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.

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.