Patent ID: 7568449

Claim:
A self-supporting pet barrier, comprising: a front panel which comprises a top horizontal member, a bottom horizontal member comprising a floor-contacting surface, and two flanking vertical members attached to, and extending between, said top and bottom horizontal members, each of said flanking vertical members further comprising a side panel receiving portion, wherein the top horizontal member, the bottom horizontal member, and the two flanking vertical members define an open space interrupted by vertical members between the two flanking vertical members with only the interrupting vertical members in a central three-fifths portion of the open space; at least two generally rectangular side panels, each side panel comprising a side panel top horizontal member, a side panel bottom horizontal member comprising a floor-contacting surface, and first and second side panel vertical members attached to, and extending between, said side panel top horizontal member and said side panel horizontal bottom member, each of said first side panel vertical members further comprising a front panel attaching portion; at least one leg coupled to said front panel having a floor-contacting surface and extending from a front side of said front panel; said front panel attaching portion attached to said side panel receiving portion; said side panels configured to be extended in use in an open configuration in the direction generally perpendicular to said front panel to stabilize said self supporting pet barrier in use; said self supporting pet barrier adapted to rest on a floor through contact between said floor-contacting surfaces of said bottom members and said floor, and to stand upright thereon without securing said pet barrier to a structure external to said barrier; said at least one leg is configured to assist with maintaining said self supporting pet barrier to stand upright but is not configured to obstruct a path of a house pet, wherein said front panel comprises a first anterior section and a second posterior section adjustably secured to said first anterior section so that the width of said front panel can be adjusted by moving the position of said first anterior section substantially parallel to said second posterior section or vice versa.