Abstract:
Collapsible lightweight, and portable cot type bed for pets and children. A spring biased horizontal connector pin can slidably attach bottom edges of vertical support legs to horizontal cross braces to maintain the cot in an assembled position that can support extreme amounts of weight. The horizontal pin can be connected to a bottom portion of a metal strip having an upper edge attached by rivets, soldering or welding to the vertical support legs. Sidewall panels along the planar support surface of the cot allow for keeping objects from sliding off the cot. A removable canopy or a removable hutch-like compartment for deflecting sun and providing shade when the cot is used outdoors can be mounted to the vertical legs above the planar support surface. The hutch-like compartment is made of flexible, lightweight materials and can be closed on all sides, using see-through or open weave materials for ventilation while securely containing a child or pet inside. The cot can be easily folded like an accordion and placed in a carrying bag and have a weight of less than approximately 15 pounds.

Description:
This invention is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Pending application Ser. No. 10/677,828 filed Oct. 2, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,664, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/415,885 filed Oct. 3, 2002. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   This invention relates to beds and cots, and in particular to portable, collapsible, lightweight cots and beds, with or without a canopy, with or without a hutch-like enclosure, and portable, collapsible and lightweight steps that can be used for pets, and children. 
   BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
   Pets and small animals usually sleep directly on the floor. Often a piece of carpet, blanket, or pad has been used. However, the pets and animals are still lying on the floor, and are subject to undesirable effects such as bugs and insects, and lying on a hard uncomfortable surface. 
   Various types of beds and cots, and the like, have been proposed over the years that are primarily used for people. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 829,589 to Leavitt; U.S. Pat. No. 1,366,482 to Osterud; U.S. Pat. No. 1,858,254 to Uline; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,204 to Sok KyuRecently, an international patent application, PCT/AU03/00353 to Bedington discloses a bed for pets and a website, www.global sources.com/gsol/General Manager/&amp; design, shows a “Lightweight Camping Bed Suitable for Outdoor Use,” item no. GH2047, manufactured by Zhejiang Ganghai Industrial Co. Ltd., China, copyright 2003. 
   However, none of the prior art devices have a locking mechanism to keep the legs in place when fully assembled, nor do they have sidewall panels for keeping animated objects confined on the surface. Furthermore, none of these devices combine sidewalls with any type of shade and protective covers such as canopies or hutch-like compartments for covering the occupants. None of these devices appear to be easily collapsible and portable, yet stable and strong enough to be used as a step to assist climbing to higher elevations. Finally, none of these devices appear to be easily collapsible and portable so as to be carried by a single person. The prior art devices would have problems supporting large weights that can come with large pets since these beds/cots would tend to collapse under large weights of up to 150 pounds or more. 
   Several patented devices have been proposed as beds/cots for pets. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,820,284 to Mills; Des. 127,808 to McGillicuddy; Des. 294,752 to Palier; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,694 to Haynes et al. However, these patents again do not solve all the problems with the other devices described above. For example, these pet devices do not have locking mechanisms to keep the legs in place when fully assembled, and are also not easily collapsible and portable. Furthermore, these pet devices would not be able to support large animals of up to approximately 150 pounds or more. 
   Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot and bed for pets. 
   A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot that can be used for children. 
   A third objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot and bed that can be used indoors and outdoors. 
   A fourth objective of this invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot and bed having connectors for locking legs to side support struts that can handle weights of up to approximately 150 pounds or more while remaining sturdy and stable. 
   A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot and bed having sidewalls along up to three sides of the cot surface for keeping occupants from easily falling off the cot. 
   A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot and bed having a removable canopy for providing shade and a protective cover. 
   A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot and bed having a combination of a sidewall along with a canopy cover. 
   An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable lightweight platform that can be used as a step or a series of steps, in a modular configuration, to enable a pet or child to reach higher elevations. 
   A ninth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot and bed having a secure hutch-like compartment for enclosing an object. 
   A tenth objective of the present invention is to provide a collapsible and portable cot and bed that can be closed securely and is well ventilated. 
   A preferred embodiment of the portable and collapsible cot includes a flexible planar surface layer and leg members for both cross-bracing and supporting the planar surface layer over a ground surface, the leg members being moveable between an assembled position and a folded position, where the assembled position fully supports weighted objects being placed on the planar surface layer, and the folded position has the cot in a collapsed position allowing the cot to become portable and easy to carry. 
   The leg members can include a first set of rods pivotably attached to one another for supporting a left side end of the cot that are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cot is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position while the cot is in a folded position, and a second set of rods pivotably attached to one another for supporting a right side end of the cot opposite the left side end, that are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cot is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position while the cot is in the folded position. Additionally, a middle set of rods can be used for supporting a mid-portion of the cot located substantially midway between the left side end and the right side end, that are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cot is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position while the cot is in a folded position. 
   The leg members can further include vertical leg portions extending downward from each of the corners of the planar surface layer having an upper end that remains attached to each of the corners of the planar surface layer, and a bottom end which engages a corner footer when the cot is in the assembled position, and the bottom end disengages the corner footer when the cot is in the folded position. 
   Bendable-snapable members can be used for connecting the bottom ends of the vertical leg portions to the corner footers. The bendable-snapable members can be longitudinal clips having one end fixably attached to a portion of each of the vertical leg portions above the bottom end of the vertical leg portions, the clip having an opposite end with a protruding pin for mateably engaging an opening in the corner footer for locking the cot in the assembled position, the pin end of the clip being bendable away from the corner footer for allowing the cot to be folded. 
   The cot can further include a front pair of rods pivotably attached to one another for supporting a front side of the cot that are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cot is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position when the cot is in a folded position, and a rear pair of rods pivotably attached to one another for supporting a rear side of the cot opposite the front side, that are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cot is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position when the cot is in the folded position. Each of the front and rear rods can include two sets of pairs of the pivotable rods adjacent to one another that are moveable between substantially crossed positions while the cot is in the assembled position to the substantially parallel positions when the cot is in the folded position. 
   The flexible platform on the cot can include first straps along perimeter edges attached underneath the surface layer for enhancing strength of the surface layer to support the weighted object thereon, and second straps in a crossed pattern attached underneath the surface layer between the first straps attached to the perimeter edges. 
   A first embodiment of the cot has a removable canopy having ends that can be attached to the corner edges of the cot. The canopy can be attached by a first upside down U-shaped support attached to and extending upward from one side of the cot, and a second upside down U-shaped support attached to and extending upward from another side of the cot opposite the one side, wherein the first U-shaped support and the second U-shaped support hold the canopy in a fixed position above the cot. Approximately two hook and loop fastener straps (such as Velcro®) for each U-shaped support is used to stabilize the supports, and approximately four hook and loop fastener straps (such as Velcro@) can be used for attaching the back and/or sides of the canopy to the cot. 
   A second embodiment of the cot has a removable, hutch-like enclosure having ends that can be attached to the corner edges of the cot. The hutch-like enclosure can be attached by a first upside down U-shaped support attached to and extending upward from one side of the cot, and a second upside down U-shaped support attached to and extending upward from another side of the cot opposite the one side, wherein the first U-shaped support and the second U-shaped support are connected by a strap extending from one side of the cot to the opposite side at a point approximately midway of the top of each upside down U-shaped support. The upside down U-shaped supports and strap hold the hutch-like enclosure in a fixed position above the cot. Hook and loop fastener strips (such as Velcro@) are sewn along the edges of the sidewalls of the cot and matching hook and loop fastener strips (such as Velcro@) are sewn along the back and side bottom edges of the hutch-like enclosure so that when the hutch-like enclosure is in place above the cot, the matching strips can be used for attaching the back and/or sides of the hutch-like enclosure to the cot. 
   A third embodiment of the cot has flexible side walls attached to and extending upward from at least one perimeter edge from the surface layer, and can be used to keep objects on the surface layer from falling off the left, the right and rear side perimeter edges of the cot. 
   A fourth embodiment is a rectangular-shaped, lightweight and collapsible platform for use as a stair-step. 
   The length of the assembled cot can be up to approximately 46 inches long and a width of the assembled cot being approximately 24 inches wide, and have an overall weight of up to approximately 15 pounds. 
   A carrying bag having dimensions of up to approximately 30 inches by approximately 8 inches by approximately 8 inches for carrying a folded up version of the cot inside the bag so that a child can carry the cot from place to place. 
   The novel cot, bed or platform step can be used for pets and small children up to approximately 150 pounds in size, and can be used indoors and outdoors as needed. 
   Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the novel portable collapsible cot fully assembled with canopy cover. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the cot of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the cot of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a left side view of the cot of  FIG. 1  along arrow  4 X. 
       FIG. 5  is a right side view of the cot of  FIG. 1  along arrow  5 X. 
       FIG. 6A  is a top view of the flexible platform of  FIG. 2  along arrow  6 AY. 
       FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of the flexible platform of  FIG. 2  along arrow  6 BY. 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the assembled cot of  FIG. 2  along arrow  7 Y. 
       FIG. 8A  is an enlarged view of the left front vertical corner leg of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 8B  is a front view of the left front corner leg of  FIG. 8A  along arrow  8 BX. 
       FIG. 9A  is an enlarged top view of one of an outer corner fitting footer used with the vertical corner legs of the cot. 
       FIG. 9B  is a bottom view of the corner fitting footer of  FIG. 9A . 
       FIG. 9C  is a side view of the corner fitting footer of  FIG. 9A  along arrow  9 CX. 
       FIG. 9D  is a side view of the corner fitting footer of  FIG. 9A  along arrow  9 DX. 
       FIG. 9E  is a side view of the corner fitting footer of  FIG. 9A  along arrow  9 EX. 
       FIG. 9F  is a side view of the corner fitting footer of  FIG. 9A  along arrow  9 FX. 
       FIG. 10A  is an enlarged top view of one of the mid-point fittings used with the mid-vertical legs of the cot. 
       FIG. 10B  is a bottom view of the fitting of  FIG. 10A . 
       FIG. 10C  is a side view of the fitting of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 CX. 
       FIG. 10D  is a side view of the fitting of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 DX. 
       FIG. 10E  is a side view of the fitting of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 EX. 
       FIG. 10F  is a side view of the fitting of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 FX. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the assembled cot of  FIG. 1  with the canopy removed. 
       FIG. 12  is another view of the cot of  FIG. 11  with the canopy support rods removed, the third embodiment of the present invention 
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of the cot of  FIG. 12  in the process of being folded. 
       FIG. 13B  is another view of  FIG. 13A  showing the cot being further folded together. 
       FIG. 13C  is a left side view of  FIG. 13B  along arrow  13 CX. 
       FIG. 14  shows a bag holder that contains the folded cot of the preceding figures. 
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a child user carrying the filled bag holder of  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the novel portable, collapsible cot fully assembled with hutch-like mesh enclosure secured with straps. 
       FIG. 17  is a right front view of the cot in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 18  is a left rear view of the cot in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 19  is a left front view of the cot in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 20  is a front view of the cot in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 21  is a rear view of the cot in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 22  is a right rear view of the cot in  FIG. 16 . 
       FIG. 23  is a perspective view of the cot in  FIG. 16  with the front covering mesh rolled up and strapped in an open position. 
       FIG. 24  is an enlarged view of the straps and zipper for closing the mesh corners of the hutch-like enclosure. 
       FIG. 25  is an enlarged view of the right front straps and zipper for closing the hutch-like enclosure. 
       FIG. 26  is an enlarged view of the left front straps and zipper for closing the hutch-like enclosure. 
       FIG. 27  is an exploded view of the first and second upside down U-shaped rods attached by a strap extending from opposite sides of the cot to support the hutch-like enclosure of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 28  is a left front view of the cot of  FIG. 16  with a strap extending from one side of the cot to the opposite side and connecting the upside down U-shaped support rods attached to the cot. 
       FIG. 29  is a left front view of  FIG. 28 . 
       FIG. 30  is a right front view of  FIG. 28 . 
       FIG. 31  is a left rear view of  FIG. 28 . 
       FIG. 32  is a rear view of  FIG. 28 . 
       FIG. 33  is a right rear view of  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 34  is the left front view of the third embodiment of the present invention, the assembled cot of  FIG. 16  with the hutch-like enclosure and upper support frame removed. 
       FIG. 35  is a left front view of the cot in  FIG. 34 . 
       FIG. 36  is a right front view of the cot in  FIG. 34 . 
       FIG. 37  is a left rear view of the cot in  FIG. 34 . 
       FIG. 38  is a rear view of the cot in  FIG. 34 . 
       FIG. 39  is a right rear view of the cot in  FIG. 34 . 
       FIG. 40  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the novel portable, collapsible, lightweight cot/platform used as a stair step. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
   With regard to the terminology related to fasteners used in the present invention, it is to be understood that any conventional fasteners can be used, such as zippers, hooks, snaps, ties, adhesive strips and the like. One type of fastener referred to frequently herein is the hook and loop fastener marketed commercially as Velcro®, a nylon fabric that can be fastened to itself. It is readily available and convenient to use; however, it is not to be considered a limitation of the present invention. 
   Four distinct embodiments of the novel portable, collapsible cot or bed of the present invention are discussed in detail below. The first embodiment of the present invention has a removable canopy attached to the corner edges of the cot. The second embodiment of the present invention has a removable hutch-like enclosure and can be used as a well-ventilated compartment, pen or coop. The third embodiment has flexible sidewalls attached to and extending upward from at least one perimeter edge of the surface layer. The fourth embodiment of the present invention has a platform surface that is used as a stair step. 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the novel portable collapsible cot  1  fully assembled with canopy cover  10 .  FIG. 2  is a front view of the cot  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a rear view of the cot  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a left side view of the cot  1  of  FIG. 1  along arrow  4 X.  FIG. 5  is a right side view of the cot  1  of  FIG. 1  along arrow  5 X. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–5 , cot  1  can include a canopy cover  10  formed from material such as but not limited to canvas, nylon, fabric, combinations thereof, and the like, having front upper hanging lip portion  12 , upper roof portion  14 , left side  17  and right side  19 , and rear wall portion  16  that can be attached by upside down U-shaped rods  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28  that slide into the upper ends of vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  of the leg member section  100  (the latter of which is shown in  FIGS. 11–12 . Canopy  10  can be waterproof for protecting against weather elements such as rain, and the like, so that the cot can be placed outdoors. Canopy  10  can further function as a shade against the effects of the sun, and the like. 
   Cot  1  has a flexible planar surface  30  that can be formed from similar materials such as but not limited to canvas, nylon, fabric, combinations thereof, shown and described in more detail in reference to  FIGS. 8A–8B . 
   Cot  1  can further include sidewalls  60 , also used as a third embodiment of the invention, that can be formed from similar materials such as but not limited to canvas, nylon, fabric, combinations thereof. The preferred embodiment can include a right side wall  62 , a rear side wall  64  and a left side wall  66 , each having end edges that define channel openings for sliding over upper ends of the vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140 . The side walls  60  can be formed by sewing double layers of material together and allowing an opening along the end edges to form the channel openings for attaching to the vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 , and  140 . The left side wall  66 , the right side wall  62 , and the rear side wall  64  can keep objects such as but not limited to pets and small children that are on the surface layer  30  from falling off the left, the right and rear side perimeter edges of the cot  1 . 
   The bottom of the cot  1  is supported by leg members  100  that include pivotably connected rods and vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  with corner and mid-section fittings and footers that can fold up like an accordion when not being used and extend outward to provide substantial support for objects placed on the cot  1 . 
   In a fully assembled state as shown by  FIGS. 1–5 , the cot  1  has been tested to be able to support up to approximately 150 pounds with ease. The fully assembled cot  1  has dimensions of the planar support surface  30  being approximately 24 inches wide by approximately 46 inches long and can be supported approximately 10 inches above a ground surface, with the canopy cover being approximately 36 inches high above a ground surface. The total weight of the cot  1  with canopy  10  is approximately 15 pounds. 
   Additionally, approximately two hook and loop fastener straps (such as Velcro®) S 1  and S 2  can be used for each U-shaped support  22 – 24 ,  26 – 28  in order to stabilize the supports, and approximately four hook and loop fastener straps (such as Velcro®) S 3 , S 4 , S 5 , and S 6  can be used for attaching the back and/or sides of the canopy  10  to the cot  1  can be used. 
     FIG. 6A  is a top view of the flexible platform  30  of  FIG. 2  along arrow  6 AY.  FIG. 6B  is a bottom view of the flexible platform  30  of  FIG. 2  along arrow  6 BY. Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  6 A and  6 B, flexible platform can be formed from similar materials as the canopy  10 , such as but not limited to canvas, nylon, fabric, or combinations thereof. Upper surface of platform layer  30  can include extra materials  31 ,  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36  of square shaped materials such as canvas, nylon, fabric, plastic, combinations thereof, that can be sewn to outer corners and mid-portion perimeter edges with metal eyelets for allowing the platform layer  30  to be supported by vertical legs  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140 , and snapable mid-portion fastener buttons  52 ,  54 . Underneath the flexible platform  30  can be a first group of straps  41 ,  42 ,  43 , and  44  sewn along perimeter edges and across a mid-region  47  attached underneath the surface layer  30 . A second group of straps  45 ,  46 ,  48 ,  49  can be sewn in a crossed pattern underneath the surface layer  30  between the first group of perimeter straps  41 – 44 ,  47 . The straps  41 – 49  can be formed from canvas, nylon, fabric, plastic, combinations thereof, and be used for enhancing strength of the surface layer  30  in order to support weighted objects thereon. 
     FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the assembled cot of  FIG. 2  along arrow  7 Y. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2–5  and  7 , the cot  1  can include various leg members that can each be formed from approximately ⅝ inch tubular steel. Cot  1  can include a pair of left side crossed legs  150 ,  160  that can be pivotably connected together at a mid-portion by a rivet R, and a pair of right side crossed legs  170 ,  180  that can be pivotably connected together at a mid-portion by a rivet R. Each of the pairs  150 ,  160  and  170 ,  180  are moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cot  1  is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position when the cot  1  is in a folded position. 
   The cot  1  can include a front left pair of rods  210 ,  220  pivotably attached to one another by a rivet R, adjacent to a front right pair of rods  230 ,  240  pivotably attached to one another by a rivet R for supporting a front side of the cot  1 . The two pairs of front pivotable rods  210 ,  220  and  230 ,  240  can be moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cot  1  is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position when the cot  1  is in a folded position. 
   The cot  1  can include a rear left pair of rods  250 ,  260  pivotably attached to one another by a rivet R, adjacent to a rear right pair of rods  270 ,  280  pivotably attached to one another by a rivet R. The two pairs of rear pivotable rods  250 ,  260  and  270 ,  280  can be moveable between a substantially crossed position while the cot  1  is in the assembled position to a substantially parallel position when the cot  1  is in a folded position. 
     FIG. 8A  is an enlarged view of the left front vertical corner leg  120  of  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 8B  is a front view of the left front corner leg  120  of  FIG. 8A  along arrow  8 BX. 
     FIG. 9A  is an enlarged top view of one of an outer corner fitting footer  300  used as a footer with the vertical corner legs  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  of the cot  1 . The footer  300  can be formed from injection molded plastic and the like.  FIG. 9B  is a bottom view  360  of the corner fitting footer  300  of  FIG. 9A  with throughhole  365 .  FIG. 9C  is a side view  310  of the corner fitting footer  300  of  FIG. 9A  along arrow  9 CX with a mateable opening  325  for receiving the pin  84  of bendable-snapable clip  80  (shown in  FIGS. 8A–8B  and  13 C).  FIG. 9D  is a side view of the corner fitting footer  300  of  FIG. 9A  along arrow  9 DX. FIG.  9 E is a side view of the corner fitting footer  300  of  FIG. 9A  along arrow  9 EX.  FIG. 9F  is a side view of the corner fitting footer  300  of  FIG. 9A  along arrow  9 FX. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 A– 9 F and  13 C, fittings  300  can be used as footers along all four corner perimeters for the cot  1 . The fittings can also be used upside down and used as upper fittings  300 ′ fixably attached to upper portions of the vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140 , respectively. 
   As shown by  FIGS. 4 ,  8 A– 8 B,  9 A– 9 F and  13 C, a footer  300  can be pivotably attached to a rod  150  by a rivet R, while another footer  300  is pivotably attached to another rod  160  by a rivet R. At the same time, the rods  150 ,  160  are pivotably attached to one another at a midportion by a rivet R. Upper ends of rods  150 ,  160  are also pivotably attached by rivets R to upper fittings  300 ′ that are attached to vertical leg portions  140  and  120 , respectively. Each of the vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  can have an elongated clip, such as a metal plate  80  having one end attached to the respective leg portion by a fixed rivet  82 , and have a lower end which extends below the bottom end of each respective vertical leg portion (see  80 ,  84  and  120  of  FIG. 13C ). The clip  80  is made to be biased so as to tend to lay against the vertical leg portion in the direction of arrow B ( FIG. 13C ). 
   To lock the vertical leg portions in place, a user can bend the bottom of clip  80  back and lower the vertical leg portion in the direction of arrow A to pass into opening  315  of the footer  300  and then allow the pin  84  of the clip to pass into opening  325  of footer  300 , locking the vertical leg portion in place. To fold the cot  1 , the user just bends back the bottom of each of the clips  80  allowing the vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  to separate while allowing the crossed rods (see  150 ,  160   FIG. 13C ) to fold against one another in the direction of arrow F. 
   In an assembled position, the lower ends of vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140  fit into top opening  315  in the top  310  of footer  300 , and can be locked in place by the pin  84  of bendable-snapable clip  80 , which mateably fits into opening  325  in side  320  of footer  300 . 
     FIG. 10A  is an enlarged top view  310  of one of the mid-point fittings  400  which can be formed from injection molded plastic and can be used with the mid-vertical legs  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  190 ,  290  and  250 ,  260 ,  270 ,  280 ,  290 ,  190  of the cot  1 .  FIG. 10B  is a bottom view  360  of the fitting  400  of  FIG. 10A  with an optional through-hole  315  (also shown in  FIG. 10A ) which can be used for supporting an optional extra vertical leg portion.  FIG. 10C  is a side view  320  of the fitting  400  of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 CX.  FIG. 10D  is a side view  330  of the fitting  400  of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 DX.  FIG. 10E  is a side view  340  of the fitting  400  of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 EX.  FIG. 10F  is a side view  350  of the fitting  400  of  FIG. 10A  along arrow  10 FX. 
   The fitting  400  will now be described referencing the front lower middle fitting  400 FM shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  7 . As previously described, the cot  1  can have a centrally located cross-brace of rods  190 ,  290  pivotably attached to one another by a rivet R. Front ends of middle cross-brace rods  190 ,  290  can each be pivotably attached to fitting  400  by rivets R (see for example 290, R  FIGS. 10C ,  10 E). A bottom end of front left cross-brace rod  260  can be pivotably attached to fitting  400  by a rivet R (see  FIGS. 10D ,  10 F), and a front right cross-brace rod  270  can be pivotably attached to fitting  400  by a rivet R (see  FIGS. 10D ,  10 F). The fitting  400  can be used upside down for connecting to snapable mid-portion fastener buttons  52 ,  54  which together sandwich and fixably hold the platform  30  in place. 
   In a fully assembled state as shown by the preceding figures, the cot  1  has been tested to be able to support up to approximately 150 pounds with ease. The fully assembled cot  1  has dimensions of the planar support surface  30  being approximately 24 inches wide by approximately 46 inches long and can be supported approximately 10 inches above a ground surface, with the canopy cover being approximately 36 inches high above a ground surface. The total weight of the cot  1  with canopy  10  is approximately 15 pounds. 
     FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the assembled cot  1  of  FIG. 1  with the canopy  10  shown in  FIG. 1  removed  FIG. 12  is another view of the cot  1  of  FIG. 11  with the canopy support rods  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  28  removed.  FIG. 12  is also a view of the third and fourth embodiment of the present invention, a cot with sidewalls on the left, right and rear sides. The support rods can be sections of ⅝-inch pipe that can be assembled to resemble upside down U-shapes having ends that can be telescopingly received within the upper ends of the vertical leg portions  110 ,  120 ,  130 ,  140 , respectively. The vertical leg portion  130  is not shown in  FIG. 12 , however, it is identified in  FIGS. 3 and 5  as the right rear vertical leg. For disassembly, the canopy support rods can be removed. 
     FIG. 13A  is a perspective view  1 ′ of the front of the cot  1  of  FIG. 12  in the process of being folded in the direction of arrow CF.  FIG. 13B  is another front view of  FIG. 13A  showing the cot  1 ″ being further folded together.  FIG. 13C  is a left side view of  FIG. 13B  along arrow  13 CX. As can be seen from  FIGS. 13A–13C , the left and right sides, and the front and backsides can fold up in an accordion type position very easily. 
     FIG. 14  shows a bag holder  450  that can be formed from canvas, nylon, and the like, with shoulder strap/handle  460  that contains the folded cot  1 ″ of the preceding figures with or without the canopy  10  and disassembled canopy support rods  20  (shown in  FIG. 11 ). The bag allows the folded cot  1 ′ to be in held within a bag having dimensions of approximately 8 inches wide by approximately 8 inches high by approximately 30 inches long. The bag  450  and the folded cot  1  has a weight of still approximately 15 pounds.  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a child user  495  carrying the filled bag holder  450  of  FIG. 14 . 
   All embodiments of the invention can be included in a carrying bag that can be easily carried by small children. A nine year old can assemble the invention in approximately two minutes, and many four year olds can easily carry the invention. The collapsed version of the novel bed/cot and stair step can be placed in a bag with dimensions of approximately 30 inches by approximately 8 inches by approximately 8 inches and can weigh approximately 15 pounds. 
   While the first embodiment of the invention with canopy has been shown, the invention can use other types and shapes and features that can include but are not limited to closing the fronts and all the sides with see-through or screened material to contain a child or pet inside, as described in the second embodiment below. 
     FIG. 16  shows a novel portable, collapsible, lightweight cot fully assembled with a hutch-like enclosure  500  constructed of flexible, lightweight materials, such as, but not limited to canvas, nylon, natural and synthetic fabric with a close weave to form one or more sides of the enclosure. The closely woven fabric is of a lighter weight or finer denier than the rayon or nylon fabric used for the cot and sidewalls. A material with an open weave, such as, nylon mesh, fish net and the like may be used to form the sides of the enclosure not made of a closely woven material. The open weave material can be used to provide ventilation for the occupant of the hutch-like compartment. Although the second embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 16–26  shows the use of mesh material on three sides: left side  520 , front side  530 , and right side  540 , it is not a limitation of the present invention, but a matter of individual preference as to how many sides are made of the mesh material. 
   The hutch-like enclosure  500  is formed by sewing four pieces of flexible, lightweight material to form an upside down U-shaped hollow compartment having a total of five sides, that fits over the flexible platform  30  being approximately 24 inches wide by approximately 46 inches long and can be supported approximately 10 inches above a ground surface, with the hutch-like compartment  500  being approximately 36 inches high above a ground surface. The flexible, lightweight material forming the hutch-like compartment is supported by a frame, which is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 27–33 . The overall dimensions of the hutch-like compartment are approximately 45 inches long, by approximately 27 inches high and approximately twenty-four inches wide. The total weight of the cot  1  with hutch-like compartment  500  is approximately 15 pounds. 
   Hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro® strips (not shown) are sewn along the edges of the sidewalls  60  and matching hook and loop fasteners, such as, Velcro® strips (not shown) are sewn along the back and/or side bottom edges of the hutch-like enclosure so that when the hutch-like enclosure is in place, the hutch-like compartment  500  aligns smoothly and securely to the sidewalls  60  when the fastener strips on the sidewalls  60  are mated with the fastener strips on the hutch-like compartment  500 . 
   To facilitate access to the interior of the hutch-like compartment, a series of three hook and loop fastener straps, such as Velcro®,  503  are sewn into the seam between the closely woven fabric  510  and the open weave mesh  530  and can be used to hold the front mesh  530  in an open position, as desired and shown in  FIG. 23 . 
   The leg member section  100 , flexible platform  30  and sidewalls  60  are constructed in a manner similar to that described in the first embodiment with canopy. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 17 , two hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, s 7  s 8  can be attached to the front right end section of the mesh  530  to close the front right edge of the mesh to the sidewall  62 . Similarly, in  FIG. 18 , two hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro® s 9  s 10  can be sewn to the left front edge of the mesh  530  and used to close the left front edge of mesh  530  to the sidewall  66 . 
     FIGS. 17 and 18  also show the four pieces of material used to form the hutch-like enclosure. One piece  510  forms the back and top sections of the enclosure, and three pieces of mesh, include one piece of mesh  520  to cover the right side, another piece of mesh  530  to cover the front and a third piece of mesh  540  to cover the left side. The one piece  510  that forms the back and top sections is preferably a closely woven fabric with waterproof qualities and of a lighter weight than the nylon or rayon material used for the cot. Velcro® strips (not shown) are sewn along the top edges of the sidewalls  60  and matching Velcro strips (not shown) are sewn along the back and/or side bottom edges of the hutch-like enclosure so that when the enclosure is in place, the hutch-like compartment  500  aligns smoothly and securely with the sidewalls  62 ,  64 , and  66 . 
     FIG. 19  is a left front view of  FIG. 16  without an occupant. Hook and loop fasteners s 9 , s 10  are sewn to the left edge of front mesh  530  and used to securely close the left front mesh to sidewall  66 . In  FIG. 20  the front view of the cot with the hutch-like compartment shows the placement of the front seam connecting the closely woven fabric  510  to the openly woven mesh  530 . The seam is positioned below the top edge of the upside down U-shaped support rods to create a shade or barrier to the elements, such as sun, wind or rain, it also creates less stress on the seam into which a series of hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®  503  are sewn. For example, if the front cover has an overall length of approximately 30 inches, five inches from the top of the compartment, the material is of a the closely woven material  510 . Thus, the material on the front of the compartment would preferably have from approximately 15% to approximately 20% of a solid or closely woven material at the top of the front cover and approximately 80% to approximately 85% of mesh material at the bottom of the front cover. 
     FIG. 21  is a rear view of the closely woven material  510  on the rear side of the hutch-like compartment. In  FIG. 22 , the flexible, closely woven material  510  is used on the top and back side and the right side  520  is made of an open weave mesh material. The front cover  530  (not shown) is fastened at the front right edge by two hook and loop fasteners, s 7 , s 8 . 
   In  FIG. 23 , the front mesh cover  530  is rolled up and strapped into an open position by a series of three hook and loop fasteners  503 . It is to be understood that the number of fasteners in the series can be more or less than three. It is not a limitation of the invention and any reasonable number of fasteners can be chosen for the series. 
     FIG. 24  shows an alternate arrangement for closing the corners of the front mesh cover  530 . A triangular-shaped piece of a closely woven fabric, such as canvas, nylon, synthetic or natural fabric or combinations thereof, is sewn onto the left corner  504  of the front mesh  530 . The corner fabric  504  reinforces the left corner and provides a stronger seam for attaching hook and loop fasteners s 9 , s 10 .  FIG. 24  also shows the use of a zipper  506  in the left vertical seam to securely close the left front edge of the hutch-like compartment. The arrangement in  FIG. 24  is shown for the left front corner, and can also be used for the right front corner whenever there is a need for reinforcement and added security for each closure. 
     FIG. 25  shows a zipper  507  and two hook and loop fasteners s 7 , s 8  fastened to right sidewall  62 . Similarly,  FIG. 26  shows zipper  509  and two hook and loop fasteners s 9 , s 10  fastened to the left sidewall  66 . The zipper and fastener arrangement in  FIGS. 25 and 26  are without the additional reinforcement of front corners shown in  FIG. 24 , and can be used to provide a more secure environment for an occupant of the hutch-like compartment. 
     FIG. 27  is an exploded view of the upper tubing frame that supports the hutch-like compartment over the cot in  FIG. 16 . One upside down U-shaped frame is formed when side tubes  22  and  24  are connected to a cross bar or tube  23 . Another upside down U-shaped frame is formed when side tubes  26  and  28  are connected to a cross bar or tube  27 . The tubes can be made of metal, plastic or any sturdy, lightweight material that forms a hollow tube, approximately ⅝-inch in diameter, and can be shaped to allow the vertical tubes  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  to fit snugly into cross bars and tubes  23  and  27  respectively. A strap  600  having loops on each end to slide over each cross bar  23  and  27  is used to connect and stabilize the cross bars  23  and  27 . The strap  600  is preferably aligned to approximately the middle of each cross bar when it is at the top of the upside down U-shaped supports. In this position, the strap  600  also supports the top mid-section of the flexible hutch-like compartment. The strap  600  can be made of cloth, canvas, nylon rope, woven fabric and the like; the dimensions are approximately 46 inches in length and approximately 1 inch in width and extends from one side of the cot to the opposite side. 
     FIG. 28  is a left front view of the upside down U-shaped support frame with strap  600  connecting the upper tubing  23  and  27 .  FIG. 29  is a front view of  FIG. 28 ;  FIG. 30  is a right front view of the upper support frame;  FIG. 31  is a left rear view of the upper support frame;  FIG. 32  is a rear view of the upper support frame and  FIG. 33  is a right rear view of the upper support frame first shown in  FIG. 28 . 
   The third embodiment of the present invention is a cot with sidewalls as shown in  FIG. 34 . A perspective view of the invention shows the leg member section  100 , flexible platform  30  and sidewalls  60  constructed in a manner similar to that described in the first embodiment with canopy. Additional features are sidewall  62  on the right side,  64  on the backside and  66  on the left side. The sidewalls are constructed of the same flexible, lightweight material as the cot and extend upwardly to provide a barrier to keep the occupant from falling to the ground or floor while sleeping.  FIG. 35  is a front view of the cot in  FIG. 34 .  FIG. 36  provides a right front view of the cot in  FIG. 34 .  FIG. 37  is a left rear view of the cot in  FIG. 34 ;  FIG. 38  is a rear view of the cot;  FIG. 39  is a right rear view of the cot. 
   The fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 40  wherein pet owner  650  places a stair step  700  in a position so that pet  720  can be assisted in climbing to the higher elevation of the truck bed  750 . 
   Although the invention has been described as primarily being used for pets such as but not limited to dogs, cats, and the like, the invention can also be used for small children, and the like. The present invention meets the market demand for convenience, portability and ease of assembly and use. 
   While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.