GB2459659A - Support apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Support apparatus in the form of a raised heated platform suitable for a dog to sleep upon. The apparatus comprises a base frame 12 supported by ground engaging feet 14. The apparatus provides a support platform within the base frame which contains a thermostatically controlled heating element (20, fig 4). A waterproof upper surface (22, fig 4) is provided on the support platform. The apparatus may include a sensor to detect the presence of an animal thereon and thus activate the heating element.

Description

Support Apparatus This invention concerns support apparatus, and particularly support apparatus suitable for an animal such as a dog to sleep upon.

S

Ideally provision should be provided for dogs to sleep in a dry and a relatively warm location. Existing arrangements for providing this have not however always been wholly satisfactory.

According to the present invention there is provided support apparatus suitable for an animal such as a dog to sleep upon, the apparatus including a support platform, raiser means for raising the support platform above ground level, and heating means for warming the support platform.

The heating means may be thermostatically controlled, and may be configured to retain a support platform at a required temperature of between 10°C and 25°C.

The heating means may include an electric heating element.

Alternatively, the heating means may include pipework extending beneath the upper surface of the support platform, and means for supplying a warmed fluid into the pipework.

The heating means may be located between the upper surface of the support platform and a heat reflective member.

The apparatus may include presence sensor means to detect the presence of an animal on the support platform. The presence sensor means may be operatively connected to the heating means, such that the heating means is only operable when an animal is detected on the support platform.

The presence sensor means may include a sensor operable when a downward force is applied to the support platform, for instance by the weight of an animal thereon.

The upper surface of the support platform may be profiled to help an animal grip thereon.

At least the upper surface of the support platform may be substantially waterproof.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view from above of a support apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is an exploded diagrammatic perspective view from above of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

The drawings show a support apparatus 10 in the form of a sleeping platform suitable for a dog to sleep upon. The apparatus 10 includes a rectangular base frame 12 made of inwardly facing angJe iron, with six short ground engaging feet 14.

Located within and supported by the frame 12 are two sheets 16 of composite panel. Located on top of the sheets 16 is a sheet of thermally reflective material 18 on which is provided an electrical heating element 20.

Located above the sheet 18 and the heating element 20 is an upper surface 22 formed of a composite board with a waterproof upper rubberised layer with a plurality of upstanding hexagonal projections 24 thereon.

The apparatus 10 therefore provides a support platform upon which a dog can sleep. The heating element 20 is thermostatically controlled to provide a required temperature for the dog which could be varied between 10°C and 25°C. The projections 24 on the upper surface help a dog to grip thereon, and particularly when jumping onto the platform. The waterproof upper layer of the upper surface 22 prevents the apparatus 10 from being soiled by an animal, and permits ready cleaning thereof.

In a further embodiment a pressure sensor may be provided immediately beneath the upper surface 22 and operatively connected to the heating element 20. The apparatus may then be configured such that the heating element is only operable when the pressure sensor is activated for instance by a dog lying on the upper surface 22.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance different heating means may be used.

Pipework could be provided under the upper surface through which a heated fluid such as warm water could be pumped.

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

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS1. Support apparatus suitable for an animal such as a dog to sleep upon, the apparatus including a support platform, raiser means for raising the support platform above ground level, and heating means for warming the support platform.
2. 2. Support apparatus according to claim 1, in which the heating means is thermostatically controlled.
3. 3. Support apparatus according to claim 2, in which the heating means configured to retain a support platform at a required temperature of between 15 and 25°C.
4. 4. Support apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the heating means includes an electric heating element.
5. 5. Support apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the heating means includes pipework extending beneath the support platform, and means for supplying a warmed fluid into the pipework.
6. 6. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the heating means is located between the underside of the support platform and a heat reflective member.
7. 7. Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the apparatus includes presence sensor means to detect the presence of an animal on the support platform.
8. 8. Support apparatus according to claim 7, in which the presence sensor means is operatively connected to the heating means, such that the heating means is only operable when an animal is detected on the support platform.
9. 9. Support apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, in which the presence sensor means includes a sensor operable when a downward force is applied to the support platform, for instance by the weight of an animal thereon.
10. 10.Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which the upper surface of the support platform is profiled to help an animal grip thereon.
11. 11.Support apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, in which at least the upper surface of the support platform is substantially waterproof.
12. 12.Support apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. 13.Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.