Abstract:
A light-weight, foldable, soft-sided pet conveyance apparatus. The apparatus provides a soft-sided containment area for securing a pet which can allow a pet to view its surroundings through an optional overhead containment wall access opening or completely secure the pet with a closure flap. The containment area may be used in conjunction with a pre-existing stroller or may be disposed on a stroller frame as a single unit.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/424,599, entitled “Pet Stroller”, filed on Nov. 6, 2002, and the specification thereof is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field) 
   The present invention relates to conveyance devices for animals, particularly smaller pets. 
   2. Background Art 
   Serious pet owners, especially owners of small dogs, cats and the like, have often had a concern about transporting their pets around with them on long walks, in crowded areas, or in areas where it is not safe or accepted for the pet to run about or be walked. Typically, in these type of situations, an owner is forced to carry their pet, often for extended periods of time, causing discomfort, fatigue, and lack of mobility for both the pet and pet owner. 
   Some prior art devices have attempted to address the problems of transporting a pet in a contained area. One such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,775 to Baumsteiger, which discloses a “kennel stroller” wherein a stroller body is provided which is suitable for transporting a pre-existing pet containment device, known in the art as a kennel, or a “travel cage”. The conveyance essentially comprises a frame or carrying a hard-bodied, box-shaped structure. 
   Another prior art device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,793 to Leader et al. This device comprises a wheeled conveyance which supports a large, box-shaped structure, which in this case, comprises a cage device. 
   U.S. Design Patents D453,593 and D445,965 to Licciardello depict a “mobile pet carrier” having a fixed mesh enclosure on a modified baby stroller frame. 
   All of these prior art devices are hard-sided making them incapable of being folded for easy, compact storage. There is a real need in the art for a device that is light, easily used, stored, and transported and which further provides a soft, comfortable environment for the pet. There is also a need for a low-cost, simple to use, alternative device which could easily be used to modify the pre-existing, easily accessible, inexpensive umbrella or similar baby stroller which has the same afore-mentioned pet containment benefits. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The apparatus of the present invention is a pet stroller which comprises a stroller frame, soft-sided containment area, an optional overhead containment wall, an optional head access opening of the overhead containment wall, and an optional ventilated closure flap of the head access opening. 
   The stroller embodiment of the present invention comprises a soft-sided containment unit and a carriage, wherein the soft-sided containment unit itself comprises a base disposed on a lower end of the soft-sided containment unit, at least one side wall disposed in connected relation to the base and extending upwardly from the base to form an internal containment area, and an upper end with access means for insertion and removal of a pet; and wherein the carriage comprises a frame having at least two main side support bars, at least two secondary support bars disposed in connected relation to the main support bars thereby creating an intersection area, a wheel base area disposed on a lower end of the main support bars, and a handle disposed on the at least one main side support bar; wherein the soft-sided containment unit is disposed upon and supported by the carriage, and wherein the carriage is foldable about the intersection area. 
   In further embodiments, the mobile pet containment apparatus may additionally comprise an overhead containment wall disposed on the upper end which may be comprised of a flexible material, such as but not limited to fabric or mesh. The containment wall may additionally comprise attachment members disposed on at least one end of the containment wall. Such attachment members may be, for example, snaps, hooks and eyes, hooks and loops, ties, and buttons and holes. 
   The side walls of the containment unit may comprise of a soft material and may further comprise strengthening elements. The base may be comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of soft, rigid, or semi-rigid materials and may additionally comprise strengthening elements. 
   In further embodiments, the mobile pet containment unit&#39;s overhead containment wall may additionally comprise a head access opening which may further have a closure flap disposed on the containment wall for placement over the head access opening. The closure flap may comprise a material suitable for ventilation. 
   Alternately, the invention may comprise a stroller attachment containment unit comprising a soft-sided containment area, an optional overhead containment wall, an optional head access opening of the overhead containment wall, and an optional ventilated closure flap of the head access opening, and locking elements wherein the containment unit is disposable on and for use in combination with a pre-existing baby stroller. The locking elements may be selected from a member of the group consisting of ties, straps, and hooks, and may be disposed in connected relation to at least one member selected from the group consisting of a frame element of said pre-existing stroller, a seat of said pre-existing stroller, and a back of the pre-existing stroller. Further, the base of the containment unit may be comprised of a seat of the pre-existing stroller and/or one side wall of the unit may be comprised of a seat back of the pre-existing stroller. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a soft-sided, convenient transporting method for use with pets. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a foldable, easily stored apparatus. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit which may be used in conjunction with a pre-existing stroller. 
   A further object of the invention is to provide a transport unit which will safely contain a pet, preferably while allowing the pet some freedom of viewing its surroundings. 
   A primary advantage of the present invention is its convenience in providing a light-weight, foldable stroller. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is the convenience of an apparatus that can be used to easily modify a pre-existing, low cost baby stroller for use with pets. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is the apparatus&#39; soft-sided comfort provided to the pet. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is the safe containment of the pet. 
   Finally, another advantage of the present invention is the apparatus&#39; access to allowing the pet to view its surroundings. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the stroller of the present invention, specifically depicting frame  12  and containment area  14 ; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment, depicting three side walls  24  of containment area  14 , disposed on a pre-existing stroller; and 
       FIG. 3  is the embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , further depicting the optional overhead containment wall  16  with an optional head access opening  18  and strengthening elements  26 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention 
   The apparatus of the present invention is a pet stroller  10  which comprises stroller frame  12 , soft-sided containment area  14 , optional overhead containment wall  16 , optional head access opening  18  of overhead containment wall  16 , and optional ventilated closure flap  20  of head access opening  18 . Alternately, the invention may comprise a stroller attachment containment unit  11  comprising soft-sided containment area  14 , optional overhead containment wall  16 , optional head access opening  18  of overhead containment wall  16 , and optional ventilated closure flap, not shown, of head access opening  18 , wherein containment unit  11  is disposable on and for use in combination with pre-existing baby stroller  13 . 
   In the preferred embodiment, as best depicted in  FIG. 1 , stroller frame  12  comprises the typical “baby stroller configuration” known in the art of strollers, wherein a preferably four (or more)-wheel base area  30  (although 2 and 3 wheel bases may be utilized) provides rolling support of and is disposed on lower end  31  of frame body  32  (which is preferably foldable for easy storage). Frame body  32  will preferably comprise at least two main side support bars  34 , and at least two secondary support bars  36  disposed in connected relation thereto, as known in the art, which preferably intersect main support bars  34  along the length of main support bars  34  and are movably connected at such intersection  35  to allow a user to “fold” stroller  10  in a manner familiar in the art of baby strollers. At least one handle  38  will be disposed on at least one of main bars  34  or alternately on an optional bar or intersection of bars or disposed upon at least one of support bars  36 . Additional support elements and other features known in baby strollers (e.g., cup holders, cargo trays, bag handles, etc.) may be comprised in stroller frame  12 . 
   As depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , soft-sided containment area  14 , generally comprises base  22  and preferably four contiguous side walls  24  disposed thereon or attached thereto. In the preferred embodiment, containment area&#39;s  14  upper end  26  is open, allowing the pet to sit within containment area  14  and maintain a relatively unobstructed view of the area outside of its containment area  14 . In an alternate embodiment, more or less walls  24  may be utilized to produce a different polygonal configuration from the rectangular configuration of the preferred embodiment. Walls  24  may be permanently or removably disposed on base  22 . Preferably, when walls  24  are removable from base  22 , then walls  24  will be disposed in a connected linear relation to each other such that they have an end-to-end attachment area between at least two of the walls wherein the walls are secured to each other by conventional means, e.g., snaps, hooks and eyes, hooks and loops, ties, buttons and holes, etc., to form the desired upright three dimensional configuration. 
   In yet another alternate embodiment as best depicted in  FIG. 3 , upper end  26  additionally comprises overhead containment wall  16 . Overhead containment wall  16  may fully or partially enclose the open area of upper end  26 . Preferably, wall  16  is comprised of a flexible material (such as, but not limited to fabric) which can be easily rolled or otherwise bundled or moved out of the way when surface  26  is desired to be open. A more rigid surface material can be utilized to ensure adequate securing of wall  16  for more rambunctious pets. When wall  16  is desired to be used for additional containment of the pet, wall  16  is unbundled (or otherwise set in place), and is stretched over upper surface  26  and is attached to one or more, preferably at least two, side walls  24 . Attachment is preferably achieved by use of a simple attachment means  27  known in the art, such as but not limited to snaps, hooks and eyes, hooks and loops, ties, buttons and holes, etc. Wall  16  may be permanently affixed to at least one side wall  24  and be stored proximately thereto. Alternately, wall  16  may be completely detachable from containment area  14 . 
   Additional embodiments will further comprise head access opening  18  of overhead containment wall  16  as also depicted in  FIG. 3 , wherein a ventilation opening of suitable size for protrusion of the pet&#39;s head is formed in containment wall  16 . Alternate embodiments will comprise a ventilated closure flap not shown, of head access opening  18 . Preferably such closure comprises a “breathable” fabric or mesh for adequate ventilation. Closure flaps may be completely detachable from wall  16  or may be attached by sewing or other closure means such as but not limited to closure means suitable for fixing the flap in place, such as but not limited to hooks and loops, hooks and eyes, ties, buttons and holes, etc., on wall  16 . 
   Contiguous walls  24  or base  22  may have semi-rigid or rigid strengthening elements  25  disposed on or within walls  24 . Such elements are preferably disposed in corner areas  28  of containment area  14  where contiguous walls  24  intersect and under or within the base. For example, in a preferred embodiment, such a strengthening element would comprise a plastic rod or other more rigid material disposed vertically or horizontally along or within one or more walls  24 , or for example, by reinforced stitching. Optionally, additional strengthening elements may be disposed along an upper surface of one or more of contiguous walls  24 . It is preferred that any such elements be semi-rigid or foldable in a manner that comports with the folding action of the stroller body. 
   Base  22  as shown in  FIG. 2  is preferably comprised of a soft material (such as, but not limited to fabric), or a rigid or semi-rigid material (such as, but not limited to plastic, wood, and laminated materials) which may have an optional padded surface. Side walls  24  are preferably comprised of a soft material (such as but not limited to fabric and mesh) or slightly less preferably, a semi-rigid material (such as but not limited to a flexible plastic resin or rubberized or foam-type material). Preferably, when a semi-rigid or rigid material is utilized, the surface will additionally comprise a padded layer. Also, it is preferred that when a soft material is used for either base  22  and/or side walls  24 , that strengthening elements are used. 
   As depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , alternate embodiments of the invention will additionally comprise stroller attachment containment unit  11  essentially comprising soft-sided containment area  14  of the invention disposed on a preexisting baby stroller. In the preferred embodiment, at least one of base  22  of containment unit  11  and/or a designated rear-facing side wall  24  of containment unit  11  will comprising locking elements  15  of unit  11  for attachment to pre-existing stroller  13 . In such embodiments, additional locking elements will preferably be disposed on a lower end of at least two of side walls  24  for attachment to the pre-existing stroller seat. Alternately, base  22  or rear-facing side wall  24  may be omitted from containment area  14  and the pre-existing stroller seat  17  may be attached to walls  24  to serve as the unit&#39;s base and/or the seal back of the stroller may serve as the rear-facing side wall instead. Preferably locking elements include, but are not limited to snaps, hooks and eyes, hooks and loops, ties, buttons and holes, etc. 
   In an alternate embodiment, containment unit  11  may attach to preexisting stroller  13  by attachment of the unit to stroller frame  12  by conventional means, such as, but not limited to ties, straps (e.g., with conventional closure means on the straps such as but not limited to snaps, hooks and eyes, hooks and loops, buttons and holes, bungee cord tension, etc.), hooks, etc. 
   Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents.