Portable stair assembly for pets

Abstract

A portable set of stairs for use by a domesticated animal, a small child, or a disabled or aged individual. The stairs have an L-shaped inner core with a lower platform portion and an upper platform portion. A form-fitting, removable cover surrounds the L-shaped inner core for protecting it from soiling and condensation and for providing means for transporting and storing the portable set of stairs. The lower platform portion and the upper platform portion are horizontal with respect to the ground or floor. Both of the platform portions having respective upper surface areas, the upper platform portion upper surface area being greater than the lower platform portion upper surface area. Also provided is a rope or string for dragging or carrying the set of stairs. The rope or string is connected to the form-fitting cover. The inner core consists of deformable material, such as foam. The portable set of stairs in another embodiment has an intermediate platform portion disposed between the upper platform portion and the lower platform portion, forming a third step.

1 . A portable set of stairs for use by a pet, comprising: 
 a) an L-shaped inner core comprising deformable foam material and having a lower platform portion and an upper platform portion connected thereto, said lower platform portion and said upper platform portion are substantially horizontal with respect to the ground or floor, both of said platform portions having respective upper surface areas, said upper platform portion upper surface area being greater than said lower platform portion upper surface area, the platforms being wide enough and lengthy enough to accommodate a length of a pet's body; and    b) a removable form-fitting cover substantially surrounding said L-shaped inner core for protecting said inner core from soiling and condensation and for providing means for transporting and storing the portable set of stairs.    
   
   
       2 . (canceled)  
   
   
       3 . The portable set of stairs in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising a string or rope for dragging or carrying said set of stairs operatively connected to said form-fitting cover.  
   
   
       4 - 6 . (canceled)  
   
   
       7 . The portable set of stairs in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said deformable foam material comprises a plurality of sheets attached to one another.  
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . The portable set of stairs in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediate platform portion disposed between said upper platform portion and said lower platform portion, forming three steps, said lower platform portion and said intermediate platform portion having substantially equal upper surface areas.  
   
   
       10 . A portable set of steps for use by a pet, comprising: 
 a) an inner core comprising resilient foam material, and having a lower platform portion and an upper platform portion connected thereto, wherein said lower platform portion and said upper platform portion are substantially horizontal with respect to the ground or floor, both of said platform portions having respective upper surface areas, said upper platform portion upper surface area being greater than said lower platform portion upper surface area, the platforms being wide enough and lengthy enough to accommodate a length of a pet's body; and    b) a removable form-fitting cover substantially completely surrounding said inner core for protecting said inner core from soiling and condensation and for providing means for transporting and storing the portable set of stairs.    
   
   
       11 . The portable set of steps in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising means for dragging or carrying said set of steps operatively connected to said removable form-fitting cover.  
   
   
       12 . The portable set of steps in accordance with  claim 11 , wherein said means for dragging or carrying said set of steps comprises a string or rope.  
   
   
       13 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The portable set of steps in accordance with  claim 10  wherein said resilient foam material comprises a plurality of sheets attached to one another.  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . The portable set of steps in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising an intermediate platform portion disposed between said upper platform portion and said lower platform portion, forming three steps, said lower platform portion and said intermediate platform portion having substantially equal upper surface areas.  
   
   
       19 . A lightweight portable pet stair comprising: 
 a) a lightweight foam core in the shape of a plurality of steps having horizontal upper surfaces vertically spaced apart by a height, the steps being wide enough and lengthy enough to accommodate a length of a pet's body, and    b) a form-fitting, flexible cloth cover surrounding the lightweight foam core, for protection of the lightweight foam core and keeping condensation from forming;    the foam core and flexible cloth cover together forming a stair assembly having soft but firm surface so that the pet's feet are secure from slipping.    
   
   
       20 . The pet stair of  claim 19 , in which there are two steps.  
   
   
       21 . The pet stair of  claim 19 , in which there are three steps.  
   
   
       22 . The pet stair of  claim 19 , in which the plurality of steps comprise at least a bottom step and an upper stepping surface area, the upper stepping surface area being larger than the bottom step, making traversal of the steps less frightful for pets.  
   
   
       23 . The pet stair of  claim 19 , in which a height of each of the plurality of steps is chosen to accommodate short-legged pets.  
   
   
       24 . The pet stair of  claim 19 , in which a total height of the plurality of stairs is chosen to allow the pet easy access to a piece of furniture or a vehicle.  
   
   
       25 . The pet stair of  claim 19 , further comprising a rope or string attached to the cover, for dragging or carrying the stairs.  
   
   
       26 . The pet stair of  claim 19 , in which the cover is removable.