Apparatus for protecting surfaces from pet caused damage

Abstract

Various embodiments provide an apparatus for protecting surfaces (e.g., furniture) from animal contact. The surface protection apparatus may comprise a plurality of rigid or semi-rigid members extending from a base portion. The protrusions may comprise a plurality of conical members extending from the base portion or may comprise a plurality of panels extending from the base portion. A plurality of apparatuses may be secured relative to one another to provide an enlarged surface area such that large surfaces (e.g., counters) may be covered by the surface protector to prevent pets from lying on the large surfaces.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for discouraging pets from resting on surfaces, the apparatus comprising:
 a planar base portion defining a top surface and a bottom surface;   a plurality of hollow protrusions extending away from the top surface of the planar base, wherein the plurality of protrusions are spaced on the top surface of the planar base such that an animal paw does not fit between the plurality of protrusions, and wherein each of the plurality of hollow protrusions have a corresponding hole extending through the bottom surface of the planar base portion and configured to accept a protrusion of a second apparatus therein; and   a plurality of connection members spaced along a perimeter of the planar base portion, wherein the plurality of connection members are configured to engage corresponding connection members of one or more additional apparatuses to form a connected apparatus.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding members have a conical profile. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding members are flexible. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connection members comprise engaging members configured to engage corresponding engagement apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the connection members are configured to snap into the corresponding engagement apertures of adjacent apparatuses. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protruding members are semi-rigid. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for discouraging pets from resting on surfaces, the apparatus comprising:
 a planar base portion defining a top surface and a bottom surface; and   a plurality of panels extending away from a top surface of the planar base portion, wherein the plurality of panels are spaced on the top surface of the planar base such that an animal paw does not fit between the plurality of protrusions; and   wherein the planar base portion defines a corresponding aperture adjacent each of the plurality of panels, wherein the apertures are configured to accept a panel from an additional apparatus therein to interlock a plurality of panels.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of panels extend away from the planar base portion at an angle between  0 - 90  degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of panels extend away from the planar base portion at about a  45  degree angle. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the surface area of each panel is smaller than the area of the base portion encompassed by the corresponding aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each panel has a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each panel has a paw shape. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the apertures are configured such that substantially identical apparatuses are stackable with the panels of a bottom apparatus of the stack extending through the apertures of a top apparatus of the stack. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the apparatus is rigid.