Abstract:
A level folding enclosure is provided for the secure containment and transport of a household pet. Self-tensioning, self-guided, frame members allow for the easy and taut assembly of the rigid support frame. Level folding allows for easy storage and transport when not in use. The frame is assembled and used within a machine washable fabric cover. Tent-style stake peg loops on the exterior corners of the cover and zipper locks ensure the pet&#39;s safety and well being. The fabric cover includes numerous pockets and retention devices for the storage of pet supplies. Access to the enclosed pet is possible through three sides of the six sided enclosure. For convenience a carrying case is provided.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a collapsible pet enclosure and carrier and more specifically to a self-tensioning, level folding pet enclosure and carrier. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   People love pets. From personal protection to companionship, pets play an important role, in what is reported to be, more than half the households in America. In fact, often pet owners consider their pet part of the family. This devotion to the family pet, had led to an increase in pet travel; owners are simply demanding that their pets can travel with them, whether it be to the neighbor&#39;s house or on the family vacation. Unfortunately, many existing, non-collapsible pet enclosures and carriers are large, heavy, and cumbersome. 
   Existing portable pet carriers have multiple parts and are difficult to assemble efficiently. Typically, a rigid frame resides within a ballistic nylon cover. The nylon has very little give, so assembling the frame within the nylon cover can be difficult, requiring significant force. Additionally, in their collapsed state, existing pet enclosures fold to an uneven, awkward shape, making storage inconvenient, and adding an increased risk of damage, with supporting frame members left vulnerable. Also common in previous designs, is the joining of two support members mid-way between a span. This design creates a structurally weak point should a load be applied to the support members, creating a possible dangerous situation for the pet inside. 
   Therefore, there exists a need for a self-tensioning, level folding, collapsible pet enclosure and carrier. Not only should the pet carrier be comfortable for the enclosed pet, it also needs to safely accommodate the enclosed pet, and be convenient for the owner. This new invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems and accomplish this. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a collapsible pet enclosure for the containment and transport of a pet. The collapsible enclosure and carrier is easy to assemble with self-tensioning, self-guided frame members and rounded trapezoidal side trusses that provide a very structurally secure frame. Support members are of a unitary construction, and fold to a level configuration for ease of storage. The frame is enclosed within and supports a removable fabric cover. The fabric cover is easily removed and machine washable. Additionally, the fabric cover has numerous removable flaps that, upon removal of these flaps, a woven mesh is revealed. The woven mesh serves to both ventilate the enclosure and allow the pet to see out and as well as the owner to see in. Numerous pockets and retention devices are also provided on the cover for pet accessories, along with a carrying case for transport of the collapsed carrier. 
   For the pet&#39;s safety, zipper clips are provided to lock zippers in their closed position in order to prevent the pet&#39;s escape, and anti-tip stake loops are fashioned along the bottom panel to allow the pet enclosure and carrier to be secured to the ground. Once staked to the ground, the enclosed pet will not be able to tip the enclosure. 
   It has many of the advantages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new pet enclosure which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   In accordance with the invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible, pet enclosure and carrier that includes self-tensioning, self-guided frame members, which allows for ease of assembly. 
   It is another object of this invention to provide a structurally sound, collapsible pet enclosure and carrier with unitary support members and rounded trapezoidal support trusses capable of providing secure containment of a pet. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a level folding, collapsible, pet enclosure and carrier allowing convenient storage, and minimizing risk of damage to integral parts. 
   The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a left side perspective view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a back view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a left side view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a right side view of the present invention illustrating the woven ventilating mesh when the fabric flap is open; 
       FIG. 6  is a right side view of the present invention illustrating the closed position of the fabric flap; 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the present invention illustrating the woven ventilating mesh when the fabric flap is open; 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of the present invention illustrating the closed position of the fabric flap; 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of the rigid frame (fabric cover omitted) and the cushioning comfort pad; 
       FIG. 11  is a side perspective view of only the rigid frame; 
       FIG. 12  is a side perspective view of the rigid frame illustrating the self-tensioning strut members in their unlocked position; 
       FIG. 13  is a side elevation view illustrating the rigid frame in its folded position; 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the locking guide; 
       FIG. 15  is a front and back view of the rigid frame; 
       FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of the present invention in its collapsed state; and 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the present invention conveniently stored in its carrying case. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Looking at  FIGS. 1-9  the present invention, a soft crate pet enclosure and carrier  2  comprises a washable, synthetic fabric, cover  4 , preferably made of ballistic nylon. In its assembled or use-position the pet enclosure  2  is in a generally rectangular box configuration with a front panel  6 , a first side panel  8 , a rear panel  10 , a second side panel  12 , a top panels  14 , and a bottom panel  16 . Each corner of fabric cover  4  is reinforced with an additional fabric patch  18 , such that a patch  18 , resides at the vertex of any three panels of pet enclosure  2 . 
   Looking at  FIG. 2  it can be seen that rear panel  10  includes a first pocket  20 , which is useful for holding personal items and pet accessories. 
   Access to the interior of pet enclosure and carrier  2 , is available through front panel  6 , first side panel  8 , and top panel  14  through three recloseable openings. Illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a first recloseable opening  22  is centrally located on first side panel  8 , such that each edge of the first recloseable opening  22  is bordered by a strip of fabric cover  4 . First recloseable opening  22  is stitchedly affixed along a single edge to fabric cover  4  and releasably affixed to fabric cover  4  via a zipper  24  along its remaining edges. First recloseable opening  22  is comprised of woven ventilating mesh  26 , which not only aids in the ventilation of pet enclosure and carrier  2 , but also allows the enclosed pet to see out of pet enclosure and carrier  2  while allowing the owner or keeper to view the enclosed pet. In the present invention a hook-and-loop fastener  28  is employed to secure the woven ventilating mesh  26 , once it as been unzipped. One portion (i.e., either the hook or loop) of the hook-and-loop fastener resides on fabric cover  4 , along the single, stitchedly attached edge of first recloseable opening  22 , while its matingly engageable counterpart resides along the interior of woven ventilating mesh  26 . This configuration allows for the woven ventilating mesh  26  to be rolled-up (once unzipped) and secured along the single stitchedly attached edge of first recloseable opening  22 . In addition to the first recloseable opening  22 , a second recloseable opening  30  is located on front panel  6  (See  FIG. 4 ) and a third recloseable opening  32  is located on top panel  14  (See  FIG. 7 ). The second recloseable opening  30  is attached and employed with the above described configuration. 
   Often, friskier pets can pry open zippers from inside a pet enclosure. For convenience and safety, zipper retention clips  34  are provided both on front panel  6  and first side panel  8 . The pull tab portion of zipper  24  has an orifice there through so that it can be enclosed with the retention clips thereby making unzipping of first recloseable opening  22  and second recloseable opening  30  impossible. 
   Third recloseable opening  32  ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ) has a first fabric flap  36 , covering the woven ventilating mesh  26 . First fabric flap  36  is stitchedly attached along a single edge to fabric cover  4 , and secured to the ventilating mesh  26  via a hook-and-loop fastener  28 . One portion (i.e., either the hook or loop) of the hook-and-loop fastener resides on the inside surface of fabric cover  36 , while its matingly engageable counterpart resides along ventilating mesh  26 . Additionally, another matingly engageable hook-and-loop fastener  28  resides on fabric cover  4  along the stitchedly attached edge of first fabric flap  36 . This configuration allows for the first fabric flap  36  to be rolled-up (once unfastened from woven ventilating mesh  26 ) and secured along the single stitchedly attached edge of third recloseable opening  32 . Third recloseable opening  32  is unlike first recloseable opening  22  and second recloseable opening  30  in that woven mesh  26  cannot be rolled up and secured along the single stitchedly attached edge of third recloseable opening  32 . Handles  54  are stitchedly affixed to top panel  14  to facilitate carrying of pet enclosure and carrier  2 . 
   Looking a  FIGS. 5-6 , second side panel  12  can be seen. Second side panel  12  is designed for the pet owner&#39;s or keeper&#39;s convenience. A second pocket  38  can also be seen. Like first pocket  20 , second pocket  38  is ideal for pet accessories or personal items. A pouch  40  is also visible, ideal for the storage of larger items such as a pet brush or water bottle. For even larger items an elastic retention strap  42  is also provided. Retention strap  42  is stitchedly affixed only at its two ends. Since retention strap  42  has an elastic portion  44  large items can be securely held within retention strap  42  as is well know in the art. 
   An orifice  46  reinforced with a grommet is also visible. Orifice  46  allows for an enclosed pet&#39;s leash to be secured outside of the pet enclosure and carrier  2 , without opening the pet enclosure and carrier  2 . The leash is simply threaded through the orifice  46  and secured to any suitable object outside of pet carrier and enclosure  2 . 
   Also visible on second side panel  12  and first side panel  8  are retention loops  48 . In the present invention two retention loops reside along the edge where first side panel  8  and bottom panel  16  meet, and two additional retention loops  48  reside along the edge where second side panel  12  and bottom panel  16  meet. These four retention loops are designed to receive stakes thereby securing the pet enclosure and carrier  2  firmly to the ground. This is ideal for outdoor pet competitions or even camping. 
   Visible in  FIG. 5  is a window  50 , comprised of woven ventilation mesh  26 . Window  50  is stitchedly attached along all its edges to fabric cover  4 . Window  50  has a second fabric flap  52 , covering the woven ventilating mesh  26  and secured to the ventilating mesh  26  via a hook-and-loop fastener  28 . One portion (i.e., either the hook or loop) of the hook-and-loop fastener resides on the inside surface of second fabric flap  52 , while its matingly engageable counterpart resides along ventilating mesh  26 . Additionally, another matingly engageable hook-and-loop fastener resides on fabric cover  4  along the stitchedly attached edge of second fabric flap  52 . This configuration allows for the second fabric flap  52  to be rolled-up (once unfastened) and secured along one stitchedly attached edge of window  50 . It should be noted that the combination of recloseable openings, windows, and fabric flaps, could be employed in any number of varying configurations. 
   Looking at  FIG. 9 , bottom panel  16  is visible. Located at each corner of bottom panel  16  is a traction pad  58  designed to increase both the coefficient of static and kinetic friction between bottom panel  16  and whatever surface it contacts. 
   Since pet enclosure and carrier  2  is collapsible, a side release buckle assembly  56  is provided. One half of buckle assembly  56  resides on top panel  14  with it&#39;s matingly engageable counterpart residing on first side panel  8  such that when pet enclosure and carrier  2  is in its collapsed state, buckle assembly  56  can be employed to releasably lock pet enclosure and carrier  2  in its collapsed configuration (See  FIG. 16 ). 
     FIGS. 10-15  illustrate the rigid frame that is enclosed within fabric cover  4 . The rigid frame  60  is comprised of substantially rectangular floor member  62 , first side truss  64 , second side truss  66 , and two strut members  68  extending between side trusses  64  and  66 . In the present invention the rigid frame  60  is made of a lightweight metal tubes of a circular cross-section. Illustrated in  FIG. 10 , is a removable cushion  70  designed for the pet&#39;s comfort.  FIG. 11  illustrates rigid frame  60  without the removable cushion  70 . 
   First side truss  64  and second side truss  66  are substantially similar in shape and comprised of a singular tube, bent in two spots, so that each side truss is three-sided. The shape of trusses  64  and  66  could roughly be described as trapezoidal, or having that of the profile of a flat-bottomed teardrop, in that the open-ended sides of trusses  64  and  66  do not reside parallel to one another. The open ends of side trusses are hingedly affixed to floor member  62  via simple hinged assemblies  72  as are well known in the art. 
   To allow for level folding of frame  60 , hinge assemblies  72  should be longer on second side truss  66 . This allows for first side truss  64  to be lowered towards the ground, followed by the lowering of second side truss  66 , which will then rest, in a level plane, on top of first side truss  64 , thereby reducing the risk of damage to frame and facilitating its storage. When the pet enclosure and carrier  2  is in its folded configuration, it is a uniform, compressed structure; it&#39;s not bulkier or heavier on one side. 
   One strut member  68  is hingedly affixed at a single end to first side truss  64 , and one strut member  68  is hingedly affixed at a single end to second side truss  66  via hinge assemblies  72 . Each strut member  68  is hingedly affixed at an upper section of the side trusses  64  and  66  such that strut members  68  reside parallel and adjacent to the upper section of side trusses  64  and  66 . Each strut member  68  is hingedly affixed to side trusses  64  and  66  at opposite ends of each of the side trusses (See  FIG. 12 ). 
   Each open end (that is the non-hingedly attached end) of the strut members  68  terminates in a locking guide  74 . Looking at  FIG. 14  it can be seen that the locking guide  74  comprises a concave lip  76 , spring-loaded retractable pin  78 , spring  80 , locking button  82  and a L-shaped track  83 . The design of the locking guide  74  makes assembly of the of the pet enclosure and carrier  2  extremely quick and effortless. 
   To assemble pet enclosure and carrier  2 , rigid frame  40  is placed within fabric cover  4 , such that floor member  62  resides on floor panel  16 . Second side truss  66  is pivoted up (away from the floor member  62 ) at approximately a 90° angle. Then, first side truss  64  is pivoted up (away from the floor member  62 ) at approximately a 90° angle. Each strut member  68  is then pivoted away from its attached side truss  64  or  66  towards the opposing side truss  64  or  66 . The pivoting of the strut members  68  does not have to occur simultaneously; it can occur in succession. As strut member  68 , which is hingedly affixed to first side truss  64  is moved away from first side truss  64  towards side truss  66 , locking button  82  is depressed such that retractable pin  78 , is retracted within locking guide  74 . Concave lip  76  is C-shaped, designed to matingly engage the tubular form of second side truss  66 , such that once concave lip  76  contacts second side truss  66 , it self-guides along second side truss  66 , until an orifice  84  is reached. Concave lip  76  easily slides along the tubular form of second side truss  66  because in the present invention it is formed from high density polymer with a low coefficient of friction. Orifice  84  is designed to matingly engage retractable pin  78 , and is located at a position on second side truss  66  directly opposite the hinged assembly  72  attaching strut member  68  to first side truss  64 . Concave lip  76  will slide along second side truss until orifice  84  is reached. Locking button  82  is released thereby deploying retractable pin  78  into orifice  84 . Strut member  68  is now locked into position, extending between and perpendicular to, first side truss  64  and second side truss  66 . To further aid in the self-guiding and self-tensioning aspect of the present invention, a bump-stop  86  resides adjacent to orifice  84 , this allows for “blind” assembly of rigid frame  60 , within fabric cover  4 . The assembler does not have to look for orifice  84 ; as soon locking guide  74  hits bump-stop  86 , the assembler knows orifice  84  is aligned to receive retractable pin  78 . The L-shaped track  83  only allows the spring  80  (thereby the retractable pin  78 ) to be depressed or released when locking button  82  is in the “long leg” portion of the L-shaped track  83 . Movement between the “long leg” and the “short leg” is accomplished through a barrel (not visible) which is located within locking guide  74 . This barrel allows locking button  82  to rotate or slide within locking guide  74  along L-shaped track  83  as is well known in the art. Once retractable pin  78  is deployed within orifice  84 , locking button  82  can be moved to the “short leg” of the L-shaped track  83 . Until locking button  82  is moved back to the “long leg” of L-shaped track  83 , spring  80 , cannot be engaged. This is an additional safety feature, minimizing the chance of locking guide  74  unintentionally disengaging from a side truss. Both strut members  68 , regardless of attachment to first side truss  64  or second side truss  66  follow this same scheme for locking engagement. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 15 , it can be seen that the angle between floor member  62  and first side truss  64  is greater than 90° as is the angle between floor member  62  and second side truss  66 . This is specifically designed to be sufficiently resistant to bending and shear. This design reduces stress along the strut member  68 , extending the life of rigid frame  60 . This design also allows for the taut fit of fabric cover  4  over rigid frame  60 . 
   For convenience, a carrying case  90  is shown in  FIG. 17 . In the present invention, carrying case  90 , has a zippered opening  93 , and both handles  91 , and a shoulder strap  92 . Also visible is a side pocket  94 . Obviously, any combination of pockets or carrying means could be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. 
   The above description will enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. It also sets forth the best modes for carrying out this invention. There are numerous variations and modifications thereof that will also remain readily apparent to others skilled in the art, now that the general principles of the present invention have been disclosed. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.