Abstract:
A versatile pet transporter can be wheeled, carried by hand, or restrained on a car seat. The handle for wheeling is telescopic, retractable, and recessed when not in use, obviating any danger from the handle in a car. Seat belts pass through six different flanges, anchoring the transporter to a car seat in all directions. The transporter may be fitted with a litter box and readily replaceable litter packages, a fan, sound monitoring, and other features.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the full benefit of Provisional Application 62/041,710 filed Aug. 26, 2014, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    A versatile pet transporter can be wheeled, carried by hand, or restrained on a car seat. The handle for wheeling is telescopic, retractable, and recessed when not in use, obviating any danger from the handle in a car. Seat belts pass through six different flanges, anchoring the transporter to a car seat in all directions. The transporter may be fitted with a litter box and readily replaceable litter packages, a fan, sound monitoring, and other features. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Pet carriers in the past have been designed with a handle for carrying, a handle for pulling, or with receptacles for automobile seat belts. Versatility and convenience are missing from the carriers of the past, along with a degree of safety which should be present when traveling in an automobile. The inertia of sudden stops and accidents in automobiles can cause a pet carrier on a seat to project forcefully toward other occupants of the automobile, causing great injury. While attempts have been made in the past to restrain pet carriers with automobile seat belts, they generally have not been effective to restrain the carriers&#39; movement in all directions. Some carriers also include projections such as handles that can cause injury by striking people in a car. 
         [0004]    When considering the construction and placement of a pull handle for a pet transporter (traveler or carrier), it should be observed that the overall design should not resemble a commonplace piece of luggage tilted on two wheels, having a recessed handle capable of only one position rigidly aligned with a base of the luggage. The pet transporter should be maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation while the pet is in it, and while it is pulled on a floor. A deficiency in the prior art has been in providing a pull handle which not only permits a horizontal orientation facilitated by four wheels, but does so with ease, and which also can be effectively stowed when not in use, as when the transporter (traveler or carrier) is strapped onto a vehicle seat. 
         [0005]    The art has not provided a comprehensive design that permits convenient pulling as well as safe stowing on a car seat while also providing for ease of replacing litter and minimizing stress on both the pet and the pet&#39;s owner. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    My pet carrier includes a telescopic pull handle, wheels for pulling in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a six-point restraining system. It is easily opened to place the pet in it, and to accommodate a litter box with replaceable litter packages. In one embodiment, it includes a fan to assure the pet will not become overheated. 
         [0007]    My invention also contemplates a snap-in electronic center, or “hub,” which includes a thermometer, a video camera for viewing the pet within, a speaker for providing music or the owner&#39;s voice to the pet, a microphone to enable listening to the pet, the thermometer, camera, speakers and microphone all enabled by an appropriate wireless system such as Bluetooth®, and a small internal light which can be operated remotely. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the pet carrier. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the carrier. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  shows the carrier on a car seat. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4   a  illustrates a version of the structural framework and  FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of a covering which fits over the framework of  FIG. 4   a.    
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the framework of  FIG. 4   a.    
           [0013]      FIG. 6  shows the assembled framework and covering of  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  and  5 . 
           [0014]    In  FIG. 7 , the variation of  FIGS. 4 to 6  is shown strapped to a vehicle seat. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  shows the assembly and installation of the litter box. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    The invention will be described first with reference to  FIG. 1 . The carrier comprises a chassis  1  having four wheels  2  and a front opening  3 . Visible on the chassis  1  are C-slots  4  and  5  for receiving a seat belt; C-slot  4  is on the side of chassis  1  and C-slot  5  is on the front of chassis  1 . An additional C-slot is fixed to the side of chassis  1  opposite C-slot  4 , and another C-slot  6 , also not visible in this view, is fixed to the front of chassis  1  opposite C-slot  5 , as will be seen in  FIG. 3 . Door  7  is hinged to front opening  3 . Generally U-shaped handle  8  has been pivoted to an upright position for carrying by hand. Telescopic handle  9  is extended to show that it can be used for pulling the carrier on wheels  2 . Handle  8  and telescopic handle  9  are fixed to carrier top  10 , which has fixed to it C-clamps  11  and  12 , seen in use in  FIG. 3 . A fan  13  can be seen through vent  14 ; the fan is operated by a battery not shown. Recessed areas  15  and  16  are provided for stowing handle  8  and telescopic handle  9 . 
         [0017]    The electronic hub including a thermometer, a video camera for viewing the pet within, a speaker for providing music or the owner&#39;s voice to the pet, a microphone to enable listening to the pet, all enabled by an appropriate wireless system such as Bluetooth®, and a small light which may be operated remotely or manually by a switch, can be installed in any convenient location on the carrier top  10  or the chassis  1 . The ability to hear and see the pet at all times, to communicate to it within the carrier, and to monitor the temperature to assist in regulating the fan, greatly enhances the versatility of the carrier. The speed of the fan may be regulated remotely by the owner or a simple on-off device may be operated automatically in response to a preset temperature. The enclosure, preferably the carrier top, may be made with an opening (see  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b  and  5 ) conforming to the size and shape of the electronic hub. If the customer opts not to include the electronic hub, a simple snap-in plate occupies the opening; if the hub is chosen as an option, it will be snapped in so the thermometer, light and camera are oriented toward the interior of the carrier. 
         [0018]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the chassis  1  is seen to accommodate a litter box  17  including a removable litter container  18 . A padded floor  19  occupies the front area of the chassis  1 . The litter container  18  may be in the form of an easily opened package. The padded floor  19  and the litter box  17  itself may snap in to the chassis  1 , facilitating cleaning and replacing litter. Padded wall coverings may also snap in for easy removal and cleaning. In addition to door  7 , access to the carrier can be had through hinged lid  20 , normally secured by pins  21 . Door  7  is seen to have latching devices  22 . p The litter container  18  is seen to be designed specifically to fit into the litter box, and accordingly can be replaced with similar litter containers. 
         [0019]    In  FIG. 3 , the carrier is shown on an automobile seat  30 , ready for complete securing. The lower belt  25  has been passed through C-slots  4 ,  5 , and  6 , and the upper belt  26  has been passed through C-clamp  11 , which is shown in the closed position, and C-clamp  12 , shown still open. C-clamp  12  will be secured by lowering the snap extension  23 . Lower belt  25  will be passed through the C-slot opposite C-slot  4 , on the right side (as depicted) of chassis  1 . The tongue  24  of the seat belts is to be inserted into belt fixture  27  in the conventional manner. The carrier will thus be secured by seat belts passing through four C-slots and two C-clamps. 
         [0020]    The reader will readily see that my pet carrier is quite versatile in that it may be carried by hand, pulled on its wheels, or secured in an automobile seat, all with great convenience and ease. 
         [0021]    The top handle  8  for carrying by hand is recessed when not in use (see  FIG. 3 ), removing it as a possibly dangerous projection if the carrier is involved in an accident in a car. 
         [0022]    The telescopic handle  9  for pulling the carrier as a cart not only is greatly reduced in size by the telescopic feature, but also is stowed ( FIG. 3 ), in recess  16  ( FIG. 1 ), in the top of the carrier, again eliminating a potential danger. The telescopic handle is long enough so that one may pull the carrier comfortably; the four wheels ensure that the carrier is horizontal to reduce stress on the pet inside the carrier, who will not be tipped as in a two-wheeled traveling case; also if there is cat litter in the carrier, it will not be spilled. One or more wheels may include a push-button brake (not shown) to further steady the carrier on a car seat or elsewhere. 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , the illustrated variation of the invention differs in design from the design of  FIGS. 1-3  partly in that it comprises a framework as in  FIG. 4   a  and a flexible covering as shown in  FIG. 4   b , which is permanently affixed to the framework. The basic rigid parts of  FIG. 4   a  are the bottom  50  to which the wheels  2  are attached, corner uprights  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55 , and top  56 . Top  56  is similar to the substantially planar upper portion of top  10  of  FIG. 1 , accommodating carrying handle  8  and its stowing recess  15 , and telescoping pull handle  9 , shown nested and stowed in  FIG. 4   a .  FIG. 4   a  also shows partially removed panel  80  which normally rests on bottom  50  and extends to the far rear of bottom  50 . Panel  80  has Velcro® strips  81  on it for fastening to Velcro strips  82  on the underside of litter box  17  and Velcro strips  83  on the underside of cushion  84 . Thus, the litter box  17  can be easily placed in the carrier by adhering it to panel  80  and sliding panel  80 , along with cushion  84 , to the far rear of the carrier (see also  FIG. 8 ). As illustrated in  FIG. 4   a , litter box  17  contains a litter package  18 . Preparation and placement of litter package  18  is illustrated in more detail in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0024]    The covering  57  shown in  FIG. 4   b  has opening  60  for carrier handle  8 , opening  61  for telescoping pull handle  9 , opening  62  for fan  13  and its vent  14  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ), and opening  63  for the optional electronic center (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The front door  87  in the version of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  is opened and closed by a zipper  85  in flexible covering  57 . Zipper handle  86  is shown at the lower end of zipper  85 ; a similar handle  86  may also have been moved to the lower end of the zipper track obscured by door  87 . Note that the zipper  85  terminates before completely releasing door  87 ; door  87  is therefore in the form of a flap. C-slots  96  are sewn or riveted to door  87 . C-clamps  93  and  94  are sewn, riveted, or otherwise attached to covering  57 ; they may be approximately in the positions of C-slots  11  and  12  of  FIG. 1  after covering  57  is placed over top  56 . C-slot  95  is also sewn, riveted or otherwise fastened on the side of covering  57 ; a similar one may be secured to the obscured side of covering  57 . The sides of covering  57  may include mesh-like portions  51  to provide two-way visibility. Covering  57  may be permanently fastened or adhered to the framework of  FIG. 4   a  in any convenient manner. 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 5 , parts of the assembled  FIG. 4   a  are shown in exploded form. Bottom  50  is supported on four wheels  2 . Uprights  52 ,  53 ,  54  and  55  will be secured on bottom  50 . Panel  80  will rest on bottom  50 , and can slide on bottom  50 . Panel  80  has Velcro® strips  81  on it so that litter box  17 , having complementary Velcro strips  82  on its underside, can be temporarily secured to it. Velcro strips  81  may also temporarily secure a cushion such as padded cushion  84  (see  FIG. 4   a ), having complementary Velcro strips  83  on its underside. Litter package  18  is sized to fit in the litter box  17 , is readily inserted and removable (see  FIG. 8 ), but also can be stabilized with Velcro or any other convenient device or system. Rigid top  56  includes an opening  73  to receive a fan and its vent  14 ; the opening  73  may be threaded or otherwise constructed to permit easy insertion of the fan with a small motor and battery, not shown. Top  56  may include also a second opening  74  for a second insert  75  including additional features activated by switch  76 . The additional features are described below. Telescoping handle  9  is extended in this view; when nested, it fits in recess  16 . Carrying handle  8  is hinged to be placed in recess  15  when not in use. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  particularly shows the ball-and-socket joint  64  at the base of telescoping pull handle  9 . The ball-and socket joint enables supple changes in direction with minimal stress on the pet inside the transporter. With the ball-and-socket joint  64 , the pull handle is readily moved in any direction. 
         [0027]    The transporter as described in  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b , and  5  is shown assembled in  FIG. 6 , with the litter box omitted for the sake of simplicity. Covering  57  encloses the entire transporter. Door  87  is shown in the open position, the zipper  85  having been opened completely. Pull handle  9  is fully extended. Carrier handle  8  is also ready for use. The assembled transporter includes a battery-operated fan directly below vent  74 , and an electronic control panel  75  in place, passing through opening  63  in covering  57  (see  FIG. 4   b ) and opening  74  in top  56 . C-slot  95  is fixed directly on the side of covering  57 . 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 7 , the version of  FIGS. 4   a ,  4   b ,  5 , and  6  is shown ready to be secured on a vehicle seat in a manner similar to  FIG. 3 . Lower seat belt  25  passes through C-slots  95 , and  96 , and will be passed through similar C-slot  95 , not shown, on the opposite (obscured) side of the transporter. Upper seat belt  26  passes through C-clamp  93 , already closed, and C-clamp  94 , which will be closed when tongue  24  is inserted into belt fixture  27 . Carrying handle  8  is stowed in its recess  15 , and telescoping pull handle  9  is nested and stowed in its recess  16 . This unit is equipped with both a fan, directly below vent  14 , and an electronic control panel  75 . 
         [0029]    The electronic control panel  75  may provide for any one or more of (a) a thermometer, which may provide a digital readout to the owner, (b) a camera such as a small video camera for transmitting images from inside the transporter to the owner, (c) small lights, such as LED or other “cool” lights, (d) a microphone for wirelessly transmitting sound to the owner, (e) one or more small speakers so the owner may wirelessly transmit voice or music to the interior, (f) remotely operated speed control for the fan. 
         [0030]    The described six-point belt guides—four C-slots and two C-clamps—assure that the carrier will remain in place during sudden stops and even forceful accidents. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that the belt retaining function performed by the illustrated C-slots and C-clamps could as well be performed by various flanges, buckles, straps, cords, clamps, clasps, and the like. They may remain open, as in the case of the C-slots  4 ,  5 ,  6   95  and  96 , or closed (closable), as in the case of the C-clamps  11 ,  12 ,  93  and  94 . I do not intend to be limited to a particular type of retaining device and accordingly use the term “belt retainer” for any and all such devices. However, it should be noted that many, if not most, vehicle safety belts are attached permanently to the seats, typically both at seat level and at the upper back; the two belts converge to a single tongue which is inserted into a slot. Because the two belts converge to a single tongue, a single belt cannot pass through a retainer in the form of a closed loop. A belt can easily be placed in the depicted C-slots  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  95  and  96  and will remain in place once the belt is secured. Likewise the open C-clamps  11 ,  12 ,  93  and  94  easily accommodate a belt and are readily closed and opened for securing the transporter onto a vehicle seat and removing it for further transporting. Deploying the six belt retainers as described has been found to provide excellent insurance against movement of the transporter in all directions. 
         [0031]    The fan, the litter box, music, light and thermometer all help to reduce stress in the pet, also reducing anxiety of the owner. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  illustrates the convenient use of litter box  17 . A litter package  18  sized to fit snugly in litter box  17  has a perforated removable cover  90 . Removing the cover  90  exposes litter  91  having an area suitable for a pet. Using Velcro strips  82  and  81 , the litter box is temporarily secured to the rear of panel  80  as indicated by the arrow, and panel  80  is slipped to the rear of bottom  50  (see  FIG. 4   a ), leaving room for cushion  84 , which may also be secured by adhering Velcro strips  81  to Velcro strips  83  (see  FIG. 4   a ). 
         [0033]    It is to be understood that, wherever Velcro strips are mentioned, other forms and shapes of Velcro® fasteners may be used; snaps and any other type of suitable fasteners may also be used.