Pet Self-Grooming Pass-Through Tunnel

Abstract

Disclosed is a pet grooming device that allows a pet to groom itself by passing through an annular tunnel having a plurality of grooming elements disposed therewithin. The tube-shaped device comprises an elongated tunnel having a first and second opening with wire grooming bristles attached within its interior. The pet is able to walk through the opening and as the animal passes through the device wire bristles brush the pet's hair in the natural direction, from head to tail. The distance the animal must pass through while traversing the device ensures that the animal's fur is sufficiently engaged by the bristles to promote a thorough grooming with each pass through the device, while a pathway free of grooming elements is provided for the pet to walk through the tunnel with ease and less trepidation. A barrier crossing and stand alone embodiment are disclosed, along with a method of construction.

Claims

1) A pass-through animal self-grooming device, comprising: a rigid cylindrical tunnel including an interior surface and an interior volume; the interior surface including a plurality of elongated grooming elements disposed along a length thereof and pointed radially inwardly; the interior volume sized and configured to receive an animal therethrough; a pathway positioned along a lower portion of the interior surface of the rigid cylindrical tunnel, the pathway including a pair of walking paths devoid of the plurality of elongated grooming elements; a strip of plurality of elongated grooming elements separating the pair of walking paths from one another; and a rigid base platform for supporting the tunnel and providing a standalone assembly, the rigid base platform fixedly attached to the rigid cylindrical tunnel; wherein the pair of walking paths are configured to allow a pet to walk through the interior volume of the rigid cylindrical tunnel such that the plurality of grooming elements contact a top side, a left side, a right side, and an underside of a pet as it traverses therethrough.

2) The pass-through animal self-grooming device of claim 1, wherein the interior volume is sized to receive a cat therethrough.

3) The pass-through animal self-grooming device of claim 1, wherein the strip of plurality of grooming elements comprises a length greater than a length of a remaining plurality of grooming elements, such that the strip of plurality of grooming elements can make contact with the underside of a pet as it traverses through the rigid cylindrical tunnel.

4) The pass-through animal self-grooming device of claim 1, wherein the rigid base platform comprises a high friction lower surface to prevent sliding movement of the device.

5) The pass-through animal self-grooming device of claim 1, wherein the pathway includes an abrasive material such that an animal may file down its claws as it passes therethrough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the standalone embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a view the standalone embodiment of the present invention being assembled from planar elements, wherein its construction is visualized.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the standalone embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the entryway embodiment of the present invention mounted over a pet door, depicting how a cat could utilize this embodiment of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the cat self-grooming pass through device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a passageway that allows a pet animal to groom itself as it passes through the device, mounted to either an entryway or as a standalone structure. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an overhead perspective view of the standalone embodiment of the present invention in a deployed state. This embodiment of the device comprises a tubular passageway or tunnel 11 with a plurality of internal grooming elements 13 disposed therewithin, adapted to allow a pet animal pass through the length of the passageway for the grooming elements to comb over the pet's fur for removal of loose hair thereon. The passageway 11 includes a first and second opening on either ends to allow entrance or exit from either end. The passageway is supported by a planar support structure or base 12, which allows the standalone embodiment to be positioned anywhere within a room or dwelling for the animal to utilize. Within the passageway, inwardly pointing and deformable grooming elements 13 are disposed to contact the pet along its side, top and underside. A path 21 devoid of grooming elements provides a smooth pathway for which the animal to walk upon, wherein the grooming elements do not pose a nuisance or impedance to easily traversing or entering the tunnel. The pathway increases the pet's willingness to enter the tunnel 11 with little trepidation, as the elements will not hurt its paws as it enters and walks therethrough. A strip of grooming elements 13 is preferably situated along the middle of the pathway 21 to establish two discrete walking paths for the purpose of brushing the underside of the animal as it walks through the device. The encircling grooming elements 13 along the interior surface of the tunnel are adapted to brush the top and sides of the animal. The grooming elements 13 are preferably deformable bristles or brush elements, such as those known in the art for grooming brushes and devices. Any commonly utilized grooming element known to one skilled in the art is contemplated for use within the disclosed pass through device.

[0027] The tubular passageway 11 is supported by a base platform 12 such that the assembly remains stable and stationary during use. To facilitate use on laminate or hardwood floors, suction cups are placed along the bottom surface of the platform 12 to prevent movement. Similarly, a high friction lower surface may be utilized for the same purpose. The surfaces of the tube 11, base structure 12 and pathway 21 may be a carpeted material or an abrasive material, such that a pet animal may utilize the surfaces of the devices as a scratching post or similar means to reduce claw length. In this way, as the animal walks through or on the device, its claws may be filed down accordingly.

[0028] In use, an animal enters the device from the first or second end of the tunnel 11, and exits from the opposite end. While the animal traverses through the device, the grooming elements 13 brush and massage the animal. The device brushes the animal's fur in a natural directionfrom head to tail. The grooming elements 13 are of sufficient length and are provided in such density along the interior of the device such that the elements 13 are highly effective for gripping and retaining of loose animal fur, and for making adequate contact with the animal for that goal. Since the interior of the device is lined with these grooming elements, the whole animal is brushed with each pass through of the device, including the animal's back, sides and underside. The pathway 21 facilitates comfort and ease of passage, while the circumferential coverage of grooming elements contacts nearly all surfaces of the animal as is passes therethrough. The goal is to provide a device that grooms a majority of the animal, while providing a device that an animal can be easily accustomed to and utilize readily.

[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the construction of the standalone embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is preferably of two-piece construction, wherein the tunnel 11 comprises a rolled planar surface having grooming elements 13 providing along a first face, the tunnel outer surface along the planar surface second surface, and attachment means 19 disposed along opposing edges thereof. The planar surface is a flexible sheet of material that provides a support for the grooming elements and a thickness for the tunnel. Its overall length determines the diameter of the tunnel 11, wherein planar starting shape of the tunnel and base platform 12 allows improved storage and shipping of the overall assembly when not in use. The assembly is preferably assembled by rolling the planar surface into a tunnel shape 11, joining opposing edges and said attachment means 19. These attachment means 19 adjoin with corresponding attachment locations 20 on the base platform 12. These elements are contemplated as a mortise and tenon joint, wherein the tunnel provides radially-projecting inserts 19 that enter into notches 20 in the base platform. This allows a male-female carpentry-style joint that secures the assembly in a working position. The tendency of the tunnel to unravel keeps pressure on the inserts 19 within the notches 20, improving the quality of this joint. Other contemplated joints include finger joints and dovetail joints.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown cross sectional end view of the standalone embodiment present invention in a working position, wherein its elements are assembled and the device is ready for use. The animal passes through the center of the tubular-shaped tunnel 11 while utilizing the central walking path or paths 21, and contacts the grooming elements 13 as it passes therethrough. The device is assembled from a flexible sheet having a plurality of grooming element bristles thereon, which is rolled to form a hollow tubular-shaped passageway 11. The connection of the passageway 11 and the base platform 12 comprises a mortise and tenon joint, wherein inserts 19 are positioned into notches in the base platform 12. Mounting the tubular-shaped column to the base board in this fashion stabilizes the device so that it does not move or roll. Rolling or translational movement could scare an animal and prevent it from ever wanting to use the device.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the doorway embodiment of the present invention, which is attached over a pet door 15 and in use by a cat 14. This embodiment of the device mounts over a pet door 15 and acts as an elongated grooming tunnel which is utilized each time the pet enters or exits a room. A pet door allows animals to pass from room to room even when the door between those rooms is closed. The present invention is capable of being mounted over a pet door 15 so as an animal 14 travels from one room to another the animal 14 is contacted by the grooming elements and thoroughly cleaned of loose fur and debris. The pet door embodiment of the present invention implements a similar tubular structure 11, but incorporates a door or wall mounted base 16 attached an end of the tunnel 11 adapted to abut against an upstanding wall surface. The wall mounting base 16 provides a centrally located through-hole that aligns with the interior of the tunnel to facilitate the animal's passage through the tunnel and through the wall hole. If so desired by a pet owner, the device can be installed over a pet door 15. The wall mounting base 16 of the device can be secured to a door 17 at each of the four corners using an appropriate fastening attachment means 18. The installer's choice of attachment means 18 includes any common fasteners such that the device is removably attached to a pet door 17 and supporting surface therearound.

[0032] The doorway embodiment of the present invention may similarly be constructed of otherwise planar structures, similar to the standalone embodiment. The wall mounted base 16 is detachable from the tunnel 11, which itself is a rolled structure that is formed of a flat sheet of material having grooming elements disposed thereon. The rolled tunnel 11 is attached together at its ends, forming a cylindrical shape, while a similar mortise and tenon joint may be utilized at the base 16 and tunnel 11 interface. This provides an assembly that is easily deconstructed or shipped using a smaller volume, which may be desirable for storage or transport. Alternatively, both embodiments of the present pass-through grooming device may be constructed of a unitary structure. Both embodiments comprise of a passageway having a walking path and a plurality of grooming elements to remove loose fur and debris from all surface of the given pet.

[0033] To initiate the use and acclimate the pet to the device, it may be necessary to first manually groom the pet with a brush having similar grooming bristles. Once the pet is familiar with the feeling of being brushed, the pet is gently enticed through the tunnel to gradually teach the animal how to enter and traverse through the device. The training process may take some time, as an animal may initially be hesitant or resistant to entering or completely passing through the tunnel. However, with the proper incentive, such as a treat or positive reinforcement, the animal will develop a positive association with the device. The process of self-grooming by using the present invention will become a regular, daily occurrence. The device is desired to be useful for animals of all sizes and shapes, and not limited to use by cats only; small dogs and other animals with fur could also be trained to use the device on a regular basis.

[0034] In use, the pet owner should clean the device regularly by extracting the collected fur from the grooming element bristles. Improper or irregular cleaning of the device can lead to fur build up. Fur will eventually collect around the base of the elements, limiting the effective length of the cleaning element bristles or reducing their elasticity, which in turn decreases the overall efficacy of the device. The structure of the tunnel and supporting surfaces may be of any desirable material. It is contemplated to include one such surface that employs an abrasive, which can expand the utility of the present device by allowing its surfaces to act as a scratching post or claw filer. Another contemplated material includes carpeted surfaces that include a substrate to support the interior grooming elements during use.

[0035] Overall, the present invention provides a new and novel animal self-grooming pass-through device. In light of the aforementioned prior art and the given disclosure, it is herein submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized 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.

[0036] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. 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.