Apparatuses and methods for protecting surfaces from pet-caused damage

Abstract

Various embodiments provide an apparatuses and methods 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 . A furniture protector assembly for discouraging pets from resting on furniture surfaces, the furniture protector assembly comprising:
 a first surface protector; and   a second surface protector, the second surface protector being partially overlapped with the first surface protector,   wherein each of the first surface protector and the second surface protector comprises:
 a planar base portion having a defined perimeter surrounding the planar base portion and defining a top surface and a bottom surface of each of the first and second surface protectors; and 
 a plurality of conical-shaped protrusions fixedly secured relative to the planar base portion and extending away from the top surface of the planar base portion at an angle between 0-90 degrees, wherein the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions are spaced apart a distance relative to one another on the top surface of the planar base; and 
 wherein the planar base portion defines a corresponding aperture adjacent each of the plurality of panels and wherein each corresponding aperture extends through the planar base portion through the top surface and the bottom surface; and 
   wherein the first surface protector is positioned below the second surface protector such that a first subset of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions of the first surface protector extend through corresponding ones of the apertures of the second surface protector such that a portion less than all of each protrusion of the first subset of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions of the first surface protector extend above the top surface of the planar base portion of the second surface protector and a second subset of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions of the first surface protector are positioned outside of the defined perimeter of the second surface protector.   
     
     
         2 . The furniture protector of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface protector is overlapped with the first surface protector such that a combined surface area of the first surface protector and the second surface protector is larger than a total surface area of either the first surface protector or the second surface protector individually. 
     
     
         3 . The furniture protector of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions are at least substantially identical and each of the plurality of apertures are at least substantially identical. 
     
     
         4 . The furniture protector of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first surface protector and the second surface protector comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: a thermoplastic, a metal, or a wood. 
     
     
         5 . The furniture protector of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions extend away from the top surface of the planar base portion at an angle of at least 45 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The furniture protector of  claim 1 , wherein each conical-shaped protrusion is hollow. 
     
     
         7 . The furniture protector of  claim 1 , wherein each aperture has a circular shape corresponding to a base of an associated one of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions. 
     
     
         8 . A furniture protector assembly for discouraging pets from resting on furniture surfaces, the furniture protector assembly comprising:
 a first surface protector; and   a second surface protector, the second surface protector being partially overlapped with the first surface protector,   wherein each of the first surface protector and the second surface protector comprises:
 a planar base portion having a top surface and a bottom surface; and 
 a plurality of conical-shaped protrusions fixedly secured relative to the planar base portion and extending away from the top surface of the planar base portion, wherein the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions are spaced apart a distance relative to one another on the top surface of the planar base; and 
 a plurality of apertures each extending through the top surface and the bottom surface and defining a base of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions; and 
   wherein the partial overlapping of the first surface protector and the second surface protector is such that a first subset of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions extend through a first subset of the plurality of apertures such that a nesting configuration of the first and second surface protectors is provided.   
     
     
         9 . The furniture protector of  claim 8 , wherein the second surface protector is overlapped with the first surface protector such that a combined surface area of the first surface protector and the second surface protector is larger than a total surface area of either the first surface protector or the second surface protector individually. 
     
     
         10 . The furniture protector of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions are at least substantially identical and each of the plurality of apertures are at least substantially identical. 
     
     
         11 . The furniture protector of  claim 8 , wherein each of the first surface protector and the second surface protector comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: a thermoplastic, a metal, or a wood. 
     
     
         12 . The furniture protector of  claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions extend away from the top surface of the planar base portion at an angle of at least 45 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The furniture protector of  claim 8 , wherein each conical-shaped protrusion is hollow. 
     
     
         14 . The furniture protector of  claim 8 , wherein each aperture has a circular shape corresponding to a base of an associated one of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions. 
     
     
         15 . A furniture protector assembly for discouraging pets from resting on furniture surfaces, the furniture protector assembly comprising:
 a first surface protector; and   a second surface protector, the second surface protector being partially overlapped with the first surface protector,   wherein each of the first surface protector and the second surface protector comprises:
 a planar base portion having a defined perimeter surrounding the rigid planar base portion and defining a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 a plurality of panels fixedly secured relative to the planar base portion and extending away from a top surface of the planar base portion at an angle between 0-90 degrees, wherein the plurality of panels each have a distal portion defining an irregular and non-linear edge surface that discourages pets from resting on the top surface of the planar base portion; and 
 one or more fastener elements disposed on the rigid planar base portion, wherein the one or more fastener elements are configured to provide a secure connection between the rigid planar base portion and a surface on which the expandable furniture protector is disposed; and 
   wherein the planar base portion defines a corresponding aperture adjacent each of the plurality of panels and wherein each corresponding aperture extends through the rigid planar base portion through the top surface and the bottom surface.   
     
     
         16 . The furniture protector of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first surface protector and the second surface protector comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: a thermoplastic, a metal, or a wood. 
     
     
         17 . The furniture protector of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of conical-shaped protrusions extend away from the top surface of the planar base portion at an angle of at least 45 degrees.