EP-4734756-A2 - PET TRAVEL CARRIER

Abstract

A pet carrier for containing animals on a vehicle seat having at least one vehicle seat anchor includes a body defining an enclosure having an interior within which an animal is receivable. The body includes a cavity. At least one rigid latch connector is mounted to the body for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. The at least one rigid latch connector is receivable within the cavity when in the stowed position and is connectable to the at least one vehicle seat anchor of the vehicle seat when in the deployed position.

Inventors

• BOWERS, PATRICK J. G.
• SACK, DANIEL A.
• FERGUSON, JOSHUA
• EGGERT-CROWE, COLIN F.
• Clemmer, Lance J.
• Ingraham, Jerry S.
• HARTENSTINE, CURTIS M.

Assignees

• Jani International Pte. Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240614

Claims (20)

1. 1. A pet carrier for containing animals on a vehicle seat including at least one vehicle seat anchor, the pet carrier comprising: a body defining an enclosure having an interior within which an animal is receivable, the body including a cavity; and at least one rigid latch connector mounted to the body for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the at least one rigid latch connector is receivable within the cavity when in the stowed position and the at least one rigid latch connector is connectable to the at least one vehicle seat anchor of the vehicle seat when in the deployed position.
2. 2. The pet carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid latch connector is translatable along an axis between the stowed position and the deployed position.
3. 3. The pet carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid latch connector is rotatable about an axis between the stowed position and the deployed position.
4. 4. The pet carrier of claim 1, further comprising at least one biasing mechanism operably coupled to the at least one rigid latch connector to bias the at least one rigid latch connector to the deployed position.
5. 5. The pet carrier of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first section and a second section, the first section including a frame and containment materials extending at least partially about the frame, and the second section including a base, the frame being connectable to the base.
6. 6. The pet carrier of claim 5, wherein the cavity is formed in the base.
7. 7. The pet carrier of claim 5, further comprising a latch deployment mechanism operable to automatically transform the at least one rigid latch connector from the stowed position to the deployed position in response to an input.
8. 8. The pet carrier of claim 7, wherein the latch deployment mechanism includes a deployment actuator operably coupled to the at least one rigid latch connector by a deployment assembly, the at least one rigid latch connector automatically transforming from the stowed position to the deployed position in response to operation of the deployment actuator.
9. 9. The pet carrier of claim 8, wherein the at least one rigid latch connector further comprises a plurality of rigid latch connectors, the deployment actuator being operably coupled to the plurality of rigid latch connectors such that the plurality of rigid latch connectors are simultaneously transformable between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to operation of the deployment actuator.
10. 10. The pet carrier of claim 8, wherein the deployment actuator is a handle arranged at the base.
11. 11. The pet carrier of claim 8, wherein the deployment actuator is a handle arranged at front of the body.
12. 12. The pet carrier of claim 8, further comprising a release mechanism operably coupled to the at least one rigid latch connector to unlock the at least one rigid latch connector.
13. 13. The pet carrier of claim 12, wherein the release mechanism further comprises: a release actuator; and at least one transmitted operatively connecting the at least one rigid latch connector to the release actuator.
14. 14. The pet carrier of claim 13, wherein the release actuator is a handle arranged at the first section of the body.
15. 15. The pet carrier of claim 13, wherein the deployment actuator is the release actuator.
16. 16. A pet carrier for containing animals on a vehicle seat, the pet carrier comprising: a body defining an enclosure having an interior within which an animal is receivable, the body including a cavity; and a plurality of rigid latch connectors mounted to the body for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein an axial distance defined between the plurality of rigid latch connectors in the deployed position is greater than the axial distance defined between the plurality of rigid latch connectors in the stowed position.
17. 17. The pet carrier of claim 16, wherein the plurality of rigid latch connectors in the stowed position are parallel to the plurality of rigid latch connectors in the deployed position.
18. 18. The pet carrier of claim 16, wherein the plurality of rigid latch connectors are rotatable about an axis between the stowed position and the deployed position.
19. 19. The pet carrier of claim 16, wherein the plurality of rigid latch connectors are translatable about an axis between the stowed position and the deployed position.
20. 20. The pet carrier of claim 16, wherein the plurality of rigid latch connectors are operable to rotate and translate simultaneously between the stowed position and the deployed position.

Description

PET TRAVEL CARRIER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/508,699, filed on June 16, 2023, U.S. Application No. 63/519,165, filed on August 11, 2023, U.S. Application No 63/578,494, filed on August 24, 2023, U.S. Application No. 63/584,747, filed on September 22, 2023, U.S. Application No. 63/595,584, filed on November 2, 2023, U.S. Application No. 63/598,562, filed on November 14, 2023, U.S. Application No. 63/625,664, filed on January 26, 2024, and U.S. Application No. 63/552,306, filed on February 12, 2024 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an animal containment unit or carrier for installation in a vehicle, and more particularly to an animal containment unit or carrier that includes connectors for installation in a vehicle. [0002] A crate or another type of carrier can be used to transport animals in a vehicle (e.g., automobile, airplane, train, bicycle, or the like). However, many existing carriers suffer from various deficiencies. For example, some carriers are insufficiently anchored to contain and protect the animal in the event of a car crash. In another example, a carrier may be difficult to install in the vehicle. In still another example, a carriers may not be sized for airline carry-on travel (e.g., able to fit underneath a conventional airplane seat). SUMMARY [0003] According to an embodiment, a pet carrier for containing animals on a vehicle seat having at least one vehicle seat anchor includes a body defining an enclosure having an interior within which an animal is receivable. The body includes a cavity. At least one rigid latch connector is mounted to the body for movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. The at least one rigid latch connector is receivable within the cavity when in the stowed position and is connectable to the at least one vehicle seat anchor of the vehicle seat when in the deployed position. [0004] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one rigid latch connector is translatable along an axis between the stowed position and the deployed position. [0005] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one rigid latch connector is rotatable about an axis between the stowed position and the deployed position. [0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments at least one biasing mechanism is operably coupled to the at least one rigid latch connector to bias the at least one rigid latch connector to the deployed position. [0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the body includes a first section and a second section. The first section includes a frame and containment materials extending at least partially about the frame and the second section includes a base, the frame being connectable to the base. [0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the cavity is formed in the base. [0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a latch deployment mechanism is operable to automatically transform the at least one rigid latch connector from the stowed position to the deployed position in response to an input. [0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments_the latch deployment mechanism includes a deployment actuator operably coupled to the at least one rigid latch connector by a deployment assembly. The at least one rigid latch connector automatically transforms from the stowed position to the deployed position in response to operation of the deployment actuator. [0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one rigid latch connector further comprises a plurality of rigid latch connectors. The deployment actuator is operably coupled to the plurality of rigid latch connectors such that the plurality of rigid latch connectors are simultaneously transformable between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to operation of the deployment actuator. [0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the deployment actuator is a handle arranged at the base. [0013] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the deployment actuator is a handle arranged at front of the body. [0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a release mechanism is operably coupled to the at least