US20160157459A1 - Pet Access Limiting Device - Google Patents
Pet Access Limiting Device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20160157459A1 US20160157459A1 US15/005,535 US201615005535A US2016157459A1 US 20160157459 A1 US20160157459 A1 US 20160157459A1 US 201615005535 A US201615005535 A US 201615005535A US 2016157459 A1 US2016157459 A1 US 2016157459A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- opening
- housing
- selectable member
- size selectable
- size
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 claims abstract description 47
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000035611 feeding Effects 0.000 description 7
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 description 6
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 5
- 210000003608 fece Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 230000000474 nursing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004075 alteration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 201000010099 disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000037265 diseases, disorders, signs and symptoms Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 235000012631 food intake Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000003784 poor nutrition Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
- A01K1/03—Housing for domestic or laboratory animals
- A01K1/033—Cat or dog houses
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
- A01K1/0005—Stable partitions
- A01K1/0017—Gates, doors
- A01K1/0023—Sorting gates
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
- A01K5/01—Feed troughs; Feed pails
- A01K5/0114—Pet food dispensers; Pet food trays
- A01K5/0142—Pet food dispensers; Pet food trays with means for preventing other animals or insects from eating
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to pet access limiting devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus having an adjustable opening for allowing animals of a certain size to pass therethrough, while preventing larger animals from entering the opening.
- pet owners will resort to placing food dishes on clothes dryers, computer tables, bedroom dressers, dining room tables, or kitchen counters. This often results in pet hair, pet food, and general pet messes in such areas, which can be both unsightly and unsanitary.
- a pet owner may be required to be present at each, or most, feedings to ensure that each animal receives the proper amount of food and/or water.
- litter box issues can also arise when multiple animals reside within the same space.
- a dog will consume feces left in a litter box by a cat. If a litter box is left unguarded by the animal owner, the dog may consume the feces and subsequently become ill. The dog may also consume feces and subsequently approach children or adults, potentially putting them at risk for transmission of disease.
- nursing or ill animals must be carefully watched by their owner and often separated from other animals within the house. This often requires that the pet owner confine the nursing or ill animal to a room or gated area within the house that is separated from other pets. Separating animals in such a fashion necessitates the use of gates or requires that certain areas of the home remain restricted from otherwise normal use.
- the present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing problems and other deficiencies of traditional feeding and litter box structures.
- the apparatus of the present invention includes a housing having a preformed opening therein.
- the apparatus also includes an opening-size selectable member for defining a specific opening size between an interior of the housing and the surrounding environment.
- the opening-size selectable member is engageable with a portion of the housing adjacent the opening, such that at least a portion of the opening-size selectable member may be disposed over the opening.
- the opening-size selectable member may be adjusted by the user to define a specific opening size through which an animal may pass, while restraining any larger animals from passing through the opening.
- the opening-size selectable member may be adjusted by the user and engaged with a portion of the housing, thereby locking the opening-size selectable member in a fixed location.
- the device in one embodiment, includes a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening.
- the device also includes an opening-size selectable member engageable with at least a portion of the housing for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to form a modified opening.
- the modified opening allows passage of a first animal into the housing interior through the opening, and restrains a second animal from entering the housing interior.
- the second animal may be larger than the first animal.
- the housing interior may be adapted to house at least one of a food dish and a litter box therein.
- the opening-size selectable member may be engageable with at least a portion of the housing adjacent the opening. At least a portion of the opening-size selectable member may be disposed over the opening.
- the opening-size selectable member may be adjusted to define a plurality of modified openings.
- the opening-size selectable member may be fixed with respect to a portion of the housing to define a fixed modified opening.
- the opening-size selectable member may include a plurality of ridges for correspondingly engaging a plurality of steps associated with a portion of the housing.
- the opening-size selectable member may include a slideable panel portion slideably engaged with a portion of the housing.
- the opening-size selectable member may include a plurality of moveable bars restrainably connected to a portion of the housing.
- the opening-size selectable member may include at least one crescent shaped body moveably received at least partially within a track disposed within the housing.
- the opening-size selectable member may include an attachable panel portion engageable with a portion of the housing.
- the panel portion may include one of a peg and a hole
- the housing may include the other of the peg and the hole, such that the hole is adapted to receive the peg therethrough to secure the opening-size selectable member and the housing.
- the device may include a second attachable panel portion engageable with a portion of the housing.
- the attachable panel portion may be engageable with a portion of the housing for restraining the opening in a first dimension
- the second attachable panel portion may be engageable with a portion of the housing for restraining the opening in a second dimension, with the second dimension being different than the first dimension.
- the housing may also include a top portion defining an access port therethrough, with the access port in communication with the housing interior.
- the modified opening restrains at least a portion of the second animal from entering the housing interior.
- a device for limiting access of an animal includes a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening.
- the device also includes means for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to allow passage of a first-sized animal into the housing interior through the opening while restraining a second-sized animal from entering the housing interior.
- the second-sized animal may be larger than the first-sized animal.
- the means for restricting may define a plurality of modified openings.
- a device for limiting access of an animal includes a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening.
- the device also includes an opening-size selectable member engageable with at least a portion of the housing for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to form a modified opening.
- the opening-size selectable member may include a plurality of ridges for correspondingly engaging a plurality of steps associated with a portion of the housing.
- the means for restricting may define a plurality of modified openings.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a pet access limiting device having an adjustable opening-size selectable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a top view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 1
- FIG. 4 is a side view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 1
- FIG. 5 is a front view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 1 having the opening-size selectable member in a first mostly-open position.
- FIG. 6 is a front view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 1 having the opening-size selectable member in a second partly-open position.
- FIG. 7 is a front view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 1 having the opening-size selectable member in a third partly-closed position.
- FIG. 8 is a front view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 1 having the opening-size selectable member in a fourth mostly-closed position.
- FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an engagement mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the opening-size selectable member and engagement mechanism of FIG. 9 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative pet access limiting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12 is an alternative exploded perspective view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 13 is an assembled perspective view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 11 .
- FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative pet access limiting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 15 is a front view of the pet access limiting device of FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a housing of a pet access limiting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 17A is a front view of a pair of corresponding halves of an opening-size selectable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 17B is a side view of the opening-size selectable member of FIG. 17A .
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a pet access limiting device including the housing of FIG. 16 and the opening-size selectable member of FIGS. 17A-17B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a housing of an alternative pet access limiting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a front view of an alternative opening-size selectable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 21 is a side view of the opening-size selectable member of FIG. 20 .
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 19 having an opening-size selectable member of FIG. 20 engaged with the housing in a horizontal orientation.
- FIG. 23 is an alternative opening-size selectable member having a hole therethrough in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 24 is a side view of the alternative opening-size selectable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the housing of FIG. 19 having an opening-size selectable member of FIG. 20 engaged with the housing in a horizontal orientation and an opening-size selectable member of FIG. 23 engaged with the housing in a vertical orientation.
- the pet access limiting device 10 includes a housing 12 having an interior 14 into which a feeding dish or litter pan may be positioned.
- the housing 12 defines an opening 16 extending through a portion of a sidewall 18 .
- the housing 12 can have any suitable dimensions and shape such that a feeding dish or litter pan may be positioned within the housing 12 .
- the housing 12 may be made of any suitable materials, such as a polymeric composition.
- the housing 12 may include a top portion 20 engageable with a bottom portion 22 , such as through snap-fit means or other locking arrangement.
- the housing 12 may include only the top portion 20 , in which the bottom surface is left open to rest directly on the floor.
- the top portion 20 may include an access port 24 in a top surface 26 to allow a user to pass items, such as a feeding dish and/or litter box, therethrough. It has been found that by providing the access port 24 within the top surface 26 of the housing 12 , animals do not attempt to gain access to the interior 14 of the housing 12 . Accordingly, a user may advantageously use the access port 24 to pass items therethrough without concern that an animal will enter the housing 12 .
- the housing 12 also includes an opening-size selectable member 28 which is moveably engageable with at least a portion of the housing 12 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 is engageable with at least a portion of an exterior surface 30 of the housing 12 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with a first portion of the housing 12 by the user, and subsequently moved and engaged with a second portion of the housing 12 , also by the user.
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engageable with a portion of the housing 12 adjacent the opening 16 , such that the opening-size selectable member 28 may be disposed at least partially over the opening 16 to restrict the size of the opening 16 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with a portion of the housing 12 to create a desired opening size that is smaller than the opening 16 of the housing 12 .
- the desired opening size corresponds to the specific size for allowing an animal of one size to pass therethrough, while preventing larger animals from accessing the interior 14 of the housing 12 .
- the term “animal” shall include animals kept as pets, as well as human infants and toddlers.
- FIGS. 5-8 The progression of decreasing the desired opening size by engaging the opening-size selectable member 28 with different portions of the housing 12 is shown in FIGS. 5-8 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 in an initial position, may be engaged with a first portion 32 of the housing 12 which does not limit the size of the opening 16 .
- This position can be largely considered a storage position for the opening-size selectable member 28 , as the opening-size selectable member 28 does not restrict the desired opening size of the opening 16 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with a second portion 34 of the housing 12 , which slightly limits the opening size of the opening 16 . In this position, slightly larger animals may be prevented from accessing the interior 14 of the housing 12 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with a third portion 36 of the housing 12 , which further limits the opening size of the opening 16 .
- animals which could pass through the opening size defined when the opening-size selectable member 28 is engaged with the second position 34 of the housing 12 could not pass through the opening size defined when the opening-size selectable member 28 is engaged with the third position 36 of the housing 12 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with a fourth portion 38 of the housing 12 , which further limits the opening size of the opening 16 to a mostly closed position. Only very small animals may access the interior 14 of the housing 12 when the opening-size selectable member 28 is engaged with the fourth portion 38 of the housing 12 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with a step 40 of the housing 12 .
- the exterior surface 30 of the housing 12 includes a plurality of cascading steps 40 .
- Each step 40 may include a riser portion 42 , a base portion 44 , and a lip portion 46 .
- the base portion 44 be connected to the riser portion 42 and may extend from the housing 12 in a substantially perpendicular orientation from the riser portion 42 .
- the lip portion 46 may be connected to the base portion 44 and may extend in a substantially upwardly orientation from the base portion 44 .
- the riser portion 42 and the lip portion 46 may extend in substantially the same orientation.
- the lip portion 46 may be angled with respect to the base portion 44 .
- the lip portion 46 and the riser portion 42 may form a V-shape cross-section.
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may have an exterior surface 48 having a protrusion 50 for engaging the lip portion 46 of the housing 12 .
- the protrusion 50 and the lip portion 46 are structured such that when engaged, the protrusion 50 extends into the space defined by the lip portion 46 , the base portion 44 , and the riser portion 42 .
- the protrusion 50 is angled to correspond to the angle of the lip portion 46 of the housing 12 , such that the protrusion 50 rests along the lip portion 46 .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with the housing 12 by applying a generally downward force to the opening-size selectable member 28 along the arrow B, shown in FIG. 9 , which engages the angled protrusion 50 of the opening-size selectable member 28 with the angled lip portion 46 of the housing 12 .
- the user applies a generally upward force to the opening-size selectable member 28 along the arrow A, shown in FIG. 9 .
- This upwardly directed force disengages the opening-size selectable member 28 from the housing 12 and allows the user to re-position the opening-size selectable member 28 as described above.
- the pet access limiting device 10 a may include a top portion 20 a engageable with a bottom portion 22 a , as previously described.
- the opening-size selectable member 28 a may include a slideable door portion 60 .
- at least one of the top portion 20 a and the bottom portion 22 a may include a track 62 adapted to allow the door portion 60 to slide therein.
- the door portion 60 may be slideable from a first position to a second position, in the fashion of a traditional sliding door. This allows a user to set the opening of the housing 12 at a predetermined location which corresponds to the size allowing a pet of a first size to pass therethrough, while restraining larger animals from entering.
- the door portion 60 may optionally include a locking mechanism for restraining the door portion 60 at any location within the track 62 .
- Example locking mechanisms include resistance springs, physical peg barriers, and the like.
- the pet access limiting device 10 b may include an opening-size selectable member 28 b having a plurality of bars 70 .
- the bars 70 may be substantially vertically aligned to restrict at least a portion of the opening 16 b of the housing 12 b .
- the bars 70 may be substantially horizontally aligned to restrict at least a portion of the opening 16 b of the housing 12 b .
- the bars 70 may be substantially diagonally aligned to restrict at least a portion of the opening 16 b of the housing 12 b .
- the bars 70 may be provided in fixed arrangement within a portion of the housing 12 , such that when a user desires to restrict the opening 16 b , the user positions the desired number of bars 70 across the opening 16 b .
- the bars 70 may be held within the housing 12 b by any number of restraining mechanisms, such as spring compression or slideable engagement.
- the bars 70 may also have any desired spacing, such as from about 1 inch to about 4 inches between bars 70 .
- the bars 70 are fixedly held within the housing 12 b and the user may determine the size of the opening 16 b by sliding the bars 70 to the desired position within tracks disposed within the housing 12 b . The bars 70 may then be locked into the desired position by the user.
- the pet access limiting device 10 c may include a housing 12 c and an opening-size selectable member 28 c .
- the housing 12 c includes an opening 16 c defined therein, as previously described.
- the housing 12 c further includes a pivot peg 80 adjacent the opening 16 c , and at least one positioning slot 82 also adjacent the opening 16 c .
- the housing 12 c defines a first positioning slot 82 a adjacent the opening 16 c on a first side of the housing 12 c , and a second positioning slot 82 b adjacent the opening 16 c on a second side of the housing 12 c .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 c may include at least one crescent-shaped wedge 84 , having a first end 86 and defining a hole 88 therethrough, which corresponds to the dimensions of the pivot peg 80 .
- the crescent-shaped wedge 84 also includes a second end 90 having a positioning peg 92 extending outwardly therefrom and dimensioned to pass through at least a portion of the positioning slot 82 of the housing 12 c .
- the opening-size selectable member 28 c includes two crescent-shaped wedges 84 , the first wedge 94 having a generally leftward oriented concave shape, and the second wedge 96 having a generally rightward oriented concave shape.
- the opening-size selectable member 28 c may be engageable with the housing 12 c to restrict the opening 16 c .
- the first wedge 94 of the opening-size selectable member 28 c may be positioned such that the pivot peg 80 of the housing 12 c extends at least partially through the hole 88 .
- the first wedge 94 is also positioned such that the positioning peg 92 extends at least partially through the positioning slot 82 a of the housing 12 c .
- the second wedge 96 may also be positioned such that the pivot peg 80 extends at least partially through the hole 88 and the positioning peg 92 extends at least partially through the positioning slot 82 b of the housing 12 c .
- the user may slide the positioning peg 92 of the wedge 94 of the opening-size selectable member 28 c within the positioning slot 82 a .
- the user may also slide the positioning peg 92 of the wedge 96 of the opening-size selectable member 28 c within the positioning slot 82 b .
- At least one of the first wedge 94 and the second wedge 96 may include locking means for securing the opening-size selectable member 28 c in a fixed position with respect to the housing 12 c , to restrict the size of the opening 16 c.
- the pet access limiting device 10 d may include a housing 12 d and an opening-size selectable member 28 d .
- the housing 12 d defines an opening 16 d , as previously described.
- a plurality of ports or holes 100 may be disposed adjacent the opening 16 d and extending at least partially into the housing 12 d .
- the holes 100 may be disposed in any ordered pattern about the opening 16 d , such as in a substantially square or rectangular orientation, or a substantially circular orientation.
- the opening-size selectable member 28 d may include a strip member 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106 .
- the strip member 102 may have a first peg 108 adjacent the first end 104 and a second peg 110 adjacent the second end 106 , wherein the first peg 108 and the second peg 110 extend from substantially the same surface of the strip member 102 .
- the first peg 108 and the second peg 100 are dimensioned for secure engagement within the holes 100 defined within the housing 12 d . As shown in FIG.
- the first peg 108 and the second peg 110 of the strip member 102 may be positioned within corresponding holes 100 of the housing 12 d such that the strip member 102 may be disposed at least partially across the opening 16 d . It is contemplated herein, that a plurality of strip members 102 may be similarly oriented to further restrict the size of the opening 16 d of the housing 12 d . As shown in FIG. 22 , the strip member 102 is shown horizontally disposed at least partially across the opening 16 d . It is also contemplated herein, that vertically disposed strip members may also be positioned across the opening 16 d.
- a second strip member 120 may have a first end 122 and a second end 124 , with a hole 126 defined within the first end 122 .
- a first peg 128 may also be provided adjacent the first end 122
- a second peg 130 may also be provided adjacent the second end 130 .
- a horizontally disposed strip member 102 and a vertically disposed strip member 120 may be at least partially disposed over the opening 16 d to restrict the opening size. In this configuration, the vertically oriented strip member 120 may be disposed within corresponding holes 100 of the housing 12 d .
- a horizontally oriented strip member 102 having a peg 140 , as shown in FIG.
- disposed within the hole 126 of the vertically oriented strip member 120 may also be provided over at least a portion of the opening 16 d .
- the opening size of the opening 16 d may be further restricted.
- a plurality of horizontally oriented strip members and/or a plurality of vertically oriented strip members may be disposed over portions of the opening 16 d to define an opening size to allow a pet of one size to pass therethrough, while preventing larger animals from entering the interior of the pet access restricting device.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Birds (AREA)
- Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
Abstract
A device for limiting access of an animal is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening. The device also includes an opening-size selectable member engageable with at least a portion of the housing for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to form a modified opening. The modified opening allows passage of a first animal into the housing interior through the opening, and restrains a second animal from entering the housing interior. In one configuration, the second animal is than the first animal.
Description
- The present application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/401,286, filed Mar. 10, 2009, entitled “Pet Access Limiting Device”, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,241,473, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/035,482, filed Mar. 11, 2008, entitled “Pet Access Limiting Device”, the entire disclosures of each of which are herein incorporated by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to pet access limiting devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus having an adjustable opening for allowing animals of a certain size to pass therethrough, while preventing larger animals from entering the opening.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Many pet owners have more than one animal living within a house. In these circumstances, pet owners often encounter difficulties in keeping food dishes and/or litter boxes separated between various pets. For example, if a large cat and a small cat reside within the same dwelling, the large cat will often consume all of its food, and will then begin to consume the food left for the small cat. This can result in excessive food consumption for the large cat, and poor nutrition for the small cat. A similar situation can arise when a large dog and a small dog reside within the same dwelling, or when a cat and a dog share the same house. This often requires that the animal owner elevate the cat food to an inconvenient location in order to prevent the dog from eating the food. Typically, pet owners will resort to placing food dishes on clothes dryers, computer tables, bedroom dressers, dining room tables, or kitchen counters. This often results in pet hair, pet food, and general pet messes in such areas, which can be both unsightly and unsanitary. Alternatively, a pet owner may be required to be present at each, or most, feedings to ensure that each animal receives the proper amount of food and/or water.
- Similarly, litter box issues can also arise when multiple animals reside within the same space. In certain situations, a dog will consume feces left in a litter box by a cat. If a litter box is left unguarded by the animal owner, the dog may consume the feces and subsequently become ill. The dog may also consume feces and subsequently approach children or adults, potentially putting them at risk for transmission of disease.
- At other times, nursing or ill animals must be carefully watched by their owner and often separated from other animals within the house. This often requires that the pet owner confine the nursing or ill animal to a room or gated area within the house that is separated from other pets. Separating animals in such a fashion necessitates the use of gates or requires that certain areas of the home remain restricted from otherwise normal use.
- In each of the above situations, an extra burden is placed on the pet owner to diligently watch their pets and the behaviors of one pet toward another. This extra burden can result in increased time required at feedings, constant guarding of a litter box, and/or added expense in extra food, gates, or other equipment to physically separate the space occupied by one pet in comparison to other pets. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved apparatus for separating one pet from another at feeding times and during use of a litter box.
- The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing problems and other deficiencies of traditional feeding and litter box structures. The apparatus of the present invention includes a housing having a preformed opening therein. The apparatus also includes an opening-size selectable member for defining a specific opening size between an interior of the housing and the surrounding environment. The opening-size selectable member is engageable with a portion of the housing adjacent the opening, such that at least a portion of the opening-size selectable member may be disposed over the opening. The opening-size selectable member may be adjusted by the user to define a specific opening size through which an animal may pass, while restraining any larger animals from passing through the opening. The opening-size selectable member may be adjusted by the user and engaged with a portion of the housing, thereby locking the opening-size selectable member in a fixed location.
- In one embodiment of the present invention, the device includes a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening. The device also includes an opening-size selectable member engageable with at least a portion of the housing for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to form a modified opening. The modified opening allows passage of a first animal into the housing interior through the opening, and restrains a second animal from entering the housing interior. The second animal may be larger than the first animal.
- Optionally, the housing interior may be adapted to house at least one of a food dish and a litter box therein. The opening-size selectable member may be engageable with at least a portion of the housing adjacent the opening. At least a portion of the opening-size selectable member may be disposed over the opening. In a further configuration, the opening-size selectable member may be adjusted to define a plurality of modified openings.
- The opening-size selectable member may be fixed with respect to a portion of the housing to define a fixed modified opening. In one configuration, the opening-size selectable member may include a plurality of ridges for correspondingly engaging a plurality of steps associated with a portion of the housing. In another configuration, the opening-size selectable member may include a slideable panel portion slideably engaged with a portion of the housing. In another configuration, the opening-size selectable member may include a plurality of moveable bars restrainably connected to a portion of the housing. In yet another configuration, the opening-size selectable member may include at least one crescent shaped body moveably received at least partially within a track disposed within the housing. In yet another configuration, the opening-size selectable member may include an attachable panel portion engageable with a portion of the housing. The panel portion may include one of a peg and a hole, and the housing may include the other of the peg and the hole, such that the hole is adapted to receive the peg therethrough to secure the opening-size selectable member and the housing. Optionally, the device may include a second attachable panel portion engageable with a portion of the housing. The attachable panel portion may be engageable with a portion of the housing for restraining the opening in a first dimension, and the second attachable panel portion may be engageable with a portion of the housing for restraining the opening in a second dimension, with the second dimension being different than the first dimension.
- The housing may also include a top portion defining an access port therethrough, with the access port in communication with the housing interior. In certain configurations, the modified opening restrains at least a portion of the second animal from entering the housing interior.
- In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a device for limiting access of an animal includes a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening. The device also includes means for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to allow passage of a first-sized animal into the housing interior through the opening while restraining a second-sized animal from entering the housing interior. The second-sized animal may be larger than the first-sized animal. In one configuration, the means for restricting may define a plurality of modified openings.
- In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a device for limiting access of an animal includes a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening. The device also includes an opening-size selectable member engageable with at least a portion of the housing for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to form a modified opening. The opening-size selectable member may include a plurality of ridges for correspondingly engaging a plurality of steps associated with a portion of the housing. The means for restricting may define a plurality of modified openings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a pet access limiting device having an adjustable opening-size selectable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is a top view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 1 -
FIG. 4 is a side view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 1 -
FIG. 5 is a front view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 1 having the opening-size selectable member in a first mostly-open position. -
FIG. 6 is a front view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 1 having the opening-size selectable member in a second partly-open position. -
FIG. 7 is a front view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 1 having the opening-size selectable member in a third partly-closed position. -
FIG. 8 is a front view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 1 having the opening-size selectable member in a fourth mostly-closed position. -
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an engagement mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the opening-size selectable member and engagement mechanism ofFIG. 9 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative pet access limiting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 12 is an alternative exploded perspective view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 13 is an assembled perspective view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 11 . -
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative pet access limiting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 15 is a front view of the pet access limiting device ofFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a housing of a pet access limiting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 17A is a front view of a pair of corresponding halves of an opening-size selectable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 17B is a side view of the opening-size selectable member ofFIG. 17A . -
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a pet access limiting device including the housing ofFIG. 16 and the opening-size selectable member ofFIGS. 17A-17B in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a housing of an alternative pet access limiting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 20 is a front view of an alternative opening-size selectable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 21 is a side view of the opening-size selectable member ofFIG. 20 . -
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the housing ofFIG. 19 having an opening-size selectable member ofFIG. 20 engaged with the housing in a horizontal orientation. -
FIG. 23 is an alternative opening-size selectable member having a hole therethrough in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 24 is a side view of the alternative opening-size selectable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the housing ofFIG. 19 having an opening-size selectable member ofFIG. 20 engaged with the housing in a horizontal orientation and an opening-size selectable member ofFIG. 23 engaged with the housing in a vertical orientation. - As shown in
FIGS. 1-10 , in one embodiment the petaccess limiting device 10 includes ahousing 12 having an interior 14 into which a feeding dish or litter pan may be positioned. Thehousing 12 defines anopening 16 extending through a portion of asidewall 18. Thehousing 12 can have any suitable dimensions and shape such that a feeding dish or litter pan may be positioned within thehousing 12. Additionally, thehousing 12 may be made of any suitable materials, such as a polymeric composition. In certain configurations, thehousing 12 may include atop portion 20 engageable with abottom portion 22, such as through snap-fit means or other locking arrangement. In another configuration, thehousing 12 may include only thetop portion 20, in which the bottom surface is left open to rest directly on the floor. In yet another embodiment, thetop portion 20 may include anaccess port 24 in atop surface 26 to allow a user to pass items, such as a feeding dish and/or litter box, therethrough. It has been found that by providing theaccess port 24 within thetop surface 26 of thehousing 12, animals do not attempt to gain access to the interior 14 of thehousing 12. Accordingly, a user may advantageously use theaccess port 24 to pass items therethrough without concern that an animal will enter thehousing 12. - The
housing 12 also includes an opening-size selectable member 28 which is moveably engageable with at least a portion of thehousing 12. In one embodiment, the opening-size selectable member 28 is engageable with at least a portion of anexterior surface 30 of thehousing 12. In another embodiment, the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with a first portion of thehousing 12 by the user, and subsequently moved and engaged with a second portion of thehousing 12, also by the user. The opening-size selectable member 28 may be engageable with a portion of thehousing 12 adjacent theopening 16, such that the opening-size selectable member 28 may be disposed at least partially over theopening 16 to restrict the size of theopening 16. In one embodiment, the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with a portion of thehousing 12 to create a desired opening size that is smaller than theopening 16 of thehousing 12. In another embodiment, the desired opening size corresponds to the specific size for allowing an animal of one size to pass therethrough, while preventing larger animals from accessing the interior 14 of thehousing 12. As used herein, the term “animal” shall include animals kept as pets, as well as human infants and toddlers. - The progression of decreasing the desired opening size by engaging the opening-
size selectable member 28 with different portions of thehousing 12 is shown inFIGS. 5-8 . As shown inFIG. 5 , in an initial position, the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with afirst portion 32 of thehousing 12 which does not limit the size of theopening 16. This position can be largely considered a storage position for the opening-size selectable member 28, as the opening-size selectable member 28 does not restrict the desired opening size of theopening 16. As shown inFIG. 6 , the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with asecond portion 34 of thehousing 12, which slightly limits the opening size of theopening 16. In this position, slightly larger animals may be prevented from accessing the interior 14 of thehousing 12. As shown inFIG. 7 , the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with athird portion 36 of thehousing 12, which further limits the opening size of theopening 16. In this position, animals which could pass through the opening size defined when the opening-size selectable member 28 is engaged with thesecond position 34 of thehousing 12, could not pass through the opening size defined when the opening-size selectable member 28 is engaged with thethird position 36 of thehousing 12. As shown inFIG. 8 , the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with afourth portion 38 of thehousing 12, which further limits the opening size of theopening 16 to a mostly closed position. Only very small animals may access theinterior 14 of thehousing 12 when the opening-size selectable member 28 is engaged with thefourth portion 38 of thehousing 12. In this position, animals which could pass through the opening size defined when the opening-size selectable member 28 is engaged with thethird position 36 of thehousing 12, could not pass through the opening size defined when the opening-size selectable member 28 is engaged with thefourth position 38 of thehousing 12. Transition between any of thefirst position 32,second position 34,third position 36 andfourth position 38 may be easily accomplished by the user. Although the embodiment described herein references four general positions in which the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with thehousing 12, it is contemplated herein that additional or fewer engagement positions may also be employed within the scope of the present invention. - In one embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 9-10 , the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with astep 40 of thehousing 12. In this embodiment, theexterior surface 30 of thehousing 12 includes a plurality of cascading steps 40. Eachstep 40 may include ariser portion 42, abase portion 44, and alip portion 46. As shown inFIG. 9 , thebase portion 44 be connected to theriser portion 42 and may extend from thehousing 12 in a substantially perpendicular orientation from theriser portion 42. Thelip portion 46 may be connected to thebase portion 44 and may extend in a substantially upwardly orientation from thebase portion 44. In one embodiment, theriser portion 42 and thelip portion 46 may extend in substantially the same orientation. In another embodiment, thelip portion 46 may be angled with respect to thebase portion 44. In yet another embodiment, thelip portion 46 and theriser portion 42 may form a V-shape cross-section. The opening-size selectable member 28 may have anexterior surface 48 having aprotrusion 50 for engaging thelip portion 46 of thehousing 12. Theprotrusion 50 and thelip portion 46 are structured such that when engaged, theprotrusion 50 extends into the space defined by thelip portion 46, thebase portion 44, and theriser portion 42. In another embodiment, theprotrusion 50 is angled to correspond to the angle of thelip portion 46 of thehousing 12, such that theprotrusion 50 rests along thelip portion 46. Accordingly, the opening-size selectable member 28 may be engaged with thehousing 12 by applying a generally downward force to the opening-size selectable member 28 along the arrow B, shown inFIG. 9 , which engages theangled protrusion 50 of the opening-size selectable member 28 with theangled lip portion 46 of thehousing 12. When a user desires to engage the opening-size selectable member 28 with another portion of thehousing 12, the user applies a generally upward force to the opening-size selectable member 28 along the arrow A, shown inFIG. 9 . This upwardly directed force disengages the opening-size selectable member 28 from thehousing 12 and allows the user to re-position the opening-size selectable member 28 as described above. - In another embodiment, shown in
FIGS. 11-13 , the petaccess limiting device 10 a may include atop portion 20 a engageable with abottom portion 22 a, as previously described. In this configuration, the opening-size selectable member 28 a may include aslideable door portion 60. In this embodiment, at least one of thetop portion 20 a and thebottom portion 22 a may include atrack 62 adapted to allow thedoor portion 60 to slide therein. Thedoor portion 60 may be slideable from a first position to a second position, in the fashion of a traditional sliding door. This allows a user to set the opening of thehousing 12 at a predetermined location which corresponds to the size allowing a pet of a first size to pass therethrough, while restraining larger animals from entering. Thedoor portion 60 may optionally include a locking mechanism for restraining thedoor portion 60 at any location within thetrack 62. Example locking mechanisms include resistance springs, physical peg barriers, and the like. - In yet another embodiment, shown in
FIGS. 14-15 , the petaccess limiting device 10 b may include an opening-size selectable member 28 b having a plurality ofbars 70. In one embodiment, thebars 70 may be substantially vertically aligned to restrict at least a portion of theopening 16 b of thehousing 12 b. In another embodiment, thebars 70 may be substantially horizontally aligned to restrict at least a portion of theopening 16 b of thehousing 12 b. In yet another embodiment, thebars 70 may be substantially diagonally aligned to restrict at least a portion of theopening 16 b of thehousing 12 b. Thebars 70 may be provided in fixed arrangement within a portion of thehousing 12, such that when a user desires to restrict theopening 16 b, the user positions the desired number ofbars 70 across theopening 16 b. Thebars 70 may be held within thehousing 12 b by any number of restraining mechanisms, such as spring compression or slideable engagement. Thebars 70 may also have any desired spacing, such as from about 1 inch to about 4 inches between bars 70. In another embodiment, thebars 70 are fixedly held within thehousing 12 b and the user may determine the size of theopening 16 b by sliding thebars 70 to the desired position within tracks disposed within thehousing 12 b. Thebars 70 may then be locked into the desired position by the user. - In yet another embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 16-18 , the petaccess limiting device 10 c may include ahousing 12 c and an opening-size selectable member 28 c. Thehousing 12 c includes anopening 16 c defined therein, as previously described. In this configuration, thehousing 12 c further includes apivot peg 80 adjacent theopening 16 c, and at least onepositioning slot 82 also adjacent theopening 16 c. In one embodiment, thehousing 12 c defines afirst positioning slot 82 a adjacent theopening 16 c on a first side of thehousing 12 c, and asecond positioning slot 82 b adjacent theopening 16 c on a second side of thehousing 12 c. The opening-size selectable member 28 c may include at least one crescent-shapedwedge 84, having afirst end 86 and defining ahole 88 therethrough, which corresponds to the dimensions of thepivot peg 80. The crescent-shapedwedge 84 also includes asecond end 90 having apositioning peg 92 extending outwardly therefrom and dimensioned to pass through at least a portion of thepositioning slot 82 of thehousing 12 c. In one embodiment, the opening-size selectable member 28 c includes two crescent-shapedwedges 84, thefirst wedge 94 having a generally leftward oriented concave shape, and thesecond wedge 96 having a generally rightward oriented concave shape. - As shown in
FIG. 18 , the opening-size selectable member 28 c may be engageable with thehousing 12 c to restrict theopening 16 c. During assembly, thefirst wedge 94 of the opening-size selectable member 28 c may be positioned such that thepivot peg 80 of thehousing 12 c extends at least partially through thehole 88. Thefirst wedge 94 is also positioned such that thepositioning peg 92 extends at least partially through thepositioning slot 82 a of thehousing 12 c. Thesecond wedge 96 may also be positioned such that thepivot peg 80 extends at least partially through thehole 88 and thepositioning peg 92 extends at least partially through thepositioning slot 82 b of thehousing 12 c. In order to restrict theopening 16 c of thehousing 12 c, the user may slide thepositioning peg 92 of thewedge 94 of the opening-size selectable member 28 c within thepositioning slot 82 a. The user may also slide thepositioning peg 92 of thewedge 96 of the opening-size selectable member 28 c within thepositioning slot 82 b. At least one of thefirst wedge 94 and thesecond wedge 96 may include locking means for securing the opening-size selectable member 28 c in a fixed position with respect to thehousing 12 c, to restrict the size of theopening 16 c. - In yet another embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 19-25 , the petaccess limiting device 10 d may include ahousing 12 d and an opening-size selectable member 28 d. In this embodiment, thehousing 12 d defines anopening 16 d, as previously described. As shown inFIG. 19 , a plurality of ports or holes 100 may be disposed adjacent theopening 16 d and extending at least partially into thehousing 12 d. Theholes 100 may be disposed in any ordered pattern about theopening 16 d, such as in a substantially square or rectangular orientation, or a substantially circular orientation. - As shown in
FIGS. 20-21 the opening-size selectable member 28 d may include astrip member 102 having afirst end 104 and asecond end 106. Thestrip member 102 may have a first peg 108 adjacent thefirst end 104 and a second peg 110 adjacent thesecond end 106, wherein the first peg 108 and the second peg 110 extend from substantially the same surface of thestrip member 102. The first peg 108 and thesecond peg 100 are dimensioned for secure engagement within theholes 100 defined within thehousing 12 d. As shown inFIG. 22 , the first peg 108 and the second peg 110 of thestrip member 102 may be positioned within correspondingholes 100 of thehousing 12 d such that thestrip member 102 may be disposed at least partially across theopening 16 d. It is contemplated herein, that a plurality ofstrip members 102 may be similarly oriented to further restrict the size of theopening 16 d of thehousing 12 d. As shown inFIG. 22 , thestrip member 102 is shown horizontally disposed at least partially across theopening 16 d. It is also contemplated herein, that vertically disposed strip members may also be positioned across theopening 16 d. - As shown in
FIGS. 23-25 , asecond strip member 120 may have afirst end 122 and asecond end 124, with ahole 126 defined within thefirst end 122. Afirst peg 128 may also be provided adjacent thefirst end 122, and asecond peg 130 may also be provided adjacent thesecond end 130. As shown inFIG. 25 , a horizontally disposedstrip member 102 and a vertically disposedstrip member 120 may be at least partially disposed over theopening 16 d to restrict the opening size. In this configuration, the vertically orientedstrip member 120 may be disposed within correspondingholes 100 of thehousing 12 d. A horizontally orientedstrip member 102, having apeg 140, as shown inFIG. 21 , disposed within thehole 126 of the vertically orientedstrip member 120 may also be provided over at least a portion of theopening 16 d. In this manner, the opening size of theopening 16 d may be further restricted. It is also contemplated herein that a plurality of horizontally oriented strip members and/or a plurality of vertically oriented strip members may be disposed over portions of theopening 16 d to define an opening size to allow a pet of one size to pass therethrough, while preventing larger animals from entering the interior of the pet access restricting device. - While several embodiments of a device for pet access limiting device and method of use are described in the foregoing detailed description, those skilled in the art may make modifications and alterations to these embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. The invention described hereinabove is defined by the appended claims and all changes to the invention that fall within the meaning and the range of equivalency of the claims are embraced within their scope.
Claims (15)
1. A device for limiting access of an animal, comprising:
a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening; and
an opening-size selectable member engageable with at least a portion of the housing adjacent the opening for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to form a modified opening, wherein the modified opening allows passage of a first animal into the housing interior through the opening and restrains a second animal from entering the housing interior, the second animal being larger than the first animal.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing interior is adapted to house at least one of a food dish and a litter box therein.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the opening-size selectable member is disposed over the opening.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member may be adjusted to define a plurality of modified openings.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member may be fixed with respect to a portion of the housing to define a fixed modified opening.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises a plurality of ridges for correspondingly engaging a plurality of steps associated with a portion of the housing.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises a slideable panel portion slideably engaged with a portion of the housing.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises a plurality of moveable bars restrainably connected to a portion of the housing.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises at least one crescent shaped body moveably received at least partially within a track disposed within the housing.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises an attachable panel portion engageable with a portion of the housing.
11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the panel portion includes one of a peg and a hole, and the housing includes the other of the peg and the hole, such that the hole is adapted to receive the peg therethrough to secure the opening-size selectable member and the housing.
12. The device of claim 10 , further comprising a second attachable panel portion engageable with a portion of the housing.
13. The device of claim 12 , wherein the attachable panel portion is engageable with a portion of the housing for restraining the opening in a first dimension, and the second attachable panel portion is engageable with a portion of the housing for restraining the opening in a second dimension, the second dimension being different than the first dimension.
14. The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a top portion defining an access port therethrough, the access port in communication with the housing interior.
15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the modified opening restrains at least a portion of the second animal from entering the housing interior.
Priority Applications (1)
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US15/005,535 US20160157459A1 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2016-01-25 | Pet Access Limiting Device |
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US3548208P | 2008-03-11 | 2008-03-11 | |
US12/401,286 US9241473B2 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2009-03-10 | Pet access limiting device |
US15/005,535 US20160157459A1 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2016-01-25 | Pet Access Limiting Device |
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US15/005,535 Abandoned US20160157459A1 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2016-01-25 | Pet Access Limiting Device |
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WO2020101293A1 (en) * | 2018-11-12 | 2020-05-22 | 김용희 | Pet entrance/exit device |
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US9241473B2 (en) * | 2008-03-11 | 2016-01-26 | Pinky Fredericks | Pet access limiting device |
US8578883B2 (en) * | 2008-12-04 | 2013-11-12 | The Food Safe, LLC. | Pet excluding pet feeder |
JP1543468S (en) * | 2015-06-10 | 2016-02-08 | ||
USD838056S1 (en) | 2016-01-29 | 2019-01-08 | Lance T. Hampel | Livestock pen |
USD800397S1 (en) * | 2016-02-24 | 2017-10-17 | Dalchand Harripersad | Enclosure |
USD866875S1 (en) * | 2016-04-20 | 2019-11-12 | Andrena Monique Reid | Pet feeding bowl with picture frame |
USD954895S1 (en) * | 2016-05-05 | 2022-06-14 | Brookview Development, LLC | Pet shelter |
USD884983S1 (en) * | 2018-08-20 | 2020-05-19 | Lance T. Hampel | Coop |
KR102427354B1 (en) * | 2021-11-24 | 2022-08-01 | 조민형 | Cat toilet |
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US9241473B2 (en) | 2016-01-26 |
US20090229534A1 (en) | 2009-09-17 |
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