Patent Abstract:
Animal transport embodiments are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an animal transport comprises: a fabric configured to support an animal, the fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end being opposite the second end. The animal transport further comprises a first harness and second harness. The first harness being coupled to the first end of the fabric and comprising straps for securing the first harness to a first user. The second harness being coupled to the second end of the fabric and comprising straps for securing the second harness to a second user.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 62/387,706, filed Jan. 4, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an animal transport. More specifically, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an animal transport that is configured to be secured to two people and is configured to carry an animal therein. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Occasionally, people engaged in outdoor activities with animals (e.g., a pet) have the misfortune of an animal being unable to complete the remainder of an outing. For example, a dog may twist his/her ankle/paw and, as a result, be unable to continue. When a pet becomes injured and is unable to continue, the pet owner must carry the pet to safety, if he/she is capable of doing so. Picking up and carrying a pet for a sustained period of time is a difficult task and, generally, may only be a realistic solution when the pet is small. Even in these instances, carrying a small pet for a sustained period of time may be unrealistic due to the awkwardness of carrying a pet. In instances where the pet is larger, the pet owner may be unable to pick up and carry the pet for any amount of distance or period of time. If the pet owner is unable to carry the pet, the pet owner may have to leave the pet behind. As such, there is a need for an animal transport that facilitates transporting an animal. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Embodiments of the disclosure include an animal transport that facilitates transporting a pet by a pet owner. 
         [0005]    In an Example, an animal transport comprises: a fabric configured to support an animal, the fabric having a first end and a second end, the first end being opposite the second end; a first harness coupled to the first end of the fabric and comprising straps for securing the first harness to a first user; and a second harness coupled to the second end of the fabric and comprising straps for securing the second harness to a second user. 
         [0006]    While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an illustrative animal transport apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of a portion of the illustrative animal transport apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of another portion of the illustrative animal transport apparatus depicted in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0010]    While the disclosed subject matter is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the disclosure is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0011]    As the terms are used herein with respect to ranges of measurements (such as those disclosed immediately above), “about” and “approximately” may be used, interchangeably, to refer to a measurement that includes the stated measurement and that also includes any measurements that are reasonably close to the stated measurement, but that may differ by a reasonably small amount such as will be understood, and readily ascertained, by individuals having ordinary skill in the relevant arts to be attributable to measurement error, differences in measurement and/or manufacturing equipment calibration, human error in reading and/or setting measurements, adjustments made to optimize performance and/or structural parameters in view of differences in measurements associated with other components, particular implementation scenarios, imprecise adjustment and/or manipulation of objects by a person or machine, and/or the like. 
         [0012]    Although the term “block” may be used herein to connote different elements illustratively employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any requirement of, or particular order among or between, various steps disclosed herein unless and except when explicitly referring to the order of individual steps. Additionally, a “set” or “group” of items (e.g., inputs, algorithms, data values, etc.) may include one or more items, and, similarly, a subset or subgroup of items may include one or more items. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of an illustrative animal transport  100  apparatus, in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In embodiments, the animal transport  100  may be light and capable of being compacted. As such, the animal transport  100  may be put into a container (e.g., a stuff sack) and included in a hiker&#39;s pack when the hiker is hiking. For example, the animal transport  100  may be less than or equal to 3 pounds, 2.75 pounds, 2.5 pounds, 2.25 pounds, 2.0 pounds, 1.75 pounds, 1.5 pounds, 1.25 pounds, 1.0 pounds and/or the like. As another example, the animal transport  100  may be capable of compacted and fitting inside a container having a volume of less than or equal to 250 cubic inches (in.), 225 cubic in., 200 cubic in., 175 cubic in., 150 cubic in., 125 cubic in., 100 cubic in. and/or the like. 
         [0014]    The animal transport  100  includes fabric  102 . The fabric  102  is configured to receive an animal. For example, an animal may be laid lengthwise across the length  104  of the fabric  102 . Alternatively, an animal may be laid lengthwise across the width  106  of the animal transport  100 . Additionally, the fabric  102  is configured to support an animal. For example, the fabric  102 , and the animal transport  100  more generally, may be configured to support up to 100 pounds, 150 pounds, 200 pounds, 250 pounds, 300 pounds, 350 pounds, 400 pounds and/or the like. In embodiments, the fabric  102  may be a generally thin, relatively strong material. For example, the fabric  102  may be comprised of a rip-stop cotton, polyester, polypropylene and/or nylon. However, these are only examples and not meant to be limiting. 
         [0015]    In embodiments, the fabric  102  is longer than it is wide. Alternatively, the fabric  102  may be as long as it is wide. Alternatively, the fabric  102  may be wider than it is long. In embodiments, the animal transport may have different sizes to fit different sized pets. For example, the length  104  of the fabric  102  may be about 40 inches (in.), 50 in., 60 in., 70 in., 80 in., 90 in., 100 in., 112 in., 124 in. 130 in., 140 in., 150 in. and/or the like. As another example, the width  106  of the fabric  102  may be about 20 inches (in.), 25 in., 30 in., 35 in., 40 in., 45 in., 50 in., 55 in., 60 in. 65 in., 70 in., 75 in. and/or the like. 
         [0016]    In embodiments, the animal transport  100  may include webbing  108  surrounding and coupled to the perimeter of the fabric  102 . In embodiments, the webbing  108  may add structure and durability to the fabric  102  and/or may increase the weight bearing capability of the fabric  102 . Additionally or alternatively, the webbing  108  may reduce the likelihood that the fabric  102  is torn and/or ripped. In embodiments, the webbing  108  may be comprised of polyester, polypropylene, nylon and/or other suitable materials. Additionally or alternatively, the webbing  108  may be about ¼ in., ½ in., ¾ in., 1 in., 1¼ in., 1½ in., 1¾ in., 1¾ in., 2 in. and/or the like. 
         [0017]    The animal transport  100  includes a first harness  110  coupled to a first end  102 A of the fabric  102  and/or the webbing  108  and a second harness  112  coupled to a second end  102 B of the fabric  102  and/or a the webbing  108 , wherein the first end  102 A is opposite the second end  102 B. In embodiments, the first harness  110  is configured to be secured to a first user and the second harness  112  is configured to be secured to a second user. In embodiments, the first harness  110  is secured to the front of the first user and the second harness  112  is secured to the back of the second user. After the animal is placed on the fabric  102  and the first and second harness are secured to first and second users, respectively, the first and second users pick up the animal transport  100 , which has the animal disposed therein, and walk with the animal extended between the first and second users. Since the first harness  110  is secured to the front of the first user and the second harness  100  is secured to the back of the second user, the first and second users are both capable of walking forward in the same direction. 
         [0018]    To be configured to be secured to first and second users the first and second harnesses  110 ,  112  are made of straps. In embodiments, the straps of the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may be comprised of polyester, polypropylene, nylon and/or other suitable materials. Additionally or alternatively, the width of the straps of the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may be about ¼ in., ½ in., ¾ in., 1 in., 1¼ in., 1½ in., 1¾ in., 2 in. and/or the like. 
         [0019]    In embodiments, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may be made of a single strap and/or stitched together at respective sections  114 A,  114 B of the straps to form a figure eight. When the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  are stitched together to form a figure eight, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  each include two openings  116 . In other embodiments where the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  are not stitched together to form a figure eight, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may still include two openings  116 . Each of the two openings  116  included in each of the first and second harnesses  110 ,  112  are configured to receive the respective arms of the first and second users. 
         [0020]    The straps include portions  118  which rest on the shoulders of the first and second users after the first and second users put their arms through the openings  116 . Since, however, the first harness  110  is configured to be secured to the front of a first user and the second harness  112  is configured to be secured to the back of a second user, the section  114 A of the first harness  110  may proximal to the chest of the first user and the section  1148  of the second harness  112  may be proximal to the back of the second user. 
         [0021]    In embodiments, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may include buckles  120  for adjusting the size of each of the two openings  116 . The buckles  120  may be adjusted to fit different size users. In embodiments, the buckles  120  may be made of metal, plastic and/or any other suitable material. 
         [0022]    In embodiments, the first harness  110  and/or the second harness  112  may be directly coupled to the fabric  102  and/or the webbing  108 . For example, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may be directly coupled to the fabric  102  and/or the webbing  108  via couplers  122  (e.g., metal d-rings). A close-up view of a coupler  122  (depicted as a metal d-ring) attached to a portion of the fabric  102  and/or the webbing  108  is depicted in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, as another example, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may be directly coupled to the fabric  102  and/or the webbing  108  by being stitched directly to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108 . 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, however, the first harness  110  and/or the second harness  112  may be indirectly coupled to the fabric  102  and/or the webbing  108 . For example, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may be coupled to extension straps  124 , which are then coupled to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108 . Alternatively, as another example, the first harness  110  may be indirectly coupled to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108  via extension straps  124  while the second harness  112  is directly coupled to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108 . Alternatively, as even another example, the second harness  112  may be indirectly coupled to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108  via extension straps  124  while the first harness  110  is directly coupled to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108 . The extension strap  124  may function to space apart the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  from the fabric  102  and/or the webbing  108 . The benefit of including an extension strap  124  that spaces apart the first harness  110  from the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108  is so that when the first user is walking with the animal transport  100  and facing towards the animal transport  100 , the first user can see where he/she is stepping via the gap  126  created between the first user and the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108  by the extension straps  124 . This may be especially advantageous if the first user is hiking in uneven (e.g., rocky) terrain. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may be coupled to extension straps  124  via couplers  122  (e.g., metal d-rings). A close-up view of an extension strap  124  attached to a coupler  122  (depicted as a metal d-ring), which is attached to the first harness  110  is depicted in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, in embodiments, the first and/or second harnesses  110 ,  112  may be coupled to extension straps  124  by being stitched to the extension straps  124 . In embodiments, the extension straps  124  may be coupled to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108  via couplers  122  (e.g., metal d-rings). Alternatively, in embodiments, the extension straps  124  may be coupled to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108  by being stitched to the fabric  102  and/or webbing  108 . 
         [0025]    In embodiments, the animal transport  100  may include one or more straps  128  for securing an animal to the fabric  102 . While two straps  128  are shown, more or fewer straps  128  may be included in the animal transport  100 . In embodiments, the straps  128  may be configured to extend across the fabric and be secured to opposite sides of the fabric  102 . For example, the straps  128  may extend from a first side  102 C of the fabric  102  to a second side  102 D of the fabric  102 , wherein the first side  102 C is opposite the second side  102 D. In embodiments, the straps  128  may be spaced along the length  104  of the fabric  102 . For example, a first strap  128  may be located about 1/5 the length  104 , ¼ the length  104 , 1/3 the length  104 , 2/5 the length  104  and/or the like from the first end of the fabric  102  and/or a second strap  128  may be located 1/5 the length  104 , ¼ the length  104 , 1/3 the length  104 , 2/5 the length  104  from the second end of the fabric  102 . 
         [0026]    In embodiments, the straps  128  may be comprised of polyester, polypropylene, nylon and/or other suitable materials. Additionally or alternatively, the width of the straps  128  may be ¼ in., ½ in., ¾ in., 1 in., 1¼ in., 1½ in., 1¾ in., 2 in. and/or the like. 
         [0027]    In embodiments, the straps  128  may be comprised of two sections that are connected via one or more buckles  130 . In embodiments, the buckles  130  may connect the two sections of the straps  128  by clicking together. Alternatively, the buckles  130  may connect the two sections of the straps  128  by being connected to one section of a strap  128  and interweaving another section of the strap  128  with the buckle  130 . 
         [0028]    Due to the embodiments described above, a pet owner may be able to carry a pet that has been injured and/or is otherwise unable to continue an outing. As such, the pet owner may be less likely to have to leave the pet behind if a pet does become injured and/or is otherwise unable to continue an outing. 
         [0029]    Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0