Cooled surface for animals

Abstract

In the embodiment of my invention, a cooled surface is provided for a dog or other animal to lie upon. The cooled surface is a refrigerated surface. In the embodiment, the surface is the exterior surface of a thermally conductive plate that is one wall of a refrigerated space.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to cooling apparatus for animals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Growing up in Phoenix, Ariz., the family dog was always digging in the dampest, shadiest part of our backyard to create the coolest place possible to lie upon. In the summertime, the coolest place in the yard was not necessarily very cool. I am sure that our dog was very uncomfortable at times.

When I got my own dog, a Chow Chow, three years ago, I noticed that he usually preferred to lie upon the coolest floor in the house, ceramic tile, rather than padded carpeting. Upon joining a Chow Chow discussion group on the Internet, I discovered that my dog was hardly unique in this regard. Everyone's dog, Chow Chow and otherwise, loved laying on cool/cold surfaces, even on snow and ice. This makes sense when you consider the coats that dogs wear, the fact that they have no sweat glands and that many breeds, including Chow Chows, originated in arctic, or otherwise frigid, regions of the world.

I also noticed that, given a choice, my dog often preferred laying outdoors where he could keep an eye on things. Again, I discovered that everyone's dog exhibited the same behavior. This makes sense when you consider that ancient dogs earned their keep by being camp “sentries” whose job was to bark and alert their human benefactors of the presence of strangers approaching camp. In Phoenix, Ariz., and other areas, however, heat can be a problem for dogs outdoors. Even “normal” indoor temperatures can be uncomfortable for a dog.

I have observed from watching my dog, and learned from others, that many dogs have no interest, whatsoever, in a “bed”. They have never used the one their well-meaning owners bought for them. All they really want is a cold/cool surface to lie upon, even if it is as hard as a rock and as cold as ice.

Although I tried to find a practical means for providing a cool or cold surface for my dog, I did not find any product that simply provided a cool or cold surface for my dog to lie upon.

Accordingly, there is a need for providing a cool or cold surface for a dog or another animal to lie upon, regardless of the ambient air temperature.

SUMMARY

In the embodiment of my invention, a cooled surface is provided for a dog or other animal to lie upon rather than a “bed” or other cool/cold environment to be contained within.

In an embodiment in accordance with the principles of the invention, the cooled surface is a refrigerated surface. In the embodiment, a refrigerated space is utilized to cool a surface exterior to the space to provide a cooled surface for the animal to lie on.

In an embodiment, cooling apparatus comprises a flat surface for an animal to lie upon. The flat surface is the exterior surface of a rigid plate comprising a material having a high thermal conductivity. A closed refrigerated chamber is disposed below the rigid plate, with the rigid plate forming one wall of the chamber. The rigid plate is in thermal communication with the chamber such that the rigid plate is cooled by the refrigerated chamber.

In the embodiment, an evaporator is disposed within the refrigerated chamber to cool the chamber. In that embodiment, the evaporator comprises an evaporator plate comprising a serpentine refrigerant passage.

A refrigeration circuit is coupled with the evaporator. An electrical circuit energizes the refrigeration circuit and a ground fault interrupter is disposed in the electrical circuit.

In the embodiment, the refrigeration circuit comprises a compressor and a condenser. The closed refrigerated chamber comprises insulated sidewalls and an insulated bottom wall. The closed refrigerated chamber supports the rigid plate and provides a cooled pocket of air to cool the plate.

In an embodiment of the invention, cooling apparatus for an animal comprises a platform having a height such that an animal may easily step onto the platform. The platform has a planar top surface of thermally conductive material and is sized such that an animal may fully reline thereon. A rigid plate of thermally conductive material carries the planar top surface. A closed refrigerated chamber is disposed below the rigid plate and is in thermal communication therewith to cool the planar top surface.

An evaporator plate is disposed within the closed refrigerated chamber. A compressor and condenser are coupled to the evaporator to provide refrigeration. The compressor and condenser are disposed outside of the closed refrigerated chamber.

In the various embodiments, the evaporator is a roll-bond evaporator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing figures in which like reference designators identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a refrigeration system utilized in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 5, inclusive, illustrate one embodiment of my invention.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the relative dimensions of the various component elements shown in the drawing figures is illustrative only and is of no particular significance and is not intended to limit the invention in any aspect.

A cooling apparatus 100 for animals is shown. Cooling apparatus 100 includes a cooled or refrigerated surface 101. Surface 101 is the exterior surface of a plate 103 that forms one wall of a refrigerated chamber 105. Plate 103 is thermally conductive. The top exterior surface 101 of plate 103 may sized as determined by the size of the animal that will recline onto the top exterior surface 101. In the embodiment shown, plate 103 is formed from a plate of aluminum. However, in other embodiments, plate 103 may be formed of other high thermally conductive metals such as copper, steel or other metals or another material having a high thermal conductivity such that surface 101 will be chilled or cooled by refrigerated chamber 105. In yet other embodiments, plate 103 may comprise layers that provide high thermal conductivity to surface 101.

Thermally conductive plate 103 is shown in the embodiment as being supported at its edges. In other embodiments, thermally conductive plate 103 may be supported by various supports spaced within refrigerated chamber 105 or a combination of support at the edges and at other locations.

Refrigerated chamber 105 is provided by an insulating box 107 that may include a thermally insulated layer 109. Insulating box 107 may be constructed in one or more pieces of a thermal insulating material. Insulating box 107 includes legs 111 such that insulating box 107 is lifted off the ground. The height of legs 109 is selected such that top exterior surface 101 is spaced from ground level at a height that is convenient for the size of the animal. Legs 111 may be of any configuration, and the invention is not intended to be limited in any respect by legs 111 as illustrated.

As most clearly seen in FIG. 5, box 107 includes a lip 107a that receives conductive plate 103. Seals 113 carried by lip 107a seal conductive plate 103 to insulating box 107. By sealing conductive plate 103 to box 107, a closed refrigerated chamber 105 is provided. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that different ways of sealing conductive plate 103 to box 107 may be utilized.

Turning now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated a schematic diagram of a refrigeration circuit 600. Refrigeration circuit 600 is divided into two segments 601 and 603.

Segment 601 comprises a compressor 605 having a suction line 607 and a discharge line 609. In the discharge line 609 there is a condenser 611 for condensing the compressed refrigerant vapor coming from the compressor 605, and an expansion valve 613 for flashing a portion of pressurized liquid refrigerant into a vapor thereby lowering the temperature and pressure of the remaining un-vaporized refrigerant.

Segment 603 of the refrigeration circuit 600 comprises an evaporator assembly 615 connected between the discharge line 609 and the suction line 607.

Gaseous refrigerant is compressed, condensed to a liquid and then expanded, in the form of a liquid spray into evaporator assembly 615. Heat transferred into the liquid refrigerant causes it to evaporate. The evaporated refrigerant passes through suction line 607 back to compressor 605.

Evaporator assembly 615 is an aluminum roll-bond evaporator plate 617 of a type commercially available. Evaporator plate 617 comprises a flat sheet of aluminum within which exists an integral serpentine refrigerant passage 619. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other materials could also be used to construct the evaporator plate 617 such as aluminum alloys, copper or other suitably conductive metals.

Commercially available roll-bond evaporator plate 617 is of at type fabricated by rolling together two sheets of aluminum, applying heat and pressure during the rolling process such that the two sheets are effectively welded together into a single sheet. By applying a special coating (sometimes referred to as “weld stop”) between the sheets prior to the rolling/welding operation, it is possible to prevent the two sheets from welding together in the areas where the coating is applied. Thus by applying the coating in a serpentine pattern, it is possible to create a serpentine-shaped unwelded region within this welded part. By subsequently applying hydraulic pressure to this unwelded region, it is possible to inflate the unwelded serpentine region to form a serpentine passage through the plate. Thus a plate with an integral serpentine passage can be created in a very cost-effective manner. This type of evaporator is commonly used in domestic refrigerator applications where low cost is of extreme importance.

Except for the serpentine refrigerant passage 619, evaporator plate 617 is primarily flat. Evaporator plate 617 is coupled to condenser 611 and suction line 607.

Turning back to FIGS. 1 through 5, cold roll-bond evaporator plate 617 is positioned in the bottom of refrigerated chamber 105. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the relative size of evaporator plate 617 to the size of refrigerated chamber 105 is only an exemplar, and the size may differ in different embodiments. In certain embodiments, evaporator plate 617 may be of such a size that supports for plate 103 may be spaced apart within refrigerated chamber 105.

Apparatus 100 includes compressor 605 disposed in a box 115 that is positioned at the rear of apparatus 100. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that compressor 605 may be positioned at other locations proximate refrigerated chamber 105.

Apparatus 100 further includes condenser 611 carried below box 107. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that condenser 611 may disposed at other locations proximate refrigerated chamber 105.

In another embodiment, condenser 611 and compressor 605 may both be disposed in a box or structure along the rear of apparatus 100 for the animal to rest against.

In the embodiment shown, roll-bond evaporator plate 615 is disposed within a sealed, airtight refrigerated chamber or space 105 so as to minimize condensation and thereby eliminate the issue of dealing with water created thereby within refrigerated space 105.

Turning back to FIG. 6, refrigeration circuit 600 is powered from a conventional alternating current power supply, and for safety reasons, a ground fault circuit interrupter GFCI is included in the circuit. In addition a thermostat 621 is provided to maintain a desired temperature.

Thermostat 621 is not shown in FIGS. 1 through 5. Thermostat 621 may be placed such that the sensor portion thereof is in contact with thermally conductive plate 103, or alternatively may be placed within refrigerated chamber 105. Thermostat 621 may be preset to a desired temperature or it may be adjustable. In the event that thermostat 621 is adjustable, the control for thermostat 621 may be positioned at any number of places on the apparatus 100. In certain embodiments, a remote control for apparatus 100 may be provided that will control powering the unit off and on and/or control of the temperature.

In the embodiment shown, box 107 is constructed of wood, and box 107 is lined with plastic and a foam layer 109. In other embodiments, box 107 may be constructed of plastic.

As pointed out hereinabove, many dogs and other animals like laying, and sometimes sleeping, on cool or cold, surfaces, even if the surfaces are as hard as concrete and/or as cold as ice. In warm or hot weather this helps cool the animal. Apparatus 100 provides a surface that can be readily and quickly cooled down to the point of being cold to human touch.

As described above, the cooled surface is provided by positioning a plate 103 or sheet of metal or other thermally conductive material over a refrigerant evaporator contained within a refrigerated space 105 comprising a thin space containing air. In other embodiments the refrigerated space 105 may contain another gas, material or substance. The embodiment comprises a low, thin, flat case or box 107 insulated on the bottom and with the thermally conductive material plate 105 forming the top. A compressor 605, condenser coil 611 and thermostat 621 are mounted on box 107. Within refrigerated space 105 a roll-bond evaporator plate 617 is provided. Refrigerated space 105 is airtight to minimize humidity and thereby reduce condensation within refrigerated space 105. Refrigerated space 105 is cooled to the temperature necessary for surface 101 to be at a desired temperature.

The dimensions of apparatus 100 can vary depending upon the size of the dog or other animal intended to use it.

In contrast with certain other devices for cooling animals, apparatus 100 does not blow cold air on or around the dog or other animal but, instead, simply creates what the dog or other animal craves—a cool/cold surface to lay upon.

Apparatus 100 has the advantage over many other cooling devises in that it can provide cooling for an indefinite period of time, i.e., for as long as electricity is available, and once set up, does not require any further effort on the part of the owner

The invention has been described in terms of various embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments shown and described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is intended that the embodiments shown and described are illustrative of the principles of the invention and that the invention not be limited to such embodiments. It is intended that the invention be limited in scope only by the claims appended hereto, with the claims being given the broadest scope permissible under the relevant law.

Claims

1. Cooling apparatus for animals, comprising:

a rigid plate comprising a flat surface for an animal to lay on, said flat surface comprising a material having a high thermal conductivity; and

a closed refrigerated chamber disposed below said rigid plate, said rigid plate forming one wall of said chamber, said flat surface in thermal communication with said chamber such that said flat surface is cooled by said refrigerated chamber.

2. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 1, comprising:

an evaporator disposed within said refrigerated chamber to cool said chamber.

3. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said evaporator comprises an evaporator plate comprising at least one serpentine refrigerant passage.

4. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 2, comprising:

a refrigeration circuit in communication with said evaporator.

5. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 4, comprising:

an electrical circuit to energize said refrigeration circuit.

6. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 5, comprising:

a ground fault interrupter disposed in said electrical circuit.

7. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein:

said refrigeration circuit comprises a compressor and a condenser.

8. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein,

said closed refrigerated chamber comprises insulated sidewalls and an insulated bottom wall.

9. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein:

said closed refrigerated chamber supports said rigid plate.

10. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said refrigerated chamber provides a cooled pocket of air to cool said plate, said plate comprising material that is highly thermally conductive.

11. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein:

said evaporator is spaced apart from said plate.

12. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said plate is a metal plate.

13. Cooling apparatus for animals, comprising:

a platform, said platform having a height such that an animal may easily step onto said platform, said platform having a planar top surface of thermally conductive material;

said planar top surface being sized such that an animal may fully reline thereon;

said planar top surface being carried by a rigid plate of thermally conductive material; and

a closed refrigerated chamber disposed below said rigid plate and in thermal communication therewith to cool said planar top surface.

14. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 13, comprising:

an evaporator disposed within said closed refrigerated chamber.

15. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 14, comprising:

a compressor and condenser in refrigeration communication with said evaporator, said compressor and condenser being disposed outside of said closed refrigerated chamber.

16. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 15, comprising:

an electrical circuit for energizing said compressor.

17. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein:

said electrical circuit comprises temperature control apparatus to control the temperature of said planar top surface to a desired temperature.

18. Cooling apparatus in accordance with claim 16, wherein:

said electrical circuit comprises a ground fault interrupter.

19. Cooling apparatus for animals, comprising:

a platform, said platform having a height such that an animal may easily step onto said platform, said platform having a planar top surface of thermally conductive material;

said planar top surface being sized such that an animal may fully reline thereon;

said planar top surface being carried by a rigid plate of thermally conductive material;

a closed refrigerated chamber disposed below and supporting said rigid plate and in thermal communication therewith to cool said planar top surface; and

an evaporator contained in said refrigerated chamber.

20. Apparatus in accordance with claim 19, wherein:

said evaporator is a roll-bond evaporator;

said refrigerated chamber contains an air atmosphere;

said apparatus comprises: a compressor and condenser coupled to said evaporator; a thermostat to control operation of said compressor; and an electrical circuit to energize said compressor, said electrical circuit comprising a ground fault interrupter.