GB2571525A

GB2571525A - Animal enclosure retainer

Info

Publication number: GB2571525A
Application number: GB1803233.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tuthill James; Paul Johannes; Nichols Simon; Windham William
Original assignee: Hebe Studio Ltd
Current assignee: Hebe Studio Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-28
Filing date: 2018-02-28
Publication date: 2019-09-04
Also published as: GB201803233D0

Abstract

A retainer 19, 49 for an animal enclosure 1, the animal enclosure 1 comprising a housing 3 having a plurality of walls 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 that co-operate to define an internal cavity 5 having an opening by means of which a crate 7, animal bed and/or tray 51 may be fitted within the cavity 5, the retainer 19, 49 being fitted to a said wall of said enclosure 1 so that at least a portion of the retainer 19 lies within said cavity 5, the retainer 19 being configured to be capable of obstructing removal of the animal bed, crate 7 and/or tray 51 from the cavity 5 of the enclosure 1 through said opening. The retainer may be a pivotable arm, or a hook etc.

Description

ANIMAL ENCLOSURE RETAINER

Field

One aspect of this invention relates to a retainer for an animal enclosure. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an animal enclosure that is provided with such a retainer, and a further aspect of the invention relates to another type of retainer.

These, and other, aspects of the invention are described in detail below with specific reference to an enclosure for a dog. It will be apparent, however, that the retainer may be used with other types of animal enclosure, or for enclosing other types of animals. As such, references hereafter to dog enclosures should not be construed to be intended to limit the scope of the present invention to animal enclosures of this type, or indeed to animal enclosures for dogs.

Background

It is generally recommended for dogs being transported to be restrained, either by means of an appropriate dog harness that attaches to a seat belt within the vehicle or by means of a dog crate that the dog is put into before the journey commences.

Since dog crates are often relatively large, it has previously been proposed to construct the crate so that it can be folded flat for storage when not being used. One such dog cage is the so-called “Fido Classic” dog crate sold by Omlet Ltd. The Fido Classic dog crate can also be used indoors to provide a comfortable space that a dog can call its' own.

Whilst the Fido Classic dog crate, and other similar crates, adequately perform the function for which they were designed, it is nevertheless the case that such crates can be perceived to be something of an eyesore when used indoors. To address this, it has previously been proposed to incorporate a dog crate into an item of furniture. For example, Lords & Labradors of The Grange, Dalby Road, Partney, Lincolnshire PE23 4PH, United Kingdom sell a wooden dog crate cover that is designed to be fitted around a dog crate go ver/), and Pets2Bed of 610 N 5^th Street, Suite A, Pekin, Illinois 61554, USA sell a table that is configured to be fitted over a dog crate (httpy/pets^

Whilst both of these arrangements do enhance the aesthetic appeal of the crate, it is the case that they are both relatively cumbersome to use. For example, it can be difficult and time consuming for some users to remove the crate for use elsewhere (for example in a vehicle). This is particularly true in circumstances where the furniture is being used for other purposes, for example as a side table supporting a lamp, as the lamp on the table will have to be moved before the cage can be separated from the furniture.

Aspects of the present invention have been devised with these problems in mind.

Summary

One aspect of the present invention provides a retainer for an animal enclosure, the animal enclosure comprising a housing having a plurality of walls that co-operate to define an internal cavity having an opening by means of which a crate and/or tray may be fitted within the cavity, the retainer being fitted to a said wall of said enclosure so that at least a portion of the retainer lies within said cavity, the retainer being configured to be capable of obstructing removal of the crate and/or tray from the cavity of the enclosure through said opening.

In one embodiment, the retainer is moveable (for example, by a user) between a storage position where a crate can be inserted into and removed from the internal cavity to an operative position where the retainer resists removal of a crate that has been fitted into the internal cavity. The retainer may be mounted within said cavity to a said wall to pivot between said storage and operative positions.

The retainer may comprise an arm having a distal end and a proximal end, a wall engaging portion provided proximate said distal end and an operating tab provided proximate said proximal end. The wall engaging portion may extend from said arm in a first direction, and said operating tab may extend from said arm in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction. The retainer may further comprise a cover fitted to said operating tab. The cover may be extended to provide a graspable portion for facilitating operation of the retainer by a user. The cover may include a block of highfriction material that bears against the crate when the retainer is in the operative position.

The wall engaging portion may be configured to mate with a blind aperture in a said wall. In one embodiment, the retainer may comprise a cover member fittable over said wall engaging portion to maintain said wall engaging portion in mating engagement with said blind aperture. The cover member may be configured to permit a user to flex the retainer away from the wall in which the retainer is fitted.

The retainer may further comprise a keep fitted to said wall of said housing, a part of said retainer being received in said keep when the retainer is in said storage position. The keep may comprise a channel in which said part is received when the retainer is in said storage position.

In another embodiment the retainer may be for use with a tray that is configured to lie upon a base wall of said cavity, the retainer being capable of automatically engaging with the tray as the tray is inserted into the cavity. The tray may include a peripheral lip portion that defines a peripheral channel that opens towards the base wall when the retainer is located within the channel. The retainer may comprise a back wall configured to be fixed to a rear wall of the housing that defines said cavity. The retainer may comprise a front wall spaced from said rear wall to provide a channel for receiving a part of said peripheral lip portion. The front wall may be inclined relative to the base wall of the housing towards said back wall. The tray may be provided within a crate.

In another embodiment, the retainer may be for use with an animal bed that is configured to lie upon a base wall of said cavity, the retainer being configured to engage with a loop provided on the peripheral of the animal bed. The retainer may comprise a back wall configured to be fixed to a rear wall of the housing that defines said cavity, and a front wall spaced from said back wall to provide a groove, wherein said front wall comprises an undercut channel opening to said groove for the receipt of a part of said loop.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an animal enclosure comprising a housing, the housing including a plurality of walls that define an internal cavity, and a crate receivable within the internal cavity, wherein the housing has at least one retainer of the type described herein fitted at least partly within said cavity, the retainer being operable to obstruct removal of the crate when the crate is received in said cavity. Another aspect of the invention relates to an animal enclosure comprising a housing, the housing including a plurality of walls that define an internal cavity, and a tray receivable within the internal cavity, wherein the housing has at least one retainer of the type described herein fitted within said cavity for restraining the tray when the tray is received within the cavity.

The tray may be provided within a crate. The animal enclosure may comprise at least one retainer of the type described herein fitted at least partly within said cavity, the retainer being operable to obstruct removal of the crate when the crate is received in said cavity.

A yet further aspect of the invention comprises a housing for an animal enclosure of the type described herein.

Other aspects, advantages and features of aspects of the invention are set out hereafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an animal enclosure;

Figs. 2 and 3 are schematic representations of the enclosure of Fig. 1 in unlocked and locked configurations, respectively;

Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic representations of a retainer mounted on an end wall of the animal enclosure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of an operating arm;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged schematic sectional view along the line C—C in Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line A—A of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line B—B of Fig. 3;

Figs. 10 and 11 are schematic perspective and side views, respectively of another retainer; and

Figs. 12 to 14 are schematic cross-sectional views depicting a crate being engaged with the retainer depicted in Figs. 10 and 11.

Detailed Description

Referring now to Fig. 1 of the drawings, there is depicted a schematic representation of an animal enclosure 1 that embodies the teachings of the present invention. The animal enclosure 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 is designed for use by dogs, but as aforementioned it is conceivable for it to be used by other types of animals.

The enclosure 1 comprises a housing 3 that is comprised of a plurality of peripheral walls which co-operate to define a cavity 5 into which a crate 7 can be slid. In the particular example illustrated, the housing 3 comprises a rectangular prism formed by an upper wall 9, a lower wall 11, a pair of end walls 13,15 and a rear wall 17. The end walls 13, 15 are each provided with a retainer 19 that can be operated by a user, once the crate 7 has been slid into the cavity 5, to retain the crate 7 within the housing 3. Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the enclosure 1 after the crate 7 has been slid into the cavity 5, and before the retainers 19 have been moved from their depicted storage positions to their operative positions. In this configuration the enclosure is effectively “unlocked” in the sense that the crate 7 can freely be removed from the housing 3.

Fig. 3 shows the enclosure of Fig. 2 once the retainers 19 have been moved by a user to their operative position in which the retainers act to resist removal of the crate 7 from the housing 3 and the enclosure is effectively “locked”. In this position the crate 7 is also restrained from moving around in the housing, for example as a consequence of an animal moving around in the crate. To remove the crate, for example for use in a motor vehicle, the user need only move the retainers from their operative position shown in Fig. 3 to their storage positions depicted in Fig. 2, whereupon the crate 7 can readily be removed from the housing.

In the arrangement depicted in Figs. 1 to 3, the enclosure is provided with two retainers, one to either side of the crate 7. It will be apparent, however, that only one retainer need be provided. It should also be noted that for brevity only one of the retainers will hereafter be described (the other retainer being of identical construction).

Figs. 4 and 5 are schematic perspective views of a retainer 19 mounted on an end wall 13 of the enclosure 1. The retainer is shown in Fig. 4 in the storage position, and in Fig. 5 in the operative position. For clarity the remaining walls of the enclosure have been omitted, and in the following only the left-hand (as depicted in Figs. 1 to 3) retainer will be described, the right-hand retainer being constructed in the same way.

The retainer 19 is an assembly consisting of an operating arm 21, a cover member 23 that holds the operating arm to the wall 13, and a keep 25 with which the arm 21 cooperates when the retainer is in the storage position depicted in Fig. 4. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the coupling is configured so that the operating arm can be moved (typically through an angle of approximately 20-30 degrees) from a position where the arm 21 is generally parallel to a peripheral wall 27 of the end wall 13 (as shown in Fig. 4) to a position where the arm 21 is at an angle to the aforementioned peripheral wall 27 (as shown in Fig. 5). As will be appreciated from Figs. 2 and 3, when the arm 21 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, the crate can be inserted into and removed from the cavity 5 in the housing 3. Conversely, when the arm 21 is in the position shown in Fig. 5, the crate 7 (assuming it has already been inserted into the cavity 5) cannot be removed from the housing 3.

Referring to Fig. 6, the arm 21 comprises a rod 29 that is curved at a distal end to form a peg 31 that extends generally perpendicularly from the rod 29 and is configured for locating in a blind aperture (not shown) in the end wall 13. The peg mates with the aperture in such a way that the rod 29 can be pivoted about the peg 31. The cover member 23 is fixed, for example screwed, to the wall 13 (as shown in Figs. 4 and 5) to retain the peg in the aforementioned blind aperture. The cover member is configured, not only so that the rod 29 can be pivoted about the peg, but also so that the rod can be moved away from the wall (typically by no more than a new centimetres).

The rod 29 is also curved at a proximal end to form an operating tab 33 that extends generally perpendicularly from the rod 29 in (at least approximately) an opposite direction to that in which the peg 31 extends. In the preferred arrangement the operating tab 33 mates with a cover that bears against the crate when the arm 21 is in the operative position. The cover may be extended to form a graspable portion 35, and may be of a material (for example, of rubber and/or plastics) that is less likely to scratch the crate.

In one envisaged implementation the cover may carry a block 34 of high friction material (for example, rubber) that bears against the crate when the retainer is in the operative position. The block 34 helps stop the retainer from riding up the side of the crate whilst it is in use to retain a crate in the housing.

Referring now to Fig. 7, the keep 25 comprises a fixing plate 37 that defines an aperture through which a fixing 39 (in this example a screw) can be fitted to secure the keep 25 to the end wall 13 of the housing 3. An inclined wall 39 extends upwardly and outwardly (in the orientation depicted in Fig. 7) to a lip 43 that defines an outer edge of a recessed channel 45 in which the rod 29 of the arm 21 can be received when the retainer 19 is in the storage position depicted in Fig. 4.

Referring now to Figs. 7, 8 and 9, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that with the arm 21 in the storage position (as shown in Fig. 8) the crate 7 can be inserted into the cavity 5 of the housing 3 and removed therefrom. Once the crate 7 has been inserted into the housing 3, a user can grasp the graspable portion 35 of the cover and lift the arm 21 so that the rod 29 moves upwardly (in the orientation depicted in Fig. 7) out of the channel 45. The rod 29 can then be moved laterally away from the end wall 13 of the housing and pivoted about the peg 31 to the operative position shown in Fig. 9. In this position the operating tab 33 and cover bear against the crate 7 to retain the crate in the housing.

Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings, there are depicted schematic perspective and side views, respectively, of another retainer 49 that can be employed instead of or as well as the retainer 19 depicted in Figs. 1 to 9.

The retainer 49 of this embodiment is configured for coupling with a litter tray 51 (Fig. 1) fitted within the crate 7, and is configured for fixing against the rear wall 17 of the housing 3. One or more retainers 49 may be provided in the housing 3.

The retainer 49 includes a back plate 53 that has one or more apertures 55 (in this instance two) that enable the retainer to be fixed (for example screwed) to the rear wall 17 of the housing 3 so that a base 57 of the retainer lies against the bottom wall 11 of the housing 3. The retainer 49 includes an inclined front wall 59 that extend from the base 57 towards the back plate 53. The front wall 59 is spaced from the back plate 53 to form a channel 61 that runs the length of the retainer. The front wall 59 also includes an undercut 63 channel (that also runs the length of the retainer) that allows the front wall 59 to flex so that a portion of the front wall 59 remote from the base 57 can move towards the back plate 57 when impacted by the litter tray 51 of a crate as the crate is inserted into the cavity 5 defined by the housing 3. Advantageously, as the front wall can flex, the retainer 49 functions as a shock absorber should a crate be pushed too enthusiastically into the cavity 5 defined by the housing 3.

The aforementioned undercut channel also provides a means for securing a known animal bed in the housing. Such a bed includes a padded base that has one or more fabric loops connected to the rear of the base. By locating part of the loop in the undercut channel 63, the bed is restrained from being moved out of the housing.

Referring now to Figs. 12 to 14 of the drawings, there is depicted a retainer 49 installed against the rear 17 and bottom 11 walls of the housing 3 and a tray 51 that is pushed progressively further into the cavity 5 defined by the housing 3 (Fig. 12 to Fig. 13 to Fig. 14). An advantage of the retainer depicted is that is can be used both with a tray 51 that is housed within a crate 7 or with a tray 51 on its own. For clarity in Figs. 12 to 14, the crate 7 has been omitted.

As depicted, the tray 51 includes a peripheral lip 64 that defines a peripheral channel 65 which opens towards the bottom wall 11. As the tray 51 is pushed into the cavity 5, the peripheral lip of the tray rides up the inclined front wall 59 of the retainer 49 (Fig. 13), with the front wall 59 flexing as necessary, until the peripheral lip 64 of the tray 51 drops into the channel 61 (Fig. 14). In this position the retainer 49 functions to resist attempts to pull the tray out of the housing in a direction generally parallel to the bottom wall 11. A particular advantage of this particular retainer is that it functions automatically as the tray is pushed into engagement with the retainer.

As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art, the retainers herein disclosed each function to obstruct removal of a crate and/or tray from the housing. Each retainer lies within a cavity defined by the housing, although it is conceivable for the rod to be extended so that the graspable portion of the retainer shown in Figs. 1 to 9 lies outside of the cavity - it nevertheless being the case that a portion (typically a significant portion) of the retainer will lie within the cavity.

It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the invention. For example, whilst in the foregoing the retainer of Figs. 1 to 9 is configured to be moved between storage and operative positions by a user, it is envisaged that the retainer could be configured to automatically move from the storage position to the operative position responsive to a crate being inserted into the housing.

It should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features herein disclosed.

Finally, it should be noted that any element in a claim that does not explicitly state means for performing a specified function, or steps for performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a means or step clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, par. 6. In particular, the use of step of in the claims appended hereto is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. Sec. 112, par. 6.

Claims

1. A retainer for an animal enclosure, the animal enclosure comprising a housing having a plurality of walls that co-operate to define an internal cavity having an opening by means of which a crate, animal bed and/or tray may be fitted within the cavity, the retainer being fitted to a said wall of said enclosure so that at least a portion of the retainer lies within said cavity, the retainer being configured to be capable of obstructing removal of the animal bed, crate and/or tray from the cavity of the enclosure through said opening.

2. A retainer according to Claim 1, wherein the retainer is moveable between a storage position where a crate can be inserted into and removed from the internal cavity to an operative position where the retainer resists removal of a crate that has been fitted into the internal cavity.

3. A retainer according to Claim 2, wherein the retainer is mounted within said cavity to a said wall to pivot between said storage and operative positions.

4. A retainer according to any preceding claim, comprising an arm having a distal end and a proximal end, a wall engaging portion provided proximate said distal end and an operating tab provided proximate said proximal end.

5. A retainer according to Claim 4, wherein said wall engaging portion extends from said arm in a first direction, and said operating tab extends from said arm in a second direction generally opposite to said first direction.

6. A retainer according to Claim 5, further comprising a cover fitted to said operating tab.

7. A retainer according to Claim 6, wherein said cover is extended to provide a graspable portion for facilitating operation of the retainer by a user.

8. A retainer according to any of Claims 4 to 7, wherein said wall engaging portion is configured to mate with a blind aperture in a said wall.

9. A retainer according to Claim 8, comprising a cover member fittable over said wall engaging portion to maintain said wall engaging portion in mating engagement with said blind aperture.

10. A retainer according to Claim 9, wherein said cover member is configured to permit a user to move the retainer away from the wall in which the retainer is fitted.

11. A retainer according to any of claims 3 to 10 when dependent on Claim 2, further comprising a keep fitted to said wall of said housing, a part of said retainer being received in said keep when the retainer is in said storage position.

12. A retainer according to Claim 11, wherein said keep comprises a channel in which said part is received when the retainer is in said storage position.

13. A retainer according to Claim 1 for use with a tray that is configured to lie upon a base wall of said cavity, the retainer being capable of automatically engaging with the tray as the tray is inserted into the cavity.

14. A retainer according to Claim 13, wherein said tray includes a peripheral lip portion that defines a peripheral channel that opens towards the base wall when the retainer is located within the channel.

15. A retainer according to Claim 14, comprising a back wall configured to be fixed to a rear wall of the housing that defines said cavity.

16. A retainer according to Claim 15, comprising a front wall spaced from said back wall to provide a channel for receiving a part of said peripheral lip portion.

17. A retainer according to Claim 16, wherein said front wall is inclined relative to the base wall of the housing towards said back wall.

18. A retainer according to Claim 1 for use with an animal bed that is configured to lie upon a base wall of said cavity, the retainer being configured to engage with a loop provided on the peripheral of the animal bed.

19. A retainer according to Claim 18, comprising a back wall configured to be fixed to a rear wall of the housing that defines said cavity, and a front wall spaced from said back wall to provide a groove, wherein said front wall comprises an undercut channel opening to said groove for the receipt of a part of said loop.

20. A retainer according to any of Claims 13 to 17, wherein said tray is provided within a crate.

21. An animal enclosure comprising a housing, the housing including a plurality of walls that define an internal cavity, and a crate receivable within the internal cavity, wherein the housing has at least one retainer according to any of claims 1 to 12 fitted at least partly within said cavity, the retainer being operable to obstruct removal of the crate when the crate is received in said cavity.

22. An animal enclosure comprising a housing, the housing including a plurality of walls that define an internal cavity, and a tray receivable within the internal cavity, wherein the housing has at least one retainer according to any of claims 13 to 17 fitted within said cavity for restraining the tray when the tray is received within the cavity.

23. An animal enclosure according to Claim 22, wherein said tray is provided within a crate.

24. An animal enclosure according to Claim 23, further comprising at least one retainer according to any of claims 1 to 12 fitted at least partly within said cavity, the retainer being operable to obstruct removal of the crate when the crate is received in said cavity.

25. A housing for use with the animal enclosure of any of claims 21 to 24.