GB2530248A

GB2530248A - A modular stair apparatus for pets

Info

Publication number: GB2530248A
Application number: GB1414932.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Cherry Steel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-22
Filing date: 2014-08-22
Publication date: 2016-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2034-08-22
Also published as: GB201414932D0; GB2530248B

Abstract

A modular stair apparatus for pets comprising a plurality of boxes 10 each comprising a rectangular container having a base and four sides, with a lid that is attachable to the four sides that has a tread material 19 on the outer surface; and attachment means (100, fig 2) on each of the four sides to allow boxes to fastened together. The lid may have one or more retaining features to secure the base of a secondary box when they are stacked together. When the boxes are stacked and secured together they may be configured to provide a variety of step heights to assist a pet in getting up and down. The tread material may be non slip, and the base of the container may also be covered with a non slip material. The attachment means may be apertures in the sides of the containers that are connected via a fastening plug; a protrusion on one container that engages with a recess on an adjacent container; or hook and loop fasteners. Preferably the container may be adapted to fold into a flat configuration; and the apparatus may have guard components 200 to prevent a pet from falling.

Description

A modular stair aoaratus for Dets

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to stair apparatus for pets and in particular to a modular stair apparatus configurable to provide a viety of step heights.

Backaround

1 0 As pets age or become invalid or infirm they frequently need help in climbing to positions that they once were able to jump to. for example on chairs, windowsills or baskets raised above ground. Stairs are known in the prior art, adapted for use by pets, but in practice a wide range of circumstances will be encountered in different homes and for different uses by different pets, and prior art step apparatus is either 1 5 not configurable or is only configurable into a very limited number of possible heights and shapes. There is a need for a readily configurable pet step apparatus that allows for easy storage of the apparatus and preferably allows for storage of objects within the apparatus.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: U5201 10017547 discloses: A stepping device is provided and includes a first step member having a first riser and a first treac; a second step member having a second riser and a second tread; and a third step member having first, second, and third panels oriented orthogonal to one another. The first step member is fixedly attached to the second step member. The third step member is rotatably attached to the second step member and is rotatable relative to the second step member to configure the stepping device between a two-step configuration and a three-step configuration. In the two-step configuration, The first panel is generally planar with the second tread.

This device is configurable, but only into 2 configurations, and so is only poorly adapted for the wide range of access situations likely to be encountered in different homes.

US20040079297 discloses: A pet step is a modular foam core item which can be used alone or in an arrangement with other pet steps-referred to as cubes-to form a stair and offers a comfortable way for a pet that has been debilitated by age, surgery, illness, or injury to climb, e.g., from the floor to the couch and down, eliminating the impact of jumping. Each step is formed of a washable fabric cover stretched across a high-density foam core, the core being usually of regular block shape, but alternatively in the shape of a trapezoidal block, right wedge, or other. The cover may be made from various fabrics with different textures, colors, and designs, and is secured around the foam core using a band of elastic. Thus, the cover is easily removable and washable. The pet steps are intended to be used in a stair, formed by placing the steps adjacent one another with the elasticized opening of the cover on the bottom sides of the steps and mating and engaging the optional fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, which are mounted between the adjacent step surfaces.

US200301 54669 discloses: Step4Paws actualizes the concept of using a modulated staircase to assist dogs and cats in getting up to and down from household furniture.

Manufactured into various heights and dimensions, the modules can be used singularly or in conjunction with another or other module(s). This flexibility allows for tailoring to various specifics such as size or jumping ability of the dog or cat and to floor space limitations. Increased user-friendliness is an inherent characteristic of the design created by two main attributes: a wide, horizontal surface, and a soft, carpeted surface. Combined, these two attributes make for an inviting means for dogs and cats to ease the difficulty in reachin9 their desired destination. In fact, Step4Paws offers itself as a viable, attractive alternative to their favorite spot.

This device comprises modules of different heights placed adjacent one to another.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a stair apparatus for pets comprising a plurality of boxes each comprising: A rectangular container having a base and four sides, A lid attachable to the four sides and having a step material on its outer surface, Attachment means provided on each of the four sides of the container adapted to attach a side of a first container to a side on an adjacent second container.

In some embodiments the lid comprises one or more retaining features to receive the base of a container.

In some embodiments the step material is a non-slip material, and/or has raised and 1 0 lowered parts to prevent or catch lateral movement thereon.

In this way the present invention provides a configurable, modular step device that is easy to assemble, disassemble and pack for storage, and in some embodiments is useable for storage within the device.

More particularly the apparatus provides a configurable modular set of steps formed by attaching the boxes laterally to one another to form a first, ground level layer and then stacking further boxes on top of the first layer to form steps. The boxes are held* together in each layer by the attachment means and an upper layer is held in place on a lower against lateral forces by the weight of the boxes to provide frictional contact to the step material, by the retaining features on the lid where present, or both.

In some embodiments the attachment means comprise a connection feature formed as part of the side of the container. In preferred embodiments the sides are arranged to accommodate said connection feature wherein the lids are enabled to provide a continuous surface without significant breaks. Advantageously therefore an animal is not liable to catch, snag or be damaged by breaks in the surface when the lids are side by side. Preferred embodiments may indude slanted sides providing a smaller footprint than the lid, wherein the attachment means may be accommodated. In further embodiments the attachment means is not envisaged to extend from the side or the lid extends beyond the footprint.

In some embodiments the container is a moulded polymer container comprising four sidewalls and a base. In some embodiments the connection features are moulded into the sidewalls of the container.

In same embodiments the connection features comprise a projection and a matching recess such that each connection feature comprises both a projection and matching recess.

In some embodiments the attachment means comprises a plug and a matching socket, each container having two sides having a plug and two sides having a socket. In this way the apparatus is adapted to be assembled by positioning the boxes such that plug and socket sides are adjacent one to another.

In some embodiments the containers each comprise an aperture through each side at the same position relative to the edges of each side. In some embodiments the apertures on each side are substantially identical.

In some embodiments the said socket comprises a said aperture.

In some embodiments the attachment meanS comprises an elastomeric joining component comprising a fixing feature to retain it within the aperture.

In some embodiments the elastomeric joining component comprises a tubular body having a first and a second end and a projecting flange extending from each end. In some embodiments the tubular body comprises a stiffening component extending across the cross-section of the tube, for example a sheet member attached to or extending from the inside of the tube. In some embodiments the tubular body is cylindrical and the stiffening component is in the form of a disc extending from the interior surface of the cylindrical body. In some embodiments the stiffening member comprises apertures or perforations, for example to confer a chosen degree of compressibility and flexibility of the elastomeric joining component and/or for decorative purposes. In this way the elastomeric joining component is adapted to be flexible to allow a flange to pass through the aperture with the flange distorted, and the flange to engage with the inside of the side of the box once it has passed through the aperture. In use, in order to join tw3 boxes together, the elastomeric joining component is compressed and flexed to pass the first flange through the aperture in the first box. The elastomeric joining component is then retained within the first box aperture by the first and second flanges. The first flange is then compressed again and passed through the aperture in the second box. The elastomeric joining component then springs back into shape to hold the two boxes together.

In this way the elastomeric joining component may be inserted through the apertures in two adjacent sides of two boxes, so joining them together.

In some embodiments the elastoniedc joining component is adapted to be retained within the aperture on a side of a first box and to be removable from the aperture on a side of a second box. In some embodiments each box comprises two sides having apertures having a first cross-sectional dimension and two sides having apertures having a second cross-sectional dimension smaller than the first.

In some embodiments the attachment means comprises a hook and loop connector such as Velcro (RTM). In other embodiments the attachment means comprises hooks and eyes or clips.

In some embodiments the retaining feature comprises a raised ridge near the edge of the outside face of the base of the container and a matching recess provided in the lid. In some embodiments the raised ridge is provided substantially or wholly around the edge of the outside face of the base and the lid comprises a matching recess substantially or wholly around the edge of the outside face of the lid.

In some embodiments the retaining feature comprises a raised ridge around the edge of the lid, and the base of the container is dimensioned such that it will fit within the ridge when in position resting on the lid.

In some embodiments the base of the container is removable from the sides.

In some embodiments the container is adapted to fold into an essentially flat SC) configuration.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises a plurality of substantially identical boxes.

The boxes may be provided in a range of sizes. In some embodiments each container is around 300 x 300 x 150mm.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises a plurality of boxes of different sizes, adapted to nest one inside the other. For example, in one embodiment the apparatus comprises boxes of around the following sizes in inches: width 17 and depth 12, with height from base to lid of: box 1: 36, box 2: 30, box 3: 24, box 4:181 box 5:12 and box 6: 6 inches.

In this way the apparatus provides a series of boxes each adapted to be step, of a range of heights, such that a set of steps may be formed by fixing the boxes next to one another to provide a series of heights above ground. Clearly the apparatus may be configured to provide a final step height in the range 12 to 36 inches.

In some embodiments the apparatus comprises one or more guard components configured to mount on the lid of a box to provide a guard to hinder or prevent a pet from falling off the step. In some embodiments the guard component comprises a prolection and the box comprises a matching recess to receive the projection. In this way the guard component may slot in to the box to be held in place.

The device may be formed from materials and using techniques as known in the art.

For example, the container and the lid may be formed from injection moulded, blow moulded or rotary moulded polymer, for example polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS, in some embodiments co-or over-moulded with a second polymer, for example an elastomer. The step material may comprise a fabric bonded to the lid, an elastomeric material co-or over-moulded onto the lid or a sheet bonded to the lid.

The elastomeric joining components may be injection moulded as known in the art.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a box forming part of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a box as shown in figure 1 together with an elastomeric joining component.

Figure 3 shows a side view of an arrangement of a number of boxes as shown in figures 1 and 2 joined to form a set of steps.

Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the arrangement shown in figure 3 showing elastomeric joining components in place holding the boxes together.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the Invention comprising a set of stain formed from an arrangement of the boxes as shown in figures 1 and 2 and further comprising a number of guards attached to the upper surfaces of the boxes.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures 1 to 5, an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of boxes 10 each comprising: A rectangular container 12 having a base 14 and four sides I Ba -I 6d, A lid 18 attachable to the four sides and having a step material 19 on Its outer surface, Attachment means 20 provided on each of the four sides of the container 12 adapted to attach a side 16a of a first container to a side 26a on an adjacent second container 22.

In this embodiment the step material 19 is a non-slip material, formed with raised and lowered parts.

In this way the apparatus provides a configurable modular set of steps formed by attaching the boxes 10 laterally to one another to form a first, ground level layer 30 and then stacking further boxes on top of the first layer to form steps. The boxes are held together in each layer by the attachment means and an upper layer 40 is held in place on a lower against lateral forces by the weight of the boxes to provide frictional contact to the step material 19, by the retaining features on the lid where present, or both.

In this embodiments the attachment means 22 comprise a connection feature 24 formed as part of the side of the container.

In this embodiment the container is a moulded polymer container comprising four sidewalls and a base. In some embodiments the connection features are moulded into the sidewalls of the container.

In this embodiment the connection feature 24 is in the form of an aperture and the containers 12 each comprise an aperture through each side at the same position relative to the edges of each side, the apertures on each side being substantially identical.

In this embodiment the attachment means comprises an elastomeric joining component 100 comprising a fixing feature 102 to retain it within the aperture.

In this embodiment the elastomeric joining component 100 comprises a tubular body 104 having a first 106 and a second 108 end and the fixing feature 102 is in the form of a projecting flange 112, 122 extending from each end. In this embodiment the tubular body 104 comprises a stWfening member 114 extending across the cross-section of the inside of the tubular body in the form of a sheet member extending from the inside of the tubular body. In this embodiment the tubular body is cylindrical and the stiffening member is in the form of a disc extending from the interior surface of the cylindrical body. In this embodiment the stiffening member comprises apertures or perforations 116, for example to confer a chosen degree of compressibility and flexibility of the elastomeric joining component and/or for decorative purposes. In this way the elastomeric joining component 100 is adapted to be flexible to allow a flange 112 to pass through the aperture with the flange distorted, and the flange to engage with the inside of the side ISa of the box once it has passed through the aperture. In use, in order to join two boxes 10, 110 together, the elastomeric joining component is compressed and flexed to pass the first flange 112 through the aperture in the first box. The elastomeric joining component is then retained within the first box aperture by the first 112 and second 122 flanges. The first flange 112 is then compressed again and passed through the aperture in the second box. The elastomeric joining component 100 then springs back into shape to hold the two boxes together.

In this embodiment the base 14 of the container 12 is removable from the sides 16a- 16d and may be positioned in within the sides to be retained by a flange 15.

In this embodiment the apparatus comprises a plurality of substantially identical boxes 10. The boxes may be provided in a range of sizes. In this embodiment each container is around 300 x 300 x 150mm.

In this embodiment the apparatus comprises a plurality of guard components 200 configured to mount on the lid 14 of a box 10 to provide a guard to hinder or prevent a pet from falling off the step. In this embodiment the guard component 200 comprises a prolection and the lid 18 comprises a matching recess 202 to receive the projection. In this way the guard component may slot in to the box to be held in place. In this embodiment the guard component comprises a substantially planar sheet component having the fixing projections provided on or adjacent to its lower edge.

This embodiment may be formed from iniection moulded, blow moulded or rotary moulded polymer, for example polyethylene, polypropylene or ABS, and may be co-or over-moulded with a second polymer, for example an elastomer. The step material 19 may comprise a fabric bonded to the lid, an elastomeric material co-or over-moulded onto the lid or a sheet bonded to the lid. The step material may comprises ridges, stipples or other profiled sections to improve grip. The elastomeric joining components 100 may be injection moulded as known in the art.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1 * A stair apparatus for pets comprising a plurality of boxes each comprising: A rectangular container having a base and four sides, A lid attachable to the four sides and having a step material on its outer surface, Attachment means provided on each of the four sides of the container adapted to attach a side of a first container to a side on an adjacent second container.
2. A stair apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lid comprises one or more retaining features to receive the base of a container.
3. A stair apparatus according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the step material is a non-slip material.
4. A stair apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the container is a moulded polymer container comprising four sidewalls and a base.
5. A stair apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprise a connection feature formed as part of the side of the container.
6. A stair apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the connection features are moulded into the sidewalls of the container.
7. A stair apparatus according to claim 5. or claim 6 wherein the connection features comprise a projection and a matching recess such that each connection feature comprises both a projection and matching recess.
8. A stair apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises a plug and a matching socket and each container has two sides having a plug and two sides having a socket.II
9. A stair apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the containers each comprise an aperture through each side at the same position relative to the edges of each side.
10. A stair apparatus according to any claim 9 wherein the apertures on each side are substantially identical.
11. A stair apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises an elastomeric joining component comprising a fixing feature to retain ft within the aperture.
12. A stair apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the elastomeric joining component comprises a tubular body having a first and a second end and a projecting flange extending from each end.
13. A stair apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the tubular body comprises a stiffening component extending across the cross-section of the tube.
14. A stair apparatus according to any claim 13 wherein the tubular body is cylindrical and the stiffening component is in the form of a disc extending from the interior surface of the cylindrical body.
15. A stair apparatus according to any claim 14 wherein the stiffening member comprises an aperture.
16. A stair apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the elastomeric joining component is adapted to be retained within the aperture on a side of a first box and to be removable from the aperture on a side of a second box.
17. A stair apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises a hook and loop connector such as Velcro (RIM).
18. A stair apparatus according to any preceding daim wherein the container is adapted to fold into an essentially flat configuration.
19. A stair apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of substantially identical boxes as described herein.
20. A stair apparatus according to claim 19 wherein each box is around 300mm wide, 300mm deep and 150mm high.
21. A stair apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18 wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of boxes of different sizes wherein at least two boxes are adapted to nest one inside the other.
22. A stair apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising one or more guard components configured to mount on the lid of a box.