US20060260549A1

US20060260549A1 - Multiple function animal bed

Info

Publication number: US20060260549A1
Application number: US11/437,214
Authority: US
Inventors: Dan Dietz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-04
Filing date: 2006-05-19
Publication date: 2006-11-23
Also published as: EP1940219A4; EP1940219A1; US20060249085A1; WO2006119383A1; US7237506B2

Abstract

An animal furniture bed having one side open to allow for storing of objects in an area of the bed below the sleeping surface. The bottom of that open side has a lip element that extends the complete length of that side to prevent objects from rolling out of the furniture bed. Lips can also extend upward from each side to create an area in which to place a sleeping pad for an animal. The pad serves as the animal bed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/121,797 filed on May 4, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an animal bed and in particular to a multiple function animal bed, which also serves as a storage location for objects, related to the animal, as a bench for humans and as an animal step for getting into a human bed.
2. Background of the Invention
There have been many types of animal beds. These beds come in various designs. Some of the designs include beds shaped as different types of animals. Many beds in the form of animal designs are made of a cushion material to facilitate animal comfort.
One animal bed as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,065 describes an animal bed that includes an annular bed frame defining an interior chamber. A perforated top wall is supported at its periphery by the bed frame to receive and support the animal above the chamber. The perforated top wall is composed of a non-woven fabric material to provide a hammock like suspension for the animal and to permit small insects to fall through the top wall. The chamber is dimensioned to provide a space below the top wall sufficient to inhibit the insects from traveling upwardly through the top wall. An insect exterminating composition contained within the chamber receives the falling insects and destroys them.
U.S. Pat. d 288,970 describes a combined animal bed and housing unit. This design has a bed mat resting on a storage unit. The bed also has a canopy covering the mat. The animal would rest on the mat and would be covered by the canopy.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a multiple purpose animal bed.
It is a second objective of the present invention to provide an animal bed with a storage area below the location where the animal rests.
It is a third objective of the present invention to provide a multiple purpose animal bed that can be used as a rest bench for humans.
It is a fourth objective of the present invention to provide a multiple purpose animal bed that can be used as a step for animals to jump to a higher human bed.
The present invention comprises a furniture bed having a shape that can be for example a square or rectangular shape design with four sides, a top surface and an optional bottom surface. One of the sides is open to allow for storing objects in the present invention. Doors can be included on the furniture bed as an option. The bottom of that open side has a lip element that extends the complete length of that side to prevent objects from rolling out of the furniture bed. Lips can also extend upward from each side to create an area in which to place a sleeping pad for an animal. The pad serves as the animal bed. The material for the animal bed element can be of any conventional material that is used in animal beds. The remaining walls of the furniture bed may be of any suitable composition and configuration suitable for use in the bed. In some instances, the multiple function animal bed may be positioned adjacent a human bed enabling humans to use the bed as a rest bench or as a step to enable animals to get into the human bed.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the multiple function animal furniture bed;
FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the multiple function animal furniture bed;
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the multiple function animal furniture bed adjacent a human bed;
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the multiple function animal furniture bed adjacent a human bed; and
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, shown is the front view of the multiple function animal furniture bed 10. The multiple function animal furniture bed 10 may have a generally rectangular shape, alternatively the multiple function animal furniture bed 10 may have any other shape suitable for a desired use. Sides 11 and 12 form the two ends of the multiple function animal furniture bed 10. Side 13 is the front and open side of the multiple function animal furniture bed 10. The back side, not shown, is a side similar to sides 11 and 12. The back side may also have similar dimensions as the front side 13. In alternative embodiments, the backside has different dimensions than the front side 13. The multiple function animal furniture bed 10 has a top side 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The top side 14 supports the mat material 15 on which the animal may lay. This mat material 15 may be of any composition suitable for use with the multiple function animal furniture bed 10. For instance, the mat material 15 may be a cushion, a padded material, and the like. In some embodiments, the top side 14 may be moveable (e.g., the top side 14 may be lifted up). As shown, the top side 14 may have tapered corners 14′. The multiple function animal furniture bed 10 may have an optional bottom side or floor (not illustrated).
Multiple function animal furniture bed 10 may be composed of any material suitable for the uses of multiple function animal furniture bed 10. For instance, multiple function animal furniture bed 10 may be composed of wood, mesh, wire, plastic, metal, and the like. In an embodiment, multiple function animal furniture 10 includes sides (e.g., sides 11, 12, 13, 14, and back side) composed of a plurality of openings. The openings may be of any desired shape and configuration. Such sides composed of a plurality of openings may comprise wire, mesh, netting, weaving, and the like, preferably wire or mesh, and more preferably wire or wire-like material. Moreover, such sides may be composed of any porous material suitable for use as a side in an animal cage (e.g., porous metal or plastic siding). In an embodiment, such sides are composed of a plastic, wood, or metal wire or wire-like material. One or more sides of multiple function animal furniture bed 10 may be composed of such materials. In an embodiment (not illustrated), an outer covering may be disposed on the outside and/or inside surface of one or more sides of multiple function animal furniture bed 10, preferably an outer covering is disposed on the outside of one or more sides of multiple function animal furniture bed 10. In some embodiments, an outer covering is disposed on the outside of sides 11, 12. The outer covering may cover any desired portion of a side. The outer covering may comprise any suitable covering for use with animals. For instance, the outer covering may be composed of natural or synthetic woods, veneers, vinyl, wicker, plastic, ceramic, and the like. In alternative embodiments, at least one of the sides comprises a substantially solid material.
A lip element 16 is positioned at the bottom of the open front side 13. This lip 16 extends the length of the front side 13. In alternative embodiments, lip 16 extends a portion of the length of front side 13. Without being limited by theory, lip 16 may prevent objects from rolling out of the storage area of the multiple function animal furniture bed 10. For instance, many objects and toys for animals have rounded shapes and have a tendency to roll. This lip 16 may serve as a stop to prevent the objects from rolling out of the storage area (e.g., interior of multiple function animal furniture bed 10). In addition, sides 11 and 12 may have lips 17 and 18 that extend upward from these sides beyond the top side of the bed. Similar extensions may also extend from the front side 13 and back side in the same manner as the extensions 17 and 18. Without being limited by theory, these extensions create an area in which to place the mat material 15. For instance, some mats have the tendency to slide in response to the weight of an animal. These extensions may serve to help hold the mat in place. In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), multiple function animal furniture bed 10 may comprise no such lips or may comprise only a portion of such lips.
FIG. 3 shows the multiple function animal furniture bed 10 positioned adjacent a human bed 20. Positioning the multiple function animal furniture bed 10 at the foot 40 of the human bed 20 may provide a step for an animal/pet to get into human bed 20. For instance, many people have pets that sleep in the bedroom. In addition, this multiple function animal furniture bed 10 has the strength to serve as a bench for humans to use as well.
FIG. 4 gives a side view of the multiple function animal furniture bed 10. Shown is a human bed 20 with a mattress 22. By the animal climbing onto the top side 14 and mat material 15 of the multiple function animal furniture bed 10, the animal may have sufficient elevation to move into the human bed 20.
The multiple function animal furniture bed 10 may have various dimensions. In addition, the lip extensions (e.g., 16, 17, 18) may also have various dimensions. For example, the lip extension 16 may not have the same dimensions as lip extensions 17 and 18. In a preferred embodiment, all lip extensions may be two to three inches in height.
FIG. 5 is a top view of an alternate embodiment in which only the side 23 adjacent the human bed 20 has a substantially straight design. The other portion of the bed may have a curved or convex shape as shown. The other previously described features would be the same as in the other embodiments (e.g., these features include an opening in the front side 13 and a lip extension 16 at the bottom).
In addition to the lip extensions 17 and 18 on the top side 14, other attaching means may be used to secure the mat material 15 to the top of the multiple function animal furniture bed 10. Without limitation, these means may include straps attached to the multiple function animal furniture bed 10 that may restrain the mat material 15. Another means is an attaching or adhesive material such as VELCRO, which is commercially available from Velcro Industries B.V. Ltd. Liability Co. This material may be attached to a skirt that may be attached to the mat material 15.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An animal furniture bed, comprising:

a top side;

a front side, wherein the front side comprises an opening; and

first and second sides and a back side, wherein the first and second sides and back side comprise a plurality of openings.

2. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, wherein the bed further comprises a lip element disposed at a bottom side of the front side.

3. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides are secured to the top and front sides, and further wherein a storage area is disposed in an interior of the bed.

4. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, wherein the top side comprises a lip.

5. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, further comprising a mat material disposed on the top side.

6. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, wherein the front side comprises a convex shape.

7. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides and back side comprise wire, mesh, netting, weaving, or combinations thereof.

8. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides and back side comprise wire or wire-like material.

9. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, further comprising an outer covering disposed on an outer surface of the first side, second side, back side, or combinations thereof.

10. The animal furniture bed of claim 1, further comprising an outer covering disposed on each of the first and second sides and back sides.