GB2117179A

GB2117179A - Entry signal system for pets

Info

Publication number: GB2117179A
Application number: GB08307523A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Graham Usher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-03-18
Filing date: 1983-03-18
Publication date: 1983-10-05
Also published as: GB2117179B; GB8307523D0

Abstract

An entry signal system for pets comprises a panel 11 hingedly or otherwise movably attached to the lower part of a door 18. Moving the panel 11 by the pet closes a switch to cause a bell or other warning device to operate. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Entry signal system for pets This invention relates to an entry signal system for domestic animal pets whereby, when a pet wishes to enter the home of his owner, he can attract the attention of his owner.

It is well known that a pet will scratch a door or other openable equivalent when he wishes to be let in. This can cause damage to the door over a period of time, particularly as the pet sometimes can scratch the door for a considerable period before attracting his owner's attention.

An object of the invention is to provide a system to overcome this problem.

According to the present invention there is provided a signalling assembly for attachment to a door in a location accessible to a domestic animal, such assembly comprising a signalling device, an actuating element movably attachable to the door front and dimensioned so that the animal can readily place a limb on the element and move it and an operative connection between the signalling device and the actuating element whereby the element has a normal rest condition and a depressed condition when contacted by the animal limb at which the signalling device emits its signal.

The signal device can conveniently be of an audible type, e.g. a bell or buzzer, and the actuating element in the form of a flat panel of substantial area.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, various embodiments of it will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a reduced front elevation of an actuating element of a first assembly in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary crosssectional view on the line Il-Il of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front elevation showing the front panel of a second and presently preferred embodiment, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line of Figure 3 showing the assembly as a whole, Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line of Figure 2, Figure 6 is a scrap view showing an alternative hinge arrangement, and Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the invention in use.

Referring to the drawings, the actuating assembly comprises a rectangular panel 1 in the form of an overlay sheet, preferably of a hardwearing and scratch proof plastics material such as polycarbonate, printed on its rear surface with a metallic grid 2. An interlayer insulating sheet 3 is provided of plastics material which is perforated with holes 4 in an appropriate pattern, and a base sheet 5, also of plastics material, having its surface facing towards the insulating sheet printed with a further metallic grid 6. In this embodiment the metallic grid 6 of the base sheet 5 provides two separate electrical arrays which are connected via conductors 7 and a battery (not shown) to a suitable signal bell also not shown.

Thus, in operation, if the pet touches or scratches the panel anywhere over its surface, the pressure causes the grid 2 to contact the grid 6 and bridge across the arrays of the latter, and thereby complete the electrical circuit. Alternatively, the grid 2 could provide one electrical array, and the grid 6 the other electrical array.

The overlaid sheets 1, 3 and 5 are held together with adhesive and adhered to and supported on a backing plate 8 of rigid plastics material or metal.

In this embodiment the plate is of aluminium and is of larger overall dimensions than the sheets, whereby the edges 9 of the plate can be bent over, around the edges of the sheets, to facilitate mounting of the sheets and to form a protective frame.

It will be readily appreciated that the panel arrangement also performs the function of a protective wear panel for the door to which it is applied. The backing plate can be attached to thedoor by any conventional method e.g. screws or by adhesive.

Referring to Figures 3 to 6, the front panel 11 is attached to a rear mounting plate 12 via a hinge arrangement 13. Fixed to the mounting plate, preferably with screws, are two electrical contact strips 14 and 15. These are connected via conductors 16 passing through the door and a battery (not shown) to a suitable signal bell schematically indicated at 19. The electrical contact strip 14 applies spring pressure against the rear surface of the front panel 11 which is restrained from excessive outward movement, in this embodiment, by lugs 1 7 lipping under the protruding edges of the mounting plate 12. This prevents flapping and hence bell sounding when the door is opened and closed.

Thus, in operation, if the pet touches or scratches the front panel 1 1 substantially anywhere over its surface, the pressure causes the front panel to move and close the contacts 14 and 15 and thereby complete the circuit.

It will be readily appreciated that the panel arrangement also performs the function of a protective wear panel for the door 1 8 or like surface to which it is applied. The mounting plate can be attached to the door by any conventional method e.g. screws or adhesive.

In order to gain access for screw fixing and the connection of conductors, the front panel can be unclipped from the mounting plate by virtue of the slight flexibility in the material, preferably plastic, with which the front panel is made.

Figure 6 shows an alternative and possibly preferred hinge arrangement. The upper edge part of panel 1 1 is formed over into a channel part 20 which hingedly engages rib 21 forming an upward extension of plate 12.

Figure 7 illustrates the invention in use. The substantial sized actuator plate 1 1 is supported by plate 12 in the lower free corner part of a house door 18. The plate 1 1 may be some 300 mm in height and 75 mm in width, this width tending to be limited by the size of the door margin defining a central panel. The dog is shown raising his paw to the panel 11 to depress it thereby ringing the bell.

Claims

1. A signalling assembly for attachment to a door in a location accessible to a domestic animal, such assembly comprising a signalling device, an actuating element movably attachable to the door front and dimensioned so that the animal can readily place a limb on the element and move it and an operative connection between the signalling device and the actuating element whereby the element has a normal rest condition and a depressed condition when contacted by the animal limb at which the signalling device emits its signal.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the signalling device is an electrically powered audible warning device such as a bell or buzzer, and wherein the actuating element operates a switch for the audible warning device.

3. An assembly as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the actuating element is a generally flat element of substantial area and attachable to the bottom free corner part of a door.

4. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the actuating element is hingedly attachable to the door about an upper hinge line.

5. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the entire front part of the actuating element is capable of limited rearward movement to activate the operative connection.

6. A door incorporating an assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims at the bottom free corner portion with the signalling device at the rear of the door, the actuating element at the front and the operative connection extending through the door.

7. Signalling assemblies and doors substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.