Abstract:
An airline approved pet carrier includes retractable wheels that leave the exterior surface of the carrier smooth. Other components of the carrier are positioned in a recess in the carrier to maintain a smooth exterior surface. The wheels are quick to deploy and include a positive mechanism to keep them in the stowed and the deployed positions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to portable pet carriers generally and pet carriers that can be transported on airlines in particular. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    Everyday more and more people are choosing to travel with their pets rather than leaving them at home. Our dogs are part of the family, and are considered by many to be as important as children. It was not that long ago that it would be rare to see a dog or cat traveling by airlines. Today however, in almost any airport in the country, you will see someone with his or her dog in tow. Subject to specific regulations, small pets may be carried onto the airplane to remain with the owner for the duration of the flight. Larger pets, usually dogs, must be transported in the cargo section of the plane and the pet carrier must be handled by airline cargo handling personnel. 
         [0006]    When a person moves the pet carrier about the airport, for example from the entrance of the airport to the airline baggage check location, the pet carrier must generally be rolled because it is too heavy to carry. U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,843 and U.S. Design Pat. D566,907 show pet carriers having a plurality of wheels on which the carrier can be rolled. Alternatively, pet carriers that do not have wheels are generally rolled about on a cart or dolly that does have wheels. 
         [0007]    Significant problems can occur when wheels or other items that are attached to the pet carrier get caught on other freight items or conflict with irregular surfaces in the freight area. When extended wheels catch on other freight items, such as other pet carriers or other items of freight, it can cause the pet carrier to topple over and can jeopardize the life of the pet. Retractable wheels do exist for luggage, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,439,660; 2,581,417 and 5,154,265. However, existing retractable wheels are not suited for use with pet carriers, and they are overly complex. U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,612 also shows a pet carrier having retractable wheels, but they extend beyond the outer surface of the carrier, even when they are retracted. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    What is needed is an airline approved pet carrier that includes retractable wheels that leave the exterior surface of the carrier smooth and free of obstructions. Any other components of the carrier can be positioned in a recess in the carrier to maintain a smooth exterior surface. The wheels can be quick to deploy and may include a positive mechanism to keep them in the stowed and the deployed positions. 
         [0009]    The inventive airline compatible pet carrier comprises an upper and a lower half. A plurality of wheels are attached to rotating wheel support members. The rotating support members are mounted to a lower region of the lower half. The lower region is proximate to a lower edge of the lower half. The wheels are positioned within a recess in the lower region of the lower half. The rotating wheel support members are secured in an upward and a downward position whereby each of the wheels are alternately secured in an upward, stowed position and a downward, deployed position. The wheel support members can have a pin end, which protrudes into a socket positioned in the recess of the lower region of the lower half of the pet carrier. The socket can be integral with an insert that is attached to the lower half of the pet carrier. The pin ends of the wheel support members have a plurality of slots that engage at least one key in each of the sockets, wherein at least one of the slots engages at least one key when the wheel support member is in an upward, stowed position and at least on of the slots of the pin end of the wheel support member engages another of the at least one key when the wheel support is in a downward, deployed position. 
         [0010]    Sliding panels may be included to contain the rotating support members and wheels so that the entire outer surface of the pet carrier remains smooth to avoid conflicting with other pet carriers, freight items, or other obstructions during transport. 
         [0011]    A removable disposable or reusable moisture absorbent liner can be secured to the inner floor of the lower half of the pet carrier. 
         [0012]    Quick release fasteners can be provided to secure the upper the upper and lower halves together. The fasteners comprise an upper handle connected to a lower contoured retainer with a shaft. The upper half includes an external flange having a bore sized to receive the shaft and the lower half includes an external flange having an opening sized to receive the retainer whereby the retainer is not able to come out of the upper half and whereby when the retainer is rotated away from the opening in the lower half, the retainer secures the lower half to the upper half. 
         [0013]    The inventive pet carrier can include a gate assembly positioned on one end and between the upper and lower halves. The gate assembly comprises a pair of hinge assemblies. Each of the hinge assemblies comprises an upper and a lower extendible retaining rod. The upper and the lower retaining rods are biased outwardly. The upper retaining rod extends into a hole formed in an outer edge of the upper halve and the lower retaining rod extends into a hole formed in an outer edge of the lower half whereby the gate assembly can rotate about one of each of the hinge assemblies. 
         [0014]    The pet carrier can include at least one retractable handle assembly that is positioned in a recess in the upper half of the pet carrier whereby the handle assembly remains flush with the outer surface of the upper half to avoid conflicting with other luggage or carriers during transport. 
         [0015]    The pet carrier can also include a storage compartment molded into a recess in the upper half of the pet carrier whereby the storage compartment remains flush with the outer surface the upper half to avoid conflicting with other luggage or carriers during transport. 
         [0016]    The inventive pet carrier creates surprising results because the completely smooth exterior surface that results from the inventive features, prevents the carrier from snagging or otherwise conflicting with other pet carriers, other freight or luggage or obstructions that may be encountered during transport to or from the aircraft. Furthermore, the smooth exterior that results from the inventive arrangement of components of the instant invention provides remarkable efficiency in the handling, mobility and storage of the pet carrier in and around the airport and the airplanes. The inventive pet carrier prevents the repeatedly snagging onto other carriers, other passengers luggage or on airline protuberances for which existing pet carriers are notorious. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the inventive pet carrier with the wheels in a retracted position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  shows a detail section view of the spring housing for the hinge assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the inventive pet carrier with the wheels in a deployed position and with the retractable handle in an extended position. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a detail section view of the retractable handle mount taken from line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the quick release fastener from  FIG. 3 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a partial view of the inventive pet carrier showing details of one of the wheel assemblies in a downward, deployed position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a detail section view of the sliding panel taken from line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a detail section view of the sliding panel taken from line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a partial sectional view of a wheel assembly shown in a secured, downward position taken from line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a sectional view of a wheel support member taken from line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a partial sectional view of a wheel assembly shown in an unsecured, rotating, downward position. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a sectional view of a wheel support member taken from line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a partial isometric view of the wheel assembly in an unsecured, rotating upward position. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a partial sectional view of a wheel assembly shown in a secured, upward position. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a sectional view of a wheel support member taken from line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]      FIG. 1  shows the inventive pet carrier A. The pet carrier A includes features that are designed to provide a smooth outer surface so that the pet carrier A does not get stuck on, interfere with, or otherwise conflict with other objects or structures. The pet carrier includes an upper half B and a lower half C. The upper half B includes an external flange  34  and the lower half C includes an external flange  36 . The external flange  34  of the upper half is secured to the external flange  36  of the lower half with quick release fasteners  6 , to be described in more detail below. 
         [0033]    Multiple vents  21  generally are provided in the upper half B and lower half C to provide ventilation to the pet. 
         [0034]    A symmetric pair of hinge assemblies is provided. Each hinge assembly comprises a spring housing  32  (best seen in  FIG. 2 ) in which a spring  30  is provided to urge the end of an upper retaining rod  24  into a hole  24   a  formed in an outer flange  21  of the upper half B. A spring  30  is also provided to urge the end of a lower retaining rod  26  into a hole  26   a . The upper retaining rod  24  and lower retaining rod  26  can be released by pressing together on bend  24   b  and on bend  26   b . Pressure on bend  24   b  imposes pressure on washer  30   a  to compress spring  30 . Similarly, pressure on bend  26   b  imposes pressure on washer  30   a  to compress spring  30 . When the bend  24   b  is pressed, the upper end of the upper retaining rod  24  retracts out of the retaining hole  24   a  and when the bend  26   b  is pressed, the lower end of the lower retaining rod  26  retracts out of the retaining hole  26   a . When the upper end of the upper retaining rod  24  and the lower end of the lower retaining rod  26  have both been retracted from the retaining holes  24   a ,  26   a , the gate is free to swing open. Because the two sets of hinge assemblies are substantially identically constructed, either the retaining rods  24 ,  26  of the leftmost hinge assembly can be released to open the door from the left or the retaining rods  24 ,  26  of the rightmost hinge assembly can be released to open the door from the right. The upper end of the upper retaining rod  24  can be kept flush with the outside of flange  21  and the lower end of the lower retaining rod  26  can be kept flush with the outside of flange  21   b  to maintain a smooth surface on the outside of each flange. 
         [0035]    The top handle  16  can be used to carry the carrier A. The top handle  16  folds into recess  16   a , which is typically molded into the upper half B of the carrier A. 
         [0036]    A removable disposable or reusable moisture absorbent liner  8  is shown in the inner floor of the lower half C of the carrier A. The liner  8  is secured with snaps  2  or other securing means. 
         [0037]    A storage compartment is covered by cover  22 . The storage compartment is also typically molded into the upper half B of the carrier A. The storage compartment can be used to carry food or other pet supplies with the carrier A. 
         [0038]    The retractable pull handle  14  rotates forward ( FIG. 3 ) and is typically mounted to the upper half B of the carrier A with a bolt  30 . A washer  30   a  is normally positioned outside of the pull handle  14  as shown in  FIG. 4  to prevent binding between the pull handle  14  and the wall  30   b  of the upper half B of the carrier A. The retractable pull handle  14  is extended forward ( FIG. 3 ) when the carrier A is to be pulled on the wheel assemblies W, to be discussed below. 
         [0039]    In  FIG. 5  a detail of a quick release fastener F is shown. A body  6  includes a tab  6   a , which is used to grip the fastener F to rotate it when securing or separating the upper half B and lower half C of the carrier A. A bore  28  is provided in the flange  34  of the upper half B. Bore  28  is sized to accommodate the shaft  6   b . An oblong opening  28   a  is shaped to allow the retaining tab  6   c  to pass through. Because the retaining tab  6   c  cannot pass through the bore  28 , it causes the fastener F to stay secured in the upper flange of the top half B when the upper half B is separated from the bottom half C. When the retaining tab  6   c  has been inserted through the opening  28   a , it can be rotated such that the retaining tab  6   c  is offset from the opening  28   a  thereby securing the flange  34  of upper top half B to the flange  36  of the lower half C. 
         [0040]    An enlarged view of the wheel assembly W is shown in  FIG. 6 . Typically there are four (4) wheel assemblies, uniformly positioned about the lower region of the lower half C of the carrier A. A wheel  54  is mounted to a wheel bracket  56  with an axle  54   a . The wheel bracket  56  is mounted to a wheel support member  58  with a bolt  56   b  (best seen in  FIG. 9 ) or other securing means. A washer  56   a  is typically installed between the wheel support member and the wheel bracket  56  to reduce friction during rotation of the wheel bracket  56  relative to the wheel support member  58 . The wheel  54  and wheel bracket  56  can rotate on the bolt  56   b  relative to the wheel support member  58 . It is contemplated that alternative roller wheels may be used, such as casters. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the wheel support member  58  includes a reduced diameter section  60  on which a spring  72  is assembled. The spring  72  is contained between the wall insert  78  and the spring retainer  62 . The spring retainer  62  is attached to the end of the wheel support member with a bolt  62   a  or other securing means. The spring retainer may also be integral with the wheel support member  58 . 
         [0042]    The wheel support member  58  includes at least two (2) slots  80 ,  80   a , best seen in  FIG. 10 . Wall insert  78  is connected to the wall  63  of the lower half C of the carrier A with bolts  78   a  or other fastening means. The wall insert  78  is generally constructed of a metallic material or other desired material to withstand the forces transmitted from the wheel assemblies W. The wall insert  78  includes a key  82  on the interior surface as best seen in  FIGS. 9-12 . The wheel support member  58  can rotate to a downward, deployed position, as shown in  FIGS. 9-12 . When the wheel support member  58  is in the downward, deployed position, slot  80   a  engages key  82  to secure the wheel support member  58  and prevent it from rotating up or down. 
         [0043]    The wheel assembly W and the wheel support member  58  can be rotated to the upward stowed position ( FIGS. 13-15 ) by first pulling the wheel support member  58  outwardly with sufficient force to overcome the compression force of the spring  72 . The wheel support member  58  must be pulled sufficiently far from the wall insert  78  so that the slot  80   a  is disengaged from the key  82 . Once the slot  80   a  is disengaged from the key  82 , the wheel support member  58  can be rotated upwardly to the position where slot  80  is in alignment with key  82 . The wheel support member  58  and wheel assembly W can be seen in the upward, stowed position in  FIGS. 13-15 . Note that spring  72  urges the wheel support member  58  inwardly to maintain engagement between the slot  80  or slot  80   a  and the key  82 . The inward force imposed by spring  72  provides assurance that the wheel support member  58  and the wheel assembly W will remain sufficiently close to the wall insert  78  and inside of the panel  18 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , panel  18  is provided to conceal the wheel assembly W and to prevent each wheel assembly W from catching on other carriers, luggage, freight or other objects during. Panel  18  creates a smooth outer surface for the carrier A. Panel  18  typically has a flat section  52  at the top and an L-shaped section  52   a  at the bottom. The flat section  52  slides in slot  50  and the L-shaped section slides in L-shaped slot  50   a . The panel  18  is retained within slots  50  and  50   a  with a retaining strip  53  (best seen in  FIG. 8 ). Retaining strip  53  is secured to the bottom of the lower half C of the carrier A with bolts  53   a  or other securing means. 
         [0045]    Panel  18  can be slid into a closed position when the wheels are in an upward, stowed position ( FIG. 1 ) and when the wheels are in a downward, deployed position ( FIG. 3 ). A recessed slot  40  is provided to provide finger engagement with the panel to slide it to an open or a closed position. A recess  42  ( FIG. 7 ) of a generally oval or round shaped is provided on the inner surface of the panel  18 . A protuberance  42   a  is positioned on the inner wall  51  between slot  50  and slot  50   a . Protuberance  42   a  is approximately the same shape as recess  42  so that when the panel  18  is slid into the closed position, protuberance  42   a  engages recess  42  to keep the panel  18  securely closed. 
         [0046]    The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and other embodiments may fall within the scope of the invention, the claims of which follow.