Animal loading/unloading apparatus

An animal loading and unloading apparatus is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the animal loading/unloading apparatus includes a base having a ramp space, a fence carried by the base and a ramp extendable from the ramp space.

FIELD

The present invention relates to pet ramps and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to an animal loading and unloading apparatus which is suitable for loading animals in and removing animals from a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Many persons transport animals in vehicles. Placement of the animals, particularly large dogs, in the vehicle requires that the animal jump or be lifted and placed in the vehicle. The seat or floor of the vehicle may be two to three feet above the ground. While such a height is not difficult for young, vigorous animals to mount, jumping to such a height is more difficult or impossible for older animals.

SUMMARY

The present invention is generally directed to an animal loading and unloading apparatus. An illustrative embodiment of the animal loading/unloading apparatus includes a base having a ramp space, a fence carried by the base and a ramp extendable from the ramp space.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the animal loading/unloading apparatus, hereinafter apparatus, is generally indicated by reference numeral1. The apparatus1includes a base2which may have a generally elongated, rectangular shape, as shown, or any desired alternative shape. The base2is typically a lightweight, impact-resistant plastic or a lightweight metal such as aluminum. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the base2typically includes a bottom base panel3; a pair of spaced-apart side base panels4extending from the bottom base panel3; and a rear base panel5extending from the bottom base panel3, between the side base panels4. A platform panel8is provided on the side base panels4and the rear base panel5.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, a middle partition14extends between the bottom base panel3and the platform panel8, generally midway between the side base panels4. A drawer space20and a ramp space30are provided on opposite sides of the middle partition14. A drawer21is extendable from the drawer space20. As shown inFIG. 4, the drawer21typically has a conventional design and includes a pair of spaced-apart, parallel drawer sides22; a drawer front23extending between the drawer sides22; and a drawer bottom24provided on the drawer sides22and drawer front23. Runners (not illustrated) are provided on the respective drawer sides22and slidably engage respective rails (not shown) provided in the drawer space20, typically in the conventional manner. As shown inFIG. 1, a finger opening25may extend through the drawer front23.

As shown inFIG. 1, a ramp34is selectively extendable from the ramp space30of the base2. In some embodiments of the apparatus1, the ramp34includes a top ramp section35which is slidably mounted with respect to the base2and a bottom ramp section42which is slidably mounted with respect to the top ramp section35, according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. A catch (not illustrated) is typically provided on the top ramp section35to engage the bottom ramp section42and prevent the bottom ramp section42from sliding off the top ramp section35. Each of the top ramp section35and the bottom ramp section42includes an elongated ramp frame36and a pair of ramp rails37which extends along respective side edges of the ramp frame36. The ramp frame36and each ramp rail37is typically a lightweight, impact-resistant plastic or a lightweight metal such as aluminum. In some embodiments, ramp carpet38is provided on the ramp frame36. In other embodiments, a treaded surface (not illustrated) may be provided on the ramp frame36. A pair of ramp mount brackets32is provided in the ramp space30. The ramp rails37of the top ramp section35slidably engage the respective ramp mount brackets32in the ramp space30. The bottom ramp section slidably engages the top ramp section35according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 3, in the extended, functional configuration of the ramp34, when the base2rests on a table62or other support above a supporting surface80, the top ramp section35can be extended from the ramp space30of the base2and the bottom ramp section extended from the top ramp section35and rested on a supporting surface80.

A fence46is provided on the base2. The fence46extends from the platform panel8of the base2. In some embodiments of the apparatus1, the fence46is detachable with respect to the platform panel8. As shown inFIG. 4, in some embodiments of the apparatus1, the fence46includes a rear fence section47and a pair of side fence sections56which extend from the rear fence section47in generally parallel, spaced-apart relationship with respect to each other. Each side fence section56is disposed at a generally 90-degree angle with respect to the rear fence section47. The rear fence section47and each side fence section56typically extend in generally parallel, adjacent relationship with respect to respective edges of the base2. As further illustrated inFIG. 4, in some embodiments of the apparatus1, the fence46includes a middle fence section58which extends from the rear fence section47, typically about midway between the side fence sections56. The middle fence section58may have a construction which is the same as that of the rear fence section47and each of the side fence sections56.

The fence46may have any structure which is suitable for the purpose. As illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, in some embodiments of the apparatus1, the rear fence section47and each side fence section56of the fence46includes multiple, typically plastic or metal vertical fence members48which extend from the platform8. Typically plastic or metal horizontal fence members49extend between the adjacent vertical fence members48. As shown inFIG. 4, corner connectors51connect the terminal horizontal fence member49of each side fence section56to the terminal horizontal fence member49of the rear fence section47. Middle connectors50connect the horizontal fence members49of the rear fence section47and each side fence section56to each other. End connectors52terminate the ends of the respective side fence sections56.

The fence46may be attached to the platform8using any suitable technique which is known by those skilled in the art. As shown inFIG. 7, in some embodiments of the apparatus1, multiple fence post openings9are provided in the upper surface of the platform8. The fence post openings9include multiple rear fence post openings9aand multiple side fence post openings9b. Accordingly, the vertical fence members48of the rear fence section47and of each side fence section56are detachably inserted in the respective rear fence post openings9aand side fence post openings9b. In some embodiments of the apparatus1, multiple middle fence post openings9care further provided in the upper surface of the platform8, generally midway between the sets of side fence post openings9b. The middle fence post openings9creceive the respective vertical fence members48of the middle fence section58(shown in phantom inFIG. 4).

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, in some embodiments of the apparatus1, a guard66is detachably provided on the platform panel8of the base2for purposes which will be hereinafter described. The guard66typically has a generally rectangular guard frame67having intersecting guard frame members68. Guard frame openings69are defined by and between the guard frame members68. As illustrated inFIG. 5, a pair of spaced-apart guard posts74extends from the guard frame67of the guard66. The guard posts74are adapted for removable insertion in a pair of respective guard post opening10(FIG. 7) provided in the upper surface of the platform panel8detachably secure the guard66to the platform panel8.

At least one guard panel70may be detachably attached to the guard66. In some embodiments, a pair of guard panels70is attached to the guard66, as shown inFIG. 5. Each guard panel70typically includes a guard panel frame71and intersecting guard panel members72which extend within the guard panel frame71.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, in typical application the apparatus1is placed in the rear cargo area of a vehicle76such as a sport utility vehicle (SUV), for example. In some embodiments, the base2is adapted for attachment to the conventional D-rings (not illustrated) which are provided in SUVs. The cargo area of the vehicle76is closed by a hatchback or other type of rear door77. The bottom base panel3of the base2is rested on the floor78of the vehicle76, with the drawer space20and the ramp space30of the base2facing rearwardly. The ramp34is extended from the ramp space30into the functional position shown inFIG. 3by initially pulling the top ramp section35from the ramp space30and then the bottom ramp section42from the top ramp section35until the bottom ramp section42rests on a supporting surface80such as a floor of a garage, for example. An animal (not illustrated) such as a dog, for example, can then be loaded onto the platform panel8of the base2for transportation of the animal by guiding the animal as the animal walks up the bottom ramp section42and top ramp section35, respectively, of the ramp34and then onto the platform panel8of the base2. The ramp34is then pushed back into the ramp space30, after which the rear door77of the vehicle76is closed. The fence46prevents the animal from wandering off of the base2and into other areas of the vehicle76. As illustrated in phantom inFIG. 4, under circumstances in which it is desired to separate the platform panel8into separate adjacent sections, the middle fence section58can be deployed between the side fence sections56by inserting vertical fence members48of the middle fence section58into the respective middle fence post openings9c(FIG. 7). In cases in which the animal is a small dog or the like, the guard66can be attached to the base2adjacent to the fence46to prevent the animal from escaping from the apparatus1between adjacent vertical fence members48of the fence46. Various items (not illustrated), such as animal care products, for example, can be placed in the drawer21for convenient access, as needed. The drawer21may be fitted with various openings (not illustrated) to receive attachments and the like. After transportation of the animal in the vehicle76, the rear door77is opened; the ramp34extended from the ramp space30in the base2and rested on a supporting surface80(FIG. 3); and the animal guided from the platform panel8, down the ramp34and onto the supporting surface80. The apparatus1can be easily removed from the vehicle76as needed.