GB2030437A - Improvements in heated beds for animals - Google Patents

Abstract

In a heated bed for an animal such as a dog or a cat, there is a raised support surface 8 on which the animal can lie. A base provides an enclosure 12 in which an electric heater 13 is mounted and which heats the support safely from the under-side. A control for the heater 13 preferably comprises a thermostat 18 with an adjustable setting and which may have an accelerator resistor in series therewith. Various safety features and alternatives are described. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in heated beds for animals This invention concerns improvements in heated beds for animals, particularly, but not exclusively for animals of the domestic type such as cats and dogs.

It is desirable to provide a bed for animals which is comfortable, safe and which ensures that the animal is warm even if the ambient temperature falls, for instance in a domestic environment when heating is turned off at night. It is also desirable on certain occasions to ensure that an animal has sufficient warmth despite wide variations in the ambient temperature, for instance when breeding, or when an animal is sick or recuperating.

It is an object of this invention to provide a bed which meets these needs and which provides certain advantages that will be explained herein.

According to this invention we provide a bed for animals comprising a base providing a raised support surface upon which an animal can lie, an electric heater mounted on the base and arranged to heat the support surface from underneath remote from the animal, and control means inoperable by the animal for controlling the heater.

The invention thus provides a bed which can be heated in a controlled manner so that the support surface on which the animal lies is warm and the animal cannot operate the heater so that once the control is set as desired the temperature of the bed can be maintained.

Preferably, the base provides an enclosure in which the heater is disposed and the control means comprises a thermostat which can be pre-set to a desired temperature. By such an arrangement the thermostat can be responsive to the temperature prevailing in the enclosure provided by the base and automatically switch the heater on and off to maintain the desired temperature.

The enclosure provided by the base also protects the heater and prevents the animal from coming into direct contact with the heater. This is important for the safety of the animal and to ensure that moisture or dirt and detritus cannot contact or damage the heater and associated electrical wires or connections and the thermostat.

Conveniently, the thermostat may be adjustable to one of several settings by a manually operable control accessible on the outside of the base, for example on one side, underneath or behind a cover plate. The control can be remote from the bed if desired.

The heater preferably comprises a wire or ribbon element which is laid or wound to form a flat plate-like heater that is supported within the enclosure and spaced from the walls of the base. By this arrangement, heat can be conducted to the air in the enclosure and radiantly to the underneath of the support surface on which the animal lies. Thus an even heating can be achieved avoiding local hot spots and the thermally responsive member of the thermostat, for instance a bi-metallic strip, is subjected to fluctuations in the air temperature within the enclosure and can be disposed remote from the effects of radiant heating from the heater.

The thermostat preferably has an associated accelerator resistor to prevent time lag or reduce response time to temperature changes sensed by the thermally responsive member of the thermostat.

This provides for a shortened response cycle of the heater as might be required to ensure that the temperature is maintained to very close limits.

To prevent heat loss from the base, this can be insulated in any known manner, and the support surface for the animal can safely be covered by bedding such as paper or a cloth or blanket for comfort of the animal, and there can be no risk of fire or overheating.

Preferably, the power supply to the bed is conducted through a suitable cable which may be armoured or sheathed to protect the conductive wires against damage by the animal or the user, and weather-resistant or water-proof cable may be fitted.

A pilot lamp to indicate that the power supply to the bed is switched on may be provided, and if desired such pilot lamp can indicate when the heater is functioning. Such provision is optional.

The size of the base and the support provided for the animal to lie on can be selected as desired and applicable for the type and size of animal. Different wattages of heater can be installed for different sizes, and the shape of the heater-plate can be chosen in accordance with such size and configuration.

Preferably, the bed also comprises an upstanding draught screen or wall which extends upwardly from the base and the support surface so that the animal has shelter and protection and any bedding cannot fall from the support surface. The screen or wall can be shaped so as to have an opening or lowered section to permit access to the support surface.

The bed would normally be open-topped, but for some applications a roof or cover could be fitted. For instance, where external use is required, or where restraint or confinement of an animal is desired such as for recuperation in vetinarian use.

The bed is preferably designed to provide a base and a support surface which can be cleaned easily and which cannot be damaged. Metal is preferred, but some plastics are suitable. Different colours or surface finishes can be chosen as desired, and materials may be chosen as desired. In particular, it is desirable to avoid sharp edges or angles, and rolled or beaded edges orfinishers can be applied to free edges.

An exemplary embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a heated bed for a cat or small dog; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bed shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view on line Ill-Ill of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a diagram depicting the arrangement of the circuit for the heater and the control means.

With reference to the bed depicted in Figures 1, 2 and 3, it is of generally circular shape in plan view and comprises two metal parts 1 and 2, such as spinnings which are shaped like bowls, having their respective bases 3 and 4 rigidly connected together by rivets or welds so that the respective side walls 5, 6 which diverge from the associated base extend in opposed directions. The lower bowl provides a part of the base of the bed.

A section of the wall 6 of the upper bowl is shaped to provide an entry 7 of reduced height leading to the circular raised support surface 8 on which the animal can lie and be protected and screened from draughts by the wall 6. As shown, the free edge of the wall 6 is trimmed by a bead 9 to give a smooth finish.

However, if desired, the free edge could be rolled.

The lower bowl 1 has a slightly shorter wall 6 which provides a supporting skirt and a circular base plate 10 is secured to the assembly by studs 11 extending from the bases 3 and 4 which are secured together. The base plate 10 closes the lower bowl 1 to provide an enclosure 12.

A heater 13 comprises a wire resistance element supported on or wound on an insulator plate of flat rectangular form. The element is connected into the circuit to be described later. The heater 13 is supported on a plate 14 of substantially the same size as the insulator plate. The heater 13 and the support plate 14 are mounted and fixed by suitable nuts and washers to the threaded studs 11 which extend through the enclosure 12. The heater 13 and the support plate 14 are mounted to provide a rigid assembly within the enclosure 12 which is spaced from and lies between the base plate 10 and the base 3. The assembly extends parallel to the opposed surfaces.

A cable 15 for mains electric power supply is led into the enclosure 12 through a fitted received in an aperture in the wall 5, and a pilot lamp 16 is also mounted in the wall 5.

Athermostat control knob 17 is accessible on the exterior of the wall 5 and controls a thermostat 18 mounted in the enclosure on the wall 5. The control knob 17 may be recessed and/or covered by a plate or slide to prevent inadvertent adjustment or damage, and it could be of the detent or plunger type which cannot be turned accidentally.

With reference also to the diagram of Figure 4, the variable thermostat 18 is connected to the mains supply cable 15 through a connection block 20 mounted inside the enclosure on the inside of the wall 5. An accelerator resistor 21 is connected in series with the thermostat 18 and serves to decrease the response cycle of the thermostat. The wire element 22 of the heater 13 is a simple resistance to give an output of 40 to 45 watts. The pilot lamp 16 is connected in parallel with the heater 13, and an earth 23 is provided in known manner.

As will be appreciated, the thermostat 18 includes a thermally responsive element, such as a bi-metal strip, which is arranged to control contacts that open and close in response to temperature changes. Such responsive element senses the actual temperature of the air within the enclosure of the base. The whole of the support surface upon which the animal can lie is heated by both by radiant heat from the heater and through conduction from the hot air within the enclosure. If desired, a base plate 10 and the side wall 5 can be insulated or lined or covered to reduce heat loss.

The desired surface temperature of the support surface 8 can be adjusted by varying the setting of the thermostat to accommodate the preference of the animal and the use of any bedding material. The animal cannot operate the heater once the bed is switched on, and the thermostat cannot be adjusted by the animal. Accordingly, in the case of domestic pets, the bed can be used all the time and the power supply to the bed can be switched on to allow the heater to operate when the temperature of the bed falls below that desired and set. The power consumption is thus kept to a low level in use.

The shape and size and type of bed can be varied for different animals whilst maintaining the provision of the heated base and the raised support underneath which the heat is applied safe from the animal.

With certain applications, such as in the vetinarian field, the bed may be arranged for automatic control remote from the bed, for example with a thermostat connected to the main power supply so that the power supply is switched on when the ambient temperature falls.

The bed can be kept clean and the heater is safely mounted against damage on movement of the bed.

The bed is portable for small or average sized cats or dogs. The bed can be made of metal, but plastics could be used for the top, or even the base if proper heat insulation were provided.

Other types of electric heater can be used within the enclosure of the base, and there could be provided one or more single heat elements, say of low wattage such as 15 watts, which could be controlled by a switch so that one or more can be used constantly.

The pilot lamp can be omitted. Other projecting parts could also be covered, particularly to avoid damage by young animals who may gnaw. For this reason armour covering on the power supply cable can be provided.

Claims (10)

1. A bed for animals comprising a base providing a raised support surface upon which an animal can lie, an electric heater mounted on the base and arranged to heat the support surface from underneath remote from the animal, and control means inoperable by the animal for controlling the heater.

2. A bed according to claim 1 wherein the base provides an enclosure in which the heater is disposed.

3. A bed according to claim 2 wherein the control means comprises a thermostat which can be pre-set to a desired temperature.

4. A bed according to claim 3 wherein the thermostat is connected in series with an accelerator resistor.

5. A bed according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the heater comprises a wire or ribbon element laid or wound to form a flat plate-like heater.

6. A bed according to claim 5 wherein the heater is supported within the enclosure on a support plate and is spaced from the underside of the support surface on which the animal can lie.

7. A bed according to claim 6 wherein the heater and support plate provide an assembly which extends in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the support surface.

8. A bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an upstanding wall extends from the base to provide a screen surrounding a substantial part of the support surface.

9. A bed according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base comprises an inverted bowl-shape metal spinning which is closed by a base plate.

10. A bed for animals substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.