U.S. patent application number 10/364574 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-26 for pet carrier.
Invention is credited to Chrisco, Larry L., Forbis, Charles L..
Application Number | 20030116098 10/364574 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24567374 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030116098 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chrisco, Larry L. ; et
al. |
June 26, 2003 |
Pet carrier
Abstract
A highly styled pet carrier having a housing defined by a body
which body has upper and lower portions attached together through
mating trackways with the line of attachment being inclined
upwardly from the front of the body to the rear of the body to
present an aesthetically pleasing, functional article. The pet
carrier has a front door, in one embodiment, which is swung
upwardly and horizontally inwardly so that it is retained within
the interior of the housing unopened. In a further embodiment a
recess in the top wall of the upper portion of the body may serve
as a storage compartment with a swingable closure door or, in the
alternative, as an access opening into the interior of the housing,
the access opening being closed by a swingable closure grille. A
pulling handle on the top wall of the upper portion of the housing
cooperates with wheels on the bottom wall of the lower portion of
the housing to prevent the pet carrier to be pulled over a surface
or, in the alternative, a carrying handle may be provided on the
top wall of the upper portion of the body which defines the
housing.
Inventors: |
Chrisco, Larry L.;
(Fairland, OK) ; Forbis, Charles L.; (Quapaw,
OK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS LLP
Suite 400
2405 Grand Boulevard
Kansas City
MO
64108
US
|
Family ID: |
24567374 |
Appl. No.: |
10/364574 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10364574 |
Feb 10, 2003 |
|
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09640229 |
Aug 16, 2000 |
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6523499 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
119/496 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 1/0245
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/496 |
International
Class: |
A01K 001/03 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A pet carrier comprising: a body defining a housing for the pet,
the body including a normally upper portion and a normally lower
portion, the portions being attached together along a line of
attachment to define the housing; the line of attachment of the
portions being inclined upwardly from the front of the body to the
rear of the body.
2. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 1, there being wheels on the
lower portion of the body.
3. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 1, there being a door in the
front of the housing, the door being in the upper portion of the
body.
4. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 3, there being a recess in
the top of the upper portion of the body to serve as a storage area
or as an access opening.
5. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 3, the front door being
slidable with respect to the upper portion of the body so that the
door is within the housing when in an open position.
6. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 1, the upper and lower
portions of the body being molded components that removably and
selectively attach together, the body including a trackway
segmentally circumscribing the upper portion of the body and a
complimentary trackway circumscribing the lower portion of the
body, the trackways mating to attach the portions together.
7. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 6, there being locking tabs
engageable with the mated trackways to retain the portions in the
attached relationship achieved by the mating segments of the
trackways.
8. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 4, there being a generally
concave wall defining said upper portion of the body.
9. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 8, there being a generally
concave wall defining the lower portion of the body.
10. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 9, there being a plurality
of vent holes in the wall defining the upper portion of the
body.
11. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 4, there being a swingable
closure grille over said recess when it serves as an access opening
in the top of the upper portion, the recess being in communication
with the interior of the housing whereby a pet may be moved into
and out of the housing through said recess.
12. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 4, there being a swingable,
imperforate cover for the recess when it serves as a storage
area.
13. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 11, there being a carrying
handle attached to the swingable closure grille to permit manual
carrying of the pet carrier
14. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 2, there being a pulling
handle swingably attached to the upper portion of the body to
permit pulling of the pet carrier along a supporting surface
through use of the wheels and the pulling handle.
15. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 5, there being a latch for
retaining the front door in a closed condition with respect to the
housing.
16. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 1, there being a flap
extending from the upper portion of the body and for engagement
with a vehicle seat belt to permit the pet carrier to be secured
within a vehicle.
17. A pet carrier as set forth in claim 11, there being a retainer
for maintaining the closure grille in a closed position with
respect to the recess when serving as an access opening whereby the
pet may not escape from the carrier after being moved thereinto
through the access opening.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.
09/640,229, filed Aug. 16, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention is directed toward an improved pet carrier of
the type utilized for transporting small animals, particularly dogs
and cats, between two points in private vehicles and also in public
transportation vehicles such as airplanes, railroads and similar
modes of transportation. The pet carrier has a housing body
comprised of an upper and a lower portion there being wheels on the
body whereby, through use of a pull handle, swingably attached to
the upper portion of the body, the pet carrier may be readily moved
over a surface from point to point. In another form, the pet
carrier has an access opening which may alternatively be used as a
storage area or may be placed in communication with the interior of
the housing whereby a smaller animal, such as a cat, may be moved
into and out of the carrier through said access opening. A carry
handle is attached to the upper portion of the body to permit
transport of the carrier.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Pet carriers are often utilized as kennels for animals, but
more often are used to transport animals from point to point in
automobiles or other vehicles such as planes and trains.
[0006] Heretofore pet carriers have been bulky and boxy in their
construction and configuration and have been heavy with no ready
means for enhancing the movement of the pet carrier from point to
point.
[0007] Pet carriers have also been cumbersome to handle due to
their box-like configuration and have also been of a size not
readily adaptable for transportation by airplane for instance where
the pet carrier would have to fit in the cargo hold or, more
desirably for the pet owner, beneath the owner's seat, to the
extent permitted by the airlines.
[0008] Ventilation is also an important feature of an acceptable
pet carrier and many of those known have had limited ventilation
means which is discomforting to the animal who is, in any event,
housed within a relatively small space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is the primary object of this invention to provide a pet
carrier which may be readily molded from a suitable plastic
material, the molds creating the components of a body, which body
ultimately defines a housing for the pet. The body when completely
assembled into the finished pet carrier, includes an upper portion
and a lower portion which are attached together to define the body
and therefore the housing.
[0010] Each portion is provided with a segmented trackway
circumscribing the free edge thereof when the portions are
separated, the trackways mating as the two portions are combined
together into the finished housing.
[0011] The housing constituting the pet carrier in its completed
condition presents a line of attachment where the two trackways are
mated which is inclined upwardly from the front of the body to the
rear of the body, thus presenting a pleasing aesthetic
appearance.
[0012] A door is provided in the front of the housing, in the upper
portion of the body, which is slidable with respect to the upper
portion of the body so that the door is within the housing when in
an open position; thereby retaining the compact nature of the pet
carrier even though the door is open.
[0013] In one embodiment a recess is provided in the upper portion
of the body which recess may alternatively serve as a storage area
which is provided with an imperforate swingable cover; or the
recess may be in communication with the interior of the housing and
provided with a swingable closure grille to permit the movement of
a pet into and out of the housing through the recess.
[0014] The pet carrier is lightweight and may be readily moved over
a surface by virtue of a pulling handle which is swingably attached
to the upper portion of the body or, in the alternative, may be
carried by means of a carrying handle which is attached to the
upper portion of the body such as, for instance, to the swingable
grille.
[0015] Locking latches are provided for the door in the front of
the housing and also for the grille in the upper portion of the
housing, if such is provided.
[0016] To accommodate the carrier within an automobile an outwardly
extending flap is presented on the upper portion of the body for
engagement with the conventionally provided automobile seatbelt
whereby the pet carrier may be securely strapped to the seat of the
automobile.
[0017] Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the
following description and accompanying drawings wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pet carrier
constructed pursuant to one embodiment of the invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the pet carrier shown
in FIG. 1 with the pulling handle folded down rather than swung
upwardly as in FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the carrier illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary front perspective view of
the pet carrier with the front door open and showing the interior
of the housing;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially
centrally of the pet carrier as shown in FIGS. 1-4;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal central sectional view showing the
pet carrier with the front door in a raised condition;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the
body of the pet carrier illustrating a further embodiment wherein
the recess in the upper portion of the body serves as a storage
area having a cover and a carrying handle and seat belt flap are
provided; and
[0025] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing a further
embodiment of the invention wherein the recess in the top of the
upper portion of the body serves as an access opening in
communication with the interior of the housing and is provided with
a swingable closure grille having a carrying handle attached
thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] The pet carrier in its preferred embodiment, as shown in
FIGS. 1-6 is broadly designated by the numeral 10 and has, as its
primary components, a body 12 which defines a housing 14, the
housing 14 including a normally upper portion 16 and a normally
lower portion 18 which are attached together along a line of
attachment 20 which, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 for instance,
is inclined upwardly from the front of the body 22 to the rear 24
of the body.
[0027] The front wall 26 of the upper portion 16 is provided with
an opening which is regulated by a door 28. The door 28 is secured
in its closed condition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, by latch 30
which is engageable with the lower edge 32 of the front wall 26
whereby to tightly close the door to prohibit escape by the pet
once placed within the housing 14.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the front door 28 may be opened by
releasing the latch 30; swinging the door upwardly to a generally
horizontal position and then sliding the door 28 rearwardly along a
pair of opposed rails 34. This permits the door to be retracted to
within the housing so that if the carrier is used as a kennel, for
instance, the door will be up and out of the way and will not
impede the movement of the pet through the opening in the front
wall which is regulated by front door 28.
[0029] The upper portion 16 of the body 12 is provided with a
segmentally circumscribing trackway 36 which extends completely
around the free edge of the upper portion 16 before it is attached
to the lower portion 18.
[0030] To permit such attachment the lower portion 18 is provided
with a complimentary segmentally circumscribing trackway 38 which,
before the upper and lower portions are attached together, extends
along the free edge of the lower portion.
[0031] The trackways 36, 38 are configured in such a manner that
engaging portions thereof may be snapped together to thereby attach
the upper portion and the lower portion and complete the assembly
of the body 12 which defines the housing for the pet. Suitable
locking tabs 40 are provided for fitting over the attached
trackways 36, 38 whereby to tightly secure the same in place and
thus firmly attach the upper and lower portion in such a manner
they may not be readily separated in use.
[0032] The lower portion 18 of the body 12 is provided with a set
of wheels 42 there being a wheel or caster wheel attached to the
lower face of the portion 18 at basically each corner thereof as
illustrated, for instance, in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6 of the drawings. The
wheels 42 are received within complimentary sockets 44 which are
molded into the lower portion 18 of the body 12 when it is
originally created.
[0033] An opening or recess 46 is provided in the top wall 48 of
the upper portion 16 as at 50, the recess being in the form of an
indentation into the top wall 48 of the upper portion 16 whereby,
in the form illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, a storage area such as 52 is
created. The storage area 52 is covered by a swingable imperforate
cover 54.
[0034] In order to permit movement of the pet carrier 10 as
illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 over a surface by the user thereof, a
pulling handle 56 is provided and is swingably attached to the top
wall 48 of the upper portion 16 of the body 12. In FIG. 1 the
pulling handle is shown as swung to a position of use whereby the
user may pull the pet carrier with the pulling movement being
assisted by the wheels 42 on the lower portion of the housing 14
which obviously facilitate movement of the carrier 10 over a
surface. This construction would be particularly useful in moving
the pet carrier through an airport, for instance, in that the user
could pull the carrier rather than have to lift and carry the pet
carrier.
[0035] To provide suitable ventilation for the pet who is received
within the housing 14, there is provided, in addition to the front
door 28 which is preferably formed of a wire screen material, a
plurality of vent holes 58 in the side walls 60 of the upper
portion 16. It is also desirable to provide vent holes 62 in the
rear wall 64 of the upper portion of the body 12.
[0036] If desired, feeding bowls for the pet may be positioned
within the interior space 66 which is defined by the housing 14.
The bowls may be fabricated to snap into place and therefore be
firmly positioned in the interior to prevent dislodgment by the pet
and yet provide a sturdy receptacle for food or water for the pet
who is confined within the housing 14 of the pet carrier 10.
[0037] It will be appreciated that the upper portion 16 and the
lower portion 18 may be molded and then packaged in a nested
condition so that assembly by the user is required. This would be
accomplished by placing the upper portion 16 over the lower portion
18 so that their respective trackways 36, 38 are attached together
and then utilizing locking tabs 40 to affirmatively attach the
upper portion 16 to the lower portion 18. The front door 28 may be
then inserted if necessary and the wheels 42 may be placed in their
corresponding sockets 44 to complete assembly of the pet
carrier.
[0038] The upper portion 16 as illustrated in FIG. 7 has a recess
in the top wall 48 of the upper portion 16, as previously
described, in the form of a storage compartment where accessories
may be kept and which storage compartment 52 may be tightly closed
and secured by the cover 54.
[0039] The upper portion 16 as illustrated in FIG. 8 is
particularly adapted to receive a smaller animal such as a cat. To
this end, the recess 50 is in communication with the interior space
66 of the housing 14 to permit placement of the cat and removal of
the cat through the recess 50. The recess 50 is covered by a
swingable closure grille 68 which, as illustrated in FIG. 8, may be
swung upwardly with respect to the housing to permit insertion of
the cat into the housing and then swung downwardly to a closed
locked condition wherein a retainer 70 in the form of a lock or
latch securely closes the grille 68.
[0040] Such secure closing is necessary since the grille 68 is
provided with a carrying handle 72 whereby when the grille is
closed and locked the entire pet carrier may be lifted and readily
carried by the user thereof.
[0041] In all embodiments the upper portion 16 of the body 12 is
generally defined as a concavity by the walls thereof to present a
domed configuration for the assembled pet carrier 12. The lower
portion 18 is, as illustrated, of a complimentary concave
configuration whereby, when the upper portion and lower portion are
joined together a generally rectangular pet carrier is presented
with rounded corners, all of which contributes to the aesthetic
appearance of the pet carrier 10 when assembled and therefore its
desirability for use by pet owners.
[0042] Access to the interior space 66 of the housing 14 in the
case of the larger pet carrier 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 is
readily accomplished by moving the front door 28 upwardly from the
closed condition as illustrated in FIG. 1 to the open condition as
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6 whereby a pet may be readily and
easily introduced into the carrier 10.
[0043] Once the pet is in place, the front door 28 is pulled
forwardly and swung downwardly and tightly latched by means of
latch 30 securely engaging the lower edge 32 of the front wall 26
of the upper portion 16.
[0044] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, a smaller animal
may be readily introduced to the interior space 66 of the pet
carrier 10 through the recess 50 by lifting the closure grille 68
to the position shown in FIG. 8 introducing the small animal into
the housing 14 and then closing the grille 68 and securely
retaining the same by means of lock or latch 70. The pet carrier 10
then may be readily transported through utilization of the carrying
handle 72.
[0045] On the other hand, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, for
instance, the recess 50 may be utilized as a storage compartment
with a cover 54 and not as an access into the interior space 66 of
the housing 14. With a smaller carrier a carrying handle 74, as
shown in FIG. 7, may be attached to the wall 76 defining the recess
50 with the handle being swung to a vertical position (not shown)
to permit carrying of the pet carrier by the user thereof. Yet
further, as shown in FIG. 4, an opening 78 may be provided for
attachment of a leash (not shown) to permit pulling of any of the
carriers illustrated by utilizing the leash and the wheels such as
42.
[0046] Thus, within the basic concept described there may be
various embodiments which are usable depending upon the nature of
the pet to be housed and carried, the particular size being
complimentary to the size of the pet to be received within the
carrier.
* * * * *