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EP-4739102-A2 - PET TRAVEL CARRIER

EP4739102A2EP 4739102 A2EP4739102 A2EP 4739102A2EP-4739102-A2

Abstract

A pet carrier for containing animals on a vehicle seat including at least one vehicle seat anchor includes a body defining an enclosure having an interior within which an animal is receivable. At least one rigid latch connector is mounted to the body and is movable relative to the body along a connector path. The at least one rigid latch connector is connectable to the at least one vehicle seat anchor at any position along the connector path.

Inventors

  • FERGUSON, JOSHUA
  • BOWERS, PATRICK J. G.
  • HARTENSTINE, CURTIS M.
  • SACK, DANIEL A.
  • MYERS, ALEX
  • HARMES, CLYDE S.

Assignees

  • Jani International Pte. Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
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; and at least one rigid latch connector mounted to the body, the at least one rigid latch connector being movable relative to the body along a connector path, wherein the at least one rigid latch connector is connectable to the at least one vehicle seat anchor at any position along the connector path.
  2. 2. The pet carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid latch connector is translatable along the connector path.
  3. 3. The pet carrier of claim 1, wherein the body has a front, back, left side, and right side, and the connector path is oriented parallel to at least one of the front and the back.
  4. 4. The pet carrier of claim 1, further comprising a latch position lock operable to lock the at least one rigid latch connector along the connector path.
  5. 5. The pet carrier of claim 4, wherein the latch position lock and the at least one rigid latch connector are arranged at a same side of the body.
  6. 6. The pet carrier of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a lower section having a rigid member and a reinforcement assembly, the reinforcement assembly including at least one reinforcement member connected to the rigid member.
  7. 7. The pet carrier of claim 6, wherein the body further comprises an upper section positioned vertically above the lower section, the at least one reinforcement member extending about one or more sides of the body.
  8. 8. The pet carrier of claim 7, wherein the at least one reinforcement member extends about a front of the body and a top of the body.
  9. 9. The pet carrier of claim 8, wherein the at least one reinforcement member is affixed to the front of the body at an anchor point.
  10. 10. The pet carrier of claim 7, wherein the at least one reinforcement member encircles the upper section.
  11. 11. The pet carrier of claim 1, further comprising a release mechanism operably coupled to the at least one rigid latch connector to unlock the at least one rigid latch connector.
  12. 12. The pet carrier of claim 11, wherein the release mechanism further comprises: a release actuator; and at least one transmitter operatively connecting the at least one rigid latch connector to the release actuator.
  13. 13. The pet carrier of claim 12, wherein the release actuator and the at least one rigid latch connector are arranged at opposite sides of the body.
  14. 14. The pet carrier of claim 12, wherein the release actuator is arranged at a front of the body.
  15. 15. The pet carrier of claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid latch connector is transformable relative to the body between a stowed position and a deployed position, the at least one rigid latch connector being receivable within a cavity formed in the body when in the stowed position.
  16. 16. The pet carrier of claim 15, wherein the at least one rigid latch connector is rotatable about an axis between the stowed position and the deployed position.
  17. 17. The pet carrier of claim 16, wherein the connector path is parallel to the axis of the at least one rigid latch connector.
  18. 18. The pet carrier of claim 15, 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.
  19. 19. The pet carrier of claim 15, wherein the body includes a frame, containment materials extending at least partially about the frame, and a base, the frame being connectable to the base.
  20. 20. The pet carrier of claim 19, wherein the cavity is formed in the base.

Description

PET TRAVEL CARRIER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 63/512,453, filed on July 7, 2023, U.S. Application No. 63/602,214, filed on November 22, 2023, U.S. Application No. 63/605,277, filed on December 1, 2023, U.S. Application No. 63/619,421, filed on January 10, 2024, U.S. Application No. 63/556,119, filed on February 21, 2024, and U.S. Application No. 63/644,804, filed on May 9, 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 including at least one vehicle seat anchor includes a body defining an enclosure having an interior within which an animal is receivable. At least one rigid latch connector is mounted to the body and is movable relative to the body along a connector path. The at least one rigid latch connector is connectable to the at least one vehicle seat anchor at any position along the connector path. [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 the connector path. [0005] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the body has a front, back, left side, and right side, and the connector path is oriented parallel to at least one of the front and the back. [0006] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a latch position lock is operable to lock the at least one rigid latch connector along the connector path. [0007] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the latch position lock and the at least one rigid latch connector are arranged at a same side of the body. [0008] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the body includes a lower section having a rigid member and a reinforcement assembly. The reinforcement assembly includes at least one reinforcement member connected to the rigid member. [0009] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the body further comprises an upper section positioned vertically above the lower section, the at least one reinforcement member extending about one or more sides of the body. [0010] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one reinforcement member extends about a front of the body and a top of the body. [0011] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one reinforcement member is affixed to the front of the body at an anchor point. [0012] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one reinforcement member encircles the upper section. [0013] 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 one rigid latch connector to unlock the at least one rigid latch connector. [0014] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the release mechanism includes a release actuator and at least one transmitter operatively connecting the at least one rigid latch connector to the release actuator. [0015] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the release actuator and the at least one rigid latch connector are arranged at opposite sides of the body. [0016] In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the release actuator is arranged at a front of the body. [0017] 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 transformable relative to the body between a stowed position a