Abstract:
An automatic locking joint for use with a reconfigurable device to permit the device to be selectively reconfigurable between various configurations.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Patent Application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/075,365 filed Mar. 21, 2016, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present inventive concept relates to an indoor toilet system for use by a pet, and more specifically to a reconfigurable pet potty system with an automatic-locking joint to prevent unintended transformations between various configurations. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In today&#39;s society, it is a common practice for a pet owner to allow a pet, e.g., a dog and/or cat, to live indoors. This practice of housing pets indoors is generally problematic because it is undesirable for the pet to go to the bathroom indoors, e.g., on carpet or other finished surface. As such, the owner must either escort the pet outdoors each time the pet needs to go to the bathroom or install a specialized door, e.g., a “doggy door,” to allow the pet to go outside at will. 
         [0006]    In virtually all scenarios, the pet must be trained to refrain from going to the bathroom indoors. Further, if the owner is unable to install a specialized door, which is a luxury that is unavailable to many pet owners, the pet must also be trained to signal the pet owner each time the pet needs to go to the bathroom. Before the training process and during, as such typically involves repeated trials and errors, it is common for the pet to go to the bathroom indoors multiple times. Further, even after the training is complete, it is common for the pet to have accidents, e.g., if the pet owner is unavailable and cannot escort the pet outdoors when the pet needs to go to the bathroom, or the pet fails to adhere to the training. 
         [0007]    Conventional indoor pet potty devices suffer from a variety of shortcomings. For instance, conventional devices utilize designs that make it difficult to transport, and difficult to clean and maintain. Additionally, some conventional devices utilize designs that make it difficult for a pet to properly use, e.g., the pet may have its front paws on and its rear paws off of the device, which may result in the pet going to the bathroom on a finished surface of an interior of a house. 
         [0008]    Thus, there is a need for pet potty system that does not suffer from the shortcomings of conventional devices, e.g., is easy to transport, and easy to clean and maintain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present inventive concept remedies the aforementioned problems associated with indoor pets and conventional pet potties. The present inventive concept provides a reconfigurable pet potty system that is selectively configurable between use and storage configurations. In the use configuration, the system is operable to be used as a toilet by a pet. In the storage configuration, the system is collapsed, with its footprint minimized, thereby facilitating transport and/or storage of the system. The system includes a plurality of different types of joints including a pivot joint that is operable to automatically lock the system in either of the configurations to prevent unintentional transformations of the system between the different configurations. 
         [0010]    The aforementioned may be achieved in one aspect of the present inventive concept by providing a reconfigurable pet potty system. The system may include a plurality of frames that may be secured together via a plurality of joints. Each of the frames may be defined by a plurality of elongated frame members. Each of the frames may be selectively pivotable with respect to another one or more of the frames. Each of the frame members may define an interior void. The voids may include a sheet removably secured therein. The plurality of frames may include a base frame secured between opposing wall frames. The plurality of frames may be selectively reconfigurable between a use configuration and a storage configuration. 
         [0011]    In the use configuration, the wall frames may extend substantially perpendicular to the base frame. In the storage configuration, the wall frames may extend substantially parallel to the base frame. The plurality of joints may include pivot joints and/or fixed joints. The pivot joints may be operable to allow the wall frames to pivot relative to the base frame. The fixed joints may secure frame members connected thereto in a fixed position relative to each other. 
         [0012]    Each of the pivot joints may include a locking mechanism operable to only allow pivoting of the wall frames relative to the base frame while the mechanism is actuated. The locking mechanism may be operable to be actuated by simultaneously (i) depressing a resilient button of the locking mechanism, and/or (ii) pivoting a corresponding one of the wall frames. 
         [0013]    The locking mechanism may include a hub that protrudes from a disk having a plurality of apertures extending at least partially therethrough. The apertures may be spaced around a circumference of the disk to define locking points. The locking points may define a pivot range of the wall frames relative to the base frame. The resilient button may include a plurality of posts operable to be removably and at least partially received within the plurality of apertures to cause the wall frames to be secured relative to the base frame. The pivot range between the locking points may be ninety degrees. The two frame members of the base frame may each include a center joint to allow the two frame members to pivot relative to each other. 
         [0014]    The aforementioned may be achieved in one aspect of the present inventive concept by providing a method of manufacturing a reconfigurable pet potty system. The method may include the step of securing a plurality of frames together via joints. Each of the frames may be defined by a plurality of elongated frame members. Each of the frames may be selectively pivotable with respect to another one or more of the frames. Each of the frame members may define an interior void. The voids may include a sheet removably secured therein. 
         [0015]    The aforementioned may be achieved in one aspect of the present inventive concept by providing a joint. The joint may include a female receiver having (i) a set of through holes extending entirely through the female receiver, and/or (ii) a first set of non-through holes extending partially through the female receiver, adjacent ones of the set of through holes and the first set of non-through holes are adjoined. The joint may further include a male receiver having a second set of non-through holes extending partially through the male receiver, a biasing assembly operable to be at least partially housed in the male receiver and the female receiver, and/or a locking mechanism operable to drive the biasing assembly out of the female receiver. The female receiver may be operable to pivot relative to the male receiver upon actuation of the locking mechanism via application of a force on the locking mechanism. Individual holes of each of (i) the set of through holes, (ii) the first set of non-through holes, and (iii) the second set of non-through holes may be equally sized and/or shaped. Each of the individual holes at least partially may define all or at least part of a circumferential sidewall and/or an end surface. Adjacent ones of the individual holes may have adjoining circumferential sidewalls. The biasing assembly may include a spring at least partially or entirely housed in a sleeve. The spring may be operable to bias the sleeve away from the male receiver and/or into the female receiver. The locking mechanism may include one or more posts of equal size and/or shape. The post may be operable to abut the sleeve and drive the sleeve out of the female receiver and into the male receiver upon actuation of the locking mechanism via the force. The female receiver may only be operable to pivot relative to the male receiver (i) upon actuation of the locking mechanism via the force, and/or (ii) when the biasing assembly has been entirely removed from the female receiver. The biasing assembly may be biased toward the female receiver such that, when the force is removed from the locking mechanism, the biasing assembly may be biased toward and partially received by the female receiver. The locking mechanism may be slidably secured to the female receiver via a fastener. The female receiver and/or the male receiver may be independent operable to connect different portions of a device and permit reconfiguration of the device. 
         [0016]    The aforementioned may be achieved in one aspect of the present inventive concept by providing a method of manufacturing a joint. The method may include the step of providing a female receiver having (i) a set of through holes extending entirely through the female receiver, and/or (ii) a first set of non-through holes extending partially through the female receiver, adjacent ones of the set of through holes and the first set of non-through holes are adjoined. The method may further include the step of installing a biasing assembly at least partially within a male receiver. The biasing assembly may be operable to be at least partially housed in the male receiver and the female receiver. The method may further include the step of securing the male receiver to the female receiver via a locking mechanism. The male receiver may have a second set of non-through holes extending partially through the male receiver. The locking mechanism may be operable to drive the biasing assembly out of the female receiver. The female receiver may be operable to pivot relative to the male receiver upon actuation of the locking mechanism via application of a force on the locking mechanism. 
         [0017]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present inventive concept will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present inventive concept, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the present inventive concept and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the present inventive concept. In the figures: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front, left side perspective view of a reconfigurable pet potty system in a use configuration in accordance with the present inventive concept; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front, left side perspective view of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1  in a storage configuration; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a front, left side perspective view of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1  in a storage configuration; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a front, left side perspective view of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1  partially reconfigured and between a use configuration and a storage configuration; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a front, left side perspective view of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1  partially reconfigured and between a use configuration and a storage configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a front, left side perspective view of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1  in a use configuration; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1  in a use configuration; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an elevated left side view of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1  in a use configuration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is an elevated front view of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1  in a use configuration; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a pivot joint of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of a pivot joint of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of an intermediary pivot joint of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a pivot joint of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a pivot joint of the reconfigurable pet potty system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
       [0033]    The figures do not limit the present inventive concept to the specific examples disclosed and described herein, and are not necessarily to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0034]    The following detailed description references the accompanying figures that illustrate the present inventive concept. The illustrations and description are intended to describe aspects of the present inventive concept in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the present inventive concept. Other components can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present inventive concept. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present inventive concept is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0035]    In this description, references to an “embodiment” or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the present inventive concept. Separate references to an “embodiment” or “embodiments” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the present inventive concept can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a preferred embodiment of a reconfigurable pet potty system  100  is illustrated. In the presently preferred embodiment, the pet potty system  100  includes a housing  102  having a plurality of frames, i.e., a first frame or base frame  104 , which is secured between opposing second and third frames or wall frames  106 ,  108 . In the preferred embodiment, each of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  is rectangular and made of plastic, but it is foreseen that any one or more of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  may be made in any shape, e.g., circular, square, oval, or the like, and made of any material, e.g., metal, glass, wood, and/or a combination of plastic, metal, glass, and/or wood, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0037]    Each of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  is secured together via a plurality of pivot joints  112  to allow each of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  to independently pivot with respect to one of the other frames  104 ,  106 ,  108 . Specifically, each of the frames  106 ,  108  is directly independently pivotable with respect to the frame  104  via the joints  112 , and indirectly independently pivotable with respect to each other, i.e., frames  106 ,  108 ) through the frame  104  via the joints  112 , which are further discussed hereafter. It is foreseen that each of the wall frames  106 ,  108  may be secured to the base frame  104  in a fixed position, e.g., at a ninety degree angle, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. It is also foreseen that one or both of the wall frames  106 ,  108  may be completely removed from the base frame  104 , with the base frame  104  operable for use without one or both of the wall frames  106 ,  108 , without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0038]    Turning to  FIGS. 3-9 , each of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  has a structure defined by a plurality of elongated, tubular frame members  116 . Each of the frame members  116  is secured together by at least one of the pivot joints  112 , a fixed joint  120 , and/or an intermediary pivot joint  122 . The fixed joint  120  is an elbow or “L” shaped joint. 
         [0039]    The frame members  116  of each of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  define an interior void  126 . Each of the interior voids  126  is operable to removably receive a portion of a sheet  130 . In the exemplary embodiment, the sheet  130  has an upper layer made of a single unified piece of rectangular fibrous material, e.g., cloth. It is foreseen, however, that the sheet  130  may include a plurality of separate pieces of material, e.g., a separate sheet for each of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108 , may be made of same or different materials, e.g., one or more types of plastics, and/or may be made in any shape, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. The sheet  130  is sized and shaped to slidably receive each of the frame members  116  along each side of the sheet  130  during assembly of the system  100 . The sheet  130  conforms to a shape defined by each of the frame members  116  of each of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108 , upon assembly of the frame members  116 , as illustrated by  FIGS. 1 and 2 . When the frame members  116  are fully assembled, the frame members  116  maintain the sheet  130  in a stretched or taut configuration so that the sheet  130  substantially fills an entirety of each of the interior voids  126 . In the exemplary embodiment, the sheet  130  includes cutout portions  132  to facilitate installation and removal of the sheet  130 , e.g., for cleaning or replacement of the sheet  130 , and to accommodate reconfigurations of the system  100 , which is further discussed hereafter. 
         [0040]    A center portion of the sheet  130  includes an absorbent pad  136 , which is made of a material that is impenetrable by liquid to prevent liquid from penetrating through the absorbent pad  136  and onto a surface beneath the absorbent pad  136 . When the sheet  130  is installed on the system  100 , the frame members  116  cause the absorbent pad  136  to be oriented substantially within the interior void  126  defined by the base frame  104 . In the exemplary embodiment, the absorbent pad  136  includes an upper layer made of a piece of rectangular fibrous material, e.g., cloth, and a lower layer made of a piece of rectangular material that is impenetrable by liquid, e.g., plastic. It is foreseen, however, that the absorbent pad  136  may be made of other materials or combinations thereof, and/or made of any shape, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0041]    Turning to  FIGS. 10, 11, 13, and 14 , each of the joint  112  and alternate joint  112 ′ includes a male receiver  140 , a female receiver  142  or female receiver  142 ′, and a locking mechanism  144  that are slidably connected via a fastener, i.e., a nut  145  and a bolt  146 . Each of the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ include one or more receiver portions  148  that is operable to securely receive an end of one of the frame members  116 . In the preferred embodiment, each of the receiver portions  148  are sized and shaped to engage the end of one of the frame members  116  via a friction-fit engagement without any adhesive, thereby allowing disassembly of the system  100 , e.g., for installation and/or removal of the sheet  130 . It is foreseen, however, that the frame members  116  may be permanently secured within the receiver portions  148  via an adhesive, thereby forming an adhesive bond therebetween and preventing complete disassembly of the system  100 , without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. As illustrated by  FIG. 11 , the female receiver  142 ′ of the joint  112 ′ has a single one of the one or more receiver portions  148  and, therefore, is operable to only accommodate a single one of the frame members  116 . 
         [0042]    Each of the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ includes a plurality of apertures  150  circumferentially arranged in identical patterns about a disk  151  of each of the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′. The apertures  150  define a circumferential perimeter on each of the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′. Each of the apertures  150  extends at least partially through its respective one of the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′. The present inventive concept includes at least four apertures, preferably at least six apertures, and most preferably eight apertures  150 , with each of the apertures  150  extending entirely through the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′ and only partially through the male receiver  140 . It is foreseen, however, that there may be fewer or more of the apertures  150  and/or one or more of the apertures  150  may extend entirely through each of the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. A plurality of intermediate apertures  153  are positioned in between each of the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 . Each of the intermediate apertures  153  define an outermost circumferential perimeter that adjoins to and/or overlaps with an outermost circumferential perimeter of adjacent ones of the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 . The intermediate apertures  153  and the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142  have a same circumference and/or circumferential perimeter relative to each other. The intermediate apertures  153  do not extend all of the way through the female receiver  142 . Each of the intermediate apertures  153  terminate at an abutment surface positioned within the female receiver  142  such that each of the intermediate apertures  153  has a same depth relative to each other. 
         [0043]    The male receiver  140  includes a hub  152 , which protrudes from a surface of the disk  151  at a center of the perimeter defined by the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140 . The hub  152  is sized and shaped to be at least partially received within an orifice  154  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′, such that the hub  152  is operable to nest within the orifice  154  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′. The hub  152  and the orifice  154  form a rotatable connection therebetween. In this manner, the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′ is operable to rotate or pivot about the male receiver  140  via the rotatable connection formed by the hub  152  and the orifice  154 . When the system  100  is fully assembled, pivoting of the joints  112 ,  112 ′ causes the frames  106 ,  108  to pivot relative to the frame  104 . 
         [0044]    When the receivers  140  and  142  or  140  and  142 ′ are pivoted with respect to each other, each of the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140  becomes aligned with either (1) one of the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′, or (2) one of the intermediate apertures  153  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′. The receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ define a maximum range of pivot in either direction of the joints  112 ,  112 ′, with the receiver  142  defining a smaller range of pivot relative to the receiver  142 ′, which defines a larger range of pivot. In the preferred embodiment, each of the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140  are operable to align with (1) a plurality of different apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′, or (2) a plurality of different intermediate apertures  153  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′, at a plurality of different points along the pivot range when the receiver  140  is pivoted with respect to the receiver  142  or the receiver  142 ′, as is further discussed hereafter. 
         [0045]    The locking mechanism  144  includes a button  160  with a plurality of posts  162 , i.e., at least four posts, preferably at least six posts, and most preferably eight posts, protruding from a rear surface thereof. Each of the plurality of posts  162  are sized and shaped to extend into and be slidably received by one of the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′. In the preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of posts  162  is operable to extend through and completely or at least substantially fill each of the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′ and partially fill each of the intermediate apertures  153  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′, so that a planar end surface of each of the plurality of posts  162  aligns with a planar outermost surface of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′, thereby forming a common flat, planar surface extending between the planar end surface of the plurality of posts  162  and the outermost surface of the receiver  142 ,  142 ′. The partial filling of the intermediate apertures  153  by the plurality of posts  162  results in a decreased area and an altered shape of each internal void defined by each of the intermediate apertures  153 . It is foreseen that each of the plurality of posts  162  may be designed to extend partially through one or more of the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′ and partially and/or entirely through one or more of the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140 , and/or be initially received by the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′ and subsequently received by the male receiver  140 , without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0046]    The button  160  includes a positioning element  164  that is concealed by a cap  168 , when the locking mechanism  144  is fully assembled. The positioning element  164  has a collar extension on a tip thereof such that, when the positioning element  164  is secured within an orifice  166  of the button  160 , the collar extension extends through the orifice and abuts the hub  152 , thereby causing the positioning element  164  to facilitate positioning of the button  160  with respect to the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′, and alignment of the posts  162  with the apertures  150  of the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′. It is foreseen that the positioning element  164  may or may not include a lip and/or may have an increased or decreased thickness without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0047]    A biasing assembly, i.e., a spring  165  partially received within and at least partially supported by a sleeve  167 , is slidably secured between the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′, with either end of the biasing assembly at least partially installed within the (1) aperture  150  of the receiver  140 ; and (2) either the apertures  150  of the receiver  142 ,  142 ′ or the intermediate apertures  153  of the receiver  142 ,  142 ′. In this manner, the spring  165  abuts an internal end wall of a corresponding one of the apertures  150  of the receiver  140 , and the sleeve  167  is slidably received along internal sidewalls of the apertures  150  of the receiver  140 , along internal sidewalls of the apertures  150  and/or the intermediate apertures  153  of the receiver  142 ,  142 ′ such that an end of each of the sleeves  167  is operable to abut either an end wall of the apertures  150  or the intermediate apertures  153  of the receiver  142 ,  142 ′. Thus, the biasing assembly is trapped between the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′, and is operable to maintain the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ in a fixed position relative to each other or locked, when no force is applied to the button  160 , i.e., the button is not actuated. The biasing assembly operates in coordination with the button  160  and the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ such that, when the cap  168  is secured within the orifice  166  of the button  160 , the cap  168  provides a planar top surface  170  to facilitate actuation of the button  160  in coordination with the biasing assembly. When the button  160  is actuated, i.e., by applying a force to the button  160  or depressing the button  160 , the biasing function via the spring  165  of the biasing assembly is overcome, which causes the posts  162  to laterally slide or move along the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′ and push the biasing assembly completely out of the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′ and substantially into the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140 , with the posts  162  completely or at least substantially filling each of apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′, thereby providing a planar surface, in combination with an outermost surface of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′. Via the planar surface, the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ are operable to pivot with respect to each other until the button  160  is no longer actuated, e.g., the button  160  is released. Additionally, an area defined by each of the intermediate apertures  153  is partially filled by the plurality of posts  162 , thereby converting a shape of each of the intermediate apertures  153  to a shape that is unable to receive any portion of the biasing assembly, e.g., the sleeve  167  and/or the spring  165 . In this manner, an end of the biasing assembly is operable to slide along the planar surface with being received by any of the apertures  150  of the receiver  142 ,  142 ′ or any of the intermediate apertures  153  of the receiver  142 ,  142 ′ only while the button  160  is depressed. Thus, actuation of the button  160  causes each of the joints  112 ,  112 ′ to be unlocked so that they system  100  can be reconfigured, i.e., to and from a use configuration and a storage configuration, as illustrated by  FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively. With each of the joints  112 ,  112 ′ unlocked, the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  are operable to pivot with respect thereto. Specifically, the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  are operable to pivot with respect to each other by simultaneously applying the force to the button  160  and pivoting the joints  112 ,  112 ′, e.g., by applying one or more additional forces to a portion of each of the joints  112 ,  112 ′ and/or a portion of each of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108 . When the force is removed from the button  160 , i.e., the button  160  is released, the biasing function of the biasing assembly causes the posts  162  to automatically move toward the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140 . If the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140  are not aligned with the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′, e.g., because the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ have been pivoted to a point where the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140  and are not aligned, the posts  162  abut a surface of the disk  151 . In such a scenario, the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ remain operable to pivot until the apertures  150  are aligned, at which point the posts  162  are received within the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140  and the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ are no longer operable to pivot, i.e., the joints  112 ,  112 ′ are automatically locked. Alternatively, if the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140  are aligned with the apertures  150  of the female receiver  142 ,  142 ′ when the button  160  is released, the posts  162  are immediately received within the apertures  150  of the male receiver  140  and the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′ are no longer operable to pivot, i.e., the joints  112 ,  112 ′ are automatically locked. 
         [0048]    The identical patterns of the apertures  150  define a plurality of locking points, e.g., four locking points, and a pivot range of the frames  104 ,  106 ,  108  relative to each other. In the preferred embodiment, four (4) locking points are twenty-two point five (22.5) degrees away from each other and allow each of the frames  106 ,  108  to be pivoted and locked in configurations that are ninety degrees relative to each other and/or the frame  104 , i.e., with the frames  106 ,  108  extending toward and parallel to the frame  104  as illustrated by  FIG. 4 , extending perpendicular to the frame  104  as illustrated by  FIG. 6 , and extending away from and parallel to the frame  104 . The receiver portions  148  provide an obstruction, which prevents a complete revolution of the receivers  140 ,  142 ,  142 ′, thereby defining a pivot range. It is foreseen that additional locking points can be added to change the pattern of the apertures  150 , e.g., by adding additional apertures, without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0049]    Turning to  FIG. 12 , each of the intermediary pivot joint  122  includes first and second components  180 ,  182 , and cooperative hinge components  184 ,  186 . Each of the components  180 ,  182  include a receiver portion  188  that is operable to securely receive an end of one of the frame members  116 . In the preferred embodiment, each of the receiver portions  188  are sized and shaped to engage the end of one of the frame members  116  via a friction-fit engagement without any adhesive, thereby allowing disassembly of the system  100 , e.g., for installation and/or removal of the sheet  130 . It is foreseen, however, that the frame members  116  may be permanently secured within the receiver portions  188  via an adhesive, thereby forming an adhesive bond therebetween and preventing complete disassembly of the system  100 , without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0050]    The hinge components  184 ,  186  are operable to receive a bolt  190  therethrough. When the bolt  190  is installed through the hinge components  184 ,  186 , the bolt  190  allows the components  180 ,  182  to pivot with respect to each other via the joint  122 , e.g., to and from a parallel configuration, as illustrated by  FIG. 1  and a non-parallel configuration, as illustrated by  FIG. 2 . The bolt  190  is operable to receive a resilient pin  192  therethrough, adjacent to an end thereof to prevent inadvertent removal of the bolt  190  from the hinge components  184 ,  186 . It is foreseen that a roll pin, a cotter pin, or the like, can be used instead of the bolt  190 , which does not require any additional components, e.g., a pin, to maintain its position within the hinge components  184 ,  186  without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0051]    By actuating the locking mechanism  144  of each of the joints  112 ,  112 ′, the system  100  can be selectively converted or reconfigured to and from a use configuration, as illustrated by  FIG. 1 , and a collapsed storage configuration, as illustrated by  FIG. 2 . In the use configuration, the pad  130  is oriented within the base frame  104  to be adjacent to a finished surface, on carpet, of an interior of a residence. Further, in the use configuration the wall frames  106 ,  108  are oriented via the joint  112  to extend ninety degrees from the base frame  104 , i.e., a plane defined by the wall frames  106 ,  108  extend substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the base frame  104 , thereby providing walls to confine a pet within the system  100 , i.e., directly over the pad  130 . In other words, the wall frames  106 ,  108  are operable to guide the pet over the pad  130  and confine the pet within a space defined by and between the walls frames  106 ,  108 , while the pet urinates on the pad  130 . In this manner, the system  100  is operable for use by the pet as a toilet, while protecting the interior of the residence. In the storage configuration, the wall frames  106 ,  108  are oriented by the joint  112  to extend substantially parallel to the base frame  104 . Additionally, the joint  122  allows the base frame  104  to fold or collapse. In this manner, the joints  112 ,  122  cooperatively cause a footprint of the system  100  to be minimized so that transport and/or storage of the system  100  can be facilitated. It is foreseen that the present inventive concept may be designed to be only partially collapsible by replacing the joint  122  with a single, longer tubular member  104  that connects adjacent ones of the joints  112 , without deviating from the scope of the present inventive concept. 
         [0052]    Having now described the features, discoveries, and principles of the present disclosure, the manner in which embodiment of the present disclosure are constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0053]    The following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the present disclosure herein described, and all statements of the scope of the present inventive concept, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.