Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/455,489 filed on Jun. 19, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/438,040 filed on May 19, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/287,716 filed on Nov. 28, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/121,797 filed on May 4, 2005, which are each herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     This invention relates to furniture for an animal and in particular to a piece of furniture that has multiple configurations and can function in multiple ways to accommodate various desires of the animal at any stage of growth. More particularly, this furniture structure and system may function as a living quarters for smaller animals such as puppies during house training periods, a storage location for objects related to the animal, as an animal bed, a sitting bench for humans or animals, and/or as an animal step for getting into a human bed.  
         [0005]     2. Background of the Invention  
         [0006]     For many people, pet animals are members of the family. Some of these pets live inside the home with the owner and have accessories designed for the animal. As with the conventional dog houses, some of the furnishings provide a place for the animal to dwell as well as providing a storage place for the toys of the animal. One conventional piece of animal furniture is a bed. There have been many types of animal beds, which are available in various designs. Some of the designs include beds shaped as different types of animals. Many beds in the form of animal designs are made of a cushion material to facilitate animal comfort.  
         [0007]     One animal bed is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,065, which describes an animal bed that has an annual bed frame defining an interior chamber. A perforated top wall is supported at its periphery by the bed frame to receive and support the animal above the chamber. The perforated top wall is composed of a non-woven fabric material to provide a hammock-like suspension for the animal and to permit small insects to fall through the top wall. The chamber is dimensioned to provide a space below the top wall sufficient to inhibit the insects from traveling upwardly through the top wall. An insect exterminating composition contained within the chamber receives the falling insects and destroys them.  
         [0008]     U.S. Pat. No. d 288,970 describes a combined animal bed and housing unit. This design has a bed mat resting on a storage unit. The bed also has a canopy covering the mat. The animal may rest on the mat and may be covered by the canopy.  
         [0009]     Although the animal bed is a common piece of furniture for the inside pet, animals do more than just sleep. For instance, cats usually have a litter box for waste. Pets also have toys with which they play. In addition, some pets may prefer to climb on the owner&#39;s bed. The animal may climb because the animal may not jump high enough to reach the surface of the bed in one jump. The climbing process may result in the pet pulling and sometimes tearing the bed linen. Pets also typically do not stay the same size. As the pet grows, it may be desired to replace a piece of animal furniture with a different type of furniture or a larger size of the same furniture.  
         [0010]     With all of the different types of animal furniture that is available to accommodate the many needs of the pet and pet owner, there remains a need for a multiple function piece of animal furniture.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0011]     These and other needs in the art are addressed by an animal housing that comprises a cage and a base. The animal housing further comprises an outer covering comprising a plurality of outer covering sides, wherein the outer covering comprises a first outer covering side secured to a second outer covering side by a magnet.  
         [0012]     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front, top and side view of the multiple function animal furniture piece;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a view of the multiple function animal furniture piece with the top extended up to open the furniture piece;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates a view of the multiple function animal furniture piece with a ramp member extended from the furniture piece;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the multiple function animal furniture piece with a cushion material positioned on the top on which an animal may rest or sleep;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates a frontal side view of the ramp member;  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the ramp member showing a lip used to enable the ramp member to engage the furniture piece;  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  illustrates a view down on the floor mat positioned on the furniture piece;  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a side cross-section view of the floor mat;  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-section view of the cushion material positioned on the top of the furniture piece;  
         [0023]      FIG. 10  illustrates a view of the back side of the furniture piece showing a rack means used to store a grate or screen;  
         [0024]      FIG. 11  illustrates a design of a detachable grate used to cover the front opening of the furniture piece;  
         [0025]      FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-section view of the guide used for storing the grate;  
         [0026]      FIG. 13  illustrates a front view of a multiple function animal furniture piece showing a front and stop side and having a cage and an outer covering;  
         [0027]      FIG. 14 ( a ) illustrates an embodiment of a side of the outer covering;  
         [0028]      FIG. 14 ( b ) illustrates an embodiment of a side of the outer covering;  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment showing a cage and an outer covering with the top side of the outer covering removed;  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  illustrates a multiple function animal furniture piece comprising a cage;  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment of the multiple function animal furniture piece of  FIG. 13  with a door in an open position;  
         [0032]      FIG. 18  illustrates an embodiment of the multiple function animal furniture piece having a base and a grate;  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of the multiple function animal furniture piece having a base;  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  illustrates a top view of an alternate configuration of an embodiment of the multiple function animal furniture piece having a base; and  
         [0035]      FIG. 21  illustrates a cross sectional side view of the multiple function animal furniture piece having a base and a cage. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0036]     The multiple function animal furniture piece provides an animal owner with a system they may use for an animal throughout the life of the animal. The multiple function animal furniture piece may serve as a training cage to train small animals such as puppies for living indoors. A detachable mat on the floor of the multiple function animal furniture piece provides for ease in cleaning animal waste. A removable front cover such as a grill may restrict undesired movement of the animal in and out of the furniture piece. In addition, as an animal gets older and/or bigger, the animal may no longer dwell inside the multiple function animal furniture piece. At this point, the multiple function animal furniture piece may function as a storage structure. Moreover, the multiple function animal furniture piece may have an attachable ramp member for use by an animal to climb to the top of the multiple function animal furniture piece structure. This ramp may be useful for smaller and older animals. The ramp may be stored inside the multiple function animal furniture piece when the ramp is not in use. The multiple function animal furniture piece may be portable and may be positioned adjacent the owner&#39;s bed. In this arrangement, the animal may easily move to the owner&#39;s bed. Further, the owner may easily sit on the top of the multiple function animal furniture piece. When an animal dies, the structure may be converted into a container (e.g., coffin) for burying the deceased animal.  
         [0037]      FIG. 1  shows a general design of the multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . Other configurations such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/121,797 to the same inventor may be implemented to achieve the same results as the design described in  FIG. 1 . As shown, multiple function animal furniture piece  5  has a top  10 , open front side  12 , a back side  14 , and multiple side walls  16  and  18 . The number of sides may vary with the particular design shape. Multiple function animal furniture piece  5  may also contain a floor  20 . The front side  12  has an opening  22 , which covers a large portion of the front side  12 . This large opening  22  allows for animals to enter multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . Without limitation, the opening  22  may also allow for insertion of toys, food and water trays into the multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . In addition, smaller openings  24  and  26  may be disposed in the side walls  16 ,  18 . Without limitation, these openings  24 ,  26  may improve ventilation in multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . The front side  12  also has a lip  28  that extends up from the base. Without limitation, lip  28  may prevent toys such as balls from accidentally rolling out of the multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . In addition, a lip section (not illustrated) may also be attached to the top  10 . Without limitation, such a lip section may serve as a restraining means to stabilize and keep a cushion stationary when an animal is resting on it.  
         [0038]     It is to be understood that side walls  16 ,  18  may have one or more than one opening, respectively, and that side walls  16 ,  18  are shown in  FIG. 1  with each side wall  16 ,  18  having one opening each (openings  24 ,  26 ) for illustration purposes only. It is also to be understood that back side  14  may have no such openings or one or more such openings. In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the sides may have no such openings. Openings in side walls  16 ,  18  and back side  14  may have any shape, configuration, and size suitable for allowing ventilation and visibility into and out of multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . For instance, such openings may have the shape of characters such as animals, cartoon figures, toys, lettering, numbering, symbols, and the like. Without limitation, examples of animal shapes include dogs, cats, and the like. In addition, without limitation, examples of cartoon figures include MICKEY MOUSE (which is a mark owned by Disney Enterprises, Inc.), SUPERMAN (which is a mark owned by DC Comics Warner Communications Inc.), and the like. Examples of toys include, without limitation, trucks, cars, airplanes, and the like. The character shape openings may be applied to the sides by any suitable process such as by a cutting apparatus, press, or the like.  
         [0039]     Multiple function animal furniture piece  5  may be composed of any material suitable for the uses of multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . For instance, multiple function animal furniture piece  5  may include wood, mesh, wire, plastic, metal, and the like. In such an embodiment, back side  14  and/or multiple side walls  16  and  18  may comprise wire, mesh, netting, weaving, and the like, preferably wire or mesh, and more preferably wire or wire-like material. Moreover, back side  14  and/or multiple side walls  16  and  18  may be composed of any porous material suitable for use as a side in an animal cage (e.g., porous metal or plastic siding). In an embodiment, back side  14  and/or multiple side walls  16  and  18  are composed of a plastic, wood, metal, or the like wire or wire-like material. One or more of multiple side walls  16  and  18  (preferably both side walls  16 ,  18 ) may be composed of such materials. In an embodiment (not illustrated), an outer covering may be disposed on the outside and/or inside surface of one or more of any side (e.g., front side  12 , back side  14 , side walls  16  and  18 , top  10 , floor  20 ) preferably an outer covering is disposed on the outside surface. In some embodiments, an outer covering is disposed on the outside surface of multiple side walls  16  and  18 , back side  14  and/or top  10 . The outer covering may cover any desired portion of a side. In addition, the outer covering may comprise any suitable covering for use with animals. For instance, the outer covering may be composed of natural or synthetic woods, veneers, vinyl, wicker, plastic, ceramic, and the like. In an embodiment top  10  and/or front side  12  may also be composed of such plurality of openings and/or alternatively may also include such an outer covering. In alternative embodiments, at least one side and/or wall of multiple function animal furniture piece  5  comprises a substantially solid material.  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows the multiple function animal furniture piece  5  with the top  10  extended in an upward position, which thereby opens up multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . As shown, a bar  30  extends across the front side of multiple function animal furniture piece  5  and may serve as a rest bar for the top  10 . Hinges  32  and  34  attach the top  10  to the back side  14  and allow the top  10  side to open and close as desired. Attached to the inside surface of the top  10  side is a rack member  36  for holding a ramp member when the ramp member is not in use. Rack member  36  may have any suitable shape (e.g., an L-shape) that fits with the shape of a rectangular ramp member. In an embodiment, rack member  36  is a groove with a generally u-shape in which the ramp member is placed. When the ramp member is placed in rack member  36 , a latch  38  secures the ramp in rack member  36 .  FIG. 3  shows a configuration of the multiple function animal furniture piece  5  with a detachable ramp  40  engaged at one side. In this configuration, an animal may climb to the top  10  of multiple function animal furniture piece  5  without the need to climb up on a bed or other piece of furniture. Depending on the height of multiple function animal furniture piece  5 , the length of the ramp  40  may vary such that the inclination angle formed by the engagement of the ramp  40  to multiple function animal furniture piece  5  is not too steep for the animal to safely climb.  
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows the multiple function animal furniture piece  5  with the cushion material  42  positioned on the top  10 . As mentioned, the cushion material  42  may serve as a cushion on which an animal may rest or sleep.  FIG. 9  shows the cross-section of a typical cushion that may be used with multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . Other types of cushions with varying shapes may also be implemented in a similar manner.  
         [0042]      FIG. 5  shows a front view of the ramp member  40 . Attached to this front side is a fiber-type material  44  such as a cloth or carpet material. Fiber-type material  44  increases the friction of the ramp member  40  such that an animal may have improved traction as the animal climbs the ramp member  40  to the top  10 .  FIG. 6  shows a side cross-sectional view of the ramp member  40 . The ramp member  40  contains a lip  46  that engages the edge of the top side securing the ramp member  40  to multiple function animal furniture piece  5 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a view of the floor  20  of multiple function animal furniture piece  5  covered by a mat material  48 . Mat material  48  may be an elastic or rubber type of material or other type of water-proof material. The mat material  48  extends up the side walls of multiple function animal furniture piece  5  thereby covering substantially all of the floor  20 . This mat material  48  provides a way to easily clean multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . As mentioned, multiple function animal furniture piece  5  may serve as a house for a smaller pet. Typically, these pets are initially not house trained. Any waste secreted by the animal may not penetrate to the floor. When cleaning, the owner may raise the top  10  of multiple function animal furniture piece  5  and remove the mat material  48 . The owner may then clean the mat material  48 .  FIG. 8  shows the cross-section of the mat material  48 . The edge  50  of the mat  48  has a lip shape that prevents substances from escaping the mat material  48  surface. The mat material  48  may also have a ridged surface similar to  FIG. 9  for channeling liquid.  
         [0044]      FIG. 10  shows the back side  14  of multiple function animal furniture piece  5 . Attached to this back side  14  is a storage rack  52  similar to the rack member  36 . Without limitation, storage rack  52  may hold grate  54 , which is shown in  FIG. 11 . Storage rack  52  has a general shape that matches the shape of the grate  54 .  FIG. 12  shows a cross-section of the storage rack  52 . Storage rack  52  has two sides  56  and  58  and a base  60 . The two sides  56 ,  58  are perpendicularly attached to the base  60 . One side is also attached to the back side  14 . When the grate  54  is not in use, grate  54  may be slid into storage rack  52 . Grate  54  may be used to cover front opening  22 . Grate  54  may have different designs and may also be composed of screen material. In addition, other conventional materials such as plastic may be used as this front opening  22  cover.  
         [0045]     In an embodiment, multiple function animal furniture piece  5  comprises a cage and a outer covering on the top side  10 , back side  14 , front side  12 , and sides  16 ,  18  of the cage (e.g., on all sides of the cage). In an alternative embodiment, multiple function animal furniture piece  5  also comprises an outer covering on bottom side (e.g., floor  20 ).  FIG. 13  illustrates a front view of such an embodiment showing front side  12  and top side  10 . In such an embodiment, multiple function animal furniture piece  5  comprises a cage  100  and an outer covering  105 . Cage  100  may comprise any suitable material for containing an animal. For instance, cage  100  may comprise metal, wood, plastic, ceramic, and the like. The sides of cage  100  may be attached by any suitable means. In an embodiment, top side  10  has a door  115  that is movably openable and closable. Door  115  comprises a latching mechanism  120  by which door  115  may be secured to top side  10  and substantially prevented from movement. Latching mechanism  120  may comprise any suitable mechanism for opening and closing door  115  and also suitable for securing door  115  against movement relative to top side  10 . It is to be understood that  FIG. 13  shows door  115  in a closed position.  FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment in which door  115  is in an open position. As shown in  FIG. 13 , outer covering  105  on front side  12  has opening  125  by which cage  100  is exposed therethrough. In an embodiment, at least one side of outer covering  105  has an opening; alternatively front side  12 , sides  16 ,  18 , and back side  14  of outer covering  105  has such openings; and alternatively all sides of outer covering  105  have an opening. FIGS.  14 ( a ) and  14 ( b ) show embodiments of sides of outer covering  105  having different opening configurations. For instance,  FIG. 14 ( a ) illustrates outer covering  105  having opening  125  therethrough. Outer covering  105  having such opening  125  may be suitable as side  16 , side  18 , and/or back side  14 . It is to be understood that outer covering  105  may have more than one opening  125 . Opening  125  may have any desirable shape and size.  FIG. 14 ( b ) illustrates an embodiment of front side  12  having outer covering  105  with opening  125 . In such an embodiment, opening  125  may be of sufficient size to allow a desirable animal to pass therethrough. Further referring to  FIG. 13 , in an alternative embodiment, front side  12  of cage  100  may be movably attached to side  16  or  18  of cage  100 . In such an embodiment, such front side  12  of cage  100  may be sufficiently movable to allow a desirable animal to pass through opening  125  in such front side  12 . In such an alternative embodiment, such front side  12  of cage  100  may also be sufficiently closable to prevent the desirable animal from passing through opening  125  in front side  12 . In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), another side is openable to allow a desirable animal to pass through an opening  125  therein into multiple functional animal furniture piece  5 . In such an alternative embodiment, top side  10  may or may not be openable. For instance,  FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment of multiple functional animal furniture piece  5  comprising a cage  100  and no outer covering  105 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , front side  12  has movably attached door  115  with a latching mechanism  120 . It is to be understood that  FIG. 16  shows door  115  in the open position and disposed on top of top side  12  thereby providing opening  125  in cage  100 .  
         [0046]     It is to be understood that outer covering  105  may be secured to cage  100  or not secured to cage  100 . In an embodiment in which outer covering  105  is secured to cage  100 , outer covering  105  may be secured by any suitable method. For instance, outer covering  105  may be secured to cage  100  by one or more grooves in outer covering  105 . As an example, portions of cage  100  may be suitably secured into a groove disposed in outer covering  105 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 15  illustrates an embodiment of  FIG. 13  with the outer covering  105  of top side  10  removed to expose top side  10  of cage  100 . As shown, door  115  has latching mechanism  120 .  
         [0048]     The sides of outer covering  105  may be attached by any suitable method. For instance, the sides may be connected by magnets, glue, hooks, and the like. In an embodiment, the sides are connected by magnets. Each side of outer covering  105  may have any number of magnets suitable to sufficiently secure one such side to another such side (e.g., by magnetic attraction to another side). The magnets may be secured to the exterior of the outer covering  105  (e.g., by glue) and/or may be embedded in the outer covering  105 . It is to be understood that each side of outer covering  105  may be separated from another side by applying sufficient force to overcome the force of the magnet. Thereby, one or more sides of outer covering  105  may be removed to expose cage  100 .  FIG. 16  illustrates an embodiment in which all sides of outer covering  105  have been removed. In an alternative embodiment, magnets disposed on the outer covering  105  may also be used to secure outer covering  105  to cage  100 . For instance,  FIG. 17  illustrates an embodiment in which magnets  130  on the outer covering  105  of door  115  secure such outer covering  105  of door  115  to the cage portion  105  of door  115 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , multiple function animal furniture system  5  may also comprise a detachable mat  140 .  
         [0049]     As mentioned, the structure and system of the multiple function animal furniture piece  5  provides the owner of an animal with the versatile means for providing care for the animal. This structure and system may accommodate activities for animals of all ages and sizes. The structure serves as both a dwelling for small animals as well as a training cage to teach certain behaviors. In addition, an internal storage capacity is provided. The ability to store the detachable components of the system within the structure facilitates managing this system. The portability of the structure enables the owner to position it at any location. As mentioned, owners may use it as a bed for the animal or as a means for the animal to climb into the owner&#39;s bed. The attachable ramp may also facilitate animals of all ages and sizes in climbing the ramp to the top side of the structure. At the animal&#39;s death, the structure may serve as a container coffin in which to bury the animal.  
         [0050]     It is to be understood that sides  12 ,  14 ,  16 , and  18  are for illustration and explanatory purposes and embodiments described for one of such particular sides may be suitable for one or more other of such sides.  
         [0051]      FIG. 18  illustrates an embodiment in which multiple function animal furniture piece  5  comprises a base  500  and an outer covering  510 . Cage  100  is not shown for illustration purposes. Base  500  comprises any material suitable for use with an animal cage. Without limitation, examples of suitable materials include plastic, ceramic, stainless steel, and the like. Preferable materials include plastic. Base  500  preferably comprises a similar configuration to that of outer covering  510 . In addition, base  500  has a width and length suitable for outer covering  510  to be disposed inside of base  500 . Preferably, outer covering  510  is disposed within sufficient proximity to base  500  for magnets  515  disposed within base  500  and/or outer covering  510  to provide a desirable stability (e.g., lateral and vertical stability) to outer covering  510 . Base  500  may comprise any height suitable for providing strength and integrity to outer covering  510 . In an embodiment, the height of base  500  is less than the height of outer covering  510 .  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIG. 18 , outer covering  510  comprises magnets  515 . In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), base  500  and/or outer covering  510  comprise magnets  515 . Magnets  515  may be attached to base  500  and/or outer covering  510  and/or may be embedded in base  500  and/or outer covering  510 . In such an embodiment, multiple function animal furniture piece  5  may comprise any desired number and type of magnets. In an embodiment (not illustrated), magnets  515  are disposed in base  500 . In such an embodiment, metal (or like material that is attractive to a magnetic force) may be attached to outer covering  510  in sufficient locations that when outer covering  510  is placed in base  500 , the magnets  515  secure outer covering  510  to base  500 . The metal may be attached to outer covering  510  by any suitable means such as by glue. For instance, the metal may be disposed in locations on outer covering  510  that correspond to locations on base  500 . The magnets  515  also may serve to laterally and vertically secure cage  100 .  
         [0053]     As further shown in  FIG. 18 , multiple function animal furniture piece  5  may also comprise a grate  520 . Grate  520  comprises any suitable grate-like shape and configuration. Without limitation, grate  520  comprises openings of a sufficient diameter to allow animal waste to fall through grate  520 . In another embodiment, a pan (not illustrated) is disposed beneath grate  520 . The pan may be comprised of any suitable material. Without being limited by theory, animal waste that falls through grate  520  is captured by the pan. Grate  520  and the pan are slidably insertable into base  500 . Grate  520  and the pan may be inserted and removed from base  500  in the directions as illustrated by arrow  525 . In an embodiment (not illustrated), grate  520  and the pan are inserted into base  500  through an opening in base  500 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 19  illustrates a top view of an embodiment of base  500 . In such an embodiment, base  500  comprises a plurality of drain holes  530 . Without being limited by theory, drain holes  530  allow fluid such as water to pass into the pan.  FIG. 20  illustrates an embodiment of base  500  having a different configuration than that shown in  FIG. 19 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 21  illustrates a cross sectional side view of an embodiment of base  500  having a lip  580 . In such an embodiment, lip  580  provides a cavity  540  in which grate  520  may be inserted. For instance, lip  580  comprises a raised portion of base  500 . The walls  570  and corners  560  of base  500  are disposed upon lip  580 , which provides cavity  540  for insertion of grate  520 . In such an embodiment, the pan is disposed beneath grate  520 , which provides spacing in cavity  540  between the grate  520  and the pan. Lip  580  may also comprise one or more drain holes  530 . As further illustrated, magnets  515  may disposed on corner  560  and wall  570 .  
         [0056]     Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 1