Collapsible animal transport box, in particular for transporting dogs in motor vehicles
Patent Information
- Application Number
- AE202602970
- Authority / Receiving Office
- AE · AE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-08
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-06
Smart Images
Figure ABST_ABST
Abstract
Description
Collapsible animal transport box, in particular for transporting dogs in motor vehicles Description The invention relates to a collapsible animal transport box, in particular for transporting dogs in motor vehicles. DE 20 2010 011 547 U1 and DE 20 2019 003 751 U1 disclose collapsible animal transport boxes which consist of a base frame with side walls, doors, covers and front and rear walls made of aluminium profiles and each also have a base. These animal transport boxes can be folded open and collapsed inside the luggage compartment of a motor vehicle. For collapsing the animal transport boxes, the front wall and the rear wall are each pivoted inward. Subsequently, the side walls can be folded inwardly via an approximately centrally arranged hinge in such a way that the cover is moved parallel to the base in the direction of the base. These animal transport boxes are relatively heavy due to the massive construction with many metal profiles and are also expensive to produce. DE 20 2011 003 019 U1 discloses a dog animal transport box with a front which can be folded inward with lattice doors and a rear wall which can be folded inward and outward. However, a main frame to which the front and rear walls are connected is not configured to be collapsible itself. This animal transport box also has many metal profiles, is relatively heavy and expensive to produce. Furthermore, because of the non-collapsible main frame, it requires a lot of space even in the unused state and for sales and storage purposes. WO 2021 / 084090 A1 discloses an animal transport box for mounting in an interior of a vehicle, which animal transport box comprises a linkage having a plurality of rods and a flexible sleeve which is stretched open by the linkage, such that the sleeve together with the linkage form a cavity for receiving an animal. A retaining belt is provided which extends between two rods of the rod assembly and is intended to serve for securing the animal to be transported in the animal transport box. The animal transport box is configured to be collapsible in the vertical direction in that joints are provided on the connecting rods running in the transverse direction, which joints allow the base to be folded up by pivoting the front and rear lower cross bars upwards and folding the upper cross bar downwards in the middle to converge the left and right side walls for folding together. The disadvantage of this collapsing mechanism is not only that the folding together of the lower cross bars must take place against the force of gravity, but also that the collapsed box must still be folded over or removed from the luggage compartment of a vehicle. Proceeding from the prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a collapsible animal transport box which, on the one hand, has a relatively low weight and, on the other hand, enables comfortable operation during the folding open and collapsing. The object is achieved according to the invention with the features of claim 1. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described in conjunction with the dependent claims. A collapsible animal transport box according to the invention comprises a base element, a first frame element pivotably connected to the base element, and a second frame element pivotably connected to the base element. In this case, the first frame element and the second frame element are pivotably arranged on opposite sides of the base element. Furthermore, a cover which can be stretched open by the first frame element and by the second frame element is provided, which cover can be stretched open by pivoting open the first frame element and the second frame element such that a cavity for receiving an animal to be transported is formed between the frame elements. In addition, at least one operating clamping means is provided which acts on the first frame element and the second frame element and, linked to the operation of the first frame element and / or the second frame element, causes the first frame element and the second frame element to be locked in a pivoted-open clamping position. In this case, operating clamping means in the sense of the invention are any elements which are suitable for fixing the clamping position reached by the first frame element and the second frame element being automatically locked in the pivoted-open clamping position. This can be realized in particular by separate locking of the first frame element and the second frame element in the respective desired position for the stretched-open clamping position. Alternatively, a further element or further elements can also be used to bring about the locking. The concept of the invention aims at coupling the operating clamping means to the operating device, i.e. it should be sufficient to pivot the first frame element and / or the second frame element into the respective stretched-open clamping position in order to bring about the desired locking. This results in a particularly simple and comfortable operation. Preferably, the operating clamping means is even constructed in such a way that the animal transport box can be constructed with only one hand. The risk of incorrect operation during the construction of the animal transport box is then also virtually ruled out, because it is sufficient to stretch the first frame element and the second frame element open and automatic locking takes place at the end of the stretching-open process. Since animal transport boxes according to the invention can be folded open and collapsed particularly simply and comfortably, they are suitable for being stored predominantly in the collapsed form both in storage and on sales surfaces. This is because building as required can take place in seconds, in particular also with one hand, when a customer is interested in purchasing. Accordingly, little space is required for sales and storage purposes. In a practical embodiment of an animal transport box according to the invention, a support element is provided as an operating clamping means, which support element is arranged pivotably on the first frame element and / or on the second frame element and can be pivoted to a supporting position extending between the first frame element and the second frame element – in particular on the upper side – when pivoting open. Such a support element is to be understood in particular as an element which, in the supporting position, extends on the upper side opposite the base element between the first frame element and the second frame element. Thus, with the base element, the first frame element, the second frame element and the support element, a frame which is square in side view can be formed, which encloses the cavity for an animal to be transported. The two remaining side walls can in particular be closed only or predominantly with the covering in a weight-saving manner. If a pivotable support element is arranged on the first frame element and a thrust bearing portion for the support element is arranged on the second frame element, the operation of an animal transport box according to the invention can be further simplified. Alternatively, vice versa, a pivotable support element can be arranged on the second frame element and a thrust bearing portion for the support element can be arranged on the first frame element. A particularly preferred thrust bearing portion has a guide and / or a clamping region. A guide region is understood to mean a region in which the support element is forcibly guided by two or more elements. A clamping region is understood to mean, in particular, a one-sided thrust bearing portion-for example designed as a plate-which is designed such that, with the aid of the thrust bearing portion, it narrows in a travel path of the pivoting movement, preferably at the end of the travel path of the pivoting movement, to an end region such that the first frame element and the second frame element are spread apart in their stretched open position with the aid of the support element and the thrust bearing portion. An animal transport box according to the invention in a further practical embodiment is advantageous from a weight perspective and also easily handled if a pulling means is provided for pivoting open the first frame element and / or the second frame element, which pulling means is indirectly or directly connected to the first frame element or the second frame element. Such a pulling means is understood in particular to be a tensioning cord, a tensioning belt, a chain or another belt, which is arranged such that it only has to be pulled when pivoting open. In a further practical embodiment, the pulling means is arranged on a pivotable support element such that the support element is movable to a supporting position extending between the first frame element and the second frame element by simply pulling on the pulling means. The pulling means is preferably arranged on the side of the support element opposite the pivot axis. In this case, both the frame element and the support element can be driven depending on the pulling direction and the relative position between the support element and the frame element connected pivotably thereto. The support element is preferably configured as a U-shaped bracket, as a plate or as a grid. Such a structure can be realized with particularly low weight and can be adapted in its dimensioning relatively easily to the respective application. For this purpose, a suitable combination of material and material thickness is selected in the case of plates. In the case of a U-shaped bracket or a grid, a suitable design can likewise be effected by dimensioning the element thickness, the spacings of the grid bars and selection of the material. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the support element and the frame element connected thereto are decoupled from the cover. As a result, both the support element and the frame element connected thereto can be moved independently of the cover, as a result of which the folding open and collapsing of the animal transport box according to the invention can be realized in a particularly simple manner in terms of design. In a further practical embodiment of an animal transport box according to the invention with additional support element, the support element is arranged biased in one direction on the first frame element and / or on the second frame element. In this case the operation when folding open and / or when collapsing can be assisted and thus facilitated with the aid of the bias. For example, the support element can be biased with the aid of (at least) one suitable spring in a direction in which it is intended to be pivoted relative to the first frame element or the second frame element (this means that frame element on which the support element is arranged pivotably) in order to fold the animal transport box together. In this case, the collapsing process can be realized in a particularly simple manner by moving the support element out of the supporting position. Such a movement from the supporting position can take place in particular by utilizing the force of gravity, in that the operating clamping means is released. The support element can also be biased in the other direction if the relative position of the support element to the corresponding frame element is supported by a biasing force when the animal transport box is hinged open or is to be reached automatically with the aid of the biasing force, provided that no counter force of at least the same magnitude or a counter moment of at least the same magnitude acts. In another embodiment of an animal transport box, an - in particular biased - joint locking is provided as the operating clamping means in the pivotably configured region both between the first frame element and the base element and between the second frame element and the base element, by means of which the first frame element and the second frame element are each automatically locked in the stretched position once the clamping position is achieved during pivoting open. This can be realized, for example, by the cooperation of a pin biased by a spring into a pin receptacle. Alternatively, a kinematic system can also be formed which uses the folding-open movement of the first clamping element and / or of the second clamping element in order to activate a locking mechanism when the stretched position is reached. For collapsing the animal transport box, the locking must then be released manually, in particular by releasing the one locking pin or a plurality of locking pins against the spring force and / or by releasing a locking effected by means of kinematics again, in order to then be able to start the collapsing process. In the case of a joint locking, the animal transport box can be realized with particularly light weight, since only the base element, the first frame element and the second frame element with the respective joint locking are then required, while the remaining surfaces, in particular the roof surface and two side surfaces, can only be spanned by the cover. If at least one pivotable door is arranged in the first frame element and / or in the second frame element and / or at least one opening that can be operated as required is provided on the cover, the opened box can also be easily opened and closed again standing in a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle in order to let an animal into the box or out again. Preferably, at least one pivotable door is provided as a standard opening and a further opening is provided as an emergency opening on an adjacent side in order to be able to free the animal from the animal transport box as quickly as possible in the event of an accident and a resultant clamped standard opening. In order to provide an animal transport box according to the invention with comfortable, robust and at the same time long-lasting quality with respect to the folding open and collapsing, as a hinge allowing the first frame element to pivot and / or allowing the second frame element to pivot at least one pin is movably mounted in a corresponding groove in form of a circular arc, wherein the at least one pin and the at least one groove are formed immediately adjacent to the base element and the first frame element or immediately adjacent to the base element and the second frame element. Preferably, two pins arranged opposite each other and two corresponding circular arc-shaped grooves are provided for each hinge. This results in a particularly robust configuration with only reduced forces on the pins in each case if the pin is used as a stop. In this case, for the function of pivotability, a direct connection is provided between the base element and the frame element pivotably mounted thereon. This can be made particularly robust by the selection of a suitable distance of the at least one pin from the axis of rotation. Preferably, the pin is arranged offset at least 2 cm, more preferably at least 3 cm and particularly preferably at least 5 cm from the pivot axis. Thus, the forces acting on the pin can be reduced when the respective stop is reached and the durability of the animal transport box can be brought to a high level, in particular with regard to folding open and collapsing. As already mentioned, in an animal transport box with a pulling means as pulling means, a belt can be provided. These have the advantage that they can be very flat and thus require only a small installation space, at least in one dimension, in order to be able to be passed through other elements. Also, by increasing the width, the resulting pressure on other elements can be well designed. In a practical embodiment of an animal transport box according to the invention, the pulling means is passed through a pulling means fixing element, by means of which a fixing action can be exerted on the pulling means. Such a pulling means fixing element is understood in particular as a tension lock which makes it possible to fix the pulling means in a specific position and tensioning position. Such turnbuckles are used, for example, in connection with tightening straps for securing cargo. It is further preferred if the pulling means fixing element is loaded with a bias in such a way that the fixing effect is exerted on account of the bias without the need for a separate actuation. Such a bias can be generated in particular by means of a suitable spring which acts on a locking pin in such a way that said locking pin, which is in particular part of a pulling means fixing element, counteracts a rearward movement of the pulling means. For example, the locking pin of a tension lock can be spring-loaded in order to keep a pulling means guided in the direction of pulling by the pulling means fixing element always at the tension level generated by pulling. In a further practical embodiment of an animal transport box, the pulling means fixing element is functionally coupled to a trigger element in such a way that the fixing effect can be cancelled by actuating the trigger element. In this regard, reference is made in particular to a release lever or release button, the actuation of which cancels the fixing effect and thus enables the tension of the pulling means to be released by the pulling means being able to be moved back counter to the direction of pulling by the pulling means fixing element. A particularly high level of application safety can be achieved if, in the case of an animal transport box, a trigger element securing element is provided and constructed in such a way that the actuation of the trigger element securing element is necessary in order to be able to actuate the trigger element effectively. This is because in this case the trigger element securing element and the trigger element can be arranged in such a way that incorrect operation due to accidental pressing, pulling or moving of the trigger element is reliably prevented. This can be done, for example, in such a way that one element must be pulled and the other must be pressed simultaneously with one hand. Alternatively or in addition, the two elements, the triggering element and the triggering element securing element, can also be arranged in such a way that actuation with a single hand is ruled out, so that two hands or one hand and another body part or two other body parts are required in order to effectively actuate the triggering element. Further practical embodiments and advantages of the invention are described below in conjunction with the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a collapsed animal transport box in an isometric representation in a view obliquely from the front, Figure 2 shows the animal transport box from Figure 1 in an isometric illustration in a view obliquely from behind, Figure 3 shows the animal transport box from Figures 1 and 2 with the door open, Figure 4 shows the animal transport box from Figures 1 to 3 in an isometric illustration in a side view without reference, Figure 5 shows the animal transport box from Figures 1 to 4 in an isometric illustration in a side view without reference in the first phase of a collapsing, Figure 6 shows the animal transport box from Figures 1 to 5 in an isometric representation in a view obliquely from the front with the door open and without reference in the first phase of a collapsing, Figure 7 shows the animal transport box from Figures 1 to 6 in an isometric representation in a view obliquely from the front with the door open and without reference in a second phase of collapsing, Figure 8 shows the animal transport box from Figures 1 to 7 in an isometric representation in a side view without reference in a third phase of a collapsing, Figure 9 shows the animal transport box from Figures 1 to 8 in an isometric representation in a view obliquely from the front with the door open in the collapsed state, Figure 10 shows the animal transport box from Figures 1 to 9 in an isometric representation in a side view with the door closed and without reference in the collapsed state, Figure 11 is an isometric side view of a hinge with hinge catch suitable for a second embodiment of an animal transport box, Figure 12 shows the hinge from Figure 11 in an isometric illustration in the disassembled state, Figure 13 shows the hinge from Figures 11 and 12 in an isometric illustration in the disassembled state, Figure 14 shows a further embodiment of an animal transport box with an improved belt tensioner in an isometric illustration without a reference, Figure 15 shows a detail of the upper side of the animal transport box from Figure 14 with a detailed illustration of the belt tensioner in an isometric illustration obliquely from above, and Figure 16 shows a detail of the upper side of the animal transport box from Figure 14 with a detailed illustration of the belt tensioner in another isometric illustration obliquely from above and from the side. Figures 1 to 10 show an exemplary embodiment of a collapsible animal transport box 10. This animal transport box 10 has a base element 12, a first frame element 14 pivotably connected to the base element 12 and a second frame element 16 pivotably connected to the base element 12. Here, the first frame element 14 and the second frame element 16 are pivotably arranged on opposite sides of the base element 12. Furthermore, a cover 18 which can be stretched with the first frame element 14 and with the second frame element 16 is provided. The cover 18 can be stretched by pivoting the first frame element 14 and the second frame element 16 open in such a way that a cavity for receiving an animal to be transported (not shown) is produced between the frame elements 14, 16. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 10, a support element 22 is provided as the operating clamping means 20, which support element is arranged pivotably on the second frame element and, when pivoted open, is pivotable into a supporting position extending between the first frame element 14 and the second frame element 16. In the embodiment shown, a U-shaped bracket 24 serves as the support element 22, and it can be clearly seen in Figure 4 how this U-shaped bracket 24 is in an approximately horizontal orientation in the folded open state and is supported on the first frame element 14. For supporting, a thrust bearing portion 26 is provided on the first frame element 14. This is clearly visible in Figures 3, 6, 7 and 8. The thrust bearing portion 26 is designed as a planar plate 28 and thus has a clamping region which is designed such that the U-shaped bracket 24 brings about an increasing expansion of the first frame element 14 and of the second frame element 16 at the end of the travel path of the pivoting-up movement with the aid of the plate 28, such that the cover 18 surrounding this element is clamped and a correspondingly designed cavity is produced. For pivoting the second frame element 16 open, a pulling means 30 in the form of a belt 32 is provided, which is not shown in all figures. In the embodiment shown, the belt 32 is guided through a belt tensioner 34 and only indirectly connected to the second frame element 16, because the belt 32 is directly connected to the support element 22, which in this embodiment is designed as the U-shaped bracket 24. In the embodiment shown, the U-shaped bracket 24 is biased by means of a suitable spring in the direction in which the bracket 24 has to be pivoted relative to the second frame element 24 in order to bring the animal transport box 10 into the collapsed state. The bias of the spring acts accordingly in the direction indicated by the arrow V in Figure 5. As can be clearly seen in Figures 1, 6, 7 and 9, a pivotably arranged door 36 is provided on the first frame element 14. In the embodiment shown, the door 36 is pivotable about a lateral, vertical axis of the first frame element 14, as can be seen from a review of the figures mentioned. The door 36 serves to make the cavity spanned by the animal transport box 10 accessible for entering and exiting animals from the rear side of a luggage compartment of a motor vehicle by opening the door as required. The folding and collapsing of the animal transport box 10 illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 will be described in detail below. Figures 1 to 4 show different views of the folded-open animal transport box 10. The pivotable end of the bracket 24 is supported on the thrust bearing portion 26 of the first frame element 14 and stresses the first frame element 14 and the second frame element 16 in each case outwards, so that the cover 18 has a desired, tensioned state. The cover 18 is preferably made of a robust textile material. For collapsing the animal transport box 10, the belt tensioner 34 is released, as indicated in Figure 5. As a result, the U-shaped bracket 24 moves downward due to gravity (action of gravity in the direction of the arrow g). The movement is additionally supported by the spring, not shown, which brings about a moment in the direction of the arrow V. By pivoting the U-shaped bracket 24, the belt 32 fastened thereto is also guided in the direction of the arrow g through the belt tensioner 34. Figure 6 shows a similar phase of collapsing the animal transport box 10 as in Figure 5, but with the door 36 open. The collapsing is accordingly also possible while the door is pivoted open. Figure 7 shows a later phase of collapsing the animal transport box 10. In this phase the U-shaped bracket 24 is pivoted almost practically into the level of the second frame element 16, which in this embodiment is caused by the action of the spring in the direction of the arrow V. Without such a spring, the folding movement of the U-shaped bracket 24 could also be carried out manually by a user. The assistance of the spring has the advantage that the release of the strap 32 from the tensioned position shown in Figures 1 to 4 is sufficient to cause an automatic collapsing of the animal transport box 10 without the need for a further intervention by a user. This results in high operating convenience. In a further phase of the collapsing, which is illustrated in Figure 8, the rear frame element 16 lies in a plane with the U-shaped bracket 24 on the base element 12. Accordingly, in a next and last step of the collapsing, the front frame element 14 can be folded downward in order to achieve the positions shown in Figures 9 (with the door 36) and 10 pivoted open (with the door 36) closed. The collapsing of the front frame element 14 takes place due to gravity, since the front frame element 14, as well as the rear frame element 16, are not aligned vertically in the folded-open position, but are arranged inclined in the direction of the respectively collapsed position. Alternatively or in addition thereto, springs or other clamping elements acting on the first frame element 14 and / or on the second frame element 16 can also be provided in order to support a shrinking in the direction of the closed position, which is illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. The folding open of the animal transport box 10 is basically carried out in the reverse sequence. For this purpose, only the belt 32 has to be pulled upward. Because the strap 32 is attached to the U-shaped bracket 24, pulling the strap 32 up causes the second frame element 16 to be pulled upward with the U-shaped bracket 24. Since the second frame element 16 lies on the first frame element 14 in the collapsed position of the animal transport box 10, the first frame element 14 is also folded open together with the second frame element 16. The resulting pivoting open of both frame elements 14, 16 then reaches a position of the frame elements 14, 16 in which the first frame element 14 is pivoted open to such an extent that the second frame element 16 disengages from the first frame element 14 and can pivot further upwards without contact with the first frame element 14, which also occurs by further pulling on the belt 32. As can be seen clearly in Figure 6, the belt 32 then exerts a tensile force on the U-shaped bracket 24, which causes the U-shaped bracket to pivot relative to the second frame element 16. The tensile force of the belt 32 must be sufficiently great in order to overcome the force of the spring (not shown) acting on the U-shaped bracket 24. Since the belt 32 is also captively guided through the belt tensioner 34, the first frame element 14 always remains above the U-shaped bracket 24 due to the design. By further pulling on the belt 32, the U-shaped bracket 24 is finally pivoted upwards to such an extent that the freely pivotable end of the U-shaped bracket 24, to which the belt 32 is fastened, contacts the thrust bearing portion 26 designed as a plate 28. By further pulling, the freely pivotable end slides along the plate 28 and, due to the inclination formed by the plate, spreads the first frame element 14 and the second frame element 16 open in such a way that the cover 18 is stretched in a desired shape, as can be seen clearly in Figures 1 to 3. The belt tensioner 34 is designed to keep the belt 32, when released, tensioned in the respective position, provided the belt tensioner 34 is in its tensioned position. By actuating the belt tensioner 34, the tensioning position can be released to effect the collapsing process already described above. It is possible to fully release the tensioning position by actuating (e.g. pressing, pulling, rotating) an actuating element and to design the belt tensioner 34 such that the tensioning position has to be activated manually again after the release and collapsing. Alternatively, the clamping position can always be active and can only be released as required by active actuation as long as the actuation is effected by a user. The clamping position is then active again immediately after the actuation for releasing the clamping position. It is likewise possible to construct the belt tensioner 34 such that the tensioning position can be released upon actuation and the tensioning position automatically re-activates as soon as the transport box 10 is fully collapsed. This can be effected, for example, by an actuating contour (not shown) which, in the collapsed state of the animal transport box 10, acts on the belt tensioner 34 in such a way that it is actuated and brought back into the tensioning position. This results in a particularly high level of operating convenience because the collapsing can be carried out by simple actuation and the folding open can be carried out without further operating steps by pulling on the belt 32 as described in order to tension it and bring the animal transport box 10 into the position folded open in Figures 1-4. It is also pointed out that the animal transport box 10 shown in Figures 1 to 10 has special hinges 38, which can be seen easily in Figures 3, 6 and 7. These hinges 38 serve for pivotability of the first frame element 14 and of the second frame element 16 in each case with respect to the base element 12, and for this purpose in each case two pins 40, 42 are movably mounted in a circular-arc-shaped corresponding groove 44, 46. The pins 40, 42 and the grooves 44, 46 are formed directly on the base element 12 and the first frame element 14 or directly on the base element 12 and the second frame element 16 in such a way that the desired pivot angle of the respective frame element 14, 16 is made possible. Accordingly, by the suitable configuration of the grooves 44, 46, a stop can also be realized, with which one or two end positions (maximum pivoting-open position and collapsed position) are predetermined. In the following, with the aid of Figures 11 to 13, a further embodiment is described which substantially corresponds to the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference signs as in Figures 1 to 10 are used below for identical or at least functionally identical elements. The second embodiment, which is not shown as a whole, has a base element 12, a first frame element 14 pivotably connected to the base element 12 and a second frame element 16 pivotably connected to the base element 12. In this case, the first frame element 14 and the second frame element 16 are pivotably arranged on opposite sides of the base element 12. Furthermore, a cover 18 which can be stretched with the first frame element 14 and with the second frame element 16 is provided. The cover 18 can be stretched by pivoting the first frame element 14 and the second frame element 16 open in such a way that a cavity for receiving an animal to be transported (not shown) is produced between the frame elements 14, 16. The second embodiment differs in that as operating clamping means 20 a joint locking 48 is provided in the pivotably configured region both between the first frame element 14 and the base element 12 and between the second frame element 16 and the base element 12, by means of which the first frame element 14 and the second frame element 16 are each automatically locked in the stretched position as soon as the clamping position is reached during the pivoting open. As a result, a support element 22, such as a U-shaped bracket 24, can be completely dispensed with. The collapsed animal transport box 10 of the second embodiment is substantially as shown in Figure 10, wherein the U-shaped bracket 24 is not provided. For folding open the second embodiment, a user first grasps the first frame element 14, in particular in the region of the freely pivotable end, and pivots the latter into the folded open position shown in Figure 4. In this position, the joint locking 48 locks in the connecting region between the first frame element 14 and the base element 18. This joint locking 48 will be explained hereinafter in further detail with reference to Figures 11 to 13. Subsequently or simultaneously, the user grasps the second frame element 16 and pivots it likewise upwards into the position shown in Figure 4. In this position, the joint locking 48 locks in the connecting region between the second frame element 16 and the base element 12. This joint locking 48 is structurally identical to the above-mentioned joint locking 48 and will be explained in detail hereinafter with reference to Figures 11 to 13. The essential elements of the joint locking 48 can be seen well in Figures 12 and 13. These are two pins 40, 42 which can be arranged and formed in the same way as the two pins shown in connection with Figures 1 to 10 and are therefore provided with the same reference numerals. Between the pins 40, 42 a clamping element 50 with a spring 52 is arranged, which interacts with a locking element 54. As can be seen in Figure 13, an opening 56 for the locking element 54 and two further openings 58, 60 for the pins 40, 42 are formed in the locking element 54. The hinge catch 48 functions such that the pins 40, 42 engage in the openings 58, 60 in the collapsed position of the animal transport box 10 in order to hold the first frame element 14 or the second frame element 16 respectively in the collapsed position. To release the joint locking 48, the locking element 54 must be actuated in such a way that the pins 40, 42 disengage from the corresponding openings 58, 60 in order to be able to swivel the frame elements 14, 16 again. The spring 52 serves as a biasing member to maintain the pins 40, 42 in the locked position and prevent inadvertent disengagement. For release, the spring force of the spring 52 must accordingly be overcome in each case. Figure 11 shows the joint locking 48 in the (still) locked state, in which the pins 40, 42 are still engaged in the openings 58, 60, but the locking element 54 is already partially unlocked by pulling in the direction of the arrow E. In the fully locked state, the locking element 54 bears fully against a side face 62 of the base element 18 such that the pins 40, 42 are fully inserted into the openings 58, 60 and would not be visible in the side view. For the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that in both embodiments there are formed laterally on the first frame element 14 belt eyes 64 which make it possible to clamp and fix the animal transport box 10 in a motor vehicle, in particular in the luggage compartment. In Figures 14 to 16, various views of a further embodiment of an animal transport box 10 are shown. For identical or at least functionally identical elements as in the previously described figures, the same reference signs are used. The embodiment shown in Figures 14 to 16 differs primarily in the design in the region of the support element 22 in the form of the U-shaped bracket 24 and in the region of the first frame element 14, namely in each case in the region of the said elements where they adjoin one another. A special tension member fixing element 66 is arranged there, which is shown in detail in Figures 15 and 16 and is explained in its function below. In the use state of the animal transport box 10, a pulling means 30, in particular a belt 32, is guided by the pulling means fixing element 66, which is not shown in Figures 14 to 16, but can be seen from a multiplicity of Figures 1 to 9. In the embodiment shown, the pulling means fixing element 66 has a trigger element 68, which can be pressed in the direction of the arrow A in order to actuate it. The pulling means fixing element 66 is biased and has a non-illustrated locking pin which is biased and arranged in such a way that, when the pulling means 30 is pulled through in the direction of pulling, the tension of the pulling means 30 is in each case maintained at the reached level, i.e. the pulling means 30 can be pulled further in the direction of pulling in order to increase the tension but cannot be moved back counter to the direction of pulling in order to reduce the tension of the pulling means 30. A reduction in the tension of the pulling means 30 can only be effected by actuating the trigger element 68 in the direction of the arrow A. In addition to the trigger element 68, a trigger element securing element 70 is also provided in the embodiment shown. This is a securing latch which is displaceable in the direction of the arrow S. Only when the trigger element securing element 70 has been previously displaced in the direction of the arrow S can the trigger 68 be pressed in the direction of the arrow A in order to reduce the tension of the pulling means 30 and thereby fold the animal transport box 10 together. It can thus be effectively prevented that the triggering element 68 is accidentally and / or accidentally actuated and the animal transport box 10 is unintentionally collapsed, in particular while an animal is located therein. Preferably, the trigger element securing element 70 is also biased and must be actuated counter to a bias in the direction of the arrow S. Although it is not visible in Figures 15 and 16, the trigger element securing element 70 is preferably designed in such a way that it is L-shaped or U-shaped in such a way that it protrudes as far as below the trigger element 68 in such a way that the protruding section of the trigger element securing element 70 acts as a direct blocking surface. By moving in the direction of the arrow S, the blocking surface can then be moved laterally with respect to the triggering element 68 to such an extent that it can be pressed in the direction of the arrow A and can thus be actuated. The features of the invention disclosed in the present description, in the drawings and in the claims can be essential, both individually and in any combinations, for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. It can be varied within the scope of the claims and taking into account the knowledge of the responsible person skilled in the art. In particular, it is noted that other structural shapes of suitable joint lockings 48 are possible and combinations of different operating clamping means 20 can also be realized.List of reference signs 10 animal transport box12 base element14 first frame element16 second frame element18 cover20 operating clamping means22 support element24 U-shaped bracket26 thrust bearing portion28 plate30 pulling means32 belt34 belt tensioner36 door38 hinge40 pin42 pin44 groove46 groove48 joint locking50 clamping element52 spring54 locking element56 opening58 opening60 opening62 side face64 belt eye66 pulling means fixing element68 trigger element70 trigger element securing elementA arrowE arrowg arrowS arrowV arrow
Claims
1. A collapsible animal transport box (10) comprising a base element (12), a first frame element (14) pivotably connected to the base element (12), and a second frame element (16) pivotably connected to the base element (12), wherein the first frame element (14) and the second frame element (16) are pivotably arranged on opposite sides of the base element (12), wherein a cover (18) is also provided which can be stretched open by the first frame element (14) and by the second frame element (16) and can be stretched open by pivoting open the first frame element (14) and the second frame element (16) such that a cavity for receiving an animal to be transported is formed between the frame elements (14, 16),characterized in that at least one operating clamping means (20) is provided which acts on the first frame element (14) and the second frame element (16) and, linked to the operation of the first frame element (14) and / or the second frame element (16), causes the first frame element (14) and the second frame element (16) to be locked in a pivoted-open clamping position.
2. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that a support element (22) is provided as an operating clamping means (20), which support element is arranged pivotably on the first frame element (14) and / or on the second frame element (16) and can be pivoted to a supporting position extending between the first frame element (14) and the second frame element (16) when pivoting open.
3. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that a pivotable support element (22) is arranged on the first frame element (14) and a thrust bearing portion (26) for the support element (22) is arranged on the second frame element (16) or in that a pivotable support element (22) is arranged on the second frame element (16) and a thrust bearing portion (26) for the support element (22) is arranged on the first frame element (14).
4. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a pulling means (30) is provided for pivoting open the first frame element (14) and / or the second frame element (16), which pulling means is indirectly or directly connected to the first frame element (14) or the second frame element (16).
5. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the pulling means (30) is arranged on a pivotable support element (22) such that the support element (22) is movable to a supporting position extending between the first frame element (14) and the second frame element (16) by simply pulling on the pulling means (30).
6. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the support element (22) is configured as a U-shaped bracket (24), as a plate or as a grid and / or the support element (22) and the frame element (14, 16) connected thereto are decoupled from the cover (18).
7. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the support element (22) is arranged biased in one direction on the first frame element (14) and / or on the second frame element (16).
8. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a joint locking (48) is provided as the operating clamping means (20) in the pivotably configured region both between the first frame element (14) and the base element (12) and between the second frame element (16) and the base element (12), by means of which the first frame element (14) and the second frame element (16) are each automatically locked in the stretched position once the clamping position is achieved during pivoting open.
9. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one pivotable door (36) is arranged in the first frame element (14) and / or in the second frame element (16) and / or at least one opening that can be operated as required is provided on the cover (18).
10. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that as a hinge allowing the first frame element (14) to pivot and / or allowing the second frame element (16) to pivot at least one pin (40, 42) is movably mounted in a corresponding groove (44, 46) in form of a circular arc, wherein the at least one pin (40, 42) and the at least one groove (44, 46) are formed immediately adjacent to the base element (12) and the first frame element (14) or immediately adjacent to the base element (12) and the second frame element (16).
11. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that a belt (32) is provided as the pulling means (30).
12. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of preceding claims 4 to 11, characterized in that the pulling means (30) is passed through a pulling means fixing element (66), by means of which a fixing action can be exerted on the pulling means (30).
13. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the pulling means fixing element (66) is loaded with a bias in such a way that the fixing effect is exerted on account of the bias without the need for a separate actuation.
14. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in either one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the pulling means fixing element (66) is functionally coupled to a trigger element (68) in such a way that the fixing effect can be cancelled by actuating the trigger element (68).
15. The animal transport box (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a trigger element securing element (70) is provided and constructed in such a way that the actuation of the trigger element securing element (70) is necessary in order to be able to actuate the trigger element (68) effectively.