Cat perch and exercise pole

United States Patent tin 3,604,397

<td> [72]</td><td> Inventor</td><td> Joseph M Salerno 50 W. Elmwood Parkway, Elmwood Park, 111.61529</td>

<td> [211</td><td> Appl. No.</td><td> 839,185</td>

<td> [22]</td><td> Filed</td><td> July 7,1969</td>

<td> [45]</td><td> Patented</td><td> Sept. 14, 1971</td>

2,997,019 8/1961 Bryson.........................

3,479,990 11/1969 Crow............................

3,479,991 11/1969 Lichtenberger..............

119/29 X

19/1

119/29 X

Primary Examiner—Aldrich F. Medbery

Attorney—Mann, Brown, McWilliams &amp; Bradway (54 ] CAT PERCH AND EXERCISE POLE

Claims, 10 Drawing Figs. [52] ILS.CL....................................................... 119/29,

119/1, 108/151 (51| Int. Cl........................................................AOlkOl/OO,

A63b 09/00

[50] Field of Search............................................ 119/1,29;

D30/42; D33/3; D80/9; 108/151; 248/351,356;

211/78

[56] References Cited

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,894,487 7/1959 Goldson....................... 119/1

ABSTRACT: The disclosure relates to a cat exercise device in the form of a post structure that is applied between the ceiling and the floor of a room, comprising a body portion that is proportioned to extend a substantial portion of the height of the room and a leg projecting from either end of the body portion to engage the room ceiling and floor, respectively, one of the legs being resiliently telescopingiy mounted to accommodate varying ceiling heights and provide a biasing action to secure the post structure in its operating position. The post structure body portion intermediate its ends carries a shelf that is applied about same at an elevated position on the post structure and is interrupted to provide an access opening or gateway to the shelf. The shelf and the post structure body portion are covered with carpeting to provide a cat scratching post and elevated perch arrangement.

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102

PATENTED SEP 141971

3.604,397

<img file="US3604397A_D0002.tif" />

3,604,397

CAT PERCH AND EXERCISE POLE

This invention relates to a cat exercise device, and more particularly to a device that may be utilized in the home for satisfying the cat’s natural urge to scratch, at the same time provide an elevated cat seat for the cat’s enjoyment.

Cat-scratching posts are commonly provided by owners of cats to serve as an attractive alternate to the cat instead of furniture in satisfying the cat’s natural urge to scratch to keep its nails conditioned. Conventional scratching posts ordinarily comprise a short length of wood or the like attached to a suitable base and having carpeting applied thereto to form an upright carpeted post for the cat to scratch on. These devices require undue floor space to brace the post against the scratching action of the cat, and even still tend to wobble and shift about in use.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a cat exercise device which not only forms a satisfying scratching post for the cat, but which will induce the cat to exercise further by climbing, and which provides the cat with its own seat or perch that is elevated for maximum attraction to the cat.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide a catscratching post that occupies minimum floor space and takes the form of an attractive piece of furniture.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a combination scratching and exercise pole that is adapted to be firmly mounted in operating position between the floor and ceiling of rooms, that is adapted for use with both carpeted and uncarpeted rooms with equal facility, and that is economical of manufacture, convenient to assemble and install, and long lived in use.

The cat exercise device, in accordance with this invention, comprises a pole or post structure that is applied between the ceiling and floor of a room and includes about a body portion that extends most of the height of a room and a leg projecting out of the top and bottom of the body portion for engagement with the ceiling and floor, respectively. The post body portion carries a cat perch defining shelf arrangement that is applied about same at an elevated position, and is at one side of the post structure to define a gateway for the cat to climb on top of the shelf. The body portion and the shelf are covered with carpeting, so that the cat can scratch from the floor or from its perch, with the carpeting making it easy for the cat to climb to the perch, which also serves as a rest area for the cat.

Other objects, uses and advantages will become obvious or be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description and the application drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of one corner of a room, such as a living room in a home, having one embodiment of the invention applied thereto and showing a cat making use of same;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1, on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 3—3 of FIG. 2, showing the cat perch in plan;

FIG. 4 is a fragmental cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the device on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental elevational view of the floor engaging portion of the device illustrating one type of foot therefor, in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmental cross-sectional view substantially along line 6—6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a fragmental view illustrating the manner in which sections of the center pole of the device are secured together;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a clamp employed adjacent the top of the device;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the lower end of the device, better illustrating the floor engaging device there employed; and

FIG. 10 is similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating an alternate form of floor engaging foot device, the device of FIG. 9 being for carpeted floors while the device of FIG. 10 being for smooth floors.

However, it is to be understood that the specific drawing illustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply with the requirements of the Patent Code, and that the invention may have other specific embodiments that are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

Reference numeral 10 of FIG. 1 generally indicates one embodiment of my invention applied to a room 12 defined by the usual ceiling 14, sidewalls 16 and floor 18 which is carpeted by carpeting 19.

The device 10 comprises a pole or post structure 20 including a body portion 22 that is proportioned to extend a substantial portion of the distance between the floor and the ceiling, and from which extends at the upper end 23 thereof an upper leg 24 that engages the ceiling 14; extending from the lower end 25 thereof is a lower leg 26 that engages the floor 18. Legs 24 and 26 are connected together to form a center pole 27 that extends between the floor and ceiling.

The post structure 20 includes a shelf structure 28 that is carried by the post body structure 22 at an elevated position, when the device 10 is in its operating position, to form a perch for the cat 30 that may be mounted by the cat climbing up the body portion 22 and through an access opening 32 that is formed in the shelf structure 28.

The body portion 22 and shelf structure 28 are covered with a suitable nonloop carpeting material indicated at 34, 36 and 38.

The post body portion 22 in the form shown comprises a tube 40 formed from sheet metal or the like having its upper end 41 closed by end member 50 that is formed as at 52 to slidably receive the center pole 27.

The tube 40 at its lower end 43 is closed by end member 58 that is formed as at 60 to receive the center pole 27.

In the form shown, the center pole 40 comprises three tubular elements 40A, 40B and 40C secured together at their adjacent ends by the usual telescoping configuration indicated at 42 in FIG. 7 in which a reduced end portion 44 of one element is frictionally received within the adjacent end portion 46 of the next adjacent tubular element forming center pole 27. The adjacent end portions are also preferably secured together by a suitable interlocking arrangement such as the bayonet-type lock 45 indicated in FIG. 7, in which the end portion 46 is indented as at 47 for cooperation with the angled slot 48 formed in the end portion 44. Indentations 47 and slots 48 are preferably formed in opposed pair in the respective ends of elements 40A, 40B and 40C. Of course, it would be within the skill of the art to proportion the end portion 44 to receive end portion 46, and to employ other equivalent types of latching arrangements to permit elements 40A, 40B and 40C to be arranged and united in a sturdy, end-to-end relation that is suitable for purposes of this invention.

The center pole 27 at the upper end of device 10 telescopingly receives a rod member 54 to complete the leg 24.

It is preferred that the member 54 be biased outwardly of the body portion 22 to provide length adjustment for accommodating rooms of different ceiling height as well as a resilient clamping of the device 10 between the ceiling and the floor, and while such an arrangement may take any suitable form, in the embodiment illustrated, a compression spring 70 is applied between a spring seat 72 at the lower end of member 54 and a spring seat 74 formed in the element 40A of pole 27. Seat 74 in the embodiment illustrated takes the form of annular indentation 75 rolled or otherwise formed in element 40A.

The end members 50 and 58 may be secured in place within the ends 48 and 56, respectively, of the body portion 22 by employing suitable screws 76 or the like, which may also be employed to hold the carpeting in place about the body portion 22 at the ends of the body portion 22. However, if desired the carpeting may be separately secured in place by employing

3,604,397 carpet tacks, a suitable adhesive, self-tapping screws, or other suitable fastening devices.

The element 40C forming lower leg 26 is formed with a plurality of openings 80 to receive a supporting cross pin 82 which supports the post body portion 22 at the desired position of elevation above the floor 18. Pin 82 is made sufficiently long so that the end closure member 58 rests on same when the pin 82 is applied to a selected opening 80, and end member 58 has applied thereto in aligned relation to receive pin 82 a pair of U-nails 83.

The shelf structure 28 in the form illustrated comprises a platform member 90 received about the post body portion 22 and formed about its inner margin 92 to substantially complement the external configuration of the tube 40. The platform member 90 is interrupted as at 93 to define the access opening 32 through which the cat may climb up on the shelf structure 28. Platform member 90 may be secured to the post body portion 22 in any suitable manner, and for purposes of illustration, angle members 94 are shown applied between the platform member 90 and the tube 40 which it is applied about, as by suitable screws 96 being applied between the legs 98 of the angle members 94 and the platform member 90, with suitable self-threading screws 100 being applied between the legs 102 of the angle members 94 and the member 40 in question. As indicated in FIG. 3, the platform member is secured in place by three such implements 94, and defines a C-shaped seat or ledge 103 for the cat to perch and rest on.

The carpeting 34, 36 and 38 may be applied to the body portion 22 and the platform member 90 in any suitable manner that will suitably resist scratching and climbing by the cat.

In the embodiments illustrated, the leg 24 is provided with a flat end cap element 110 that is connected to the member 54 at 111 in any conventional manner for swiveling adjustment to accommodate surface variations in the room ceiling. Leg 26 is provided with a foot 112 which is especially adapted for use on carpeted floors and comprises a round head member 114 that is flanged as at 116 to provide a socket for receiving the end of tubular element 40C, which head is pronged as at 118 across the area of its under surface so as to provide a number of tooth elements 120 that press into the fabric of the carpeting when the device is mounted as shown in FIG. 1 to provide a firm grip thereon.

In the embodiment ,10A of FIG. 10, the head 122 is employed as a foot 112A instead and generally comprises a suction cup element 124 that is flanged as at 126 to provide a suitable socket for receiving the end of tubular element 40C. Suction cup element 124 provides a firm hold on highly polished floors.

The heads 114 and 122 may be secured to the center pole element 27 in any suitable manner, as by employing bayonettype lock 45, the head flanges 116 and 126 being indented as at 47A for this purpose.

In use, the device 10 may be readily erected in any convenient portion of a living room or the like, such as in the corner 15 of the room 12. The parts are assembled in the manner indicated in the drawing, except for application of pin 82, after which the device is placed in a vertical position in the desired location in the room, with the rod member 54 being moved inwardly of the body portion 22 as may be necessary to bring the device 10 in the vertical position illustrated. On release of the rod member 54, the biasing action of spring 70 automatically holds the device 10 between the floor 18 and the ceiling 12, the foot of the device being biased against the floor and held in place against sidewise displacement by the embedding of teeth 120 in carpeting if foot 112 is employed, or by the adhering action of suction cup 124 if foot 112A is employed. In the case of foot 112, teeth 120 should be shaped and numbered to press well into the carpeting without piercing same.

The body portion 22 then may be adjusted longitudinally of the legs 24 and 26 to dispose the lower end 56 thereof in the desired elevation above the floor 18, with holding pin 82 being applied to the opening 80 of tubular element 40A that is closest to the elevation desired as well as through U-nails 83. The action of gravity rests the body portion 22 against rotation relative to the center pole 27.

The body portion 22 may be rotated about its axis to dispose the access opening 32 of the shelf structure 28 as desired by grasping element 40C and lifting upwardly to free foot 112 (or foot 112A) from the floor, which permits the body portion and center pole elements 40A, 40B and 40C to be rotated about the longitudinal axis of device 10 with respect to member 54. When the access opening 32 is positioned as desired, foot 112 (or 112A) is again put in place.

I have found it preferable to apply to the portion of the center pole that projects above body portion 22 a suitable clamp device 130, which, as shown in FIG. 8, may take the form of the familiar screw-actuated strap-type device that includes a strap member 132 having one of its ends anchored to a casing 134 in which is journaled a screw member 136, the threads of which have threaded engagement with the strap member 132 in a manner that is well known. Alternately, the familiarly C-shaped locking collar, in which the ends are drawn together by a screw is employed. In applying device 130 or its equivalent, it is pressed firmly against the end 50 of body portion 22 as tightening of same is completed to hold body portion against movement vertically of center pole 27.

Cats in using the device may stand on the floor on their rear feet and scratch the lower end of the body portion 22 with their front feet in the manner of the usual cat-scratching post, and they may climb up the post structure through the access opening 32 of the shelf structure 28, and rest on the perch that is formed by this shelf structure, as indicated in FIG. 1. They may also scratch the upper portion of the body member 22 from a position on shelf structure 28.

The device 10 is readily removed by grasping the lower leg 26 and moving it upwardly against the biasing action of spring 70 so that it can be swung away from the floor, which will permit the device to be moved out of its erected position between ceiling 14 and floor 18, without bothering to remove the support pin 82.

It will therefore be seen that I have provided a combination exercise and scratch pole that provides an elevated resting area or perch for the cat that is elevated for better attraction to the cat and to induce exercise by climbing.

The device thus, in addition to allowing the cat to keep its fore paw nails conditioned by scratching, provides a means for the cat to exercise by climbing within the house and on a piece of furniture that is especially designed to accommodate this.

The device 10 can be suitably styled to fit into any decor and present a pleasing appearance that will be compatible with the decor desired and still satisfy the cat. It is made of few and simple parts that are readily assembled, and when mounted, provides a firm climbing and scratching post for the cat that requires less floor space than conventional catscratching posts.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the body portion 22 is 68 inches in length and its tube 40 is made from 5-inch diameter tubing formed from sheet metal. The shelf structure is 20 inches in diameter wide (in outer diameter) and the access opening is 5 inches wide adjacent the body portion 22.

The anchoring feet shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 add additional stability to the base of the device.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explain and illustrate my invention and the invention is not to be limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, since those skilled in the art who have my disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.