Patent Publication Number: US-2023160242-A1

Title: Lock for a pet transporter

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2021228541865 filed on 19 Nov. 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a lock for a pet transporter. In a particular, the present disclosure relates to a lock that is mounted on a door body of a pet transporter, wherein the lock is designed to prevent a pet contained within the transporter from escaping. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Pet transporters, kennels, containers and boxes are well known for their use as a place for pets to rest, be contained, secured and transported. 
     Typical pet transporters and their structures include a box body and a door, wherein the door is fixed to the box body at an opening and when open, the door allows the box body to facilitate the entry and exit of pets through the opening. Additionally, the door generally is composed of a metal grille, or a crisscrossing grid of metal strips, to allow the contained pet to be observed, facilitate airflow through the pet transporter, and also allow for light to be transmitted into the box body. At one side of the door is typically a longitudinal shaft that facilitates attachment of the door to a corresponding side of the opening of the box body, and at an opposite side of the door is a lock that corresponds to an opposite side of the opening of the box body. Wherein, at this opposite side of the opening of the box body, is a means to allow for the lock to engage a ‘locked position’ to prevent the door from opening, and also to disengage to an ‘unlocked position’ to allow the door to open. 
     Prior art document CN107091022A discloses a pet lock comprising two straight metal lock strips and a turntable, wherein in use, the turntable rotates at a center point to drive the metal lock strips in a straight line to engage the lock. 
     Another prior art document, CN105064819A, discloses a pet lock comprising a rotating disc and four metal lock strips, wherein the rotating disc is provided with four curved tracks, each corresponding to a metal lock strip to act so as to force an end of the each metal lock traverse along a straight line to engage the lock. 
     The present inventors noted that in the prior art, pet locks are often unintentionally unlocked even when they are engaged in a ‘locked position’, often by knocking the pet lock (and/or door) via an external force, or by knocking the pet lock (and/or door) via an internal force (i.e. the contained pet). 
     It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith, that the present invention has been developed. 
     Throughout this disclosure, “pet box”, “pet transporter”, “pet carrier” should all be understood to refer to the same product, that is, a product with the ability to contain, secure and transport in various means, including aircraft, one or more pets therein. 
     Additionally, throughout this disclosure reference to the orientation or positional relationship between features are often accompanied by terms such as “up”, “down”, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “back”, “rear”, “inner”, “inside”, “outer”, “outside”, etc. It should be appreciated that the orientation or positional relationship used between features will refer to an embodiment of the disclosure in use, and may only be for the convenience of describing the embodiment and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the feature of the embodiment is restricted to that specific orientation, position, construction, etc. and not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a lock for a pet transporter, wherein the lock is particularly configured to synchronously drive one or more pairs of lock rods via a gear drive set to engage and disengage the lock. 
     According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lock for a pet transporter; the lock comprising chassis housing a gear drive set, and at least two lock rods, wherein each lock rod extends from the gear drive set toward a corresponding lock hole on a door frame of the pet transporter; wherein the gear drive set comprises a main gear comprising a tooth structure co-operable with a rack portion at an inner end of each lock rod; wherein, in use, rotation of the main gear in a first direction synchronously drives the lock rods into the corresponding lock holes to engage the lock, and rotation of the main gear in an opposite direction synchronously drives the lock rods out of the corresponding lock holes to disengage the lock. 
     In one form, the rack portion of each lock rod comprises a tooth structure co-operable with the tooth structure of the main gear. 
     In one form, the tooth structure of the main gear co-operates with the rack portion of each lock rod by means of a transmission gear. 
     In one form, the lock comprises four lock rods arranged in a cross configuration centred at the main gear, such that the rack portion of each lock rod co-operates with the main gear. 
     In one form, the four lock rods comprise a first pair of lock rods and a second pair of lock rods that extend perpendicularly to the first pair, wherein the rack portions of each pair of lock rods are layered one above the other at the main gear. 
     In one form, each the inner end of each lock rod comprises a transmission section comprising a bent structure that enables the rack portion of each lock rod to engage with the main gear such that the lock rods of each of the first and second pairs remain in parallel or in a straight line opposite each other. 
     In one form, each the inner end of each lock rod comprises a transmission section comprising a bent structure that enables the rack portion of each lock rod to engage with the main gear such that the lock rods of each of the first and second pairs remain in parallel or in a straight line opposite each other. 
     In one form, the rack portion of each lock rod, the transmission gear, and the main gear cooperate in a rack and pinion arrangement. 
     In one form, the chassis further comprises a bottom wall and a perimeter side wall, wherein the bottom wall is provided with a positioning column for locating the main gear, and wherein the perimeter side wall is provided with a plurality of through holes, each through hole corresponding to each of the lock rods to pass there through. 
     In one form, the lock further comprises a shell comprising a cavity sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the chassis, the gear drive set and a portion of the lock rods therein, a top of the shell comprising a first aperture for a rotatable knob and a second aperture for an anti-rotation knob, wherein rotation of the rotatable knob translates to rotation of the main gear, and wherein the anti-rotation knob having a first state whereby rotation of the rotatable knob is limited, and a second state whereby rotation of the rotatable knob is permitted. 
     In one form, the chassis further comprises one or more guide members positioned on the bottom wall so as to guide movement of each lock rod in a linear path. 
     In one form, the chassis further comprises a spring for the main gear, whereby the spring biases the main gear to synchronously drive the lock rods into their corresponding lock holes to engage the lock. 
     In one form, two of the four lock rods each comprise a handle member, wherein in use, squeezing the handle members cause rotation of the main gear and resultantly drive the other two lock rods to disengage the lock. 
     In one form, the gear drive set comprises four transmission gears, each transmission gear surrounding the main gear such that each transmission gear connects a corresponding lock rod to the main gear, wherein an angle between each lock rod is 90 degrees. 
     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a pet transporter and a lock therefor, the pet transporter comprising: a box body comprising an opening comprising a door frame, the door frame comprising a door body connected thereto along one side of the door frame, the door frame further comprising at least two lock holes; wherein the lock is installed on the door body such that each lock rod of the lock corresponds and is engageable with the lock holes to engage and disengage the lock, and secure or release the door body such that the opening is accessible. 
     According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lock for a pet transporter; the lock comprising a chassis housing a gear drive set, at least two lock rods, a shell comprising a cavity sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the chassis, and a rotatable knob extending through an aperture of the shell; wherein an inner end of each lock rod comprises a rack portion having a structure for engaging with a transmission gear of the gear drive set, each transmission gear having a structure for engaging with a main gear of the gear drive set such that rotation of the main gear drives rotation of each engaged transmission gear; wherein the chassis comprises a bottom wall and a perimeter side wall, wherein the bottom wall is provided with a positioning column for locating the main gear, wherein the perimeter side wall is provided with a plurality of through holes, each through hole corresponding to each of the lock rods to pass there through; and wherein, in use, rotation of the rotatable knob translates to rotation of the main gear, such that rotation in a first direction synchronously drives the lock rods outward in a linear direction to engage the lock, and rotation in an opposite direction synchronously drives the lock rods inward in a linear direction to disengage the lock. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a pet transporter according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a front of the pet transporter of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of a lock for the pet transporter of  FIGS.  1  and  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic perspective view of an internal gear mechanism of the lock of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a top view of the internal gear mechanism of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6    is an alternative view of an internal mechanism of the lock of  FIG.  3   ; 
         FIG.  7    is an exploded view of an alternative lock for the pet transporter of  FIGS.  1  and  2   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic perspective view of the alternative lock of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the alternative lock of  FIG.  7    as assembled; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a first pair of lock rods of the alternative lock in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of a second pair of lock rods of the alternative lock in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of an internal gear mechanism of the alternative lock in  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of an anti-error opening knob of any one of the locks in  FIGS.  1  to  12   : 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic diagram illustrating a relative position of the anti-error opening knob in a locked position; 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic diagram illustrating a relative position of the anti-error opening knob in an open position; and 
         FIG.  16    is a schematic view of a plan after the lock assembly in  FIG.  7   . 
     
    
    
     In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the figures. It will be appreciated that the Figures illustrate the disclosure as preferred embodiments only, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that the Figures are only drawn for the purpose of accompanying the detailed description below. Furthermore, unless otherwise indicated, the Figures are merely schematic representations of the composition or construction of the disclosed embodiments and may contain exaggerated representations that are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     It should be noted that in the following disclosure, like numerals refer to like items, such that once an item has been defined in any part of the disclosure, it may not be further defined and/or explained subsequently. 
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to any one of the Figures, there is illustrated a lock  100  for a pet transporter  200 , according to an embodiment, the lock  100  comprises a chassis  40  housing a gear drive set  20 , and at least two lock rods  30 . Each lock rod  30  extends from the gear drive set  20  toward a corresponding lock hole on a door frame  203  of the pet transporter  200 . The gear drive set  20  comprises a main gear  21  comprising a tooth structure co-operable with a rack portion  31  at an inner end of each lock rod  30 . In use, rotation of the main gear  21  in a first direction synchronously drives the lock rods  30  into the corresponding lock holes to engage the lock  100 , and rotation of the main gear  21  in an opposite direction synchronously drives the lock rods  30  out of the corresponding lock holes to disengage the lock  100 , 
     Referring still to any one of the Figures, there is illustrated the lock  100  for the pet transporter  200 , capable of securing a pet accommodated within the transporter  200 , to achieve the function of transporting and restraining said pet. The pet transporter  200  comprises a box body  201 , and at one side of the body  201 , an opening around the circumference of which is a door frame  203 . The door frame  203  is also provided with one or more lock holes, each being capable of engaging and disengaging with the lock  100  to lock or unlock the door body  202  such that the opening of the box body  201  is accessible (e.g. to a pet). 
     It will be understood from the embodiments that follow, that the lock  100  is typically installed on the door body  202 . When referring to ‘engaging’, ‘engaged’. ‘lock’, ‘locked’ or the like, it will be understood that this indicates that the lock  100  is in its configuration where it prevents the door body  202  from opening to and the box body  201  of the pet transporter  200  is inaccessible. Conversely, when referring to ‘disengaging’, ‘disengaged’, ‘unlock’, ‘unlocked’ or the like, it will be understood that this indicates that the lock  100  is its configuration where it allows the door body  202  to be opened and the box body  201  of the pet transporter  200  is accessible. 
     It will also be understood from the embodiments that follow, that there are disclosed herein two examples of the lock  100 . The first will be referred to as ‘Example 1’, and the second will be referred to as ‘Example 2’. It will be appreciated that like reference numerals will refer to like features, and where applicable, reference and disclosure of these features will not be repeated but be understood to be the same as already described. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  to  6   , there is disclosed Example 1 of the lock  100 , The lock  100  comprising the chassis  40  housing the gear drive set  20 , and at least two lock rods  30  (note that four lock rods  30  are illustrated). Each of the lock rods  30  extend from the gear drive set  20 , which may be centrally positioned within the chassis  40 , toward a corresponding lock hole on the door frame  203  of the pet transporter  200 . That is to say, that an outer end of each of the lock rods  30  is proximal or at the corresponding lock hole thereof, and an inner end of each of the lock rods  30  is proximal or at the gear drive set  20 . Each of the lock rods  30  may be constructed of a metal or other sturdy, yet easily manoeuvrable material for the purposes disclosed herein. 
     The inner end of each lock rod  30  comprises the rack portion  31 , wherein the rack portion  31  comprises a structure that is capable of engaging with a transmission gear  22  of the gear drive set  20 . Each transmission gear  22  also having a structure that enables each gear  22  to engage with the main gear  21  of the gear drive set  20 , such that rotation of the main gear  21  drives rotation of each engaged transmission gear  22 . Accordingly, it will be understood that rotation of the main gear  21  translates to drive each of the lock rods  30 , such that each lock rod  30  is driven synchronously toward and away from its corresponding lock hole to engage or disengage the lock  100 , Particularly, the lock  100  in use, rotation of the main gear  21  in a first direction synchronously drives the lock rods  30  into the corresponding lock holes to engage the lock  100 , and rotation of the main gear  21  in an opposite direction synchronously drives the lock rods  30  out of the corresponding lock holes to disengage the lock  100 , 
     Referring still to  FIGS.  3  to  6   , the rack portion  31  of each lock rod  30  is a tooth structure (such as one found in rack and pinion type arrangements) that is co-operable with a corresponding tooth structure of the transmission gear  22 . Additionally, this tooth structure of each transmission gear  22  is also co-operable with a tooth structure of the main gear  21  (similarly, such as one found in a rack and pinion type arrangement or a gear meshing type arrangement). Alternatively, it will be understood that the rack portion  31  of each lock rod  30  is also co-operable with the tooth structure of the main gear  21 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS.  1  to  3 ,  7  and  9   , in any one of the above or following embodiments, the lock  100  further comprises a rotatable knob  10  (may also be considered a knob, rotary button or turntable). Wherein, in use, rotation of the rotatable knob  10  translates to rotation of the main gear  21 . Thus, rotation of the rotatable knob  10  in the first direction results in rotation of the main gear  21  and synchronous drive of the lock rods  30  into the corresponding key holes to engage the lock  100 , and rotation of the rotatable knob in an opposite direction results in rotation of the main gear  21  and synchronous drive of the lock rods  30  out of the corresponding lock holes to disengage the lock  100 , It will be understood that rotation of the rotatable knob  10  drives rotation of the main gear  21 , which then drives rotation of the transmission gears  22 , and resultantly drives the lock rods  30  to engage or disengage the lock  100  from the lock holes of the pet transporter  200 . 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS.  3  to  5   , the gear drive set  20  may comprise four transmission gears  22 . Each transmission gear  22  in this embodiment surrounding the main gear  21  such that the structure for engaging contacts both the main gear  21  and each of the lock rods  30 , wherein an angle between the lock rods in each pair (illustrated in any one of the Figures) is 90 degrees. 
     In one embodiment, the inner end of each lock rod  30  comprises a transmission section  32 , wherein the transmission section  32  comprises the rack portion  31  on one of its sides to engage with the gear drive set  20 . 
     In one embodiment, the chassis  40  comprises a bottom wall  41  and a perimeter side wall  42 . The bottom wall  41  is provided with a positioning column  43  for locating the main gear  21  thereon, and accordingly the positioning column  43  also guides the location of the transmission gears  22  about the main gear  21 . The perimeter side walls  42  are provided with a plurality of through holes  44 , wherein each through hole corresponds to each of the lock rods  30 , such that each lock rod  30  extends through each through hole  44  toward its corresponding lock hole on the door frame  203 . 
     In one embodiment, illustrated in  FIGS.  3 ,  7  and  9   , the lock  100  further comprises a shell  50  comprising a cavity sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the chassis  40 , the gear drive set  20 , and a portion of the lock rods  30  therein. A top of the shell comprises a first aperture for the rotatable knob  10  to extend (and be accessible to) therethrough, and a second aperture for an anti-rotation knob  60 . It will be appreciated that the shell  50  serves the purpose of making the overall appearance of the lock  100  more aesthetically pleasing, and protecting the interior of the lock  100  The shell  50  may also serve the purpose of concealing the inner parts of the lock  100 , and prevent these parts from being tampered with accidentally. The shell  50  may be manufactured of a sturdy, tough material to adequately be able to withstand impact to not damage the inner parts (e.g. the portion of the chassis  40 , the gear drive set  20 , and the portion of the lock rods  30 ). 
     In one embodiment, wherein the lock  100  comprises the shell  50  with the anti-rotation knob  60 , the anti-rotation knob  60  has the purpose of either limiting or allowing rotation of the rotatable knob  10 . That is, the anti-rotation knob  60  comprises a first state, whereby rotation of the rotatable knob  10  is limited (i.e. disabled such that it may not be rotated in either the first or opposite directions), and it also comprises a second state, whereby rotation of the rotatable knob  60  is permitted (i.e. enabled such that it may be rotated in either the first or opposite directions). 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  14  and  15   , the anti-rotation knob  60  comprises a locking portion  61  which corresponds to a limiting slot  62  on the rotatable knob  10 . Such that, in use, when the anti-rotation knob  60  is in its first state, whereby rotation of the rotatable knob  10  is limited, the locking portion  61  is embedded or abuts against the locking slot  62 . In its second state, whereby rotation of the rotation knob  10  is permitted, the locking portion  61  detaches (or is no longer abutting against) the locking slot  62 , thereby allowing the rotating knob to rotate in either the first or opposite directions to engage or disengage the lock  100 , 
     In one embodiment, an inside of the perimeter side walls  42  of the shell  50  comprises a plurality of limiting projections  t   1 , such that each limiting projection  t   1  corresponds to a limiting slot  t   2  on an outer edge of a portion of the rotary knob  10  that is within the shell  50 . Such that, in use, when the limiting projection  t   1  of the shell  50  abuts against (engages) the limiting slot  t   2  of the rotatable knob  10 , the rotatable knob  10  is unable to be further rotated in the direction it was rotated to allow for the limiting projections  t   1  to be engaged It will be understood, from  FIGS.  14  and  15   , that when the limiting projections  t   1  are engaged with the limiting slots  t   2 , the locking portion  61  on the anti-rotation knob  60  is also embedded in the locking slot  62 . 
     Additionally, the locking portion  61  and an outer end of the limiting projection  t   1  may comprise an arc shaped surface that corresponds to the locking slot  62  and the limiting slot  t   2 , which are oppositely shaped arc surfaces. It will be understood that these arc surfaces have corresponding radians, and thus match with one another and the rotation trajectory of the rotatable knob  10 . 
     In any one of the embodiments, the transmission section  32  of a pair of lock rods  30  may be provided with a reset spring  70 , such that the reset spring  70  acts against the gear drive set  20  when it is driven to disengage the lock  100 , That is to say, the reset spring  70  of the lock rods  30  act so as to bias the lock  100  to the engaged position (i.e. whereby the lock rods  30  are in their respective lock holes in the door frame  203 ). 
     In any one of the embodiments, the chassis  40  further comprises a spring  70 ′ for the main gear  21 . Wherein, in use, the spring  70 ′ biases the main gear  21  to synchronously drive the lock rods  30  into their corresponding lock holes to engage the lock  100 . That is to say, the reset spring  70  of the main gear  21  acts so as to bias the lock  100  to the engaged position. The reset spring  70 ′ may, for example, be a torsion spring, specifically, the main gear  21  and the rotatable knob  10  is installed and interconnected via a linkage mechanism, when a user rotates the rotatable knob  10  to drive the main gear  21 , further so that the lock rod  30  moves: when the user removes their applied external force applied on the rotatable knob  10 , the spring  70  ′ biases the main gear  21  back, and subsequently the lock rods and the rotatable knob  10  are also biased back to the engaged position of the lock  100 . 
     In any one of the embodiments, the chassis  40  further comprises one or more guide members  80  positioned on the bottom wall  41 , so as to guide movement of each lock rod  30  in a linear path (i.e. such that each lock rod  30  translates or moves in a linear movement) to engage and disengage the lock  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the main gear  21  is provided with a positioning hole, whereby the corresponding position of a base wall of the rotatable knob  10  extends downward via a positioning bulge, whereby the positioning hole of the main gear  21  mates with the positioning bulge of the knob  10  to link the gear  21  to the knob  10 . In use, a user may turn the rotatable knob  10  to drive the main gear  21 , subsequently rotate the transmission gears  22 , and thereby realise movement of each of the lock rods  30 . It will be appreciated, in the embodiments comprising springs  70  and/or  70 ′, the lock rods  30  will be biased back toward the engaged position of lock  100 , thereby turning or resetting the rotatable knob  10 . That is to say, the rotatable knob  10  is automatically returned to an original position (i.e. the engaged position) via the bias of the springs  70  and/or  70 ′. 
     Now referring to  FIGS.  7  to  11   , there is illustrated Example 2 of the lock  100  for the pet transporter  200 . In this Example 2, it will be appreciated that like features in the Figures that have been previously described in the above embodiments will not be repeated, and those like features are similarly utilised in this example of the lock  100 . 
     Example 2 of the lock  100  comprises a second pair  b   2  of lock rods  30  that extend in a direction perpendicular to the first pair  b   1  of lock rods  30 , such that the first  b   1  and second pair  b   2  of lock rods  30  is crossed at the gear drive set  20 . That is to say, that the lock  100  comprises four lock rods  30  arranged in a cross configuration centred at the main gear  21 , such that the rack portion  31  of each lock rod  30  cooperates with the main gear  21 . In this example, the inner end of each lock rod  30  comprises a transmission section  32  comprising the rack portion  31 . wherein the rack portions  31  corresponding to the first pair  b   1  of lock rods  30  is the first group of rack portions  a   1 , and the rack portions  31  corresponding to the second pair  b   2  of lock rods  30  is the second group of rack portions  a   2 , wherein the rack portions  31  of both first  a   1  and second  a   2  groups comprise a structure for engaging with the main gear  21 . That is to say, as illustrated in the Figures, the rack portions  31  of both the first  a   1  and second  a   2  groups of lock rods  30  in this Example 2 of the lock  100  meshes with the main gear  21  directly, without the requirement for transmission gears  22 . 
     In Example 2 of the lock  100 , the first  b   1  and second  b   2  pairs of lock rods  30  cross at the main gear  21  such that the first  a   1  and second  a   2  group of rack portions  31  are layered one above the other at the main gear  21 . In this embodiment, the first  b   1  and second  b   2  pairs of lock rods  30  are located on the same plane. 
     In an alternative embodiment of Example 2 of the lock  100 , each transmission section of the first  b   1  and second  b   2  pairs of lock rods  30  comprises a bent structure to enable the rack portion  a   1 ,  a   2  of each lock rod  30  to engage with the main gear  21  such that the lock rods  30  of each pair  b   1 ,  b   2  remain parallel or in a straight line opposite each other (as best illustrated in  FIG.  8   ). 
     In this alternative example, the rod rack  22 ′ corresponding to the first pair of lock rod  b   1  is the first set of rod rack  a   1  the rod rack corresponding to the second pair of lock rods  b   2   22 ′ It is the second group of rod rack  a   2 . The first group of rod racks  a   1  and the second group of rod racks  a   2  above and below the layering mode and the main gear  21  mesh. Preferably, the first group of lock racks  a   1  is in the meshing upper layer, the second group of rod racks  a   2  is in the meshing lower layer. 
     The specific technical means to achieve rod rack  22  ′ layering is that the transmission section  32  comprises a bent structure, and the bent structure makes each rod rack  22 ′ mesh with the main gear  21  respectively, and the bent structures allow the two lock rods opposite  30  to be maintained in a straight line or in the same plane. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG.  10   , the bent structure of the first set of rod rack  a   1  placed on the meshing upper layer comprises a transversely folding segment  f   1  and longitudinally folding segment  f   2 , transversely folding segment  f   1  So that the corresponding first pair of lock rods  b   1  is in the same straight line, the longitudinally folding segment  f   2  so that the corresponding first pair of lock rods  b   1  and the second pair of lock rods  b   2  are at the same longitudinal height, that is, on the same plane. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG.  11   , the bent structure of the second set of rod racks  a   2  placed in the meshing lower layer includes a cross-fold segment  f   1  so that the second pair of lock rods  b   2  is in the same straight line, or in the same plane. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS.  8  and  16   , by the structural arrangement of the bent structure, the (upper) first pair of lock rods  b   1  and the (lower) second pair of lock rods  b   2  are on the same plane of the chassis  40 , and, Each pair of lock rods ( b   1  and B2) are in the same straight line (i.e. same plane as the other lock rod of each pair). 
     In one embodiment, the bottom wall  41  is provided with one or more guide members  80 , wherein the guide members  80  allow for the linear movement of the lock rod  30 . such that the movement of each lock rod  30  is guided. It will be appreciated that each of the lock rods  30  are manufactured of a metal to allow for rigidity and strength of each lock rod. 
     As shown in  FIG.  16   , in one embodiment, each rod  30 , in one pair of lock rods (for example  b   2  as illustrated) are provided with a handle member k on each of the rods  30 . Wherein the handle members k extend outwardly from its respective lock rod  30  to allow a user to manually apply a force to each handle member k in a ‘pinching’ manner (i.e. pushing the handle members k inward toward the chassis  40  of the lock  100 , or by compressing the handle members k together, or by squeezing the handle members k together), whereby applying such a ‘pinching’ force to the handle members k facilitate to disengage the lock  100  by driving the interconnected pair of lock rods and subsequently the second pair of lock rods  b   1   (i.e. the upper lock rods) via the main gear  21 , thereby driving all of the lock rods  30  out of the lock holes. That is to say, squeezing the handle members k causes rotation of the main gear  21  and resultantly drives the lock rods  30  to disengage the lock  100 . It will be appreciated that the lock  100  is only disengaged during the time that the ‘pinching’ force is applied by a user to the handle members k, as when the force is removed, the reset spring  70 ′ drives the main spring  21  (and correspondingly all of the lock rods  30 ) back toward the lock holes and into the engaged locked position. it will be appreciated that this embodiment comprising the handle members k allowing for the application of ‘pinching’ force to disengage (unlock) the lock  100 , may be a feature of the lock  100  in conjunction with the knob  10  used to engage and disengage the lock  100 , and the tabs k may be considered a backup or alternate disengagement means for the lock  100 . 
     It will be appreciated that when compared with the prior art, the presently disclosed lock  100  for pet transporters  200 , has a number of advantages. In particular, the lock  100  is locked (engaged) or unlocked (disengaged) by a combination of actions, the lock rods  30  and the gear drive set  20 . and their ‘rack’ (or tooth structure) arrangement that allows transmission (or drive) to impart from each of the lock rods  30  to the gear drive set  20 , and vice versa. The linear rack  31  of each lock rod  30  meshes with the corresponding ‘rack’ (or tooth structure) of the gear drive set  20 , such that the main gear  21  rotates to impart drive onto each of the lock rods  30  to engage (lock) or disengage (unlock) each of the lock rods  30  from keyholes of the pet transporter  200  in a synchronised manner, thereby achieving the purpose of locking or unlocking the door  202  from the box body  201  of the pet transporter  200 . 
     An additional advantage of the presently disclosed lock  100  is in the second example of the lock  100 , wherein the lock  100  comprises the anti-rotation knob  60  and/or the tabs k, which each advantageously provide the lock  100  with an additional (or back up) locking (engaging) or unlocking (disengaging) means, should the primary knob  10  not be sufficient, or be adequate in securing a pet within the pet transporter  200 . 
     It will be appreciated that the disclosed lock  100  for pet transporters  200  advantageously comprises features (as above) that prevent the unintentional unlocking of the lock when it is in its locked (or engaged) position, even when the lock  100  or any part of the pet transporter  200  is knocked by an external force (e.g. during transportation) or an internal force (e.g. by the contained pet). 
     It will be appreciated that the lock  100  of any one of the above embodiments is for a pet transporter  200  comprising the box body  201 . The box body  201  comprising an opening comprising a door frame  203 , the door frame  203  comprising a door body  202  connected thereto along one side of the door frame  203 , the door frame  203  further comprising one or more lock holes; wherein the lock  100  of any one of the above embodiments is installed on the door body  202  such that each lock rod  30  of the lock  100  corresponds and is engageable with the one or more lock holes to engage and disengage the lock  100 , and secure or release the door body  303  such that the opening is accessible. 
     Any reference in the present disclosure, it should be noted that (unless explicitly stated otherwise), that the terms “connection”. “join”, “installation” etc. should be understood in a broad sense. By way of example, there may be a fixed connection, that can be a detachable connection, or it can be an integrated connection. Or in another example, the connection can be a mechanical connection, or an electrical connection, or that it may be directly connected, or that it may be connected indirectly via an intermediate medium, or further yet, it may be a connection inside two elements. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the meaning of these specific terms throughout this present disclosure will be understood on a case-by-case basis. 
     The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 
     It will be understood that the terms “comprise” and “include” and any of their derivatives (e.g. comprises, comprising, includes, including) as used in this specification, and the claims that follow, is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which the term refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied. 
     In some cases, a single embodiment may, for succinctness and/or to assist in understanding the scope of the disclosure, combine multiple features. It is to be understood that in such a case, these multiple features may be provided separately (in separate embodiments), or in any other suitable combination. Alternatively, where separate features are described in separate embodiments, these separate features may be combined into a single embodiment unless otherwise stated or implied. This also applies to the claims which can be recombined in any combination. That is a claim may be amended to include a feature defined in any other claim. Further a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosure is not restricted in its use to the particular application or applications described Neither is the present disclosure restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope as set forth and defined by the following claims.