Abstract:
A portable pet carrier which can be folded flat for storage when not in use and which can be moved in a horizontal direction with the pet carrier removably attached to a rollable platform having a unique carrying handle rotatable to be at an angle to the pet carrier to permit the pet carrier to be transported from one horizontal location to another with the pet carrier remaining in a horizontal orientation to facilitate the pet&#39;s comfort during transportation. The pet carrier is also small enough and flexible enough to be retained under a passenger seat of an airplane.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This patent application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/893,259 filed on Oct. 20, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to the field of transporting animals, and in particular family pets, primarily dogs and cats, from one location to another. The present invention is particularly directed to the field of pet carriers which are used to retain and transport a pet such as a small dog or cat while a person is traveling from one location to another, especially on airplanes. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Pets, especially dogs and cats, having become loving members of families throughout the world. People frequently take their pet dog or cat with them while they are away on a trip for business or pleasure rather than putting the pet in a boarding kennel or in a veterinarian&#39;s facility. 
     In general, numerous types of carriers used to retain and transport a pet, primarily a small dog or cat, from one location to another are known. Some carriers have a floor and circumferential wall and top with a carrying handle with a closable opening through which the pet is put inside the carrier and then closed in a manner which retains the pet within the carrier. This type of carrier is most frequently used when taking the pet to a veterinarian&#39;s office or groomer&#39;s facility or when traveling with the pet in a car. The carrier is made of rigid material and is not foldable, so storage of the carrier when not in use requires sufficient unused space in a garage or storage shed to store the carrier. It is also difficult to bring the carrier onto an airplane. 
     Some carriers have been placed on wheels to facilitate transport but are usually too large to fit under a seat in an airplane. The carrying handle in such carriers is also rigid and requires the carrier to be rolled at an angle while the pet owner is pulling the rolling carrier, thereby leading to the pet&#39;s discomfort. 
     There is a significant need for a small pet carrier which solves many of the problems associated with prior art pet carriers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a portable pet carrier which can be folded flat for storage when not in use and which can be moved in a horizontal direction with a unique carrying handle and strong flat base to permit the pet carrier to be transported from one horizontal location to another with the pet carrier remaining in a horizontal orientation to facilitate the pet&#39;s comfort during transportation. The pet carrier is also small enough and flexible enough to be retained under a passenger seat of an airplane. 
     One key feature of the present invention pet carrier is a flat base which has four wheels of which the rear two wheels are heavy duty luggage wheels that rotate in a straight direction and the initial front two wheels are rotating wheels so that the platform can be rotated in any direction. A key innovation of the present invention is the flat rollable base onto which the carrier can be removably retained. 
     A second key innovation of the present invention pet carrier is an innovative handle which telescopes and can be rotated to a 45 degree angle relative to the flat base so that a person can be walking with the pet carrier removably attached to the flat base retained in a horizontal orientation relative to the ground as opposed to prior art pet carriers which have handles affixed along a rear surface of the pet carrier and cause the pet carrier to extend upwardly at an angle to the horizontal while it is rolled on the ground. In addition, when the pet carrier is not being transported from one location to another, the telescoping handle can be folded flat and rotated so that it is horizontally aligned with the underside of the horizontal platform and then rotated so that it is retained under the platform, both while the pet carrier portion is stored under a seat and for purposes of storage. 
     Another innovation of the present invention is that the pet carrier contains a strap having a pair of hook or loop strips on opposite sides of the strap so that the strap can be rotated around the bottom of the flat platform and fastened together under the flat platform to removably retain the pet carrier onto the flat platform. In addition, the pet carrier has a pair of spaced apart hook or loop fasteners on its bottom surface and the upper surface of the flat platform has a mating pair of spaced apart hook or loop fasteners which mate with a respective hook or loop fastener on the underside of the pet carrier to further removably retain the pet carrier onto the flat platform. 
     Another innovation is that the pet carrier can be folded flat against the horizontal platform with the strap and its hook and loop fasteners wrapped around the folded pet carrier and platform and fastened with the straps mating hook and loop fasteners so that the entire assembly is very flat and folds to less than four inches in width when in the unused condition to facilitate convenient storage. 
     The key innovative features of the present invention include: 
     1. A pet transport carrier where the carrier itself can be unfolded and rests on a flat horizontal base where it is affixed by a pair of mating hook and loop fasteners on the front and back and then a separate strap affixed to the bottom surface of the pet carrier that has mating hook and loop fasteners adjacent respective ends of the strap so that the strap is wrapped around the flat horizontal case and goes underneath the flat base to further secure the pet transport carrier to the flat horizontal base. 
     2. The flat horizontal base has a rotatable handle that can be rotated at an angle relative to the flat horizontal base and the pet transport carrier is affixed to the flat horizontal base for use so that a person can be pulling the flat horizontal base with wheels attached to the underside of the flat horizontal base and the pet carrier affixed to the flat horizontal base behind them without having the pet carrier moved at an upward angle which is uncomfortable for the pet. This unique feature enables the carrier to be rotated in a horizontal manner. 
     3. The handle is a telescoping handle which can be moved to a compressed state and then slid under a receiving telescoping member underneath the flat horizontal base and then the pet carrier can be folded flat and retained against the flat base in the unused condition so that it can fold flat to less than four inches. 
     4. The flat horizontal base has four wheels of which the rear two wheels are heavy duty luggage wheels that rotate in a straight direction and the initial front two wheels are rotating wheels so that the platform can be rotated in any direction. 
     5. Also, with the carrier removed, the platform itself can support a weight of 100 pounds so that a pack of water bottles, a pack of soda etc. can be moved with the flat cart. This is an ancillary benefit. 
     6. The pet carrier itself is also small enough so that it can fit under a coach passenger seat in a coach aircraft so that people who travel with pets can carry the animal on the plane and retain the pet such as a small dog or cat within the carrier. 
     Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and discussion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the flat horizontal base of the present invention which includes a telescoping handle extending at an angle such as 45 degrees to the flat horizontal base; 
         FIG. 2  is a close-up view of the telescoping handle having a first section which terminates in a transverse handle at its distal end and is connected to a second section at its proximal end which is connected to a third section which is connected to a rotation mechanism; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective detailed view of the rotation mechanism connected to the telescoping rotatable handle; 
         FIG. 4  is a the bottom plan view of the flat horizontal base with the telescoping handle rotated horizontally under the base and retained under the horizontal surface of the base by a telescoping sleeve, and then a flat horizontal base having four wheels affixed to the bottom surface of which two wheels are heavy duty luggage wheels that rotate in a straight direction and the front two wheels are rotating wheels so that a flat horizontal base platform can be rotated in any direction; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the flat horizontal base section having a top surface with a first hook or loop fastener attached onto the top surface and a spaced apart second hook or loop fastener attached to the top surface; 
         FIG. 6  is a left top perspective view of the pet transport carrier illustrating a ventilated rear section, a ventilated first sidewall and a top wall which retains a flap cover which is retained in a closed condition by a closing member such as a zipper; 
         FIG. 7  is a right top perspective view of the pet transport carrier illustrating a ventilated rear section, a ventilated section sidewall and a top wall which retains a flap cover which is retained in a closed condition by a closing member such as a zipper; 
         FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view of the pet transport carrier illustrating a ventilated rear section and a top wall which retains a flap cover which is retained in a closed condition by a closing member such as a zipper; 
         FIG. 9  is rear elevational view of the pet transport carrier illustrating the ventilated rear section removed to show a pet retainer across the rear opening; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the pet transport carrier when the zipper is opened illustrating the flap cover folded away so that access to the interior chamber of the pet carrier is facilitated; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the pet transport carrier when the zipper is opened illustrating the flap cover folded away so that access to the interior chamber of the pet carrier is facilitated and illustrating a soft interior bedding, also illustrating a collar clip to restrain a dog, and also illustrating a drink holder on the sidewall; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of the pet transport carrier attached to the flat horizontal base (also called a platform or dolly) with the telescoping handle at 45 degrees relative to the dolly, also illustrating a removable shoulder strap; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the pet transport carrier attached to the flat horizontal base (also called a platform or dolly) with the telescoping handle at 45 degrees relative to the dolly; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the pet transport carrier illustrating a pair of spaced apart hook or loop fasteners affixed to the bottom wall, a respective hook or loop fastener respectively aligned with a hook or loop fastener on the top surface of flat horizontal base to removably retain the pet transport carrier on the flat horizontal base, and a strap affixed to the bottom surface of the pet carrier used to further secure the pet transport carrier to the dolly, the strap in the closed condition; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates the bottom wall of the pet transport carrier having a strap with a pair of mating hook and loop fasteners adjacent opposite ends of the top surface of the strap so that the strap can be rotated so that it is rotated around the bottom of the flat horizontal platform and retained together by the mating hook and loop fasteners so that the pet transport carrier is further securely removably retained to the flat horizontal platform; 
         FIG. 16  is a front side elevational view of the pet transport carrier illustrating a container for dog treats; 
         FIG. 17  is a side perspective view of the pet transport carrier illustrating a seat belt strap for safe car travel; and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates the pet transport carrier having flexible sidewalls so that it can be folded flat against the flat horizontal platform and retained in a flat condition with the hook and loop fasteners wrapped around the pet transport carrier and mating under the lower surface of flat horizontal platform so that it can be easily stored and folds to less than four inches in width when in the unused condition. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a perspective view of the flat horizontal base or dolly  10  of the present invention which includes a telescoping handle  50  which extends at an angle such as 45 degrees to the flat horizontal base  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . As illustrated in the close-up view of  FIG. 2 , the telescoping handle  50  has a first section  52  which terminates in a transverse handle  54  at its distal end  56  and is connected to a second section  58  at its proximal end  57 . The first section  52  has a smaller diameter than the second section  58  and is retained in its extended condition by a transverse pin  62  extending through respective aligned openings in the first section  52  and second section  58 . When the transverse pin  62  is pushed inwardly, the first section  52  is pushed into and retained in second section  58 . The second section  58  has a rotatable mechanism  64  which enables the telescoping handle  50  to be rotated to the extended position illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The rotatable mechanism is illustrated in detail in the close-up view of  FIG. 3 . The rotatable mechanism  64  enables the telescoping handle  50  to be rotated to a horizontal position as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and then as illustrated in the bottom plan view of the flat horizontal base  10  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , is rotated horizontally under base  10  and retained under horizontal surface  14  of base  10  by a telescoping retaining sleeve  60  which in turn is retained by a first retaining member  66  and spaced apart second retaining member  68  with the transverse handle  54  adjacent the rotation member  64  which enables the second handle section  58  to be rotated to the angled orientation illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The second section  58  is connected to a third telescoping section  48  which again has a pin  49  which keeps the two sections  58  and  48  apart. The end of third section  48  is connected to a rotatable mechanism  64  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Third section  48  is attached to the rotatable mechanism  64  which enables the telescoping handle  52  to rotate to the extended position as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . 
     Further referring to  FIG. 4 , a key feature of the present invention is the bottom surface  14  of the flat horizontal base  10  having four wheels affixed to the bottom surface  14  of which the rear two wheels  70  and  72  are heavy duty luggage wheels that rotate in a straight direction and the initial front two wheels  74  and  76  are rotating wheels so that a flat horizontal base platform  10  can be rotated in any direction. A key innovation of the present invention is the fact that there is a flat horizontal base  10  on which the carrier can be retained. 
     As discussed, the second key innovation which is shown in  FIG. 1  and later in  FIGS. 12 and 13  is the innovative handle  50  which telescopes and can be rotated to a 45 degree angle so that a person can be walking normally and the flat horizontal base can be pulled on a flat surface without having to have the flat horizontal base platform  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated a top plan view of the flat horizontal base section  10  having a top surface  16  with a first hook or loop fastener  6  attached onto the top surface  16  and a spaced apart second hook or loop fastener  8  attached to the top surface  16 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , there is illustrated top perspective views of the pet transport carrier  100  having a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls  102  with ventilation portion  102 A and  104  with ventilation portion  104 A and a top wall  106  which retains a flap cover  108  which is retained in a closed condition by a closing member such as a zipper  110 . When the zipper  110  is opened, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the flap cover  108  is folded away so that access to the interior chamber  112  is facilitated. The pet such as a small dog or cat is placed in the interior chamber  112  which is surrounded by the sidewalls  102  and  104 , the top cover  106 , the flap cover  108  and bottom wall  114 . The size of the pet transport carrier  100  is small enough to fit under a passenger seat in an airplane so that an owner can travel with the owner&#39;s small dog or cat. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the rear wall  126  has a screen section  128  to provide further ventilation, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the screen section  128  can be folded down and a cross-pet retainer  125  preventing the pet from coming out of the rear opening  123 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 14  there is illustrated a bottom plan view of the pet transport carrier  10  illustrating another innovation of the present invention with a pair of spaced apart hook or loop fasteners  118  and  120  affixed to bottom wall  114 . A respective hook or loop fastener  118  and  120  is respectively aligned with a hook or loop fastener  6  and  8  on top surface  16  of flat horizontal base  10  to removably retain the pet transport carrier  100  on the flat horizontal base  10 . 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the bottom wall  114  of the pet transport carrier  100  has a strap  130  with a pair of mating hook and loop fasteners  134  and  136  adjacent opposite ends of the top surface  132  of the strap  130 . The strap  130  can be rotated so that it is rotated around the bottom  14  of the flat horizontal platform  10  and retained together by the mating hook and loop fasteners  134  and  136  so that the pet transport carrier  100  is further securely removably retained to the flat horizontal platform  10  when it is in motion. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the pet transport carrier  100  has flexible sidewalls  102  and  104  so that it can be folded flat against the flat horizontal platform  10  and retained in a flat condition with the hook and loop fasteners  132  and  134  wrapped around pet transport carrier  100  and mating under the lower surface  114  of flat horizontal platform  10  so that it can be easily stored and therefore, folds to less than four inches in width when in the unused condition. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the pet transport carrier  100  when unfolded rests on the flat horizontal base  10  where it is the removably affixed by a pair of mating hook and loop fasteners  118 ,  120 ,  6  and  8  on the front and back lower surface  114  of the pet transport carrier  100  and top surface  12  of the flat horizontal platform  10  and then the separate strap  130  that goes underneath the flat horizontal base or platform  10  with a telescoping handle  50  that is rotated at an angle for use so that a person can be pulling the rolling combination pet transport carrier  100  and flat horizontal platform  10  behind them without having the pet transport carrier  100  moved at an upward angle which is uncomfortable for the pet. This unique feature enables the carrier to be rolled in a horizontal manner on a flat surface. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the pet transport carrier  100  has a front wall  140  which has a larger zipper pocket  150  for treats, dog bags, etc. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the interior of the pet transport carrier  100  includes comfort bedding  160  and a collar clip  170 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the pet transport carrier  100  also has a beverage holder  180  retained on an exterior wall such as  102 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the pet transport carrier  100  has a removable shoulder strap  182  for carrying the pet inside. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pet transport carrier  100  also includes a seat belt strap  190  for safe car travel. 
     The telescoping handle  50  can be folded to be retained under the flat horizontal base  10  and then slid under a receiving telescoping member  57  underneath the flat horizontal base  10  and then the pet transport carrier  100  can be folded flat and retained against the flat horizontal base  10  in the unused condition as previously described so that it can fold flat to less than four inches. 
     With the pet transport carrier  100  removed, the flat horizontal platform  10  itself can support a weight of 100 lbs so that a pack of water bottles, a pack of soda etc. can be moved with the rolling flat horizontal platform  10  and pulled by the telescoping handle  50 . This is an ancillary benefit. 
     When removed from the flat horizontal platform  10 , the pet transport carrier  100  in the unfolded condition and retaining the pet is also small enough so that it can fit under a seat in a coach aircraft so that people who travel with pets can carry the animal on the plane and retain the pet such as a small dog or cat within the carrier. By way of example, the pet transport carrier  100  in the unfolded condition can be 18 inches long, 10 inches wide and 10 inches high. 
     Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.