GB2526854A

GB2526854A - Loungers for pets

Info

Publication number: GB2526854A
Application number: GB1409990.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tony John Wilson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-05
Filing date: 2014-06-05
Publication date: 2015-12-09
Also published as: GB201409990D0

Abstract

A lounger 10 for a pet such as a dog comprises first and second mattress portions 2,1, and a support structure 4-8 for supporting the mattress portions above a floor so that the first mattress portion 2 is more resiliently supported by the support means than the second mattress portion 1. The Lounger will preferably have a means of dampening the vertical movement of the mattress portions through the use of springs, a hydraulic strut or similar items 6, 7.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1409990.7 RTIVI Date:15 January 2015 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.govuk

TITLE

Loungers for Pets

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to loungers for pets. It was initially conceived as a development of conventional dog beds and baskets, hut it may he used by other species of pets.

Dogs, like people, love sitting/sleeping off the floor and like to curl up or stretch depending on their mood. Current dog beds are either cushions thrown on the floor where the dog stretches out (as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings) or are baskets where the dog is forced to curl up (as shown in Figure 2). Neither combines the two sleeping positions and both require the dog to sleep near the floor.

An aim of the present invention is to provide something more versatile.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a lounger for a pet comprising first and second mattress portions, and support means tbr supporting the mattress portions above a floor so that the first mattress portion is more resiliently supported by the support means than the second mattress portion. This enables the lounger to adopt different configurations depending up the way in which the pet disposes itself on the lounger.

Preferably, the first mattress portion has a base that is supported by the support means for vertical movement, for example by springs or elasticated elements.

Preferably, the support means includes means for damping vertical movement of the base of the first mattress portion. This can prevent the first mattress portion moving too violently when the pet gets on or off the lounger, or moves position on it.

The second mattress portion may have a base that is resiHenty supported by the support means, but for simplicity is preferably substantially rigidly supported by the support means.

Preferably, in the absence of any external load on the mattress portions, the mattress portions have upper surfaces that are substantially level with each other, for example within cm in height.

Preferably, in the absence of any external load on the mattress portions, the mattress portions have upper surfaces that are supported at least 20 cm above the floor.

The second mattress portion may surround at least half of the perimeter of the first mattress portion, or at least three-quarters of the perimeter of the first mattress portion. In one embodiment, it substantially completely surrounds the perimeter of the first mattress portion.

In another embodiment, the second mattress portion is disposed at one end of the first mattress portion, and a further such second mattress portion is disposed at an opposite end of the first mattress portion, so as to provide a hammock effect.

Preferably, the first and second mattress portions are connected directly or via connecting material to avoid a gap therebetween.

Preferably, the first and second mattress portions are readily removable from the support means to facilitate cleaning..

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now he described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view of a dog on a conventional dog cushion or mattress; Figure 2 is a view of a dog in a conventional dog basket; Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of a dog lounger of one embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mattress of the dog lounger of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a dog curled up on the dog lounger of Figure 3; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a dog spread out on the dog lounger of Figure 3.

Referring to Figures 3 to 6 of the drawings, a dog lounger 10 comprises a support assembly 12 and a mattress assembly 3.

The support assembly 12 has a square frame 8 arranged to be supported above the floor by a leg assembly 4. A square platform 5 is suspended by its corners within and below the frame 8 by a suspension system including coil springs 6 that are normally in tension. A further coil spring 7, normally in compression, extends downwardly from the centre of the platform 5 to the leg assembly 4.

The mattress assembly 3 comprises a central square mattress part 2 and an outer square mattress part I that surrounds the central part 2. The central part 2 is sized so that it fits into the square hole of the frame 8 of the support assembly 1 2 and so that its underside can sit on the platform S of the support assembly. The outer mattress part 1 has an outline slightly larger than the frame 8 of the support assembly 12 and is arranged so that its underside can sit on the frame 8. As shown in Figure 4, the mattress parts 1,2 are joined by a single seam 9. The mattress parts 1,2 may be stuffed with similar materials or with different materials so that the lounger 10 as a whole responds in the desired manner as described below. For example, the outer mattress part I may be stuffed with high resilience foam, and the central mattress part 2 with carded quilted fibre or blown fibre.

The dog lounger 10 has been designed for the dog 14 to sit/sleep 30 cm or so from the ground. The combination and use of the materials is designed to allow the dog 14 to feel secure when jumping in and standing yet allow flexibility and comfort for sleeping. The dog lounger uses its suspension system in conjunction with the weight of the dog 14 and the dog's location on the lounger 10 to rise and fall depending on what the dog 14 is doing.

The mattress assembly 3 is designed to be fully removable for dry cleaning purposes with either Velcro or studded fixings (not shown). The seam 9 between the mattress parts 1,2 allows for the central mattress part 2 to rise and fall.

When the dog 14 curls up in the middle of the lounger 10, the weight of the dog 14 will work with the suspension system and mattress materials to allow' the central mattress part 2 of the lounger 10 to lower, hut leaving the outer mattress part 2 substantially at the original height.

This creates a bowl like shape for the dog to snuggle into, as shown in Figure 5.

When the dog 14 stretches out, the weight of the dog 14 is spread more over the outer mattress part 1 allowing the suspension system to pull the central mattress part 2 upw'ards, so that the upper surfaces of the two mattress parts 1,2 are flatter, ideal for lounging and sleeping in an open pose, as shown in Figure 6.

Many modifications and developments may he made to the embodiment of the dog lounger 10 described above. For example, the outer mattress part 1 and the frame 8 may extend around just three, or even just two, sides of the central mattress part 2. The outer mattress part 1 and the frame 8 may be divided into two portions at opposite ends of the central mattress part 2 so as to provide a hammock effect. Instead of being square, the platform 5, frame 8 and mattress parts 1,2 may he rectangular, round, oval, or any other desired shape. Instead of the two mattress parts 1,2 being joined by a single seam 9, they may he joined hy a strip of material that permits more freedom of movement between them. The central spring 7 may be replaced by a damper, such as a hydraulic strut, or by a combined spring and damper, or may he omitted. The springs 6 may also be replaced by a combined springs and dampers. The damper(s) would act to prevent the central mattress part 2 moving too violently when the dog 14 gets on or off the lounger 10, or moves position on it. Other forms of spring 6,7 may be employed, such as 0-rings or shock cords. The dog lounger 10 may be provided in different sizes and with differing degrees of resilience of the central mattress part I and suspension system to suit dogs of different sizes and weights. Although the embodiment of the invention has been described in terms of a dog lounger 10, it may of course also he used by cats and other pets.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the invention has been described above purely by way of example and that many other modifications and developments may he made thereto within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A lounger for a pet comprising first and second mattress portions, and support means for supporting the mattress portions above a floor so that the first mattress portion is more resiliently supported by the support means than the second mattress portion.
2. A pet lounger as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first mattress portion has a base that is supported by the support means for vertical movement.
3. A pet lounger as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support means includes means for damping vertical movement of the base of the first mattress portion.
4. A pet lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second mattress portion has a base that is substantially rigidly supported by the support means.
5. A pet lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in the absence of any external load on the mattress portions, the mattress portions have upper surfaces that are substantially level with each other.
6. A pet lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, in the absence of any external load on the mattress portions, the mattress portions have upper surfaces that are supported at least 20 cm above the floor.
7. A pet lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second mattress portion surrounds at least half of the perimeter of the first mattress portion as viewed from above.
8. A pet lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second mattress portion surrounds at least three-quarters of the perimeter of the first mattress portion as viewed from above.
9. A pet lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second mattress portion substantially completely surrounds the perimeter of the first mattress portion as viewed from above.
10. A pet lounger as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second mattress portion is disposed at one end of the first mattress portion, as viewed from above, and wherein a further such second mattress portion is disposed at an opposite end of the first mattress portion.11. A pet lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second mattress portions are connected directly or via connecting material to avoid a gap therebetween.
11. A pet lounger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second mattress portions are readily removable from the support means.
12. A pet lounger substantially as described with reference to the drawings.