GB2601192A

GB2601192A - Animal bed

Info

Publication number: GB2601192A
Application number: GB2018452.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tuthill James; Johannes Paul; Nicholls Simon; Windham William
Original assignee: Hebe Studio Ltd
Current assignee: Hebe Studio Ltd
Priority date: 2020-11-24
Filing date: 2020-11-24
Publication date: 2022-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-24
Also published as: WO2022112259A1; GB2601192B; GB202018452D0

Abstract

An animal bed 5 comprises a core (21, figure 7), a cover 7 for covering the core, and a kit for raising the bed from the ground or support surface. The kit comprises a frame (11, figure 9) which can be received within the cover and a plurality of legs 9 which can be attached to the frame through the cover when the frame is received therewithin. Fixings (e.g. bolts) can be used to couple the legs to corresponding retainers (e.g. nuts) on the frame. The cover may have a plurality of through-holes, and the cover may be reinforced in the vicinity of the through-holes, e.g. by using eyelets. The core may be annular, and the cover may be tubular and arranged to envelop the core. The frame may comprise a ring with a central aperture, in which case the cover may extend through the aperture and envelop the frame and the core within the cover.

Description

ANIMAL BED

Field

This invention relates to animal beds, particularly but not exclusively to animal beds that can be reconfigured between first and second configurations. In one illustrative implementation, the first configuration provides an animal bed that is configured to lie directly on a support surface (typically a floor) and the second configuration provides an animal bed raised from the support surface. Another illustrative aspect of the disclosure relates to a kit for converting an animal bed into a raised animal bed, and another illustrative aspect of the disclosure relates to a cover for an animal bed, particularly but not exclusively to an animal bed of the type disclosed herein.

Arrangements embodying the teachings of the invention will be described hereafter with reference to beds for cats, but this should not be construed as being a limitation of the scope of the invention, as such beds could conceivably be used by a variety of different animals.

Background

Animal beds typically comprise a core and a removable cover for the core. A conventional floor-lying bed that is available from Omlet Ltd, Tuthill Park, Wardington, Oxfordshire 0X17 1RR, United Kingdom is depicted in Fig. 1 and is known as the "Maya" cat bed. This bed comprises a padded core and a removable outer cover that can be taken off the core for cleaning in a washing machine.

Whilst this illustrative bed provides a comfortable bed for a cat, it is the case that some cats prefer their beds to be elevated from the floor so that the bed is less likely to move around when the cat climbs on and off the bed, and so that the bed is less likely to be affected by draughts.

To this end it has previously been proposed to provide items of furniture which essentially comprise a supporting frame, mounted on legs, for an animal bed of the type described above. One illustrative example is the "Christopher Pet Bed" available from Lord Lou®, Cruquiuszoom 37, 2142 EW Cruquius, The Netherlands (see nttps://iprdipusornio, ."3"ciiSt "inrcELi*-*11.paliedo. This wooden product, whilst being fit for purpose, is expensive to ship to customers, cumbersome to move around, non-portable, and cannot readily be disassembled.

It has also previously been proposed to provide more elaborate "pet sofas", for example the Antoinette Pet Sofa available from Lord Lou, Cruquiuszoom 37, 2142 EW Cruquius, The Netherlands; which again whilst being fit for purpose is expensive On terms of shipping and purchase), non-portable and cannot be disassembled (which can be a particular problem if the fabric of the sofa (as opposed to the cushion) should be dirtied by the animal).

Aspects of the teachings of the invention have been devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary

In accordance with a presently preferred implementation, there is provided an animal bed comprising a core, a cover for covering the core to provide a covered core, and a kit for reconfiguring the bed between a first configuration in which the covered core of the bed is enabled to lie directly on a support surface in use and a second configuration in which the covered core is enabled to be spaced from the support surface in use; the kit comprising a frame receivable within the cover and a plurality of legs fixable to the frame through the cover when the frame is received therewithin.

In one arrangement, the kit may comprise a plurality of fixings for coupling the legs to the frame through said cover. The fixings may comprise bolts. The frame may include a plurality of retainers configured to cooperate with fixings to couple said legs to the frame. The retainers may comprise a plurality of nuts coupled to said frame.

The cover may have a plurality of through-holes provided in a part of the cover that forms the underside of the bed in use. The cover may be reinforced in the vicinity of said through holes. The reinforcement may be provided by means of a plurality of eyelets.

The core may be selected from: a padded body, a foam body or a bean bag. The core may be annular. The cover may be tubular and respective end portions of said cover may include respective parts of a fastening mechanism, the arrangement being such that the cover can be passed through the annular core and the respective end portions can be brought together outside of the core so that one part of said fastening mechanism may be secured to the other to envelop the core within the cover.

The frame may comprise a ring with a central aperture. In one arrangement, the frame can be arranged on the core so that the cover extends through the aperture of the frame before being brought together and secured outside of the core to thereby envelop the frame and the cover within the cover.

In another envisaged implementation, there is provided a kit for use with an animal bed of the type disclosed herein, the kit comprising a frame receivable within the cover and a plurality of legs fixable to the frame through the cover when the frame is received therewithin.

Other features, advantages and embodiments of the invention are set out elsewhere in the present application.

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 photograph of a previously proposed cat bed that is intended to lie directly on a support surface, such as a floor, in use; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an animal bed of the type disclosed herein in a first configuration; Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the bed of Fig. 2 in a second configuration; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a frame, Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the frame depicted in Fig. 4; Figs. 6(a) to 6(d) are perspective views of illustrative legs for use with the frame of Fig. 4 Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A of Fig. 2; and Figs. 8 to 11 schematically illustrate the various steps in a process for converting the bed of Fig. 2 into a bed as shown in Fig. 3 using the frame of Fig. 4 and legs as shown in Figs. 6(a) to (d).

Detailed Description

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is depicted a schematic representation of an illustrative conventional animal bed 1, in this instance a cat bed. In this example, the bed 1 has a generally rectangular footprint, but it will be appreciated that the shape of the bed may be varied as desired.

The bed 1 comprises an outer cover 3, preferably of a fabric material, that defines an internal void within which an inner core (not visible) is enclosed. Typically, the core is compressible, but it needn't necessarily be so. The cover, as will be appreciated, protects the core from damage and helps keep the core clean. In this instance the cover can be opened so that the core can be removed, and the cover can be cleaned. To that end, it is preferred for the cover to be machine-washable.

The inner core comprises, in this example, a generally rectangular cuboid foam structure configured to fit within the cover 3. It will be appreciated, however, that a variety of different types of core could instead be provided. For example, the core could comprise a padded body (akin to a pillow), memory foam, a bean bag or a variety of other alternatives the like of which will be immediately apparent to persons of skill in the art. In preferred arrangements the core is of a hypoallergenic material that may also include an appropriate biocide and/or stain resistant compound.

Referring now to Fig. 2 of the drawings, there is depicted an animal bed 5 of the type disclosed herein in a first configuration. In this configuration the bed 5 is configured to lie directly on a support surface (such as a floor for example) in use. As with the bed of Fig. 1, the bed 5 depicted in Fig. 2 comprises a core (not visible) that is enclosed within a cover 7. As before, it is preferred for the cover to be removable from the bed so that it can be cleaned, for example by washing it in a washing machine. Fig. 3 shows the bed of Fig. 2 in a second configuration where the covered core is raised from the support surface in use by a plurality of legs 9. In this instance four legs 9 (three of which are visible) are provided.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a frame 11 that is part of a kit for reconfiguring the bed 5 from the configuration depicted in Fig. 2 to the configuration shown in Fig. 3. The frame 11, typically of metal, is generally the same shape as the bed and in this instance comprises a ring 13 that is generally rectangular with rounded corners. Each corner region is coupled to a trapezium-shaped panel 15. As shown in Fig. 5, which is an enlarged view of the frame in the region B of Fig. 4, a retainer 17 On this instance a nut) is coupled to the underside of each panel 15 in alignment with a through-hole 19.

Figs. 6(a) to 6(d) are illustrative depictions of four different legs 9 that can be coupled to the frame through the cover (in a manner to be later described) by suitable fixings (in this instance bolts that are configured to engage with the nuts 17). As aforementioned, typically four legs (typically of the same configuration) are provided for coupling to the frame.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view through the bed 5 along the line A-A of Fig. 2. Unlike the bed of Fig. 1, the bed disclosed herein comprises an annular core 21. The core 21 may be of a foam structure configured to fit within the cover 7. It will be appreciated, however, that a variety of different types of core could instead be provided. For example, the core could comprise a padded body (akin to a pillow), memory foam, a bean bag or a variety of other alternatives the like of which will be immediately apparent to persons of skill in the art. In preferred arrangements the core is of a hypoallergenic material that may also include an appropriate biocide and/or stain resistant compound.

The cover 7 comprises a tube having proximal 7(i) and distal (7ii) peripheral ends that are provided with respective parts of a fastening mechanism 23, such as a zip fastener for example. The cover 7 is inserted through the annular core's aperture and then the proximal and distal ends of the cover are folded over the core and brought together outside of the core so that the core is enveloped within the cover. Once the proximal and distal ends of the cover are adjacent, the respective parts of the fastening mechanism 23 can be brought together to secure the cover about the core. The tubular cover 7 includes an internal panel 25 that is secured to the cover and which forms a surface on which an animal can lie when the cover is secured around the core and the bed is in use. In the preferred arrangement the cover includes a flange 27 (see Fig. 2 and Fig. 8) that extends from one of the proximal or distal ends of the tube, and functions to obscure the fastening mechanism when the proximal and distal ends of the tube are secured to one another to envelop the core.

As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, when the proximal and distal ends of the cover are disengaged and spaced from one another, the cover is generally "H" shaped in cross-section.

The way in which the bed may be reconfigured from the arrangement depicted in Fig. 2 into the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 will now be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

With the bed inverted, as shown in Fig. 8, the flange 27 is moved aside to reveal the fastening mechanism 23 On this instance a zip fastener) securing the proximal and distal ends of the tubular cover 7 to one another. As the fastener is undone, the distal end 700 of the cover (7) is moved towards the hole through the annular core 21 until, as shown in Fig. 9, the distal end 7(ui) of the cover lies within the hole through the core 21. The frame 11 can then be offered up to the core so that the distal end of the cover extends through the ring 13.

The distal end 7(ui) of the cover can then be moved, as shown in Fig. 10, back towards the proximal end 7(i) of the cover and the fastening mechanism can be re-engaged to couple the proximal and distal ends of the cover together and enclose the core and frame within the cover. At this juncture, care should be taken to ensure that through-holes 29 in the distal end of the cover align with the through-holes 19 in the panels attached to the ring of the frame. In an envisaged implementation eyelets may be fitted to the cover to reinforce the aforementioned through-holes 29. Alternatively, the respective parts of the cover that surround the through-holes may be reinforced, for example by means of stitching or by affixing a more resilient material to the cover in the vicinity of the through-holes 29.

Once the distal and proximal ends of the cover have been secured to another, a plurality of legs 9 can be secured through the cover 7 to the frame 11, as shown in Fig. 11, by means of fixings 31 On this instance bolts) that extend through the legs 9, through the through-holes 29 in the cover, and through the through-holes 19 in the panels to engage with the retainers on the underside of each of the panels 15.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that aspects of the present invention readily enable an animal bed to be reconfigured between a conventional bed that lies directly on the floor and an animal bed raised off the floor by a plurality of legs. Transport of such a bed can be facilitated as compared with a ready-made raised bed, and users can switch between raised and floor-lying beds as they wish.

It will be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the bed disclosed herein have heretofore been described, the scope of the 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 spirit and scope of the invention.

For example, whilst arrangements described above employ zip fasteners, it will be appreciated that any type of fastener may instead be employed if so desired. Similarly, whilst the fixing and retainer aforementioned comprise a bolt replaceand complementary nut, it will be appreciated that a variety of suitable fixings and retainers will be immediately apparent to persons of skill in the art.

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

CLAIMS1. An animal bed comprising a core, a cover for covering the core to provide a covered core, and a kit for reconfiguring the bed between a first configuration in which the covered core of the bed is enabled to lie directly on a support surface in use and a second configuration in which the covered core is enabled to be spaced from the support surface in use; the kit comprising a frame receivable within the cover and a plurality of legs fixable to the frame through the cover when the frame is received therewithin.
2. An animal bed according to Claim 1, wherein the kit further comprises a plurality of fixings for coupling the legs to the frame through said cover.
3. An animal bed according to Claim 2, wherein said fixings comprise bolts.
4. An animal bed according to any preceding claim, wherein said frame includes a plurality of retainers configured to cooperate with fixings to couple said legs to the frame.
5. An animal bed according to Claim 4, wherein said retainers comprise a plurality of nuts coupled to said frame.
6. An animal bed according to any preceding claim, wherein said cover has a plurality of through-holes provided in a part of the cover that forms the underside of the bed in use.
7. An animal bed according to Claim 6, wherein the cover is reinforced in the vicinity of said through holes.
8. An animal bed according to Claim 7, wherein said reinforcement is provided by means of a plurality of eyelets.
9. An animal bed according to any preceding claim, wherein said core is selected from: a padded body, a foam body or a bean bag.
10. An animal bed according to any preceding claim, wherein said core is annular.
11. An animal bed according to Claim 10, wherein said cover is tubular and respective end portions of said cover include respective parts of a fastening mechanism, the arrangement being such that the cover can be passed through the annular core and the respective end portions can be brought together outside of the core so that one part of said fastening mechanism may be secured to the other to envelop the core within the cover.
12. An animal bed according to any preceding claim, wherein said frame comprises a ring with a central aperture.
13. An animal bed according to Claim 12 when dependent upon Claim 11, wherein said frame can be arranged on the core so that the cover extends through the aperture of the frame before being brought together and secured outside of the core to thereby envelop the frame and the cover within the cover.
14. A kit for use with the animal bed of any preceding claim, the kit comprising a frame receivable within the cover and a plurality of legs fixable to the frame through the cover when the frame is received therewithin.