Abstract:
A pet bed includes a base and a reversible cover. The base includes a case. The reversible cover is attached to the base, and includes a first side defining a first external surface of the reversible cover, and a second side opposite the first side and defining a second external surface of the reversible cover. The reversible cover is configured to switchably cover the case, such that the first side of the reversible cover contacts the case in a first configuration of the reversible cover to externally expose the second surface from the pet bed, and the second side of the reversible cover contacts the first and second sides of the case in a second configuration of the reversible cover to externally expose the first surface from the pet bed.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention generally relates to a pet bed. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pet bed which includes a reversible cover. 
         [0003]    Background Information 
         [0004]    Generally, a pet bed provides a soft area for which a pet, such as a dog or cat, may rest. Pet beds conventionally have a cushioned area upon which a pet may sit or lay comfortably. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    It has been found that to improve pet beds, a pet bed can include a base and a reversible cover. The base includes a case. In one embodiment, the reversible cover is attached to the base, and includes a first side defining a first external surface of the reversible cover, and a second side opposite the first side and defining a second external surface of the reversible cover. The reversible cover is configured to switchably cover the case, such that the first side of the reversible cover contacts the case in a first configuration of the reversible cover to externally expose the second surface from the pet bed, and the second side of the reversible cover contacts the first and second sides of the case in a second configuration of the reversible cover to externally expose the first surface from the pet bed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this original disclosure: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pet bed in accordance with a first embodiment; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the of a pet bed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the pet bed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the pet bed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the pet bed with a reversible cover partially removed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the pet bed with the reversible cover partially removed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of the pet bed with the reversible cover completely removed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6A  is a top plan view of the pet bed with the reversible cover arranged in a second configuration; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6B  is a bottom plan view of the pet bed with the reversible cover arranged in a second configuration; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  is a top plan view of the reversible cover in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7B  is a bottom plan view of the reversible cover in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the reversible cover in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the pet bed and cushion of the pet bed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  is a longitudinal cross section of a first configuration of the pet bed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9B  is a longitudinal cross section of a second configuration of the pet bed in accordance with the first embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9C  is a longitudinal cross section of a third configuration of the pet bed in accordance with the first embodiment; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 9D  is a longitudinal cross section of a fourth configuration of the pet bed in accordance with the first embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings. 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , a pet bed  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the pet bed  1  includes a base  10  attached to a reversible cover  12 . The pet bed  1  of the first embodiment is in a substantially rectangular shape, but any conventional shape of pet bed may be used. 
         [0026]    The base  10  and the reversible cover  12  are attached about a periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12  using a binding  14 . The binding  14  in this embodiment is a zipper  14 . The zipper  14  can be a conventional zipper comprising a first tape  15  and a second tape  17 , each tape  15  and  17  having a set of teeth, and a slider  19  which engages and disengages the sets of teeth. The first tape  15  is attached to (e.g., sewn around) the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12 , and the second tape  17  is attached to (e.g., sewn around) the periphery  21  of the base  10  to match or correspond to the shape of the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12 . In this embodiment, the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12  is substantially the same shape as a periphery  21  of the base  10 . Alternative arrangements, in which the periphery  21  of the base  10  and the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12  would be understood in light of this disclosure, are not illustrated. 
         [0027]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5A to 5C , the reversible cover  12  may be completely attached, partially attached, or completely detached from the base  10 . In  FIG. 4 , the reversible cover  12  is attached to the base  10  about the entire periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12 . In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the reversible cover  12  is attached to the base  10  about part of the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12 . In this state, the reversible cover  12  may be flipped, to cover an opposite side of the base  10 , while partially attached to the base  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Alternatively, the reversible cover  12  may be completely removed from the base  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5C and 7A-7C . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the base  10  includes a case  16 . The case  16  includes at least a first side  16   a  and a second side  16   b.  The first side  16   a  and the second side  16   b  define exterior surfaces of the base  10 , and face in opposite directions as illustrated in  FIG. 5C . The case  16  of the illustrated embodiment is made of fabric generally used for pet beds. The materials of the first side  16   a  and the second side  16   b  may be the same material, or different materials. The difference in materials may be differences of any combination of pattern, texture, color, and composition. In the illustrated embodiment, the second tape  17  of zipper  14  is sewn about the periphery  21  of the base  10 , which is also where the first side  16   a  and the second side  16   b  are joined. 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 to 9D , the base  10  may also include a cushion  18 . The cushion  18  is disposed inside of the case  16 , between the first side  16   a  and second side  16   b.  The cushion  18  of the illustrated embodiment is made of a fabric encasing a filler. Both the fabric and filler can be conventional materials used for cushions of pet beds such as cotton and polyester. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the base  10  may also include a closable opening  20 . The closable opening  20  allows for access to the interior  23  of the case  16 . This would allow the insertion and removal of cushion  18  into/from the case  16 . In this embodiment, the closable opening  20  can include a zipper which enables the opening to be opened and closed, though alternative conventional arrangements or closing devices may also be used, as would be apparent in light of this disclosure. 
         [0031]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7A-7C , the reversible cover  12  includes a first side  12   a  and a second side  12   b.  In the illustrated embodiment, the first tape  15  from the zipper  14  is attached about the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12 . Alternatively, a portion of the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12  may be permanently attached to the base  10 , and the remainder of the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12  may be removably attached to the base  10  (not illustrated). The reversible cover  12  is made of materials conventionally used in pet beds. The materials of the first side  12   a  and the second side  12   b  may be the same material, or different materials. The difference in materials may be differences of any combination of pattern, texture, color, and composition. In the illustrated embodiment, a first tape  15  of zipper  14  is attached to (e.g., sewn about) the periphery  21  of the base  10 , which is also where the first side  12   a  and the second side  12   b  are joined. In the illustrated embodiment, the first side  12   a  is a smooth fabric, and the second side  12   b  is a plush fabric. While the slider  19  of the zipper  14  is illustrated as being attached to the reversible cover  12 , the slider  19  may be attached to the base  10  instead, as would be understood in light of this disclosure. In addition, the slider  19  of the zipper  14  is preferably a double sided slider allowing the slider to be operated by a user from either the first side  12   a  or from the second side  12   b.    
         [0032]    Various arrangements of the pet bed  1  will now be described referring to  FIGS. 9A-9D .  FIG. 9A  illustrates a configuration of the pet bed in which the first side  12   a  of the reversible cover  12  contacts the first side  16   a  of the case  16 . The second side  12   b  of the reversible cover  12  and the second side  16   b  of the case  16  define exterior surfaces  25  of the pet bed  1 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 9B  illustrates a second configuration of the pet bed  1 . In the second configuration of the pet bed  1 , the second side  12   b  of the reversible cover  12  contacts the second side  16   b  of the case  16 . The first side  12   a  of the reversible cover  12  and the first side  16   a  of the case  16  define the exterior surface of the pet bed  1 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 9C  illustrates a third configuration of the pet bed  1 . In the third configuration of the pet bed  1 , the second side  12   b  of the reversible cover  12  contacts the first side  16   a  of the case  16 . The first side  12   a  of the reversible cover  12  and second side  16   b  of the case  16  define the exterior surfaces  25  of the pet bed  1 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 9D  illustrates a fourth configuration of the pet bed  1 . In the fourth configuration of the pet bed  1 , the second side  12   b  of the reversible cover  12  contacts the first side  16   a  of the case  16 . The first side  12   a  of the reversible cover  12  and the second side  16   b  of the case  16  defines the exterior surfaces  25  of the pet bed  1 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 1, 5A, 5B, and 6A , a process for reversing the reversible cover  12  will now be described. For the purposes of the description of the process,  FIG. 1  is an initial state of the pet bed  1  in which the reversible cover  12  is fully zipped to case  16 , and the first side  12   a  of the reversible cover  12  and the second side  16   b  of the case define the exterior surfaces of the pet bed  1 . In a first step illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the zipper  14  is partially unzipped, exposing the second side  12   b  of the reversible cover  12  and the first side  16   a  of the case  16 . Preferably, the zipper  14  is unzipped for greater than or equal to 50%, and less than fully unzipped, about the periphery  13  of the reversible cover  12  as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . The second side  12   b  of the reversible cover  12  and first side  16   a  of the case  16  can be pulled or pushed out while the zipper  14  is less than fully unzipped. After the second side  12   b  of the reversible cover  12  and first side  16   a  of the case  16  have pulled or pushed out, the zipper  14  can be fully zipped while the pet bed  1  is in a state in which the second side  12   b  of the reversible cover  12  and the first side  16   a  of the case define the exterior surfaces of the pet bed  1  as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . This process can be reversed to return the pet bed  1  to the initial state. As would be apparent, in light of this disclosure, the process of reversing the pet bed can be achieved when the zipper  14  encircles less than the entire periphery  13  of the reversible cover. Alternatively, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the reversible cover  12  may be completely removed from the case  16  and then reattached in any of the configurations discussed above. 
         [0037]    In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. Also it will be understood that although the terms first and second may be used herein to describe various components these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, for example, a first component discussed above could be termed a second component and vice-a-versa without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or “element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. 
         [0038]    While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired so long as they do not substantially their intended function. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them unless specifically stated otherwise. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.