IP Library Granted Patent US 11,751,532
Granted Patent B2
US 11,751,532 · App. 16/952,404 · Granted Sep 12, 2023

Pet enclosure

Inventors: Ryan Paxson (Elk Rapids, MI); David Veness (Fort Worth, TX)
Assignee: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
A01K1/0058A01K1/0103
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,751,532
App. No.
16/952,404
Granted
Sep 12, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pet enclosure includes a bottom section, a middle section, and a top section. The middle section is connectable to the bottom section with an opening in the middle section. The opening in the middle section has a bottom portion that connects with a top portion of an opening in the bottom section. The top section is connectable to the middle section with an opening in the top section. The opening in the top section has a bottom portion that connects with a top portion of an opening in the bottom section. The bottom section, middle section and top section when connected together form an enclosed pet enclosure with an animal opening therein.

Claims (40)

1. A pet enclosure comprising:

a bottom section having a floor portion and a wall portion extending from the floor portion, the wall portion including a first opening having a bottom portion and a top portion, the wall portion including one or more longitudinal protrusions that increase the strength and rigidity of the wall portion;

a middle section connectable to the bottom section, the middle section including a wall portion, the wall portion of the middle section including a second opening having a bottom portion and a top portion, the bottom portion of the second opening having a same width as the top portion of the first opening so as to connect to with the first opening, and the top portion of the second opening being inwardly curved such that a width of the top portion of the second opening is less than a width of the bottom portion of the second opening;

a top section connectable to the middle section, the top section including a cover portion and a wall portion, the cover portion forming a domed cover, and the wall portion including a third opening having a bottom portion and a top portion, the bottom portion of the third opening having a same width as the top portion of the second opening so as to connect with the second opening, and the top portion of the third opening being arcuate,

the bottom section, middle section and top section when connected together forming an enclosed pet enclosure with an animal opening therein, the bottom section having a groove disposed between the wall portion of the bottom section and a surface of an interior surface of the floor portion, the groove having at least one drainage hole; and

a ground stake received by at least one of the drainage holes when the pet enclosure is in an assembled state.

2. The pet enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein

the top section includes an opening for a vent.

3. The pet enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein

the animal opening forms an offset entry into the enclosed pet enclosure.

4. The pet enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein

the bottom edge of the wall of the top section includes a flange portion that overlaps an exterior surface of the top edge of the wall of the middle section.

5. The pet enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein

an interior surface of the floor portion is raised relative to a surface on which the pet enclosure is to be position.

6. The pet enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein

the wall portion of the bottom portion includes a plurality of first fastening openings at a top edge thereof, a bottom edge of the wall portion of the middle section includes a plurality of second fastening openings configured to correspond to the plurality of first fastening openings at the top edge of the wall portion of the bottom section, and a top edge of the wall portion of the middle section includes a plurality of third fastening openings, and a bottom edge of the wall portion of the top section including a plurality of fourth fastening openings configured to correspond to the plurality of third fastening openings at the top edge of the wall portion of the middle section.

7. A method of assembling a pet enclosure, the method comprising:

connecting a middle section to a bottom section, such that a top portion of a first opening of the bottom section coincides with a bottom portion of a second opening of the middle section, and a top portion of the second opening being inwardly curved such that a width of the top portion of the second opening is less than a width of the bottom portion of the second opening, the wall portion including one or more longitudinal protrusions that increase the strength and rigidity of the wall portion;

connecting a cover portion to the middle section so as to form a domed cover, and such that a bottom portion of a third opening in a wall of the cover portion coincides with a top portion of the second opening in the middle section, and the top portion of the third opening being arcuate;

the bottom section, middle section and top section when connected together forming an enclosed pet enclosure with an animal opening therein, the bottom section having a groove disposed between the wall portion of the bottom section and a surface of an interior surface of the floor portion, the groove having at least one drainage hole; and

disposing a ground stake through the bottom section so to be received by at least one of the drainage holes.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein

the top section includes an opening for a vent.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein

the animal opening forms an offset entry into the enclosed pet enclosure.

10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein

the bottom edge of the wall of the top section includes a flange portion that overlaps an exterior surface of the top edge of the wall of the middle section.

11. The method according to claim 7 , wherein

an interior surface of the floor portion is raised relative to a surface on which the pet enclosure is to be position.

12. The method according to claim 7 , wherein

at least one of the drainage holes is configured to receive a ground stake.

13. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising

fastening the middle section to the bottom section by inserting fasteners through a plurality of first fastening openings at the top edge of the wall portion of the bottom section and a plurality of second fastening openings at a bottom edge of the wall portion of the middle section, and

fastening the top section to the middle section by inserting fasteners through a plurality of third fastening openings at a top edge of the wall portion of the middle section and a plurality of fourth fastening openings at a bottom edge of the wall portion of the top section.

14. The pet enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein

the groove extends around a perimeter of the floor portion.

15. The pet enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein

the floor portion includes a mat having a series of grooves molded onto the floor portion.

16. The pet enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein

the middle section and the top section are stackable within the bottom section in an inverted and detached state.

Assignments (15)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 29, 2025
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 072261/0915 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 9, 2025
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 070449/0337 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (SECOND LIEN) Recorded May 22, 2024
From: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 067501/0320 →
FIRST LIEN TERM LOAN PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 22, 2024
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067501/0177 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (CAYMAN) Recorded May 22, 2024
From: CANTOR FITZGERALD SECURITIES, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 067501/0236 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENT COLLATERAL (FIRST LIEN) Recorded May 22, 2024
From: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS THE COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 067501/0282 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2024
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067246/0427 →
FIRST LIEN RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2023
From: BANK OF MONTREAL
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 065180/0954 →
SECOND LIEN RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Oct 9, 2023
From: BANK OF MONTREAL
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 065181/0322 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Oct 7, 2023
From: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
To: CANTOR FITZGERALD SECURITIES, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065180/0461 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2023
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: PLUTO OPCO (CAYMAN), LLC
Reel/Frame 065179/0009 →
FIRST LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 16, 2021
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 057704/0414 →
SECOND LIEN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 16, 2021
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 057524/0556 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 16, 2021
From: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
To: BANK OF MONTREAL
Reel/Frame 057524/0645 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 1, 2021
From: PAXSON, RYAN; VENESS, DAVID
To: DOSKOCIL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.
Reel/Frame 055098/0618 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62938719 · Nov 21, 2019
Related Publication 20210153450A1 · May 27, 2021