Loading patent…
AssigneeEpoch Design, L.L.C.
InventorsMonica DeRaspe-Bolles, Barry G. Moore
Estimating the term…
A reconfigurable modular play structure for animals including a base, a plurality of cylindrical support members, and one or more platforms to support an animal. The cylindrical support members are helically wrapped with a plurality of flexible line wrappings, allowing different colors and types of wrappings to be used in combination. Special access apertures and holes facilitate locking the line wrappings to the support members. One or more of the platforms or an upper portion of the structure may be rotated on a rotating connection. The structure may also include one or more play members held by an open spring or a soft flexible material playhouse for the entertainment of an animal.
A modular play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
A modular play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
A play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
A modular play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
A play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
A play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
A modular play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
A modular play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
A modular play structure for animals, positionable upon a support surface, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Backward citations are indexed for grants only.
Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like: devices for use in keeping domestic animals, e.g. fittings in housings or dog beds
Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices; Toys specially adapted for animals: toys…
Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals ; Electric shock devices; Toys specially adapted for animals: scratching…
Animal husbandry
Term end not estimated
This invention relates generally to play and exercise structures for animals.
Cats and other pets enjoy climbing and elevated places where they can rest and observe goings on in their surroundings. Cats and other pets also enjoy and benefit from exercise involving movable objects and spaces that spark their natural curiosity and stalking and pouncing instincts, as well as provide them an opportunity to sharpen their claws.
A variety of structures and devices has been made for cats and other pets to satisfy these needs and instincts. Typical pet structures and devices for this purpose, however, are either very large and cumbersome, or limited to small scratching devices. Large freestanding animal structures, often constructed of wood with carpet covering, consist of long and heavy sidepieces. These large structures are cumbersome both for the pet owner to assemble and maintain, as well as for the retailer to acquire and stock for sale, especially given commercial limitations in the display space available in typical retail stores and outlets. Scratching and climbing structures and devices for pets have also been designed to attach to walls. Again, however, such devices are often large and cumbersome, and increase assembly complexity by requiring the pet owner to install wall fasteners and attach the device to a wall.
The many features and advantages of this invention are better understood with reference to the following detailed description, along with the following drawings.
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a play structure for animals in accordance with the present invention illustrating a plurality of cylindrical support members, a base, a plurality of platforms, multiple spiral flexible line wrappings on the cylindrical support members, and a top fastener.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the play structure showing a rotating connector permitting reconfiguration of the structure.
Referring to FIG. 1, the play structure for animals comprises a base 20 removably fastened to one or more multiple spiral wrapped cylindrical support members 30, and one or more platforms 60. Platforms 60 may be specially shaped. Examples of design variations include paddle shaped 66, dog bone shaped 64, scalloped disk shaped 62, and fish shaped (not shown) platforms. It will be appreciated that while only a limited number of platform designs are shown and described herein, the platforms may be specially shaped to incorporate a virtually limitless number of design variations. The multiple spiral wrapped cylindrical support members are releasably fastened end to end forming a pole with two ends, the lower end fastened to base 20, and the upper end capped with a securing fastener 80.
As shown in FIG. 2, an alternate embodiment of the play structure further comprises a rotating connector 100, such as a swivel bearing or other swiveling member or members, releasably connected between an upper end of a multiple spiral wrapped cylindrical support member 30 and a platform 60. The rotating connector permits an upper portion of the animal play structure, above the rotating connector, to be rotatably reconfigured relative to a lower portion of the animal play structure.
As further shown with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the present invention is comprised of small component parts releasably connected to facilitate convenient packing, transportation, retail display and sale, and customer storage. In the preferred embodiment, base 20 includes a female threaded connector 22. Each multiple spiral wrapped cylindrical support member 30 includes affixed end pieces 32 and 36, one located on each end of the support member. A male threaded connector 34 is attached to end piece 32, and a female threaded connector 38 is attached to end piece 36. Male threaded connector 34 is threaded and sized to correspond to and be received by female threaded connector 38 of support member 30, as well as by female threaded connector 22 of base 20. End pieces 32 and 36 further include access apertures 48, described with more particularity below. Platforms 60 include assembly holes 68, sized to allow passage of male threaded connector 34. Alternatively, platforms 60 may include a cutout (not shown) rather than an assembly hole, the cutout sized slightly larger than the diameter of the support member end pieces. This embodiment allows a first support member to pass completely through the platform to join with a second support member or base 20. Rotating connector 100 (see also FIG. 6) comprises a male threaded connector 108 and a female threaded connector 106 threaded and sized to correspond to and be connected with, respectively, female threaded connector 38 and male threaded connector 34 of support members 30. Securing fastener 80 consists of a male threaded portion 82 threaded and sized to correspond to and be received by female threaded connector 38 of support member 30, as well as by female threaded connector 22 of base 20. One end of the securing fastener, designed to be exposed where not threaded into female threaded connector corresponding to the male threaded portion of the securing fastener, further includes a smooth and generally flat or slightly rounded cap 84. The cap may be configured to receive a screwdriver or wrench assembly to allow tightening of the securing fastener in the female threaded connector.