EP-4739549-A1 - TETHER ASSEMBLY FOR AN ANIMAL IN VEHICLE

Abstract

A vehicle tether assembly for an animal 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 tether assembly generally includes four latch members that connect to respective vehicle anchor points across the second (or other) row of seating in a vehicle. The latch members are joined together by one or more connecting members. The one or more connecting members can include, for example, bars, straps or cables. A tether extends from the one or more connecting members or an intermediate component coupled to the one or more connecting members for attachment to an animal harness, vest or other device associated with the animal.

Inventors

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

Assignees

• Jani International Pte. Ltd.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240705

Claims (20)

1. 1. A tether assembly for securing an animal in a vehicle comprising: a base member including an attachment structure for securing a tether; at least four latch members coupled to the base member; wherein the latch members are selectively attachable to anchor points of the vehicle to secure the tether assembly.
2. 2. The tether assembly according to claim 1, further comprising first and second latch subassemblies, the latch subassemblies each including two latch members supported on an intermediate member, wherein each latch subassembly is coupled to the base member.
3. 3. The tether assembly according to claim 2, wherein the latch subassemblies are supported by the base member for movement towards and away from each other to change a spacing between the latch subassemblies.
4. 4. The tether assembly according to claim 3, wherein the base member includes a slot in which an intermediate member of at least one of the first or second latch subassemblies is received for sliding movement to change a spacing between the first and second latch subassemblies.
5. 5. The tether assembly according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate member of the at least one of the first or second latch subassemblies received in the slot comprises a flange.
6. 6. The tether assembly according to claim 3, wherein the base member includes an adjustable length base member, whereby changing a length of the adjustable length base member changes a spacing between the latch subassemblies.
7. 7. The tether assembly according to claim 6, wherein the adjustable length base member includes a telescoping bar.
8. 8. The tether assembly according to claim 1, wherein the attachment structure includes a tether bar extending from the base member.
9. 9. The tether assembly according to claim 8, wherein the tether bar extends parallel to the base member along a majority of a length of the base member.
10. 10. The tether assembly according to claim 9, wherein the tether bar is curved.
11. 11. The tether assembly according to claim 10, wherein an apex of the tether bar is centered between respective ends of the tether bar.
12. 12. The tether assembly according to claim 11, wherein the latch members extend in a first direction from the base member, and wherein the tether bar extends outwardly from the base bar in a second direction opposite the first direction.
13. 13. The tether assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least four latch members are pivotally coupled to the base member.
14. 14. The tether assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a tether attached to the tether bar, the tether being configured to attach to an animal.
15. 15. The tether assembly according to claim 14, further comprising a harness for an animal attached to the tether.
16. 16. The tether assembly according to claim 15, wherein the harness includes at least one buckle, wherein the buckle includes a magnetic buckle comprising: a first attachment portion with a first latching element fixed to the harness, a second attachment portion with a second latching element fixed to the tether, cooperating magnetic components configured to cause the first and second attachment portions to come into contact, automatically causing the first and second latching elements to positively engage thereby securing the tether to the harness.
17. 17. The tether assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first and second attachment portions are configured to be manually disengaged.
18. 18. The tether assembly according to claim 17, wherein the second attachment portion includes first and second release members for manually disengaging the first and second latching elements.
19. 19. The tether assembly according to claim 17, wherein the harness further includes: a first panel; a forward strap anchored to the first panel, the forward strap having first and second forward strap portions connectable by a forward buckle; and a rearward strap anchored to the first panel, the rearward strap having first and second rearward strap portions connectable by a rearward buckle.
20. 20. The tether assembly according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the forward buckle or the rearward buckle includes a magnetic buckle comprising: a first attachment portion with a first latching element, a second attachment portion with a second latching element, cooperating magnetic components configured to cause the first and second attachment portions to come into contact, automatically causing the first and second latching elements to positively engage.

Description

TETHER ASSEMBLY FOR AN ANIMAL IN VEHICLE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/525,050, filed July 5, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/561,016, filed March 4, 2024 which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present disclosure generally relates generally to a tether assembly for securing an animal. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a tether assembly for securing 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 enhancing the pet and pet owner’s travel experience such as products for protecting a vehicle’s seats from pets and/or providing a more comfortable pet support surface. [0004] 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 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 a 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. [0005] 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 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 [0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a tether assembly for securing an animal in a vehicle comprises a base member including an attachment structure for securing a tether, and at least four latch members coupled to the base member. The latch members are selectively attachable to anchor points of the vehicle to secure the tether assembly. [0007] The assembly can include first and second latch subassemblies, the latch subassemblies each including two latch members supported on an intermediate member, wherein each latch subassembly is coupled to the base member. The latch subassemblies can be supported by the base member for movement towards and away from each other to change a spacing between the latch subassemblies. The base member can include a slot in which an intermediate member of at least one of the first or second latch subassemblies is received for sliding movement to change a spacing between the first and second latch subassemblies. The intermediate member of the at least one of the first or second latch subassemblies received in the slot can include a flange. The base member can include an adjustable length base member, whereby changing a length of the adjustable length base member changes a spacing between the latch subassemblies. The adjustable length base member can include a telescoping bar. The attachment structure can include a tether bar extending from the base member. The tether bar can extend parallel to the base member along a majority of a length of the base member. The tether bar can be curved. An apex of the tether bar can be centered between respective ends of the tether bar. The latch members can extend in a first direction from the base member, and the tether bar can extend outwardly from the base bar in a second direction opposite the first direction. The at least four latch members can be pivotally coupled to the base member. [0008] In accordance with another aspect, a method of securing an animal in a vehicle comprises positioning a tether assembly adjacent a seat of a vehicle, the tether assembly including a base member having an attachment structure for securing a tether, and at least four latch members coupled to the base member, attaching each of the at least four latch members to respective anchor point of the vehicle, and securing a tether to the attachment structure and the animal. [0009] In accordance with another aspect, a tether assembly for securi