A collapsible pet enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a pliable cover supported by a rigid, but foldable, frame. The cover includes an opening in a top panel such that the enclosure is top loading. The cover is completely removable from the frame so that it can be machine washed. The frame is of one-piece jointed construction so that it is collapsible for easy transportation or storage. Because all frame components are jointedly attached to one another, the frame does not include any loose components that are easily lost. The enclosure is quick and easy to set up and collapse.
1. A support frame for a pet enclosure, comprising:
a floor member defining a floor plane, the floor member including at least a first pair of lugs that extend away from the floor plane and define a first pivot axis that is spaced from the floor plane, the floor member further including at least a second pair of lugs that extend away from the floor plane and define a second pivot axis that is spaced from the floor plane;
a first truss pivotably connected to the first pair of lugs at the first pivot axis; and
a second truss pivotably connected to the second pair of lugs at the second pivot axis;
wherein the second pivot axis is spaced from the floor plane a greater distance than the first pivot axis.
2. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein each lug comprises a flat plate.
3. The support frame of claim 2 , wherein each lug is substantially rectangular.
4. The support frame of claim 2 , wherein each lug is secured to the floor member such that a plane defined by each lug is substantially perpendicular to the floor plane.
5. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein each lug includes a through-hole that is configured to receive a hinge pin.
6. The support frame of claim 1 , wherein each truss is substantially U-shaped and includes at least one tubular member.
7. A support frame for a pet enclosure, comprising:
a floor member;
a first truss pivotably connected to the floor member at or near a first end thereof;
a second truss pivotably connected to the floor member at or near a second end thereof; and
at least one support member having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotably connected to the first truss and the second end being pivotably connected to the second truss;
wherein the at least one support member comprises a first section and a second section, the first and second sections being separate pieces that are connectable to one another at a free end of each; and further wherein the first section and the second section are of unequal lengths.
8. The support frame of claim 7 , wherein a length of the second section is approximately equal to a height of the second truss.
9. The support frame of claim 7 , wherein a length of the floor member is approximately equal to a height of the first truss plus a length of the first section.
10. A support frame for a pet enclosure, the support frame comprising:
a floor truss;
a first truss hingedly connected to the floor truss;
a second truss opposite the first truss and hingedly connected to the floor truss; and
at least one support member hingedly connected to one of the first and second trusses and extendable between the first and second trusses in a plane generally parallel to the floor truss in an upright configuration of the first and second trusses, the floor truss comprising a plurality of sides, wherein each side is a substantially straight, non-jointed member.
11. A pet enclosure comprising:
a support frame comprising:
a rigid, four-sided floor truss;
a first truss hingedly connected to the floor truss;
a second truss hingedly connected to the floor truss; and
a first support member and a second support member extending between the first truss and the second truss, each of the first support member and the second support member comprising at least a first portion and a locking portion movable relative to the first portion to lock the first portion in a plane generally parallel to the floor truss in an upright configuration of the first and second trusses; and
a removable cover configured to substantially enclose the support frame, the cover comprising a floor panel and a top panel, wherein the top panel is openable and the floor panel is constructed of a durable, substantially non-breathable material.
12. A pet enclosure comprising:
a support frame comprising:
a rigid floor truss comprising a plurality of tubular members that define a floor plane and;
a first truss hingedly connected to the floor truss by a first pair of lugs such that the first truss is pivotable relative to the floor truss on a first pivot axis;
a second truss hingedly connected to the floor truss by a second pair of lugs such that the second truss is pivotable relative to the floor truss on a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being spaced a first distance from the floor plane and the second pivot axis being spaced a second distance from the floor plane, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance; and
at least one support member hingedly connected to at least one of the first and second trusses and extendable therebetween, the at least one support member being moveable relative to the first and second trusses; and
a removable cover substantially enclosing the support frame, the cover comprising a floor panel constructed of a durable, substantially non-breathable material and a top panel comprising a recloseable opening.
13. A pet enclosure comprising:
a support frame comprising:
a rigid, four-sided floor truss, each side of the floor truss comprising a tubular member;
a first tubular member and a second tubular member hingedly secured to a first side of the floor truss, the first tubular member operatively connected to a first support member, the second tubular member operatively connected to a second support member spaced from the first support member, wherein the first support member and the second support member extend substantially parallel to a plane defined by the floor truss in an upright configuration of the first and second tubular members; and
a third tubular member and a fourth tubular member hingedly secured to a second side of the floor truss, the third tubular member operatively connectable to the first support member, and the fourth tubular member operatively connectable to the second support member in an upright configuration of the third and fourth tubular members; and
a removable cover substantially enclosing the support frame, the cover comprising a floor panel and a top panel, the floor panel constructed of a durable, substantially non-breathable material, the top panel comprising a breathable mesh material portion and a recloseable opening.
14. The pet enclosure of claim 13 , wherein the first tubular member, the second tubular member, the third tubular member, and the fourth tubular member are hingedly connected to the floor truss by a plurality of lugs.
15. A pet enclosure comprising:
a rigid, rectangular floor member;
a first rigid truss having a lower end connected to the floor member, said first rigid truss further having an upper end;
a second rigid truss opposite the first rigid truss and having a lower end connected to the floor member, the second rigid truss further having an upper end;
a first rigid support member and a second rigid support member each extending between the upper ends of the first rigid truss and the second rigid truss; and
a fabric cover substantially enclosing the floor member, the first rigid truss, the second rigid truss, the first rigid support member, and the second rigid support member, the cover comprising a floor panel and a top panel, the floor panel constructed of a durable, substantially non-breathable material.
16. A method of folding a pet enclosure that includes a jointed frame and a cover, the method comprising:
pivoting a hinged frame support member;
folding a first frame truss toward a frame floor member;
folding a second frame truss toward the frame floor member; and
securing a first portion of the cover to a second portion of the cover to maintain the enclosure in a folded position.
17. A support frame for a pet enclosure, the support frame comprising:
a floor member defining a floor plane;
a first truss pivotably connected to the floor member for pivoting movement relative thereto on a first pivot axis; and
a second truss pivotably connected to the floor member for pivoting movement relative thereto on a second pivot axis, the first pivot axis being spaced a first distance from the floor plane and the second pivot axis being spaced a second distance from the floor plane, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
18. A pet enclosure comprising:
a rigid floor member;
a first truss hingedly connected to the floor member such that the first truss is pivotable relative to the floor member;
a second truss hingedly connected to the floor member such that the second truss is pivotable relative to the floor member;
a first support member hingedly connected between the first truss and the second truss;
a second support member hingedly connected between the first truss and second truss, the first support member and the second support member being pivotable between the first truss and the second truss; and
a cover configured to substantially enclose the support frame.
19. The pet enclosure of claim 18 , wherein the cover comprises handles configured to be grasped by a user.
20. The pet enclosure of claim 18 , wherein the cover comprises a pair of closure clips configured to engage one another when the support frame is collapsed within the cover.
21. The pet enclosure of claim 18 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of ground stake loops.
22. The pet enclosure of claim 18 , wherein a reinforcing fabric is connected to an exterior surface of at least one corner of the cover.