Abstract:
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for carrying a pet in a seating area of a shopping cart. The apparatus comprises a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat having a front portion forming a front sleeve, a rear portion forming a rear sleeve, the front and rear sleeves opening inwardly toward a central portion, a first side portion and a second side portion extending from the central portion in directions opposite to one another, and a retaining enclosure formed by the front portion, the rear portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion, wherein the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat is held into place on the shopping cart by the front sleeve and the rear sleeve, and further wherein the retaining enclosure confines the pet to the seating area of the shopping cart.

Description:
REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/529,537, filed Dec. 15, 2003, by Melissa Cohen-Fyffe for CLEAN PET SHOPPER, which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to pet retaining shopping cart seating apparatus and methods in general, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for covering a shopping cart seat so as to safely transport a pet.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Many pet owners today shop with their pets at large specialty retail stores. Sometimes it is necessary to restrict the movement of a pet due to the presence of other pets and potential germs. However, it is also highly desirable to most pet owners to be able to shop hands free and have peace of mind about the safety and comfort of their pet.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An object of the invention is to provide a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat which covers the entire seating area, including sides, back and front of a shopping cart so little paws cannot slip through the shopping cart.  
         [0005]     Another object of the invention is to provide a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat which covers the entire seating area, including sides, back and front of a shopping cart so little paws cannot touch a cold, hot, wet, or contaminated surface of the shopping cart.  
         [0006]     A further object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, unitary cover without unnecessary hardware for convenient carrying, installation and removal.  
         [0007]     A still further object is to provide a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat configured to prevent a pet from removing the cover from the seat inasmuch as the pet is placed in the middle of the cover and allow the pet owner to easily remove the cover by pulling the sleeves off of the cart, outwardly from the center of the cover where the pet would normally be located.  
         [0008]     With the above and other objects in view, as will hereinafter appear, there is provided a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat for carrying a pet in a seating area of a shopping cart, the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat comprising: 
        a thin sheet of flexible material formed with a central portion having a first end and a second end in opposition to one another, the central portion having a third end and a fourth end in opposition to one another, a first line from the first end to the second end forming a longitudinal axis, and a second line from the third end to the fourth end forming a lateral axis;     a front portion and a rear portion in opposition to one another, the front portion extending from the central portion along the longitudinal axis to the first end, the rear portion extending from the central portion along the longitudinal axis to the second end, the front portion forming a front sleeve, the rear portion forming a rear sleeve, the front sleeve opening inwardly toward the central portion, and the rear sleeve opening inwardly toward the central portion;     a first side portion and a second side portion in opposition to one another, the first side portion extending from the central portion along the lateral axis to the third end, the second side portion extending from the central portion along the lateral axis to the fourth end; and     a retaining enclosure formed by the front portion, the rear portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion, wherein the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat is held into place on the shopping cart by the front sleeve and the rear sleeve, and further wherein the retaining enclosure confines the pet to the seating area of the shopping cart.        
 
         [0013]     In accordance with a further feature of the invention there is provided a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat for carrying a pet in a seating area of a shopping cart, the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat comprising: 
        a thin sheet of flexible material formed with a central portion having a first end and a second end in opposition to one another, the central portion having a third end and a fourth end in opposition to one another, a first line from the first end to the second end forming a longitudinal axis, and a second line from the third end to the fourth end forming a lateral axis;     a front portion and a rear portion in opposition to one another, the front portion extending from the central portion along the longitudinal axis to the first end, the rear portion extending from the central portion along the longitudinal axis to the second end, the front portion forming a front sleeve, the rear portion forming a rear sleeve, the front sleeve opening inwardly toward the central portion, and the rear sleeve opening inwardly toward the central portion;     a first side portion and a second side portion in opposition to one another, the first side portion extending from the central portion along the lateral axis to the third end, the second side portion extending from the central portion along the lateral axis to the fourth end;     a retaining enclosure formed by the front portion, the rear portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion; and     at least one of the front portion, the rear portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion forming a safety strap passageway therethrough, wherein the safety strap is positioned through the safety strap passageway so as to attach a first end of the safety strap to the pet and attach a second end of the safety strap to the shopping cart.        
 
         [0019]     In accordance with a still further feature of the invention there is provided a method for carrying a pet in a seating area of a shopping cart, the method comprising: 
        providing a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat for carrying a pet in a seating area of a shopping cart, the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat comprising: 
            a thin sheet of flexible material formed with a central portion having a first end and a second end in opposition to one another, the central portion having a third end and a fourth end in opposition to one another, a first line from the first end to the second end forming a longitudinal axis, and a second line from the third end to the fourth end forming a lateral axis;     a front portion and a rear portion in opposition to one another, the front portion extending from the central portion along the longitudinal axis to the first end, the rear portion extending from the central portion along the longitudinal axis to the second end, the front portion forming a front sleeve, the rear portion forming a rear sleeve, the front sleeve opening inwardly toward the central portion, and the rear sleeve opening inwardly toward the central portion;     a first side portion and a second side portion in opposition to one another, the first side portion extending from the central portion along the lateral axis to the third end, the second side portion extending from the central portion along the lateral axis to the fourth end;     a retaining enclosure formed by the front portion, the rear portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion; and     at least one of the front portion, the rear portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion forming a safety strap passageway therethrough, wherein the safety strap is positioned through the safety strap passageway so as to attach a first end of the safety strap to the pet and attach a second end of the safety strap to the shopping cart;    
            attaching the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat to the shopping cart by placing the front sleeve and the rear sleeve over a handle portion and a seatback portion of the shopping cart, respectively; and     placing the pet into the retaining enclosure.        
 
         [0028]     In accordance with another further feature of the invention there is provided a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat for carrying a pet in a seating area of a shopping cart, the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat comprising: 
        a thin sheet of flexible material formed with a central portion having a first end portion and a second end portion in opposition to one another;     first attachment means for attaching the first end portion to a handle portion of the shopping cart and second attachment means for attaching the second end portion to a seatback portion of the shopping cart;     a first side portion and a second side portion in opposition to one another, and the first side portion and the second side portion disposed between the first attachment means and the second attachment means; and     a retaining enclosure formed by between the first end portion, the second end portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion, wherein the retaining enclosure covers the seating area, including adjacent areas of the first side portion, the second side portion, the seatback portion, and the handle portion so as to prevent the pet from slipping through the shopping cart and prevent the pet from touching any contaminated surface of the shopping cart.        
 
         [0033]     In accordance with yet another further feature of the invention there is provided a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat for carrying a pet in a seating area of a shopping cart, the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat comprising: 
        a thin sheet of flexible material formed with a central portion having a first end portion and a second end portion in opposition to one another;     first attachment means for attaching the first end portion to a handle portion of the shopping cart and second attachment means for attaching the second end portion to a seatback portion of the shopping cart;     a first side portion and a second side portion in opposition to one another, and the first side portion and the second side portion disposed between the first attachment means and the second attachment means; and     a retaining enclosure formed by between the first end portion, the second end portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion; and     at least one of the first end portion, the second end portion, the first side portion, and the second side portion forming a safety strap passageway therethrough, wherein the safety strap is positioned through the safety strap passageway so as to attach a first end of the safety strap to the pet and attach a second end of the safety strap to the shopping cart.        
 
         [0039]     Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, 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  
       [0040]     These and other objects and features of the present invention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are to be considered together with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts, and further wherein:  
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat showing a front sleeve positioned over the shopping cart handle, a rear sleeve positioned over the rear seatback, and side portions positioned over opposing sides of the shopping cart;  
         [0042]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is a top elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a bottom elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a right side elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a left side elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat showing a front sleeve positioned over the shopping cart handle, a rear sleeve positioned over the rear seatback, side portions positioned over opposing sides of the shopping cart, a safety strap passageway formed through the cover adjacent the rear sleeve, and a safety strap positioned through the safety strap passageway for attachment to a pet with one end thereof and attachment to the shopping cart with the other end thereof;  
         [0050]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 11  is a top elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0052]      FIG. 12  is a bottom elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0053]      FIG. 13  is a front elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0054]      FIG. 14  is a rear elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0055]      FIG. 15  is a right side elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0056]      FIG. 16  is a left side elevational view of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat as shown in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0057]      FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration of a safety strap configured for use with one of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seats shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and  9 - 16 ; and  
         [0058]      FIG. 18  is a schematic illustration of a travel tote configured for storing one of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seats shown in  FIGS. 2-8  and  9 - 16 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0059]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , and in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is shown a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5 , which is configured to provide a safe and comfortable shopping environment for one or more small pets.  
         [0060]     Shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  is preferably constructed in a one-piece design configured to cover the entire seating area  10  of a shopping cart  15 . Shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  is configured to cover any leg openings  20  of shopping cart  15  so as to prevent a pet  25  and its paws from slipping through. With pet  25  disposed comfortably and safely within shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5 , an owner is able to shop “hands free”.  
         [0061]     Preferably, the one-piece design of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  allows installation in less than  10  seconds using one hand, covering every possible surface with which tiny paws can come into contact. In addition, shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  provides a cushion of comfort and security for pet  25 .  
         [0062]     Referring still to  FIGS. 1-8 , and in preferred embodiment, there is shown a front sleeve  30 , a rear sleeve  35 , and side portions  40 ,  45  forming shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5 . Front sleeve  30  and rear sleeve  35  each open inwardly toward a central portion  50 , respectively. Side portions  40 ,  45  extend from central portion  50 .  
         [0063]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , there is shown front sleeve  30  positioned over a front portion of shopping cart seating area  10 , typically including the shopping cart handle. Rear sleeve  35  is shown positioned over the back portion of the shopping cart seating area  10 , typically including the shopping cart seatback. Side portions  40 ,  45  are shown covering side portions of the shopping cart seating area  10 . This configuration provides easy installation in that no other devices are used to attach shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  to shopping cart  15 . Removal by the pet owner is easily accomplished by outwardly removing front sleeve  30  and rear sleeve  35  from shopping cart  15 . Removal by pet  25  is more difficult inasmuch as pet  25  is disposed within the center of seat  5 .  
         [0064]     Shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  is preferably reversible such that one side  55  of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  comprises a soft fleece material and the opposite side  60  comprises a Tartan fabric material. Soft fleece material of side  55  may include faux lambs&#39; wool.  
         [0065]     Alternative preferred embodiments of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  include, for example, but are not limited to, thin sheets of flexible material comprising cotton, polyester, nylon, vinyl, other plastics, linen, rayon, wool, felt, leather, disposables, and combinations of materials including weaves, layers of materials, and portions made from different materials. Preferably, the material or materials forming shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  are machine washable and dryer safe.  
         [0066]     In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, Velcro® brand hook-and-loop strips (not shown) are preferably disposed on either or both of surface  55  and surface  60  of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  so as to ensure a secure fit of seat  5  to shopping cart  15 . Velcro® brand hook-and-loop strips, or other types of fasteners including, but not limited to, belts, straps, snaps, buckles, elastic, may be used together with, or in place of, front sleeve  30  and rear sleeve  35 .  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIGS. 9-16 , and in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is shown a shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105 , which is configured to provide a safe and comfortable shopping environment for one or more small pets.  
         [0068]     Shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  is preferably constructed in a one-piece design configured to cover the entire seating area  110  of a shopping cart  115 . Shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  is configured to cover any leg openings  120  of shopping cart  115  so as to prevent a pet  125  and its paws from slipping through. With pet  125  disposed comfortably and safely within shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105 , an owner is able to shop “hands free”.  
         [0069]     Preferably, the one-piece design of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  allows installation in less than 10 seconds using one hand, covering every possible surface with which tiny paws can come into contact. In addition, shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  provides a cushion of comfort and security for pet  125 .  
         [0070]     Referring still to  FIGS. 9-16 , and in preferred embodiment, there is shown a front sleeve  130 , a rear sleeve  135 , and side portions  140 ,  145  forming shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105 . Front sleeve  130  and rear sleeve  135  each open inwardly toward a central portion  150 , respectively. Side portions  140 ,  145  extend from central portion  150 .  
         [0071]     Referring again to  FIG. 9 , there is shown front sleeve  130  positioned over a front portion of shopping cart seating area  110 , typically including the shopping cart handle. Rear sleeve  135  is shown positioned over the back portion of the shopping cart seating area  110 , typically including the shopping cart seatback. Side portions  140 ,  145  are shown covering side portions of the shopping cart seating area  110 . This configuration provides easy installation in that no other devices are used to attach shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  to shopping cart  115 . Removal by the pet owner is easily accomplished by outwardly removing front sleeve  130  and rear sleeve  135  from shopping cart  115 . Removal by pet  125  is more difficult inasmuch as pet  125  is disposed within the center of seat  105 .  
         [0072]     Shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  is preferably reversible such that one side  155  of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  comprises a soft fleece material and the opposite side  160  comprises a Tartan fabric material. Soft fleece material of side  155  may include faux lambs&#39; wool.  
         [0073]     Alternative preferred embodiments of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  include, for example, but are not limited to, thin sheets of flexible material comprising cotton, polyester, nylon, vinyl, other plastics, linen, rayon, wool, felt, leather, disposables, and combinations of materials including weaves, layers of materials, and portions made from different materials. Preferably, the material or materials forming shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  are machine washable and dryer safe.  
         [0074]     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-13 , there is shown a safety strap passageway  165  formed in rear sleeve  135  for positioning a safety strap/leash  170  therethrough. Pet attachment end  175  is positioned on side  155  facing pet  125  and anchor end  180  is positioned on side  160  facing shopping cart  115 . Pet attachment end  175  is attached to pet  125  and anchor end  180  is attached to shopping cart  115  so as to confine pet  125  to seating area  110 .  
         [0075]     Looking at  FIGS. 9, 10 , and  17 , and in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is shown safety strap/leash  170  for use with shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105 . Safety strap/leash  170  is preferably attached to shopping cart  110  and to pet  125  so as to retain pet  125  within seating area  110 . Safety strap  165  preferably includes a durable plastic clip  185  on each end  175 ,  180  and a convenient length adjuster  190  so as to allow adjustable positioning to prevent pet  125  from leaving seating area  110 . Safety strap/leash  175  preferably includes, but is not limited to leather, metal, or synthetic materials. Clip  185  preferably comprises metal or nylon. Alternatively, a leash with a fastening mechanism such as, but not limited to, a dog leash, is used in place of strap/leash  175  so as to secure a dog&#39;s collar to a shopping cart. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, one or more leashes may be disposed though the sides or bottom of the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat. Preferably, a harness system is provided to secure the pet to the shopping cart. The harness system is preferably configured for attachment to a safety strap/leash in attachment to the shopping cart. Alternatively, a harness system is configured for attachment directly to the metal of the shopping cart.  
         [0076]     More preferably, multiple safety straps/leashes are provided to secure the pet to the shopping cart. Multiple safety strap passageways are also preferably provided though the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat. As each of the multiple safety straps/leashes has two clips, the pet is kept anchored in place by positioning each leash through the shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat at different directions toward the pet.  
         [0077]     In addition, multiple safety straps/leashes  170  may be used to confine multiple pets  125  within seating area  110 .  
         [0078]     In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, Velcro® brand hook-and-loop strips (not shown) are preferably disposed on either or both of surface  155  and surface  160  of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  so as to ensure a secure fit of seat  105  to shopping cart  115 . Velcro® brand hook-and-loop strips, or other types of fasteners including, but not limited to, belts, straps, snaps, buckles, elastic, may be used together with, or in place of, front sleeve  130  and rear sleeve  135 .  
         [0079]     Looking now at  FIG. 18 , and in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is shown a convenient travel tote  195  for storing one of shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5 , or shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105 . Shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  5  and shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105  each preferably fold to a compact size for convenient storage inside travel tote  195 .  
         [0080]     Preferably, there is provided a kit which includes shopping cart cover and pet retaining seat  105 , safety strap/leash  170 , and travel tote  195 .