Abstract:
A wall supported modular cat furniture structure is disclosed comprising a number of interconnecting components such as vertical posts, horizontal platforms, and base coupling which are press-fitted together to form an upright structure characterized by a central support post to which platforms connect and extend outward therefrom. The structure is positioned adjacent a flat wall or a corner wall surface and platform edges are securely attached to the supporting wall giving stability to the structure, added support to the platforms, and effectively restricting the movement of both. The structure, which satisfies the needs of cats to climb, scratch, and perch in elevated places, has carpet, sisal rope or other claw penetrable material covering exposed surfaces. Numerous other advantages are claimed herein including having lightweight, interchangeable components, a variety of height and configuration options, simple construction and assembly, vertical expandability and minimal space requirements for use.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This invention claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/365,030 filed Mar. 18, 2002, entitled “Wall Supported Modular Structure”. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention is related to wall supported modular cat furniture devices and more particularly to a cat climbing, scratching and perching home furnishing structure.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0003]    Cat furniture can be described as a home furnishing having a purpose of satisfying the natural needs of cats, primarily the need to climb, to scratch, and to perch in high places. Without suitable options many indoor cats will resort to using other home furnishings to satisfy these needs, damaging and often ruining these items. A variety of cat furniture devices have been disclosed that adequately satisfy these needs. Although individually unique, these devices share the following characteristics: sufficient claw penetrable material to facilitate climbing; a scratching surface preferred by cats; and an elevated perching surface.  
           [0004]    In addition to these three characteristics, the prior art has identified a number of other characteristics as main objectives and have sought to incorporate each into the various cat furniture devices. These other characteristics are desired to improve functionality, increase convenience of use, or raise the general appeal of the cat furniture device. These desirable characteristics are identified in the list below.  
           [0005]    A cat furniture device should:  
           [0006]    1) be attractive or aesthetically appealing, complementing the existing room décor.  
           [0007]    2) be stable and sturdy enough to promote carefree and confident use by cats.  
           [0008]    3) have claw receptive material on exterior surfaces which facilitates climbing.  
           [0009]    4) require minimal space, particularly minimal floor space.  
           [0010]    5) not be obtrusive with relation to surrounding living space.  
           [0011]    6) comprise of multiple perches or platforms to accommodate multiple cats.  
           [0012]    7) comprise of perches that are of sufficient strength to support multiple cats.  
           [0013]    8) include at least one significantly elevated perch or platform.  
           [0014]    9) be of a break down nature which facilitates transporting and storing the device.  
           [0015]    10) be easy to assemble, disassemble, install and uninstall.  
           [0016]    11) be suited to repeated assembly, disassembly, installation and uninstallation.  
           [0017]    12) be sufficiently lightweight to allow hassle free handling.  
           [0018]    13) be of a modular construction where modules are interchangeable.  
           [0019]    14) be of a modular construction where variations in shape or configuration are possible.  
           [0020]    15) be of a modular construction where variations in size or height are possible.  
           [0021]    16) be adaptable to various installations.  
           [0022]    17) be of simple construction.  
           [0023]    18) be economical to manufacture.  
           [0024]    An evaluation of the prior art with respect to the above list is described below. In summary, most devices had a majority of the items listed. Several, however, could claim all but a few of the characteristics as noted below.  
           [0025]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,479,990, 3,479,991 and 3,595,209 disclose devices described as floor to ceiling multi-perch cat stands having a spring-loaded tension mechanism holding them in place. These attractive, space-saving, often portable devices have stability and strength limitations resulting from inadequate tension devices. The device moves considerably under normal use by two or more cats and the tension mechanism often gives way under the force of a large cat jumping on or off the device. Additionally, the size or height of the device can not be varied since this is dependent on the distance between the floor and the ceiling.  
           [0026]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,497,279 and 6,431,120 B1 disclose devices that are well suited for use by multiple cats as they are tall, exceptionally sturdy and stable, and have two or more elevated perches. Although these devices can be disassembled into more manageable parts for transporting and storing, the complexity of their construction make this very difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, there are no options during reassembly as the device must take its original form, which is generally bulky, excessively heavy, and space consuming.  
           [0027]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,577,465, 5,577,466, 5,806,464 and 5,884,586 disclose devices that can be described as free standing modular structures extending upward from a base or legs, having modules that can be assembled into various shapes and sizes. The problem with these devices is that as modules are added to gain height for an elevated perch, larger heavier bases are needed to stabalize the structure resulting in a bulky, heavy, space consuming device.  
           [0028]    The device described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,390 achieves gaining height and stability with minimal floor space requirements. Here a perching unit installs above and attaches to the top of a doorframe. A climbing post extends from the perch to the floor, along side the doorway, which has stair-like steps that spiral down the length of it. Although functional, the construction of this device is very complex, making it difficult to assemble and install, and costly to reproduce. Additionally, installation is limited to doorways and there are no options for changing the shape or the size of the device.  
           [0029]    The device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,735 similarly uses wall support to gain height and stability without consuming large amounts of floor space. This device can be installed on any wall surface, or in any corner, and the modular design allows for a variety of configurations and heights. The problem with this device is that the construction is very complex making it difficult to assemble and install and costly to manufacture.  
           [0030]    This evaluation found the prior art to be without a device that offers all of the advantages represented in the list of desirable cat furniture device characteristics contained herein. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a cat furniture device that can claim the benefit of all the desired characteristics listed herein. Furthermore, and of equal importance, there is a need to contribute to and expand this list through novel or adapted design objectives.  
           [0031]    The principle object of this invention is to provide a cat furniture structure that has incorporated into its design all of the aforementioned list of desirable characteristics of cat furniture devices. Additionally, it is another objective of this invention to provide a modular structure having components that are reversible as well as interchangeable. This would allow worn components to be turned over or turned around effectively extending the life of the components. Furthermore, given that cats are exceptionally agile climbers even at considerable heights, it is another objective of this invention to provide a device that has unlimited upward range. Vaulted ceilings and second level lofts are two common applications where a structure with unlimited upward range would be advantageous. Further objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the illustrations and ensuing descriptions.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0032]    An attractive and easy to assemble wall supported modular cat furniture structure is disclosed. The structure comprises a plurality of interconnecting components, such as vertical posts, horizontal platforms, and base couplings, which are press fitted together to form an upright vertical structure characterized by a central support post to which the platforms connect and extend outward therefrom. The structure is positioned adjacent a flat wall or cornered wall surface where platform edges are securely attached to the supporting wall which gives stability to the structure, added support to the platforms, and effectively restricts the movement of both so that frequent, carefree use by multiple cats is promoted. Exterior surface areas are covered with carpeting, sisal rope or some other claw receptive material that cats prefer. The invention satisfies the feline natural needs to climb, scratch, and perch in high places, and claims a number of unique additional advantages. The three simple components are not only lightweight and easy to assemble but are also interchangeable and reversible extending their useful life. In addition, components can also vary in shape and size allowing variability in the height and configuration of the structure. Construction is simple, therefore production and maintenance costs are low. And the invention can be installed in less than one square foot of space as only a post rest on the floor, the platforms attach to the structure at any height reducing use of valuable floor space. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the wall supported modular cat furniture structure fully assembled in a corner wall configuration.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 2 is an exploded front perspective view of the structure of FIG. 1 showing the individual modular components and their interconnecting surfaces.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 is a front view of a piece of plywood used to construct a platform component showing the relative location and size of the hole made therein.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 is a front view of a piece of plywood used to construct a platform component showing the angle cut made thereto in relation to the hole and the plywood itself.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5 is a side view of the plywood used to construct a platform component showing the relative positioning of the coupling that is cemented therein.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 is a top view of the two pieces of carpet which are custom cut to fit the outside surfaces of a right-cut platform component.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an assembly of connected components prior to installation or more specifically prior to attachment to the supporting walls.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the hardware used to install the preferred embodiment of the invention or more specifically to attach the preferred embodiment to the supporting walls.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a metal support piece that is properly positioned between two marks on the wall.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmented view of the side edge of a platform component shows the proper positioning of an insulated staple that is hammered therein.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 11 is an enlarged edge view of the angled cut end of a platform component showing the proper positioning and application of the insulated staple and the hose clamp. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0044]    Further disclosure of the wall supported modular cat furniture structure represents a preferred mode of constructing and utilizing the invention and is presented in terms of the “preferred embodiment” of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the following description, including the referenced illustrations, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, since many options and variations are possible which will be be apparent to those skilled in the art.  
         [0045]    Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the wall supported modular cat furniture structure generally designated as  20 . In FIG. 1, structure  20 , in its intended use as a cat climber, scratcher, and perch, is fully assembled in a corner wall configuration. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of structure  20  showing more fully the interconnecting portions of the individual components. Structure  20  is comprised of 3 types of modular components: base coupling, posts, and platforms. When connected together, as seen in FIG. 1, these components form a solid, sturdy, cat friendly structure that stands 62″ tall and weighs approximately 21 lbs. The inherent novelty and benefit of the invention lies in the design and construction of the individual components as well as in the assembly and installation of the structure. Both are detailed below.  
         [0046]    Constructing the Modular Components of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention.  
         [0047]    The following describes one method of several possible methods for constructing the various components comprising the preferred embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a base coupling  22  is constructed from a standard two-inch PVC pipe coupling and a 2-¼″ by 9″ piece of carpet. Contact cement is used to securely affix the carpet to the outer surface of the coupling.  
         [0048]    In FIG. 2, a post  24  is constructed from standard two-inch diameter PVC pipe cut to a length of 16″, and an 8″ by 13-⅜″ piece of carpet. Before affixing the carpet to post  24 , use 36-grit sandpaper and then 80-grit sandpaper to sand around the end portions of post  24  until a tapered effect is created that allows coupling  22  to fit snuggly into yet be easily removable from either end of post  24 . After tapering, use contact cement to attach the carpet piece to the middle portion of post  24 , leaving 1-⅜″ at each end uncarpeted. In FIG. 2, a post  26 , a post  28  and a post  30  are all constructed using the same method of construction described above for post  24  with the following exception. Post  28  and  30  are 14″ in length as opposed to the 16″ length of post  24  and  26 . When constructing posts  28  and  30  the PVC pipe and the carpet piece should each be cut 2″ shorter to provide for this.  
         [0049]    In FIG. 2 a right-cut platform  32  is constructed from plywood, carpet and a standard 2″ PVC coupling. Referring now to FIG. 3, right-cut platform  32  begins as a piece of plywood  40  that is ⅝″ thick, 10″ wide and 24 41  long. Using an electric drill press and a 2¾″ Forsner drill bit, a 2¾″ hole  42  is drilled into what will be considered the top end of plywood  40  so that the center point of hole  42  is 5″ from the top and 5″ from each of the sides of plywood  40 . In FIG. 4, a diagonal cut  44  is made along side hole  42  in plywood  40  which begins on the top edge at a point 7″ from the top right corner and ends down the right side edge of plywood  40  at a point 7″ from the same right top corner. FIG. 4 is a topside view of plywood  40  and since diagonal cut  44  is to the right of hole  42 , plywood  40  is considered right-cut and becomes a right-cut platform once constructed. FIG. 5 is a side view of plywood  40  where a 2-inch PVC coupling  46  has been cemented into hole  42  using standard carpentry cement. Coupling  46  is cemented into hole  42  so that it is perpendicular to plywood  40  and so that ½″ of coupling  46  extends out the topside of plywood  40  and the remainder of coupling  46 , approximately 2″, extends out the bottom side of plywood  40 . A heavy bead of carpentry cement is applied and smoothed into and around area  48  to permanently cement coupling  46  into plywood  40 . A second bead is later applied to area  48  to strengthen the connection and reinforce the surrounding plywood. In FIG. 6, a piece of carpet  50  and a piece of carpet  52  are cut from a pattern to tailor fit the exposed outer surfaces of plywood  40  and coupling  46 . Carpet  50  is fitted around plywood  40  and is attached using a staple gun. The carpet segments that cover the ends of plywood  40  are creased and folded down, trimmed as needed, and then secured to the ends with contact cement followed by a number of staples for reinforcement. Carpet  52  is affixed to the exposed outer surface of coupling  46  using contact cement. In FIG. 2, a left-cut platform  34 , a right-cut platform  36  and a right-cut platform  38  can all be constructed using the method of construction described above for right-cut platform  32  with the exception of the angle cut on left-cut platform  34  which is made on the opposite side.  
         [0050]    Assembly and Installation of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention  
         [0051]    The following describes the assembly and installation of the preferred embodiment of the invention into a corner wall configuration. FIG. 7 shows a corner wall configuration  60  where a left-wall  62  meets a right-wall  64  at a 90-degree angle and where a left-wall stud  66  and a right-wall stud  68  are both located 16″ out from the corner. FIG. 8 depicts the different attachment hardware used to install the invention as described herein. These include a one inch long ½ inch wide metal support piece  70 , a half-inch insulated staple  72 , a#8×1¼″ wood screw  74 , and a ⅜″ plastic hose clamp  76 . The tools needed to complete the installation are a drill, a drill bit, a screwdriver, a hammer, a pencil, and scotch tape. (tools not shown).  
         [0052]    Assembly begins by fitting one end of post  24  into one end of coupling  22  and then fitting the other end of post  24  into the bottom-side-coupling of right-cut platform  32 . Post  26  is then press fitted into the top-side-coupling of right-cut platform  32  and the other end of post  26  is fitted with the bottom-side coupling of left-cut platform  34 . As illustrated in FIG. 7, this structure is set into the corner with base coupling  22  on the floor adjustments are made so that post  24  and post  26  are parallel to left-wall  62  and right-wall  64  at a distance of 3¾ inches. In addition, right-cut platform  32  should fit squarely into the corner with its right edge flat against right-wall  64  and left-cut platform  34  should fits squarely into the corner with its left edge flat against left-wall  62 .  
         [0053]    To attach the platforms to the wall surface first make sure that right-cut platform  32  and left-cut platform  34  are level or parallel to the floor, and that posts  24  and  26  are parallel to left-wall and right-wall  62  and  64  as illustrated in FIG. 7. Make the two small pencil marks  78  on right-wall  64 , one just above and one just below the edge of platform  32  and both centered over right-wall stud  68 . Repeat this procedure to get two small pencil marks  78  for left-cut platform  34  on left-wall  62 . Remove the structure. Referring to FIG. 9, center one metal support piece  70  between the two marks  78  on right-wall  64  so that the end with the hole in it is down and flat or flush against the wall. Use the pencil to mark the wall where the hole of metal support piece  70  is and then drill a hole through the mark and into right-wall stud  68 . Return metal support piece  70  to the wall and position as before. Drive one wood screw  44 , through hole in metal support piece  70  and into right-wall stud  68  securely anchoring metal support piece  70  to right-wall stud  68 . Repeat this procedure to anchor a second metal support piece  70  to left-wall stud  66 . Return the structure to the corner and position as before. Place scotch tape  80  on top of right-cut platform  32 , along the edge, directly above metal support pieces  70  and do the same to place a tape  80  on left-cut platform  34 . For both platforms make a pencil mark on tape  80  to indicate the exact location of the respective metal support piece  70 . Remove the structure and set right-cut platform  32  on the floor with the taped edge up. Referring to FIG. 10, center insulated staple  72  on the side edge of right-cut platform  32  and over mark  82  on tape  80  leaving a small gap between the top of staple  72  and the platform  32  so that metal support piece  70  can slide in between the two. Make adjustment and return structure to its position in the corner making sure to slide both insulated staples  72  over and down into both metal support pieces  70 . Both platforms are now securely attached to the walls.  
         [0054]    Referring to FIG. 2, insert post  28  into the top-side-coupling left-cut platform  34  and then press fit the bottom-side-coupling of right-cut platform  36  onto the top end of post  28 . Attach right-cut platform  36  attached to right-wall  68  as described above for right-cut platform  32 . When right-cut platform  36  is attached, insert one end of post  30  into the top-side-coupling of right-cut platform  36  and fit the other end of post  30  with the bottom-side-coupling of right-cut platform  38 . Attach right-cut platform  38  to left-wall  62  as described above for left-cut platform  34 . Because it is the top platform, right-cut platform  38  is additionally attached to the wall stud located in the corner. To do this remove right-cut platform  38  from the structure standing it on end, on the ground, with the coupling end up. Referring to FIG. 11, position one insulated staple  72  onto the top edge of right-cut platform  38  so that it is on the far right and closer to the top side of platform  38 . Hammer staple  72  into platform  38 , leaving a small gap as before and making sure that staple  72  is set solid into the plywood. Slide hose clamp  76  onto the insulated staple  72  as seen in FIG. 11, flipping it all the way around so that the flat side of clamp  76  is flat or flush against the wall and the ends are upward. Return right-cut platform  38  to its position in the structure, check that platform  38  is level and then drill through the holes in clamp  76  and into the corner wall stud. Drive one wood screw  74  through the holes in clamp  76  and into the corner wall stud.