Patent Application
20110005467
This disclosure relates to pet carriers in general and, more specifically, to rolling pet carriers.
Traveling with pets is popular with the public despite the additional troubles entailed. Pets must generally be restrained in public places and terminals, and it may be safe or otherwise beneficial to restrain the pet when constant attention cannot be given. Leashes may be utilized but generally a leash does nothing to protect the animal and in some places more restraint than a leash may be required. Sometimes only an enclosed pet carrier will meet all the requirements for protection, safety, and comfort of the pet and those around the pet.
Pet carriers can be bulky, cumbersome, and heavy and even soft-sided carriers are heavier than a leash. The weight of the animal and any food or water in the carrier must also be considered.
What is needed is a device that addresses the above, and related, issues.
The invention of the present disclosure, in one aspect thereof, comprises a travel bag having a compartment having first and second ends. A first support strap is affixed proximate the first end of the compartment and provides a pair of retainers on opposite sides of the primary compartment. A second support strap is affixed on a first portion thereof to the second end of the primary compartment and has a second portion thereof forming a loop joined with the first portion. The second portion loops through each of the pair of retainers such that the second portion may form, in a first configuration, handles for carrying the travel bag or be pulled through the retainers toward the front end of the travel bag and form, in a second configuration, a pull loop.
In some embodiments, the second support strap and retainers are configured such that the second support strap slides through the retainers to move between the first and second configurations. The retainers may comprise D-rings. The second support strap may have a pair of stops that interact with the retainers to limit movement of the second strap in the first configuration. The stops may comprise D-rings. The first and second support straps may comprise strips of webbing sewn to the compartment.
Some embodiments further compe a set of wheels attached to the compartment. The compartment may be provided with at least one mesh panel, and may have a zippered opening to allow insertion and removal of a pet.
Referring now to
It can be seen that the primary compartment 101 may be defined by a first end 104 and a second end 106. The second end 106 also serves to form a part of the opening 103. In the present embodiment side 108 of the primary compartment 101 is generally continuous with the opposite side 110. Thus, in the present embodiment the sides 108, 110 continuously form the top 111 of the primary compartment 101. However, in other embodiments various other body panels may be assembled to produce the needed size and shape of the primary compartment 101. A bottom 113 of the primary compartment may be stiffened in order to support the weight of a pet or other luggage while keeping the bottom 113 away from the floor or other surface to allow the wheels 102 to operate.
It is understood that the pet carrier 100 may be utilized for other travel and transportation purposes than carrying of pets. However, in the present embodiment a series of mesh panels 112 are provided to allow for ventilation and viewing of a pet inside the primary compartment 101. It is understood that the placement and configuration of the mesh panels 112 as shown in
The pet carrier 100 in
A second support strap 116 attaches to the second end 106 of the primary compartment 101. The second support strap 116 may be continuous such that a first portion 118 of the second support strap 116 attaches to both sides 108, 110 of the primary compartment 101 crossing the bottom 113 to support the primary compartment 101 from below. However, in other embodiments the first portion 118 of the second support strap 116 may comprise discrete pieces attached only to the sides 108110 of the primary compartment 101. The second support strap 116 may also be length adjustable in order to accommodate users or different heights or to enable the pet carrier 100 to more easily interact with or be attached to other luggage.
In some embodiments, the straps 114, 116 of the pet carrier 100, may be nylon or polyester webbing that may be spot sewn or continuously sewn to the primary compartment 101. In other embodiments the straps 114, 116 are glued or fused to the primary compartment. In some embodiments, all or portions of the straps may be semi-rigid plastics or other sufficiently pliable materials. In some embodiments, segments of the straps where flexibility is not needed (e.g., handle portions) may be made from or fitted with wooden, plastic, or metallic pieces.
A second portion 120 of the second support strap 116 is generally loose in the configuration shown in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
From the foregoing it can be appreciated that the configuration of straps and other hardware on the pet carrier 100 are configured to allow the user to carry the pet carrier 100 with a duffle bag style handle and also to place the pet carrier 100 on the ground for rolling on the wheels 102 using the strap 116 as a pull handle.
Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention as defined by the claims.
