Set of structural elements, in particular for constructing a cat scratcher

Abstract

The object of the invention is a set of structural elements, in particular for constructing a scratcher for a cat or another animal for use in houses and flats, for playing and exercising in order to provide their entertainment, as a bed and in order to draw their attention away from appliances and furniture. It consists of main elements / 1 / having the cross-sectional shape of a regular polygon with an even number of sides, ending from the bottom and from the top with horizontal walls / 2 / mutually connectible by means of connectors, in the side walls / 3 / of which main elements / 1 / there are through openings / 4 / respectively paired with each other, followed by flat bases / 5 / with legs / 6 / , and at least one functional element having a protrusion / 7 / with a shape and dimensions respectively adjusted to the pairs of the through openings / 4 / placed in the main elements / 1 / , ending with a through opening / 8 / in which a locking element / 9 / is to be placed. The connectors connecting the main elements / 1 / to each other constitute elements / 10 / seated axially in their horizontal walls / 2 / from the bottom and from the top, having a threaded opening / 11 / and a threaded rod / 12 / .

Description

[0001] Set of structural elements, in particular for constructing a cat scratcher

[0002] The object of the invention is a set of structural elements, in particular for constructing a scratcher for a cat or another animal for use in houses and flats, for playing and exercising in order to provide their entertainment, as a bed and in order to draw their attention away from appliances and furniture, which are often damaged by cats when such devices are absent.

[0003] The sets known so far have mutually connectible modular elements which may be used to assemble a scratcher. The solutions known so far are disadvantageous in that the main structural elements which make up the support structure of the scratcher have a cylindrical shape, and one such element often constitutes the entire column. Such a solution has a number of disadvantages. A prefabricated column with a predetermined size defines the height of the scratcher, and the curved side surfaces of the columns make it difficult to mount functional elements thereto, define their shape, and limit their number considerably. Known sets constitute a structurally closed bundle of elements, not allowing for the scratcher to be formed in various versions thereof.

[0004] The essence of the invention is in that the set consists of main elements having the cross-sectional shape of a regular polygon with an even number of sides, ending from the bottom and from the top with horizontal walls, mutually connectible by means of connectors. In the side walls of the main elements there are through openings respectively paired with each other. The set has flat bases with legs, and at least one functional element having a protrusion with a shape and dimensions respectively adjusted to the pairs of the through openings placed in the main elements, ending with a through opening in which a locking element is to be placed.

[0005] Preferably, the main elements have the cross-sectional shape of a rectangle.

[0006] The connectors connecting the main elements to each other constitute elements seated axially in their horizontal walls from the bottom and from the top, having a threaded opening and a threaded rod.

[0007] A functional element is constituted by an intermediate house in the shape of a rectangular cuboid, completing the entire structure of the scratcher from the top, or placed between the main elements and mounted thereto by means of the connectors, having a front wall with a through opening, a back wall, solid or with a through opening, two solid horizontal walls: a bottom and a top one, while the two side walls are solid or made of fabric. Moreover, inside the intermediate house there is a pillow on the bottom wall thereof.

[0008] Afunctional element is also constituted by a house in the shape of a rectangular cuboid, completing the structure from the top, ending with a gable roof, having a front wall with a through opening, a back wall, solid or with a through opening, and a solid bottom wall, as well as side walls and a roof, solid or made of fabric. Moreover, inside the house there is a pillow on the bottom wall thereof.

[0009] A functional element of the set is also constituted by a couch in the shape of a rectangular cuboid open from the top, completing the structure from the top, having a pillow.

[0010] Moreover, a functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf with or without rounded corners, completing the structure from the top, covered with a flat pillow.

[0011] Afunctional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf with or without rounded comers, covered with a flat pillow.

[0012] Afunctional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf with or without rounded comers, with a through opening.

[0013] A functional element is constituted by a shelf in the shape of a scissor handle, having two through openings.

[0014] A functional element is constituted by a shelf having two protruding arms with fabric mounted therebetween.

[0015] A functional element is constituted by a vertical shelf having spacer elements, covered with fabric on one side.

[0016] A functional element is constituted by a bridge having fabric spanning between its two arms.

[0017] Afunctional element is constituted by a connector for the main elements.

[0018] Afunctional element is constituted by a toy in the form of a mouse, which forms a flat element covered with a material with filling. Afunctional element is constituted by a toy suspended on a cable in the form of a pendant, having a spherically-shaped element, with loosely hanging bits of rope there beneath.

[0019] Afunctional element is constituted by a toy suspended on a cable in the form of a pendant, having a ring-shaped element, with loosely hanging bits of rope wound around it.

[0020] The set according to the invention provides the ability to quickly mount scratchers in various versions thereof, depending on the needs and the available space. The elements making up the structure of a scratcher are easily mutually connectible by means of simple actions which can be performed by anyone individually at home. The use of main elements with the cross-sectional shape of a regular polygon, and in particular a square, provides vast building possibilities. If such need arises, the scratcher may be disassembled and rearranged in a short time. The threaded connection of the main elements making up the support structure to each other, and the placement of the columns formed in such a manner on flat bases provide stability of the entire structure. This stability is enhanced by the bilateral mounting of a connector for the main elements. The legs mounted from the bottom of the bases provide easy movement of the entire scratcher structure to a different location, with no need to disassemble it. Mounting of the main functional elements to the main elements by means of protrusions and locking elements is simple and quick, but at the same time it provides their mounting stability. The existing set of elements may be extended by new elements with a different purpose and design, which may form new versions of the scratcher once connected together.

[0021] The object of the invention is presented in an embodiment in the drawing, in which fig. 1 presents a main element in an axonometric view, fig. 2 — magnified detail A of the main element, fig. 3 — a base in an axonometric view, fig. 4 — an intermediate house with fabric in an axonometric view, fig. 5 — a house completing the structure from the top in an axonometric view, fig. 6 — a couch in an axonometric view, fig. 7 — a shelf completing the structure from the top with a pillow in an axonometric view, fig. 8 — a shelf with a pillow in an axonometric view , fig. 9 — a shelf with a small through opening in an axonometric view, fig. 10 — a shelf with a through opening in an axonometric view, fig.11 — a shelf with two through openings in an axonometric view, fig. 12 — a shelf constituting a hammock in an axonometric view, fig. 13 — the back of a vertical shelf in an axonometric view, fig. 14 — the front of a vertical shelf in an axonometric view, fig. 15 — a bridge with spanning fabric in an axonometric view, fig. 16 — a connector for the main elements in an axonometric view, fig. 17 — a toy in the form of a mouse in an axonometric view, fig. 18 — a toy in the form of a pendant with a ball in an axonometric view, fig. 19 — a toy in the form of a pendant with a ring in an axonometric view, and fig. 20 — a scratcher assembled from a set of elements in an embodiment thereof in an axonometric view.

[0022] According to the invention, the set consists of main elements 1. having the cross- sectional shape of a square, ending from the bottom and from the top with horizontal walls 2, mutually connectible by means of connectors, in the side walls 3 of which main elements 1. there are through openings 4 respectively paired with each other, followed by flat bases 5 with legs 6, and about a dozen functional elements. Apart from those completing the structure from the top, the functional elements have protrusions 7 with shapes and dimensions respectively adjusted to the pairs of the through openings 4 placed in the main elements 1_, ending with a through opening 8 in which a locking element 9 is to be placed. The protrusions 7 of the functional elements are slid into two respectively assigned through openings 4 in the side walls 3 of the main elements 1_, and the locking element 9 is placed in the through opening 8. The connectors connecting the main elements 1 to each other constitute elements 10 seated axially in their horizontal walls 2 from the bottom and from the top, having a threaded opening 11 and a threaded rod 12.

[0023] The main elements 1. are connected to each other in the following manner. The threaded rod 12 is screwed into the threaded opening 11 of the lower main element, followed by axial rotation of the upper element 1. to screw it onto the protruding part of the threaded rod 12 until resistance is present, and until the horizontal walls 2 of both mutually connectible main elements 1 abut on each other respectively.

[0024] There may be an unlimited number of functional elements in the set, and about a dozen of them are shown in this embodiment.

[0025] Afunctional element is constituted by an intermediate house 13 in the shape of a rectangular cuboid, placed between the main elements 1_ and mounted thereto by means of connectors, having a front wall 14 with a through opening 15, a back wall 16 with a through opening 15, two solid horizontal walls: a bottom 17 and a top 18 one, while the two side walls are made of fabric 19; moreover, inside the intermediate house 13 there is a pillow 20 on the bottom wall 17 thereof.

[0026] A functional element is constituted by a house 21 in the shape of a rectangular cuboid, completing the structure from the top, ending with a gable roof, having a front wall 22 with a through opening 23, a back wall 24 with a through opening 23 and a solid bottom wall 25, as well as side walls 26 and a roof made of fabric; moreover, inside the house 21 there is a pillow 27 on the bottom wall 25 thereof.

[0027] A functional element is constituted by a couch 28 in the shape of a rectangular cuboid open from the top, completing the structure from the top, having a pillow 29.

[0028] A functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf 30 with rounded comers, completing the structure from the top, covered with a flat pillow 31 .

[0029] A functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf 32 with rounded comers, covered with a flat pillow 33.

[0030] A functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf 34 with rounded comers, with a through opening 35, which is used to suspend other functional elements on a cable.

[0031] A functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf 36 with rounded comers, with a through opening 37, which constitutes passage for the animal.

[0032] Afunctional element is constituted by a shelf 38 in the shape of a scissor handle, having two through openings 39 for placing bowls therein.

[0033] Afunctional element is constituted by a shelf 40 having two protruding arms with fabric 41 mounted therebetween. This element constitutes a hammock for the animal.

[0034] Afunctional element is constituted by a vertical shelf 42 having spacer elements 43, covered with fabric 44 on one side. The spacer elements 43 cause the vertical shelf 42 to protrude from the main element 1_, to which it is mounted.

[0035] A functional element is constituted by a bridge 45 having fabric 47 spanning between two arms 46 thereof, on which the animal may lie or walk across.

[0036] A functional element is constituted by a connector 48 for the main elements 1_. Not only does the connector 48 strengthen and stabilise the structure of the scratcher, but it also constitutes a horizontally situated element, over which the animal may climb. Because of being mountable to two main elements 1_, the connector has two protrusions 7.

[0037] A functional element is constituted by a toy in the form of a mouse 49, which forms a flat element covered with a material 50 with filling. The mouse 49 hangs loosely on a cable from another functional element, and it constitutes a toy, in particular for a cat.

[0038] Afunctional element is constituted by a toy suspended on a cable in the form of a pendant 51 , having a spherically-shaped element 52, with loosely hanging bits of rope 53 there beneath. The pendant 51 hangs loosely on the cable from another functional element, and it constitutes a toy, in particular for a cat.

[0039] Afunctional element is constituted by a toy suspended on a cable in the form of a pendant 54, having a ring-shaped element 55, with loosely hanging bits of rope 56 wound around it.

[0040] The pendant 54 hangs loosely on the cable from another functional element, and it constitutes a toy, in particular for a cat.

[0041] A scratcher made up of elements from the set constituting the object of the application, shown in fig. 20 as an example of a spatial structure, has a support structure consisting of two vertical columns formed of mutually connected main elements 1. with the cross- sectional shape of a square, ending with a large base 5 comprising both columns from the bottom. A number of functional elements completing the entire structure from the side and from the top are mounted to the main elements 1. both from the side and from the top.

Claims

Claims1. A set of structural elements, in particular for constructing a cat scratches having a number of mutually connectible modular elements, characterised in that it consists of main elements / 1_ / having the cross-sectional shape of a regular polygon with an even number of sides, ending from the bottom and from the top with horizontal walls 121 mutually connectible by means of connectors, in the side walls Z3Z of which main elements IV there are through openings 141 respectively paired with each other, followed by flat bases Z5Z with legs Z6Z, and at least one functional element having a protrusion Z7Z with a shape and dimensions respectively adjusted to the pairs of the through openings 141 placed in the main elements Z1Z, ending with a through opening Z8Z with a locking element Z9Z placed therein.

2. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that the main elements Z1Z have the cross-sectional shape of a rectangle.

3. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that the connectors connecting the main elements IV to each other constitute elements / 10 / seated axially in their horizontal walls 121 from the bottom and from the top, having a threaded opening / 11 / and a threaded rod / 12 / .

4. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by an intermediate house Z13Z in the shape of a rectangular cuboid, completing the entire structure of the scratcher from the top, or it is placed between the main elements Z1Z and mounted thereto by means of the connectors, having a front wall Z14Z with a through opening Z15Z, a back wall Z16Z, solid or with a through opening Z15Z, two solid horizontal walls: a bottom Z17Z and a top Z18Z one, while the two side walls are solid or made of fabric Z1_9Z; moreover, inside the intermediate house Z13Z there is a pillow Z20Z on the bottom wall IVTI thereof.

5. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a house Z21Z in the shape of a rectangular cuboid, completing the structure from the top, ending with a gable roof, having a front wall Z22Z with athrough opening Z23Z, a back wall Z24Z, solid or with a through opening Z23Z, and a solid bottom wall Z25Z, as well as side walls Z26Z and a roof, solid or made of fabric; moreover, inside the house Z21Z there is a pillow Z27Z on the bottom wall Z25Z thereof.

6. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a couch Z28Z in the shape of a rectangular cuboid open from the top, completing the structure from the top, having a pillow Z29Z.

7. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf Z30Z with or without rounded comers, completing the structure from the top, covered with a flat pillow 13 .

8. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf Z32Z with or without rounded comers, covered with a flat pillow Z33Z.

9. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf Z34Z with or without rounded comers, with a through opening Z35Z.

10. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a rectangular shelf Z36Z with or without rounded comers, with a through opening Z37Z.

11. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a shelf Z38Z in the shape of a scissor handle, having two through openings Z39Z.

12. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a shelf Z40Z having two protruding arms with fabric Z41_Z mounted therebetween.

13. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a vertical shelf Z42Z having spacer elements Z43Z, covered with fabric Z44Z on one side.

14. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a bridge Z45Z having fabric Z47Z spanning between its two arms Z46Z.

15. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a connector Z48Z for the main elements Z1_Z.

16. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a toy in the form of a mouse Z49Z, which forms a flat element covered with a material Z50Z with filling.

17. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a toy suspended on a cable in the form of a pendant Z51Z, having a spherically-shaped element Z52Z, with loosely hanging bits of rope Z53Z there beneath.

18. The set of elements according to claim 1 , characterised in that a functional element is constituted by a toy suspended on a cable in the form of a pendant Z54Z, having a ring-shaped element Z55Z, with loosely hanging bits of rope Z56Z wound around it.

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