Animal husbandry – Bed or rest
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-04
2001-10-23
Swiatek, Robert P. (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Bed or rest
C119S174000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305317
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inflatable whelping container. In the prior art, it is known to construct a whelping container out of wood, metal or combinations thereof. In essence, an enclosure is provided where a pregnant dog may deliver puppies. Often, the enclosure includes a steel or wooden cage to restrain the location of the dog.
Often, the breeder constructs a “puppy rail” that is designed to prevent the puppies from being smothered by the mother during the nursing period. In essence, a “puppy rail” consists of a structure designed to fit around the edges of the containment area and including a region below its surface that permits puppies to slide thereunder instead of allowing the mother to roll over the puppies and smother them. Often such structures are made of wood products and may be prone to splintering, thereby creating the potential for damage or injury to the mother or her puppies. Additionally, once the puppies are weaned and there is no further use for the “puppy rail”, it must be stored in a large storage area since it may not be easily collapsed without disassembling it.
As such, a need has developed for a whelping container that is effective in use but easily stored between uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an inflatable whelping container. The present invention includes the following interrelated objects, aspects and features:
(1) In a first aspect, the inventive whelping container is made of a flexible, plastic or rubber material and is inflatable. If desired, the inventive container may be made including two or more subchambers, each of which includes its own separate inflation/deflation valve. The material used is employed in sufficient thickness to provide sufficient strength to resist damage from chewing or scratching by the mother or her puppies.
(2) The inventive container may have a floor that preferably is partially defined by an inflation chamber to provide cushioning for the mother and puppies within the container. The container also includes a top surface that extends downwardly part of the way toward the floor with the top surface defining an altitude above the floor that is sufficiently high so as to make it difficult for puppies to climb out of the container. If desired, the floor could be omitted.
(3) The top surface described in paragraph (2) above overhangs the periphery of the floor to define a peripheral chamber about the periphery of the floor. This peripheral chamber serves the purpose of providing a place where a puppy can escape if the mother is in a position where she might roll over the puppy and otherwise smother it.
(4) Two sets of vents extend through walls of the container to vent the peripheral chamber to atmosphere. Thus, if a puppy enters the peripheral chamber either to rest or to escape the mother who is rolling over to a location where she might overlie the puppy, these vents provide air flow into the peripheral chamber so that the puppy can survive being located therein.
As such, it is a first object of the present invention to provide an inflatable whelping container.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a container including a peripheral subchamber designed to provide a location where puppies can travel to avoid being smothered by their mother.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a container including vents to vent the peripheral subchamber to the atmosphere.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such a device wherein the container is inflatable in use and deflatable for easy storage.
These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3902456 (1975-09-01), David
patent: 4064835 (1977-12-01), Rabenbauer
patent: 4274363 (1981-06-01), Root
patent: 4996944 (1991-03-01), Zook et al.
patent: 5010843 (1991-04-01), Henry
The Health of Your Dog by John Bower & David Youngs Published 1989 p. 196.
Spiegel H. Jay
Swiatek Robert P.
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