CAT CONFINEMENT FENCE
A cat confinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area includes a plurality of posts spaced apart and mounted in the ground to define the confinement area. Each of the posts includes a main section and a pivoting section. A first end of each main section is mounted in a ground surface and a second end of each main section is secured to the pivoting section. The pivoting section is pivotable between an upright position and an extended position. Upper fencing is mounted to and between the plurality of posts and extends across at least a portion of the main section and at least a portion of the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts. A resilient member is mounted proximate to the second end of the main section of each post and biases the pivoting section of the respective post toward the upright position.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/916,362 filed May 7, 2007 entitled “Cat Confinement Fence”.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to an animal confinement fence and, more particularly, to a cat confinement fence having a plurality of posts with a main section that is mounted in the ground and a pivoting section that is pivotably mounted to a top or second end of the main posts. A continuous, flexible fencing is mounted to the main and pivoting sections of each of the posts to surround a confinement area.
It is known to provide a confinement area for outdoor exercise within which a pet may be held to prevent escape. Many structures and methods are known in the animal confinement art to retain animals in the confinement area including physical fences, invisible fences, cages, runs, leads and other structures and methods. However, cages are often undesirable if the confinement area is to be used by the pet owner for other activities and invisible fences and leashes do not keep other animals out. Additionally, pets such as cats are particularly adept climbing animals and are traditionally difficult animals to contain within a confinement area because of their climbing abilities, relatively small size and generally athletic build. Cats have been able to defeat many types of conventional fencing and confinement structures by climbing or jumping over fencing, digging or urging their way under fencing or squeezing their way through, under or around the confinement structures. As a result, many cat owners confine their cats permanently within their home without the ability to venture outside to avoid the risk that their cat will defeat the confinement structure.
It would therefore be desirable to construct an open top confinement structure that generally prevents cats and other animals from escaping the confinement area.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBriefly stated, the present invention is directed to a cat confinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area. The cat confinement fence includes a plurality of posts spaced apart and mounted in the ground to define the confinement area. Each of the posts includes a main section and a pivoting section. A first end of each main section is mounted in a ground surface and a second end of each main section is pivotably secured to the pivoting section. The pivoting section is pivotable between an upright position and an extended position. Upper fencing is mounted to and between the plurality of posts and extends across at least a portion of the main section and at least a portion of the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts. A resilient member is mounted proximate to the second end of the main section of each post and biases the pivoting section of the respective post toward the upright position.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a post for a cat confinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area wherein the post is used with a flexible fencing that extends between a plurality of the posts to define the confinement area. The post comprises a main section that is mounted in the ground at a first end. A pivoting section is pivotably mounted to the main section at a second end of the main section. The pivoting section is pivotable between an upright position and an extended position. A knuckle is pivotably mounts the main section to the pivoting section. The knuckle limits the pivoting section to pivotable movement from the upright position toward and away from the confinement area to the extended position. A resilient cord is secured to the main section and the pivoting section. The resilient cord biases the pivoting section toward the upright position.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a cat containment fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area. The cat containment fence comprises a plurality of posts that are mounted to the ground and surround the confinement area. Each of the posts has a main section and a pivoting section. A first end of the main section of each post is mounted in the ground and a second end of the main section of each post is pivotably mounted to the pivoting section. The pivoting section is pivotable between an upright position and an extended position. Generally flexible mesh upper fencing is secured to the plurality of posts and continuously extends across at least a portion of the main and pivoting sections of each of the posts. The flexible upper fencing flexes when the pivoting section moves to and between the upright and extended positions. A knuckle secures the second end of each of the main sections of each post to the respective pivoting section. A resilient cord is secured to the main section and the pivoting section of each post. The resilient cord biases the pivoting section toward the upright position. A lower fence flared onto and staked to the ground at a lower edge and overlaps with the upper flexible fencing at an upper edge. The lower fencing constructed of a generally rigid wire mesh material.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In the drawings:
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of a cat confinement fence in accordance with the present invention, and designated parts thereof. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
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Each of the posts 2 preferably includes a main section 2a that is anchored in the ground 9 and a pivoting section 2b that is pivotably mounted to a second end 8b of the main section 2a proximate the top of the post 2. The main section 2a is preferably constructed of a one and three-eighths inch (1⅜″) diameter steel pipe that is galvanized and powder coated black having a height of four to six feet (4-6′), depending upon the type of animal retained within the confinement area 6 and the site location. However, the main section 2a may be constructed of nearly any type of material and have nearly any size and shape that enables mounting to the ground 9 and performing the additional functions of the posts 2 of the preferred cat containment fence 1, as will be described in greater detail below. For example, the main section 2a may be constructed of a high strength extruded polymeric material or a carbon fiber epoxy material having a square or rectangular shape and a greater or shorter height than the above-described height range. The pivoting section 2b is preferably constructed of a one and three-eighths inches (1⅜″) diameter aluminum pipe having a length of eighteen to twenty-four inches (18-24″). However, the pivoting section 2b may be constructed of a rectangular, wooden pole that is pivotably mounted to the main section 2a. The above-described constructions of the main section 2a and pivoting section 2b are preferred based upon their durability, cost, weight and adaptability to forming the posts 2.
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The lower and upper fencing 3, 4 is preferably secured between the posts 2 with zip ties 12 or other securing mechanisms including stapling, clamping, adhesive bonding, hook and loop material or nearly any fastening mechanism (not shown) that is able to secure the fencing to the posts 2 to surround the confinement area 6 and which is generally resistant to tampering, specifically by cats 7 that are confined. An upper edge 3b of the lower fencing 3 preferably at least partially overlaps at least a portion of the upper fencing 4 such that no gaps are formed in the fencing 3, 4 between the posts 2.
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In operation, the cat 7 is released into the confinement area 6. When the cat 7 attempts to climb the fence 1, the cat 7 may scale the lower fencing 3 with little flexing of the fence 1, may scale the upper fencing 4 with some flexing of the plastic, flexible upper fencing 4 at least up to the knuckle 5 and the weight of the cat 7 typically causes the pivoting section 2b to quickly pivot toward the ground 9 when the weight of the cat 7 overcomes the biasing force of the resilient member 14. The quick pivoting of the pivoting section 2b toward the confinement area 6 causes the cat 7 to release its grip from the upper flexible fencing 4 and fall back into the confinement area 6. Specifically, when the cat 7 reaches the pivoting section 2b, the knuckle 5 quickly flips the cat 7 and the pivoting section 2b toward the secured area 6 and preferably quickly stops pivoting when positioned generally perpendicularly to the main section 2a. The quick movement of the pivoting section 2b and upper fencing 4 typically causes the cat 7 to release its grip from the upper fencing 4 and jump back into the confinement area 6. In addition, the quick interruption of the pivoting further causes the cat 7 to release its grip and fall into the confinement area 6. When the weight of the cat 7 is no longer hanging from the upper fencing 4 proximate the pivoting sections 2b, the biasing force of the resilient biasing member 14 urges the pivoting section 2b from the extended position toward the upright position. In the upright position, the cat confinement fence 1 is again prepared to prevent the cat 7 or another cat (not shown) from escaping the confinement area 6. Further, limiting pivoting of the pivoting section 2b ninety degrees toward the confinement area 6 from the upright position generally urges the cat 7 back into the confinement area 6. Likewise, if a cat 7 or other animal from outside the confinement area 6 attempts to climb over the cat containment fence 1, the pivoting section 2b pivots away from the confinement area 6 when the cat 7 or other animal climbs to a specific height and urges the animal away from the confinement area 6. The lower welded wire mesh fencing 3 generally prevents chewing holes in the lower fencing 3 and the extension of the lower fencing 3 onto the ground generally prevents the cat 7 from escaping the confinement area 6 or predators from entering the confinement area 6 beneath the lower fencing 3.
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It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiment described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A cat confinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area, the cat confinement fence comprising:
- a plurality of posts spaced apart and mounted in the ground to define the confinement area, each of the posts including a main section and a pivoting section, a first end of each main section mounted in a ground surface and a second end of each main section pivotably secured to the pivoting section, the pivoting section pivotable between an upright position and an extended position;
- upper fencing mounted to and between the plurality of posts and extending across at least a portion of the main section and at least a portion of the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts; and
- a resilient member mounted proximate to the second end of the main section of each post and biasing the pivoting section of the respective post toward the upright position.
2. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1, wherein the upper fencing covers substantially all of the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts.
3. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1, wherein the upper fencing is constructed of a flexible polymeric material.
4. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts is generally co-axial with the main section in the upright position.
5. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts extends into the confinement area when in the extended position.
6. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1 further comprising:
- a knuckle pivotably securing the main section of each of the plurality of posts to the respective pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts.
7. The cat confinement fence according to claim 6, wherein the resilient member is constructed of a resilient cord secured to the main section of a post and the pivoting section of the respective post.
8. The cat confinement fence according to claim 7, wherein each resilient member is contained within the pivoting section of the respective post.
9. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1 further comprising:
- lower fencing having an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower fencing secured to and extending between the posts proximate the ground, the lower fencing constructed of a generally rigid material, the lower edge extending into the confinement area on the ground and the upper edge at least partially overlapping the upper fencing.
10. The cat confinement fence according to claim 9, wherein the lower fence is constructed of a welded steel grid.
11. The cat confinement fence according to claim 10, wherein the upper fencing is constructed of a flexible polymeric material.
12. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1 further comprising:
- a plurality of post sleeves mounted in the ground, each of the post sleeves associated with one of the posts and each post sleeve securing the first end of the respective post in the ground at a predetermined depth.
13. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1 further comprising an access gate for allowing a person to enter and exit the confinement area, the access gate extending between two adjacent posts.
14. The cat confinement fence according to claim 13, wherein the access gate includes a pair of fencing panels that are releasably mounted to each other by a zipper.
15. The cat confinement fence according to claim 14, wherein the access gate includes a lower flap that extends onto the ground within the confinement area to limit an animal from escaping beneath the access gate.
16. The cat confinement fence according to claim 1, wherein the pivoting section of each of the plurality of posts is only pivotable about a single imaginary plane.
17. A post for a cat confinement fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area wherein the post is used with a flexible fencing extending between a plurality of the posts to define the confinement area, the post comprising:
- a main section mounted in the ground at a first end;
- a pivoting section pivotably mounted to the main section at a second end of the main section, the pivoting section pivotable between an upright position and an extended position;
- a knuckle pivotably mounting the main section to the pivoting section, the knuckle limiting the pivoting section to pivotable movement from the upright position toward and away from the confinement area to the extended position; and
- a resilient cord secured to the main section and the pivoting section, the resilient cord biasing the pivoting section toward the upright position.
18. The post according to claim 17, wherein the pivoting section is only pivotable about a single imaginary plane.
19. The post according to claim 18 further comprising a post sleeve secured to the ground and surrounding the first end of the main section to position the first end of the main section at a predetermined depth in the ground.
20. A cat containment fence for limiting a cat from escaping from a confinement area, the cat containment fence comprising:
- a plurality of posts mounted to the ground and surrounding the confinement area, each of the posts having a main section and a pivoting section, a first end of the main section of each post mounted in the ground and a second end of the main section of each post pivotably mounted to the pivoting section, the pivoting section pivotable between an upright position and an extended position;
- generally flexible mesh upper fencing secured to the plurality of posts and continuously extending across at least a portion of the main and pivoting sections of each of the posts, the flexible upper fencing flexing when the pivoting section moves to and between the upright and extended positions;
- a knuckle securing the second end of each of the main sections to the respective pivoting section;
- a resilient cord secured to the main section and the pivoting section of each post, the resilient cord biasing the pivoting section toward the upright position; and
- a lower fence flared onto and staked to the ground at a lower edge and at least partially overlapping with at least a portion of the upper flexible fencing at an upper edge, the lower fencing constructed of a generally rigid wire mesh material.
Type: Application
Filed: May 7, 2008
Publication Date: Nov 13, 2008
Applicant: PURRFECT FENCE, LLC (Honesdale, PA)
Inventors: David Alan Benner (Honesdale, PA), Matthew E. Hough (Telford, PA), Constantino Valerio (Norristown, PA)
Application Number: 12/116,797
International Classification: E04H 17/00 (20060101);