Sink enclosure for bathing pets

• US 8,720,380 B1
• Filed: 06/25/2013
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank J. Skirbe
• Original Assignee: Frank J. Skirbe
• Inventors: Skirbe, Frank J.
• Primary Examiner(s): ABBOTT, YVONNE RENEE
• Application Number:
  US13/926,038
• Time in Patent Office: 322 Days
• Field of Search: 119/600, 119/601, 119/651, 119/671, 119/673, 119/753, 455/8, 458/5
• US Class Current: 119/600
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/001 Washing, cleaning, or drying devices for veterinary purposes A61D7/00, A61D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 1/12 Wash-basins attachable to sinks; Collapsible washing stands attachable to sinks supports attachable to sinks in general A47J47/20
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/06 Collapsible baths , e.g. inflatable; Movable baths
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 3/302 splash guards

Abstract

The present invention provides a sink enclosure for bathing pets that provides a safe environment for such bathing. The sink enclosure is composed of a number of vertical posts which support a heavy duty vinyl panel that extends around the sink and withstand water flow, spray, and pet nail penetration. An adjustable front access panel allows the pet owner easy access to the pet within the enclosure. The sink enclosure provides a water barrier and pet restraint. The invention adapts to any size sinks and configuration, and is highly durable and adds a high level of safety for both the animal and the bather. The enclosure is easy and fast to put up and take down, usually within a few minutes.

Claims

1. An enclosure for bathing pets in a sink having a vertical face, comprising:

a plurality of posts releasably attached to and spaced around the vertical face of the sink;

a vertical panel attached to a front group of selected posts of the plurality of posts and disposed to extend upwardly from the vertical face of the sink; and

an access panel attached to a second group of selected posts of the plurality of posts and being disposed to extend upwardly and outwardly from a front portion of the vertical face of the sink, the access panel including a top edge adjustably attached to the second group of selected posts.

2. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein each of the first group of selected posts includes a first pair of spaced suction cups carried on a lower portion thereof, and a panel clamp carried on an upper portion thereof.

3. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein the first pair of suction cups releasably attach each of the first group of selected posts to the vertical face of the sink.

4. The enclosure of claim 2, wherein the panel clamps engage and releasably support the vertical panel at the upper portion of each of the first group of selected posts.

5. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the vertical panel is formed of a flexible plastic sheet.

6. The enclosure of claim 5, wherein each of the second group of selected posts includes a second pair of spaced suction cups carried on a lower portion thereof, a cord stop carried on an upper portion thereof, and the flexible sheet attached to and wrapped around an intermediate portion thereof.

7. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the second pair of suction cups releasably attach each of the second group of selected posts to the vertical face of the sink.

8. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the flexible sheet is disposed to extend back from each of the second group of selected posts to the first group of selected posts.

9. The enclosure of claim 6, wherein the top edge of the access panel is adjustably supported by a cord that interconnects the top edge of the access panel and the cord stop carried on the upper portion of each of the second group of selected posts.

10. The enclosure of claim 1, wherein the access panel includes a lower portion attached to the front portion of the vertical face of the sink.

11. The enclosure of claim 10, wherein the access panel is releasably attached to the vertical face by suction cups.