GB2342266A

GB2342266A - Animal bed

Info

Publication number: GB2342266A
Application number: GB9821115A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Peter Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-09-30
Filing date: 1998-09-30
Publication date: 2000-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-30
Also published as: AU6106299A; WO2000018220A1; GB2342266B; GB9821115D0

Abstract

A bed (10) for an animal includes a base (12) and a semi-cylindrical roof (14). A space (16) for the animal is defined between the base (12) and the roof (14). The base comprises a heatable pad including a corrugated material (24) and a resistance wire (22) located in one or more corrugations and surrounded by a resin or plastics material. Preferably the element operates from a low voltage source.

Description

2342266 Animal Bed The invention relates to a bed for animals.

Heated pads for animals are known, and are commonly used in kennels and catteries. A pad comprises an aluminium housing which surrounds an element comprising a resistance wire. A layer of air insulates the wire from the aluminium. The pad is plugged into the mains and current flows through the wire, heating the air and hence also heating the aluminium housing.

According to the invention, there is provided a bed for an animal, the bed comprising a heatable pad including a resistance wire surrounded by a resin or plastics material.

The resin or plastics material may include a rubbery material.

Preferably the wire is embedded in the resin or plastics material.

Preferably the pad includes a layer of corrugated material, the resistance wire being located in one or more corrugations. The corrugated material may include cardboard. Preferably the corrugated material is impregnated with a resin or plastics material.

The pad is preferably substantially planar and preferably has a surface area of at least 0.25m'. The pad may have a thickness of between 1Omm and 6Omm.

The pad may include one or more layers of fibreglass material. Two layers of fibreglass material may be provided, a first layer including fibreglass which is more finely chopped than the fibreglass in a second layer. The first layer may be provided externally of the second layer. The pad may include two pairs of the first and second layers of fibreglass material, a pair being located 2 on each side of the wire. Preferably each layer of fibreglass material is impregnated with resin or plastics material.

Preferably the resin or plastics material solidifies to form a substantially rigid material. Preferably the solidified material is stable at temperatures of up to at least 100'c, and preferably up to at least 140c.

Preferably the wire comprises copper wire, which is preferably wound onto fibreglass strands. Preferably the wire is surrounded by an electrically insulating material, such as a plastics material. The resistance of the wire is preferably between 1 Ohm and 10 Ohms per metre and most preferably about 4 Ohms per metre.

The pad may include an element comprising a length of wire having first and second ends connected to positive and negative terminals respectively of a power supply. Preferably the wire is between I m and 6m in length and most preferably the wire is about 3m in length.

Preferably the path of the wire comprises a number of substantially straight parallel portions connected by curved portions.

Preferably the pad includes a plurality of such elements, connected electrically in parallel.

Preferably the bed includes a power supply or a transformer. Preferably the power supply is a 12V supply. Preferably the transformer is a stepdown transformer. Preferably the transformer is able to transform mains voltage to a 12V supply.

Preferably when the elements are connected to a 12V supply, the pad warms to a temperature of between 2Wc and 45'c. Means may be provided for modifying the ma3dmum temperature reached.

3 According to a first embodiment of the invention, the bed includes a base incorporating the heatable pad and a housing member, a space for the animal being defined between the base and the housing member.

Preferably the housing member comprises a substantially semicylindrical portion, forming side walls and a roof. Preferably the housing member further comprises a back wall. A front wall is preferably provided, having an opening therein for allowing the animal access to the space.

The housing member may be formed from laminated fibreglass, which is preferably between 2mm and 10mm in thickness, and most preferably between 3mm and 5mm in thickness.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the bed includes the heatable pad and lighting means, mountable substantially above the heatable pad.

The lighting means may include a lamp mounted on a substantially vertical support. Preferably the lamp has a power of about 15 watts.

The substantially vertical support may comprise a tube of plastics material such as UPVC. The tube is preferably attached to the heatable pad.

According to the invention, there is also provided a method for manufacturing a bed for an animal, the method comprising the step of forming a heatable pad including a resistance wire surrounded by a resin or plastics material.

The method may include the step of embedding the wire in a corrugated material, which may include cardboard. Preferably the method further includes the step of impregnating the corrugated material with a resin or plastics material.

4 The method may include the step of adding a catalyst to the resin or plastics material before use.

The method may include the step of forming a layer of resin or plastics material, laying a first layer of fibreglass material over the resin or plastics material and impregnating the layer of fibreglass material with resin or plastics material. The method may include the further step of laying a second layer of fibreglass material over the first layer of fibreglass material and impregnating the layer of fibreglass material with a resin or plastics material. The first layer of fibreglass material may include fibreglass which is more finely chopped than the fibreglass in the second layer.

The method may include the further step of laying a wire embedded in corrugated material over the fibreglass material and impregnating the corrugated material with a resin or plastics material. Preferably the method includes the step of laying a further layer of fibreglass material over the corrugated material and impregnating the fibreglass material with a resin or plastics material. This layer of fibreglass material may include relatively coarsely chopped fibreglass. A final layer of fibreglass material may be added, including relatively finely chopped fibreglass. Preferably the final layer of fibreglass is impregnated with a resin or plastics material.

The method may include the step of embedding the w-ire in the corrugated material, such that the wire follows a path comprising a number of substantially straight parallel portions connected by curved portions.

The method may include the step of joining a housing member to the heatable pad. The housing member may be joined to the pad by laying fibreglass material over a junction between the pad and the housing and impregnating the fibreglass material with a resin or plastics material.

The invention will now be described for the purpose of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pet bed according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pet bed according to the invention viewed from its underside; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic cross section through a heatable pad for a pet bed according to the invention; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view of the layout of wires in a pet bed according to the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a pet bed 10 includes a base 12 and a semicylindrical roof 14. A space 16 for the pet is formed between the roof 14 and the base 12, and is bounded by a back wall (not shown). A front wall 18 includes an opening 20 to allow the pet access to the space 16.

The roof 14 is formed from laminated fibreglass, and is about Smm thick.

Referring to Fig. 3, the base 12 of the pet bed includes a wire 22 embedded in corrugated cardboard 24. The wire 22 comprises copper 26 wound around fibreglass strands 28. The wire is surrounded by an electrically insulating plastics material 30. The resistance of the wire is about 4 Ohms per metre.

The corrugated cardboard 24 is impregnated with a resin. On either side of the corrugated cardboard 24 is a layer 32 of fibreglass material. The fibreglass in this layer is relatively coarse cut, i.e. the strands are about 1Omm long. This fibreglass material is also impregnated with resin.

On an external side of each layer 32 of fibreglass material is a further layer 34 of fibreglass material. This layer 34 is relatively finely cut, i.e. the 6 strands are about 2mm long. This fibreglass material is also impregnated with resin.

On an external side of one of the layers 34 of fibreglass material is a layer 36 of resin, approximately Snim - 10min thick. This forms a smooth, water resistant, heat resistant surface 38. Fig. 3 shows a part of the base 12 oriented as it would be during its formation. When part of the pet bed 10, the base is oriented the opposite way up and the surface 38 forms the floor of the pet bed.

Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically the layout of the wires in the base 12 of the pet bed. The base comprises four elements 40, each including about 3m of wire 22. The wires in the respective elements are connected electrically in parallel so that if one wire ceases to function, the remaining elements continue to function unaffected. Referring to Fig. 1, the wires from each element are connected to the mains supply via a transformer 42.

The transformer 42 converts mains voltage into a 12V supply for the pet bed. A current thus flows in the wires 22, and these wires become hot. The resin and fibreglass of the base 12 of the pet bed become warm and heat is transmitted to the space 16 in which the pet is housed. The resistance of the wires 22 is calculated such that the base 12 reaches a temperature of between 35'cand40'c. A rheostat device maybe provided for adjusting the resistance and hence altering the maximum temperature reached.

The pet bed 10 is constructed as follows. A layer of resin is first formed on a mould, this resin solidifying to form the layer 36 and the surface 38 which subsequently forms the floor of the bed 10. A layer 34 of finely chopped fibreglass material is placed over the layer 36 and impregnated with resin. A layer 32 of coarse chopped fibreglass is then placed over the layer 34 and impregnated with resin.

The corrugated cardboard 24 containing the wire 22 is placed over the 7 layer 34 of finely chopped fibreglass material and impregnated with resin. A further layer 32 of coarse chopped fibreglass material is next placed upon the corrugated cardboard and impregnated with resin. Finally a layer 34 of finely chopped fibreglass material is laid over the layer 32 and impregnated with resin.

Shortly before use, a catalyst is added to the resin. This causes the resin to solidify and the result of the above process is a robust base 12 for the pet bed 10.

A colourant may also be added to the resin, if desired.

Referring to Fig. 2, the base 12 is filed dow-n until it is precisely the size to fit into the bottom of the roof 14. The base 12 is inserted into the roof, and a band of fibreglass material laid over the join between the base 12 and the roof 14, on the underside of the pet bed 10. The fibreglass material is impregnated with resin which solidifies, thereby joining the roof 14 to the base 12.

There is thus provided a pet bed which runs safely from a 12V supply, and in which all electrical elements are safely embedded in insulating materials. The roof of the bed ensures that heat given off by the elements is retained within the bed, to warm the animal.

Various modifications may be made to the above embodiment, without departing from the scope of the invention. Instead of being provided with a roof, the bed may comprise an open pad provided with a light located substantially above the pad. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use as a piglet pad.

The pad may be powered directly from the mains, provided that a suitable safety cut-off switch is provided.

The heating element may be formed separately from the part of the base which the animal sits on, and clipped into place under that part before use.

The part of the base that the animal sits on may be moulded together with the roof, to form a complete moulded enclosure.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

9

Claims

1. A bed for an animal, the bed comprising a heatable pad including a resistance wire surrounded by a resin or plastics material.

2. A bed according to claim 1 wherein the resin or plastics material includes a rubbery material.

3. A bed according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wire is embedded in the resin or plastics material.

4. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the pad includes a layer of corrugated material, the resistance wire being located in one or more corrugations.

D. A bed according to claim 4 wherein the corrugated material includes cardboard.

6. A bed according to claim 4 or claim 5- wherein the corrugated material is impregnated with a resin or plastics material.

7. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the pad is substantially planar and has a surface area of at least 0.25m' and a thickness of between 1Omm and 60mm.

8. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the pad includes at least two layers of fibreglass material, a first layer including fibreglass which is more finely chopped than the fibreglass in a second layer.

9. A bed according to claim 8 wherein the pad includes two pairs of the first and second layers of fibreglass material, a pair being located on each side of the wire, and each layer of fibreglass material is impregnated with resin or plastics material.

10. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the resin or plastics material solidifies to form a substantially rigid material, the solidified material being stable at temperatures of up to at least 100'c.

11. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the wire comprises copper wire, which is wound onto fibreglass strands and surrounded by an electrically insulating material.

12. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the resistance of the wire is between 1 Ohm and 10 Ohms.

13. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the pad includes an element comprising a length of wire having first and second ends connectable to positive and negative terminals respectively of a power supply.

14. A bed according to claim 13 wherein the wire is between Im and 6m in length and the path of the wire comprises a number of substantially straight parallel portions connected by curved portions.

15. A bed according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the pad includes a plurality of such elements, connected electrically in parallel.

16. A bed according to any preceding claim, wherein the bed includes a 12V power supply or a step-down transformer, which is able to transform mains voltage to a 12V supply.

17. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein when the bed is connected to a 12V supply, the pad warms to a temperature of between 2Wc and 45'c.

18. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein means are provided for modifying the maximum temperature reached by the pad.

19. A bed according to any preceding claim wherein the bed includes a base incorporating the heatable pad and a substantially semi-cylindrical housing member, a space for the animal being defined between the base and the housing member.

20. A bed according to claim 19 wherein the housing member is formed from laminated fibreglass, which is preferably between 2mm and 1Omm in thickness.

21. A bed according to any of claims 1 to 18 wherein the bed includes the heatable pad and lighting means, mountable substantially above the heatable pad.

22. A bed according to claim 21 wherein the lighting means includes a lamp mounted on a substantially vertical support, comprising a tube of plastics material such as UPVC, the tube being attached to the heatable pad.

23. A method for manufacturing a bed for an animal, the method comprising the step of forming a heatable pad including a resistance wire surrounded by a resin or plastics material.

24. A method according to claim 23 including the step of embedding the wire in a corrugated. material, which may include cardboard, impregnating the corrugated material with a resin or plastics material, and adding a catalyst to the resin or plastics material before use.

25. A method according to claim 23 or claim 2-4, the method including the steps of forming a layer of resin or plastics material, laying a first layer of fibreglass material over the resin or plastics material and impregnating the layer of fibreglass material with resin or plastics material; and laying a second layer of fibreglass material over the first layer of fibreglass material and impregnating the layer of fibreglass material with a resin or plastics material.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein the first layer of fibreglass 12 material includes fibreglass which is more finely chopped than the fibreglass in the second layer.

27. A method according to claim 25 or claim 26 wherein the method includes the steps of laying a wire embedded in corrugated material over the fibreglass material and impregnating the corrugated material with a resin or plastics material; laying a further layer of fibreglass material, including relatively coarsely chopped fibreglass, over the corrugated material and impregnating the fibreglass material with a resin or plastics material; and adding a final layer of fibreglass material, including relatively finely chopped fibreglass, the final layer of fibreglass being impregnated with a resin or plastics material.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the method includes the step of embedding the wire in the corrugated material, such that the wire follows a path comprising a number of substantially straight parallel portions connected by curved portions.

29. A method according to claim 28, the method including the step of Joining a housing member to the heatable pad by laying fibreglass material over a junction between the pad and the housing and impregnating the fibreglass material with a resin or plastics material.

30. A bed substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

31. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

32. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.