EP-4739104-A1 - COLLAPSIBLE PLATFORM IN VEHICLE

Abstract

A pet platform for use in a vehicle. The pet platform is mountable in a vehicle using the vehicle's LATCH Restraint System, ISOFIX anchors, or other suitable vehicle anchor point(s). The pet platform includes a base and a front barrier extending upwardly from the base. The base is configured to rest at least partially on a seating surface of the vehicle such that the front barrier, the base and a surface of a seatback of the vehicle define a containment region in which the pet can be contained, or at least impeded from moving fore and aft. The front barrier of the pet platform according to the present disclosure is configured to collapse against the base for storage, yet is robust enough to resist the inertial forces of a pet having a weight of, for example 50lbs-100lbs, under a range of deceleration conditions that may arise during vehicle operation.

Inventors

• HARMES, CLYDE S.
• BOWERS, PATRICK J. G.
• HARTENSTINE, CURTIS M.
• FERGUSON, JOSHUA

Assignees

• Jani International Pte. Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240705

Claims (20)

1. 1. A pet platform for a vehicle comprising: a base; a first barrier extending from the base; and a plurality of rigid latch members supported by the base; wherein the plurality of rigid latch members are selectively attachable to an anchor point of the vehicle to secure the pet platform; and wherein the first barrier is pivotably movable between a use position extending away from the base and a storage position proximate to the base.
2. 2. The pet platform according to claim 1, further comprising at least one tether secured to the barrier, wherein the at least one tether is selectively attachable to an anchor point of the vehicle to secure the pet platform.
3. 3. The pet platform according to claim 1, wherein the anchor point is an isofix anchor point, and wherein the rigid latch members are isofix latch members.
4. 4. The pet platform according to claim 1, further comprising a hinge connecting the first barrier to the base.
5. 5. The pet platform according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of rigid latch members is movable relative to the base to change a distance between an adjacent rigid latch member.
6. 6. The pet platform according to claim 1, further comprising a second barrier extending from the base.
7. 7. The pet platform according to claim 6, wherein the first barrier extends from a front portion of the base and the second barrier extends from a rear portion of the base.
8. 8. The pet platform according to claim 7, wherein the first and second barriers are pivotally attached to the base for movement between a use position and a storage position.
9. 9. The pet platform according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rigid latch members are supported on a rail, wherein the rail extends along a majority of a length of the base.
10. 10. The pet platform according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rigid latch members are pivotally secured to the base for movement between a use and a storage position.
11. 11. The pet platform according to claim 1 , wherein the first barrier is convex relative to the base.
12. 12. The pet platform according to claim 1, wherein the first barrier includes a barrier frame and webbing secured to the barrier frame.
13. 13. The pet platform according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of rigid latch members includes at least four rigid latch members.
14. 14. The pet platform according to claim 1, further comprising at least one H-frame secured to the base, wherein at least two of the plurality of rigid latch members are supported on the H- frame, and wherein the H-frame is movable relative to the base to adjust a position of the at least two rigid latch members.
15. 15. A pet platform system comprising: a first pet platform having: a base; a first barrier extending from the base; and a plurality of rigid latch members supported by the base; wherein the plurality of rigid latch members are selectively attachable to an anchor point of the vehicle to secure the pet platform; and a second platform having: a base; and a first barrier extending from the base; wherein the first and second platforms are selectively securable to each other.
16. 16. The pet platform system of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second pet platforms include a frame, and further comprising at least one connector for securing together the frames of the first and second pet platforms.
17. 17. The pet platform system of claim 16, wherein the at least one connector is selectively securable to at least one of the frames of the first and second pet platforms.
18. 18. The pet platform system of claim 16, wherein the at least one connector is pivotable with respect to at least one of the frames of the first and second pet platforms.
19. 19. The pet platform system of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first or second pet platforms includes a base panel.
20. 20. The pet platform system of claim 19, wherein the base panel is movable from first position providing a pet support surface and a second position vertically delimiting a space between the base and the first barrier of the at least one of the first or second pet platforms.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE PLATFORM IN VEHICLE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/525,049, filed July 5, 2023, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a platform for use in a vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a platform having a support surface for an animal in a vehicle. BACKGROUND [0003] Many people regard their pets as family members or companions. As such, pet owners often travel with their pets via automobile to vacation destinations, trips to the veterinarian, or around town. Various products have been developed for protecting a vehicle’s seats from pets and/or providing a more comfortable pet support surface. For example, pet platforms are available that typically include a base that rests on a vehicle seat and provides a flat pet support surface. Some pet platforms extend beyond the front edge of the seat and include one or more load legs that provide additional stability and support to the pet platform. Pet hammocks are also available and typically include a three-sided structure that is positioned within the vehicle to protect the vehicle seats. A rear panel is typically draped over the second row seatback while a front panel is supported by the front seats. A rigid base panel extending between the front and rear panels provides a pet support surface. Another product is a cushion that is positioned in the legroom area of the second row of a vehicle and essentially expands the size of the horizontal portion of the seat. While these products serve to protect the vehicle from damage, they do not address pet safety in the event of a sudden change in vehicle speed or direction. [0004] Pet transport cages or pet vests are available that cooperate with safety belts of a vehicle to prevent a pet from roaming within and/or escaping from a vehicle. However, these devices are can be overly restricting and generally do not adequately secure a pet in the case of a sudden change in vehicle speed or direction. Additionally, it can be difficult to load an animal into a cage in a vehicle and/or cumbersome for some animals to wear pet vests. An improperly restrained pet is more likely to be injured and to injure occupants of a vehicle during a crash. SUMMARY [0005] The present disclosure is directed to a pet platform for use in a vehicle. The pet platform is mountable in a vehicle using the vehicle’s LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) Restraint System, ISOFIX anchors, or other suitable vehicle anchor point(s). The pet platform includes a base and a front barrier extending upwardly from the base. The base is configured to rest at least partially on a seating surface of the vehicle such that the front barrier, the base and a surface of a seatback of the vehicle define a containment region in which the pet can be contained, or at least impeded from moving fore and aft. The front barrier of the pet platform according to the present disclosure is configured to collapse against the base for storage, yet is robust enough to resist the inertial forces of a pet having a weight of, for example 501bs- 1 OOlbs, under a range of deceleration conditions that may arise during vehicle operation. [0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a pet platform for a vehicle comprises a base, a first barrier extending from the base, and a plurality of rigid latch members supported by the base. The plurality of rigid latch members are selectively attachable to an anchor point of the vehicle to secure the pet platform and the first barrier is pivotably movable between a use position extending away from the base and a storage position proximate to the base. [0007] The pet platform can include at least one tether secured to the barrier, the at least one tether can be selectively attachable to an anchor point of the vehicle to secure the pet platform. The anchor point can be an isofix anchor point, and the rigid latch members can be isofix latch members. A hinge can be provided between the first barrier and the base. At least one of the plurality of rigid latch members can be movable relative to the base to change a distance between an adjacent rigid latch member. The pet platform can include a second barrier extending from the base. The first barrier can extend from a front portion of the base and the second barrier can extend from a rear portion of the base. The first and second barriers can be pivotally attached to the base for movement between a use position and a storage position. The plurality of rigid latch members can be supported on a rail, and the rail can extend along a majority of a length of the base. The plurality of rigid latch members can be pivotally secured to the base for movement between a use and a storage position. The first barrier can be convex relative to the base. The first barrier can include a bar