Nestable pet bed

Details Nestable pet bed Nestable pet bed

1999-04-14

2001-03-06

Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3644)

Animal husbandry

Bed or rest

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196157

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for providing pet beds, and more particularly, to a partially enclosed pet bed which combines a flexible base and sidewall in a design which is readily stackable for compact transport, storage and display.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pet owners desire a secure, safe and comfortable environment for their cherished pets. Oftentimes, owners will purchase pet beds in an attempt to provide a cozy and snug shelter in which their pets can rest and relax. While various structures are available, pet beds which provide soft and flexible enclosures are desirable. Preferably, a comfortable base surrounded around its perimeter by a sidewall creates a cradle-like structure between the sidewall and the base. This enclosure provides a secure and snug feeling to the pet which can lean against the sidewall while resting on the base. These types of pet beds are constructed from various materials, including suitable flexible material such as soft or cushioned foam. While a thicker foam material may result in a softer, more comfortable bed, typically it will create a bulkier configuration.
Nestability of bulky pet beds is a desirable feature to manufacturers and retailers in the industry. Retail shelving space is a premium and the ability to display multiple pet beds which are fully assembled is desirable. Typically, a lack of shelving space dictates that a sole “floor model ” be displayed, while the pet beds which are actually for sale are stored in the back of the retail store away from the view of the customer. However, nested beds can be stacked neatly and compactly on retail shelving in their fully assembled configuration without distracting from the overall appearance of the bed. Further, nestable beds are less cumbersome to transport. The nestability feature creates a densely packed shipping container without the need to deform, fold or compress the beds. This is particularly desirable as the flexible material or foam may tend to retain an inflicted deformity rather than returning to its original shape.
A variety of pet beds are available. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,811 to McAlister discloses a cushion comprised of a pad made of a number of layers of fibers. While this structure seeks to provide a soft and comfortable resting place for a pet, it does not provide upwardly extending sidewalls which create a cradle-like structure for pets to snuggle against while resting on the cushion.
Other beds are available that feature a cradle-like structure. U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,981 to Barreto, III et al. discloses a pet bed having an upwardly extending sidewall which encloses a base around its perimeter. A removable cover which is washable separately encases the sidewall and the base. While the disclosed structure provides a preferred cradle-like enclosure for a pet, its substantially vertical sidewall prevents nesting of fully assembled beds.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel apparatus and method for providing a pet bed design which is easy to manufacture, provides a comfortable and secure enclosure for a pet and, in addition, can be compactly transported, stored and displayed in a fully assembled configuration.
The pet bed generally comprises a base and an arcuate sidewall which are constructed of foam matting or other suitable flexible material. The base serves as a bed or cushion on which a pet rests or naps. The arcuate sidewall is affixed at a lower edge around the perimeter of the base to form a cradle-like structure. The pet can snuggle or lean against the sidewall while resting on the base. The arcuate configuration of the sidewall causes the sidewall to flare outward when affixed to the base.
The base is comprised generally of upper and lower surfaces and a side surface which generally defines the perimeter of the base. The configuration for the base can be substantially oval, circular, rectangular, square or any other desirable geometric configuration.
The arcuate sidewall can be cut as a unitary piece or, alternatively, can be constructed of multiple pieces which collectively define an arc. The sidewall is comprised generally of a lower edge having a minor peripheral dimension, an upper edge having a major peripheral dimension, an interior wall, and an exterior wall. The curvature of the arcuate sidewall generally defines the relationship between the major and minor peripheral dimensions. A larger curvature defines a major peripheral dimension which is relatively greater than minor peripheral dimension, while a smaller curvature defines a major peripheral dimension which is closer in length to the minor peripheral dimension. The minor peripheral dimension of the lower edge of the sidewall can be substantially the same as the perimeter of the base. Preferably, the minor peripheral dimension of the sidewall is less than the base perimeter so that the sidewall is stretched to wrap around the base.
The arcuate sidewall is wrapped around the base by affixing the lower edge of the sidewall interior wall around the side surface of the base. The resulting relationship between the interior sidewall and base side surface creates a pet bed having a sidewall which flares outwardly and upwardly from the upper surface of the base. The outward flare is dependent on the curvature of the arcuate sidewall. A sidewall having a larger curvature achieves a greater flare than a sidewall having a smaller curvature. Further, the lower edge of the sidewall at its exterior surface and the lower surface of the base define the bottom of the pet bed having a perimeter dimension.
The curvature of the sidewall and the tension created by stretching the sidewall around the side surface of the base causes radial forces to be exerted on the base. The radial forces create a concavity and a convexity in the base when viewed from its lower and upper surfaces, respectively. This concavo-convex configuration gives the upper surface of the base an aesthetically appealing, fluffy and comfortable appearance.
The concavo convex configuration of the base can be modified by varying the radial forces exerted on the base. As previously indicated, the radial forces are a function of the curvature of the sidewall and the relationship of the minor peripheral dimension of the sidewall to the base perimeter. Additionally, variable radial forces on the base can be accomplished during the cutting process of the base and sidewall from suitable flexible material. Preferably, the material is cut vertically to form a base having a side surface which is oriented in a substantially ninety degree relationship with the upper and lower surfaces of the base. This angled relationship of the base surfaces contributes to the radial forces exerted on the base when the sidewall is affixed around the base, and enhances the concavo-convex configuration of the base.
Similarly, vertical cuts could be used to form a sidewall having a substantially ninety degree relationship between the upper and lower edges and the interior and exterior walls. The substantially ninety degree orientation between the sidewall edges and walls and the base surfaces is an inexpensive and economical design, as the verticle cuts can be mass produced.
Alternatively, the radial forces on the base could be increased, and the concavo-convex configuration enhanced, by cutting the base side surface at an angle greater than ninety degrees from the lower surface of the base. Conversely, a decrease in the angle between the base side and lower surfaces could result in a reduction of radial forces exerted on the base and concavo-convex appearance.
The flared sidewall affixed to the base achieves a pet bed design that is readily stackable for compact transport, storage and display. Nestability is accomplished when the major peripheral dimension of the upper edge of the sidewall is larger than the perimeter of the bottom of the pet bed so that a first pet bed can fit neatly inside a second bed. This nestability can be repeated to stack multiple beds.

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