Collapsible Animal Run

Abstract

An animal run having a plurality of side panels operable to be pivotally mounted along a central plane. Corresponding front panels are each pivotally coupled with one of the side panels and operable to be detachably coupled to an adjacent side panel. The side panels are moveable between a stored position, in which each side panel is positioned parallel the central plane, and an operational position, in which they extend outward at an angle from the central plane. Each front panel is moveable between a stored position, in which it is positioned parallel the central plane, and an operational position, in which it is positioned at an angle from the side panel to which it is coupled and is detachably coupled with the other side panel. The side panels and front panel are configured to contain a dog or cat when in their operational position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 910,307 filed on Oct. 22, 2010 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]The present invention relates generally to an animal housing device commonly referred to as a run, and more particularly, to a foldable or collapsible run.[0005]2. Description of Related Art[0006]A variety of different devices, such as kennels, pens and runs, are used by animal care professionals to safely house and contain companion animals such as dogs and cats. The devices come in many different shapes and sizes and are constructed out of various materials. Typically, they include a plurality of walls that enclose an interior space and a door to provide access to that space. Some of the devices also have floors and / or top walls.[0...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

By their very nature, they tend to be large and occupy a lot of floor space.

Once the various run panels are assembled, there is little opportunity to modify the shape or size of the run.

But for various other professionals, it can be challenging to incorporate runs into their practice due to insufficient available space or the high cost of permanently devoting floor space to occasionally used runs.

These situations are common with professionals that provide services for larger animals (such as veterinarians that do not board and groomers) but do not keep animals at their facilities for extended periods.

Animal care professionals that do not have the facilities to house large animals clearly face a quandary.

They can either decline to provide services or choose to house an animal in a less than optimal manner, such as housing an animal in a smaller cage than needed or using a physical restraint such as a leash or tether.

Similar concerns are shared by professionals that have runs for housing large animals but are occasionally faced with excess demand for space such as during holidays and heavy travel periods.

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