Abstract:
An animal enclosure including a frame having a first frame end, a second frame end, and a biasing member between the frame ends, wherein the biasing member biases the first frame end away from the second frame end; a shell overlying the frame to define an enclosed space within the frame, the shell being flexible such that the frame and the shell are movable between a collapsed condition and an opened condition; wherein the first frame end defines an opening through which the animal enters the enclosed space.

Description:
[0001]    The present invention claims the benefit of the provisional application no. 61/266,271, filed Dec. 3, 2009. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This present invention generally relates to animal enclosures. More particularly, the present invention relates to an animal enclosure having a collapsible frame. Most particularly, the present invention relates to an animal enclosure having a coil spring frame. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Animal enclosures are used to provide a den for animals or “crate” an animal when leaving them unattended or at a boarder. In most instances, these enclosures, which are often referred to as crates, are constructed from rigid plastic in the form of an elongate box with openings in the sides and a swinging gate-like door. Other crates are constructed of wire panels that interconnect with each other to form a crate. One advantage of the wire panel construction is that the panels may be separated and collapsed to transport the crate. Lastly, soft-sided crates have been created by using flexible rods that are inserted through loops on the exterior of the tent and bowed to support the tent in an open condition. To collapse the tent, the rods are removed. 
         [0004]    Often during hunting, it is desirable to hunt from a blind to avoid spooking the game. For example, in duck hunting, it is desirable to conceal the presence of a hunting dog or other animal from ducks, geese, or other fowl. Typically, this type of hunting is done in an agricultural field making uncovered animals highly visible from the air. Therefore, it is desirable to crate a hunting dog or other animal so that they are less visible to game or fowl. To that end, the present invention provides an animal enclosure that can be used to confine an animal and when used in hunting applications conceal the animal. Collapsible animal enclosures in the prior art are too bulky for use in hunting applications. Therefore, a need exists for animal enclosure that is easily transported and can be collapsed when not in use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention generally provides an animal enclosure including a soft-sided shell, and an internal frame having first and second end frame members biased toward an open condition by an extendable support located between said end frame members. According to one embodiment of the invention, the extendable support is a coil spring member. In accordance with another embodiment, the coil spring member and end frame members are formed from a single wire. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a animal enclosure according to the concepts of the present invention in an open condition; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view animal enclosure according to the concepts of the present invention in a collapsed condition; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an animal enclosure according to the concepts of the present invention partially cut away to show details of its construction; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an animal enclosure according to the concepts of the present invention shown with the door flaps in an open position; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective view with the door flaps shown in a closed condition; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of a frame of an animal enclosure according to the concepts of the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    One example of an animal enclosure according to the concepts of the present invention is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The animal enclosure  10  may have any shape. A flat base  11  is desirable to allow the animal enclosure  10  to be set up on a surface without it rolling or tipping. A non-flat base could be used and enclosure  10  staked or otherwise secured to the ground to avoid rolling. In the example shown, Animal enclosure  10  has a generally triangular shape. 
         [0013]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the animal enclosure  10  has an outer shell or cover  15  supported by a frame  20 . The shell  15  is generally constructed of a flexible material to allow its collapse when not in use. To that end, any fabric would be suitable, including natural fibers, synthetic materials, or combinations thereof. In the example shown, the shell  15  is constructed of a synthetic mesh material to improve breathability. Shell  15  may have a tubular shape that encompasses the frame  20 . Shell  15  may be constructed of a single type of material or multiple materials may be used. For example, the base panel  16  may be constructed of non-mesh material while the sides  17  are constructed of a mesh material to improve air flow. Since the base panel  16  may be located on damp surfaces, it may be constructed of a water resistant or waterproof material. The sides  17  may also be constructed of these materials. When using mesh sides, flaps or other coverings made of these materials that may be used to cover or shield the mesh sides when inclement weather strikes. Alternatively, breathable water-resistant or waterproof fabrics such at GoreTex® may be used to construct shell  15 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , enclosure  10  may further include a liner  15 A that attached to the inside of shell  15  such that the frame  20  is housed between shell  15  and liner  15 A. In general, liner  15 A may have the same construction as shell  15 A. 
         [0014]    To pad the base  11  of frame  20 , a pad  18  may be inserted within enclosure  10  over base  11  of frame  20 . Pad  18  may be constructed of any suitable padding including natural materials, synthetic materials, or combinations thereof. The pad  18  may include a casing  19  that encompasses the padding material or provides a removable cover for pad  18 . It will be appreciated that a removable casing  19  may facilitate cleaning after the enclosure  10  is used. To provide further waterproofing or when using a non-waterproof base panel  16 , pad  18  or casing  19  may be constructed of a water-resistant or waterproof material as described with respect to base panel  16  above. A camouflage coloring scheme may be applied to the outer surface  17  of the animal enclosure  10  to facilitate concealment of the animal during hunting. Alternatively, the enclosure  10  may have no pattern on the outer surface. Any color scheme may be used. Shell  15  may be open at either end ( FIG. 8 ) to allow ingress and egress of the animal. In the depicted embodiment, one or more flaps  23  may be provided to selectively close the ends  21 , 22  of the animal enclosure  10  and confine the animal within the animal enclosure  10 . Alternatively, the shell  15  may be constructed to have one or more closed ends. In these instances, a door or other opening may be provided within the end panels to allow ingress and egress of the animal. 
         [0015]    To help secure the flaps  23  in an open position, as depicted in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , fasteners  24  may be provided on the flaps  23  and the outer shell  15  as shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, Velcro® tabs may be applied to the flaps  23  and shell  15  to bold flaps  23  in the open position. Likewise, to secure flaps  23  in a closed position, fasteners  25  may be provided on the flaps  23  to secure them to each other or to a surface of shell  15 . In the example shown in  FIG. 1 , hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro® may be provided on facing surfaces of the flaps  23  that overlap each other and are secured to each other when the flaps  23  are in the closed position. Other fasteners, including but not limited to snaps, pins, hooks, toggles, zippers, or ties may also be used. 
         [0016]    In some instances, it may be desirable to secure the blind to the ground or other surface. To that end, as shown in  FIG. 4 , animal enclosure  10  may be provided with securement members  26  that facilitate staking or otherwise securing the animal enclosure  10 . For example, straps or loops may be provided at the corners  27  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) of  the animal enclosure  10  that may be used to tie the enclosure  10  to a tree, stake, or other structure. It will be appreciated that the securement members may attach to the frame  20  or the shell  15  as shown. 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , a transport member including a strap, a clip, or handle may be provided to facilitate carrying the animal enclosure  10 . In the example shown, a pair of tabs  28  are attached to base  11  of the blind at opposite corners thereof for attachment of a strap  30  thereto. In the example shown, the tabs are provided with loops  32  to which the strap  30  may be releasably attached, as by a snap hook  34  or other suitable fastener. Alternatively or in addition to a strap or handle, enclosure  10  may be provided with a clip, hook or other hanger that allows the enclosure  10  to be clipped or hung from a belt for transport or hung elsewhere for storage. 
         [0018]    Since enclosure  10  may be used in fields or other locations that are wet, the base panel  16  of shell  15 , liner  15 A and/or pad  18  may be waterproofed or otherwise constructed of a water repellant/resistant material to keep the animal dry. Similarly, the upper surfaces of the blind may be constructed of waterproof or repellant materials. 
         [0019]    When using animal enclosure  10  in a hunting application, it may be desirable to attach natural vegetation to the exterior of animal enclosure  10  to further help it blend with its surroundings. To that end, animal enclosure  10  may include vegetation fasteners  35 , such as straps, elastic bands, eyes, loops, or hook and loop fasteners to facilitate attachment of this vegetation. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the frame  20  of the animal enclosure  10  is made collapsible to facilitate transport of the animal enclosure  10 . In the embodiment shown, frame  20  is designed to act as a spring-like member that rests in an expanded or open condition defining the shape of the blind for use. As depicted in  FIG. 6 , enclosure  10  may have a triangular shape defined by a pair of frame ends  40  spaced by a biasing member  42  extending between the first and second frame ends  40 . Biasing member  42  may include any member that biases first and second ends  40  away from each other and may include traditional springs, air cylinders, or inflatable bellows or bladders that may be filled to hold the frame ends  40  in an open condition and opened to allow collapse of the frame ends  40 . In the example shown, biasing member  42  is a coil spring  43 . It will be appreciated that the frame ends  40  and coil spring  43  may be constructed in a unitary fashion as a continuous member or constructed of plural members attached to each other. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the frame is constructed of plural segments  46  joined by couplers  48 . As best seen in  FIG. 6 , couplers  48  may include somewhat rectangular members having parallel bores  45  extending there through that each receive an end of a segment  46 . For example, a downwardly extending end may enter a bore  45  on one side of coupler  48  from the top of coupler  48  while an adjacent segment  46  may have an upwardly extending end entering the coupler  48  from a bottom end of the opposite bore of coupler  48 . The ends of segments  46  are able to rotate within coupler  48  effectively forming a pivoting relationship between the ends of segments  46  that allows the coupler  48  to pivot upon collapsing or expanding of frame  20 . For instance, as shown in  FIG. 6 , couplers  48  are pivoted outward to maximize the spacing between ends of segments  46  when frame  20  is in an open condition. When collapsed, it will be appreciated that couplers  48  rotate inward allowing adjacent segments  46  to reside in the same plane when frame  20  is fully collapsed. To attach the frame ends  40 , coupler  48  may be modified to accommodate three segments such that a lower segment of frame end enters a bottom side of coupler  48  while an upper segment  46  of frame end  40  extends from a top of said coupler  48  and a third bore is provided for attachment of a segment  46  of biasing member  42 . In the example shown in  FIG. 6 , a triangular shaped coupler  48 ′ is provided with two openings  47  on a top side and a single opening  47  on the lower side thereof to permit this attachment between the biasing member  42 , a transition segment  49 , and frame ends  40 . 
         [0021]    The frame  20  may be constructed of any suitable material for supporting the shell  15 . As shown, frame  20  may be constructed of a spring-like material or shape memory material including, for example, metal, polymer, fiberglass, or composites thereof among others that may be compressed from an expanded condition to a collapsed condition. The biasing member  42  may be part of frame  20  and constructed of a like material. With reference to  FIG. 6 , the example frame  20  is shown in the expanded condition such as when enclosure  10  is in use. Since the frame  20  may be biased toward the open position, to facilitate transport, it is desirable to provide a fastener  50  that holds the frame  20  in a collapsed condition ( FIG. 2 ). Any fastener  50  may be used including ties, zippers, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, or clips. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the fastener  50  may be provided on the shell  15  so that the frame  20  and shell  15  may be collapsed simultaneously. In this embodiment, the user would not have to remove the shell  15  before collapsing the frame  20 . In the example shown, a two piece clip  50  is provided to hold enclosure  10  in a collapsed condition. Clip  50  has a first piece  51  attached to shell  15  near the first end  21  of the animal enclosure  10  and a second piece  52  attached to shell  15  near the second end  22  of the animal enclosure  10  such that the two pieces  51 ,  52  are brought together and secured to each other to hold the animal enclosure  10  in the collapsed condition. A strap  53  may be used to attach each piece  51 ,  52  of clip  50  to shell  15 . As will be appreciated, more than one clip  50  or other fastener may be used. For example, in the example shown, a pair of clips  50  are provided, each located on opposite sides of the frame  20  to hold it in the collapsed condition ( FIG. 2 ). Alternatively, a storage bag, sleeve, or other separate member may be provided so that the user collapses frame  20  and stuffs it into the storage bag to hold it in the collapsed condition. 
         [0022]    The foregoing describes one embodiment of an animal enclosure according to the concepts of the present invention. The animal enclosure may be used as a blind to conceal an animal while hunting, and may also be used as a pet crate to confine an animal. Advantageously, the animal enclosure of the present invention may be collapsed for storage where other pet crates are large, bulky and are not easily collapsed. It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the animal enclosure shown and described herein without departing from the present invention. Therefore for an appreciation of the scope of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.