IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,604,861
Granted Patent B2
US 12,604,861 · App. 18/913,588 · Granted Apr 21, 2026

Pet vestibule

Inventor: Christopher James Dix (Eureka, MO)
A01K1/035E06B7/32E06B7/34
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,604,861
App. No.
18/913,588
Granted
Apr 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pet vestibule configured for being attached to a door and to either swing open with the door or to be removably installed so the vestibule can be released from the interior side of the door before the door is opened, and the door can swing freely. The vestibule can then be rolled out of the doorway. The vestibule provides a protected shelter area for pets and animals to come and go into a structure without the need for human assistance, while also inhibiting rain, snow, and other inclement weather from entering the structure through the pet door.

Claims (47)

1 . A housing system comprising:

a vestibule comprising:

an open side comprising at least one attaching means;

a first wall side;

a second wall side;

a third wall side having an opening therein;

a top side attached to said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, and said third wall side;

a floor side opposing said top side and attached to said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, and said third wall side;

a movement means; and

a locking means; and

a kennel comprising:

a first side having a door therein.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said open side further comprises a perimeter frame having a weatherproof sealant.

3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a base frame element removably attached to said floor side.

4 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising at least one corner frame element removably attached to said base frame element.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, and said third wall side are installed between two of said frame elements.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the walls are removable and interchangeable.

7 . The system of claim 4 , wherein said top side is removably attached to said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, and said third wall side.

8 . The system of claim 4 , wherein, prior to being removably assembled to form said vestibule, said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, said third wall side, said top side, said base frame element, said floor side, said movement means, and said corner frame element are flat-packed.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said movement means are wheels.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said locking means is a cotter pin.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said top side is translucent.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said top side is transparent.

13 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one height-adjusted leg assembly.

14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein said first side having a door further comprises a latch.

15 . A method comprising:

providing a door having an opening therein:

providing a vestibule comprising:

an open side comprising at least one post extending from therefrom, and at least one post having a length greater than the thickness of said door and a bore disposed therethrough at a distal end;

a first wall side;

a second wall side;

a third wall side having an opening therein;

a top side attached to said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, and said third wall side;

a floor side attached to said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, and said third wall side; and

a movement means;

drilling at least one hole through said door, said hole having a diameter effective to receive said at least one post;

using said movement means, moving said vestibule to place said open side adjacent said opening; and

passing said at least one post through said drilled hole.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising:

in said providing said vestibule, said vestibule further comprising a weatherproof sealant; and

after said moving:

said perimeter frame surrounding said opening; and

said weatherproof sealant protecting said opening from moisture penetration.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, said third wall side, said top side, said floor side, and said movement means are removably assembled to form said vestibule.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein said open side, said first wall side, said second wall side, said third wall side, said top side, said floor side, and said movement means are, prior to being removably assembled to form said vestibule, flat-packed.

19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said weatherproof sealant is a gasket.

20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein said weatherproof sealant is a door sweep.

Continuity (6)
Continuation 17959233 · Oct 3, 2022
Continuation 17724193 · Apr 19, 2022
Continuation In Part 16884595 · May 27, 2020
Division 15350857 · Nov 14, 2016
Provisional Application 62273714 · Dec 31, 2015
Related Publication 20250031663A1 · Jan 30, 2025
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