls  34 - 40  that extends upwardly above the outer surface  56  of panel  42 . The upraised edges of walls  34 - 40  border an outside edge  66  of the pad  58 , such as in the manner shown in  FIG. 2 . When the pet furniture assembly  30  is configured as shown in  FIG. 2  with a pad  58  disposed on panel  42 , it provides a support surface that is enticing to a pet, such as a cat, to rest upon. Indeed, when configured as shown in  FIG. 2 , this arrangement can provide a bed  68  upon which a cat can rest or even sleep. 
         [0036]    When the pet furniture assembly  30  is oriented as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8 , box  32  forms a substantially enclosed enclosure  70  having three sides defined by walls  34 ,  36  and  40 , a top defined by platform  42 , and a bottom formed by a support surface  72 , such as the ground or a floor, with passage  44  permitting a pet, e.g., cat, to enter or exit the enclosure  70 . The furniture assembly  30  is convertible by flipping it over 180° as shown in  FIG. 9  such that the box  32  has an open top  74  with the platform  42  being disposed adjacent to and overlying support surface  72 . When disposed in the orientation shown in  FIG. 9 , the surface  57  ( FIG. 7 ) of the panel  42  opposite surface  56  forms a floor upon which pad  58  can be placed defining an enclosed bed  76  in which a pet, such as a cat, can rest or even sleep. When oriented forming substantially enclosed enclosure  70 , one set of outer edges of the walls  34 - 40  rests on the support surface  72  and when flipped over oriented as an open top box, an opposite said of outer edges of the walls  34 - 40  rests on the support surface  72 . 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 3-7 , the pet furniture assembly  30  can be formed modularly of separate components, including the sidewalls  34 ,  36 , the end walls  38 ,  40  and the platform  42  that doubles as an enclosure ceiling when an assembled pet furniture assembly  30  is disposed in one position, such as the position shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  8 , and as a floor when the assembled pet furniture assembly  30  is disposed in an opposite position, such as the position shown in  FIG. 9 . In a currently preferred embodiment, these separate components can be manually assembled without using any tools as discussed in more detail below. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 3 and 4 , illustrate preferred but exemplary embodiments of respective sidewalls  34 ,  36  and  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate preferred but exemplary embodiments of respective end walls  38 ,  40 . Each sidewall  34 ,  36  has a respective interiorly disposed surface  78 ,  80  configured so as to enable engagement with a portion of each one of the end walls  38 ,  40  in a manner that securely and positively assembles them together. Likewise, each end wall  38 ,  40  has a respective interiorly disposed surface  82 ,  84  configured in a manner that enables engagement with a portion of each one of the sidewalls  34 ,  36 . 
         [0039]    In a preferred embodiment, a latching arrangement carried by one or both of sidewalls  34 ,  36  and end walls  38 ,  40  enables tool-less coupling therebetween during assembly of the pet furniture assembly  30 . The latching arrangement is constructed and arranged to facilitate attachment, including in a releasable manner, at or along the corners or corner edges where each sidewall  34 ,  36  and each end wall  38 ,  40  converge in forming respective corners of box  32 . As discussed in more detail below, each latching arrangement can include a coupling extension carried by one plurality of walls, such as end walls  38 ,  40  used to facilitate engagement during assembly with a respective engagement portion of another plurality of walls, such as sidewalls  34 ,  36 . 
         [0040]    As is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each end wall  38 ,  40  carries a coupling extension  86  that carries at least one latch receiver  88  that releasably engages a respective engagement portion  90  that can extend outwardly from a corresponding one of the sidewalls  34 ,  36  when assembling the walls together. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is a plurality of spaced apart latch receivers  88 . In a preferred embodiment, each latch receiver  88  can be a bracket or plate, such as a keyhole fitting  92  having a keyhole slot  94  with an enlarged slot portion  96  at one end and a narrower slot portion  98  extending therefrom. Each keyhole fitting  92  is fixed to coupling extension  86 , such as by fasteners or the like. 
         [0041]    Each coupling extension  86  is a flange  100  extending outwardly from a respective interior surface  82 ,  84  of a corresponding end wall  38 ,  40  adjacent an outer side edge, such as depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , each flange  100  is formed by an elongate board that can be fixed to a corresponding end wall  38 ,  40 , such as by using an adhesive, fasteners or the like. To help facilitate assembly, each keyhole fitting  92  can be recessed or otherwise disposed in a pocket  102  formed in the flange  100  to which it is attached. 
         [0042]    As is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each sidewall  34 ,  36  has a plurality of engagement portions  90  that are each releasably and slidably received in a slot  94  of a corresponding keyhole fitting  92  during assembly. Each engagement portion  90  can be in the form of a post  104  that extends outwardly from a corresponding interior surface  78 ,  80  of a respective sidewall  34 ,  36 . In a currently preferred embodiment, each post  104  has an outwardly extending shank  106  with an enlarged head  108  disposed at its free end. During assembly, one of the sidewalls, e.g. sidewall  34  or  36 , is manually maneuvered relative to one of the end walls, e.g., end wall  38  or  40 , until the head  108  of each one of the engagement posts  104  along one side edge of the sidewall is received in the enlarged slot portion  96  of a corresponding keyhole slot  94  of respective fitting  92 . Relative manual movement between the sidewall and end wall causes each post  104  to slide along the slot  94  in which is received until its head  108  is received in the narrower portion  98  of the slot  94  thereby preventing disengagement. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  7 , panel  42  and a plurality of walls, e.g., sidewalls  34 ,  40 , are assembled toollessly using a latching arrangement that employs a plurality of movable or displaceable couplers  110  that includes a finger  118  movable between a disengaged position, such as shown in  FIG. 7 , during assembly to an engaged position where it extends outwardly from the panel  42  in assembling the panel  42  to at least a plurality of walls. As is shown in  FIG. 7 , the panel  42  has at least a plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three, couplers  110  attached by a pivot  112  that can be a fastener or the like. Each one of the couplers  110  is disposed adjacent a respective side edge  114 ,  116  of the panel  42  that is going to be disposed toward a corresponding one of the walls to which the panel  42  is being assembled. In one preferred exemplary embodiment, each one of the couplers  110  is a turn button. 
         [0044]    With specific reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each one of the walls, e.g., sidewalls  34 ,  36 , to which the panel  42  is attached during assembly includes a socket that is a recess  120  in which an outwardly extending portion of a corresponding one of the fingers  118  of coupler  110  is received when the finger  118  is manually moved from a disengaged position, such as that shown in  FIG. 7 , to an engaged position where it extends outwardly beyond an adjacent side edge  114  or  116  during assembly. In a preferred embodiment, each recess  120  is an elongate rabbet or channel  124  formed in a corresponding surface  78 ,  80  of respective sidewall  34 ,  36  that extends adjacent and along one of its edges  126 . 
         [0045]    To help facilitate panel assembly, each sidewall  34 ,  36  can include a platform locator  122  upon which the panel  42  can be placed prior to moving each coupler finger  118  toward an engaged position where is received in a corresponding one of the recesses  120 . Each platform locator  122  extends outwardly and can be elongate so as to help locate and support the platform  42  during assembly along substantially the entire length of the platform  42 . In addition, after assembly, the platform locator  122  can help support the platform  42 , such as when a pet is resting or sleeping thereon. Each locator  122  is an elongate strut  128  fixed to a corresponding sidewall  34 ,  36  such as by using an adhesive, fasteners or the like. In one embodiment, as is depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each strut  128  is received in an elongate channel  130  that extends generally parallel to rabbet  124  but disposed outwardly of the rabbet  124  and edge  126 . Each strut  128  can be adhesively attached to corresponding sidewall  34 ,  36 . 
         [0046]    In another preferred embodiment, channel  130  of each sidewall  34 ,  36  can be of a width about the same or greater than the cross sectional width of the platform  42  and extend all the way to one or both sidewall edges  132 ,  134  so as to enable panel  42  to be received in each channel  130  during assembly. Each recess  120  is spaced above channel  130  so as to receive a respective coupler finger  118  during assembly to securely yet releasably assemble panel  42  to sidewalls  34 ,  36 . 
         [0047]    In assembly, a plurality of pairs of walls, such as sidewalls  34 ,  36  and one of the end walls  38  or  40 , are assembled together such as in the manner described above resulting in the walls forming a U-shape. Thereafter, platform  42  is assembled, such as in the manner described above, before the last wall, such as the other one of the end walls  38  or  40 , is assembled. Finally, where a pad  58  is used, it is placed on one of the surfaces  56  or  57  of the platform  42 , depending upon which way the assembled assembly  30  is oriented. 
         [0048]    In a preferred method of assembly, sidewalls  34  and  36  are each attached to one of the end walls  38  or  40 , by attaching one of the sidewalls, such as sidewall  34 , to the endwall and then attaching the other one of the sidewalls, such as sidewall  36 , to the endwall. After that, platform  42  is assembled by placing it on locator supports  122  and then rotating each coupling finger  118  to its outwardly extended position so it received in a corresponding recess  120 , such as channel  124 , in a respective one of the sidewalls  34 ,  36 . Where locator supports  122  are lacking, platform  42  can be slid in slot  130  of each sidewall  34 ,  36  from the end opposite the assembled end wall until the platform  42  is disposed adjacent or in abutment with the assembled end wall. Thereafter, the other end wall is attached to sidewalls  34 ,  36  producing a pet furniture assembly  30  in accordance with that depicted in  FIG. 1 . Of course, if desired pad  58  can be placed on platform  42 . If desired, the pet furniture assembly  30  can be flipped over and used as an open box type cat bed such as is depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0049]      FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a preferred embodiment of a roof assembly  136  that can be of Gable roof construction formed of a panel arrangement  138  that can be formed of a first panel  140  attached or otherwise coupled to a second panel  142  at an angle relative thereto defining a hip  144  that is a top edge or apex of the roof  136 . The roof  136  is constructed and arranged to be mountable on an object, such as pet furniture assembly  30  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . For example, roof  136  can be constructed with a pair of outwardly extending legs  146 ,  148  that engage a portion of pet furniture assembly  30  such that the roof  136  overlies a portion and preferably substantially all of the pet furniture assembly  30 . 
         [0050]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the roof  136  is constructed and arranged to releasably engage pet furniture assembly  30  in a manner where it positively insecurely remains in place during use and operation. For example, as is shown in  FIG. 10 , each leg  146 ,  148  extends downwardly from a respective roof panel  140 ,  142  and is configured in a manner where it is engageable with a corresponding outer edge of one of the walls of the pet furniture assembly  30 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , each leg  146 ,  148  carries a channel  160  that receives a corresponding outer edge of one of the walls of the pet furniture assembly  30 . Channel  160  has a generally U-shaped cross-section and can slidably and frictionally engage each wall alongside the outer edge of the wall. In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , each leg  146 ,  148  has a channel  160  fixed thereto that receives an outer edge of a corresponding one of the end walls  38 ,  40 . 
         [0051]    The top or outer surface of the roof  136  can be covered with fabric or material  150 , such as sisal, on which a cat  152  can scratch its paws  154 , such as in the manner depicted in  FIG. 11  when disposed on top of the roof. The roof overlies panel  42  and pad  58  of pet furniture assembly  30  and is spaced apart therefrom providing sufficient space  156  underneath so as to enable a cat  158  to perch, rest, or lay underneath such as is shown in  FIG. 11 . In addition, such a roof assembly  136  can advantageously be used with the pet furniture assembly  30  whether oriented as shown in  FIG. 11  or oriented as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of a pet furniture assembly  170  that preferably is intended and configured for use by a cat, such as a common house cat. As shown in a disassembled condition, the pet furniture assembly  170  is compact for storage and shipping. This minimizes costs to the manufacturer, distributor and retailer. 
         [0053]    The pet furniture assembly  170  includes a pair of collapsible/expandable wall sections  172  ( 22 ) defined by wall segments  174 ,  176  attached by a hinge  178  to each other and by a hinge  180  to each end wall  182  as best shown in  FIG. 13 . The assembly  170  includes a hinged panel assembly  184  made of a pair of panel halves  186 ,  188  connected by a hinge  190  enabling the halves to be unfolded into a generally planar or flat panel that can form a top wall of the assembly  170  when assembly is completed, such as is shown in  FIG. 14 , or can be configured to be a bottom wall (not shown), such as if the assembly is of reversible construction. Each panel half of the panel assembly  186 ,  188  has a plurality of clips  192  that each engage dowels  194  that extend inwardly from each one of the wall segments  174 ,  176  and dowels  196  that extend inwardly from each one of the end walls  182 , such as is shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         [0054]    As is also shown in  FIGS. 12-14 , sidewall segments  174 ,  176  each have legs  198  that define an archway-type opening  200  through which a cat can pass to go underneath panel assembly  184  when assembly is complete. The sidewalls can be connected to flanges  206  affixed to the right and left edges of the front and rear end walls  28  End walls  182  also have legs  202  between which a cat ingress/egress passage  204  is defined. A pad, such as a pad like mattress pad  58 , can be laid over the top of the panel assembly  184  when the pet furniture assembly  170  is assembled, such as in the manner depicted in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0055]    With reference generally to  FIGS. 12-14 , the end walls  182  define arches for a cat to pass through to enter the inside of a nook or nesting area underneath the panel assembly  184 . The sidewalls  172  also have two entry points on either sidewall and the sidewalls  172  are able to fold inward about hinge  178  to allow the entire assembly  170  to collapse into a small storage space, for instance, under a person&#39;s bed or a couch. It may be important to a pet owner to be able to easily collapse the assembly  170  to hide it away at times. The sidewalls  172  are split into two sections  174 ,  176 , as best shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The sidewalls  172  can be connected to flanges  206  affixed to the right and left edges of the front and rear end walls  182 . Knobs (not shown) may be affixed to sections of the pet bed walls in order to make collapsing or folding the pet bed easier during disassembly. Such knobs can also be used to facilitate assembly. 
         [0056]      FIG. 14  shows the assembly  170  in a fully assembled condition. As shown, the side wall sections  174 ,  176  have a hinge  178  that is centrally vertically oriented, so as to allow each sidewall  172  to fold in half about hinge  178 . The side wall sections  174 ,  176  are attachable to the end walls  182  by build-out flanges  206  connected to at least one of the front and rear edge of each sidewall  172  and left and right edges of each end wall  182  to provide an abutment surface between end walls  182  and sidewalls  172  when the box shaped frame is being formed as is depicted by the progression shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . A mattress support panel assembly  184  is supportable within the frame formed by the unfolded sidewall sections  174 ,  176  (shown in  FIG. 14  in the unfolded condition) and end walls  182  beneath an upper edge of the frame so that the frame can retain a mattress, e.g., pad  208  shown in phantom in  FIG. 14 , against movement along the mattress support panel  184  when the mattress  208  is on either side of the mattress support panel. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate another preferred embodiment of an article of pet furniture  210  that is a maze for one or more cats. The article of pet furniture  210  has a plurality of top panels  212 ,  214  disposed at varying heights for enabling exploration by a cat. Each top panel  212 ,  214  has at least one opening  216 ,  218  sized large enough for a cat to pass through. There also is a pair of sidewalls  220 ,  222 , only one of which is clearly shown, that each can have one opening and in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16  have plurality of similarly sized cat openings  224 ,  226  formed therein. There also can be a pair of end walls  228 ,  230 , with at least one of the end walls having at least one cat-sized opening  232  ( FIG. 16 ) formed therein. In a preferred embodiment, each end wall  228 ,  230  has such a cat sized opening  232  formed therein. There also is a vertically extending upper section intermediate end wall  234  that can also have a cat-sized opening (not shown) formed therein. 
         [0058]    Helping to form such a maze with the assembly  210  is a generally horizontal divider panel  236  disposed inside the assembly  210  that divides the article into a larger lower cat exploration chamber or maze segment  238  and a smaller upper cat exploration chamber or maze segment  240 . The divider panel  236  also has at least one cat-sized opening  242  formed therein enabling a cat disposed inside the cat furniture article  210  to climb through the opening  242  from one chamber or segment  238  to the other chamber or segment  240  and vice versa. The cat furniture article  210  can also have a bottom  244  that can be formed of a panel or the like, which defines a floor for the bottom chamber  238 , which can extend part of the length of the article  210  or substantially the entire length if desired. Such a maze-like, multi-chambered cat furniture assembly  210  provides multiple areas of exploration for a cat and takes advantage of their natural curious tendencies in facilitating play and exercise. 
         [0059]    A pet furniture assembly  210  in accordance with the present invention can be constructed in a manner like that of assembly  30  shown in  FIGS. 1-9  and described above or in a manner like that of assembly  170  shown in  FIGS. 12-14  and described above. If desired, the components of maze  210  can also be assembled in another manner. 
         [0060]    Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention. It is therefore also to be understood that, although the foregoing description and drawings describe and illustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention, to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates the present disclosure will suggest many modifications and constructions as well as widely differing embodiments and applications without thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0