Pet Access Limiting Device

Abstract

A device for limiting access of an animal is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening. The device also includes an opening-size selectable member engageable with at least a portion of the housing for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to form a modified opening. The modified opening allows passage of a first animal into the housing interior through the opening, and restrains a second animal from entering the housing interior. In one configuration, the second animal is than the first animal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for limiting access of an animal, comprising:
 a housing having a sidewall defining an opening therein, and a housing interior in communication with the opening; and   an opening-size selectable member engageable with at least a portion of the housing adjacent the opening for restricting at least one dimension of the opening to form a modified opening, wherein the modified opening allows passage of a first animal into the housing interior through the opening and restrains a second animal from entering the housing interior, the second animal being larger than the first animal.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing interior is adapted to house at least one of a food dish and a litter box therein. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the opening-size selectable member is disposed over the opening. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member may be adjusted to define a plurality of modified openings. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member may be fixed with respect to a portion of the housing to define a fixed modified opening. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises a plurality of ridges for correspondingly engaging a plurality of steps associated with a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises a slideable panel portion slideably engaged with a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises a plurality of moveable bars restrainably connected to a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises at least one crescent shaped body moveably received at least partially within a track disposed within the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the opening-size selectable member comprises an attachable panel portion engageable with a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the panel portion includes one of a peg and a hole, and the housing includes the other of the peg and the hole, such that the hole is adapted to receive the peg therethrough to secure the opening-size selectable member and the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , further comprising a second attachable panel portion engageable with a portion of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the attachable panel portion is engageable with a portion of the housing for restraining the opening in a first dimension, and the second attachable panel portion is engageable with a portion of the housing for restraining the opening in a second dimension, the second dimension being different than the first dimension. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises a top portion defining an access port therethrough, the access port in communication with the housing interior. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the modified opening restrains at least a portion of the second animal from entering the housing interior.