Abstract: A crate is provided with a base, sides, front, and back that form an enclosure. The front includes and opening and a door positioned within the opening in the closed position. The door is hung by hinges, which are associated with uninterrupted rails on the top of the crate. To open the crate, the bottom of the door is swung outward and upward to pivot the door toward the horizontal position on the hinges. Then, the door can be slid into the enclosure along the uninterrupted guides. The door may also include locks that can secure the door in the closed position. Both of the sides or both the front and back can be releasably connected with the top and pivotable into the base. After both sides or both the front and back are pivoted into the base, the remaining walls and top can be pivoted to fold into the base as a unit.

Abstract: A pet booster seat for seating a pet on a vehicle seat in an elevated position is provided. The pet booster seat includes a base and four walls projecting upwardly from the base to define a pet seating portion. An L-shaped lap section and a supporting portion each extend downwardly from the base to define a groove for receiving a lap-style seatbelt. The pet booster seat preferably includes a removable cushion, a heating element for heating the removable cushion, a removable cover, and a strap for attachment to a pet's collar or harness.

Abstract: A step assembly that is specifically adapted to assist pets in reaching and/or descending from elevated surfaces is provided. The step assembly has two sidewalls having a plurality of openings in which pegs formed on the sides of individual treads and risers are engaged. The pegs are removably insertable into the openings and include protrusions which create an interference fit upon insertion. Because the treads, risers and side walls are joined by interlocking pegs and openings, the step assembly can be flat packed for shipping, and is easily assembled and disassembled for transportation and/or cleaning.

Abstract: A pet crate is provided having a blow molded polymeric base along with side, front and top panels made with strong, lightweight polymeric frame members and grates. The grates are used in the front, back and side panels to provide strength as well as a large open mesh area for better visibility and pet comfort. The mesh preferably is provided as hinged access panels at least on the sides. The front and top of the crate are also openable for access to the pet crate. The pet crate is collapsible to a folded, flat condition by unlatching the front panel and stowing it along the inside of the top panel and releasing latches between the top and back panels and the side panels. The side panels, back panel and top panel can then be collapsed inwardly onto one another to form a generally flat, stowed configuration for the pet crate.

Abstract: A collapsible soft crate comprising a frame having at least one top member, at least one bottom member, and at least two side members. The at least one top and bottom members are hinged along a length thereof. The at least one top member and the at least one bottom member are connected to the at least two side members. At least four panels are connected together and surround at least a portion of the frame. This configuration allows the crate to collapse more compactly than those in the art.