EP1179977A1

EP1179977A1 - Device for transporting a domestic animal

Info

Publication number: EP1179977A1
Application number: EP00929612A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Dominique Manenti; Marc Bellaiche
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-05-14
Filing date: 2000-05-12
Publication date: 2002-02-20
Also published as: FR2793393B1; AU4763400A; WO2000069253A1; FR2793393A1

Abstract

A device (1) for transporting a small sized domestic animal, whereby said device can be carried manually or placed on the back of the carrier and defines a closed volume which can be opened. The inventive device is characterized in that it comprises means which enable said device to be shifted from a transport position to an open-out position which provides a larger inner volume.

Description

TRANSPORT DEVICE FOR DOMESTIC ANIMAL

The present invention relates to means of transport for small domestic animals.

Pet owners are faced with many difficulties when they want to move by taking their pet, regardless of the mode of travel, plane, train, etc.

A known solution consists in using small cages which, in addition to their unsightly and impractical aspects, are not very pleasant for the animal. Generally made of plastic, these cages provide very little space for the animal which is forced to remain confined in a small volume even during the passive phases of travel, when it is at rest.

Another known possibility is the use of a basket, if the size of the animal is suitable.

However, this solution also has many drawbacks, in particular with regard to the maintenance of the animal.

Indeed, the open structure of a basket is incompatible with the requirements of a trip during which the animal, which may be disturbed, must be maintained to be transported without being able to escape.

In addition, these baskets, or the various bags that are used to transport the animal, are rarely, if ever, the dimensions accepted by airlines as part of cabin baggage.

Thus, no known device gives total satisfaction, both from the point of view of the animal and that of its owner and particularly during a flight.

In this context, the present invention overcomes these various drawbacks by proposing a transport device for domestic animals which is practical, simple to transport and which satisfies the regulations concerning the cabin luggage of an airplane while providing sufficient space. animals, especially during the passive phases of the journey, such as in waiting rooms, on a train or on an airplane.

To this end, according to the invention, the device for the manual transport or on the back of a small domestic animal delimiting a closed volume capable of being opened, is characterized in that it comprises means suitable for passing said device from a transport position to a deployed position offering a greater interior volume.

Advantageously, the device comprises a first folding panel articulated between two positions corresponding respectively to the transport and deployed positions, associated with a second panel delimiting, in the deployed position, the interior volume of the device.

Preferably, side bellows connect the folding panel to the device in the deployed position and the second panel is a net. According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises mobile means capable of supporting the folding panel in the deployed position, said folding panel comprising an openwork part.

According to a second embodiment, the device includes straps to be worn on the back as well as rolling means.

In order to facilitate its handling, the device according to the invention comprises a first handle as well as a second, retractable.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows, relating to an illustrative embodiment but in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a three-quarter front view of the device, in perspective, according to the invention and in the transport position;

- Figure 2 is a three-quarter front view, in perspective, of the device of Figure 1 in the deployed position;

- Figure 3 is a side view of the device in the configuration of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a back view of the device according to the invention.

The terms "high" and "low", as well as "upper" or "lower" respectively, denote positions respectively distant and close to the ground. A "horizontal" direction corresponds to a direction parallel to the ground and "vertical" to a direction perpendicular to the previous one.

Likewise, "front" and "rear" correspond respectively to a first and a second plane of a figure.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown the device 1 according to the invention, seen in perspective from three-quarters face in the transport position.

The device 1 has a generally quadrangular shape comprising a first panel 2 forming the substantially rectangular front face of the device 1, of the same shape and the same dimensions as the panel or rear face 3 which is parallel to it.

The parallelepiped interior volume defined by the device 1 is delimited by the front 2 and rear 3 faces and lateral faces 4a and 4b, an upper face 4c and a lower face or bottom 4d. Preferably, the faces 4a, 4b and 4c form a continuous strip of material.

The front face 2, having slightly rounded angles, is separated, in the horizontal direction slightly above its half, into two upper 2a and lower 2b parts by a fold 5. The upper part 2a, made of a flexible material such as canvas or leather, has an openwork portion 6 which is substantially square, consisting of a ventilation net 7 allowing the animal to breathe, without however being able to take out any part of its body.

The net 7 is preferably removable and fixed by means of any known removable means such as for example a zipper arranged on three of its sides. The lower part 2b of the front face 2 is stiffened by means of a reinforcing plate 8 (made of plastic or any other rigid and light material) slipped into the lining of said lower part 2b. The front face 2 is articulated on the device 1 by its lower side on the front edge of the bottom 4d.

Said front face 2 is also partially detachably associated with the lateral faces 4a, 4b and with the upper face 4c by any known means, such as a zipper 9 traversing the lateral sides and the upper side of the front face 2 , the lower side being sewn onto the front edge of the bottom 4d.

The lateral faces 4a and 4b, also made of flexible material, each have, in their lower part, a pocket 10 and 10 'substantially rectangular (of which only the pocket 10 is visible in FIG. 1) and closed by a zipper or any other known means.

A reinforced handle 11 of resistant material such as PVC is attached to the upper face 4c by any known fixing means, in order to allow the device 1 to be transported easily and safely. Said transport is facilitated by the presence of at least two rollers 12, ideally four (two sets of two), arranged in two corners of the bottom 4d, the other two corners being occupied by at least two pads 12 ', said bottom 4d being stiffened by the presence of a support frame (not visible) on which are fixed the rollers 12 and the pads 12 '.

The rear face 3 of the device 1 is attached to the lateral faces 4a, 4b and to the upper faces 4c and lower 4d by any known means such as sewing for example and comprises a retractable handle 13 capable of sliding and described in more detail with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Referring to Figure 2, there is shown the same device 1 as in Figure 1 but in the deployed position, where the volume available for the animal is greater, while retaining a closed structure.

The same elements as those in FIG. 1 keep the same references.

The opening of the zipper 9 releases the front face 2 which, articulated on its lower side, is folded down to a substantially horizontal position.

Maintaining the position of the front face 2 and in particular the angular conformation at approximately 90 degrees of the two parts 2a and 2b, is obtained by means of two lateral bellows 14 and 14 ′, made of flexible material such as nylon ( trademark).

The two parts 2a and 2b form between them an angle of approximately 90 degrees, the rigid part 2b being substantially horizontal and the flexible part 2a substantially vertical.

The two lateral bellows 14 and 14 ′, of substantially rectangular or trapezoidal shape, are arranged symmetrically on either side of the front face 2.

Considering the bellows 14 (only visible in FIG. 2), a first side 14a is linked to the part 2a of the front face 2, a second side 14b is linked to the part 2b and a third 14c is integral with the front part of the lateral face 4a. The fourth side 14d, the upper side and only free, is detachably associated with a flexible panel 15 such as a net, linked to different parts of the device 1 by means of a zipper 16 partially traversing the front sides of the upper 4c and lateral faces 4a and 4b, the upper sides 14d and 14d 'of the bellows 14, 14' and the upper edge, opposite the fold 5, of the upper part 2a of the front face 2.

A means of attachment (not shown) of said net 15 (the latter being folded back on itself) is provided inside the device, for example on the internal face of the upper face 4c, when in the position of transport the net is not used.

This attachment means can take the form of a pocket into which the net slides once rolled or folded.

One can also provide inside the device a hook, a carabiner or the like making it possible to attach the animal if need be, for example in the case where the net is not put in place.

The interior of the device can be made of a padded material and a removable, washable or disposable lining, such as a baby's diaper, makes it possible to guarantee greater hygiene and more comfort.

Reference is made to FIG. 3.

In order to stiffen the assembly, and in particular to support the part 2b of the front face 2 in the deployed position, a movable plate 16 disposed under the bottom 4d can be placed under the part 2b of the folding panel. Said plate 16, made of rigid material, is capable of sliding in the frame stiffening the bottom 4d between at least two extreme positions: one completely retracted (in broken lines) under the bottom 4d during transport, the other completely extended (in solid lines) in order to support the lower part 2b of the front face 2, when the latter is in the deployed configuration of FIG. 2.

Figure 3 shows the relative arrangement of parts 2a and 2b, forming between them an angle of about 90 degrees, or even slightly less.

The two extreme positions of the retractable handle 13, appearing in solid and broken lines respectively, make it possible to handle the device 1 more easily, for example by making it roll thanks to the rolling means 12 disposed under the bottom 4d of the device 1.

At the level of the fixing of the frame 17 of the retractable handle 13 is fixed in a known manner a pair of straps 18, 18 ′ capable of allowing the user to carry the device 1 on his back, and shown in more detail by Figure 4.

These straps 18 and 18 ′, of the conventional type and padded for more comfort, are fixed to the center of the upper part and to the ends of the lower part of the rear face 3.

On each side of the upper attachment of the straps are tubes 19, 19 'in which the rods 20, 20' of the retractable handle 13 fit when the latter passes from its extended position to its retracted position. In the representation of FIG. 4, the retractable handle 13 is in the extended position and locking elements 21, 21 ′ (known) make it possible to immobilize it.

Advantageously, provision may also be made for a flap forming a pocket 22 capable of receiving any type of relatively flat object such as newspapers, magazines, etc.

Note, in Figure 4, the arrangement of the rolling means 12, the plate 16, the frame serving as housing and the pads 12 'not being shown for the sake of better readability.

As an example, the possible external dimensions of the device are:

• Width: 30 cm • Height (retractable retractable handle): 48 cm

• Depth: 20 cm

Thus, the device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to easily transport a small domestic animal, having a free hand for example if the user carries it on his back.

In addition, the animal is no longer forced to travel in the hold since the dimensions of the device are adapted to aviation standards concerning cabin baggage. So, if space allows, the device can be put in the deployed position (Figure 2 and 3) in order to give a little more room to the animal, especially during passive phases of travel or during moments of transition as in waiting rooms.

Claims

1. Device for the manual transport or back, ^of a domestic animal small, delimiting a volume closed openable, comprising means for passing said device from a transport position to a deployed position offering a greater internal transport volume, and at least one folding panel (2) articulated between two positions corresponding respectively to the transport and deployed positions, characterized in that said folding panel (2) consists of a first part (2a ) articulated on a second part (2b), both delimiting, in the deployed position, with two lateral bellows (14, 14 ') and with a second flexible panel (15), said greater internal volume, the first and second parts ( 2a, 2b) being substantially perpendicular to each other in the deployed position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second panel (15) is a net.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises mobile means (16) capable of supporting the second part (2b) of the folding panel (2), in the deployed position.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the support means of the second part (2b) consist of a sliding plate (16).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first part (2a) of the foldable panel (2) has an openwork part (6). Device according ^to one of the preceding claims, characterized in ^that it comprises straps (18, 18 ^') to be worn on the back

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises rolling means (12).

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a first handle (11)

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second retractable handle (13), able to facilitate its handling.