Animal bed suitable for pets

Abstract

The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims. The present invention provides a pet bed former comprising a flexible elongate member, the member having first and second end, the former further comprising first and second feet attachable respectively to said end for forming an arch structure, for supporting a blanket or similar piece of fabric such as a sheet, where the blanket can attach to the member; the elongate member forming a symmetrical structure capable of spanning an opening; the set being flexible.

Description

[0001]Animal bed suitable for petsThe present invention relates hood for use with or in creating and animal bed andmore particularly to a frame for creating such an animal bed.Background Animals, particularly pets, when kept within human homes, often have small artificial furnishings for the animal to rest or sleep on or in, or take shelter in. These have become increasingly important due to the cost of heating and providing a warm and comfortable environment for about is important both for animal welfare and to avoid excessive heating costs, such as in the home. A wide variety of animal beds are available, these typically comprise some form of fabric, either as a base or a base plus an enclosure. The disadvantage with green products is that they are often relatively expensive and cumbersome. Further, as with any such products they have a limited lifespan yet animals can often become attached to them, for example due to associations of odour et cetera it is therefore advantageous to have a form of bread which enables components of previous bedding to be readily incorporated, this increasing acceptance and use by an animal. In addition, self-evidently, packs could come in variety of sizes and a pet bed whichcan be readily adapted to different sizes of pet, this is also advantageous.Therefore, despite the large number of available at bed products there is a requirement for alternatives, such as to address the aforementioned problems. As indicated above, decoupling the fabric component from the structural components of the bed may also be advantageous.A relevant prior art disclosure includes AU2013100250A4 to Kazoo, which disclosesA Bed for a pet comprising a bed for a pet, the bed comprising a mat; and a frame,wherein, in use: the frame is adapted for securing the mat at a position elevated froma ground surface; and the mat is adapted for providing padding.A further example can be found in US2008127897A1 to Carlson, which disclosesA bed for a pet such as a cat or dog that includes a frame having a collapsible andexpandable network of interlocking legs and a covering for the frame.A further example can be found in CN219373410U to Zhejiang, which discloses apet bed frame and pet bed, pet bed frame includes bedstead and set up a plurality of foot tube group on the bedstead.A further example can be found in US10226026B2 to Pet, which discloses a raisedpet bed assembly consisting generally of a main frame having an upper loop and a lower loop connected at a riser sleeve which may include a spring or hinge to allow the upper loop to gently bounce.A further example can be found in US 2004 / 131801 A1 to Wong, which discloses amulti-purpose collapsible structure comprising a structure housing having front and base peripheral edges adjoined to each other.A further example can be found in CN 201319794 Y to Wang, which discloses anelectronic warming nest for a pet, which comprises a nest basin, an electric blanket, an electric blanket sleeve gasket, a quilt and a doorway support, and the doorway support is vertically mounted on the inner wall of the nest basin so as to form a doorway. A further example can be found in ‘Luxury Green Tweed Deluxe Cocoon Dog CaveBed’ to Pet Prestige found on the internet, which discloses a luxury cave dog bedthat is known for “it’s a thick tubular bolster pillow that creates a ring of supportedcomfort to engulf our dog in a blissful comfort giving them their very own sanctuary”. A further example can be found in ‘Pet Cot Canopy, Amazon’ to K&H Pet Products,which discloses the K&H Pet Canopy (Cot or Pool Sold Separately) found on theinternet that shades any pet from harsh summer sunlight. Designed to attach to anyK&H Pet Products pet cot or K&H Pet Pool of like size, guaranteeing to help your dog have a cool summer. A further example can be found in ‘Speed and Agility Kids Drills Set, Amazon’ toFootball Flick Store found on the internet, which discloses unique free standingpassing tunnel, 8 cones for football training, 2 bibs, and a 2 metre agility / speedladder to improve footwork.A further example can be found in ‘Football Goals for Kids, Amazon’ to lpzsmd foundon the internet, which discloses kids goals that are perfect for home use for trainingpractice, Easy to install, promotes your kids manipulative ability.Whilst these known structures may provide a bed suitable for a pet, they do notaddress all the above challenges. In particular there is a need for a compactlypackaged and transportable kit of parts to enable a pet bed to be constructed simply and quickly in situ. The present invention The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims.The present invention provides a pet bed former comprising a flexible elongatemember, the member having first and second end, the former further comprising first and second feet attachable respectively to said end for forming an arch structure, forsupporting a blanket or similar piece of fabric such as a sheet, where the blanket canattach to the member; the elongate member forming a symmetrical structure capableof spanning an opening; the set being flexible.The first foot on the second foot may be identical. This provides efficiency inproduction and ease of construction for end user.In an alternative form the first foot on the second foot may be mirror images, whilstrequiring a second component mirror images still provide ease of construction for theuser. When the feet are mirror images, the feet preferably comprise attachmentmeans for a retainer to attach the feet. The retainer may for example be a strap, rope or other tether. This is particular advantageous when, as described below, the flexible elongate member is really resiliently deformed in use, this therefore pushes the feet apart and the retainer enables the member to be retained in a, for example, curb configuration. This configuration is particularly helpful as it gives structuralreinforcement. This configuration is important as the pet may scratch orThe attachment means is preferably an elongate slot such as for accommodating a planar strap. This is preferable since it lies flat against a base, such as a floor and therefore does not cause discomfort to an animal sleeping over the top of it. The present invention, when incorporated into a kit preferably comprises said mirrored feet with attachment means and said strap.Preferably the base of the foot comprises both an elongated protrusion this enablesit to be readily secured under other objects or between objects to provide stability. Preferably the protrusion is suitable for, in use to fit underneath a pillow, the pillow holding the apparatus in place.Preferably the slot of the foot comprising a connector for between the foot and theelongate member.Preferably the tab of the foot comprising a connector for between the foot and theground member.Preferably the ground member attaches to both feet, one at each end. Optionally theground member is a strap. Optionally the ground member is rope. Optionally the ground member is string. Optionally the functional length of the ground member is adjustable. This allows the apparatus to fit over different types of bed. Optionally the ground member has fastening means at either end.The invention can be used in conjunction with a blanket.The invention can be used in conjunction with a pillow.This pet bed former can be used in conjunction with a pillow or mattress floor cover, with the cover being placed on the floor underneath the suspended blanket. Preferably the feet, capable of holding upright the member, the feet comprised of asocket for receiving the relevant member end and base. The feet are preferablymade of a polyolefin. The polyolefin is preferably high-density polypropylene as this interface well in terms of providing, a preferred interference fit with a polyethylene elongate member insertable into the foot to construct the pet bed from the kit of parts of the present invention. The present invention provides a compactly packagable and transportable kit of parts to enable a pet bed to be constructed simply and quickly in situ. In conjunction with this, the kit may be packaged in an elongate tubular sleeve which is readily transportable.Preferably the feet, comprise an elongate base, the socket being located towardsone end of the axis. The elongate base advantageously acts to make the apparatusless likely to fall over, both having more leverage against falling and being able tohave additional weight on the feet supporting the apparatus. This weight can be froma pillow.Preferably clips can attach the elongate member and blanket. This allows the blanketto be attached and detached. The clip is a fastener.Preferably the clips match the shape of the cross section of the elongate member, with a margin to fit the blanket. Preferablty if the elongate member has circular cross section so does the clip. This advantageously allows for the blanket to be supported uniformly, under the clip. Preferable the clip is comprised of hard plastic or metal. This advantageously allows for repeated elastic deformation, as required, without breaking. Preferably the clip surrounds more than half, but less than all of the cross section of the elongate member. Preferably the clip surrounds three quarters of the cross section of the elongate member. Preferably the clip can be pushed on to the blanket and elongate member in a single simple motion. Preferably the clip has lipsto support being pushed on. Advantageously this can be a single piece construction,unable to jam up. Preferably the clip can be injection moulded in one piece.Preferably the clip can be bend from a strip of wire of metal.Alternatively, the clip could be comprised of two grips connected by a fulcrum.Alternatively, a custom blanket could comprise attachment capabilities. Optionallysowing a hem on the blanket, that the elongate member could fit through.Optionally attaching Velcro®, hook and loop, straps. Preferable customisation can bedone in a reversable manner. Preferably customisation can be retrofit.Alternatively, the blanket may be glued on the elongate member.The elongate member is configured to form or forms an arch. This can be achievedin two manners, the elongate member designed to form an arc under tension,alternatively the elongate member designed to form an arc without tension. Theadvantage of forming an arc under tension is that the arc will naturally form perfectly.The advantage of forming an arc without tension is that there is no risk of the tensioncausing the apparatus to break and spring open.If the elongate member is designed to form an arch under tension it is constrained byan additional member.Preferably where the elongate member is elastically deformable. This is particularbeneficial as it enables, in a preferred form, the elongate member to be provided as a linear rod or tube, for ease of transportation and then the elongate member can be bent, such as in an arch, and secured into the feet, one at each end, so is to provide the base structure for the present invention. When the elongate member is elastically deformable then it is preferably resiliently deformable so the judge has a degree of springiness. This causes the arch to be created evenly, therefore with relatively greater strength against external forces deforming the structure, provides greaterresilience in use. This form of the invention preferably comprises tabs on the feet, sothat the feet may be secured together, i.e. the elongate member being resiliently deformed in an arch and secured to the feet with the feet secured to one anotherproduces a two-sided structure which is both strong, and light weight.Preferably the blanket can be removed from the elongate member.Preferably the elongate member is elastically deformable such that it can bemanually adjusted in shape by hand.The blanket can be specially created for the express purpose of being such astructure or can be a preexisting blanket.An expressly designed blanket preferably is shaped such that it is ideally sized tocover the bed area, such that no additional material can act as a tripping hazard.Preferably if a preexisting blanket can be used. This advantageously allows afavoured blanket or covering of the animal can be used. This advantageously allowsthe blanket to be change out in line with environmental conditionals, preferablyincluding but not limited to changing to thicker blanketing in the colder winter and to a thinner in the warmer summer. This advantageously allows the heat retention to bein line with the comfort of the animal. The swapping of the blanket advantageouslyallows the blanket to be swapped out and washed with a suitable substitute taking itsplace. Swapping out the blanket allows a worn-out blanket to replaced aftersignificant use or damage, without having to replace other elements.The elongate member preferably can form an arc shape. Preferably the elongatemember can have feet attached on both ends of the elongate member. Preferablythe feet can be manually removed. Allowing for easy disassembly and reassembly.Disassembly allows the be to be separated into a smaller form factor. This is advantageous as the invention can will take up less space inside a vehicle, like a car, when being transported, like going on holiday.A former is a tool, mould, or other device used to form articles or shape materials. Inthis case the former acts as the structural member shaping the blanket material.Optionally the elongate member is comprised of wire. In particular a manuallybendable wire is referred as this enables a shape of the invention to be readily manipulated.Optionally the elongate member is preferably comprised of flexible tubing. Theelongate member preferably consists of an elongate tube. The elongate member is preferably an elongate plastic tube. The elongate member is preferably made ofaPVC or a polyolefin. More preferably Polypropylene or Polyethylene. Most preferredis low density polyethylene as it is both light weight flexible, resist staining and is readily cleanable..Optionally the elongate member is comprised of gooseneck fixture. By this is meanta flexible rod comprising an inner bendable wire (which does not resiliently recoverafter bending) enclosed in an outer plastic sheath. The inner bendable wire ispreferably made of aluminium as it is readily bent and retains its shape with somedegree of resiliency . The most preferred is 5052 aluminium, as it is highly formableand offers high corrosion resistance and retains its shape after bending. A preferredcross section is a 2 to 5mm circular cross section. This is preferably housed within the elongate member which is a cylindrical tube, preferably said low density polyethylene, tube. In this instance the tube is of internal dimensions 6 to 10mm. This combination has been found to allow over 100 flexes by 90° and re- straightening mediated by the polymeric tube guiding a used in manual straighteningOptionally the feet are attached to the elongate member by friction fit. This enablesfor simple attachment and optional detachment of the elongate members of the feet and avoids the news of blues or a more complex fixing mechanism.Optionally the feet are attached to the elongate member by a fastener. Such afastener may, for example include a bayonet fixing so that a foot can be slotted onto the elongate member twisted and thereby secured. This reduces the need for accurate dimensioning of the elongate member and foot but similarly allows rapidsecure attachment and detachment.Advantageously the feet to be removeable, as indicated above allowing fordisassembly.Optionally the feet are attached to the elongate member by glue.Optionally the feet are attached to the elongate member by integral metal injectionmoulding. These create a secure fit.Preferably the members are made of polymer or metal such that the animal cannot damage them by biting.The present invention comprises a kit of parts for constructing the pet bed former ofthe present invention. The kit of parts comprising an elongate member and 2 feet. The kit preferably further comprises a strap for attaching the 2 feet such as when the 2 feet are secured on the ends of the elongate member in the elongate member is resiliently form to bring the feet together, the strap acting to secure the feet at a given distance apart. Such a kit can be readily packaged in a simple elongate packagingfor ease of distribution. The kit of parts further comprises a blanket, preferably the blanket being preferably two times or more the length of the elongate member in both length and width. A blanket for use in the present invention is preferably a wool blanket. This is preferable as it is more fire retardant and protects the plastics components,assuming the components are made of a plastics material from flammability risks. Incombination with a polyethylene elongate tube minimal static electricity is generated which wit other polymer combinations can give risk to electric shock to a pet rubbing against the structure when entering of exiting. Even low levels will actively deter a pet from using the bed and is a problem with prior art ‘tent’ like structures. This is further reduced by use of an aluminium inner bendable wire of the elongate member. Drawings The present invention is illustrated by means of the following drawings in which like features are designated with like numerals. The figures provide:figure 1 depicts a front on perspective view of an embodiment of the pet bed formerassembled; figure 2 depicts a front on perspective view of the embodiment of the pet bed formerin figure 1 as assembled, in use by an animal, alongside existing elements;figure 3 depicts a front on perspective view of a set of elements that can beassembled to construct the embodiment of the pet bed former in figure 1, laid out on the floor;figure 4 depicts an isometric view the foot from the embodiment in figure 3;figure 5 depicts an isometric view of a different foot embodiment, displayed similar tofigure 4; and figure 6 depicts an isometric view of a clip. The features of the drawings are listed as follows: 10 elongate member 20 foot 21 other foot 24 base 26 slot 30 ground member 40 blanket 45 clip 43 fitting section 47 lip 50 pillow 100 animal Detailed descriptionIn the assembled configuration, as depicted in figure 1, the elongate member 10 is inthe shape of an arc forming an arch. One end of the elongate member 10 is insidethe slot 26 of the foot 20. The other end of the elongate member is in the other foot21 in the same manner. The foot 20 is comprised of base 24 and slot 26. One end ofthe ground member 30 is attached to the foot 20. The other end of the ground member is attached to the other foot 21 in the same manner. The foot 20 and other foot 21 are equivalent. Because of the form of the foot 20 in the embodiment depicted the other foot 21 can be understood as either a duplication and translation of the foot 20 or equally understood as a duplication and reflection of the foot 20. In the assembled and in use configuration, as depicted in figure 2, the apparatus is assembled in the same manner as described for figure 1. On top of the ground member 30 and the base 24 of the foot 20, and the same with the other foot 21, there is a pillow 50.On the elongate member 10 there is a blanket 40.On the pillow 50 on the blanket 40 there is an animal 100, the animal is prone.In the disassembled configuration, as depicted in figure 3, the foot 20, other foot 21ground member 30 and elongate member 10 are independently place on the floor.The elongate member 10 is marginally longer than the ground member 20.The foot 20, as depicted in figure 4, depicts the foot 20 as comprised of the base 24 and slot 26. The base 24 is a round cone shape. The slot 26 is a cylindrical hole in a cylindrical form. The foot’s 20 edges are chamfered. The foot 20, as depicted in figure 5, is equivalent to as depicted in figure 4, with the addition of the tab 28 of the foot on side of the base 24. The tab is a rectangular handle shape. The clip 45 comprises a circular fitting section 43 and splayed lip 47.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 17 March 2025 (17.03.2025)1 . A kit of parts, for constructing a pet bed, the kit comprising a flexible elongate member (10) and two feet (20, 21 ), and a suitable blanket (40) to form the pet bed; defined as: a pet bed former configured to form an attachable pet bed hood, wherein the pet bed former comprises: a flexible elongate member (10) comprising a first and second end; a first (20) and second (21 ) elongated foot configured to be attachable to a respective end of the elongate member; wherein the ends of the member couple to the feet, with the elongate axis of the foot extending in a direction perpendicular to the member; wherein the member is configured to form an arch structure when coupled to the first and second feet, wherein the arch structure configured to form an opening to the pet bed hood; wherein the pet bed former is configured to form a pet bed hood by positioning a pet bed over the elongate body of the first and second feet, and positioning a blanket over the arched structure created by the member; wherein the elongate member comprises a gooseneck fixture, wherein the form further comprises a ground member (30) configured to extend between the elongate feet in a direction parallel to the surface the feet rest upon, wherein the ground member is configured to tether the feet together, wherein the ground member comprises one of a strap, rope or string.

2. The kit of parts of claim 1 , wherein the feet are capable of holding upright the member, the feet comprised of a socket (26) for receiving the relevant member end and base.

3. The kit of parts of claim 2, wherein the feet comprise an elongate base, the socket being located towards one end of the elongate axis.

4. The kit of parts of any prior claim wherein the former further comprises a plurality of clips (45), wherein the clips are configured to attach the elongate member and blanket.

5. The kit of parts of claim 1 , wherein the elongate feet comprise a tab attached (28) to the surface of the foot configured to receive an end of the ground member.

6. The kit of parts of any preceding claim packed in an elongate fabric sleeve.

7. The kit of claim 6 wherein the elongate fabric sleeve is a polyester cotton.

8. A pet bed constructed from the kit of parts of any of claims 1 to 7.

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