Abstract:
An enclosed bathing apparatus for animals includes an enclosure having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall that is taller than the front wall, a pair of side walls, and a top wall connected to each of the rear and side walls. A gate for allowing access to the interior of the enclosure is provided and includes a locking mechanism for securing the gate in an open or closed position. One or more attachment units are provided for securing an animal inside the enclosure and a water ingress and egress is provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/372,925 filed on 12 Aug., 2010. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to animal bathing devices, and more particularly to an enclosed bathing apparatus for safely containing a pet. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    As any pet owner will attest, domesticated animals do not typically cooperate when being bathed. As such, many pet owners prefer to employ the services of a professional groomer to clean their pets such as dogs and cats. However, groomers must often juggle multiple tasks and cannot stop all other activities each time an animal is in a bathing tub. 
         [0006]    Though there are many known devices for restraining animals including straps and leashes, a groomer with limited staff often finds such devices inappropriate for use with a bathing apparatus. This is because, in addition to being ineffective, they also create an additional safety concern. For instance, if an animal attempts to jump out of the bath, the strap or leash can wrap around its neck, restricting airflow or causing other harm to the animal. For this reason, the groomer must always strive to remain within arm&#39;s length of the animal during the entire bathing process. This requirement deleteriously affects the efficiency of the groomer by precluding other duties such as pick-ups, drop-offs and cashiering, for example. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, the need exists for a bathing apparatus capable securely and safely restraining an animal both before, during and after a grooming session without the limitations of the above noted devices. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals. One embodiment of the present invention can include an enclosure having a floor, a front wall, a rear wall that is taller than the front wall, a pair of side walls, and a top wall connected to each of the rear and side walls. A gate for allowing access to the interior of the enclosure is provided and includes a locking mechanism for securing the gate in an open or closed position. One or more attachment units are provided for securing an animal inside the enclosure and a water ingress and egress is provided. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a frontal elevation of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial exploded parts view of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals in operation, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals in accordance with another embodiment of the invention 
           [0015]      FIG. 6   a  is perspective view of an additional embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6   b  is a side view of an additional embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6   c  is a side view of an additional embodiment of the invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6   d  is a side view of an additional embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7   a  is a front view of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7   b  is another front view of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8   a  is a front view of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8   b  is another front view of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one embodiment of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals  10  (bath) that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, bath  10  can include a front wall  11 , side walls  12  and  13  and a back wall  14  projecting upward from a bottom wall  15  thus creating a watertight tub. Additionally, bath  10  can also include a top wall  16 , a gate  17  and optional telescoping legs  18  having a shelf  19  secured thereto. 
         [0025]    Bottom wall  15  acts as the base of the bath. In one embodiment, bottom wall  15  can include a sloped surface for directing water toward an outlet opening or drain  25  disposed along a the bottom of the bath (See  FIG. 2 ). As will be appreciated, drain  25  can preferably be located at the lowermost portion of the bottom wall  15  so that any liquid contained within the bath can be directed into the drain  25 . 
         [0026]    In one preferred embodiment, each of walls  11 - 16  can be constructed from metallic elements such as stainless steel or sheet metal joined by welds to form the bath, however any number of other materials and methods of manufacture are also contemplated. For instance, walls  11 - 16  can also be molded from a durable non-corrosive material, such as plastic, utilizing any suitable method of manufacture (e.g. injection molding, stamping or machining, for example). 
         [0027]    Shelf  19  can be positioned along a lower periphery of the bath  10  in order to provide storage and/or support for the telescoping legs. The telescoping legs  18  can act to raise and lower the height of the bath itself. Telescoping legs and their associated hardware are extremely well known in the art, and no further description will be provided. 
         [0028]    Gate  17  can act to securely position an animal inside the bath. As such, gate  17  can be secured along the front periphery of the top wall  16  and can extend downward along side walls  12  and  13  until resting along the top periphery of the front wall  11 , thus forming a complete enclosure. As shown, gate  17  can include a latch  17   a  for allowing a user to open and close the gate and for providing a means for securing the gate  17  in an open or closed position. Additionally, gate  17  can also include a plurality of openings  17   b  in order to allow an animal located inside the bath to be visible to a user but unable to escape. 
         [0029]    In one preferred embodiment, gate  17  can be constructed from lightweight steel mesh having excellent durability and tensile strength. However, other materials such as soft or hardened plastic, fiber netting and/or composite materials, for example, can also be utilized. Although described above as including a specific gate configuration, one of skill in the art will recognize that many variations can also be implemented without deviating from the scope and spirit of the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the bath  10  with the gate  17  in an open position. As shown, gate  17  can be secured to the top wall  16  via one or more hinges  20  in order to rotate from a closed position to an open position as illustrated by arrow A. Additionally, front wall  11  can include an optional access door  11   a . Access door  11   a  can be removable, or can be configured to rotate along a bottom axis via one or more hinges  11   b , for example, in order to create a ramp for animals to enter the bath. Alternatively, door  11   a  can be configured to rotate about a side axis in order to swing inward or outward, or can include a slide rail in order to move along a parallel axis to that of the front wall  11 . To this end, door  11   a  can include a waterproof seal and the corresponding known hardware for allowing the door to operate in a manner consistent with that described above, while still allowing the bath to retain water. 
         [0031]    As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the bath  10  can also include a plurality of additional features such as: one or more animal restraints  21 , a shower  22 , an electric motor  23  and one or more lighting elements  24 . As shown, animal restraint  21  can be secured to an inside wall of the bath and can be used to physically restrict the movement of an animal located inside the enclosure. In one preferred embodiment, restraint  21  can be constructed from an elongated steel tubular member that is permanently affixed to the back wall  14  via one or more spacers  21   a . Of course other materials, shapes and sizes are also contemplated. 
         [0032]    Shower  22  can be connected to an external water supply in a conventional manner and can preferably include an integral flow control mechanism for allowing a groomer to adjust the spray of water from any position. Showers of this type are well known in the art, and no further description will be provided. 
         [0033]    One or more optional opening devices such as an electric motor  23  can be secured to the hinge  20  or gate  17  in order to allow a user to open and close the gate with the push of a button. As described herein, virtually any known AC or DC powered motor (and corresponding components) can be utilized. Of course other opening devices such as gas struts, and mechanical springs, for example, can also be utilized. As each of these items are extremely well known in the art, and no further description will be provided. 
         [0034]    One or more waterproof lighting elements  24  such as an LED, for example, can be provided in order to allow for improved visibility of and within the bath  10 . These lights  24  can be placed within the inside of the bath, or can be affixed to an outside portion of the apparatus. Although described above as utilizing LED, one of skill in the art will recognize that any suitable lighting elements having a waterproof or water resistant feature can be utilized. 
         [0035]    As described herein, one or more elements of the enclosed bathing apparatus for animals  10  can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individual elements such as the front wall  11 , side walls  12  and  13 , back wall  14 , bottom wall  15 , top wall  16 , gate  17  telescoping legs  18  and shelf  19 , among others, for example, may be formed together as one continuous element, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof. 
         [0036]    In operation, and as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a pet  40  can be safely and securely positioned inside the bath  10 . Moreover, in the unlikely event that water is left running and the drain  25  becomes clogged, the animal can be protected against harm by the low height of the front wall  11  and the openings of the gate  17 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals  10  that further includes an adjustable floor  50 . The adjustable floor  50  can be positioned on the pegs  52  so as to be raised and lowered along the front, back and side walls, thus allowing the device to accommodate varying sizes of pets. Additionally, adjustable floor  50  can include an access end  51  having a hinge  51   a  or other similar device capable of allowing a portion of the floor  50  to be removed in order to access the drain of the bath without requiring the animal to be removed. Access end can operate as a stand alone portion of the adjustable floor which can be removed, or can be connected to the raised floor  50  via a hinge (not shown). In one preferred embodiment, adjustable floor  50  and access end  51  can be constructed from flattened expanded metal or other similar materials having a two way locking hinge  52  interposed therebetween. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  illustrate an alternate embodiment of a tub  10  that further includes a stabilizing arm  60  connected to a bi-fold gate  67 . As shown, gate  67  can include two substantially identical members  67   a  and  67   b  connected via a hinge  61 . To this end, stabilizing arm  60  can act to raise and lower gate  67  along axis B into an open or closed position. In one preferred embodiment, the gate  67  can further include a protrusion  62  for allowing the gate to rest along the top  16  of the bath in an open position. 
         [0039]    As described herein, stabilizing arm  60  can be constructed from a single piece of hardened material such as metal or can include a hydraulic, gas shock, spring mechanism or other such device capable of assisting a user in opening and closing the gate. Finally, in another embodiment (not shown) gate  67  can be secured to a spindle or other known rotational device located atop the bath which can be rotated to open and close the gate. Devices such as these being extremely well known in the art, no further description will be provided. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate another alternate embodiment of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals that includes an enclosure  70  configured to be secured to a traditional open top groomers bath  5  having four vertical walls  5   a - 5   d  attached to a generally planar base  5   e.    
         [0041]    As shown, enclosure  70  can include top portion  71 , a gate  17  and one or more hinges  20 . The top portion  71  can be positioned atop the traditional tub so as to rest on the side and back panels  5   a - 5   c . Additionally, the top portion can include angled edges  71   a  configured to be secured to the top of the tub walls  5   a  and  5   c  via traditional mounting hardware  6  such as screws and bolts for example. 
         [0042]    The gate  17 , as described in the preceding examples can be secured to the front edge of the top portion  71  via a hinge  20  and can act to securely position an animal inside the bath. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate yet another alternate embodiment of an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals that that includes an enclosure configured to be secured to a traditional closed top groomers bath  5  having four vertical walls  5   a - 5   d  attached to a generally planar base  5   e  and a planar top  5   f.    
         [0044]    As shown, enclosure  80  can include a hinge  20  secured to the front edge of the top portion of the tub  5   f  and a gate  17 . The gate  17 , as described in the preceding examples can act to securely position an animal inside the bath. 
         [0045]    As described above with regard to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the inventive concepts described herein can be utilized by individuals who have already invested in a traditional style grooming table but desire the safety and functionality provided by the present invention. Moreover, although described with reference to gate  17 , each of the enclosures  70  and  80  can also include the bi-fold gate  67  and a stabilizing arm  60  as described above with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0046]    Finally, although not illustrated, the enclosure  80  can also be mounted directly to a wall onto which a traditional tub is positioned. Such a feature can allow the inventive concepts to be utilized on traditional tubs that could not support the additional weight of the enclosure  80 . 
         [0047]    Accordingly, an enclosed bathing apparatus for animals as described herein can securely and safely restrain an animal in a bathing chamber with or without the direct supervision of a groomer. 
         [0048]    As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0049]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0050]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.