| 摘要 |
A protective, heated bed or support is disclosed suitable for use in the care and treatment of sick, injured, weak or young animals, such as human beings, dogs and cats, reptiles and birds, hereafter referred to as animals, for brevity. The bed is comprised of a support that includes an outer container or shell of any suitable material having attached thereto or integral therewith a heating unit, such as an electrical resistance heater. Supported within the outer shell is an inner shell having a floor and surrounding walls of hard vinyl plastic or other easily sanitized, puncture resistant material capable of supporting the animal as well as resisting the rough treatment such a surface would endure. The inner and outer shells are shaped so as to define an interior volume having a U-shaped cross section suitable for containing a liquid having a high thermal capacity such as water. This interior volume is accessable by a port which may conveniently be located in the upper rim that connects the inner shell to the outer shell. Thermostatic controls are provided on the exterior surface of the outer shell for controlling the heat of the electrical heater which is carried by conduction through the outer shell and the water to the inner shell and from there, of course, to the animal resting thereon. The interior volume of the walls provide a reservoir of heated water which serves to both surround the animal with warmth and also provides a reservoir of water to insure that the water level does not fall below the floor of the inner shell. In a further particular embodiment the bed also comprises a dome mounted on the support but spaced from the upper rim so as to allow air flow into the bed. Adjustable vents are located on the top of the dome to control the air flow out of the bed.
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