The present application is based upon and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202121554331.1, filed on Jul. 8, 2021, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a transportable container for pets, also known as a pet transporter or pet box. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a removable or replaceable window structure for the pet transporter.
Pet boxes, containers and transporters are well known for their ability to contain, secure and transport one or more pets therein. Typical pet transporters and their structures are disclosed in CN205596830U and CN207948496U, where it is described that pet transporters typically comprise 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. The box body of the pet transporter is generally comprised of moulded plastic, and usually on one or more of the sides adjacent to the opening facilitating the door, there is a window. This window may simply be an opening, one or more hollow slots periodically spaced, or a plastic or metal grille to facilitate airflow through the pet transporter and also allow for light to be transmitted into the box body.
One feature common to typical pet transporters is that the window and its components are either permanently fixed to the box body, are cut into the moulded plastic of the box body, or otherwise require additional manufacturing processes to install onto the box body to provide for additional airflow or light through the pet transporter. Accordingly, typical pet transporters that have one or more windows require additional manufacturing effort in one or more of the welding, painting, cutting, processing and installing of said windows. Furthermore, as the one or more windows on typical pet transporters are permanently fixed or cut into the moulded plastic of the box body, the windows themselves when damaged (for example during transportation or by the pet) often result in requiring the entire pet transporter itself to be replaced.
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 “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “inner”, “outer”, 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.
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a window structure for a pet transporter, wherein the window structure is particularly configured to be removable or replaceable with respect to one or more openings of the pet transporter, whereby the window structure facilitates airflow and light throughout the pet transporter. Additionally, the window structure is preferably formed by stamping a metal panel, thereby allowing for the ease of manufacture, modularity and installation of the window structure onto the pet transporter.
According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a window structure for a pet transporter; the window structure comprises a panel body comprising a plurality of through holes disposed proximal to a selected portion of the panel body, and a plurality of first attachment portions provided around the periphery of the panel body; wherein the plurality of first attachment portions are arranged and configured to concord with a plurality of second attachment portions provided around a periphery of an opening of the pet transporter; and wherein, in use, each of the first and second attachment portions co-operate to form an attachment mechanism to effect releasable securement of the window structure to the pet transporter, and the plurality of through holes co-operate with the opening allow light and air to be transmitted in and out of the pet transporter.
In one embodiment, co-operation of the first and second attachment portions align the plurality of through holes of the window structure to the opening of the pet transporter.
In one embodiment, the opening is disposed on a side of a box body of the pet transporter.
In one embodiment; the periphery of the panel body further comprises a positioning protrusion.
In one embodiment, the periphery of the opening further comprises a positioning hole sized and shaped to co-operate and receive the positioning protrusion therein to further effect releasable securement of the window structure to the pet transporter and minimise lateral movement of the window structure when secured to the pet transporter.
In one embodiment, the first attachment portions are provided on upper and lower sides of the panel body, the positioning hole is positioned on a right or left side of the panel body, and wherein the corresponding second attachment portions and the positioning protrusion are positioned about the opening of the box body to concord with the positions of the first attachment portions and the positioning hole.
In one embodiment, the panel body further comprises a stop piece disposed at an opposite right or left side of the panel body to the positioning hole, wherein in use, the positioning protrusion and the stop piece co-operate to form an anti-retraction mechanism to minimise lateral movement of the window structure when fixed to the pet transporter.
In one embodiment, the positioning protrusion and the stop piece co-operate as an anti-return structure at either ends of the window structure.
In one embodiment, the panel body of the window structure comprises an inwardly bent peripheral side portion.
In one embodiment, the peripheral side portion of the panel body abuts on the outer wall of the box body of the pet transporter.
In one embodiment, the plurality of through holes on the panel body is distributed such that they are capable of transmitting light or air therethrough.
In one embodiment, each of the first attachment portions comprise a hook portion extending inwardly from an inside of the panel body, the hook portion being sized and shaped so as to extend through a receiving hole of a corresponding second attachment portion and hook onto an inner wall of the box body.
In one embodiment, the hook portion of each attachment portion is used to hook on the inner wall of the box body.
In one embodiment, the hook portion of each first attachment portion is a 90-degree bent structure that is concave in its extension through the receiving hole of the corresponding second attachment portion.
In one embodiment, in use, co-operation of the first and second attachment portions to effect releasable securement of the window structure to the pet transporter provides a tactile and audible indication of securement.
In one embodiment, in use, imparting force in a first direction to co-operate the first and second attachment portions secures the window structure to the pet transporter.
In one embodiment, in use, imparting force in a second direction opposite to the first direction acts against the co-operation of the first and second attachment portions to release the window structure from the pet transporter.
In one embodiment, the panel body of the window structure is formed by stamping a metal plate.
In one embodiment, at least one end of the left and right ends of the sides of the panel body is provided with an anti-retraction structure.
In one embodiment, the first attachment portions are first positioning structures for both fixing the window structure onto the box body and positioning the window structure onto the box body.
In one embodiment, the first attachment portions comprise a first hook portion formed by inward stamping of at least one of upper and lower sides of the panel body, and the first hook portion comprising a raised positioning portion that is sized and shaped to abut against the inner wall of the box body and effect securement of the window structure on the pet transporter.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a window structure for a pet transporter; the window structure comprising a panel body formed by stamping a metal plate comprising a plurality of through holes disposed proximal to a selected portion of the panel body, and a plurality of hook portions extending inwardly from an inside of the panel body and provided around the periphery of the panel body; the pet transporter comprising a box body comprising an opening comprising a plurality of receiving holes provided around the periphery of the opening; and wherein, in use, each of the hook portions are sized and shaped to extend through a corresponding receiving hole to form an attachment mechanism to effect releasable securement of the window structure to the pet transporter, and align the plurality of through holes of the window structure with the opening of the box body to allow light and air to be transmitted in and out of the pet transporter.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a window structure for a pet transporter; the window structure comprises a panel body comprising a plurality of through holes disposed proximal to a selected portion of the panel body, and a plurality of first attachment portions provided around the periphery of the panel body; the pet transporter comprises a box body comprising an opening comprising a plurality of second attachment portions provided around the periphery of the opening; and wherein, in use, imparting force in a first direction results in the co-operation of each of the first and second attachment portions to form an attachment mechanism to secure the window structure to the pet transporter, imparting force in a second direction opposite to the first direction acts against the co-operation of the first and second attachment portions to release the window structure from the pet transporter, and the plurality of through holes co-operate with the opening allow light and air to be transmitted in and out of the pet transporter.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a window structure for a pet transporter; the window structure comprises a panel body comprising a plurality of through holes disposed proximal to a selected portion of the panel body, a plurality of first attachment portions provided around the periphery of the panel body, a positioning protrusion at one end of the panel body and a stop piece at an opposite end; the pet transporter comprises a box body comprising an opening comprising a plurality of second attachment portions provided around the periphery of the opening, and a positioning hole sized and shaped to co-operate and receive the positioning protrusion therein; and wherein, in use, each of the first and second attachment portions co-operate to form an attachment mechanism to effect releasable securement of the window structure to the pet transporter, the positioning protrusion co-operates with the positioning hole to minimise lateral movement of the window structure when secured to the pet transporter, and the plurality of through holes co-operate with the opening allow light and air to be transmitted in and out of the pet transporter.
Embodiments of the present disclosure will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
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.
Referring to any one of
Particularly, in one embodiment best illustrated by
The pet transporter 100 comprising a box body 105 comprising an opening 110 that may be disposed on a top wall 101 or a side wall 102 of the box body 105. The box body 105 of the pet transporter 100 comprises an internal space sized and shaped to provide an area for accommodating pets, such that the pets may stand, sit and/or sleep. The opening 110 comprises a plurality of second attachment portions 2 provided around the periphery of the opening 110, whereby the first 1 and second 2 attachment portions are in co-alignment with each other (i.e. each of the first attachment portions 1 are arranged and configured to concord with a corresponding second attachment portion 2). In use, each of the first 1 and second 2 attachment portions co-operate to form an attachment mechanism to effect releasable securement of the window structure 200 to the pet transporter 100, and the plurality of through holes K co-operate with the opening 110 to allow light and air to be transmitted in and out of the pet transporter 100.
It will be appreciated that by securing the window structure 200 onto the pet transporter 100 creates a sense of security for the contained pet, enables the pet to observe the external environment to the pet transporter 100, allows for greater air circulation through the pet transporter 100, better light to be transmitted therein, and also allows for better observation of the condition of the contained pet in the transporter 100 through the secured window structure 200.
Referring now to any one of
The disclosed window structure 200 being formed by stamping a metal plate simplifies the construction/fabrication process, ensures the strength of the window structure 200, and by being metal, it is less likely to be damaged by the pet being transported.
An additional advantage of the disclosed window structure 200, and its fabrication from a metal plate, is that when the window structure 200 is secured to the pet transporter 100, it may also act so as to provide a reinforcement/structural part to the pet transporter 100 as a whole. Thereby making the pet transporter 100 more durable.
It will be appreciated that the first 1 and second 2 attachment portions co-operate to form the attachment mechanism that advantageously effects releasable securement of the window structure 200 to the pet transporter 100. This allows the window structure 200 to be readily fixed to, and removed from, the pet transporter 100. In this way, as the window structure 200 is easily removable from the pet transporter 100, in case of an emergency situation wherein a usual door of the pet transporter 100 is not accessible, the window structure 200 may be utilised to remove the contained pet from the transporter 100.
It will also be appreciated that as the window structure 200 is easily removable, it is also convenient for an owner of the pet transporter 100 to clean the window structure 200 independently. Additionally, by removing the window structure 200, it may also make it easier to clean the interior of the box body 105 through the opening 110.
Referring to any one of
In an alternative embodiment, the surface of the panel body 201 may be smooth, and a junction at which the bent peripheral side portion 202 is, may be an arc shape (not illustrated). This alternative embodiment may be used in the instance that the pet transporter 100 is of a particular design (not illustrated) that may be more curved or angular. It will be appreciated that in this alternative embodiment, the arc shape of the peripheral side portion 202 may also be a safety feature that prevents the hands of a user of the pet transporter 100 from being scratched by otherwise sharp edges.
It will be appreciated that the metal plate from which the window structure 200 is formed, may be easily painted to provide the pet transporter with a distinctive and attractive appearance, but the applied paint may also play a role of rust prevention for the window structure 200.
In one embodiment, illustrated in any one of
In one embodiment, in use, co-operation of the first 1 and second 2 attachment portions to effect releasable securement of the window structure 200 to the pet transporter 100 provides a tactile and audible indication of securement. That is, advantageously, a user is able to feel and hear that the window structure 200 has been secured to the pet transporter 100.
In one embodiment, illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring once more to
In one embodiment, referring to
In one embodiment, illustrated in any one of the figures, the first attachment portions 1 are provided on upper and lower sides of the panel body 201. In this embodiment, the positioning hole P is positioned on a right or left side of the panel body 201, and wherein the corresponding second attachment portions 2 and the positioning protrusion L are positioned about the opening 110 of the box body 105 to concord with the positions of the first attachment portions 1 and the positioning hole P.
In one embodiment, referring now to
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the hook portion 1 of each first attachment portion is a 90-degree bent structure that is concave in its extension through the receiving hole of the corresponding second attachment portion 2. Preferably, the bending direction of the hook portion 1 is consistent with the length direction of the window structure 200. In this preferred embodiment, the window structure 200 moves along the length direction so that the inner wall of the box body 105 enters the first hook portion 1 or separates from the hook portion 1, thereby realising the releasable securement mechanism of the window structure 200 to the pet transporter 100.
In the above embodiment, each of the first hook portions 1 may comprise a first vertical section 11 and a first bending section 12, this is best illustrated in
Additionally, in the above embodiment, the first bending section 12 may be parallel to the inner wall of the box body 105, and the surface of the first bending section 12, in use, is close to the inner wall of the box body 105 such that it presses on the inner wall so as to snap the window structure 200 onto the pet transporter 100.
In one embodiment, the first hook portion 1 may be formed with a concave-convex structure to enhance its rigidity. In particular, with reference to
In any one of the above embodiments, it will be appreciated that as the panel body 201 of the window structure 200 is formed from a metal plate, the first hook portion 1 of each first attachment portion may be formed by inward stamping of at least one of upper and lower sides of the panel body 201. In this way, the first hook portion 1 may comprise a raised positioning portion that is sized and shaped to abut against the inner wall of the box body 105 and effect securement of the window structure 200 onto the pet transporter 100.
In one embodiment, best illustrated in
In the above embodiment, the raised positioning portion 3 is a convex structure (as illustrated) and extends from the edge of the first through hole 2, and the transition between the convex raised positioning portion 3 and the first through hole 2 is an inclined surface 4 (or a convex arc surface) which assists the first hook portion 1 co-operable with said hole 2 when effecting releasable securement of the window structure 200 to the pet transporter 100.
Referring now to
In the above embodiment, the stop piece 6 passes through the opening 110 of the box body 105 to abut against an edge of the opening so as to limit the movement of the window 200 when secured to the pet transporter 100. In the figures, the stop piece 6 is illustrated as being on the right edge of the window 200, accordingly, in this example, the stop piece 6 would limit the rightward movement of the window 200 when secured to the pet transporter 100.
In this embodiment, the positioning hole P may be located on the left edge of the window structure 200 (as illustrated) opposite to the stop piece 6 on the right edge. The positioning hole P may comprise a second hook portion 5, whereby the second hook portion 5 faces to the left (in this example) and passes through the opening 110 of the box body 105 and is hooked onto the inner wall of the box body 105, and a second vertical section 51 of the second hook portion 5 abuts against the left edge of the opening 110 to limit lateral movement of the window structure 200 when secured to the pet transporter 100.
As illustrated in any one of the figures, in the discussed embodiments, the direction of the first 1 and second 5 hook portions are directed to the left. Referring to
In any one of the above embodiments, in order to secure the window structure 200 to the pet transporter 100, each of the first attachment portions 1 (first hook portions) of the window structure 200 are passed through the corresponding second attachment portions 2 (first through holes) of the opening 110, and the positioning hole P (second hook portion) is passed through the opening 110, Subsequently, the window structure 200 is moved to the left, and front ends of the first attachment portions 1 and the positioning hole P are hooked onto their respective second attachment portions 2 and positioning protrusion L. On the inner wall of the box body 105, the second vertical section 51 of the second hook portion 5 abuts against the left edge of the opening 110 to limit the leftward movement of the window structure 200, and at this time, the right stop piece 6 is stuck on the right edge of the opening 110 (i.e. as the stop piece 6 is oppositely located to the second hook portion 5), and the positioning protrusion L co-operates with the positioning hole P to secure the window structure 200 to the pet transporter 100. In this way, it is demonstrated that the second hook portion 5 and the stop piece 6 together co-operate to play a role of preventing withdrawal of the window structure 200 from the pet transporter 100 opening 110.
When the window structure 200 is to be disassembled (or released) from the pet transporter 100, a force from inside of the box body 105 to the outside needs to be applied to the window structure 200, such that the positioning protrusion L exits the positioning hole P, and the stop piece 6 is separated from the right edge of the opening 110. At this time, the window structure 200 can be moved to the right (i.e. opposite in direction above), so that the first attachment portions 1 can be separated from the inner wall of the box body 105 and can be withdrawn from their corresponding second attachment portions 2, thereby releasing the window structure 200 from the pet transporter 100.
In a broad sense, in use, imparting a force in a first direction (e.g. to the left in the above embodiment) to co-operate the first 1 and second 2 attachment portions secures the window structure 200 to the pet transporter. Accordingly, imparting a force in a second direction opposite to the first direction (e.g. to the right in the above embodiment) acts against the co-operation of the first 1 and second 2 attachment portions to release the window structure 200 from the pet transporter 100.
It will be appreciated that when compared with the prior art, the presently disclosed window structure 200 for the pet transporter 100 has a number of advantages. In particular, the window structure 200 is formed by stamping a metal plate which not only simplifies the production and assembly process of the window structure 200, but also ensures the strength of the window of the pet transporter 100, avoids the window being damaged by contained pets, and when installed, the window structure 200 acts to provide strength and rigidity to the box body 105 of the pet transporter. Furthermore, being easily and readily removable, the window structure 200 disclosed herein is easily able to be independently cleaned and replaced if required without the need for a user to purchase an entirely new pet transporter.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these descriptions are only descriptive, exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.
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.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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202121554331.1 | Jul 2021 | CN | national |