U.S. patent application number 10/373034 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for portable stair assembly for pets.
Invention is credited to Linda Marie Gonzalez.
Application Number | 20060225372 10/373034 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37081806 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060225372 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gonzalez; Linda Marie |
October 12, 2006 |
Portable stair assembly for pets
Abstract
A portable set of stairs for use by a domesticated animal, a
small child, or a disabled or aged individual. The stairs have an
L-shaped inner core with a lower platform portion and an upper
platform portion. A form-fitting, removable cover surrounds the
L-shaped inner core for protecting it from soiling and condensation
and for providing means for transporting and storing the portable
set of stairs. The lower platform portion and the upper platform
portion are horizontal with respect to the ground or floor. Both of
the platform portions having respective upper surface areas, the
upper platform portion upper surface area being greater than the
lower platform portion upper surface area. Also provided is a rope
or string for dragging or carrying the set of stairs. The rope or
string is connected to the form-fitting cover. The inner core
consists of deformable material, such as foam. The portable set of
stairs in another embodiment has an intermediate platform portion
disposed between the upper platform portion and the lower platform
portion, forming a third step.
Inventors: |
Gonzalez; Linda Marie;
(Binghamton, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROWN & MICHAELS, PC;400 M & T BANK BUILDING
118 NORTH TIOGA ST
ITHACA
NY
14850
US
|
Family ID: |
37081806 |
Appl. No.: |
10/373034 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60358584 |
Feb 22, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/182 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 1/035 20130101;
E06C 1/39 20130101; E04F 11/00 20130101; E06C 1/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/182 |
International
Class: |
E04F 11/00 20060101
E04F011/00 |
Claims
1. A portable set of stairs for use by a pet, comprising: a) an
L-shaped inner core comprising deformable foam material and having
a lower platform portion and an upper platform portion connected
thereto, said lower platform portion and said upper platform
portion are substantially horizontal with respect to the ground or
floor, both of said platform portions having respective upper
surface areas, said upper platform portion upper surface area being
greater than said lower platform portion upper surface area, the
platforms being wide enough and lengthy enough to accommodate a
length of a pet's body; and b) a removable form-fitting cover
substantially surrounding said L-shaped inner core for protecting
said inner core from soiling and condensation and for providing
means for transporting and storing the portable set of stairs.
2. (canceled)
3. The portable set of stairs in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising a string or rope for dragging or carrying said set of
stairs operatively connected to said form-fitting cover.
4-6. (canceled)
7. The portable set of stairs in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said deformable foam material comprises a plurality of sheets
attached to one another.
8. (canceled)
9. The portable set of stairs in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising an intermediate platform portion disposed between said
upper platform portion and said lower platform portion, forming
three steps, said lower platform portion and said intermediate
platform portion having substantially equal upper surface
areas.
10. A portable set of steps for use by a pet, comprising: a) an
inner core comprising resilient foam material, and having a lower
platform portion and an upper platform portion connected thereto,
wherein said lower platform portion and said upper platform portion
are substantially horizontal with respect to the ground or floor,
both of said platform portions having respective upper surface
areas, said upper platform portion upper surface area being greater
than said lower platform portion upper surface area, the platforms
being wide enough and lengthy enough to accommodate a length of a
pet's body; and b) a removable form-fitting cover substantially
completely surrounding said inner core for protecting said inner
core from soiling and condensation and for providing means for
transporting and storing the portable set of stairs.
11. The portable set of steps in accordance with claim 10, further
comprising means for dragging or carrying said set of steps
operatively connected to said removable form-fitting cover.
12. The portable set of steps in accordance with claim 11, wherein
said means for dragging or carrying said set of steps comprises a
string or rope.
13-15. (canceled)
16. The portable set of steps in accordance with claim 10 wherein
said resilient foam material comprises a plurality of sheets
attached to one another.
17. (canceled)
18. The portable set of steps in accordance with claim 10, further
comprising an intermediate platform portion disposed between said
upper platform portion and said lower platform portion, forming
three steps, said lower platform portion and said intermediate
platform portion having substantially equal upper surface
areas.
19. A lightweight portable pet stair comprising: a) a lightweight
foam core in the shape of a plurality of steps having horizontal
upper surfaces vertically spaced apart by a height, the steps being
wide enough and lengthy enough to accommodate a length of a pet's
body, and b) a form-fitting, flexible cloth cover surrounding the
lightweight foam core, for protection of the lightweight foam core
and keeping condensation from forming; the foam core and flexible
cloth cover together forming a stair assembly having soft but firm
surface so that the pet's feet are secure from slipping.
20. The pet stair of claim 19, in which there are two steps.
21. The pet stair of claim 19, in which there are three steps.
22. The pet stair of claim 19, in which the plurality of steps
comprise at least a bottom step and an upper stepping surface area,
the upper stepping surface area being larger than the bottom step,
making traversal of the steps less frightful for pets.
23. The pet stair of claim 19, in which a height of each of the
plurality of steps is chosen to accommodate short-legged pets.
24. The pet stair of claim 19, in which a total height of the
plurality of stairs is chosen to allow the pet easy access to a
piece of furniture or a vehicle.
25. The pet stair of claim 19, further comprising a rope or string
attached to the cover, for dragging or carrying the stairs.
26. The pet stair of claim 19, in which the cover is removable.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/358,584, filed Feb. 22,
2002 and is related to copending design patent application Serial
No. 29/157,895, filed Mar. 28, 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to stairs or steps and, more
particularly, to a portable stair assembly for use by pets, small
children, disabled individuals or elderly persons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Domestic pets often have difficulty moving safely and
comfortably between various elevations. In particular, entering or
leaving vehicles or moving up, down, and off of furniture can by
problematical for small animals. Pets, however, are not the only
ones who may have difficulty changing elevations. The elderly,
smaller children or disabled persons can also find themselves in
situations that require assistance.
[0004] There are special advantages to older people having pets as
companions. These benefits have become well known through recent
years. In addition, advances in veterinary science have enabled
many pets to live longer, suffering only such common ailments as
arthritis or hip dysplasia for which there are new medications.
[0005] These facts have combined to result in many older people
caring for older pets. Various pet care tasks which might be easily
undertaken by young people may be quite difficult for an older
person who, for example, might want to ride to a park and take the
dog for a walk. It may be difficult for an older person to get an
animal in and out of a car. Even a young person may have trouble
lifting an older, larger dog in and out of a vehicle. Many animals
do not like to be carried or held from behind; there is a danger of
causing stress and pain to the animal. While medical advances may
make it possible for pets to live longer, pets are normally not
offered such aids as wheelchairs, canes or walkers.
[0006] Regrettably, some pet owners stop taking their rides because
of the difficulty the animal may have entering or exiting a
vehicle. The problem of traveling with a pet often involves
numerous challenges in addition to those of ingress into and egress
from vehicles themselves. For example, the owner may need to aid
the pet at different buildings or at other structures encountered
during a trip. A pet owner may also often wish to provide
assistance to a pet to enable the pet to climb in and out of a
favorite chair, or up and down from a bed, for example.
[0007] At some bus terminals, it is common to provide short, one or
two step metal stepladder structures to aid persons to make the one
"extra high" step which may be required to either board a bus or
descend from same. Various benches of wood or metal in all shapes
and sizes are designed for humans. Such devices are far afield from
anything specifically designed for pets. For example, these other
devices are not made of lightweight material, nor are they provided
in a width suitable for a pet. Nor are such devices encased in a
form-fitting outer covering.
[0008] A device commercially known as the "Pet Step" or "Pet Ramp"
is a lengthy pet ramp designed to be attached to the back of SUVs,
stations wagons, or trucks extending between the rear bumper and
ground. The device resembles a metal ramp of the type widely used
by auto mechanics to support one end of an automobile. While the
device might be folded in half, it is heavy and intended for
storing in a garage or back of a truck, not adapted to be carried
from room to room in a house or taken to the hairdresser's
shop.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
portable stair assembly which may be easily carried and manipulated
by a pet owner to provide easy movement by a pet onto and down from
a variety of heights and objects.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a stair
assembly which is lightweight, easy to carry, and attractive.
[0011] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a carry
bag to hold the assembly and provide a cover that is easy to
install and uninstall for cleaning.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to maintain the stair
assembly without the appearance of a disability device, but rather
to resemble a piece of baggage having a color to tastefully fit in
with an owner's luggage, car seat material, or with furniture or
other decorations within an owner's house.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a rope strap
handle for easy pick up and carry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a portable set of stairs for use by a domesticated animal, a small
child, or a disabled or aged individual. The stairs have an
L-shaped inner core with a lower platform portion and an upper
platform portion. A form-fitting, removable cover surrounds the
L-shaped inner core for protecting it from soiling and condensation
and for providing means for transporting and storing the portable
set of stairs. The lower platform portion and the upper platform
portion are horizontal with respect to the ground or floor. Both of
the platform portions having respective upper surface areas, the
upper platform portion upper surface area being greater than the
lower platform portion upper surface area. Also provided is a rope
or string for dragging or carrying the set of stairs. The rope or
string is connected to the form-fitting cover. The inner core
consists of deformable material, such as foam. The portable set of
stairs in another embodiment has an intermediate platform portion
disposed between the upper platform portion and the lower platform
portion, forming a third step.
[0015] This stair assembly allows for a person to rapidly put a pet
in a vehicle or assure he is placed on the ground. This stair
assembly is of such a material as to offer a soft but firm surface
with some give so that the pet's feet are secure from slipping.
Wood or metal objects do not offer an animal any security from
slipping off the sides or back. It is wide enough and lengthy
enough to account for length of a pet's body as opposed to the
width and length of step needed for an upright human.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] A complete understanding of the present invention may be
obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered
in conjunction with the subsequent detailed description, in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in which a
plastic foam inner-core portion is shown;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner-core portion
installed with a cloth cover and tie string being carried by a
girl;
[0019] FIG. 3 is view of the invention being used by a dog;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a back elevation view of the inner-core portion
within the cover, showing a handle tie gathered for use in carrying
the step assembly;
[0021] FIG. 5 is the perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the invention showing three steps; and
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the inner-core portion of
the present invention. Depicted in this figure is the relative
dimensions and configuration of the inner-core and its
constituents.
[0023] For purposes of brevity and clarity, like components and
elements of the apparatus of this invention will bear the same
designations or numbering throughout the figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] The invention is a portable set of stairs for use by a
domesticated animal, a small child, or a disabled or aged
individual. The stairs have an L-shaped inner core with a lower
platform portion and an upper platform portion. A form-fitting,
removable cover surrounds the L-shaped inner core for protecting it
from soiling and condensation and for providing means for
transporting and storing the portable set of stairs. The lower
platform portion and the upper platform portion are horizontal with
respect to the ground or floor. Both of the platform portions
having respective upper surface areas, the upper platform portion
upper surface area being greater than the lower platform portion
upper surface area. Also provided is a rope or string for dragging
or carrying the set of stairs. The rope or string is connected to
the form-fitting cover. The inner core consists of deformable
material, such as foam. The portable set of stairs in another
embodiment has an intermediate platform portion disposed between
the upper platform portion and the lower platform portion, forming
a third step.
[0025] This stair assembly allows for a person to rapidly put a pet
in a vehicle or assure he is placed on the ground. This stair
assembly is of such a material as to offer a soft but firm surface
with some give so that the pet's feet are secure from slipping.
Wood or metal objects do not offer an animal any security from
slipping off the sides or back. It is wide enough and lengthy
enough to account for length of a pet's body as opposed to the
width and length of step needed for an upright human.
[0026] Referring now to the Figures, stair assembly 10 has an
inner, L-shaped core 12 made of an integral stack of sheets 14a-14d
of polylam foam. The foam sheets 14a-14d are sold by Sealed Air of
Saddlebrook, N.J. and Scotia, N.Y. and the PacTiv Corp. of Glen
Falls, N.Y. The foam inner core sheets 14a-14d are custom cut from
sheets of foam 48''.times.3''.times.18'', not shown. Sheets 14a-14d
are reprocessed foam 1/2'' thick, fabricated together to make 3''
high pieces of sheets 14a-14d, bonded and heat fabricated with
three adhesives, as is well known in the art. The seams are heat
fabricated.
[0027] Four 3'' thick sheets 14a-14d make up 12'' in height H. A
lower step 16 has a height h of 6'', comprising two 3'' sections,
14a, and 14b. The upper step 18, like the top step of most
stairways which terminate with some platform space, has upper
stepping surface area 20 of 18'' by 15'', as opposed to the lower
step 16, which has a stepping surface area 22 of 18'' by 9''. Step
assembly 10 is 12'' high with a lower step 16 raising 6'' from the
ground and an upper step 18 rising 6'' from the stepping surface
area 22 of the lower step 16. The provision of the larger stepping
surface area 20 on upper step 18 makes traversal of the steps 16,
18 considerably less frightful for pets, probably imparting a
feeling of climbing a familiar stairway. Conversely, forcing a pet
up a metal machine-like ramp would impart an element of fear.
[0028] The elimination of metal from the stair assembly 10 of the
present invention advantageously eliminates situations wherein the
feet of a pet might touch a metal area which could get hot from the
sun or cold from winter or wet and slippery regardless of the
season. A cloth, form-fitting cover or bag 26 is provided to
further protect the stair assembly 10 from the elements and keeps
condensation from forming regardless of location. Cover 26 is
equipped with a rope handle 28 for carrying or dragging stair
assembly 10 into position or for storing it.
[0029] In an alternate embodiment of the invention 10' (FIG. 5), a
third step 30 is provided in a manner similar to upper and lower
steps 18, 16, respectively, and disposed intermediate thereto, as
shown. The addition of this middle step is to further aid those
pets or senior citizens that cannot take large steps. As such in
this embodiment the individual steps would have lower elevation
heights than previously mentioned 6'' in the previous embodiment.
Alternatively, three-step assembly 10' of 6'' high steps can be
used for a total difference in elevation of 18''.
[0030] Since other modifications and changes varied to fit
particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent
to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered
limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers
all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures
from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *