Nail clipper
The reconfigurable scratching post addresses the limitations of fixed shape scratching posts by allowing flexible assembly and adaptation to various environments through a scratching board and frame system.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024100327
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing scratching posts are limited to a single basic shape and may not fit into various living environments, lacking flexibility in usage and adaptability to different spaces.
A pet scratching post comprising a scratching board body and a frame body that can be reconfigured into various shapes using unit virtual center lines, with fasteners to connect the components, allowing easy handling and assembly.
The scratching post can be easily reassembled into multiple shapes, accommodating different living spaces and pet preferences, while being easy to handle and store.
Smart Images

Figure 2026002377000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a scratching post for pets that can be reassembled into various shapes for use. [Background technology]
[0002] Recently, with the expansion of telecommuting and changes in household structure, opportunities to keep pets have increased, leading to the development of a wide variety of pet-related tools. Cats in particular are the most commonly kept pet, and many households tend to have multiple pets. Therefore, various tools have been developed to improve their living environment. Scratching posts are one example of this, as they help prevent overgrowth even for cats who dislike having their nails clipped, and are also important from the perspective of protecting owners from injury. Various scratching posts have been developed that can be adapted to suit a variety of circumstances, including the cat's preferences, growth stage, and space utilization in the living environment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5627143 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] The scratching post described in Patent Document 1 is intended for use either lying on its side or standing against a wall, and also discloses a configuration in which multiple scratching boards are combined to form a curved scratching surface. However, this scratching post can only be assembled based on one basic shape, leaving little room for changing its usage. Furthermore, because it is configured in a complex shape, there is concern that depending on its size, it may not fit into the owner's living environment.
[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a pet scratching post that can be reassembled into various shapes and whose surplus parts can be easily handled. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The present invention, which solves the above problem, is a nail file comprising a scratching board body and a frame body that can be attached to the side of the scratching board body, wherein the scratching board body has a pair of opposing side surfaces that are arranged along a unit virtual center line, the unit virtual center line being determined by one or more representative dimensions, and the frame body having a shape that includes two or more unit virtual center lines. This configuration allows the pet scratching post to be reconfigured into a variety of shapes, and also makes it easy to handle excess parts.
[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unit virtual centerline is determined on one plane. With this configuration, the shape of each component can be simplified.
[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the representative dimension includes three or fewer elements on one of the unit imaginary centerlines. This configuration allows the sharpening board body to have a simple shape, making it easier to rearrange and store any excess.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sanding board further includes a fastener capable of connecting the sanding board body and the frame body, and the sanding board body has a fastening hole into which the fastener can be inserted, and the fastening hole is provided at a position that divides the unit virtual center line into integer equal parts. This configuration allows for greater flexibility in assembling the scratching post.
[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the unit imaginary center line is arc-shaped. This configuration can increase the weight capacity of the scratching post.
[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame is provided so as to cover both sides of the pair of side surfaces. This configuration allows the scratching post to be stably maintained in its shape.
[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two or more of the sanding board bodies are provided for each pair of the frame bodies. With this configuration, scratching posts of various shapes can be assembled to match the shape of the frame. [Effects of the Invention]
[0013] The present invention, which solves the above problems, provides a pet scratching post that can be reassembled into various shapes and whose surplus parts are easy to handle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0014] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are perspective and side views showing the configuration of a scratching board body included in a nail scratcher according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing the arrangement of a frame body that determines the shape of the scratching post and the scratching board body according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an assembly state of a cat scratcher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing modified examples of the configuration of the scratching post according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing another modified example of the configuration of the scratching post according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a modified example of the configuration of the scratching board body included in the nail scratcher according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing modified examples of the configuration of the frame body included in the scratching post according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Hereinafter, a cat scratching post X according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The description will be made in detail in the order of the configuration of the embodiment, the method of implementation, and other examples. The following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.
[0016] <Embodiment> As shown in Fig. 3(b), the scratching post X according to this embodiment comprises a scratching board body 1, a frame body 2, and a fastener 3 that can connect the two, and the scratching board body 1 can be rearranged to match the shape of the frame body 2. The shape of the frame body 2 is determined in a number of different types based on the shape of the scratching board body 1, and this makes it possible to configure scratching posts X of various shapes using a small number of parts.
[0017] As shown in Figures 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c), the scratching board body 1 is a plate-shaped member that forms the main part of the scratching post X, and has a scratching surface 11 on which a pet animal (such as a cat) can sharpen its claws, a pair of opposing side surfaces 12, and a fastening hole 13 into which a fastener 3 can be inserted. The scratching board body 1 is preferably made of a lightweight, easily processed material, such as cardboard or wood. This configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in determining the shape of the scratching board body 1, and allows the scratching board body 1 to be manufactured inexpensively. Furthermore, if the scratching board body 1 is made solely from natural materials, it is less likely to cause harm to the pet animal even if it chews on the edges.
[0018] The scratching surface 11 is the surface of the scratching board body 1, and is provided with irregularities over almost the entire surface. These irregularities may be corrugated or may be a triangular or trapezoidal corrugated structure, allowing pet animals to hook and sharpen their claws. In the configuration shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b), the scratching surface 11 is provided on both the overall convex and concave sides, and even if the scratching board body 1 has a different shape, it is preferable that the scratching surface 11 be provided on two opposing sides. This configuration allows the scratching board body 1 to be used with a high degree of freedom, regardless of the shape of the scratching post X.
[0019] The side surfaces 12 are planar portions that intersect with the sanding surface 11, and the two surfaces are opposed to each other, spaced apart only in the width direction of the sanding surface 11. The shape of the side surfaces 12 is formed along the unit imaginary center line A, which determines the shape of the sanding surface 11, i.e., the shape of the sanding board body 1. In addition, as shown in Figure 1(c), it is preferable that the side surfaces 12 have as few corners as possible, and that the portions corresponding to both ends of the unit imaginary center line A are rounded into arcs. This configuration makes the sanding board body 1 less likely to break, and also eliminates the constraints imposed by corners when combining multiple sanding board bodies 1.
[0020] As shown in Figure 1(c), the unit imaginary center line A is a figure (center line) that serves as a reference for determining the shape of the side surface 12 on a plane that includes the side surface 12, and the shape is determined based on the characteristic dimension S. The characteristic dimension S is a mathematical concept that determines the shape of the unit imaginary center line A, and a first element S1, a second element S2, a third element S3, ... are selected appropriately based on the concept.
[0021] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1(c), the shape of the unit imaginary center line A is determined by two elements, a first element S1 and a second element S2, as the characteristic dimension S. Specific requirements are that the first element S1 has a radius of approximately 17.3 cm, and the second element S2 has a central angle of 120 degrees. From the above, the unit imaginary center line A is determined as an arc with a radius of approximately 17.3 cm and a central angle of 120 degrees, and the shape of the side surface 12 is determined along this arc.
[0022] The side surface 12 is formed in its overall shape so as to extend on both sides of the unit imaginary center line A. In this case, it is preferable that the two sides (which also serve as the sides of the scratching surface 11) sandwiching the unit imaginary center line A have the same shape, except for rounded corners near both ends. For example, when the two sides sandwiching the unit imaginary center line A of the side surface 12 are arcs, the inner arc is shaped by shifting the outer arc parallel to the arc and has the same radius. With this configuration, when multiple scratching board bodies 1 are stacked on top of each other on the scratching surfaces 11, the scratching surfaces 11 can come into contact with each other at their surfaces, allowing them to be stored and carried in a stable contact state.
[0023] The fastening holes 13 are through or non-through holes on each surface of the side surface 12, through which a columnar member can be inserted, and the central axis of the hole intersects with the unit imaginary center line A. Furthermore, it is preferable that the fastening holes 13 are provided at two locations near both ends of the unit imaginary center line A, and at least one other location (intermediate portion). It is particularly preferable that the fastening holes 13 are provided at positions that divide the unit imaginary center line A into equal integer parts. This configuration allows the scratching board body 1 to be positioned so that the fastening holes 13 are offset at equal intervals for each length or angle at which they are provided, improving the flexibility of assembling the cat scratching post X without increasing the number of parts. However, the fastening holes 13 near both ends of the unit imaginary center line A may be provided slightly inward from the positions that divide the unit imaginary center line A into equal integer parts.
[0024] As shown in Fig. 2(a), a plurality of scratching board bodies 1 are arranged and incorporated into the scratching post X. The arrangement shown in Fig. 2(a) is one example, and the arrangement is not limited to this. Any shape is acceptable as long as all the scratching board bodies 1 required for the scratching post X are connected without interruption. The shape of the frame body 2 is determined based on the shape obtained by combining all the unit imaginary center lines A at this time.
[0025] As shown in Figure 2(b), the frame body 2 is a thin plate-like member whose shape in the surface direction is determined by the arrangement of the scratching board bodies 1, particularly the arrangement of the unit imaginary center lines A, and is connected to multiple scratching board bodies 1 to form the scratching post X. At this time, the center line of the frame body 2 corresponding to the unit imaginary center line A of the scratching board body 1 is a shape formed by combining multiple unit imaginary center lines A (three in the figure), and the shape of the frame body 2 is determined by this imaginary center line B. In the following description, the portion of the frame body 2 corresponding to one scratching board body 1, in other words, each area divided by each unit imaginary center line A, will be referred to as a branch 21.
[0026] The branches 21 are each part of the frame 2 divided into sections (or regions) corresponding to the unit imaginary center line A of the main body 1 of the sanding board, and their shape in the planar direction is approximately the same as the side 12 of the main body 1 of the sanding board, or a slightly larger protruding shape, making it possible to completely cover the side 12. Furthermore, it is preferable that the branches 21 are connected to each other with smooth curves and no corners. This configuration can prevent breakage of the frame 2 and injury to users (pet animals and owners).
[0027] The frame body 2 has a plurality of fastening holes 22 along the imaginary center line B. The fastening holes 22 are through holes provided for each branch 21 at positions corresponding to the fastening holes 13 of the sanding board body 1, and the central axes of the holes intersect with the imaginary center line B. Furthermore, fastening holes 22 do not necessarily have to be provided at the positions of all fastening holes 13, and it is sufficient that only as many fastening holes 22 are provided for one sanding board body 1 as necessary depending on the overall shape of the frame body 2.
[0028] As shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), a pair of frame bodies 2 are provided facing each other so as to sandwich both sides of a pair of side surfaces 12 of the aligned scratching board bodies 1, forming a predetermined shape of scratching post X. At this time, the unit imaginary center line A and the imaginary center line B overlap, and the multiple scratching board bodies 1 and the frame body 2 are connected and held by the fasteners 3.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3(b), the fastener 3 is a columnar member that can penetrate the fastener hole 22 and into the fastener hole 13, and a columnar head with a larger cross-sectional area. In this embodiment, the fastener 3 is a general screw or bolt with a thread provided at the portion that penetrates the fastener hole 13, and at least four, preferably six or more, fasteners are provided on each scratching board body 1. This configuration allows the scratching post X to be assembled and disassembled with simple operations. Furthermore, the material of the fastener 3 is preferably lightweight and harmless to living organisms, such as wood or resin. This not only reduces the overall weight of the scratching post X, but also makes it safe for pets (such as cats) to chew or lick.
[0030] 4(a), 4(b), 5(a), and 5(b) show other shapes of the scratching post X, particularly different shapes of the frame 2. In the shapes shown in each figure, the scratching board body 1, like the above example, has a shape in which the unit imaginary center line A is determined by "an arc with a radius of approximately 17.3 cm and a central angle of 120 degrees," and the frame 2 is configured with a different shape by combining three of these unit imaginary center lines A. With this configuration, scratching posts X of various shapes can be configured and assembled without changing the configuration of the scratching board body 1, and users can also change the configuration of the scratching post X to suit their living space and the preferences of their pets (especially cats, etc.).
[0031] In the configuration shown in FIG. 4(a), for example, the combination of unit imaginary center lines A forming the frame 2 (the shape of imaginary center lines B; the same applies below) is such that an arc formed by two branches 21 with a central angle of 240 degrees and an arc formed by one branch 21 with a central angle of 120 degrees meet at a single point. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4(b), the combination of unit imaginary center lines A is such that two branches 21 form an S-shape or an inverted S-shape, and a third branch 21 branches off from the middle, forming a lambda shape. In addition, the combination of unit imaginary center lines A in the configuration shown in FIG. 5(a) is such that the convex sides of the arcs are alternately arranged, and three branches 21 are bent at 90 degrees to connect them. In the configuration shown in FIG. 5(b), the branches 21 are arranged so that the imaginary center line B forms a circle.
[0032] In each of the configurations shown in Figures 4(a), 4(b), 5(a), and 5(b), the frame 2 preferably covers the side surface 12 of the scratching board body 1 and projects outward. For example, the inner corners may be rounded to maintain strength, or in the configurations shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the portion that comes into contact with the floor may be enlarged to form protruding legs. This configuration allows for a high degree of freedom in forming the scratching post X without changing the shape of the scratching board body 1.
[0033] The present invention may have the following configurations. However, the following configurations are merely examples, and the presence or absence of the configurations can be determined arbitrarily unless otherwise specified.
[0034] <Example of change> The shape of the scratching board body 1 may be determined arbitrarily by the unit imaginary center line A (i.e., the representative dimension S). For example, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b), the unit imaginary center line A may have a shape including an elliptical arc or a straight line. For the unit imaginary center line A of the elliptical arc shown in Figure 6(a), the first element S1 is the length of the major axis (or half of it), the second element S2 is the length of the minor axis (or half of it), and the third element S3 is the size of the central angle that determines the range of the arc. For the unit imaginary center line A of the broken line shown in Figure 6(b), the first element S1 is the length of one line segment, the second element S2 is the length of the other line segment, and the third element S3 is the size of the angle between the two line segments. In this way, the shape of the scratching board body 1 can be determined by one or more representative dimensions S, allowing the scratching post X to be configured in various shapes. However, in this case, the shape of the frame 2 is also determined appropriately based on the shape of the unit imaginary center line A.
[0035] The representative dimension S that determines the shape of the sanding board body 1 includes one or more elements in one unit imaginary center line A, but in consideration of the degree of freedom in shape and the difficulty of manufacturing, it is preferable to limit the number of elements to a certain number or less. In this case, the number of elements of the representative dimension S included in one unit imaginary center line A is preferably 7 or less, more preferably 5 or less, and even more preferably 3 or less. With this configuration, the shape of the sanding board body 1 (especially the side surface 12) can be limited to a relatively simple one, making it easier to manufacture the sanding board body 1.
[0036] Any mathematical (especially geometric) concept can be used for the aforementioned characteristic dimension S. Therefore, in addition to the aforementioned examples of "length" and "angle," concepts with specific names that combine multiple elements are also acceptable. Examples include "line symmetry," "point symmetry," "regular n-gon" (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 3), "star-shaped," "parabola," "sine wave," and "parallelogram." This configuration allows the characteristic dimension S, and thus the unit virtual center line A, to be determined with fewer elements, making it possible to define a wider variety of shapes for the scratching post X.
[0037] If the scratching board body 1 is made of a material that is easy to drill holes in, the fastening holes 13 do not need to be provided. For example, if the scratching board body 1 is made of cardboard and the side surface 12 is made of paper that is easy to drill holes in, the fasteners 3 can be easily drilled by hammering or twisting them in, and the threads of the fasteners 3 can be easily engaged with each layer of cardboard paper to secure the scratching board body 1. This configuration does not limit the positioning of the fastening holes 13 relative to the frame 2, making it easier to assemble the scratching post X.
[0038] As shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the frame 2 may be divided into multiple pieces. In this case, the frame 2 is divided at a position where the imaginary center line B is equally divided on one side 12 of the scratching board bodies 1 arranged in a predetermined shape, so that when assembled into the scratching post X, the imaginary center line B of the predetermined shape is formed. In a series of assembled frame bodies 2, the area corresponding to one scratching board body 1 is called a branch 21, and the division position of the frame body 2 may be the middle of one branch 21. This configuration allows the frame body 2 to be divided within a predetermined dimension in the surface direction, thereby reducing the occupied space when not in use or stored. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7(a), the frame body 2 is preferably configured with convex and concave portions at the divided portions, which allows for temporary assembly by locking.
[0039] When the frame body 2 is configured to be separable, the fastening holes 22 are provided near both ends of each branch 21 and near the dividing position of the frame body 2. The arrangement of the fastening holes 13 in the scratching board body 1 is also arranged in a manner corresponding to the positions of the fastening holes 22, i.e., near both ends of the unit imaginary center line A and on both sides near the points corresponding to the dividing positions of the frame body 2. With this configuration, each scratching board body 1 and each frame body 2 can be fixed with fasteners 3 at two or more points, and the assembled state of the cat scratching post X can be stably maintained.
[0040] The shape of the frame 2 in the surface direction may be configured to protrude further from the side surface 12 of the scratching board main body 1, as shown in Figures 5(b) and 7(b). With such a configuration, the frame 2 becomes the legs of the scratching post X, preventing the scratching board main body 1 from hitting the installation surface (such as the floor) and becoming worn, and the scratching surface 11 can be configured as a receiving box with the bottom, allowing it to be used as a place where pets (such as cats) can rest in peace.
[0041] Hereinafter, a method for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The ...
[0042] <<Implementation Method>> As shown in FIG. 2(b), the user first prepares two frames 2, and then prepares the required number of scratching board bodies 1 that fit the shape of the frames 2, as shown in FIG. 2(a). Then, as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), the user secures the scratching board body 1 to each of the branches 21 of the frame body 2 with fasteners 3. The fasteners 3 are intended to be fastened with screws or the like. Once the frame body 2 is secured so that it covers both opposing side surfaces 12 of the scratching board body 1, the user installs the scratching post X in the desired location. The installation orientation of the scratching post X may be such that the frame body 2 is erected on the floor, or the two opposing frame bodies 2 face upright (vertically), as shown in FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), 5(a), and 5(b).
[0043] The user may install the scratching post X in combination with or to cover existing furniture, etc. This allows the scratching post X to easily cover the sides or pillars of the furniture, preventing pet animals (especially cats, etc.) from damaging places unintended by the user (owner). [Explanation of symbols]
[0044] X Scratching Post 1 Sharpening board body 11 Fairy Tale 12 Side 13 Retaining hole 2 frame 21 branches 22 Fastener hole 3 Fasteners A unit virtual center line B Virtual center line S Typical dimensions S1 first element S2 second element S3 third element
Claims
1. A nail file comprising a scratching board body and a frame body that can be attached to a side of the scratching board body, The sanding board body has a pair of opposing side surfaces arranged along a unit virtual center line, the unit imaginary center line is defined by one or more representative dimensions, The frame body has a shape that includes two or more unit imaginary center lines.
2. The unit virtual center line is determined on one plane. The scratching post according to claim 1.
3. The representative dimension includes three or less elements on one of the unit virtual center lines. The scratching post according to claim 1.
4. The sanding board body and the frame body are further provided with a fastener that can be connected, The scratching board body has a fastening hole into which the fastener can be inserted, The fastening holes are provided at positions that equally divide the unit virtual center line into integers. The scratching post according to claim 1.
5. The unit virtual center line is arc-shaped. The scratching post according to claim 1.
6. The frame body is provided so as to cover both sides of the pair of side surfaces. The scratching post according to claim 1.
7. A pair of the frame bodies has two or more of the scratching board bodies, The scratching post according to claim 6.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Polymer type photoresist developing method
JP1981027143A