Abstract:
An inflatable pet cage, including a top member, a bottom member, and a plurality of inflatable wall members. The wall members have interior sides and exterior sides, with one of the inflatable wall members forming an entrance member.

Description:
This Application claims benefit to Provisional Application No. 60/132,209 filed May 3, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to pet cages and more particularly to an inflatable pet cage which includes side walls which conform to the shape of their surroundings. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Pet cages and carriers of various size and shape exist. A common example is the pet transport cages which are used by common carriers such as airlines. These pet transport containers are generally rectangular in shape and are usually formed from rigid plastic. These pet carriers/cages are generally formed of two parts, a top and a bottom, which may be separated about the middle circumference. The two parts of these carriers are fastened together by fastening devices at intervals about their periphery. The door of the carriers is normally made of rigid wire crossed bars and the sides and/or rear walls may have openings with crossed bars for ventilation. These carriers are designed to provide protection for the pet and to prevent any damage to the carrier and consequently the pet contained therein. These carriers may include a carrying handle. Owing to their rigid construction, these containers cannot conform to different surroundings and occupy a large space. 
     Other currently existing carriers include designs which appear as large utility or tote bags. These pet carriers are formed from light weight material attached to a rigid frame structure. The rigid frame structure of these containers prevents these containers from conforming to their surroundings. Additionally, the light weight material used in forming these carriers does not provide much comfort or protection to the animal contained within. 
     Additional pet carriers/cages known in the art include many collapsible type pet carriers/cages which have rigid walls which are collapsible. Pet cages of this type are bulky and heavy to carry. Owing to their rigid construction, these containers cannot conform to different surroundings and occupy a large space. 
     What is needed in the art is a collapsible pet cage/carrier which is light weight and easy to transport, which can conform to different surroundings and which provides adequate protection and comfort to a pet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to improve upon the aforementioned pet cage/carriers wherein it is desired to provide a pet cage which is collapsible, is light weight and easy to carry, which can conform to different surroundings and which provides comfort and protection to a pet. 
     The present invention comprises a pet cage which is formed from inflatable walls. 
     The inflatable pet cage includes a housing having rigid top and bottom panels attached to inflatable side panels. The top and bottom panels allow the housing to be stable when the cage is inflated and in use and provide for protection and encapsulation of the side panels when the cage is deflated to form a “suitcase” configuration. Handles are provided on one side of the top and bottom panel for carrying purposes. 
     The side panels are inflatable, readily allowing the suitcase to be passed through a smaller opening such as a car door or in between seats prior to inflating the cage to its full dimensions. The sides of the cage are comprised of baffled inflatable compartments protected by an overlay of protective fabric to prevent puncture. The flexible sides also allow the cage to conform to cramped spaces in which a rigid shape would not fit. When compressed into its suitcase configuration the cage can be easily stored and transported. 
     Light and ventilation are provided by wire mesh panels encapsulated in the upper portions of the cage sides. Access is provided through a zipping flap on one end. The cage can be secured inside a car by passing the seat belts through the restraining loops in the cage&#39;s side and bottom and anchoring them. The cage is inflated through an air valve on either end. The cage is deflated by opening the air valves, allowing some air to escape, interlocking the hinges on the side opposite the handles, and compressing the cage. This forces the air out as a bellows would and allows the top to be secured by latches passing through the restraining loops. The cage then resembles a suitcase and can be stored or carried as such. 
     The invention, in one form thereof, comprises an inflatable pet cage which includes a top member, a bottom member and a plurality of inflatable wall members. The inflatable wall members have interior sides and exterior sides, and a plurality of sections of protected fabric may be provided to cover the interior sides of these wall members. The protective fabric utilized is a material which is light weight and which is not susceptible to puncture. 
     The invention, in another form thereof, comprises an inflatable pet cage. In this form, the inflatable pet cage includes a top member which is rigid in construction and which has a first side and a second side. The inflatable pet cage further includes a bottom member which is rigid in construction and which has a first side and a second side. In one form of the invention, the inflatable pet cage includes an interlocking hinge member which includes a first interlocking member and a complementary interlocking hinge member. The first interlocking hinge member and the complementary interlocking hinge member are selectively rotatably engagable. The first interlocking hinge member is affixed to the first side of the top member and the complementary interlocking hinge member is affixed to the first side of the bottom member. 
     In one form of the current invention, the inflatable pet cage includes a pair of carrying handles. One of the pair of carrying handles is affixed to the second side of the top member while the other of the pair of carrying handles is affixed to the second side of the bottom member. The inflatable pet cage of the current invention further includes an end member which is selectively inflatable and selectively collapsible. The end member includes baffles which assist in the inflation of the end member. The end member is fixedly attached to the top member and to the bottom member. The inflatable pet cage further includes a pair of side members which are selectively inflatable and selectively collapsible. The side members also include baffles which assist in the inflation of the side members. The side members are fixedly attached to the top member and to the bottom member. 
     In one form of the current invention, a first air valve is connected to the end member. The first air valve is in fluid communication with the end member baffles and the side member baffles. The first air valve is selectively actuatable between an open and a closed position. 
     The inflatable pet cage of the current invention further includes an entrance member which is selectively inflatable and selectively collapsible. The entrance member includes baffles which assist in the inflation of the entrance member and which are in fluid communication with the first air valve. The entrance member is fixedly attached to the top member and to the bottom member. The entrance member has a hole which defines an entrance passage. 
     In one form of the current invention, a second air valve is provided which is connected to the entrance member. The entrance member baffles, end member baffles and side member baffles are all in fluid communication with the second air valve. The second air valve is selectively actuatable between an open and a closed position. 
     The inflatable pet cage of the current invention further includes an entry flap formed from a protective fabric, which entry flap has a base. The entry flap base is fixedly attached to the entrance passage. The protective fabric which forms the entry flap is a fabric material which resists puncture. A zipper is attached to the entry flap and to the entrance member, whereby closing the zipper closes the hole which forms the entrance passage. 
     In one form of the current invention, a wire mesh window is provided. The wire mesh window may be disposed within either of the pair of side members which form the inflatable pet cage. 
     An advantage of the present invention is the ability to provide a pet cage which is small, light weight and portable, and which can conform to cramped spaces in which the cage may be placed. 
     Another advantage of the present invention is the ability to provide a small, light weight and collapsible pet cage which provides protection and comfort to the pet by utilizing inflatable walls which are not susceptible to puncture. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inflatable pet cage of the current invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inflatable pet cage of the current invention in a partially collapsed position in which the interlocking hinges are not engaged; 
     FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the inflatable pet cage of the current invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inflatable pet cage of the current invention in its collapsed form; and 
     FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the inflatable pet cage of the current invention shown installed in the back seat of a car. 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an inflatable pet cage  10 . Inflatable pet cage  10  includes rigid top and bottom members  12 ,  14  and side members  16 . Side members  16  are selectively inflatable. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates inflatable pet cage  10  in a partially collapsed position. As illustrated, the walls of inflatable pet cage  10  have fold lines to ease the transition from the inflated position of the pet cage to the deflated position. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 3, a first interlocking hinge member is affixed to an end of top member  12 . A complementary interlocking hinge member is affixed to bottom member  14 . The first interlocking hinge member and the complementary interlocking hinge member are selectively rotatably engagable to form interlocking hinge member  18 . In this way, interlocking hinge member  18  can be rotatably engaged and the opposing ends of top member  12  and bottom member  14  may be brought together in an effort to expel the air from the inflatable walls of inflatable pet cage  10 . FIG. 4 illustrates inflatable pet cage  10  in its fully closed position. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, air valve  22  is connected to entrance member  24  and is in fluid communication with interior baffles which form a part of entrance member  24 , side members  16 , and the end member (not shown). As illustrated, entrance member  24  includes a hole which forms entrance passage  26 . Entry flap  28  has a base which is fixedly attached to entrance member  24 . Wire mesh window  32  is disposed within side member  16 . Carrying handles  20  are affixed to both top member  12  and bottom member  14  and allow for ease in carrying the inflatable pet cage in its collapsed configuration. Closure latches  36  may be actuated to engage seat belt retaining loops  34  and retain inflatable pet cage  10  in its closed position upon deflation of the inflatable walls. Seat belt retaining loops  34  additionally may be utilized to anchor inflatable pet cage  10  in the seat of an automobile. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 5, inflatable pet cage  10  may be placed in an automobile back seat and inflated. Since inflatable side members  16  are not rigid, they will conform to the configuration of the seat in which inflatable pet cage  10  is placed. Zipper  30  may then be actuated to allow entry flap  28  to be moved and access to entrance passage  26  obtained. The inflatable pet cage may be easily loaded into a vehicle prior to inflation, anchored to the seat utilizing seat belt retaining loops  34 , and be subsequently inflated. In this way, inflatable pet cage  10  can provide a safe and comfortable environment for a pet during travel while eliminating pet mess in the automobile. 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.