Cat suspension and training apparatus
View Patent ↗Embodiments include a cat suspension and training apparatus that provides a stress-free environment to train fearful or intolerant cats, designed while considering a cat's unique anatomy. Among other things, embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods to suspend and train a cat with a cat suspension and training apparatus. In one embodiment, a cat suspension and training apparatus includes at least a raised structure coupled with a sling by suspension structures, with the raised structure comprising a base, a plurality of support legs, height adjustment and outward angle adjustment capability, crossbeams, and a rotatable shelf. The apparatus may have a plurality of configurations, including a receiving configuration, a resting configuration, and a closed configuration. Additional embodiments include the apparatus including limb security straps comprising a metacarpal strap to limit leg mobility of a cat.
1. A system for suspending a feline, the system comprising:
a raised structure;
a sling comprising:
a flexible portion having a receiving portion;
first and second connection elements positioned on the flexible portion outside the receiving portion; and
first and second suspension structures connecting the flexible portion to the raised structure to suspend the sling from the raised structure;
a receiving configuration whereby the raised structure is positioned to spread the sling to separate the first and second connection elements by a first receiving distance; and
a closed configuration whereby the raised structure is positioned to reduce separation between the first and second connection elements from the first receiving distance to a first closed distance, the closed configuration to be automatically configured upon receiving a threshold weight of a feline in the receiving portion of the sling.
2. The system of claim 1 , the receiving configuration further comprising the raised structure completely suspending the sling in air.
3. The system of claim 1 , automatically repositioning the raised structure by tensionally repositioning the raised structure in a closed configuration such that the threshold weight of the feline causes the first and second suspension structures to pull on the raised structure.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sling further comprises:
third and fourth connection elements positioned on the flexible portion outside the receiving portion; and
third and fourth suspension structures connecting the flexible portion to the raised structure to suspend the sling from the raised structure.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the receiving configuration and the closed configuration further comprise:
the raised structure positioned to spread the sling to separate the third and fourth connection elements by a second receiving distance in the receiving configuration; and
the raised structure positioned to reduce separation between the third and fourth connection elements from the second receiving distance to a second closed distance in the closed configuration.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the closed configuration positions the flexible portion such that the first connection element and the second connection element are coupled at the first closed distance.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the closed configuration positions the flexible portion such that the first connection element and the second connection element are automatically secured at the first closed distance.
8. The system of claim 1 , the raised structure further comprising:
two right-side support rods;
two left-side support rods;
a right crossbeam, supported by the two right-side support rods; a left crossbeam, supported by the two left-side support rods; and
a base connected to the two right-side support rods and the two left-side support rods and having a bottom attachment face for releasably securing the base to a surface such that the base remains stable while the feline is restrained.
9. The system of claim 8 , the first and second suspension structures connecting the flexible portion to the right crossbeam and the left crossbeam.
10. The system of claim 8 , the base further comprising a rotatable shelf, the rotatable shelf positioned above the bottom attachment face and rotating independently of the bottom attachment face such that the raised structure rotates with the rotatable shelf.
11. The system of claim 8 , the base further comprising:
a top face; and
a limb security strap, the limb security strap comprising:
a releasable base attachment;
a releasable metacarpal strap, the releasable metacarpal strap to be positioned on a metacarpal region of the feline; and
at least one adjustable connection line, the adjustable connection line connecting the releasable base attachment and the releasable metacarpal strap.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the limb security strap is one of four limb security straps, and wherein the base further comprises four limb security straps.
13. The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the flexible portion further comprises:
a right portion;
a left portion;
a front portion;
a rear portion;
and four leg holes.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the four leg holes further comprise:
a first leg hole positioned on the front portion and the right portion of the sling;
a second leg hole positioned on the front portion and the left portion of the sling;
a third leg hole positioned on the rear portion and the right portion of the sling; and
a fourth leg hole positioned on the rear portion and the left portion of the sling.
15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the flexible portion is contoured such that at least oblique abdominals, cephalo-humerals, and tail of the feline are exposed when the threshold weight of the feline is suspended in the sling.
16. The system of claim 1 , the flexible portion further comprising an underbelly opening, the underbelly opening positioned to enable access to an underbelly of the feline.
17. A system for suspending a feline, the system comprising:
a raised structure;
a sling comprising:
a flexible portion having a receiving portion;
first and second connection elements positioned on the flexible portion outside the receiving portion; and
first and second suspension structures connecting the flexible portion to the raised structure to suspend the sling from the raised structure;
a receiving configuration whereby the raised structure is positioned to spread the sling to separate the first and second connection elements by a first receiving distance; and
a closed configuration whereby the raised structure is positioned to reduce separation between the first and second connection elements from the first receiving distance to a first closed distance, the closed configuration to be automatically configured upon receiving a threshold weight of a feline in the receiving portion of the sling;
wherein the raised structure is configured to have a first angle in the receiving configuration and a second angle in the closed configuration.