Patent Description:
Pet beds provide comfortable resting places for animals such as dogs and cats. However, many of the beds may be difficult to keep clean, lose their shape over time, or develop rips or tears in the fabric. which can lead to a shortened life of the bed. Pet beds are known from documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

<CIT> discloses A pet bed comprising: a bolster with a lower bolster cover having a bottom member and a side member extending from a perimeter thereof, a first closure element and a second closure element extending around an upper exterior region of the side member, a first cushion positioned on the bottom member, including an upper surface, a lower surface, and a side surface, and an upper bolster cover including a central member, an upper outer member and a lower outer member which includes a fourth closure element which connects to the first closure element, and a second cushion including upper and lower surfaces, an outer side surface extending from the upper surface and the lower surface, and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces forming an interior perimeter surface wherein the upper outer member covers the upper surface of the second cushion.

The invention relates to a pet bed as defined in claim <NUM>. Further advantageous embodiments of this invention are defined in dependent claims <NUM>-<NUM>.

Other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a pet bed having a mattress portion that is removably coupled to the pet bed. The central member of the upper bolster cover may have a quilted surface and the third closure element of the upper outer member of the upper bolster cover may connect to the second closure element of the lower bolster cover. In addition, the first and fourth closure elements may form a zippered connection between the upper bolster cover and the lower bolster cover. The lower outer member of the upper bolster cover may separate the foam cushion from the fiber-filled cushion. Additionally, the central opening of the fiber-filled cushion may be larger than the central opening of the foam cushion that forms an undercut that receives the mattress portion.

Still other aspects of this disclosure may relate to a pet bed comprising a bolster including a lower bolster cover, an upper bolster cover, a first cushion member, and a second cushion member. The lower bolster cover may have a bottom member and a side member extending from a perimeter of the bottom member, where the lower bolster cover has a first closure element extending around an upper interior region of the side member and a second closure element extending around an upper exterior region of the side member. The upper bolster cover may include a central member, an upper outer member, and a lower outer member, where the upper outer member includes a third closure element and the lower outer member includes a fourth closure element. The fourth closure element connects to the first closure element of the lower bolster cover. The first cushion member may be positioned on the bottom member of the lower bolster, where the first cushion member includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a side surface extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces forming an interior perimeter surface. The second cushion member may include an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer side surface extending from the upper surface and the lower surface, a side surface extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a central opening extending through the upper surface and the lower surface forming an interior perimeter surface. The third closure element of the upper outer member may connect to the second closure element of the lower bolster cover such that the upper outer member covers the upper surface of the second cushion member, and the lower outer member of the upper bolster cover may separate the first cushion member from the second cushion member. In addition, the mattress portion may be removably coupled to the pet bed, where the mattress portion has a quilted top surface.

Yet additional aspects of the disclosure may relate to a pet bed where the first cushion member has a different cushioning means than the second cushion member. The first closure may be positioned around an entire perimeter of the lower bolster cover. The pet bed may have a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. The lower bolster cover and the upper bolster cover may be separate members. In addition, the lower bolster cover may be formed from a fabric having a water-resistant layer. The central opening of the second cushion may be larger than the central opening of the first cushion forming an undercut that receives the mattress portion, such that the central opening of the second cushion member has a width that is less than a width of the central opening of the first cushion member. The second closure and the third closure may form a zippered connection around an entire perimeter of the lower bolster cover.

In further embodiments, this disclosure may relate to a pet bed comprising a bolster and a mattress portion where the bolster comprises a lower bolster cover, an upper bolster cover, a foam cushion, and a fiber-filled cushion. The lower bolster cover may have a bottom member and a side member extending from a perimeter of the bottom member, where the lower bolster cover has a first closure element extending around an entire perimeter an upper interior region of the side member and a second closure element extending around an upper exterior region of the side member. The foam cushion positioned on the bottom member of the lower bolster, wherein the foam cushion includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a side surface extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a central opening extending through the upper and lower surfaces forming an interior perimeter surface. The upper bolster cover may include a central member, an upper outer member, and a lower outer member, where the upper outer member includes a third closure element and the lower outer member includes a fourth closure element. The fourth closure element may connect to the first closure element of the lower bolster cover such that the lower outer member covers the upper surface of the foam cushion. The fiber-filled cushion may include an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer side surface extending from the upper surface and the lower surface, a side surface extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a central opening extending through the upper surface and the lower surface forming an interior perimeter surface. The third closure element of the upper outer member may connect to the second closure element of the lower bolster cover such that the upper outer member covers the upper surface of the fiber-filled cushion. The first closure element and the fourth closure element may form a zippered connection around an entire perimeter of the lower bolster cover. Additionally, a width of the central opening of the fiber-filled cushion may be larger than a width of the central opening of the foam cushion to form an undercut that receives the mattress portion that is removably coupled to the pet bed. The foam cushion may have a height that is substantially equal to a height of the fiber-filled cushion. Lastly, the second closure element and the third closure element may not be visible from the exterior of the pet bed.

To allow for a more full understanding of the present disclosure, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:.

In the following description of various example structures and methods according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "side," "rear," and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention, unless explicitly specified by the claims. The reader is also advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

In general, this disclosure relates to a pet bed providing a place for a dog or other animal to rest, sit, or sleep. The pet bed may comprise a bolster that provides a base with a raised support walls to allow a pet to lean against and a mattress portion that provides a cushioned surface for a pet to lie on.

As shown in <FIG>, the pet bed <NUM> may comprise a bolster <NUM> and a mattress portion <NUM>. The bolster <NUM> may have a central recess <NUM> that is surrounded by a plurality of support walls <NUM>. The mattress portion <NUM> may be positioned within the central recess <NUM> of the bolster <NUM>. The support walls <NUM> may have a height that is greater than a height of the top surface of the mattress portion <NUM>. The height of the support walls <NUM> is measured vertically from a bottom surface <NUM> of the bolster <NUM> to an uppermost surface of the support walls <NUM>, and the height of the mattress portion <NUM> is measured vertically from the bottom surface <NUM> to the top surface of the mattress portion <NUM>.

The bolster <NUM> may comprise a lower bolster cover <NUM>, an upper bolster cover <NUM>, a foam cushion <NUM>, and a fiber-filled cushion <NUM>. The lower bolster cover <NUM> may have a bottom member <NUM> that forms the bottom surface <NUM> of the pet bed <NUM> and a side member <NUM> that extends from a perimeter of the bottom surface <NUM>. The side member <NUM> may form a portion of the exterior surface of the support walls <NUM> of the pet bed <NUM>. The upper bolster cover <NUM> may have a central member <NUM> that is positioned in the central recess <NUM> of the bolster <NUM>, a lower outer member <NUM> extending from the central member towards the perimeter of the pet bed <NUM>, and an upper outer member <NUM> that forms the uppermost portion of the support walls <NUM> and a portion of the exterior surface of the support walls <NUM>. The upper bolster cover <NUM> and the lower bolster cover <NUM> may connect to each other along a central region of the support wall <NUM>.

The support walls <NUM> may include a foam cushion <NUM> and a fiber-filled cushion <NUM> to help provide structure to the support walls <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the foam cushion <NUM> may be positioned on the bottom member <NUM> of the lower bolster cover <NUM>, where the foam cushion <NUM> includes an upper surface <NUM>, a lower surface <NUM>, a side surface <NUM> extending from the upper surface <NUM> to the lower surface <NUM>, and a central opening <NUM> extending through the upper and lower surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> forming an interior perimeter surface <NUM>. The fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may include an upper surface <NUM>, a lower surface <NUM>, an outer side surface <NUM> extending from the upper surface <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM>, and a central opening <NUM> extending through the upper surface and the lower surface forming an interior perimeter surface <NUM>. The fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may be arranged on top of the foam cushion <NUM>. The lower outer member <NUM> of the upper bolster cover <NUM> may be positioned between the foam cushion <NUM> and the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> such that it substantially covers the upper surface <NUM> of the foam cushion <NUM> and separates the foam cushion <NUM> from the fiber-filled cushion <NUM>. The lower outer member <NUM> may have a closure element <NUM> arranged along the outer perimeter that connects with an interior closure element <NUM> that is arranged on an upper interior region of the side member <NUM> of the lower bolster cover <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The lower outer member <NUM> helps to secure the foam cushion <NUM> to pet bed <NUM> such that the foam cushion <NUM> provides support and shape to the lower portion of the support walls <NUM>. In addition, the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may provide support and shape to the upper portion of the support walls <NUM>. The fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may be arranged on the lower outer member <NUM> and secured to the pet bed <NUM> by the upper outer member <NUM> of the upper bolster cover <NUM>. The upper outer member <NUM> may extend from the central member <NUM> and surround the upper region of the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> and connect to the lower bolster cover <NUM> via a closure element <NUM> arranged along the outer edge of the upper outer member <NUM>. The closure element <NUM> may connect to the exterior closure element <NUM> that is arranged on an upper exterior region of the side member <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. In addition, a portion of the upper outer member <NUM> may extend over the closure elements <NUM>, <NUM> such that these closure elements <NUM>, <NUM> are not visible when viewed by an observer from an exterior of the pet bed <NUM>. By covering these closure elements <NUM>, <NUM>, the closure elements <NUM>, <NUM> may be protected from the pet scratching or chewing on them to improve the durability of the pet bed <NUM>. In addition, the closure elements <NUM>, <NUM> are hidden from view and are not accessible to the pet while the bed is in an assembled state and thus are also protected from the pet scratching or chewing on them to further improve the durability of the pet bed <NUM>.

The fiber-filled cushion <NUM> and foam cushion <NUM> may be arranged to form an undercut or recess <NUM> in the pet bed <NUM> to receive and secure a mattress portion <NUM> within the pet bed. As discussed above, the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may be arranged on top of the foam cushion <NUM>. The fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may have a central opening <NUM>, and the foam cushion <NUM> may have a central opening <NUM>. The central opening <NUM> of the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may have a width and length that is less than the corresponding width and length of the central opening <NUM> of the foam cushion <NUM>. The different sized central openings <NUM>, <NUM> create a recess <NUM> around the inner portion of the pet bed <NUM>. The recess <NUM> receives the mattress portion <NUM> such that the lower portion of the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> helps to retain the mattress portion <NUM> in the pet bed <NUM>. The mattress portion <NUM> rests on top surface of the central member <NUM> of the upper bolster cover <NUM>. The overhang of the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> that creates the undercut <NUM> may vertically restrain the mattress <NUM> from being accidentally removed. However, because of the flexibility of the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> and the mattress portion <NUM>, the mattress portion <NUM> may be removably coupled to the pet bed <NUM> such that it may be removed by the user. In some instances, the mattress portion <NUM> may be used separately from the bolster <NUM> such as a travel bed.

The closure elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the lower bolster cover <NUM> and the closure elements <NUM>, <NUM> of the upper bolster cover <NUM> may be complementary closure elements, such that the closure elements <NUM>, <NUM> fit together to join the lower outer member <NUM> of lower bolster cover <NUM> to the upper bolster cover <NUM> and closure elements <NUM>, <NUM> fit together to join the upper outer member <NUM> to the upper bolster cover <NUM>. In addition, these closure elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged around an entire perimeter of the lower bolster cover <NUM> and upper bolster cover <NUM> such that they fully encircle (<NUM> degrees) around the pet bed <NUM>. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the closure elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged around a portion of the perimeter of the lower bolster cover <NUM> and upper bolster cover <NUM>. These closure elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be zippered elements, hook and loop elements, a plurality of snaps, buttons, or other types of closure elements known to one skilled in the art. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the closure element <NUM> of the lower bolster cover <NUM> may connect with the closure element <NUM> of the upper closure element may form a first zippered connection between the lower bolster cover <NUM> and the upper bolster cover <NUM>. Similarly, the closure element <NUM> of the lower bolster cover <NUM> may connect with the closure element <NUM> of the upper bolster cover <NUM> to form a second zippered connection between the lower bolster cover <NUM> and the upper bolster cover <NUM> around an entire perimeter of the pet bed <NUM>. The closure elements <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may create releasable connections such that the bolster covers <NUM>, <NUM> may be removed by a user when necessary such as when the covers <NUM>, <NUM> need to be washed. Further, the lower bolster cover <NUM> may be a separate member that is releasably connected to the upper bolster cover <NUM>, although in some embodiments, the lower bolster cover <NUM> and upper bolster cover <NUM> may be permanently connected at a region along the perimeter of the lower bolster cover <NUM>.

<FIG> further illustrate a partially assembled bolster. <FIG> illustrates a partially assembled bolster <NUM> where the lower outer cover <NUM> of the upper bolster cover <NUM> has been attached to the lower bolster cover <NUM> via closure elements <NUM>, <NUM>. The fiber-filled cushion <NUM> is positioned directly on top of the lower outer cover <NUM> and prior to the upper outer cover <NUM> being extended around the fiber-filled member and attached to the lower bolster cover <NUM>. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may be formed as a single continuous, or unitary, member that has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners and a generally rectangular opening <NUM>, while in some embodiments the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may be formed from a plurality of members. <FIG> illustrates a partially assembled bolster <NUM> with the foam cushion <NUM> positioned on the bottom member <NUM> of the lower bolster cover <NUM>. The foam cushion <NUM> may help shape the lower bolster cover <NUM> and have a height substantially similar to the height of the side member <NUM>. In the exemplary illustrated embodiment, the foam cushion <NUM> may be formed as a single continuous, or unitary, member that has a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners and a generally rectangular opening <NUM>, while in some embodiments the foam cushion <NUM> may be formed from a plurality of members. <FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of the lower bolster cover and the interior closure element <NUM> and the exterior closure element <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the pet bed <NUM> may have a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners. In some embodiments, the pet bed <NUM> may have any shape such as a square shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or other geometric shape. The upper portions of the support walls <NUM> may have a substantially rounded shape. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the support walls <NUM> may all have the same height, while in some embodiments the support walls <NUM> may have different heights. For example, one of the support walls <NUM> may have a height that is less than the remaining support walls <NUM> or alternatively, one of the support walls <NUM> may have a height that is greater than the remaining support walls <NUM>. In addition, the bed <NUM> may have an overall height of approximately <NUM>, or within a range of <NUM> and <NUM>, an overall length of approximately <NUM>, or within a range of <NUM> and <NUM>, and an overall width of approximately <NUM>, or within a range of <NUM> and <NUM>.

The mattress portion <NUM> may provide the primary resting surface for the pet. The mattress portion <NUM> may have a substantially rectangular shape and be substantially the same size as the central opening <NUM> of the foam cushion <NUM>. In other embodiments, the mattress portion <NUM> may have a different shape, such as a circular shape, a square shape, or an elliptical shape. The mattress portion <NUM> have a mattress cover <NUM> and a foam portion that may be formed of a single foam layer or optionally as a plurality of foam layers that are permanently joined together. For example, the multiple foam layers may comprise a central layer formed from a higher density foam than the foam layers forming the top and bottom layers. The foam layer(s) may be formed from a polyurethane material or other suitable material known to one skilled in the art. Additionally, the mattress portion <NUM> may have a height that is less than or equal to the height of the foam cushion <NUM>. The mattress cover <NUM> may have a top surface with a quilted region, where the quilted region has polyurethane foam, polyester fiberfill, or similar materials enclosed within the quilted pattern to provide an extra layer of cushioning. In addition, the mattress cover <NUM> may be releasably secured around the foam portion of the mattress <NUM> such that it may be removed when necessary such as needing to be washed.

The fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may have an outer fabric cover <NUM> and may be filled with a polyester fiberfill material to provide a softer and more compressible member than the foam cushion <NUM>. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may have a substantially elliptical cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the fiber-filled cushion <NUM> may has a circular cross-sectional shape, or other geometric cross-sectional shape. The foam cushion <NUM> may comprise a foam construction. In some embodiments, the foam cushion <NUM> may be formed of a single foam layer or optionally as a plurality of foam layers that are permanently joined together. For example, the multiple foam layers may comprise a central layer formed from a higher density foam than the foam layers forming the top and bottom layers. The foam layer(s) may be formed from a polyurethane material or other suitable material known to one skilled in the art. The foam cushion <NUM> may have a different cross-sectional shape than the cross-sectional shape of the fiber-filled cushion <NUM>. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the foam cushion <NUM> may have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and may have a square cross-sectional shape or other geometric cross-sectional shape. In the exemplary embodiment, the foam cushion <NUM> may have a height that is equal to the height of the fiber-filled cushion <NUM>. In some embodiments the foam cushion <NUM> may have a height that is less than or greater than the fiber-filled cushion <NUM>. As described above, the foam cushion <NUM> may have a different cushioning means than the fiber-filled cushion <NUM>. Alternatively, the foam cushion <NUM> may have the same cushioning means as the fiber-filled cushion, whether both cushioning member <NUM>, <NUM> comprise foam or fiberfill cushioning.

The upper bolster cover <NUM>, lower bolster cover <NUM>, and the mattress cover <NUM> may be formed from a fabric that comprises natural or synthetic fibers. For instance, the upper bolster cover <NUM> may include a fabric formed from a nylon or polyester fiber and may also have a fabric formed from a nonwoven material. In some embodiments, the upper bolster cover <NUM>, lower bolster cover <NUM>, and the mattress cover <NUM> may have a layered construction of multiple fabrics that are joined together through stitching, bonding, or other means known to one skilled in the art. In addition, the central member <NUM> of the upper bolster cover <NUM> may have a quilted region <NUM> on the top surface, where the quilted region has polyurethane foam portions enclosed within the top surface. The fabric elements of the upper bolster cover <NUM>, lower bolster cover <NUM>, and mattress cover <NUM> may also include a waterproof or water-resistant layer, such as a polyurethane or similar coating to protect any moisture from penetrating through the covers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. In some embodiments, the bottom surface <NUM> of the lower bolster cover may have a waterproof coating to allow the bed <NUM> to be placed on a wet surface, such as a boat, wet grass or sand, to not allow moisture to penetrate through the bottom surface <NUM>. For example, the bottom surface <NUM> may have coating formed from a molded rubber or elastomeric polymer material, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The coating may have a thickness of approximately <NUM> thick, or have a thickness within a range of <NUM> and <NUM>. In further embodiments, the waterproof coating may have a logo or other decorative marking molded into it. The quilted region <NUM> may have the same spacing between the quilted squares as the top surface162 of the mattress portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A pet bed (<NUM>) comprising:
a bolster (<NUM>) comprising:
a lower bolster cover (<NUM>) having a bottom member (<NUM>) and a side member (<NUM>) extending from a perimeter of the bottom member (<NUM>), wherein the lower bolster cover (<NUM>) has a first closure element (<NUM>) extending around an upper interior region of the side member and a second closure element (<NUM>) extending around an upper exterior region of the side member (<NUM>),
a first cushion (<NUM>) positioned on the bottom member (<NUM>) of the lower bolster cover (<NUM>), wherein the first cushion (<NUM>) includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a side surface extending from the upper surface to the lower surface, and a central opening extending through the upper surface and the lower surface forming an interior perimeter surface,
an upper bolster cover (<NUM>) including a central member (<NUM>), an upper outer member (<NUM>), and a lower outer member (<NUM>), wherein the upper outer member (<NUM>) includes a third closure element (<NUM>) and the lower outer member (<NUM>) includes a fourth closure element (<NUM>), wherein the fourth closure element (<NUM>) connects to the first closure element (<NUM>) of the lower bolster cover (<NUM>) such that the lower outer member (<NUM>) covers the upper surface of the first cushion (<NUM>), and
a second cushion (<NUM>) including an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer side surface extending from the upper surface and the lower surface, and a central opening extending through the upper surface and the lower surface forming an interior perimeter surface, wherein the upper outer member (<NUM>) covers the upper surface of the second cushion (<NUM>),
wherein the third closure element (<NUM>) of the upper outer member (<NUM>) connects to the second closure element (<NUM>) of the lower bolster cover (<NUM>) such that the upper outer member (<NUM>) covers the upper surface of the second cushion (<NUM>),
wherein the lower outer member (<NUM>) of the upper bolster cover (<NUM>) separates the first cushion (<NUM>) from the second cushion (<NUM>).