Abstract:
An animal traveler/animal comfort assembly is provided for use in a passenger vehicle. The assembly generally includes a compressible base having a front side, a substantially opposing rear side, a left side and a right side located between the front side and rear side. The base is conveniently sized to fit within and closely conform to a cargo space, or other interior space, of a vehicle, for example, a sport utility vehicle. The base may include a lower layer of support foam and an upper layer of memory foam, the layers being encased by a substantially puncture resistant covering. Upstanding front and rear panels are connected to the front side and rear side of the base. The front and rear panels may be hingedly connected to the base to facilitate ingress and egress of the animal. The assembly further includes opposing, upstanding side panels which may be removably connected to the left side and right side of the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present invention generally relates to pet products and more specifically relates to an animal traveler assembly for facilitating safe and comfortable travel with pets or other animals in a passenger vehicle. 
   Dogs in particular seem to truly enjoy travel in an automobile with their owners. However, allowing a dog to roam freely during a ride can be hazardous, for obvious reasons. There have been numerous attempts to provide convenient and safe devices for facilitating transport of pets, for example, dogs. Many of such devices are directed at either containing the animal in a sectioned-off portion of a vehicle or restraining the animal by means of tethers or carrier crates. 
   Dogs are commonly transported in a passenger vehicle by means of an enclosed carrier crate sized to contain the dog but not large enough to allow great freedom of movement. Such crates are commercially available and are generally not specifically designed for vehicle transport of the pet. For example, while being somewhat effective to temporarily contain a dog during car travel, such crates can shift or even tip during transport, thereby causing fright or injury to the animal inside the crate. In the event of a vehicle accident, the crate may be difficult to access or extract from the vehicle and the animal may become trapped therein. 
   A divider or partition provides an alternative means of containing or restricting movement of a dog during travel. Commercially available dividers facilitate travel with dogs by restricting the animal&#39;s range of movement to a rear passenger compartment or an interior cargo space of a vehicle. Ordoyne et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,753 discloses a portable pet barrier which is positioned in the vehicle in place of seat headrests. The Ordoyne et al. barrier is used to prevent a dog from passing forward of the divider. These devices are useful but do not address many problems associated with travel with a pet, for example, pet comfort. In addition, many such devices often become a somewhat permanent fixture in the vehicle in that SUV owners often find that these devices tend to be cumbersome to remove from the vehicle once installed. In addition, even with such a barrier installed, the cargo portion of an SUV is not designed to hold a moving dog. The ordinary motions of a moving vehicle can cause a dog, particularly a larger or older dog, located in the cargo space, to lose footing, fall and become injured. 
   Sharp movements experienced by a dog riding in a vehicle can result in more than mild discomfort to the dog. For example, canine hip dysplasia, a common, degenerative and painful condition which primarily affects larger or older dogs, can become aggravated and can cause severe pain to an animal subjected to a rough ride. When a dog has hip dysplasia, the head of the femur does not fit properly into the hip socket, and the joint becomes malformed and unstable. In advanced cases of the disease, the joint capsule and the ligament between the two bones become excessively stretched, adding further instability to the joint. Although moderate exercise that strengthens the gluteal muscles, such as running and swimming, is believed to be helpful for dogs with this condition, sharp, unnatural movements such as those experienced by a dog riding in a moving vehicle, can apply too much force to the joint, and are contraindicated. 
   More effective, safer, easier to use devices are needed for facilitating comfortable travel with animals, such as dogs and other pets, in passenger vehicles. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, an animal traveler assembly/animal comfort assembly is provided which is advantageously designed to address many of the problems associated with transporting or traveling with animals, for example, companion animals, for example, dogs, in a passenger vehicle, such as an SUV, passenger van, automobile and the like. Although the present description of the invention is directed to embodiments of the invention especially designed for accommodating dogs, it is to be appreciated that the present invention can be used for accommodating other animals as well as dogs. 
   In a broad aspect of the invention, the present assembly is structured to substantially conform to interior surfaces of a vehicle which form an interior section, for example, an interior cargo space, of a passenger vehicle. More particularly, the assembly may be structured to conform to an interior rear cargo space of a sport utility vehicle or similar passenger vehicle. In one aspect of the invention, the assembly is made of separable components which are easy to install in the cargo space, as well as easy to uninstall and remove from the cargo space as desired. In a preferred embodiment, the components of the assembly are advantageously designed to provide an inviting area of comfort and safety for pets and while traveling with their owners in a passenger vehicle. 
   In a specific embodiment, the assembly generally comprises a base portion, sized to substantially cover or conform to a floor region of a cargo space of a sports utility vehicle, hereinafter, usually, “SUV”. The base portion may be somewhat rectangular in form. For example, the base portion may include a front side, for example, conforming in size to a width of a rear opening of an SUV, and a substantially opposing rear side. The base portion further includes a left side, for example, conforming in size to a depth of the cargo space of the SUV, and a right side, located between the front side and rear side. 
   Preferably, the base portion includes a first layer made of a first material and a second layer made of a second material that is different from the first material. More specifically, the first layer may comprise a compressible, pliant material forming an upper layer of the base portion. The second layer may comprise a supportive, relatively less compressive and/or relatively less pliant material forming a lower layer of the base portion. Preferably, the first material comprises a memory foam material, for example, a visco-elastic polyurethane foam material. 
   The assembly further comprises opposing front and rear members connected to or couplable to the front side and rear side of the base portion, respectively. More specifically, the front and rear members may be in the form of compressible panels or pads. At least one of the front and rear members may be hingedly connected to the base portion such that it is pivotal from an upright standing position to a folded or lowered position. In one embodiment, both of the front and rear panels are hingedly connected to the base portion. In another embodiment, the front panel is hingedly connected to the base portion and the rear panel is removably connected to the base portion. At least one of the front member and the rear member is preferably structured to provide a comfortable head rest surface for a dog, for example, a dog reclining on the base portion. 
   The assembly further comprises first and second opposing side members coupled or couplable to the left and right sides of the base portion. The first and second side members may comprise cushioned panels or pads which, when in the assembled position, are disposed in an upright position. Preferably, the first and second members are removable couplable to the base portion by means of hook and loop fastening elements, for example, Velcro tape or the like. Advantageously, the front and rear members and first and second side members are configurable to form an enclosed space, for example, a 360° barrier of a convenient height about the base portion for safe containment of an animal on the base portion. The front and rear members and first and second side members, when connected in an upstanding manner to the base portion, define surfaces which provide a soft but supportive headrest for the animal using the assembly. 
   Preferably, the components of the assembly, for example, each one of the base portion, front member, rear member, and left and right members, includes a cover layer which defines the outer surfaces of the assembly. Each cover layer may be in the form of a removable casing. The casing may be a strong, substantially puncture resistant material such as a synthetic fabric, for example, a polyurethane-containing material, or polyvinyl chloride-containing material, or the like. 
   Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, any feature or combination of features may be specifically excluded from any embodiment of the present invention. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention may be more clearly understood, and the aspects and advantages thereof better appreciated, with reference to the following detailed description of and accompanying drawings of which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an animal comfort/traveler assembly in accordance with the invention, in use in the cargo space of a sports utility vehicle; 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of another assembly in accordance with the invention, in use in a cargo space of a different sports utility vehicle; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1  removed from the vehicle and in an assembled configuration; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1  in an unassembled configuration; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a side member of the assembly showing a removable casing. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Turning now to  FIG. 1 , an animal traveler/animal comfort assembly, in accordance with the present invention, for facilitating safe and comfortable transport of a pet, for example a dog  2 , in a passenger vehicle, for example, but not limited to, a sport utility vehicle  3 , is shown generally at  10 . 
   The assembly  10  is designed to cover the surfaces of a space, for example, an interior space, for example, an interior cargo space, of a vehicle  3 , for example, a sport utility vehicle  3 , or the like, with a soft, compressible surface that provides a barrier of comfort and enhanced safety for a dog or other animal, for example, during travel in the vehicle. 
   For example, in the embodiment shown, the assembly  10  is configured and structured to closely conform to a truck bed a pickup truck or a cargo space of or sport utility vehicle and provides a special region for accommodating a dog or other pet during travel. In addition, the assembly  10  provides a comfort barrier between a dog or other companion animal, and hard, often uneven and/or sharp surfaces which typically make up the cargo space. Further, the assembly  10  protects interior surfaces of the vehicle from damage by the dog, and functions to contain dirt, debris, fur and animal hair. The assembly  10  is easy to clean in place, and easy to remove and store when not in use. 
   More specifically, in the shown embodiment, the assembly  10  generally comprises a compressible base portion  14  sized to substantially cover an interior surface, for example, a floor, of an interior cargo space  3   a  of a sports utility vehicle. The interior cargo space, as used in this description, is generally considered to be a region of a conventional SUV, minivan, or similar type passenger vehicle, which occupies the main interior of the vehicle shared with drivers and passengers, is accessible from the rear of the vehicle, for example, by means of a hatch  3   b , and is typically located behind the passenger seats of the vehicle  3 . In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the base portion  14  has a length and width of at least about 30″×30″ and a thickness of at least about 3″ to about 4″ or more. In some embodiments, the assembly is specifically sized to conform to a bed, or a portion thereof, of a light-duty or heavy duty pickup truck, or the like. 
   It is to be appreciated that the assembly  10 , with appropriate modification thereto, can be structured to be fitted to and utilized in other interior regions of a vehicle, for example, a rear passenger seating region. Such modifications are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
   Turning now as well to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the base portion  14  may be generally rectangular in shape, and has a size that substantially conforms to the floor area of the interior cargo space of the vehicle. For example, the base portion  14  includes a front side  14   a  and a substantially opposing rear side  14   b , and a left side  14   c  and a right side (not visible in drawings) located between the front side  14   a  and rear side  14   b . The assembly  10  further comprises a front member  16  and a rear member  18  coupled to the front side  14   a  and rear side  14   b  respectively, a first side member  30  and a second side member  32  coupled to the left side  14   c  and right side of the base portion  14 , respectively. Coupling between the first and second side members  30 ,  32  to the base portion may be provided by cooperative hook and loop fastening elements  38 , for example Velcro® strips, or any other suitable fastening mechanism. At least one of the front member  16  and rear member  18  includes a head rest region  38   a  for accommodating the head of a dog located on the base portion. 
   In the embodiment shown, the front member  16  is hingedly connected by flexible portion  22  to the base portion  14 , such that the front member  16  may be pivoted between an upright position such as shown in  FIG. 2  for example, during travel. to a lowered position, for example for when the vehicle is parked and the vehicle hatch  3   b  is in an open position such as shown in  FIG. 1 . Similarly, referring now to  FIG. 3 , the rear member  18  may be hingedly connected to the rear side of the base member  14  in the same fashion as the hinged connection between front member and base portion shown and described herein. 
   When the front member  16  is disposed in the upright position ( FIG. 2 ), the front member  16  is preferably removably connected to the first and second side members  30  and  32 . For example, the assembly  10  further comprises a plurality of connectors, for example, flexible connectors  40  disposed on the side members  30 ,  32 . For example, each connector  40  may include a first end  42  permanently secured to, for example, sewn to or otherwise permanently secured to, one of the side members  30  and  32 , and a second end  44  removably couplable to one of the front member  16  and rear member  18 , for example, by means of cooperative hook and loop fastening elements  45 , buttons, snaps, ties, or any other suitable mechanism. 
   Referring briefly to  FIG. 1A , the assembly  10  is shown with the rear member  18  disposed pivoted toward the front of a vehicle, thereby allowing a dog  2  to rest comfortably against the rear member  18  during travel. While in this position, the assembly  10  allows a human being, for example, a pet owner seated in the front seat, to physically reach the dog and provide comfort thereto. Advantageously, the angle of the rear member  18  with respect to the base portion  14  can be adjusted so that the rear member  18  conforms to the angle of a rear seat  8  of a vehicle. 
   Accordingly, during travel in a vehicle, the assembly  10  is configured as shown in  FIG. 2 , with front member  16 , rear member  18  and side members  30 ,  32  disposed in a substantially upright position and circumscribing the base portion  14  so as to form a safe and contained enclosure for the pet. Advantageously, when the vehicle is parked, the assembly  10  can continue to be used to provide a special designated area for the dog or other pet. For example, by detaching the connectors  40  from engagement with the front panel  16  and dropping or pivoting the front member  14  downward such as shown in  FIG. 1 , the assembly provides optional open access for the pet through the rear of the vehicle. 
     FIG. 4  shows another assembly  110  in accordance with the invention similar to the assembly  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . Except as expressly described herein, assembly  110  is similar to assembly  10  and features of assembly  110  which correspond to features of assembly  10  are designated by the corresponding reference numerals increased by 100. Assembly  110  is substantially the same as assembly  10 , with the primary difference being that assembly  110  comprises a rear member  118  that is removably couplable to rear side  114   b  of base portion  114  for example, by suitable means, such as cooperative hook and loop fastening elements, not shown. 
   Referring now again specifically to  FIG. 3 , in a preferred aspect of the invention, the base portion  14  is structured to provide enhanced safety and comfort to a pet, for example, but not limited to, a dog suffering from canine hip dysplasia. Preferably, the base portion  14  includes a core  49  comprising a first layer  50  made of a first material and a second layer  52  made of a second material that is different from the first material. In some embodiments, the second material is material that is relatively more rigid than the first material. 
   More specifically, at least one of the first layer and second layer comprises a compressible, pliant material, for example, a memory foam, or memory foam-containing material. For example, the first layer  50  may comprise a compressible, pliant material, such as a commercially available, memory foam material, for example, a visco-elastic polyurethane foam material, or a material having similar or comparable beneficial orthopedic properties. 
   In some embodiments, the second layer  52  comprises a supportive, relatively less compressive and/or relatively less pliant material, for example, a suitable support foam material. The supportive second layer  52  provides a degree of rigidity to the assembly  10 . In addition, in a preferred embodiment, the supportive second layer  52  provides an effective padding between the relatively softer memory foam of the first layer  50  and the hard floor of the vehicle. The base portion  14  further includes a casing  56 , for example, a removable casing or cover layer substantially enclosing the core  49 . 
   Each of the front and rear members  16 ,  18  and left and right side members  30 ,  32  may comprise a core  58  made of a foam material, for example, a suitable safety support foam  60  enclosed in an outer casing  62 . The foam core may be removable from said casing  62  by means of a zippered opening  66  located, for example, on a bottom panel  68  of the member, for example, such as illustrated by the side member  32  shown in  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, the core  58  comprises a foam material that has a noise dampening effect, for example, a material effective to reduce highway noise inside the vehicle. 
   Each of casing  62  and casing  56  is preferably made of a strong, flexible and preferably puncture resistant material. The casing material is preferably a material that will resist puncturing by the toenail of a dog. Preferably, the casing material is easy to clean, for example, by wiping with a damp sponge, and propels dirt and pet dander. An especially desirable material for the casing  62  and  68  is a synthetic fabric, for example, a polyurethane-containing material, or polyvinyl chloride-containing material, or the like, for example, a material commonly referred to as “faux leather”. 
   In specific embodiments of the invention, the dimensions of the components of the assembly when in the assembled, travel configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , are as follows. In a large size assembly of the invention, which is configured to be installed in any one of the many popular, large-size SUVs, the assembly has dimensions of about 48″ width, about 36″depth, about 16″ height and each member or panel has a thickness of about 4″. 
   In a relatively smaller size assembly of the invention which is configured to be installed in any one of the many popular relatively smaller sized SUVs, the assembly has dimensions of about 38″ width, about 30″depth, about 16″ height and each member or panel has a thickness of about 4″. 
   While this invention has been described with respect to various specific examples and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto and that it can be variously practiced within the scope of the following claims.