Animal Enclosure

Abstract

An animal enclosure includes an inner wall defining an enclosure space for an animal and an outer wall at least partially surrounding the inner wall. A gap is defined between the inner and outer walls. The gap is filled with a gas such as air in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the gap is filled with a filler material such as foam or polymer material. The animal enclosure includes an upper housing member and a lower housing member in some embodiments. The upper and lower housing members may be secured together using one or more fasteners to form the animal enclosure. Each of the upper and lower housing members is rotational molded in some embodiments. Each of the upper and lower housing members includes an outer wall and an inner wall, each separated by a gap, in some embodiments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable animal enclosure apparatus, comprising:
 an inner wall defining an enclosure shaped to house the animal;   an outer wall at least partially surrounding the inner wall; and   a gap defined between the inner and outer walls.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer walls are rotational molded. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a filler material disposed in the gap between the inner and outer walls. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the inner and outer walls are rotational molded. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a gas filling the gap between the inner and outer walls. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the inner and outer walls are rotational molded. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a door pivotally attached to the enclosure at a door hinge;   wherein the door is moveable from a closed position to an open position greater than about 180 degrees from the closed position alongside the outer wall.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the inner and outer walls are rotational molded. 
     
     
         9 . A portable animal kennel apparatus, comprising:
 a kennel body having an inner wall, an outer wall, and an opening shaped to allow the animal to enter and exit the kennel; and   a door pivotally attached to the kennel body at a door hinge;   wherein the door is moveable from a closed position covering the opening to an open position greater than about 180 degrees from the closed position alongside the outer wall of the kennel body.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising an L-shaped door bracket disposed on the door, wherein the door bracket is pivotally attached to the door hinge. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the door hinge is offset from the local kennel outer wall by a first offset distance; and   the door hinge is offset from the plane of the door by a second offset distance,   wherein the second offset distance is greater than the first offset distance.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the door hinge is located on a kennel bracket protruding from the kennel body. 
     
     
         13 . A portable animal kennel apparatus, comprising:
 a first housing member including a first inner wall and a first outer wall spaced by a first wall gap; and   a second housing member including a second inner wall and a second outer wall spaced by a second wall gap,   wherein the first and second housing members are securable together to form a housing for the animal.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second housing members are rotationally molded. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising one or more non-skid feet attached to the outer wall. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the second housing member having a floor with an outer perimeter; and   a recessed moat defined in the floor along the outer perimeter.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising a drain hole in the second housing member, the drain hole in fluid communication with the moat. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising a removable drain plug disposed in the drain hole.