US 12,317,858 B2
Animal bed assembly
Brad Cantwell, Muncie, IN (US); Michael E. Greene, Muncie, IN (US); Terrance L Jones, Muncie, IN (US); and Stew Kerr, Muncie, IN (US)
Assigned to Mid-West Metal Products Company, Inc., Muncie, IN (US)
Filed by Mid-West Metal Products Company, Inc., Muncie, IN (US)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/212,362.
Application 18/212,362 is a continuation of application No. 17/128,368, filed on Dec. 21, 2020, granted, now 11,700,832.
Application 17/128,368 is a continuation of application No. 14/623,974, filed on Feb. 17, 2015, granted, now 10,881,079, issued on Jan. 5, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/943,629, filed on Feb. 24, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2023/0329187 A1, Oct. 19, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A01K 1/035 (2006.01); A01K 1/03 (2006.01)
CPC A01K 1/0353 (2013.01) [A01K 1/034 (2013.01); A01K 1/035 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An animal bed for supporting an animal, comprising:
a body including a bottom member having outer edges, the bottom member defining a surface upon which the animal rests;
a rigid member including a substantially flat piece of rigid material, wherein the rigid member is positioned in contact with the bottom member and is configured to provide rigidity to the animal bed, wherein the rigid member comprises one of a mat, a plate, a tray, or a pan;
a bolster including a first bolster having a first circular cross-section and a second bolster having a second circular cross-section, the first bolster and the second bolster having a first position and a second position wherein the first position forms an outer wall having an upright position in which the second bolster is located at least partially above the first bolster and out of a plane defined by the bottom member and is positioned about an entire perimeter of the bottom member, the first bolster comprising a body that surrounds the outside of the animal bed, the first bolster extending outwardly from the surface upon which the animal rests to at least partially define a recessed area for accommodating the animal, wherein the first bolster is coupled to the outer edges of the bottom member, wherein the outer wall of the body formed by the first bolster is coupled to the outer edges of the bottom member, and wherein the outer wall and the surface defined by the bottom member provide a bowl-like structure, wherein in the second position the second bolster forms, relative to the first bolster, a substantially planar position to adjust a perimeter of the animal bed such that the bottom member is disposed in the same plane as each of the first bolster and the second bolster; and
a strap coupled to the bottom member and extending at least partially across a side of the bottom member opposite the recessed area;
wherein the strap comprises a degree of elasticity configured to hold the rigid member in contact with the bottom member such that the rigid member is removably coupled to the body;
wherein the outer edges of the bottom member comprises at least a first outer edge and a second outer edge, the first outer edge and the second outer edge being connected to one another to form a corner;
wherein the strap comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to the first outer edge and the second end being coupled to the second outer edge.