Pet care cushion and method for safely transporting pets using the same

Abstract

This design reduces the burden on pet caregivers while preventing bedsores in pets, and also reduces the effort required when moving the cushion with the pet inside. [Solution] The device comprises a pair of left and right cushions 2,2 filled with an elastic material, a connecting part 3 connecting the left and right cushions 2,2 between the pair of cushions 2,2, an annular belt that traverses the bottom surfaces of the pair of cushions 2,2 together and is positioned perpendicular to the connecting part 3, and gripping parts 4,4 connected to the annular belt and protruding outward from the side ends of the pair of cushions 2,2. When weight is applied to the connecting part 3, the inner surfaces of the left and right cushions 2,2 on either side of the connecting part 3 move closer to each other and bend over the entire area, and the weight causes the left and right cushions 2,2 on either side of the connecting part 3 to lift up, and the gripping parts 4,4 are displaced upward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a care cushion for pets, and more particularly, to a care cushion for pets that prevents a pet such as a dog or a cat from slipping off the floor and allows the pet to be moved while being placed thereon, and a method for safely moving a pet using the same.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, due to aging, accidents, diseases, and the treatment of these diseases and injuries, the number of pets such as dogs and cats that are bedridden or have difficulty standing up has been increasing. In such pets, since they spend most of their time sleeping, symptoms such as slipping off the floor may be observed in some cases. As a technique for preventing such pets from slipping off the floor, for example, there is a pet mat disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] By the way, in the case of a pet weakened by old age, injury, disease, etc., it cannot maintain the prone position and may roll over, and it is highly likely that it cannot return to the prone position by itself and may cause slipping off the floor. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, a pair of left and right mats are sewn and connected with a flexible fabric, and when the weight of the pet acts on this connecting portion, it bends into a V shape to sandwich and support both sides of the pet.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, large dogs are heavy, and if their owners are elderly, their strength may be diminished, making it difficult to move a mat with a pet on it. For example, if a large dog becomes bedridden, its weight can cause the pet mat to sink completely. In this case, the mat's flexibility becomes a weakness, requiring the owner to exert excessive force when lifting or moving it. Furthermore, the pet's weight is concentrated in one area, causing a portion of the mat to deform and remain that way, compromising stability. In particular, with large dogs weighing over 30 kg, the flexible material alone may not provide sufficient support, potentially failing to adequately support the pet's body.

[0006] Furthermore, for elderly pet owners, lifting a pet along with its mat to move it can be physically demanding and can cause back pain and joint pain. While some commercially available mats have wheels or are combined with a hard base, these have drawbacks such as being time-consuming to maneuver and becoming even more unstable if the pet struggles. For these reasons, there is a need for a new pet mat that combines pet comfort with convenience during transport.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a pet care cushion that prevents bedsores in pets while reducing the burden on caregivers, and has a structure that makes the cushion easy to carry, thereby facilitating safe trips to the vet by car, transport in a cart, and movement within the house, and reducing the burden when moving the cushion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the pet care cushion of the present invention has a rounded shape, A pair of left and right cushion members filled with an elastic material, Between the pair of cushion members, a connecting portion connects the left and right cushion members, The bottom surfaces of the pair of cushion members are connected by a fastening portion that crosses the pair of left and right cushion members together and is positioned perpendicular to the connecting portion, A gripping portion connected to the fastening portion and protruding outward from the side ends of the pair of cushion members, Equipped with, When weight is applied to the connecting portion, the inner surfaces of the pair of cushion portions on either side of the connecting portion move closer to each other and bend over the entire area, and the gripping portion is displaced upward as the cushions on either side of the connecting portion are lifted by the weight applied.

[0009] In the above invention, it is preferable that the binding portion and the gripping portion are formed integrally and annularly, fixed to the bottom side of the pair of cushion members, and that a part of the annular portion protrudes outward from the side end of the pair of cushion members to function as the gripping portion.

[0010] In the above invention, the annularly formed binding portion and gripping portion are arranged at the front and rear of the pet care cushion, with at least one pair of front and rear gripping portions, having portions that are connected to each other between the left and right gripping portions and portions that traverse the entire cushion diagonally between the front and rear gripping portions. It is preferable.

[0011] In the above invention, the entire pet care cushion is made foldable with the connecting portion as a ridge, When the entire pet care cushion is folded so that the upper surface of the cushion member faces outward, the gripping parts located on the left and right sides can be detachably connected to each other. It is preferable.

[0012] Furthermore, the method for safely moving a pet according to the present invention is characterized in that, on the pet care cushion, the pet is placed on the connecting part in a prone position so as to be parallel to the connecting part, the outer parts of the left and right cushions on either side of the connecting part are raised, thereby supporting both sides of the pet on the upper surfaces of both cushions, and the pet care cushion is moved by grasping the gripping part in that state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] As described above, these inventions enable the distribution and support of weight, and create a structure that is easily portable, allowing for safe transport not only indoors but also by car to vet visits or in a cart. This reduces the burden on pet owners in daily care and protects the health of their pets. Furthermore, it allows for faster evacuation of pets in emergencies such as earthquakes, which have become a particular concern recently.

[0014] Specifically, according to the present invention, the device comprises a pair of left and right cushion members filled with an elastic material, a connecting part, a binding part, and a gripping part. The cushion members move closer together under the weight of the pet and bend over their entire surface, providing even support for the pet's body. This allows the pet to maintain a stable prone position, preventing bedsores. As the left and right cushions lift up on either side of the connecting part, the gripping part is displaced upward, making it easy to lift and move the pet. This structure allows pet owners and caregivers to move pets safely and efficiently.

[0015] Furthermore, in the above invention, the binding portion and the gripping portion are formed integrally and annularly, and fixed to the bottom side of the cushion member, thereby improving strength and stability. At this time, a part of the annular portion protrudes outward from the side end, making the gripping portion easier to use, increasing ease of lifting, improving the stability of the pet on the cushion, and further helping to distribute the force applied when using the cushion, thereby ensuring safety during transport and use.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above invention, the annularly formed binding portion and gripping portion are arranged at the front and rear, and there is a portion that connects the left and right gripping portions to each other, and there is also a portion that crosses the entire cushion diagonally between the front and rear gripping portions. As a result, this structure allows the cushion to be supported evenly from all directions and to efficiently hold the pet even when moving. This enables the pet to move stably without losing its balance, reducing the burden on caregivers and pet owners.

[0017] Furthermore, by using the connecting section as a ridge, the entire pet care cushion can be folded, making it easy to fold the cushion. The left and right handles can be detachably connected when the cushion is folded so that the top surface faces outwards, allowing the cushion to be stored compactly and easily carried when moving. In addition, this function of maintaining the folded state allows weakened pets to be supported in an upright position by being placed over the cushion, enabling rehabilitation of pets that have difficulty walking or standing to be carried out in a suitable location or space.

[0018] According to the method of the present invention, by positioning the pet in a prone position parallel to the connecting part, the outer parts of the left and right cushions are raised, supporting both sides of the pet. In this state, the pet can be moved using the gripping part, making it very easy to move the pet while reducing the burden on both the owner and the pet. In particular, even if the pet is bedridden or unable to move, the pet can be safely moved using the cushion, greatly reducing the burden on the owner and caregiver, and supporting the pet to live comfortably, thus reducing stress on the pet and preventing the risk of bedsores. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the pet care cushion according to the embodiment, seen from the top. [Figure 2]It is a perspective view of the pet care cushion according to the embodiment as seen from the bottom side. [Figure 3] (a) is a side view showing the usage state in which the pet care cushion according to the embodiment is folded into a pillow state, and (b) is a perspective view showing the usage state. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view of the pet care cushion according to the modification example as seen from the bottom side. [Figure 5] (a) is an explanatory view showing the usage state of the pet care cushion according to the embodiment, and (b) is a view seen from the front side thereof.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of a pet care cushion according to the present invention and a method for safely moving a pet using the same will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiments shown below are examples of devices for embodying the technical idea of this invention, and the technical idea of this invention does not specify the materials, shapes, structures, arrangements, etc. of each component part as the following. The technical idea of this invention can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pet care cushion 1 according to the present embodiment is generally composed of cushion members 2, 2 which are a pair of left and right cushion members, a connecting portion 3 that connects these pair of left and right cushions 2, 2 to each other, and annular belts 40, 40 which are attached to the bottom surface so as to be wound around the bottom sides of the pair of left and right cushions 2, 2.

[0022] Cushion 2 is a cushioning member filled with an elastic material such as cushioning material. Specifically, a cushioning material covered with waterproof cloth is filled into a cover, which is a rectangular bag-shaped outer material. The outer edge 31 around it is sewn on both sides, and the gripping portion 4 side of the outer edge 31 is sewn with a zipper 32. Furthermore, the central part of the cover is sewn over its entire length, thereby forming the left and right cushions 2,2 and the connecting portion 3 that connects the left and right cushions 2,2. The cover, which is the outer material, can be made of materials such as vinyl, nonwoven fabric, or cloth. In this embodiment, a soft and smooth cloth that has been treated with an antibacterial means (not shown) is used and is cut into a predetermined shape.

[0023] As a cushioning material for this cover, artificial cotton with photodeodorizing properties is used as a deodorizing agent. In this embodiment, the entire material is covered with a waterproof cloth before being filled into the cover. By covering or enclosing the cushioning material with a waterproof cloth (or bag) in this way, the left and right cushions can be removed and wiped with water, making it possible to keep them clean and hygienic.

[0024] Furthermore, by covering the cushioning material with a waterproof cloth, air leakage is reduced, ensuring the formation and long-term maintenance of a V-shape when the cushions 2,2 are folded, and also reducing the rate of deterioration of the cushioning material. In this embodiment, a fastener 32 that communicates with the inside and outside of the cover is attached to the gripping portion 4 side of the outer edge portion 31 in order to insert or remove the waterproof bagged cushion into the cover. The cushions 2,2 may be, for example, made by molding sponge material into a predetermined shape, or the molded sponge material may be covered with a cover.

[0025] The connecting part 3 is the portion that connects the left and right cushions 2,2 between the pair of cushion members, cushions 2,2. In this embodiment, the cushion material is sandwiched between two pieces of fabric, upper and lower, and the edges are sewn together. At the same time, the left and right cushions 2,2 are formed so that the inside of the cover can be opened and closed via a zipper 32. The connecting part 3 is formed by sewing between these left and right cushions 2,2. The peripheral portion of cushion 2 is also formed by sewing together two pieces of fabric, upper and lower, to form the outer edge portion 31. In particular, in this embodiment, since the cushion material is sealed in a waterproof bag, the cushion material does not get into the connecting part 3 when sewing, improving work efficiency. Furthermore, the cushion material is evenly distributed to the left and right cushions 2,2, and by sewing the end of one cushion 2 to the end of the other cushion 2, a flexible connecting part 3 is formed with a bending width secured in the left and right cushions 2,2.

[0026] Furthermore, the pet care cushion 1 as a whole is pre-formed into a V-shape at the front, and the connecting part 3 bends further due to the weight of the pet P from the V-shape position, and the outer sides of the left and right cushions 2, 2 are lifted up.

[0027] The annular belts 40, 40 are fastening parts positioned on the bottom side of the pair of cushions 2, 2, traversing the cushions 2, 2 as a whole and perpendicular to the connecting part 3. A strip-shaped member is formed into an annular shape and sewn to the bottom side of the cushions 2, 2 so that a portion of it is parallel. Furthermore, the portions of the annular belts 40, 40 that protrude outward from the side ends of the cushions 2 serve as gripping portions 4, 4. In other words, in this embodiment, the fastening parts and gripping portions 4, 4 are integrally and annularly formed to form the annular belt 40, which is fixed to the bottom side of the pair of cushions 2, 2, and a portion of its annular shape protrudes outward from the side ends of the cushions 2 to function as gripping portions 4.

[0028] These gripping parts 4,4 are made of materials such as nylon or cloth, and the gripping parts 4,4, which are positioned on the left and right sides, can be detachably connected to each other. Hook and loop fasteners or buttons can be used as the means for connecting and fixing them. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(a), the gripping parts 4,4 can be fastened together by fastening a cord 5 or the like, bringing the gripping part 4 on one side of the cushion 2 closer to the gripping part 4 on the other side of the cushion 2, thereby maintaining the folded state of the entire pet care cushion 1.

[0029] Then, by folding the entire pet care cushion 1 with the connecting part 3 as the ridge, so that the upper surfaces of the cushions 2, 2 face outwards, and by bringing the gripping parts 4, 4 located on the left and right sides closer together and connecting them detachably with a fastening cord 5, the so-called hugging pillow state can be maintained. In this hugging pillow state, as shown in Figure 3(b), the pet P can be held from above and made to stand on all fours. (How to use) The pet care cushion having the configuration described above is used as follows. Note that the processing procedure described below is merely an example, and each process may be modified as much as possible. Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, steps in the processing procedure described below can be omitted, replaced, or added as appropriate.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the pet P is placed on the pet care cushion 1 in a prone position, parallel to the connecting part 3. This causes weight to act on the connecting part 3, causing the inner surfaces of the pair of cushions 2,2 on either side of the connecting part 3 to move closer together and bend over the entire area, and the weight lifts the cushions 2,2 on either side of the connecting part 3. As a result, the gripping parts 4,4 located on their outer sides are displaced upward.

[0031] In this configuration, the pet care cushion 1 is supported on both sides of the pet P by the lifting of both ends of the left and right cushions 2, 2, so that the upper surfaces of the left and right cushions 2, 2 support the pet P. This allows the pet P to maintain a prone position. Furthermore, a space S is formed directly beneath the pet P by the connecting part 3 that connects the left and right cushions 2, 2, and this space S ensures ventilation. In addition, the bottom surface of the pet care cushion 1, which is bent in a roughly V-shape at the front, i.e., the contact surface with the floor, becomes somewhat flat due to the weight of the pet P, thus suppressing lateral swaying. However, in the case of small and lightweight pets, the width of the contact surface becomes narrower, so there is a possibility of lateral swaying. In such cases, the back sides of the left and right cushions may be supported by a support (not shown).

[0032] Furthermore, with the left and right cushions 2,2 supporting both sides of the pet P, the gripping parts 4,4 can be used to grasp the cushion 2 and lift or drag the pet P together, thus making it easy to move the pet care cushion 1.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), in this embodiment, the entire pet care cushion 1 can be folded using the connecting portion 3 as a ridge. By folding the entire pet care cushion 1 so that the upper surfaces of the cushions 2, 2 face outward, it can be made into a shape similar to a body pillow. In this body pillow state, the pet P can be held from above and made to stand on all fours, allowing elderly pets or pets with injuries to maintain a comfortable standing posture while reducing the burden on their legs.

[0034] (Example of change) The embodiments described above are merely examples of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0035] For example, in the above embodiment, two annular belts 40 are arranged in parallel, but as shown in Figure 4(a), three annular belts 40, 40, 40 formed in an annular shape may be arranged in parallel. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the binding portion and gripping portion 4 may be arranged in at least one pair (4a, 4b in the example shown in the figure) at the front and rear of the pet care cushion 1, forming portions 41, 41 that are connected in parallel to each other between the left and right opposing gripping portions 4a, 4a, and portions 42, 42 that traverse the entire cushion diagonally between the front and rear gripping portions 4a, 4b.

[0036] (Effects / Actions) As described above, the pet care cushion 1 of this embodiment, the safe transport method using the same, and the pet rehabilitation method reduce the burden on the owner and protect the health of the pet by distributing and supporting the weight and realizing a structure that is easy to carry.

[0037] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the pet care cushion 1 according to this embodiment comprises a pair of left and right cushions 2,2 filled with an elastic material, a connecting part 3, an annular belt 40, and a gripping part 4. The cushions 2,2 move closer to each other under the weight of the pet P and bend into a V-shape over their entire surface, thereby evenly supporting the pet P's body.

[0038] This allows pet P to maintain a stable prone position. This prone position is a basic, healthy, and stable position for pet P, and it also has the advantage of reducing the risks that can arise when pets requiring care are lying on their sides, such as choking on saliva or ingesting foreign objects. Furthermore, maintaining this prone position also helps prevent bedsores.

[0039] Furthermore, as the cushions 2,2 on either side of the connecting section 3 rise, the gripping sections 4,4 are displaced upward, making it easy to lift and move the pet P. This structure allows pet owners and caregivers to move their pets safely and efficiently.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the binding portion and the gripping portion are integrally formed in an annular shape, and the annular belts 40, 40 are fixed to the bottom side of the cushion 2, thereby improving strength and stability. At this time, a portion of the annular belts 40, 40 protrudes outward from the side end, making the gripping portion 4 easier to function and increasing ease of lifting, thereby improving the stability of the pet on the cushion, and further helping to distribute the force applied when using the cushion, ensuring safety during transport and use.

[0041] Furthermore, in the above modified example, the belt member has parallel portions 41, 41 that are interconnected between the gripping portions 4a, 4a, and also portions 42, 42 that diagonally traverse the entire cushion 2, 2 between the front and rear gripping portions 4a, 4b. As a result, this structure ensures that the cushion is evenly supported from all directions and that the pet P is held safely and efficiently during movement. This allows the pet P to move stably without losing its balance, reducing the burden on caregivers and pet owners.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(a), by making the entire pet care cushion 1 foldable with the connecting part 3 as a ridge, it becomes easy to fold the cushions 2,2. With the cushion 2 folded so that the upper surface faces outward, the left and right gripping parts 4,4 can be detachably connected, allowing the cushions 2,2 to be stored compactly when moving, improving portability. In addition, this function of maintaining the folded state allows the cushion to be used as a so-called body pillow, and as shown in Figure 3(b), a weakened pet P can be straddled on the body pillow. This naturally supports the pet P in an upright position without putting strain on its four legs, and allows rehabilitation for pets that have difficulty walking or standing to be carried out in a suitable location or space.

[0043] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and the components can be modified and implemented in practice without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] P...pet S…Space 1… Pet care cushion 2,2... cushion 3...Connection part 4,4...gripping part 4a,4a...Gripping part (front) 4a, 4b...Gripping part (rear) 31…Outer edge 32... Zipper 40,40… Ring belt 41,41…Parallel section 42,42…Diagonal parts

Claims

1. A pair of left and right cushion members filled with an elastic material, Between the pair of cushion members, a connecting portion connects the left and right cushion members, The bottom surfaces of the pair of cushion members are connected by a fastening portion that crosses the pair of left and right cushion members together and is positioned perpendicular to the connecting portion, A gripping portion connected to the fastening portion and protruding outward from the side ends of the pair of cushion members, Equipped with, A pet care cushion characterized in that, when weight is applied to the connecting portion, the inner surfaces of the pair of cushion members on the left and right sides of the connecting portion move closer to each other and bend over the entire area, and the gripping portion is displaced upward as the cushion members on the left and right sides of the connecting portion are lifted by the weight applied.

2. The binding portion and the gripping portion are formed integrally and annularly, and are fixed to the bottom side of the pair of cushion members, with a portion of the annular shape protruding outward from the side end of the pair of cushion members to function as the gripping portion. The pet care cushion according to feature 1.

3. The annularly formed binding portion and gripping portion are arranged at the front and rear of the pet care cushion in at least one pair, and have portions that are connected to each other between the gripping portions arranged on the left and right, and portions that cross the entire cushion diagonally between the gripping portions arranged at the front and rear. The pet care cushion according to feature 2.

4. The aforementioned connecting portion is used as a ridge, allowing the entire pet care cushion to be folded, When the entire pet care cushion is folded so that the upper surface of the cushion member faces outward, the gripping parts located on the left and right sides can be detachably connected to each other. The pet care cushion according to feature 1.

5. On the pet care cushion according to claims 1 to 4, the pet is placed on the connecting part in a prone position parallel to the connecting part, and the outer parts of the left and right cushions on either side of the connecting part are lifted, so that the cushion surfaces of both cushions support both sides of the pet, and in that state the pet care cushion is moved by gripping the gripping part. A method for safely transporting pets, characterized by the following features.

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