Animal husbandry – Confining or housing – Often portable – small capacity – roofed housing structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-15
2002-10-29
Abbott, Yvonne R. (Department: 3644)
Animal husbandry
Confining or housing
Often portable, small capacity, roofed housing structure
C119S474000, C119S485000, C119S499000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06470829
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to attachable outdoor window boxes. And more specifically, to a light-weight enclosure, suitable for allowing small pets to enjoy the fresh air from a confined location and for transporting them generally.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pet lovers around the world are always striving to find or create more humanitarian ways to increase their pets' quality of life. In urban settings, in particular, tight spatial considerations often impede pet owners' abilities to provide appropriate outdoor access for their pets.
As a result, there have been a number of attempts to capitalize on the idea of a window attachment—exemplified most commonly by the air conditioner and the flower box, both of which generally project outward from the facade of the building. To date, the multiple variations of patented box-like devices designed to provide a confined outdoor access for pets have been contemplated as window units and were not designed nor contemplated for dual use as a pet transporter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,934, issued to Fetter on Dec. 6, 1988, was designed specifically for mounting in a carport or garage with a door opening into the home and attached to an “accordion” tunnel or flex-screen pet door allowing the pet to enter and exit without human interference or participation and without obstructing the door to which it is connected or impeding human access. Fetter's invention is unlike the present invention in that it is not intended for use in windows, is not intended for transport of animals, and is not collapsable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,989, 546, issued to Cannaday on Feb. 5, 1991, is a screened box-like design with metal top, bottom and frame, designed to fit into a window in like manner to an air-conditioning unit, with a hinged pet door that can be pushed open at will by the pet. Cannaday's invention is unlike the present invention in that the structure is permanently affixed to the window, non- collapsible, and not intended for animal transport.
U.S. Pat. No. 317,216, issued to Cutrone on May 28, 1991, is limited to ornamental designs for a screened window-box demarcating the entrance to a pet enclosure which can be installed in like manner to an air-conditioning unit. Cutrone's design is unlike the present invention in that it is not collapsible, is not intended for pet transport, and is intended to be a permanent fixture in the window.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,767, issued to Torchio on Sep. 22, 1992, is a pet enclosure for window installation consisting of replaceable glass or screened side panels or plates, which includes a heating device installed on a panel which slides in beneath a perforated floor plate; not intended for pet transport.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,350, issued to Vavrek on Nov. 16, 1993, is a permanently installed pet enclosure for window, wall or door installation, and consists of a reinforced structure, ventilation vents, a security sleeve secured from the interior, floor and side screens and a roof structure most conducive to diverting rain away from the interiors; not intended for pet transport.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,697, issued to Trimarchi et al. on Aug. 16, 1994, is a pet enclosure for window installation that looks like a mini-barn, having a wood or metal frame, screening on the sides, vents for air circulation, pet door, and exterior braces for support of the base; not intended for pet transport.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,807, issued to Kosmaczeska on Nov. 28, 1995, is basically an open mesh bin container for permanent window installation, which is expandable in size and allows the window to be completely closed when the cage is not in use and not intended for pet transport.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,344, issued to Demurjian on Jun. 4, 1996, is a pet cage, for window assembly, which can be disassembled and consolidated into a compact unit for transport and easy storage, but is not structure out of light or collapsible materials and did not contemplate pet transporting.
All of the above patents were constructed with metal framing and some prohibitive combination of wood, chicken wire, screens or glass paneling (removable or permanent). Additionally, all of the aforementioned pet enclosures were designed for the singular use as an outdoor box.
However, except for the “Gershbein box,” (registered under U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,048, issued to Gershbein on Jun. 14, 1977, which presents a combination animal cage and indoor-outdoor toilet (but was not intended as a pet carrier and is comprised of very heavy and cumbersome construction, uniquely different from that of the current invention), no patent has presented an adequate resolution to the versatile combination of removability, collapsibility and portability to the extent that the current invention incorporates such functions; therefore there remains a need for a light weight window enclosure for pets equally suitable for use as a pet carrier or window-installed pet dwelling, that can be removed and stored with minimal encumbrance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention allows small pets to enjoy the outdoors from a safe and covered location. This gives the owner the knowledge that their pet is able to go outdoors and the peace of mind that their pet won't get lost, does not need supervision, can come inside whenever it chooses and is safe from the hazards of the ground level while not being deprived of the benefits of “fresh air.”
The current invention is designed to be placed in a window in a manner which allows the pet to enter from the inside of a house through a flap which can be left free or affixed in the closed position with velcro.
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patent: 5261350 (1993-11-01), Vavrek
patent: 5277148 (1994-01-01), Rossignol et al.
patent: 5337697 (1994-08-01), Trimarchi et al.
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patent: 5469807 (1995-11-01), Kosmaczeska
patent: 5522344 (1996-06-01), Demurjian
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Jordan Brian H.
Spangler Robert D.
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