Abstract:
A pet transporter that can be towed behind a wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The pet transporter comprises a carrier member, a frame adapted to receive the carrier member, a pair of side bows attached to the side walls of the carrier and to the frame, a pair of wheel assemblies attached to the frame on opposite sides of the carrier, and an attachment arm with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to be attached to the frame proximate the front wall of the carrier and the second end is adapted to releasably attach to a rear axle of a wheeled vehicle. The pet transporter has a low center of gravity, making tipping of the pet transporter more difficult. In addition, few tools are required to assemble and disassemble the pet transporter.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates generally to pet transportation devices. In particular, the invention relates to a pet transporter designed for a larger pet, such as a dog, that can be attached to a bicycle and towed behind the bicycle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Pet owners often desire to take their pets along with them when they are running errands, traveling, exercising, and so on, for many reasons including companionship, exercise and providing the pet with a change of environment. A pet can accompany the pet owner reasonably easily when in a car, but it is more difficult if the pet owner is using a motorcycle, scooter, ATV, bicycle or other such vehicle. Oftentimes, in particular, dog owners like to take their dog with them when they are bicycling. The dog may be able to keep up with the cyclist for a while, but eventually the dog may need a rest well before the cyclist is ready to stop. As a result, the cyclist may decide not to take the dog along on the ride, may overwork the dog, or make too many stops to be enjoyable for the cyclist. To this end, the owner may resort to using a pet transporter.  
         [0003]     Pet or dog transporter devices are known in the art. Such a device may make the cyclist&#39;s outing more enjoyable for both cyclist and pet. U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,646 to White entitled “Pet Carrier for Bicycle,” discloses a pet carrier that is affixed to a rack mounted above the rear wheel of the bicycle. The carrier has a cover such that the pet can be completely enclosed, or the cover may be opened such that the pet can extend its head from the carrier. However, due to the location of the carrier, the carrier can accommodate only a smaller pet.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,843 to Lazides entitled “Pet Mobile,” appears to disclose a pet carrier with a foldable handle and retractable wheels, the wheels in a down position when the carrier is to be moved by being wheeled about. U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,793 to Leader et al. entitled “Mobile Pet Carrier,” appears to disclose a cage-like enclosure that is mounted on a carriage with wheels and a handle, for pushing the carriage/enclosure combination. U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,425 to French entitled, “Pet Trailer,” appears to disclose a trailer adapted to be towed behind a car, and adapted for carrying pets such as dogs.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,874 to Ravin, entitled “Pet Carrier,” appears to disclose a pet carrier adapted for use with a bicycle or motorcycle. The carrier does not have a cover, but is open, and can be mounted on a rack above the rear wheel of the vehicle or can be towed behind the vehicle. The carrier includes a structure in the interior of the carrier, where the pet can be secured. U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,769 to Doyle et al. entitled “Pet Transporter for a Bicycle,” appears to disclose a pet transporter that includes an enclosed housing for the pet. Four wheels are releasably attached to the bottom of the housing, and an elongated member connects the housing to a bicycle chair mount. It appears that a number of tools are required to assemble and disassemble the pet transporter.  
         [0006]     A pet carrier mounted on a rack above the rear wheel of a bicycle limits the size of the pet that may accompany a cyclist to only a relatively small pet. This type of pet carrier is not designed for the owner of a larger pet. Other of the pet carriers are not designed to be towed behind a bicycle, but are used similar to a stroller and, therefore are not useful to a cyclist desiring to take a pet along on a bicycle ride. Yet other pet transporters that are designed to be towed by a bicycle may provide an open compartment for the pet, allowing road debris and mud to be kicked-up onto the pet by the rear tire of the bicycle. The open compartment may also tempt the pet to attempt to jump out of the compartment, thus potentially upsetting the carrier and the bicycle. Some pet transporters have a high center of gravity, which makes the transporter more prone to tipping, which may result in the bicycle also tipping over. In addition, some pet transporters attach to the bicycle at the seat post, which may cause the attachment arm to rub against the wheel when traversing uneven terrain, and cause the pet transporter and/or bicycle to tip. Further, some pet transporters are not easily assembled and disassembled for storage. Therefore, the transporter may take up storage space or may be time-consuming to assemble such that it is not used often.  
         [0007]     Therefore, there is a need for a pet transporter apparatus that addresses the various needs of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Although there exist a number of different types of pet carriers that a cyclist can utilize to bring a pet along on a cycling trip, there is a need for a lightweight multi-purpose pet transporter that can be easily assembled and disassembled with a minimum need for tools. In addition, when attached to the cycle in a towing position, the transporter should be stable, maneuverable, and provide an enclosed, safe and clean environment for the pet. When not in use as a transporter, the carrier member of the transporter should be available to be used as stationary carrier. The present invention is a pet transporter that is adapted to be towed behind a bicycle and hold a larger pet such as a dog. The carrier member of the pet transporter can be removed from the transporter frame and utilized as a standard sedentary dog crate or travel pet carrier. One embodiment of the pet transporter of the invention is described below in terms of use with a bicycle, however, with modification, the pet transporter can be used with other wheeled vehicles.  
         [0009]     The pet transporter of the invention comprises a dog carrier seated in a lightweight frame. Two tubular side bows, one on each side of the carrier, are attached to the side rails of the frame and snap into notches formed in the carrier. A cross bar traverses the width of the carrier through the interior of the carrier, extends beyond the side of the carrier, and is attached at either end to the two side bows, with one mechanical fastener per side. The connection between the side bows, rails, and cross bar keeps the carrier from shifting in the frame without being directly affixed to the frame. An attachment arm extends from the frame, forms approximately a 45-degree angle, and attaches to the rear wheel axle of the bicycle. Two wheel assemblies, one on each side of the transporter, fit into plates affixed to the frame.  
         [0010]     The pet transporter of the invention attaches to a bicycle at the rear wheel axle of the bicycle, providing for a low, stable attachment point. The placement of the attachment point reduces the possibility of the attachment arm grazing the rear tire, which could occur if the transporter was attached at the seat mount and, when traversing an uneven surface, the transporter dipped below the end of the bicycle. The two wheel structure, placement of the two wheels, and the placement of the carrier in the frame all provide for a transporter with a low center of gravity and good stability and maneuverability. The enclosed carrier prevents dirt and mud kicked-up from the road from reaching the pet inside.  
         [0011]     The pet transporter of the invention does not require many tools to assemble or disassemble, or to attach the pet transporter to the bicycle, and only a few mechanical fasteners keep the pet transporter together. When not in use, the carrier part of the pet transporter can be used as an ordinary dog carrier, or it can be stacked and stored. These and other features of the pet transporter will be described with more particularity hereinafter.  
         [0012]     Hence, the pet transporter of the invention can be towed by a bicycle or other wheeled vehicle, protects the pet from road debris, is not prone to tipping, stores compactly, and can be easily assembled and disassembled, such that the bicyclist or other-type vehicle operator would be more apt to use the pet transporter.  
         [0013]     The pet transporter of the invention, with the features described above and hereinafter, can be put to myriad uses including but not limited to taking a pet along on a cycling trip, transporting a pet to a park or while running errands, law enforcement use as part of the K-9 patrol, and use in search and rescue operations to transport a dog and equipment to a site. The following detailed description illustrates the use of the pet transporter of the invention in conjunction with a bicycle. However, the pet transporter of the invention can be modified to attach to various wheeled vehicles including, but not limited to scooters, motorcycles, ATVs, and the like.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the pet transporter attached to the back wheel of a bicycle.  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the bifurcated carrier member on the frame, with one carrier section stacked inside the other.  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of the lower carrier section on the frame, with the side bows attached to the lower carrier section.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the carrier member with the side bows attached.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a view of the cross-bar and a side bow.  
         [0019]      FIG. 6  is a view of the cross-bar attached to a side bow.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7  is a view of the mounting brace of the attachment arm assembly.  
         [0021]      FIG. 8  is a view of the extension of the attachment arm that is adapted for connection to a coupler.  
         [0022]      FIG. 9  is a view of the components of the attachment assembly.  
         [0023]      FIG. 10   a  is a view of the coupler.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10   b  is a view of the skewers.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a view of the attachment area of the attachment assembly and a rear wheel axel of a vehicle.  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a view of the carrier wheel assembly.  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a view of the wheel and wheel spindle.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a pet transporter  10  is shown in assembled form, attached to a bicycle and ready for use. Pet transporter  10  generally comprises a frame  20 , a carrier member  40 , a pair of wheel assemblies  100  (only one shown), and a bicycle attachment arm  60 . In this example embodiment, carrier  40  is seated snugly inside frame  20  such that no mechanical or other fasteners are required to maintain carrier  40  in contact with frame  20 .  
         [0029]     As best demonstrated in  FIGS. 1-4 , frame side rails  21  run along the length of carrier  40 , on both sides of carrier  40 , and back  22  and front  23  rails run along the width of carrier  40 . Hence, frame  20  circumscribes carrier  40 . Along the length of carrier  40 , frame side rails  21  are substantially parallel to side of the carrier  40 . In this example embodiment, front rail  23  and back rail  22  of frame  20  each form an elongated U-shape adapted to accommodate the bottom front of carrier  40 , and the bottom rear and the lower rim of the access aperture into interior of the carrier  40 .  
         [0030]     Frame  20  is constructed of tubing, and in this example embodiment the tubing is square tubing, although other types of tubing shapes and materials are contemplated. The tubing provides for a lightweight frame  20  that is more easily pulled by a bicycle (or a scooter, for instance), yet strong enough to hold carrier  40  with the pet inside. Varying types of tubing may be used for frame  20 , dependent upon weight the frame  20  must bear.  
         [0031]     Referring further to  FIGS. 1-4 , carrier  40  generally comprises a top surface  41 , a bottom surface  42  and four side surfaces  43  connecting the top surface  41  to the bottom surface  42 . Generally, carrier  40  is made of a plastic material, but is not limited to same. Optionally, top surface  41  can comprise snapping points or other attachment mechanisms adapted to receive a basket or other container (not shown), wherein the container is adapted to hold equipment, gear, groceries, and myriad other types of items that are also desired to be transported.  
         [0032]     Carrier  40  further comprises two pieces, an upper section  44  and a lower section  45 , a break in the side surfaces horizontally bifurcating carrier  40  such that the two pieces are separable. When in use, upper section  44  and lower section  45  are held together by a plurality of mechanical fasteners. Further detail of upper section  44  and lower section  45  structures and the method of releasably coupling the two sections are provided below. Side surfaces  43  include a front wall  46 , a back wall  47 , and two side walls  48 . Back wall  47  also comprises an aperture adapted to accommodate a door  49  for accessing the interior of carrier  40 . A door  49  can take various forms including, but not limited to a solid door with air holes or a door comprising a wire grate structure. A simple locking device, such as a pin or hook and loop, allows door  49  to be fixed in place on carrier back wall  47 . Optionally, a food container and/or a drink container can be affixed to the wire grate of door  49 , providing food and drink to the pet, yet keeping the containers secured in place.  
         [0033]     Carrier  40  further includes a plurality of openings  50 , openings  50  providing light, air and a view into and out of carrier  40 . When carrier  40  is not in use, upper section  44  and lower section  45  can be separated and stacked for more convenient storage. Door  49  to carrier  40  is removable and can be stacked inside one of the carrier sections.  
         [0034]     Carrier upper section  44  and carrier lower section  45  are releasably secured to one another via mechanical fasteners  51 . Mechanical fasteners  51  can include wing nuts and bolts, clamps, screws and the like. Upper section  44  of carrier includes a lip  52  extending horizontally from bottom of the upper section  44 , and the lower section  45  of the carrier has a lip  53  extending horizontally from the top end of lower section  45 . The lip of upper section  52  is affixed to the lip of lower section  53  with mechanical fasteners  51 . To accommodate the use of wing nuts and bolts, or screws and the like, the lip of the upper section  52  of the carrier and the lip of the lower section  53  of the carrier both contain a plurality of apertures. The apertures may not be required if another securing system, such as a clamping system, is used.  
         [0035]     The lip of upper section  52  and the lip of lower section  53  each contain a plurality of notches  54  cut into lips  52 ,  53 . Notches  54  of upper carrier section  44  align with notches  54  in lower carrier section  45  when the two sections are mated. Notches  54  in lips  52 ,  53  are adapted to hold sections of the side bows  55 .  
         [0036]     Referring generally to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the upper section  44  of the carrier further contains an aperture located on the upper end of each side wall  48  of the carrier, traversing the width of carrier  40 , the aperture adapted to receive a bar or tube. A cross bar  56  is passed through the two apertures, through the interior of carrier  40 . Cross-bar  56  has a mount  57  attached to each end of cross bar  56 . Mounts  57  can be made of rubber, metal, plastic or the like, but molded plastic is preferred. Cross-bar  56  ends extend beyond the two side walls  48  of the carrier, extending beyond the exterior side wall surface  48  of the carrier. One end of cross bar  56  is affixed to side bow  55  on one side of carrier  40  and the other end of cross bar  56  passes through the interior of carrier  40  and is affixed to side bow  55  on the opposite side of carrier  40 . Cross-bar  56  is affixed to side bows  55  by way of mechanical fasteners  58  such as screws, bolts and the like. Mechanical fastener  58  passes through side bow  55  and into plastic mount  57  and thus secures cross bar  56  to side bow  55 .  
         [0037]     Referring back primarily to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , pet transporter  10  further comprises two sides bows  55 , one on each side of carrier  40 . Side bows  55  are made of round metal tubing, preferably aluminum tubing. The ends of the tubes comprise plastic end pieces  59 , which allow for side bows  55  to be attached to frame  20  by mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, and the like. Side bow  55  extends vertically from rear side  48  of the carrier, and forms a concave arc as the tubing approaches the top of assembled carrier  40 . The tubing that makes up side bow  55  extends from the rear of carrier  40  towards the front of carrier  40 , along the side of carrier  40 . Proximate the top of assembled carrier  40 , the tubing curves downward and continues forward, still maintaining a concave arc. At the forward side  48  of the carrier, the tubing continues to curve downwards until the end of side bow  55  is attached to the forward part of frame  20 .  
         [0038]     As side bow  55  extends vertically towards the top of assembled carrier  40 , side bow  55  is snapped into mated notches  54  of upper section  44  and lower section  45  of the carrier, proximate rear side  48  of the carrier. Side bow  55  is also placed or snapped into mated notches  54  located proximate front of  46  the carrier, as side bow  55  curves downward towards front  46  of the carrier. Proximate the apex of curved side bow  55 , side bow  55  is affixed to cross bar  56  by a mechanical fastener. Two side bows  55  are affixed in this manner, one on each side of carrier  40 . Cross-bar  56  releasably connects two side bows  55 , and prevents carrier  40  from shifting in frame  20 . No other fixation methods are required to maintain carrier  40  in frame  20 . In addition, cross bar  56  acts as a roll bar, to provide protection to the top of carrier  40  and pet inside the carrier  40 , should pet transporter  10  tip over.  
         [0039]     Optionally, the side bows  55  may include a series of fasteners, such as snaps. The fasteners are adapted for use with various types of receptacles or bags, such as saddlebags. Theses bags can be attached to the side bows  55  and can contain clothes, supplies, groceries, and myriad other items the cyclist may want to take along on a trip or to transport.  
         [0040]     Referring primarily to  FIGS. 1, 3  and  7 , extending from one side of the front of frame  20  is an attachment arm assembly  60  that connects frame  20  to the bicycle. Attachment arm assembly  60  comprises a mounting brace  65  and a tubular elongated member  68 . Preferably, tubular elongated member  68 , or attachment arm  68 , is formed from square tubing, similar to the tubing comprising frame  20 . The tubular elongated member  68  (or attachment arm  68 ) has a first end  67  and a second end  69 . First end  67  of attachment arm  68  is pivotally attached to mounting brace  65 , and second end  69  of attachment arm  68  is releasably attached to the bicycle. Proximate second end  69  of the attachment arm, near the midpoint of attachment arm  68 , the attachment arm  68  forms an approximately 45 degree angle, and angles in front of carrier  40  to provide unobstructed attachment of pet transporter  10  to the bicycle without pet transporter  10  and bicycle grazing one another.  
         [0041]     Mounting brace  65  is comprised of a folded plate  64  and is affixed proximate the front end of frame  20 , on one side of frame  20 . Mounting brace  65  can be affixed to frame  20  by mechanical fasteners or by welding mounting brace  65  in place. Further, mounting brace  65  comprises a plurality of apertures.  
         [0042]     First end  67  of the attachment arm is pivotally attached to mounting brace  65  by a mechanical fastener  62  such as a nut and bolt and the like. Mechanical fastener  62  allows attachment arm  68  to pivot, such that attachment arm  68 , in an extended position, can be releasably attached to the bicycle. When attachment arm  68  is extended, a clevis pin  61  is inserted into an aperture forward of the pivot point, such that attachment arm  68  is locked in a forward position. However, when pet transporter  10  is not in use, attachment arm  68  pivots such that it can be folded back along and underneath frame  20 , along side carrier  40 , and strapped to frame  20 , compactly out of the way. Clevis pin  61  is moved to an aperture back of the pivot point, to secure the position of attachment arm  68  along frame  20 .  
         [0043]     Second end  69  of the attachment arm  68  is releasably attached to the bicycle by way of an attachment assembly  70  that attaches to the rear wheel axle  81 . Referring primarily to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the attachment assembly  70  comprises a spring-loaded insert  75  and a piece of round tubing  77 . Round tubing  77  is adapted for releasable connection to a coupler  79  that is also releasably affixed to bicycle rear axle  81 .  
         [0044]     Spring-loaded insert  75  allows for easier attachment of attachment arm  68  to rear wheel axle  81  and better flexibility when connecting to the bicycle. Spring-loaded insert  75  comprises a spring  71 , with a dowel  72  inserted in the curve at each end of spring  71 . Each end of spring  71  contains a rubber or plastic dowel  72  with at least one aperture. A first end of spring  74  is inserted into the end of attachment arm  68  and a mechanical fastener is inserted through an aperture proximate the end of attachment arm  68 , through the aperture in dowel  72  and through the opposite side of attachment arm  68 . Thus, the first end of the spring  74  is secured to attachment arm  68 . The mechanical fastener can be screw, a nut and bolt, a nut and bolt with an attached D-ring  73 , the D-ring  73  used to secure a safety strap  90  as described below.  
         [0045]     A second end of the spring  76  is inserted into a cylindrical tube  77 , cylindrical tube  77  comprising a plurality of apertures. The second end of spring  76  is affixed to the cylindrical tube by a mechanical fastener. Cylindrical tube  77  is attached to the end of attachment arm  68  via spring-loaded insert  75 , and becomes an extension of attachment arm  68 . A safety strap  90  with a plurality of apertures can be affixed to cylindrical tube  77  by using the same fastener that affixes the second end of spring  76  to the cylindrical tube  77 . The fastener passes through an aperture proximate a first end of the strap  90 , through cylindrical tube  77  and the second end of spring  76 . In another embodiment, safety strap  90  can be affixed to cylindrical tube  77  by a mechanical fastener and a separate aperture in the cylindrical tube. A second end of safety strap  90  can be wrapped around the rear frame of the bicycle and then clipped to the D-ring  73  located proximate the end of attachment arm  68  and the first end of spring  74 .  
         [0046]     As shown primarily in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a coupler  79  is releasably attached to rear wheel axle  81 , such that coupler  79  is adapted to accept attachment assembly  70 . Cylindrical tube  77  of attachment assembly  70  is releasably attached to the bicycle by way of coupler  79  that is attached to rear wheel axle  81 .  
         [0047]     Coupler  79  comprises at least two apertures; a smaller aperture  85  adapted to accept the shaft or skewer  87  of a quick-release hub, and a larger aperture  84  adapted to accept cylindrical tube  77  of attachment assembly  70 . Coupler  79  further comprises a clevis pin  88  with a flip safety wire. The handle of the quick-release hub  86  is pulled, thus releasing skewer  87 . The end nut  91  of the skewer  82  is removed and the skewer  87  is removed from the wheel. The smaller aperture  85  of the coupler is aligned with the wheel aperture left vacant by skewer  87 , and skewer  87  is replaced into the wheel by passing through the smaller aperture  85  in the coupler. The end nut  91  of the skewer  82  is replaced, screwed back into place, and the handle of the quick-release hub  86  is placed in the locked position, thus securing coupler  79  to the axle of the rear wheel  81  of the bicycle.  
         [0048]     Cylindrical tube  77  of attachment assembly  70  is releasably attached to coupler  79  by inserting cylindrical tube  77  through the larger aperture  84  of the coupler. Cylindrical tube  77  comprises a plurality of apertures, and at least two of the apertures are located diametrically across from one another. These two apertures are aligned with the apertures in the upright periphery  89  surrounding the larger aperture  84  of the coupler. Clevis pin  88  is inserted through the aligned apertures of cylindrical tube  77  and coupler  79 . The flip wire safety bail secures the linkage provided by clevis pin  88 . Hence, coupler  79  is secured to the bicycle wheel by skewer  87 , and attachment assembly  70  is secured to coupler  79 , thus securing attachment arm  68  to the bicycle.  
         [0049]     Referring primarily to  FIGS. 2, 12  and  13 , carrier wheel assembly  100  comprises a wheel  112 , a spindle  116 , an attachment plate  110  and a tire frame lock  120 . Wheel  112  attaches to attachment plate  110  located at rear side rail  21  of the frame, each attachment plate  110  being located on each side of frame  20  to accommodate a wheel  112  on each side of frame  20 . The following describes wheel assembly  100  on one side of frame  20 , which is duplicated on the other side of frame  20 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , two folded plates  104  are wrapped around frame side rail  21 , forming one integral attachment plate  110 . Plates  104  are secured to side rail  21  by way of a plurality of mechanical fasteners attaching the top surface of plates  104  to the top surface of side rail  21 . Two faces  111  of attachment plate  110  extend substantially perpendicularly down from the top surface of attachment plate  110  and the top surface of side rail  21 . The faces  111  of attachment plate  110  comprise a plurality of apertures.  
         [0050]     A tire frame lock  120  comprising a case  122  and a spring-loaded lever  126  is inserted into the interior of attachment plate  110 , between the attachment plate faces  111 . Tire frame lock case  122  comprises a plurality of apertures that traverse case  122 . A plurality of the apertures traversing tire frame lock case  122  are aligned with the apertures in the two faces of attachment plate  111 , and tire frame lock  120  is secured to the two faces of attachment plate  111  by mechanical fasteners such as nuts and bolts, screws and the like.  
         [0051]     A further part of wheel assembly  100  is wheel  112  and wheel axle  115 , where wheel axle  115  comprises a spindle  116  that extends beyond the side of wheel  112 . Spindle  116  further comprises a groove  117  formed around the circumference of spindle  116 . Spindle  116  is releasably attached to the exterior attachment plate face  111 , which is the attachment plate face  111  that faces out from pet transporter  10 . Spindle  116  is inserted into an aperture in the attachment plate face  111  that is also aligned with the larger, substantially center aperture  124  in the case of tire frame lock  122 . Spindle  116  is inserted until tire frame lock  120  clicks, a portion of the locking device clicking into groove  117  of wheel axle spindle  116 , thus securing wheel  112  to frame  20 . To release the spindle  116  from the tire frame lock  120 , the spring-loaded lever  126  is pulled, thus releasing the wheel  112 .  
         [0052]     One method of assembling pet transporter  10  is to first position lower carrier section  45  in frame  20 , then side bows  55  are attached to frame  20  and snapped into notches  54  in the lower section  45  of the carrier. Next, the upper section  44  of the carrier is mated to the lower section  45  of the carrier by mechanical fasteners, and side bows  55  are then snapped into notches  54  in the upper section  44  of the carrier. Cross-bar  56  is inserted through the two apertures in the upper section  44  of the carrier and the ends of cross bar  56  are affixed to side bows  55 , by one fastener each. Next, wheels  112  are releasably snapped into the faces of the plates  111  on frame  20 , and attachment arm  68  is unfolded and attached to coupler  79  that has already been releasably attached to rear wheel axle  81  of the bicycle. Other orders of assembly of pet transporter  10  are also contemplated.  
         [0053]     If frame  20  and side bows  55  remain attached while in storage, then when pet transporter  10  is to be used again, wheels  112  are snapped into face plates  111  on frame  20 , carrier  40  is placed in frame  20 , side bows  55  are snapped into carrier notches  54 , and cross bar  56  is attached to side bows  55 . Pet transporter  10  is then ready to be attached to the bicycle, once coupler  79  is in place.  
         [0054]     It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application can be utilized to suit particular circumstances and manufacturing needs. Various other modifications and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill. Although the pet transporter of the invention has been described in use with a bicycle, the various embodiments of the pet transporter of the invention described herein can be modified to attach to various vehicles including, but not limited to, scooters, motorcycles, ATVs and the like. In addition, although various embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed here for purposes of illustration, it should be understood that a variety of changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated without departing from either the spirit or scope of the present invention.