GB2101182A - Cat doors - Google Patents

Abstract

A cat door(10) is provided with a two-part locking mechanism (16a, 16b) which may be moved between a first condition, in which the flap (10) can be moved inwardly but not outwardly, a second condition in which it can be moved in either direction, and a third condition in which it can be moved outwardly but not inwardly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to cat doors This invention is concerned with improvements relating to cat doors. The term "cat door" is used herein to mean a door of the kind normally provided in domestic premises, to permit a small animal such as a cat to pass into or from the premises of its own volition. Such doors are often afforded by a frame, secured around an opening in (e.g.) a lower part of a conventional door, with a flap pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis from which it hangs across the opening afforded by the frame. A small animal such as a cat may move the flap to gain entry, or exit from the premises, merely by pushing against the flap.

Although means is provided in conjunction with such conventional cat doors to lock the flap, it has been appreciated by the present inventors that there are occasions on which a greater degree of control over the movement of the flap would be highly convenient to the owner of the cat.

According to this invention there is provided a cat door comprising locking means movable between a first condition in which the flap can be opened in either direction, and a second condition in which the flap can be opened in one direction but not the other direction.

In this manner, with the locking means in its first condition, the flap can be opened in either direction to permit passage of a cat in and out, as may be desired.

Said one direction may be inwards; thus for example at night time, with the locking means in its second condition, the cat may come in through the door, but cannot subsequently go out through the door.

Alternatively, said one direction may be outward; thus (e.g.) at night time, with the locking means in its second condition, the cat may go out of the door but cannot subsequently come in through the door.

Preferably the locking means may be moved to a third condition, in which the door can be opened in said other direction but not in said one direction.

In this manner, the owner of the cat may easily select between allowing the cat free passage in and out, or out but not in, or in but not out, said latter facility being useful if the cat is needed (e.g.) for veterinary treatment, when otherwise (as is known to all cat owners) the innate extra perceptive capability of the cat will cause it to disappear just before it is required.

Alternatively or in addition to the capability set out in the last preceding paragraph, the locking means may be moved to a further condition in which the door cannot be opened in either direction.

This invention also provides a cat door comprising locking means which may be moved between one condition, in which the flap can be opened in one direction but not the other direction, and another condition in which the flap can be opened in said other direction but not said one direction.

There will now be given a detailed description to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of two cat doors which are prererred embodiments of this invention, and which have been selected for the purpose of illustrating the invention by way of example. In the accompanying drawings:: FIGURES 1 and 2 are front and side elevations respectively, of a front part of a locking device of the cat door which is the first embodiment of this invention; FIGURES 3 and 4 are front and side elevations of a rear part of said locking device; FIGURES 5 and 6 are front and side elevations of the locking device, the front and rear parts having been secured together; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view, showing the manner of securing the locking device to a lower panel of the cat door; FIGURE 8 is a front elevation of the cat door, showing the locking device in its first condition; FIGURES 9, 10 and 1 1 are views of part of the cat door showing the locking device in second, third and fourth conditions, respectively; FIGURE 12 is a vertical sectional view of the cat door, with the locking device in its third condition;; FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of a closure assembly of the cat door which is the second embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 14 is a vertical sectional view showing the mounting of the closure assembly in a first mode; and FIGURE 15 is a vertical sectional view showing the mounting of the closure assembly in a second mode.

The cat door which is the first embodiment of this invention comprises an outer frame 6, having a lower panel 8, together defining a central generally rectangular aperture 9. Depending from an upper pivotal mounting 12 of the frame is a flap 10. At rest, the flap 10 will hang vertically, to substantially close the aperture 9, but is capable of pivotal movement in an inward direction (to the right, Figure 12) or in an outward direction (to the left, Figure 12).

The cat door comprises locking means, afforded by a catch device comprising substantially identical front and rear parts 1 6a, 1 6b, each comprising a flat, generally triangular body 1 7a, 1 7b respectively, from one side of which projects a semi-cylindrical boss 1 8a, 1 8b, and from the other side of which a central rib 1 9a, 1 9b extends.

The diameters of the bosses 1 8a, 1 8b are so aligned that when the two parts are presented together, with their centre lines including an angle of about 450 (see Figure 5) the two bosses 1 spa, 1 8b interfit, and the two parts may be secured together by a self-tapping screw 24 inserted through central bores 20a, 20b of the two parts (see also Figure 6).

The lower panel 8 of the cat door is provided with a circular hole 26, having a diameter'slightly greater than that of the bosses 1 8a, 1 8b, enabling the two bosses to be so interfitted within the hole 26. Thus, when the two parts 1 6a, 1 6b are secured together from opposite sides of the panel 8, and secured together by the screw 24, the locking device is capable of being rotated (preferably against the action of a frictional restraint) whilst the two parts are held in captive relationship relative to the lower panel 8.

Thus by grasping one of the ribs 1 9a, 1 9b between the thumb and forefinger, the locking device may be rotated between a first condition (shown in Figure 8) in which neither of the parts 1 6a, 1 6h projects above the top edge of the lower panel 8, and the flap 10 is permitted to swing about its pivot axis unimpeded. However, by rotation of the locking device in a clockwise direction to the position shown in Figure 9, the front part 1 6a projects above the top edge of the panel 8, preventing movement of the flap 10 in a pivotal inward direction, whilst the rear part 1 6b of the locking device does not impede pivotal rearward opening of the flap.

By further rotation of the locking device into the position shown in Figure 10, both the front and rear parts project above the top edge of the lower panel, in which condition of the locking device the flap 10 may be held captive between said two parts, as shown in Figure 12.

Upon further rotation of the locking device, specifically to the position shown in Figure 12, the rear part 1 6b may project above the top edge of the lower panel, preventing pivotal outward movement of the flap 10, whilst the front part 1 6a does not so project, permitting the flap to be moved pivotally inwardly.

The cat door which is the second embodiment of this invention is similar to that above described, comprising a rectangular frame having a lower panel, and a flap 10' pivotally mounted in an upper part of the central aperture of the frame.

However for the purpose of controlling movement of the flap, the cat door which is the second embodiment of this invention comprises a closure assembly 30, comprising a first closure panel 32 and a second closure panel 34 which is slightly less high than the first closure panel, the two being secured together on opposite sides of the lower panel 8' of the cat door, by sleeves and headed pins 38.

Extending downwardly into the lower panel 8' are two slots 36, into which the pins 38 may be positioned, permitting the assembly 30 to be moved vertically relative to the panel 8'.

Mounted on the lower panel 8' is an eccentric 40, which may be rotated by a knurled knob 42.

In the position of the closure assembly which is shown in Figure 14, the flap 10' of the cat door is held captive between the closure panels 32 and 34. However, by rotation of the eccentric 40, the closure assembly falls in the direction A, moving firstly to a position in which the top edge of the panel 34 passes below the lower edge of the flap 10', permitting the flap to move inwardly (direction C) but not outwardly (direction B). On further rotation of the eccentric 40, the closure assembly falls to a position in which the top edge of the panel 32 passes beneath the lower edge of the flap 10', permitting the flap to be moved in either direction.

Whilst in the arrangement shown in Figure 14, it is not possible to arrange for the flap to be permitted movement in the direction B whilst movement in the direction C is prevented, the closure assembly may readily be lifted from the lower panel 8' and respositioned thereon, the other way around, as is shown in Figure 15. In this manner, by suitable positioning of the eccentric 40, such latter desired control over the flap 10' may readily be achieved.

Claims (9)

1. A cat door comprising locking means movable between a first condition in which the flap can be opened in either direction, and a second condition in which the flap can be opened in one direction but not the other direction.

2. A cat door according to Claim 1 wherein the locking means may be moved to a third condition in which the flap can be opened in said other direction but not in said one direction.

3. A cat door according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the locking means can be moved to a further condition in which the flap cannot be opened in either direction.

4. A cat door comprising locking means which may be moved between one condition, in which the flap can be opened in one direction but not the other direction, and another condition in which the flap can be opened in said other direction but not said one direction.

5. A cat door according to Claim 4 wherein the locking means may be moved to a further condition in which the flap can be opened in either direction.

6. A cat door according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the locking means comprises a catch device mounted for movement between selected positions on part of the cat door.

7. A cat door according to Claim 6 wherein the catch device comprises parts adapted on positioning of the device to be moved into positions in which they project into the path of travel of the flap from respective inner and outer sides of the aperture.

8. A cat door constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described (a) with reference to Figures 1 to 12, or (b) with reference to Figures 13 to 1 5 of the accompanying drawings.

9. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.