The pet supplies industry is one of the most inventive consumer markets in the US, and one of the most competitive. Makers of pet supplies compete for shelf space in big-box stores, supermarkets, pet stores, and even mini-marts. They compete just as fiercely for visibility on online pet stores (like Chewy). Most of all, they all try to tug on pet parents’ heartstrings. Whether you’re designing a smarter pet enclosure, a more convenient feeding solution, or a safety accessory for pet owners on the go, someone else has probably started working on a similar invention or may even have developed prior art. Developing your pet solution is expensive, but not nearly as expensive as failing to protect yours.
As an Orange County patent attorney since 2004, and an engineer before that, I understand the mechanical and design challenges that go into pet product innovation and can write claims that accurately capture what makes your invention unique and defensible. Pet supply patents span a wide range of technologies, from mechanical hardware, enclosure systems, consumer product design, safety accessories, and more. To date, I have helped inventors in the pet supplies space apply for and be granted patents on pet enclosures, locking mechanisms, portable feeding accessories, and related products. Read on to see examples of granted patents I have secured in the pet space.
Do you have a pet supply invention you’d like to protect? Contact me, James Yang, for a free initial consultation. I work with inventors throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, and across the United States.
My Experience in Pet Supplies Patents
The following are examples of pet supply patents I have helped secure. Click any patent number to view the full record on Google Patents.
Granted: Patent No. US 8,733,293. A hinged connector that lets the wire panels of a collapsible pet enclosure fold and unfold smoothly. The key challenge with this type of product is getting the hinge to grip firmly enough to hold the structure together while still pivoting freely. This invention solves that by combining two interlocking parts made from materials of different rigidity – one grips tightly, the other provides strength – so the finished connector is both secure and smooth to use.
Granted: Patent No. US 9,258,978. A self-actuating tray lock for pet crates that takes care of itself — no extra steps for the owner. When you slide the floor tray in, the leading edge hits an angled ramp on the locking slider, which pushes the slider up and out of the way on its own. The tray drops into place and stays locked until you manually lift the slider to pull it back out. Clean, simple, and hard to leave accidentally unsecured.
Granted: Design Patent No. USD 1,014,960. An ornamental design patent protecting the look of a portable pet food container designed to clip onto a wearable device, which makes it handy for walks, hikes, or travel. Design patents cover the distinctive visual appearance of a product, which is often just as commercially valuable as the underlying mechanics. This one protects two embodiments of the container’s shape and form as shown in the patent drawings.
Granted: Patent No. US 9,399,886. A door-closing mechanism for pet enclosures that uses a camming surface to automatically lift and seat the door as it swings shut. Rather than relying on the owner to push the door flush, the cam geometry does the work: as the door closes, it rides up the angled surface into a fully latched position on its own. The result is a crate door that closes correctly every time, reducing the risk of an accidental escape.
Granted: Patent No. US 9,135,836. A protective cover, called a sign guard, that fits over the sharp metal edges of outdoor signs to prevent cuts and scrapes. While designed with pedestrians in mind, the patent specifically covers protection for both people and pets, making it a natural fit for retail, pet-friendly outdoor spaces, and any environment where animals are present. The guard snaps around the sign’s frame and can be removed without tools.
Related Industries
- Consumer Products Patents
- Mechanical & Machinery Patents
- Packaging Patents
- Design Patents
- Manufacturing Patents
- All Industries →
Ready to Protect Your Pet Invention?
Whether you have a new enclosure design, a feeding accessory, a leash system, or any other product for pet owners, I can help you navigate the patent process from search to grant. Contact me for a free initial consultation.