Abstract:
A detachable carrier for small pets that can be attached to vehicles, such as bicycles, motorcycles, motor scooters, ATV&#39;s, golf carts or watercraft. The carrier allows not only for the transportation of the pet, but also for the enjoyment of the ride, by way of an open top hatch through which the pet can extend its head allowing for an “open air” ride and visibility. The carrier for transporting a small pet on a vehicle includes a box-like container provided with an upper opening that forms part of the container top. The opening has padded edges and is large enough so that an animal such as a dog can stand up in the container with his/her front legs on the padded front edge. Anchoring structure on the container bottom is arranged to detachably couple to a luggage rack or support plate on a luggage rack that is mounted on the vehicle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to U.S. Provisional application No. 61/596,793, filed Feb. 9, 2012, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a carrier for small pets that detachably mounts to a vehicle, such as behind the seat and over the rear wheel of a motorized two-wheel vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many kinds of specialized carriers have been developed for use with bicycles and motorcycles. Typically, such carriers are mounted above the rear wheel behind the rider. Some are arranged to carry packages and merchandise, and others to carry an infant or small child. An example of the first type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,703 to Litz. That patent describes a luggage box having tongued rails on its underside that are arranged to interlock with grooves in a plate mounted to the frame of a motorcycle just back of the rider&#39;s seat. The rails have a locking means to secure the luggage box to the motorcycle frame plate, and to allow its convenient removal from the cycle. 
     An example of the second type of carrier is shown in a patent to Schimmels, U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,331. That patent describes a carrier assembly for transporting a child on a bicycle. It is arranged to detachably lock onto a bracket fixed above the rear wheel of a bicycle, or to be secured to a vehicle seat to provide protection during auto transport. 
     There has also been a suggestion in the art to provide means for transporting a pet on a bicycle. Such carrier devices are shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D276,713, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,577,646, 5,810,227, and 5,832,874. Each of these designs suffers from certain drawbacks. 
     Despite the wide variety of specialized carriers that have been developed over the years, there remains a need for a safe carrier to transport small to medium sized pets which allows the pet more freedom to observe the scenery and which is more easily mounted on and dismounted from a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application provides a carrier for transporting a small pet on a vehicle including a box-like container provided with an upper opening that forms part of the container top. The opening has padded edges and is large enough so that an animal such as a dog can stand up in the container with his/her front legs on the padded front edge. Anchoring structure on the container bottom is arranged to detachably couple to a rack such as a luggage rack, or to a support plate on a luggage rack, that is mounted on the vehicle. On scooters, for example, the luggage rack mounts above the rear wheel on a rear platform. If using a support plate, it may be one which is supplied with an off-the-shelf locking top box for storing belongings such as a helmet. 
     In one preferred embodiment, an animal carrier for use with a vehicle comprises a container having a bottom and sides sized to contain a dog, and having a top wall with an upper opening therein. The upper opening has a size to permit the dog to stick its head out and has generally horizontal edges that extend inward all the way around the periphery of the opening from the sides of the container. A harness attaches within the container to retain the dog within the container interior. The bottom of the container has anchoring structure adapted to detachably couple the container to a vehicle-supported rack. 
     Desirably, the edges of the upper opening are covered with padding. The container may have a height of about 12-16 inches from a floor inside the container to a front edge of the opening. In one version, the container has a clamshell configuration with an upper half pivotally mounted about a front edge on a lower half, and locking structure may be provided between the upper and lower halves. In a preferred embodiment, a top panel detachably mounts within the upper opening to convert the animal carrier to a luggage box, the panel being secured from the inside of the container. 
     The anchoring structure may include latching structure on the container bottom adapted to detachably couple the container to a top box support plate and including a quick-release latch that permits a user to detach the carrier from the top box support plate by actuating the quick-release latch. One option is to including a seatbelt loop on the exterior of the carrier enabling the carrier to be secured within a vehicle interior with a seatbelt. 
     A further animal carrier for use with a vehicle that has a top box support plate secured thereto comprises a container having a bottom and sides sized to contain a small to medium dog and having a top with an upper opening defined by edges. Latching structure on the container bottom is adapted to detachably couple the container to a top box support plate and includes a quick-release latch that permits a user to detach the carrier from the top box support plate by actuating the quick-release latch. 
     Another animal carrier for use with a vehicle disclosed herein comprises a molded container having a bottom and sides sized to contain a dog and having a top wall with an upper opening therein. The upper opening has a size to permit the dog to stick its head out and padding on the edges of the opening. The bottom of the container having a series of apertures for coupling the container to a vehicle-supported rack. A harness attaches within the container to retain the dog within the container interior. Finally, a top panel detachably mounts within the upper opening to convert the animal carrier to a luggage box, the panel being secured from the inside of the container. 
     One method disclosed herein is for replacing a vehicle luggage carrier with a small animal carrier, and vice-versa. The method includes first removing the luggage carrier from a support plate that is secured to the vehicle by actuating a quick-release latch and lifting the luggage carrier off of the support plate. A pet carrier attaches to the support plate by engaging latching structure on the bottom of the pet carrier with the support plate. The pet carrier has a container with a bottom and sides sized to contain a small to medium dog or other such domestic animal and having a top with an upper opening through which the dog or other animal can poke his/her head. Finally, the pet carrier is removed from the support plate by actuating a quick-release latch and lifting the pet carrier off of the support plate, and the luggage carrier re-attached to the support plate, engaging latching structure on the bottom of the luggage carrier with the support plate. 
     Another method disclosed herein enables conversion between a vehicle luggage box and a small animal carrier, and vice-versa. The method includes removing an upper panel from an upper opening in a luggage box to form a pet carrier, the pet carrier having a container with a bottom and sides sized to contain a small to medium dog or other such domestic animal and having a top with an upper opening through which the dog or other animal can poke his/her head. A pet harness is attached within the container of the pet carrier. Conversely, attaching the upper panel to the upper opening in the pet carrier converts it back to a luggage box. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of the present invention will become appreciated as the same become better understood with reference to the specification, claims, and appended drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view of a “top case” of the prior art, coupled with a support plate for fastening to a motorcycle; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial schematic view of the case of  FIG. 1  that shows the cover of the top case in partially raised position; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial schematic view from the inside of the lock mechanism of the top case in open condition; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are partial and section schematic views of the case of  FIG. 1 , with the mechanism for securing the case to the support plate in closed and half-open condition, respectively; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary small animal carrier of the present application for mounting on a vehicle showing a preferred height enabling a pet such as a small dog to project its upper body out of an upper opening; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the small animal carrier showing a number of exemplary dimensions; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the exemplary small animal carrier mounted to a support plate on a rear luggage rack of a bicycle; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the small animal carrier mounted to a support plate on a rear luggage rack of a scooter; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear elevational view of the small animal carrier maps to a support plate on a rear luggage rack of a motorcycle, with a rear wall of the carrier removed to illustrate a harness system within the carrier; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of one configuration for releasably mounting the small animal carriers described herein to a support plate that can be mounted to a variety of vehicles; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the small animal carrier similar to  FIG. 7  but showing an exemplary internal harness system in phantom, and  FIG. 12A  is a close-up view of an exemplary harness system; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a clamshell-type container that may be used to form the small animal carriers described herein; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative configuration of a small animal carrier including mounting hardware for mounting directly to a vehicle luggage rack; 
         FIGS. 15A-15D  are perspective views of a still further small animal carrier having an upper door for closing an upper opening to convert the animal carrier into a luggage box; 
         FIGS. 16A-16D  are various views of another small animal carrier with an upper door assembled over an upper opening so as to form a luggage box; 
         FIGS. 17A-17D  are various views of the small animal carrier of  FIGS. 16A-16D  with the upper door removed from the upper opening so as to convert the luggage box into the animal carrier; 
         FIGS. 18A-18D  are various views of a lower half of the small animal carrier of  FIGS. 16A-16D ; and 
         FIGS. 19A-19D  are various views of an upper half of the small animal carrier of  FIGS. 16A-16D . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention pertains to carriers for pets or other small animals. A “small animal carrier” or “pet carrier” refers to essentially the same thing, and though it is conceivable that a small animal that is not a pet could be transported by the carriers disclosed herein, most likely the animal is a pet such as a dog or cat. The carriers herein are therefore sized to contain a small to medium dog or other such domestic animal. 
     The present pet carrier desirably mounts to a rack such as a luggage rack of a vehicle, bicycle, scooter, or motorcycle. The term “vehicle” will be used herein to refer to all variations of devices for transport on which a pet carrier may be mounted, whether they be wheeled or otherwise. For example, the pet carrier could even be mounted on watercraft such as wave runners. The carrier may conveniently mount to existing hardware provided with an off-the-shelf luggage carrier, such as the type referred to most commonly as a “Top Box” or “Top Case.” More specifically, such Top Cases usually feature a lockable luggage carrier for helmets and the like which mounts to the rear of a motorized cycle. The carrier itself mounts to a support plate which is secured to the rear end of the cycle, such as to a rear luggage rack with rails. A mechanism below the luggage carrier latches to the support plate in such a way that it can easily be removed, though the support plate is typically bolted to the cycle and remains. The pet carriers of the present application may include a similar latching structure on their undersides which allows them to be secured to the existing support plate in place of the off-the-shelf luggage carrier. More details will be explained below. 
     An exemplary top case is shown in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0037277, which is assigned to Givi S.R.L., certain components of which are shown in  FIGS. 1-5  as described below. The US 2011/0037277 publication describes features of the MONOKEY® system found in the Givi E55 TECH 55 Liter case and the V46 TECH 46 Liter case. The MONOKEY® system allows the user to open and detach the motorcycle case from the fixing plate by means of one key. The four top manufactures of such Top Cases are Givi S.R.L. of Brescia, Italy, Coocase based in Singapore, Bestem USA of Tucker, Ga., and Piaggio &amp; C. S.p.A., based in Pontedera Italy. 
     Aspects disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0037277 regarding an exemplary latching mechanism for securing the top cases to the support plate that are applicable to the pet carrier herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Likewise, those of skill in the art will understand that the particular latching mechanism utilized may be modified per other top case latching systems, and the pet carriers may be provided with a number of different choices of latching mechanisms so as to mate with support plates of different manufacturers. Still further, the pet carrier may be sold with a mating support plate if the buyer does not already own a top case with its accompanying support plate. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a top case  10  suitable for coupling with motor vehicles includes any suitable type of container (i.e., luggage carrier) equipped with a body and a cover hinged together. The type shown is formed from a bottom shell  11  that makes the body of the case and a top shell  12  that makes the cover and hinged at the back to the bottom shell. The case is equipped at the bottom with a rigid base on which there are conventional means for removably attaching to a support plate  13  fixed to the motor vehicle. As shall become clear hereafter the attachment means generically comprise passive couplings, for example using a clasp, and a latch locking system, able to be actuated to allow a disengagement movement of the case from the passive couplings and allow the case to be removed from the plate. 
     The case is equipped with a handle  14 , which advantageously also makes thrusting means to actuate the opening of the cover, a key lock  15  and a button to release the case from the plate. Advantageously, the lock itself  15  can manage both the opening of the cover and the release button. Between cover and base there is a locking mechanism able to be controlled with suitable control means to move it from a first position holding the cover in closed position to a second position releasing the cover to allow it to be opened. 
       FIG. 2  shows a detail of the area of the lock, with the cover slightly open. In such a figure on the cover  12  it is possible to see a pair of hooks  19  that insert into suitable passages  20  on the edge of the bottom shell of the case to be suitably engaged by the locking mechanism. 
     In  FIG. 3  such a closing mechanism is shown, from the inside of the case, together with the part of the mechanism present in the cover and equipped with hooks  19 . In the figures possible protections that make the inside of the case and that protect the mechanisms have been removed. The locking mechanism comprises means  21  for partially shifting the cover from the base part that act positively on the closed cover at the passage of the locking mechanism from the holding position to the release position. 
     The shifting means comprises one or two rotation levers (or rotating forks)  21  oppositely inclined upwards and with open slots  22  that are intended, when the cover is closed, to each receive the bottom end of a respective clasp  19  (shaped with a suitable horizontal pin  23 ). When the cover is closed the hooks  19  rotate the levers  21  in a mirroring fashion, against the action of springs  24 , to push them towards a horizontal locking position. 
     From  FIG. 3  it is clear how such a rotation of the levers  21  is then maintained by a stop element  25  that allows the movement of the levers towards the release position to be locked or unlocked. Advantageously, the stop element is made with a rocker arm element  25  that rotates around a horizontal hinging axis  26 , thanks to the action of a spring  27 , to lock the return of the levers  21  towards the release position of  FIG. 3 . 
     To unlock the levers  21  and to open the cover there are control means that advantageously comprise a presser element  28 , pivoted at the same axis  26  as the rocker arm and that rests on the lower arm of the rocker arm to rotate it towards the position not interfering with the levers  21  when it is pushed towards the inside of the case (advantageously through a suitable push on the handle, as shall become clear hereafter). 
     Advantageously, there are spring means  17 ,  18  for pushing between cover and base part to increase the shift of the cover once unlocked. In particular, in the advantageous embodiment shown the cover is equipped with a slider  17  that is pushed to elastically project from the edge of the cover by means of springs  18 , so as to react against the corresponding edge of the bottom shell of the case. This makes it easier to move the cover open. 
     From  FIG. 3  it can be seen how the lock at the back actuates a rotary bolt  29  that has a radial projection  30  that, with the lock in closed position (not shown), goes into vertical position and prevents the possibility of the presser moving towards the rocker arm and unlocking the levers. The button  16  controls the sliding of a slider or sliding bolt  32  that in rest position holds the case on the plate, as shall be made clear hereafter. In the closed position of the lock he rotary bolt  29  also interferes with a projection  31  present on the back of the button  16 , so as to prevent it from moving and, consequently, to prevent the case from releasing from the plate by pressing on the button  16 . 
     Advantageously, the handle  14  for lifting the case can be rotated between a rest position, arranged built flush into the wall of the case, and an operative position only after the release of a suitable stop  33  that, when the lock is in unlocked position, is pushed to elastically bend by means of a projection  34  of the bolt  29 . A projection on the stop  33  guides the end of the stop to a release passage  35  located inside the handle  14 , so that the handle can rotate around a pivot  36  thereof thanks to the action of suitable spring means (not shown) and go into operative position withdrawn from the case. A known viscous retarder  37  is advantageously present to brake the movement of the springs and to make the movement of the handle better. The handle rests on the presser  28  to actuate it. Advantageously, the release of the handle takes place by rotating the key by an angle slightly greater than its stable open position. 
     The schematic sections shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  further clarify the operation of the mechanism made according to the principles of the invention. In  FIG. 4  the case is in closed condition attached to the support. The support is equipped with passive engagement means at the back of the case (not shown) and with a clasp  40  that engages in the slider  32  pushed by a spring  41 . The handle is in rest position, built flush into the wall of the case. In the condition with the lock closed, the rotary bolt  29  has the projection  30  locking the presser  28 . Moreover, the button  16  cannot be pressed to release the top case from the support due to the locking of the projection  31 . Advantageously, the slider  32  is suitably slideably connected to the button  16  to in any case allow the case to be attached even with the lock closed and the button locked. In order to open the top case it is necessary to turn the key (by 85° in the solution shown) towards the open position of  FIG. 3  to allow the rotation of the rocker arm and presser group in this way. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , it is thus necessary to press in the central area of the handle and in this way the handle rotates towards the inside of the top case and impacting with the presser  28  causes it to rotate. The rotating of the presser causes the same rotation of the rocker arm  25  that, in turn rotating towards the outside in its top part, frees the rotation levers  21  that, under the action of the springs  24  rotate and go from the horizontal position to the vertical position. 
     Going into vertical position, the levers force the hooks  23 , and consequently the cover fixedly connected to it, to move vertically and thus to open the case. In this way a first vertical movement of the cover is generated (equal to about 15 mm in the solution shown). The extent of such movement is determined by the shape of the rotation levers. 
     In order to make it easier for the cover to open, the slider  17  also intervenes, pushing on the edge of the case and increasing the space between base and cover. At the moment when the cover starts to open, the slider, thanks to the action of the springs  18 , cam slide downwards coming out from the cover and, acting upon the horizontal plane of the hinge, pushes the cover further upwards increasing the gap between cover and base (about 30 mm in the embodiment shown) to double to value of that generated by just the action of the rotation levers. If so desired, the gap between base and cover can be increased or decreased by acting upon the size of the levers and of the slider. 
     With opening complete, removing the pressure from the handle, the presser, the rocker arm and the handle return automatically into the starting position (the same one that they occupy when the hinge is closed), thanks to the action of the spring  27 . It is also possible to open the top case by making the handle come out from its seat (turning the key by 90° to unlock it) and then by pressing directly upon the presser, advantageously configured like a press key. The withdrawn operative position of the handle is shown with a broken line in  FIG. 5 . 
     In order to close the case it is sufficient to press the cover towards the closed position without needing to act upon any type of linkage. Indeed, by pushing the cover downwards, the bottoms ends of the hooks  19  engage the slots of the rotation levers  21  and force them to rotate downwards. In this rotation movement the rotation levers, thanks to suitable inclined planes, make the rocker arm and presser group rotate until they go back into the closed position. The closing of the case, given the type of mechanism described, can take place without distinction either with the key in closed or open position. In the open lock position ( FIG. 5 ) it is possible to press on the press-key  16  to release the case from the support plate. 
     Up to now the description of  FIGS. 1-5  has been with reference to a prior art Top Case mounting mechanism for securing the luggage carrier to a support plate secured to a motorized cycle. This is useful in understanding an exemplary configuration for mounting the present pet carrier to vehicles, though it should be noted that certain features of the pet carrier are useful independently from the particular mounting means, as will be described. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary small animal carrier  60  of the present application for mounting on various vehicles. The carrier  60  is shown having a preferred height H to enable a pet  62 , such as a small dog as shown, to project its upper body out of an upper opening  64 . In the exemplary embodiment, the carrier  60  comprises a generally rectilinear container  70  defined by a front wall  72 , a rear wall (not shown), two sidewalls  74 , a bottom  76 , and top wall portions  78  that surround the opening  64 . Preferably, the inner edges  80  of the top wall portions  78  are rimmed with padding such as a closed-cell foam. Because of the size of the container  70 , the pet  62  can stand on the bottom  76  with its four legs  82  resting on the padded edge  80 . In this way, the center of gravity of the pet  62  remains within the container  70 , while he/she can enjoy the sights and sounds of the ride from outside the container. Although a rectilinear container  70  is shown, other shapes are contemplated. 
       FIG. 7  shows the small animal carrier  60  with the pet removed and with certain preferred dimensions marked. The height dimension H from the bottom  76  to the top wall portions  78  is desirably between about 12-16 inches. A number of carriers  60  may be provided with different heights to accommodate different sized pets. A width dimension W is preferably between 10-12 inches, and more preferably about 11 inches, while a length dimension L may be between 12-18 inches, and preferably is about 15 inches. The upper opening  64  is defined by the top wall edges  80  forming a rectangle having a width dimension w of between 6-8 inches, and more preferably about 7 inches. The length dimension l of the upper opening  64  is desirably between 9-12 inches, and more preferably about 10.5 inches. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the container  60  comprises a clamshell-type arrangement with an upper half  90  hinged to a lower half  92 . The lower half  92  has generally axially-oriented walls, while the upper half  90  tapers slightly inward toward the top walls  78 . This helps lower the center of gravity of the entire carrier  60 , and also helps constrain the pet from excessive movement. A latch control panel  94  on the front of the lower half  92  preferably includes a latch mechanism therein for both securing the upper half  92  the lower half  92 , and for releasably mounting the container  70  to a vehicle-mounted support plate (not shown). An exemplary arrangement for both locking the two shell halves  90 ,  92  together and for locking the container  70  onto a support plate is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0037277 which has previously been incorporated by reference. Of course, if the container  70  is not a clamshell type, the latch control panel  94  may just include a latch mechanism for releasably mounting the container  70  to the support plate. Or, a clamshell type of container  70  could have two separate latches for both the hinged halves and for securing to the support plate. 
       FIG. 8  shows the exemplary small animal carrier  60  mounted to a support plate  100  on a rear luggage rack  102  of a bicycle  104 , while  FIG. 9  shows the same components mounted on a rear luggage rack  106  of a scooter  108 . Likewise,  FIG. 10  shows the carrier  60  mounted to the support plate  100  on a rear luggage rack  110  of a motorcycle  112 . The small animal carrier  60  of the present application can be mounted to any number of vehicles on which the support plate  100  can be affixed. For example, with slight modifications such as adding a luggage rack or other such horizontal platform, the carrier  60  can be mounted to a golf cart. Alternatively, as explained below, the small animal carrier  60  can be mounted directly to the luggage racks  102 ,  110  with appropriate hardware. 
     Although the small animal carrier is shown in the exemplary embodiments with its bottom mounted over a horizontal support plate  100 , a similar arrangement could be provided with the latching mechanism provided on the front wall for coupling with a vertical surface. Those of skill in the art will understand that with minimum modifications, the exemplary pet carriers  60  described herein can be mounted in any number of ways to any number of vehicles. 
     With reference still to  FIG. 10 , the rear wall of the carrier  60  is removed to illustrate a harness system  120  for securing the pet. The harness system  120  desirably includes a pair of straps  122  that each attached to an inner sidewall of the container  60 , and join together at a clasp or other such clip for connecting to a collar or other such restraint of the pet  62 . Further details of an exemplary harness system  120  will be described below. 
       FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of one configuration for releasably mounting the carrier container  70  to the support plate  100 , in this case to a bicycle  104  such as shown in  FIG. 8 . First of all, the support plate  100  preferably includes a plurality of apertures  130  therein through which support plate bolts  132  can be passed downward. The bolts  132  have sufficient length to extend through apertures  134  in the vehicle luggage rack  102  of the bicycle. The bolts  132  secure the support plate  100  to the luggage rack  136  through the use of matching nuts  138  and plate washers  139 . The plate washers  139  are sized relatively large to provide sufficient stability to the assembly. 
     On the upper side of the support plate  100 , one half of the latching structure is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the latching structure includes a pair of latch hooks  140  at the front end, and a release pin  142  on the rear end. The bottom  76  of the container  70  features the other half of the latching structure; namely, a pair of latching fingers  144  at the front end for mating with the latch hooks  140 , and a latching recess  146  at the rear end for receiving the release pin  142 . As mentioned above, the container  70  preferably includes a latch control panel  94  on its front wall. The latch control panel  94  conceals and operates a latching mechanism within the recess  146  for locking on to the release pin  142 . In this manner, the operator can use a key or other such actuator to unlock the container  70  from the support plate  100 . In a preferred embodiment, the operator need only engage the latch fingers  144  on the container  70  with the latch hooks  140  on the support plate  100 , and then pivot the rear end of the container downward until the release pin  142  engages a spring-loaded latch or other such device within the recess  146 . To remove, the operator need only turn a key or lever to disengage the spring-loaded latch and lift up the rear end of the container  70 . 
     It is important to emphasize that the pet carriers  60  described herein may be manufactured with unique support plates  100 , or may utilize support plates that exist for other vehicle accessories such as top boxes. For example, the latching mechanism described above for U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0037277 and shown in  FIGS. 1-5  can be utilized such that the container  70  mates with the support plate of a commercially-available top box; namely, the support plate  13  fixed to the motor vehicle as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this manner, a vehicle luggage carrier (e.g., top box) can be replaced with a pet carrier  60 , and vice-versa, by simply removing the luggage carrier from the support plate and engaging the container  70  of the pet carrier. As a result, the system described herein can be coupled to any “support plate” from any top box or the like manufacturer, including, but not limited to: Givi S.R.L., Coocase, Bestem USA, and Piaggio &amp; C. S.p.A. Additionally, and as will be shown below, the support plate or at least its function may be incorporated into any of the pet carriers described herein so that it may be mounted directly to the vehicle luggage rack or other such rigid support structure. 
       FIGS. 12 and 12A  further illustrate details of an exemplary internal harness system  120 . As seen in phantom in  FIG. 12  and in more detail in  FIG. 12A , the two straps  122  of the harness system  120  engage grommets  150  or other such fasteners mounted to the interior sidewalls of the container  70 . In one embodiment, the grommets  150  include projecting eyeholes or U-shaped loops. In a preferred embodiment, the outer ends of the straps  122  include leash clips  152  or other such devices for removably attaching to the grommets  150 . Further, the two straps  122  are secured at their middle ends and preferably attached to a ring  154  to which a collar clip  156  attaches. In this way, the harness system  120  can be secured on both sides within the container  70 , and also to a collar or other restraint on the pet. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a clamshell-type container  70  which includes upper half  90  attached to the lower half  92  at hinges  160 . A clamshell clasp  162  secures the two halves  90 ,  92  together. Preferably, the harness system  120  mounted within the lower half  92 . Furthermore, the two halves  90 ,  92  may be decoupled in the same operation that the entire container  70  is detached from the support plate. Alternatively, locking of the two halves  90 ,  92  together can be done separately to the step of removing the container  70  from the support plate. 
     Other options for the pet carriers described herein include a compartment for a leash, a compartment for doggie waste bags, and personal storage space area for the pet owner. For instance, a compartment  170  is seen in  FIG. 13  inside the lower half  92  of the clamshell container  70 . This also serves to deter thieves who might be afraid of the pet while in the carrier  60 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an alternative configuration of a small animal carrier  200  including mounting hardware for mounting directly to a vehicle luggage rack  202 . The carrier  200  may be constructed similar to those described above, and basically includes a container  204  with a bottom and surrounding walls, and an upper opening  206  which is preferably rimmed by padding. The container  204  is shown in phantom so that the anchoring structure for attaching to the luggage rack  202  is visible. The anchoring structure includes at least one and preferably two slotted plates, one plate  210   a  on the interior of the container  204  and a second plate  210   b  below the bottom of the container. The two plates  210  sandwich the bottom of the container in between and are connected together such as with adhesive, screws, or the like. The plates  210  rigidify the bottom of the container as well as providing a sturdy platform to which mounting hardware can be attached. 
     Both the plates  210  include a series of spaced lateral slots  212  distributed along the length of the plates. The slots  212  in the two plates  210  align so that bolts  214  can pass downward through the slots to extend below the luggage rack  202 . Hardware such as drywall anchors, J-bolts or the like  216  is then attached to the bolts  214  below the luggage rack and tightened so that the entire structure is firmly held on the rack. Of course, other mounting hardware is contemplated, and the illustrated embodiment should not be considered limiting. The slots provide a wide array of positions to place the fastening hardware to match a multitude of vehicle luggage racks  202 , but of course other apertures or hooks or the like could also be used. The term “anchoring structure” will therefore be used to encompass all manner of apertures or other structures for securing the bottom of the container  204  to a vehicle luggage rack or other such rigid support structure on the vehicle. Furthermore, a square hole  218  of approximately 2″×2″ may be provided in the plates  210  and the bottom floor of the container  204  to allow access to any pre-existing top box mounting plate. In all of these configurations, a flat panel or padding is included within the container to cover the slots or other apertures so that the pet has a solid floor. 
     In an alternative configuration, any of the pet carriers described herein could attach to a quick-release seat-post-mounted luggage rack, such as available from REI. With such an assembly, the luggage rack itself could easily be removed so that the vehicle could be converted from one that accommodates a pet carrier to one that doesn&#39;t. 
     In one aspect, the present application provides a method for retrofitting an existing pet carrier so as to be mounted on a vehicle as described. For example, the container  204  may be an existing commercial pet carrier, such as a small or medium-sized dog carrier or litter box. The upper opening  206  needs to be formed in the top wall of the container  204 , and preferably rimmed with padding. The two plates  210  which can be formed of plywood or similar material are positioned above and below the bottom floor of the pet carrier and secured together. Prior to attaching the plates  210 , slots need to be cut in the bottom floor of the container  204  that align with the slots in the plates. A harness or tether system  220  is then attached on the interior of the container  204 , such as by screwing grommets or eyeholes  222  into the wall of the container to which the harness attaches. Finally, the aforementioned bolts  214  and drywall anchors  216  are used to secure the assembly to a vehicle luggage rack  202 . 
       FIGS. 15A-15D  show a still further small animal carrier  230  having a clamshell configuration with an upper half  232  pivotally mounted about a lower half  234 . The carrier  230  desirably includes a hinged door  236  for closing an upper opening  238  to convert between its use as an animal carrier and its use as a luggage box. The upper half  232  pivots relative to the lower half  234  about hinges  240  therebetween at a front end of the carrier  230 . A lock  242  is desirably provided on the rear end of the carrier  230  to secure the clamshell closed. 
       FIG. 15C  shows the upper door  236  closed over the opening  238 , while  FIG. 15D  shows the door open. As seen in  FIG. 15B , the upper door  236  desirably pivots about a hinge  244  located at a rear edge of the opening  238 , enabling it to be swung out of the way to the rear of the container so as to be out of the way of the pet within the carrier  230 . Some form of securement such as opposed magnets  246 may be provided between the door  236  and the interior of the carrier  230  to maintain the door out of the way. Also, the door  236  can be closed and latched from the inside of the carrier  230 , such as by providing cooperating latches  248 . 
     In contrast to the pet carrier  220  illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the pet carrier to  30  is desirably molded of one or two separate pieces, with a reinforced floor  250  having a series of lateral slots  252  formed therein. The slots  252  provide through holes through which to pass fastening hardware to connect the pet carrier  230  to a vehicle luggage rack, as explained above. The slots  252  thus provide the “anchoring structure” securing the bottom of the animal carrier  230  to a vehicle luggage rack or other such rigid support structure on the vehicle. Preferably, the two halves  232 ,  234  are injection or rotational molded, or the entire assembly can be rotational molded in a single piece, although the benefit of having a clamshell configuration is lost. 
     One optional feature shown in  FIGS. 15C and 15D  is a seatbelt loop or opening  260  on the front end of the carrier  230 . This provides the option of placing the pet carrier  230  on the seat in the interior of the vehicle and securing it thereon with a seatbelt. In this way, the pet can still ride within the container with his or her head sticking out of the opening  238 , and the harness system (not shown) maintains the pet within the carrier. 
       FIGS. 16A-16D  and  17 A- 17 D are various views of another small animal carrier having a container  300  with an upper panel  302  assembled over an upper opening  304  so as to form a luggage box  306 . More particularly,  FIGS. 16A-16D  show the panel  302  assembled so as to create the luggage box  306 , while  FIGS. 17A-17D  show the panel removed to form a pet carrier  308 . The panel  302  may be hinged inward, as described above, or may be entirely removable. In either configuration, the panel  302  is desirably latched or locked from the inside of the container  302  to prevent anyone from being able to pry or pick it free.  FIGS. 18A-18D  are various views of a lower half  310  of the container  300 , while  FIGS. 19A-19D  show an upper half  312  of the container. 
     The container  300  includes hinge(s)  320  along a front edge between the lower half  310  and the upper half  312 , thus creating a clamshell configuration. Of course, as mentioned above, the entire container  300  can be rotational molded so as to form a single piece, with the upper opening  304  providing the point of entry. In the clamshell configuration, a locking structure  322  on the rear edges between the upper and lower halves  310 ,  312  enables the user to secure the upper panel  302  in place and lock the luggage box  306 . 
       FIG. 18C  illustrates a series of lateral slots  330  and a rectangular opening  332  in a bottom floor  334  of the lower half  310 . The slots  330  provide passage for hardware which can be used to secure the container  300  to a vehicle luggage rack. The rectangular opening  332  enables coupling to an existing support plate, such as those described above for Top Boxes. 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the words which have been used are words of description and not of limitation. Therefore, changes may be made within the appended claims without departing from the true scope of the invention.