Animal transport device

Abstract

An animal transport device of the present disclosure comprises: a base structure and a frame structure supported by the base structure, the base structure comprising: a base or bottom portion; the latch is connected to the base part or the bottom part and can move relative to the base part or the bottom part in two different movement modes. The animal transportation device can be stably installed on a carrying tool such as a seat of a vehicle.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a utility model patent application with the applicant being Jujia International Co., Ltd., the application date being July 6, 2023, the application number being 202321768984.9, and the invention title being "Animal Transportation Device". Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an animal transportation device, and particularly to a transportation device installed in a vehicle for transporting animals or pets. Background Art

[0003] Recently, many people regard the animals they raise (collectively referred to as "pets" hereinafter) as their family members or companions, and thus pay increasing attention to the issues of pet companionship and care, including the safety of pets in vehicles.

[0004] Currently, there are various pet transportation cages or pet vests on the market, which can be fixed by the vehicle seat belts to prevent pets from escaping from a moving vehicle. However, how to prevent pets from being impacted or injured due to sudden changes in vehicle speed remains an urgent problem for pet owners.

[0005] In addition, a crate or another type of carrier can be used to transport animals in a vehicle. However, many existing carriers have various defects. For example, some carriers are not strong enough and cannot accommodate and protect animals, especially larger animals, in a car collision accident. In another example, some carriers are difficult to transport, carry, or store outside the vehicle. In yet another example, some carriers are difficult to install in a vehicle. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] The present disclosure provides an animal transportation device for fixing an animal wearing a wearing device therein. The animal transportation device includes: a bottom plate providing an animal bearing surface; a side plate connected to a first long side of the bottom plate, and when viewed from one side of the animal transportation device, the bottom plate and the side plate are connected to present an L-shaped structure; and at least a pair of fixing straps, each fixed at a first position and a second position on the animal bearing surface of the bottom plate at its respective one end, and connected to the wearing device at its respective other end.

[0007] According to the foregoing concept, the animal transportation device is an animal accommodation unit for a seat in a vehicle; the bottom is formed by a base structure, the base structure includes a base, and the base includes a front portion and a rear portion; the at least one side is formed by a frame structure that converts between an unfolded state and a collapsed state, and the frame structure includes: a front member including a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the front member being rotatably coupled to the front portion of the base, and the shape of the front member being designed such that when the frame structure is in the unfolded state, it partially defines the front portion of the animal accommodation unit and partially defines the top of the animal accommodation unit; a rear member including a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the rear member being rotatably coupled to the rear portion of the base, and the shape of the rear member being designed such that when the frame structure is in the unfolded state, it partially defines the rear portion of the animal accommodation unit and partially defines the top of the animal accommodation unit; at least one intermediate support member including a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably coupled to the front member or the rear member via a rotary joint, and when the frame structure is in the unfolded state, the second end of the at least one intermediate support member being attached to a corresponding portion of the frame structure such that a connection is formed between the front member and the rear member via the at least one intermediate support member, and when the frame structure is converted to the collapsed state, the second end of the at least one intermediate support member is detached from the corresponding portion of the frame structure such that the front member and the rear member are disconnected, and the rotary joint is rotated to a collapsed position, in which the at least one intermediate support member is located within or flush with the front member or the rear member.

[0008] According to the foregoing concept, when the at least one intermediate support member is brought to the collapsed position, the first front rotary actuator and the second front rotary actuator are rotated to a folded position, in which the front member is within or flush with the base structure or flush with the rear member, and the first rear rotary actuator and the second rear rotary actuator are rotated to bring the rear member within or flush with the base structure or flush with the front member.

[0009] According to the foregoing concept, the first rear rotary actuator and the second rear rotary actuator are positioned relative to the base higher than the first front rotary actuator and the second front rotary actuator such that when the frame structure is in the collapsed state, the rear member is flush on top of the front member.

[0010] According to the foregoing concept, the first front rotary actuator and the second front rotary actuator can be locked in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the front member of the frame structure extends perpendicular to the base, and in the second position, the front member extends parallel to the base. Moreover, the first rear rotary actuator and the second rear rotary actuator can be locked in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the rear member of the frame structure extends perpendicular to the base, and in the second position, the rear member extends parallel to the base.

[0011] According to the foregoing concept, the at least one intermediate support member can be detached from one of the front member or the rear member while remaining attached to the other of the front member or the rear member, such that the at least one intermediate support member can rotate through a swivel joint.

[0012] According to the foregoing concept, the at least one intermediate support member can be detached from one of the front member or the rear member via a release actuator assembled to the at least one intermediate support member.

[0013] According to the foregoing concept, the release actuator can retract at least one pin extending from the at least one intermediate support member from a corresponding recess in the front member or the rear member.

[0014] According to the foregoing concept, the animal transportation device is an animal accommodation unit for a seat on a vehicle; the accommodation structure is formed by a base structure and a frame structure; the base structure includes a base, the base including a front portion and a rear portion; the frame structure includes: a front member, coupled to the front portion of the base; a rear member, coupled to the rear portion of the base; and an accommodation material, extending at least partially around the frame structure; and the strap structure includes a fixed strap structure, the fixed strap structure including at least a first fixed strap cross-strap and a second fixed strap cross-strap, each cross-strap including a first end, the first end being coupled to a respective first anchoring point defined by the base structure, the cross-strap extending around the outside of the frame structure from the respective first anchoring point and wrapping around the front member to a respective second end of the cross-strap, the second end of each cross-strap being configured to be coupled to a rigid connection portion on or near the seat of the vehicle such that the fixed strap extends along a desired path around the frame structure, the desired path being configured to restrain a pet accommodated in the animal accommodation unit.

[0015] According to the foregoing concept, the front member includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the front member is connected to the front portion of the base on a first side, and the second end of the front member is connected to the front portion of the base on a second side. The front member of the frame structure is formed in a curved shape to partially define the front of the animal receiving unit and partially define the top of the animal receiving unit. Moreover, the rear member includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the rear member is connected to the rear portion of the base on the first side, and the second end of the rear member is connected to the rear portion of the base on the second side. The rear member of the frame structure is formed in a curved shape to partially define the rear of the animal receiving unit and partially define the top of the animal receiving unit. Wherein the cross strap extends along the top portion of the receiving material to a second end connected to a second anchor point, and the top portion of the receiving material covers the top of the animal receiving unit.

[0016] According to the foregoing concept, the base structure further includes a base frame, and the base frame is assembled to the base, wherein the base frame includes a front member, and the first end of the fixed strap cross strap is connected to the front member of the base frame inside the base.

[0017] According to the foregoing concept, the first end of the fixed strap cross strap is sewn to the front member of the base frame.

[0018] According to the foregoing concept, the receiving material includes a front receiving material, and the front receiving material partially defines the front of the animal receiving unit and is at least partially supported by the front member of the frame structure. The front portion of the receiving material covers the front of the animal receiving unit. The front portion of the receiving material includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The animal receiving unit further includes a top portion of the receiving material, and the top portion of the receiving material covers the top of the animal receiving unit and is at least partially supported by the front member and the rear member of the frame structure.

[0019] According to the foregoing concept, the fixed strap cross strap is woven through at least a portion of the front receiving material such that a portion of the cross strap is outside the outer surface of the front receiving material and another portion of the cross strap is inside the outer surface of the front receiving material.

[0020] According to the foregoing concept, the cross strap wraps around the outer surface of the front member of the base frame.

[0021] According to the foregoing concept, the frame structure further includes: a first intermediate support member and a second intermediate support member, both including a first end coupled to the front member and a second end coupled to the rear member, the first intermediate support member and the second intermediate support member being outside the outer surface of the receiving material, and wherein the first fixed strap extends across the outer surface of the receiving material along the first intermediate support member, and the second fixed strap extends across the outer surface of the receiving material along the second intermediate support member.

[0022] According to the foregoing concept, the animal transportation device further includes: a lacing structure including at least two cross straps, the cross straps of the lacing structure each including a first end coupled to the rear member, the second ends of the cross straps being joined together at a joint, the lacing structure further including a single cross strap extending from the first end to the second end at the joint, and a lacing latch adjustably positioned on the second end of the cross strap, wherein the lacing latch is configured to be attached to a rigid connection portion on or near the seat of the vehicle.

[0023] According to the foregoing concept, the rigid connection portion on or near the seat of the vehicle is a first rigid connection portion, and the animal receiving unit further includes: a latch coupled to the frame structure, the latch being configured to couple the frame structure to a second rigid connection portion on or near the seat of the vehicle.

[0024] The beneficial effect of the present disclosure is that the animal transportation device can be stably mounted to a carrier such as a seat of a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] To further understand the features and technical content of the present disclosure, please refer to the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure and the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and the accompanying drawings are only for reference and illustration purposes and are not intended to limit the present disclosure; wherein:

[0026] Figure 1a A perspective view of an animal receiving unit according to a first exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0027] Figure 1b A front view of the animal receiving unit of the first exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0028] Figure 1c A side view of the animal receiving unit of the first exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0029] Figure 1d A top view of the animal receiving unit of the first exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0030] Figure 2aShows the base structure of the animal accommodation unit of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2b Shows the base frame and the latch bracket of the base structure of the animal accommodation unit of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0032] Figure 2c Shows a side view of the base structure of the animal accommodation unit of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0033] Figure 3a Shows the base structure of the first exemplary embodiment, where the latch bracket is in a first position towards the first side of the animal accommodation unit.

[0034] Figure 3b Shows the front button of the base structure of the first exemplary embodiment, which extends through the front cavity in the front portion of the molded base.

[0035] Figure 3c Shows the base structure of the first exemplary embodiment, where the latch bracket is in the first position and the latch extends out of the rear cavity.

[0036] Figure 3d Shows the first side actuator of the base structure of the first exemplary embodiment, which is positioned within the first side cavity in the first side portion of the molded base.

[0037] Figure 3e Shows the front button of the base structure of the first exemplary embodiment sliding within the front slot.

[0038] Figure 3f Shows the base structure of the first exemplary embodiment, where the latch bracket is in a second position towards the second side of the unit.

[0039] Figure 3g Shows the base structure of the first exemplary embodiment, where the latch bracket is in the second position and the latch is retracted into the rear cavity.

[0040] Figure 4a Shows the animal accommodation unit of the first exemplary embodiment in the deployed state.

[0041] Figure 4b Shows the animal accommodation unit of the first exemplary embodiment being converted to the collapsed state.

[0042] Figure 4c Shows the animal accommodation unit of the first exemplary embodiment in the collapsed state.

[0043] Figure 5aA perspective view showing the sliding actuator of the first exemplary embodiment in a first state, wherein the front intermediate support member and the rear intermediate support member are connected via the sliding actuator.

[0044] Figure 5b A side view showing the sliding actuator of the first exemplary embodiment in a first state.

[0045] Figure 5c A side view showing the sliding actuator of the first exemplary embodiment in a second state, wherein the front intermediate support member and the sliding actuator are disconnected from the rear intermediate support member.

[0046] Figure 6a A cross-sectional view showing the material accommodation of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0047] Figure 6b A view showing the outer layer of the material accommodation of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the animal accommodation unit is in a deployed state.

[0048] Figure 6c A view showing the reinforcement layer of the material accommodation of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the animal accommodation unit is in a deployed state.

[0049] Figure 6d A view showing the inner layer of the material accommodation of the first exemplary embodiment, wherein the animal accommodation unit is in a deployed state.

[0050] Figure 7 A view showing the fixing straps and lacing structure of the animal accommodation unit of the first exemplary embodiment assembled with the frame structure and the base structure.

[0051] Figure 8 A view showing the animal accommodation unit of the first exemplary embodiment installed in a vehicle.

[0052] Figure 9a A perspective view showing the animal accommodation unit according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0053] Figure 9b An exploded view showing the animal accommodation unit according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0054] Figure 9c A top view showing the animal accommodation unit according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0055] Figure 10a A view showing the base structure of the second exemplary embodiment, wherein the top part is nested with the bottom part.

[0056] Figure 10b A view showing the bottom part of the base structure of the second exemplary embodiment.

[0057] Figure 11a Shows a latch system of a second exemplary embodiment without a base structure.

[0058] Figure 11b Shows a bottom view of the latch system assembled into the bottom portion of the base structure, where the latch pivots to an extended position on the first side of the unit of the second exemplary embodiment.

[0059] Figure 11c Shows a bottom view of the latch system, where the latch pivots to a retracted position on the first side of the unit of the second exemplary embodiment.

[0060] Figure 11d Shows a bottom view of the latch system, where the latch pivots to an extended position on the second side of the unit of the second exemplary embodiment.

[0061] Figure 12 Shows the animal containment unit of the second exemplary embodiment transitioning from an expanded state to a collapsed state.

[0062] Figure 13a Shows the securing strap and lacing structure for the animal containment unit of the second exemplary embodiment, assembled with the frame structure and the base structure.

[0063] Figure 13b Shows a view of the animal containment unit of the second exemplary embodiment installed in a vehicle.

[0064] Figure 13c Shows the animal containment unit of the second exemplary embodiment deflecting under the action of a vehicle collision force.

[0065] Figure 14 Shows the animal containment unit of the second exemplary embodiment installed in a vehicle.

[0066] Figure 15a Shows a perspective view of the animal containment unit according to a third exemplary embodiment.

[0067] Figure 15b Shows a bottom view of the animal containment unit of the third exemplary embodiment.

[0068] Figure 16 Shows the X - bar of the frame structure of the animal containment unit of the third exemplary embodiment.

[0069] Figure 17a Shows the arrangement of the latch release actuator of the third exemplary embodiment.

[0070] Figure 17b Shows the arrangement of the first latch release actuator of the third exemplary embodiment.

[0071] Figure 17c Shows the arrangement of the second latch release actuator of the third exemplary embodiment. Detailed implementation

[0072] The following describes the technical concepts and connotations of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings and by way of example embodiments. In the drawings or the description, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals; furthermore, the drawings are drawn for ease of understanding, and the dimensions and shapes of the components in the drawings are not the actual dimensions of the components or in a proportional relationship.

[0073] In addition, the descriptions of the drawings and embodiments below do not mean to limit the scope of implementation of the present disclosure to a single embodiment; other implementation manners are possible by replacing part or all of the described or shown components. In addition, in cases where some components of the disclosed embodiments may use part or all of known components, in some cases, only such parts of the known components that are necessary for understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure are described, and the detailed descriptions of the other parts of these known components are omitted to avoid confusing the concepts and embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0074] The animal transportation device according to the present disclosure may include: a bottom providing an animal bearing surface; and at least one side portion respectively connected to one side of the bottom, and one of the side portions may be connected to the bottom in a movable or detachable manner.

[0075] The animal transportation device according to the present disclosure may include: a receiving structure for an animal to be received therein; and a belt structure arranged to span the outside of the receiving structure and apply a force to the upper portion of the receiving structure, so that the receiving structure is fixed relative to the vehicle. Wherein, the upper portion of the receiving structure may be its top, or may be the upper portion of its side.

[0076] The animal transportation device according to the present disclosure may include: a bottom providing an animal bearing surface; at least one side portion respectively connected to one side of the bottom; and a mounting structure provided on the bottom, and the animal transportation device is fixed relative to the vehicle through the mounting structure.

[0077] The animal transportation device according to the present disclosure includes: a bottom providing an animal bearing surface; at least one side portion respectively connected to one side of the bottom; and a mounting structure movably provided on the bottom such that the position of the mounting structure relative to the bottom can change, and the animal transportation device is fixed relative to the vehicle through the mounting structure.

[0078] In addition, the "carrier" in this text can be a vehicle seat, or other tools such as the trunk of a vehicle or a trolley. For the sake of convenience, the following description will take the "carrier" as a vehicle seat as an example.

[0079] First Embodiment

[0080] Figures 1a - 1d A view showing an animal accommodation unit 6100 according to a first exemplary embodiment is shown. The animal accommodation unit 6100 is generally hexagonal and is described with reference to a front portion, a rear portion, a first side (e.g., the left side relative to a front view), a second side (e.g., the right side relative to a front view), a bottom, and a top. These sides are labeled in Figures 1a - 1d and these labels are omitted in the subsequent figures. Figure 1a A perspective view of the animal accommodation unit 6100 is shown; Figure 1b A front view of the animal accommodation unit 6100 is shown; Figure 1c A side view of the animal accommodation unit 6100 is shown; and Figure 1d A top view of the animal accommodation unit 6100 is shown.

[0081] Frame Structure

[0082] The animal accommodation unit 6100 includes a frame structure 6101 that is coupled to and supported by a base structure 6120, which will be further described below with reference to Figures 2a - 2c The animal accommodation unit 6100 includes a containment material 6160 (e.g., a soft item) that forms the exterior of the animal accommodation unit 6100, which will be further described in detail below with reference to Figures 6a - 6d The animal accommodation unit 6100 further includes a securing strap and lacing structure 6180 for providing a force to control the animal during a vehicle collision, which will be further described in detail below with reference to Figure 7 further. Figure 7 The frame structure 6101 and the securing strap and lacing structure 6180 are shown in more detail, with the containment material 6160 removed.

[0083] The frame structure 6101 includes a front member 6102, a rear member 6103, and intermediate support members 6104 (a first intermediate support member 6104a and a second intermediate support member 6104b) that connect the front member 6102 and the rear member 6103 when the animal accommodation unit 6100 is in an unfolded state, which will be referred to with reference to Figures 4a - 4cAs will be described in further detail below. The front member 6102 is bent into a shape similar to a "U", and its first end 6114 and second end 6115 are coupled to the base structure 6120 via front rotary actuators 6154a, 6154b (i.e., the first front rotary actuator and the second front rotary actuator). Similar to the front member 6102, the rear member 6103 is formed into a shape similar to a "U", and its first end 6116 and second end 6117 are coupled to the base structure 6120 via rear rotary actuators 6156a, 6156b (i.e., the first rear rotary actuator and the second rear rotary actuator). It should be noted that in this example, the rear member 6103 is slightly shorter than the front member 6102 and is assembled to the base structure 6120 at a position slightly higher than the front member 6102 so as to close the animal accommodation unit 6100 and define a rear cavity 6128 in the base structure 6120 for latching protrusion and retraction, which will be described in further detail below.

[0084] The front member 6102 extends from the first end 6114 towards the top of the animal accommodation unit 6100, bends approximately 90 degrees towards the second side and across the top of the animal accommodation unit 6100, and bends approximately 90 degrees towards the bottom of the animal accommodation unit 6100 and reaches the second end 6115. The rear member 6103 extends from the first end 6116 towards the top of the animal accommodation unit 6100, bends approximately 90 degrees towards the second side and across the top of the animal accommodation unit 6100, and bends approximately 90 degrees towards the bottom of the animal accommodation unit 6100 and reaches the second end 6117. The front member 6102 of this embodiment includes a single piece that extends from the first end 6114 to the second end 6115. Alternatively, the front member may include multiple pieces that are joined together during the assembly of the animal accommodation unit 6100 (e.g., having different curvatures to define the curvature of the front member 6102). Similarly, the rear member 6103 may include a single piece or may include multiple pieces that are joined together during the assembly (e.g., having different curvatures to define the curvature of the rear member 6103).

[0085] In this example, the intermediate support member 6104 includes two pieces, for example, a front intermediate support member 6105 (a first front intermediate support member 6105a of the first intermediate support member 6104a and a second front intermediate support member 6105b of the second intermediate support member 6104b) and a rear intermediate support member 6106 (a first rear intermediate support member 6106a of the first intermediate support member 6104a and a second rear intermediate support member 6106b of the second intermediate support member 6104b), which can be joined and / or separated by the operation of corresponding sliding actuators 6107 (a first sliding actuator 6107a of the first intermediate support member and a second sliding actuator 6107b of the second intermediate support member), which will be described further below with reference to Figures 4a - 4c The front intermediate support member 6105 is coupled to the front member 6102 at corresponding front rotary joints 6112 (a first front rotary joint 6112a of the front member 6102 and a second front rotary joint 6112b of the front member), and the rear intermediate support member 6106 is coupled to the rear member 6103 at corresponding rear rotary joints 6113 (the first front rotary joint 6112a of the front member 6102 and the second front rotary joint 6112b of the front member).

[0086] It should be noted that in this example, the front intermediate support member 6105 and the rear intermediate support member 6106 cannot be detached from their corresponding rotary joints 6112, 6113, and the collapsibility of the animal accommodation unit 6100 is provided by the actuator 6107 for separating the front intermediate support member 6105 and the rear intermediate support member 6106. However, in other embodiments, the intermediate support member may include a plurality of single pieces that cannot be separated into a front intermediate support member and a rear intermediate support member, and the collapsibility of the animal accommodation unit 6100 may be facilitated by a mechanism for detaching the intermediate support member from the rotary joint to separate the intermediate support member from the front member and / or the rear member, as will be described in more detail below.

[0087] In this example, when multiple intermediate support members 6104 are combined, for example, when the animal containment unit 6100 is in the deployed state for transporting an animal in a vehicle, the intermediate support members 6104 rigidly extend from the front rotary joint 6112 of the front member 6102 to the rear rotary joint 6113 of the rear member 6102. The front rotary joint 6112 is generally oriented perpendicular to the front member 6102 to direct the intermediate support members 6104 rearward, where the intermediate support members 6104 are received in the rear rotary joint 6113, and the rear rotary joint 6113 is also generally oriented perpendicular to the rear member 6103 and forward. When the intermediate support members 6104 are separated (the front intermediate support member 6105 is detached from the rear intermediate support member 6106 via the actuator 6107) to, for example, stow the animal containment unit 6100, the front rotary joint 6112 can rotate 90 degrees and be oriented toward the bottom of the animal containment unit 6100 such that the front intermediate support member 6105 is brought flush with the front member 6102, and the rear rotary joint 6113 can rotate 90 degrees and be oriented toward the bottom of the animal containment unit 6100 such that the rear intermediate support member 6106 is flush with the rear member 6103.

[0088] Then, the front rotary actuator 6154 can rotate 90 degrees and be oriented rearward such that the front intermediate support member 6105 and the front member 6102 are received within or flush with the base structure 6120, at which time the rear rotary actuator 6156 can rotate 90 degrees and be oriented forward such that the rear intermediate support member 6106 and the rear member 6103 are flush with the stowed front member 6102, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 4a - 4c As described above, the rear member 6103 is slightly shorter than the front member 6102, and the rear rotary actuator 6156 is elevated relative to the front rotary actuator 6154, as shown, for example, in Figure 1c such that when the animal containment unit 6100 is stowed, the rear member 6103 and / or the rear intermediate support member 6106 closely fit against and / or fit within the stowed front member 6102 and / or the front intermediate support member 6105.

[0089] The front rotating actuator 6154 and the rear rotating actuator 6156 can be locked in any of the above positions, for example, oriented such that the front member 6102 extends towards the top of the animal accommodation unit 6100 and defines the front surface of the animal accommodation unit 6100, and the rear member 6103 extends towards the top of the animal accommodation unit 6100 and defines the rear surface of the animal accommodation unit 6100 (deployed state), or oriented such that the front member 6102 extends towards the rear of the animal accommodation unit 6100, and the rear member 6103 extends towards the front of the animal accommodation unit 6100 (retracted state). In this way, the frame structure 6101 can be locked in the deployed state to provide a rigid frame that defines the interior / exterior of the animal accommodation unit 6100, and the frame structure 6101 can be locked in the retracted state to facilitate the transportation and / or storage of the animal accommodation unit 6100.

[0090] Reference Figures 6a - 6d , the frame structure 6101 supports the containment material 6160 that defines the outer and inner surfaces of the animal accommodation unit 6100, and the containment material 6160 includes containment material 6160 for the front 6165, first side 6168, second side 6169, top 6172, and rear 6173 of the animal accommodation unit 6100. Some or all of the members of the frame structure 6101 can be formed to include an extrusion channel 6118, as shown in Figure 6a . The extrusion channel 6118 extends along the length of the member for receiving a plastic rod-like member 6164 that extends through one end of the containment material 6160. The plastic rod-like member 6164 of the containment material 6160 can slide or snap into the extrusion channel 6118 to assemble the containment material 6160 onto the members of the frame structure 6101, which will be further described below with reference to Figures 6a - 6d . In this example, only the front member 6102 and the rear member 6103 include the extrusion channel 6118, and the intermediate support member 6104 does not directly support the containment material 6160 for, for example, the first side 6168, second side 6169, or top 6172. However, in other embodiments, the intermediate support member 6104 can also include an extrusion channel 6118 to support the containment material 6160.

[0091] Reference Figure 2b and Figure 7, the frame structure 6101 further supports the webbing and the lacing structure 6180, which includes the webbing 6181 (i.e., the webbing structure). The first end of the webbing 6181 is fixed to the front member 6134 of the base frame 6133 and extends upward to the front of the animal receiving unit 6100, surrounds the front member 6102 of the frame structure 6101, and spans across the top of the animal receiving unit 6100 until the second end is fixed to the rear member 6103 of the frame structure 6101. As would be understood by those skilled in the art, the webbing 6181 is formed of a material similar to that forming a seat belt, such that it can withstand the forces that would be applied to it when a pet is thrown against the webbing during a vehicle accident.

[0092] The webbing 6181 includes two cross-webbings 6181a and 6181b (i.e., the first webbing cross-webbing and the second webbing cross-webbing), which extend from the front attachment point 6182 on the front member 6134 of the base frame 6133 toward the top of the animal receiving unit 6100, surround the outside of the front member 6102 at the wrapping point 6184, and extend toward the rear of the animal receiving unit 6100 to the rear attachment point 6186 on the rear member 6103, which will be described further below with reference to Figure 7 The webbing 6181 has attachment points at the bottom-front and top-rear of the animal receiving unit 6100, as described above, in order to provide a force-receiving structure that extends across the front and top of the animal receiving unit 6100. The frame structure 6101 further supports the lacing 6188 (i.e., the lacing structure), the first end of which (including two cross-webbings) is fixed to the rear member 6103 of the frame structure 6101 at a number of positions similar to those where the webbing 6181 is fixed to the rear member 6103 (e.g., the rear attachment point 6186). The lacing 6188 of this embodiment extends from the top / rear of the animal receiving unit 6100 and is attached to an anchoring structure in the vehicle, e.g., a vehicle frame structure on the rear of a vehicle seat, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 8 It should be understood that the webbing 6181 can be directly connected to the lacing 6188 such that one end of the combination of the webbing 6181 and the lacing 6188 is fixed to the base frame 6133 and the other end can be attached to an anchoring structure in the vehicle.

[0093] The frame structure 6101 can be formed from any suitable rigid material, such as extruded metal tubing (e.g., aluminum). The aluminum tubing provides a rigid frame structure 6101 that is strong enough to keep the animal containment unit 6100 secure but flexible enough to absorb the force of an animal impact and deform to reduce the impact on the animal. The actuator 6107 can include a metal tube shaped similarly to the frame structure, but with an internal dimension slightly larger than the external dimension of the intermediate support member 6104, such that the intermediate support member 6104 (the rear end of the front intermediate support member 6105 and the front end of the rear intermediate support member 6106) can be slidably received therein, and the actuator 6107 can slide thereon to engage and / or disengage (e.g., couple or separate) the front support member 6105 and the intermediate support member 6106, which will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 5a - 5c be described in more detail.

[0094] Base structure

[0095] Figures 2a - 2c The base structure 6120 of the animal containment unit 6100 of the first exemplary embodiment is shown. The base structure 6120 includes a base 6121 and a base frame 6133 that is assembled to the base 6121. A latch bracket 6140 is slidably coupled to the base frame 6133. Figure 2a The base structure 6120 is shown in more detail and the base 6121 is described. Figure 2b The latch bracket 6140 and the base frame 6133 of the base structure 6120 are shown. Figure 2c A side view of the base structure 6120 is shown.

[0096] The base 6121 can be molded from plastic, for example. The base 6121 includes a bottom 6122 and a frame (not to be confused with the base frame 6133 described below), which includes a front portion 6123, side portions 6124 (a first side portion 6124a and a second side portion 6124b), and a rear portion 6125. The front portion 6123, the side portions 6124, and the rear portion 6125 are shaped to have internal channels for receiving the corresponding members of the base frame 6133, thereby assembling the base frame 6133 onto the base 6121. At the front corners of the base 6121 (on the front portion 6123 near the intersection of the front portion 6123 and the first side portion 6124a; and on the front portion 6123 near the intersection of the front portion 6123 and the second side portion 6124b) are corresponding front grooves 6126 (a first front groove 6126a and a second front groove 6126b), which extend toward the top of the animal containment unit 6100 for receiving and coupling to a front rotary actuator 6154, which will be referred to with reference to Figures 5a - 5cIt will be described in more detail below. Similarly, on the rear corner of the base 6121 (at the rear part 6125 near the intersection of the rear part 6125 and the first side part 6124a; on the rear part 6125 near the intersection of the rear part 6125 and the second side part 6124b) are corresponding rear grooves 6127 (the first rear groove 6127a and the second rear groove 6127b), and the rear grooves 6127 extend towards the top of the animal accommodation unit 6100 for receiving and connecting to the rear rotary actuator 6156.

[0097] The internal channel formed in the rear part 6125 of the base 6121 (for assembling the base frame 6133 (rear member 6136) to the base 6121) is elevated relative to the channels formed in the front part 6123 and the side parts 6124, as shown in detail in Figure 2c As shown in detail in. Below the channel for the base frame 6133 in the rear part 6125 is a rear cavity 6128 through which the latch 6150 of the latch bracket 6140 can extend, which will be further described below.

[0098] The base 6121 further includes: a first slot 6129a formed therein, which extends across the bottom 6122 from one side to the other (left - right); and a second slot 6129b formed therein, which also extends across the bottom 6122 from one side to the other (left - right). The first slot 6129a is closer to the rear of the animal accommodation unit 6100 compared to the second slot 6129b. The first slot and the second slot 6129 facilitate the translation of the latch bracket 6140 from one side to the other, as will be further described below.

[0099] As shown in Figure 2bAs shown in detail, the base frame 6133 includes a front member 6134, two side members 6135 (a first side member 6135a and a second side member 6135b), and a rear member 6136. The front member 6134, the side members 6135, and the rear member 6136 of the present embodiment are formed of metal, such as steel. In this example, these members are formed of square steel and are welded at the joints between the members. The rear member 6136 is elevated relative to the front member 6134 and the side members 6135. The rear member 6136 is coupled to the first side member 6135a and the second side member 6135b via respective brackets 6137a, 6137b that can be formed of, for example, bent metal sheets. The front member 6134, the side members 6135, and the rear member 6136 of this embodiment include through holes for assembling the base frame 6133 to the base 6121. In some embodiments, only the front member 6134 and the side members 6135 may include through holes. In this example, the plurality of members of the base frame 6133 are formed of square steel of the same size. However, in other embodiments, the respective members of the base frame 6133 may have different cross-sectional sizes. For example, the rear member 6136 of the base frame 6133 may be formed of steel that is higher than the front member 6134 and the side members 6135.

[0100] The base frame 6133 provides a structure for the animal containment unit 6100 that is configured to withstand substantial forces applied thereto, such as would occur if the vehicle in which the animal containment unit 6100 is assembled were involved in a collision. As will be described in more detail below, the base frame 6133 provides a rigid structure to which a rigid latch 6150 is attached at the rear and a securing strap 6181 is attached at the front. The securing strap 6181 wraps around the front and top to the rear, and the lacing 6188 extends from the rear to an anchor point within the vehicle (behind the vehicle seat in some embodiments) to effectively provide a complete protective loop around the animal containment unit 6100.

[0101] The latch bracket 6140 includes a front member 6141 that is coupled to the front member 6134 via two front guides 6142 that are slidably coupled to the front member 6134 of the base frame 6133. The latch bracket 6140 further includes two side members 6143 (a first side member 6143a and a second side member 6143b) that extend from a first end on an inner surface of the front member 6141 to a second end toward the rear of the latch bracket 6140. Each side member 6143 of the latch bracket 6140 has a rear guide 6144 fixed thereto (fixed to the top of the side member 6143) to couple the side member 6143 to a rear member 6136 of the base frame 6133 that is elevated relative to the base frame 6133 and the remainder of the latch bracket 6140. A first rear guide 6144a on the first side member 6143a and a second rear guide 6144b on the second side member 6143b are slidably coupled to the rear member 6136. The front guides 6142 and the rear guides 6144 permit the latch bracket 6140 to translate along the front member 6134 and the rear member 6136 (in a direction parallel to the front member 6134 and the rear member 6136) toward and / or away from the first side and / or the second side (e.g., left - right) of the animal containment unit 6100. The front guides 6142 of this embodiment are formed, for example, from square steel having an inner dimension that is slightly larger than the outer dimension of the front member 6134; and the rear guides 6144 can be formed from square steel having an inner dimension that is slightly larger than the outer dimension of the rear member 6136. In this example, the members of the base frame 6133 and the members of the latch bracket 6140 are formed from square steel of the same dimensions, and the front guides 6142 and the rear guides 6144 are of the same size. It should be understood that the front guides 6142 and the rear guides 6144 and the corresponding front member 6134 and rear member 6136 can include stock steel having other configurations (e.g., rectangular, cylindrical, or other configurations).

[0102] Two side members 6143 are coupled to two respective inner members 6145 (a first inner member 6145a and a second inner member 6145b) via two inner guides 6146 (a first inner guide 6146a and a second inner guide 6146b) that are slidably coupled to the inner member 6145. The inner guides 6146 permit the inner member 6145 to translate (slide) relative to the side member 6143 toward and / or away from the front and / or rear of the animal containment unit 6100. The first inner member 6145a is coupled to the outer side of the first side member 6143a (central relative to the latch bracket 6140), and the second inner member 6145b is coupled to the outer side of the second side member 6143b (central relative to the latch bracket 6140).

[0103] A first end of a rod-like member 6148 is fixed to the first inner member 6145a, extends through a slot 6147 in the side member 6143, and its second end is fixed to the second inner member 6145b. The side members 6143 each have a slot 6147 extending therethrough (relative to the left-right direction) and further extending through a rear portion of the side member 6143 toward the rear of the latch bracket 6140 (e.g., a first slot 6147a extends through the first side member 6143a and a second slot 6147b extends through the second side member 6143b). A sliding member 6149 is suspended on the rod-like member 6148. When in Figure 2a the position shown, with the animal containment unit 6100 assembled and the latch 6150 retracted into the rear cavity 6128, as the latch bracket 6140 translates from side to side to reposition the latch 6150, the sliding member 6149 is received in a first slot 6129a in the bottom 6122 of the molded base 6121 and is capable of sliding within the first slot 6129a. When the latch 6150 extends out of the rear of the animal containment unit 6100, the sliding member 6149 is brought outside of the first slot 6129a. As shown in Figure 2c the inner member 6145 of the latch bracket coupled to the inner guide 6146 of the side member 6143 is capable of sliding from side to side within a second slot 6129b.

[0104] The base structure 6120 includes two latches 6150, with respective latches 6150 being fixed to the respective rear ends of the two inner members 6145 (a first latch 6150a is fixed to the first inner member 6145a and a second latch 6150b is fixed to the second inner member 6145b). Each latch 6150 has a latch end 6151 that is shaped to engage a support structure in a vehicle, e.g., a rigid member coupled to a steel frame within a seat, which will be described below with reference to Figure 8Further description. The latch can extend out of the rear cavity 6128 of the rear portion 6125 of the molded base 6121 or can be retracted into the rear cavity 6128.

[0105] This will be described in further detail below with reference to Figures 3a - 3g As will be described in further detail below, the front button 6153 can be fixed or coupled to the latch bracket 6140 via a front slot 6131 formed in the front portion 6123 of the molded base 6121. In this example, the front button 6153 is directly assembled to the front guide 6142 of the front member 6141 fixed to the latch bracket 6140 and is slidably coupled to the front member 6134 of the base frame 6133. The front button 6153 is coupled to the latch 6150 such that operation of the front button can lock or unlock the latch 6150 so that the latch 6150 can be locked in or switched to an extended position (extended for mounting to the rear of the animal containment unit 6100 in a vehicle) or retracted to a retracted position (retracted into the rear cavity 6128 in the rear portion 6125 of the molded base 6121).

[0106] Additionally, two side actuators 6152 (a first side actuator 6152a on the first side portion 6124a of the base 6121 and a second side actuator 6152b on the second side portion 6124b of the base 6121) can be coupled to or disengaged from the latch bracket 6140 to lock the latch bracket 6140 on the first or second side of the animal containment unit 6100. The side actuators 6152 can be pushed in to lock the latch bracket 6140 or pushed out to release the latch bracket 6140. When the latch 6150 and / or the latch bracket 6140 (via the front button 6153 or the side actuators 6152) are unlocked, for example, by removing the internal removable liner 6175 covering the base structure 6120 and accessing the latch bracket 6140, the user can manually move the latch or the latch bracket to a desired position. In an alternative embodiment, the latch 6150 can be connected to a biasing member that biases the latch 6150 toward the extended position such that when the front button 6153 is pushed, the latch 6150 is switched from the retracted position to the extended position.

[0107] Actuating the latch and repositioning the latch bracket

[0108] As described above, the latch 6150 of the animal containment unit 6100 is secured to an inner member 6145 that is slidably coupled to the inner side member 6143. The inner member 6145 is capable of being released from the side member 6143 and sliding toward and / or away from the rear and / or front of the animal containment unit 6100. The front button 6153 is secured to the front guide 6142 (the front guide 6142 is secured to the front member 6141 of the latch bracket 6140 and is slidably coupled to the front member 6134 of the base frame 6133) via a front slot 6131 in the molded base 6121. The front button 6153 of this embodiment is spring-loaded (disposed in a cavity 6130 with a spring) and can be depressed to lock the inner member 6145 to prevent forward / backward translation or to release the inner member 6145 to allow forward / backward translation, e.g., to extend the latch 6150 out of the rear of the animal containment unit 6100 or to retract the latch 6150 into the rear of the animal containment unit 6100.

[0109] Then, the inner member 6145 can be locked by depressing the front button 6153 again to lock the latch 6150 in, for example, the extended position. The front button 6153 can be depressed to lock the latch 6150 in the extended or retracted position and to unlock the latch 6150 from the extended or retracted position. Any suitable mechanism can be used to lock the inner member 6145 to the side member 6143. For example, the front button 6153 can be connected to a cable that is connected to a pin extending from the side member 6143 toward the inner member 6145. The pin can be received in a corresponding hole in the inner member 6145 to lock the inner member 6145 relative to the side member 6143 and thus lock the latch 6150 in the extended or retracted position. Those skilled in the art will determine that other mechanisms can also be used to lock / unlock the inner member 6145.

[0110] In this example, actuation of the front button 6153 locks / unlocks the latch 6150. However, in an alternative embodiment, the front button 6153 can be configured to automatically extend and / or retract the latch 6150 without user manual intervention. In an alternative embodiment, the latch 6150 can be connected to a biasing member that biases the latch 6150 toward the extended position such that when the front button 6153 is pushed, the latch 6150 transitions from the retracted position to the extended position.

[0111] Independent of the mechanism for locking / releasing the latch 6150 for forward and backward movement described above, the latch bracket 6140 as a whole can be locked or released relative to movement from one side to the other. As described above, the latch bracket 6140 can be positioned toward the first side of the animal accommodation unit 6100 or toward the second side of the animal accommodation unit 6100. When the latch bracket 6140 is positioned toward the first side of the animal accommodation unit 6100, the latch bracket 6140 can be locked in place using a first side actuator 6152a positioned in a side cavity 6132 of the molded base 6121. The first side actuator 6152a can, for example, have an internal component that is coupled to the inner guide 6146a of the latch bracket 6140 when the inner guide 6146a of the latch bracket 6140 is pushed into the first side actuator 6152a. The latch bracket 6140 can be released by pulling the first side actuator 6152a and disengaging the latch bracket 6140 from the first side actuator 6152a.

[0112] The latch bracket 6140 can slide toward the second side of the animal accommodation unit 6100 through a sliding member 6149 in the first slot 6129a and an inner guide 6146 in the second slot 6129b. When the latch bracket 6140 is positioned toward the second side of the animal accommodation unit 6100, the latch bracket 6140 can be locked in place using a second side actuator 6152b located in a side cavity 6132b of the molded base 6121, and the second side actuator 6152b has an internal component that is coupled to the inner guide 6146b of the latch bracket 6140 when the inner guide 6146b of the latch bracket 6140 is pushed into the first side actuator 6152b. It should be understood that either side actuator 6152a, 6152b can be actuated to release the latch bracket 6140. For example, regardless of whether the latch bracket 6140 is positioned on the first side or the second side of the animal accommodation unit 6100, actuating either side actuator 6152a, 6152b can release the latch bracket 6140 such that the latch bracket 6140 can be switched to the other of the first side and the second side of the animal accommodation unit 6100.

[0113] Figures 3a - 3g The actuation of the latch 6150 and the operation of the latch bracket 6140 to reposition the latch 6150 of the animal accommodation unit 6100 of the first exemplary embodiment are shown. Figure 3a The base structure 6120 is shown, where the latch bracket 6140 is in a first position toward the first side of the animal accommodation unit 6100. The latches 6150a, 6150b are retracted into a rear cavity 6128 in a rear portion 6125 of the base 6121. In this example, the latches 6150a, 6150b are locked in the retracted position and the two latches 6150a, 6150b move synchronously.

[0114] Figure 3b The front button 6153 is shown, which is coupled to the latch bracket 6140 so that pressing the front button 6153 releases the latch 6150. The latches 6150 can be slid out to a desired length (e.g., manually) where they extend out of the rear cavity 6128. Figure 3c The base structure 6120 is shown, where the latch bracket 6140 is in the first position and the latches 6150 extend out of the rear cavity 6128. The front button 6153 can be pressed a second time to lock the latches 6150 in the extended position. Alternatively, after the latches 6150 are transitioned from the retracted position to the extended position, the latches 6150 can be automatically locked to the extended position. To release the latches 6150, the front button 6153 can be actuated and the latches can transition back from the extended position to the retracted position.

[0115] Figure 3d The first side actuator 6152a is shown positioned within the first side cavity 6132a in the first side portion 6124a of the molded base 6121. The first side actuator 6152a can be pulled out to release the latch bracket 6140 from the first side. The latch bracket 6140 can then be translated towards the second side. As the latch bracket 6140 moves, the front button 6153 slides within the front slot 6131, as shown in Figure 3e as shown.

[0116] Figure 3f The base structure 6120 is shown, where the latch bracket 6140 is in the second position towards the second side of the animal containment unit 6100. When the latch bracket 6140 has been brought to the second position, it can be locked into the second side actuator 6152b. When needed, the user can retract the latches 6150 into the rear cavity 6128 by pressing the front button 6153 to release the latches 6150. Figure 3g The base structure 6120 is shown, where the latch bracket 6140 is in the second position and the latches 6150 are retracted into the rear cavity 6128. The front button 6153 can be pressed a second time to lock the latches 6150 in the retracted position.

[0117] Deploy / Retract the Animal Containment Unit

[0118] The animal containment unit 6100 of this embodiment can be switched between an expanded state and a collapsed state. By using the actuator 6107 of the intermediate support member 6104 of the frame structure 6101, as well as the front rotary actuator 6154 and the rear rotary actuator 6156, the animal containment unit 6100 can be locked in one of the two states. In the expanded state, the frame structure 6101 provides a rigid frame for supporting the containment material 6160 and the fixing straps and lacing structure 6180, and defines multiple aspects of the interior / exterior of the animal containment unit 6100. In the collapsed state, the frame structure 6101, the containment material 6160, and the fixing straps and lacing structure 6180 are folded into or flush with the base structure 6120 to provide a slender shape for easy carrying.

[0119] Figures 4a - 4c Shows the animal containment unit 6100 of the first exemplary embodiment being switched from the expanded state to the collapsed state. Figure 4a Shows the animal containment unit 6100 in the expanded state; Figure 4b Shows the animal containment unit 6100 being switched to the collapsed state; Figure 4c Shows the animal containment unit 6100 in the collapsed state.

[0120] In the expanded state, the animal containment unit 6100 is configured such that the intermediate support member 6104 engages between the front member 6102 and the rear member 6103 to form a rigid connection. To disengage the intermediate support member 6104, the actuator 6107 (the first sliding actuator 6107a of the first intermediate support member 6104a and the second sliding actuator 6107b of the second intermediate support member 6104b) slides towards the front member 6102 to expose the rear intermediate support member 6106. Figures 5a - 5c Shows the actuator 6107 of the intermediate support member 6104 being switched from a first position engaging with the rear intermediate support member 6106 to a second position disengaging from the rear intermediate support member 6106 to allow the animal containment unit 6100 to collapse. Figure 5a Shows a perspective view of the actuator 6107 in the first state, where the front intermediate support member 6105 and the rear intermediate support member 6106 are connected via the actuator 6107; Figure 5b Shows a side view of the actuator 6107 in the first state; Figure 5c Shows a side view of the actuator 6107 in the second state, where the front intermediate support member 6105 and the actuator 6107 are disconnected from the rear intermediate support member 6106.

[0121] The actuator 6107 includes a section of conduit having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the intermediate support member 6104 such that the actuator 6107 slides over the front intermediate support member 6105 and the rear intermediate support member 6106. The actuator 6107 of this embodiment is coupled to the front intermediate support member 6105 at two different positions above the front intermediate support member 6105. The front intermediate support member 6105 has a spring-loaded button 6108 attached to its side surface, and each sliding actuator 6107 has two openings 6109, e.g., a front opening 6109a and a rear opening 6109b, through which the button 6108 can project (e.g., snap / fit). When the button 6108 snaps into the front opening 6109a, the actuator 6107 extends from the front intermediate support member 6105 towards the rear of the animal containment unit 6100. The distance between the front intermediate support member 6105 and the rear intermediate support member 6106 is such that when the actuator 6107 extends rearward from the rear end of the front intermediate support member 6105, the front portion of the rear intermediate support member 6106 can slide into the conduit of the actuator 6107. This provides a rigid engagement that completes the rigid structure of the frame structure 6101 when the animal containment unit 6100 is deployed.

[0122] To disengage the actuator 6107 from the rear intermediate support member 6106, the button 6108 can be depressed and the actuator 6107 can be slid forward, and the button 6108 can engage with the rear opening 6109b of the actuator 6107. The position of the button 6108 relative to the rear opening 6109b of the actuator 6107 is such that in this position, the rear intermediate support member 6106 is not covered by the conduit of the actuator 6107, thereby disengaging the front intermediate support member 6105 from the rear intermediate support member 6106. This allows the front intermediate support member 6105 and the rear intermediate support member 6106 to collapse towards their respective sides. As previously described, the front intermediate support member 6105 is coupled to the front member 6102 at the front rotary joint 6112, and the rear intermediate support member 6106 is coupled to the rear member 6103 at the rear rotary joint 6113. When the intermediate support member 6104 is disengaged via the actuator 6107, the user can freely rotate the respective members towards their respective sides by rotating the rotary joints 6112, 6113. It should be noted that the securing strap 6181 can extend through the channel 6111 formed by the plastic loop 6110 of the actuator.

[0123] As described above, the front member 6102 of the frame structure 6101 is coupled to the base structure 6120 via a front rotary actuator 6154, and the rear member 6103 of the frame structure 6101 is coupled to the base structure 6120 via a rear rotary actuator 6156. The front rotary actuator 6154 and the rear rotary actuator 6156 include spring-loaded buttons that can be pressed to rotate the actuators 6154, 6156. When the buttons of the two front rotary actuators 6154 are pressed, the front rotary actuator 6154 is freed to rotate towards the base of the animal housing unit 6100. When the buttons of the two rear rotary actuators 6156 are pressed, the rear rotary actuator 6156 is freed to rotate towards the base of the animal housing unit 6100. The buttons can be released to lock the rotary actuators 6154, 6156 and the members of the frame structure 6101 coupled to the rotary actuators 6154, 6156 in place.

[0124] Figure 4a The animal housing unit 6100 is shown in the deployed state. The front rotary actuator 6154 is locked together with the front member 6102 (e.g., its longitudinal plane) positioned perpendicular to the base 6121. The rear rotary actuator 6156 is locked together with the rear member positioned perpendicular to the base 6121. The front intermediate support member 6105 is engaged with the rear intermediate support member 6106 via an actuator 6107.

[0125] Figure 4b The animal housing unit 6100 converted to the collapsed state is shown. The sliding actuator 6107 has disengaged the front intermediate support member 6105 from the rear intermediate support member 6106. The front intermediate support member 6105 has been rotated downward such that the front intermediate support member 6105 (e.g., its longitudinal plane) is parallel to the front member 6102. The rear intermediate support member 6106 has been rotated downward such that the rear intermediate support member 6106 (e.g., its longitudinal plane) is parallel to the rear member 6103. The front member 6102 rotates towards the base and is first collapsed, and following the front member 6102, the rear member 6103 rotates towards the base and is then collapsed.

[0126] As described above, the shape of the base 6121 is designed such that the front groove 6126 for the front rotary actuator 6154 is positioned closer to the bottom 6122 than the rear groove 6127 for the rear rotary actuator 6156. Thus, when the front member 6102 and the attached front intermediate support member 6105 are rotated toward the bottom 6122, these members can be rotated 90 degrees from their original positions and lie flat, partially or fully, across the top of the latch bracket 6140 within the base 6121. When the rear member 6103 and the attached rear intermediate support member 6106 are rotated toward the bottom 6122, these members can be rotated 90 degrees from their original positions and lie flat across the top of the front member 6102.

[0127] Figure 4c The animal containment unit 6100 is shown in the collapsed state. The animal containment unit 6100 can be locked into the collapsed state for easy storage, transportation, carrying, etc.

[0128] Material

[0129] As described above, the frame structure 6101 supports the containment material 6160 (e.g., cushioned material) that defines the outer surface of the animal containment unit 6100 and the inner surface of the animal containment unit 6100 that defines the space for containing an animal therein. The containment material can have several layers of material. In this example, the containment material includes a heavy outer layer, an intermediate reinforcement layer, and an inner waterproof layer that can be removed, for example, for cleaning.

[0130] Figures 6a - 6d The containment material 6160 of the animal containment unit 6100 is shown. Figure 6a A cross-sectional view of the containment material 6160 is shown. As shown in Figure 6a , the containment material 6160 generally includes an outer layer 6161, a reinforcement layer 6162, and an inner layer 6163. The outer layer 6161 can be, for example, a heavy material, while the reinforcement layer 6162 is a softer material, such as foam, for protecting the animal from injury contact with the vehicle and the metal frame. The inner layer 6163 can be, for example, a heavy waterproof fabric. The inner layer 6163 can be removable for cleaning. It should be understood that additional layers can be provided. Figure 6b The outer layer 6161 of the containment material 6160 is shown, where the animal containment unit 6100 is in the deployed state; Figure 6c The reinforcement layer 6162 of the containment material 6160 is shown, where the animal containment unit 6100 is in the deployed state; Figure 6d The inner layer 6163 of the containment material 6160 is shown, where the animal containment unit 6100 is in the deployed state.

[0131] The containment material 6160 additionally includes a plastic rod 6164 that extends through one side of the containment material 6160. For certain portions of the containment material, the plastic rod 6164 may be included to attach the containment material 6160 to the base structure 6120. As described above, some or all of the members of the frame structure 6101 can be formed with extrusion channels 6118, as shown in Figure 6a and the extrusion channels 6118 extend along the length of the members for receiving the plastic rod 6164 that extends through the containment material 6160. The plastic rod 6164 can slide or snap into the extrusion channels 6118 to assemble the containment material 6160 to these members.

[0132] The containment material 6160 and the frame structure 6101 can be designed in various ways. For example, the containment material 6160 for the first side, top, and second side can include one piece having plastic rods 6164 that are coupled to the extrusion channels 6118 in the front member 6102 and the rear member 6103. In another example, the containment material 6160 for each side (top, first side, second side, front, back) can be several separate pieces, and each separate piece is supported on the members of the frame structure 6101 via separate extrusion channels 6118. In this example, only the front member 6102 and the rear member 6103 include extrusion channels 6118, and the intermediate support member 6104 does not directly support the containment material 6160 for, for example, the first side 6168, the second side 6169, or the top 6172. However, in other embodiments, the intermediate support member 6104 can also include extrusion channels 6118 to support the containment material 6160.

[0133] The containment material 6160 for the animal containment unit 6100 includes a front portion 6165, a first side 6168, a second side 6169, a top 6172, and a rear portion 6173. The front portion 6165 includes a window 6166 that allows air to flow in and out of the animal containment unit 6100. The front portion 6165 further includes slots 6167 (e.g., a first slot, a second slot, and a third slot) for weaving a securing strap 6181 into the front portion 6165, which will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 7 Both the first side 6168 and the second side 6169 can include zipper doors 6170 for accessing the interior of the animal containment unit 6100 to, for example, place an animal in or remove an animal from it. In another example, only the first side 6168 or the second side 6169 has a zipper door 6170. The first side 6168 and / or the second side 6169 and / or the rear portion 6173 can also have windows 6171 similar to the window 6166 in the front portion 6165.

[0134] In this example, the securing strap 6181 is only intertwined (e.g., woven into) the slots 6167 in the outer layer 6161 (e.g., not woven into the intermediate or inner layer 6162). In other embodiments, the securing strap 6181 is woven into additional layers. Additionally, the animal containment unit 6100 includes an inner liner 6174 on the base that can be removed to access the latch bracket 6140.

[0135] Securing Straps and Lacing

[0136] As described above, the animal containment unit 6100 is reinforced by a securing strap and lacing structure 6180 that provides additional reinforcement to the animal containment unit 6100 when the animal containment unit 6100 is installed in a vehicle. The securing strap 6181 extends across the front and top of the animal containment unit 6100 to restrain the animal in a motor vehicle collision (e.g., when an animal on the inside is thrown into the interior of the animal containment unit 6100) by absorbing the force applied to the animal containment unit 6100 and transferring the force to the vehicle's frame. In use, the lacing 6188 on the top / rear of the animal containment unit 6100 is fastened to one or more anchor points in the vehicle (e.g., on the rear of a vehicle seat). These features, combined with the latch and rigid base frame rigidly attached to the base of the animal containment unit 6100, provide a continuous ring of protection around the animal containment unit 6100 (e.g., 360-degree support).

[0137] Figure 7 A securing strap and lacing structure 6180 for an animal containment unit 6100 having a framed structure 6101 and a base structure 6120 is shown. The securing strap 6181 includes two cross straps (e.g., a first cross strap 6181a and a second cross strap 6181b) that extend from front attachment points 6182 (a first front attachment point 6182a and a second front attachment point 6182b, i.e., a first anchor point) on a front member 6134 of the base frame 6133 to rear attachment points 6185 (a first rear attachment point 6185a and a second rear attachment point 6185b, i.e., a second anchor point) on a rear member 6103. Each of the first cross strap 6181a and the second cross strap 6181b includes a front portion 6183 that is woven through at least one layer of front 6165 containment material 6160. A first end of the front portion 6183 is attached to the front member 6134 of the base frame 6133 and extends into a first portion of the front 6165 to extend outside the front 6165 at a first slot such that the securing strap continues to a second slot, extends into a second portion of the front 6165 to reach a third slot where the remaining portion of the cross strap of the securing strap 6181 extends outside the containment material 6160.

[0138] The securing strap 6181 continues to wrap around the top of the front member 6102 at the wrap point 6184. The securing strap 6181 continues to the top portion and is routed through the passage 6111 of the actuator 6107 on the intermediate support member 6104 to the rear attachment point 6185 on the rear member 6103. In one aspect, the securing strap 6181 can continue along the top portion without being routed through the passage 6111 of the actuator 6107.

[0139] The lacing 6188 includes two cross straps 6189 stitched around the rear member 6103 at the first end (e.g., at the rear attachment point 6185 for the securing strap 6181). The two cross straps 6189 are brought together to the attachment point 6190. The end of the lacing 6188 for the anchor point in the vehicle continues from the attachment point 6190 to the rear cross strap 6191 with the connector 6192. In one aspect, one end of the two cross straps 6189 of the lacing 6188 is directly connected to the respective cross straps 6181a, 6181b, while the other ends of the two cross straps 6189 of the lacing 6188 are brought together to the attachment point 6190.

[0140] In some vehicles, the rear-facing side of the rear seat may have an anchor position for the lacing 6188. In other vehicles, the anchor position may be located elsewhere in the vehicle.

[0141] Figure 8 A view of the animal containment unit 6100 of the first exemplary embodiment installed in a vehicle is shown. As shown, the latch 6150 is connected to the steel frame of the vehicle at its latch end 6151. Specifically, the latch 6150 can be fixed to the safety interface on the vehicle seat. The connector 6192 (i.e., the lacing latch) at the end of the lacing 6188 wraps from the rear member 6103 of the frame structure 6101 to the anchor point on the seat back. This forms a complete protective loop of the lacing 6188 from the latch 6150 through the base frame 6133, through the securing strap 6181, and finally through the anchor attached to the seat back.

[0142] Second Embodiment

[0143] Figures 9a - 9c A diagram of the animal containment unit 6200 according to the second exemplary embodiment is shown. Similar to the animal containment unit 6100 described above, the animal containment unit 6200 is generally hexagonal (although any other arrangement that can provide the required space for housing the animal can be used), and is described with reference to the front, rear, first side (e.g., the left side relative to the front view), second side (e.g., the right side relative to the front view), bottom, and top. These sides are Figure 9a labeled and omitted in the subsequent figures. Figure 9a A perspective view of the animal containment unit 6200 is shown;Figure 9b Shows an exploded view of the animal containment unit 6200; Figure 9c Shows a top view of the animal containment unit 6200.

[0144] Frame structure

[0145] The animal containment unit 6200 includes a frame structure 6201 that is coupled to and supported by a base structure 6224, as will be described further below with reference to Figures 10a - 10b The animal containment unit 6200 includes a containment material 6250 (e.g., a soft item) that forms the exterior of the animal containment unit 6200, which may be similar to the containment material 6160 described with reference to the first exemplary embodiment. The animal containment unit 6200 further includes a securing strap and lacing structure 6270 (not shown in Figures 9a - 9c for controlling the forces on the animal during a vehicle collision, similar to the securing strap and lacing structure 6180 of the first exemplary embodiment, as will be described further in detail below with reference to Figures 13a - 13c Further detailed description.

[0146] The frame structure 6201 includes a front member 6202, a rear member 6203, and a wrench bar 6204 that connects the front member 6202 and the rear member 6203 when the animal containment unit 6200 is in the deployed state, which will be described further in detail below with reference to Figure 12 The front member 6202 is bent into an approximately "U" shape and is coupled to the base structure 6224 at two locations, a first end 6210 and a second end 6211, via front rotary actuators 6220a, 6220b. Similar to the front member 6202, the rear member 6203 is formed in an approximately "U" shape and is coupled to the base structure 6224 at two locations, a first end 6212 and a second end 6213, via rear rotary actuators 6221a, 6221b. The shapes of the front member 6202 and the rear member 6203 may be similar to the front member 6102 and the rear member 6103 of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0147] The front member 6202 extends from the first end 6210 towards the top of the animal receiving unit 6200, bends approximately 90 degrees towards the second side, spans across the top of the animal receiving unit 6200, and bends approximately 90 degrees towards the bottom of the animal receiving unit 6200 to the second end 6211. The rear member 6203 extends from the first end 6212 towards the top of the animal receiving unit 6200, bends approximately 90 degrees towards the second side, spans across the top of the animal receiving unit 6200, and bends approximately 90 degrees towards the bottom of the animal receiving unit 6200 to the second end 6213. Each of the front member 6202 and the rear member 6203 can include a single piece, or each can include multiple pieces that are joined together during assembly.

[0148] The wrench bar 6204 includes a front intermediate support member 6205, a rear intermediate support member 6207, and a central intermediate support member 6209. The front intermediate support member 6205 is bent into an approximately "U" shape and is connected to the front member 6202 at both the first end 6206a and the second end 6206b via front rotary joints 6216a, 6216b. Similar to the front member 6202, the rear member 6203 is formed into an approximately "U" shape and is connected to the base structure 6224 at both the first end 6212 and the second end 6213 via rear rotary actuators 6221a, 6221b. Similar to the first exemplary embodiment described above, the rear member 6203 is slightly shorter than the front member 6202 and is assembled to the base structure 6224 at a position slightly higher than the front member 6202 to facilitate the folding of the animal receiving unit 6200.

[0149] The wrench bar 6204 of the present embodiment cannot be separated into multiple pieces, which is in contrast to the above-mentioned intermediate support member 6104 for the first exemplary embodiment, where the intermediate support member 6104 can be separated into a front intermediate support member 6105 and a rear intermediate support member 6106 via an actuator 6107 to fold up the frame structure 6101. In contrast, the wrench bar 6204 can be detached from one or both of the front member 6202 and / or the rear member 6203 to fold up the frame structure 6201. The first end 6206a and the second end 6206b of the front intermediate support member 6205 of the wrench bar 6204 can be clamped into the front rotary joints 6216a, 6216b under a thrust force and can be unfastened from the front rotary joints 6216a, 6216b under a tensile force. In a similar manner, the first end 6208 and the second end 6208b of the rear intermediate support member 6207 of the wrench bar 6204 can be clamped into the rear rotary joints 6217a, 6217b under a thrust force and can be unfastened from the rear rotary joints 6217a, 6217b under a tensile force. To fold up the animal containment unit 6200, the wrench bar 6204 can be detached from one or both of the front member 6202 and / or the rear member 6203 of the frame structure 6201, as will be described in more detail below.

[0150] Reference Figures 9a - 9b , the frame structure 6201 supports the containment materials (containment cover) 6250, and the containment materials 6250 define the outer surface and the inner surface of the animal containment unit 6200, including the containment materials 6250 for the front 6251, the first side 6252, the second side 6253, the top 6254, and the rear 6255 of the animal containment unit 6200. Some portions of the containment materials 6250 can be wrapped around the outside of the frame structure 6201, while other portions of the containment materials 6250 can be inside the frame structure 6201. In this example, the containment materials 6250 wrap around the outside of the front member 6202 and the rear member 6203, however, the wrench bar 6204 is outside the containment materials 6250 and on the top 6254 of the animal containment unit 6200. Thus, the wrench bar 6204 can additionally be used as a handle for carrying the animal containment unit 6200 in the deployed state.

[0151] Reference Figures 13a - 13b, the frame structure 6201 further supports the securing strap and lacing structure 6270, which includes a securing strap 6271 having a first end secured to the base structure 6224 and extending upwardly along the front of the animal receiving unit 6200, around the front member 6202 of the frame structure 6201, and across the top of the animal receiving unit 6200 to a second end secured to the rear member 6203 of the frame structure 6201, which will be described in more detail below.

[0152] Similar to the first exemplary embodiment, the frame structure 6201 can be formed from extruded metal tubing (such as aluminum tubing). The aluminum tubing provides a rigid frame structure 6201 that is strong enough to hold the animal receiving unit 6200 firmly but flexible enough to absorb the force of an animal impact and deform to reduce the impact on the animal, as described in more detail below with reference to Figure 13c Further detailed description.

[0153] Base structure

[0154] Figures 10a - 10b The base structure 6224 of the animal receiving unit 6200 of the second exemplary embodiment is shown. The base structure 6224 includes a top portion 6225 and a bottom portion 6234, where the top portion 6225 slides into the bottom portion 6234 such that the two are nested together. Figure 10a The base structure 6224 with the top portion 6225 nested with the bottom portion 6234 is shown; Figure 10b The bottom portion 6234 of the base structure 6224 is shown.

[0155] The top portion 6225 and the bottom portion 6234 can be molded, for example, from plastic. The top portion 6225 includes a bottom 6226 and a frame that includes a front portion 6227, side portions 6228 (a first side portion 6228a and a second side portion 6228b), and a rear portion 6229. At the front corners of the top portion 6225 (on the front portion 6227 near the intersection of the front portion 6227 and the first side portion 6228a; and on the front portion 6227 near the intersection of the front portion 6227 and the second side portion 6228b) are corresponding front grooves 6230 (a first front groove 6230a and a second front groove 6230b) that extend through the top portion 6225 for receiving and coupling to a front rotary actuator 6220. Similarly, at the rear corners of the top portion 6225 (on the rear portion 6229 near the intersection of the rear portion 6229 and the first side portion 6228a; and on the rear portion 6229 near the intersection of the rear portion 6229 and the second side portion 6228b) are corresponding rear grooves 6231 (a first rear groove 6231a and a second rear groove 6231b) that extend through the top portion 6225 for receiving and coupling to a rear rotary actuator 6217. Similar to the first exemplary embodiment, the rear grooves 6231 are elevated relative to the front grooves 6230, as shown in Figure 9b and Figure 10a .

[0156] The bottom portion 6234 includes a bottom 6235 and a frame that includes a front portion 6236, side portions 6237 (a first side portion 6237a and a second side portion 6237b), and a rear portion 6238. In the rear portion 6238 is a cutout portion 6239 that is in the rear portion 6238 and the bottom 6235 for receiving a latch system 6240 of the second exemplary embodiment, as further described below with reference to Figures 11a - 11d . The bottom portion 6234 further includes a lock 6246 for the latch system 6240 within a groove in the bottom 6235.

[0157] Latch System

[0158] The latch system 6240 of the second exemplary embodiment includes a pivotable rigid latch. It should be understood that the latch can include the slidably retractable rigid latch as described above in the first exemplary embodiment. The latch system 6240 is located at the bottom of the animal containment unit 6200 and can be accessed by a user from the outside of the animal containment unit 6200 such that the latch 6242 pivots into / out of the base structure 6224, and / or such that the latch 6242 slides from a first position on a first side of the animal containment unit 6200 to a second position on a second side of the animal containment unit 6200.

[0159] Figures 11a - 11d The latch system 6240 of the animal containment unit 6200 of the second exemplary embodiment is shown. Figure 11a The latch system 6240 without the base structure 6224 is shown; Figure 11b A bottom view of the latch system 6240 assembled into the bottom portion 6234 of the base structure 6224 is shown, where the latch 6242 is pivoted to the extended position on the first side of the animal containment unit 6200; Figure 11c A bottom view of the latch system 6240 is shown, where the latch 6242 is pivoted to the retracted position on the first side of the animal containment unit 6200; Figure 11d A bottom view of the latch system 6240 is shown, where the latch 6242 is pivoted to the extended position on the second side of the animal containment unit 6200.

[0160] The latch system 6240 includes a rod-like member 6241 that is assembled into the rear portion 6238 of the bottom portion 6234 within the bottom cutout 6239. Two rigid latches 6242 (e.g., a first latch 6242a and a second latch 6242b) are slidably and rotatably coupled to the rod-like member 6241 such that the latches 6242 can slide along the length of the rod-like member 6241 and pivot about the rod-like member 6241. The first latch 6242 and the second latch 6242b are connected by a rigid member therebetween such that a constant distance is maintained between the first latch 6242a and the second latch 6242b. The latch 6242 has a latch end 6243 for connection to an anchor point (e.g., a steel frame structure) in a vehicle.

[0161] The latch system 6240 further includes two brackets 6244 (a first bracket 6244a and a second bracket 6244b) that are fixed around the rod-like member 6241. When the latch 6242 is pivoted out of the extended position, the brackets 6244 prevent lateral movement of the latch 6242. The brackets 6244 further include connection features 6245 for coupling a securing strap 6271 to the bottom portion 6234, as will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 13a - 13c as described in more detail below.

[0162] As shown in the Figures 11b - 11d bottom view, the latch system 6240 further includes a lock 6246 for locking and / or unlocking the latch 6242. In Figure 11b the latch 6242 is unlocked and positioned on the second side of the animal containment unit 6200. In Figure 11cIn this case, the latch 6242 is pivoted into the bottom cutout 6239 of the rear portion 6238 of the bottom portion 6234 of the base structure 6224. The latch 6242 can be coupled to the lock 6246 and locked in the retracted position. Alternatively, the latch 6242 can be held unlocked and slide towards the first side of the animal receiving unit 6200. In Figure 11d this case, the latch pivots out of the bottom cutout 6239 on the first side of the animal receiving unit 6200.

[0163] Deployment / retraction

[0164] The animal receiving unit 6200 can be switched between a deployed state and a retracted state, similar to the first exemplary embodiment. In the deployed state, the frame structure 6201 provides a rigid frame for supporting the containment material 6250 and the securing straps and lacing structure 6270, and defines several aspects of the interior / rear of the animal receiving unit 6200. In the retracted state, the frame structure 6201, the containment material 6250, and the securing straps and lacing structure 6270 are folded into or flush with the base structure 6120 to provide a slender shape for easy carrying.

[0165] When the animal receiving unit 6200 is in the deployed state for transporting an animal in a vehicle, the wrench bar 6204 rigidly extends from the front rotary joint 6216 of the front member 6202 to the rear rotary joint 6217 of the rear member 6202. The front rotary joint 6216 is oriented perpendicular to the front member 6202 such that the front intermediate support member 6205 points towards the rear. The rear intermediate support member 6207 is received in the front-facing rear rotary joint 6217 that is oriented perpendicular to the rear member 6203. When the ends 6206a, 6206b of the front intermediate support member 6205 or the ends 6208a, 6208b of the rear intermediate support member 6207 are separated from the rotary joints 6216, 6217 to, for example, retract the animal receiving unit 6200, the front rotary joint 6216 can rotate 90 degrees and be oriented towards the bottom of the animal receiving unit 6200, and / or the rear rotary joint 6217 can rotate 90 degrees and be oriented towards the bottom of the animal receiving unit 6200. If the connecting wrench bar 6204 remains connected, the rotation of the rotary joint 6217 brings the wrench bar 6204 inside or flush with the member (e.g., the front member 6202 or the rear member 6203) to which it is connected. Alternatively, the wrench bar 6204 can be separated from both the front member 6202 and the rear member 6203 and completely removed.

[0166] Then, the front rotary actuator 6220 can rotate 90 degrees and be oriented towards the rear such that the front member 6202 is received within or flush with the base structure 6224. At this time, the rear rotary actuator 6221 can rotate 90 degrees and be oriented towards the front such that the rear member 6203 is flush with the retracted front member 6202. As described above, the rear member 6203 is slightly shorter than the front member 6202, and the rear rotary actuator 6221 is elevated relative to the front rotary actuator 6220 such that when the animal containment unit 6200 is retracted, the rear member 6203 snugly mates with and / or fits within the retracted front member 6202. The front rotary actuator 6220 and the rear rotary actuator 6221 can be locked in any of the positions described above. For example, they can be oriented such that the front member 6202 extends towards the top of the animal containment unit 6200 and defines the front surface of the animal containment unit 6200, and the rear member 6203 extends towards the top of the animal containment unit 6200 and defines the rear surface of the animal containment unit 6200 (deployed state); or they can be oriented such that the front member 6202 extends towards the rear of the animal containment unit 6200 and the rear member 6203 extends towards the front of the animal containment unit 6200 (retracted state). Thus, the frame structure 6201 can be locked in the deployed state to provide a rigid frame that defines the interior / exterior of the animal containment unit 6200, and the frame structure 6201 can be locked in the retracted state to facilitate transportation and / or storage of the animal containment unit 6200.

[0167] Figure 12 An animal containment unit 6200 of a second exemplary embodiment is shown transitioning from a deployed state to a retracted state. In 6260, the animal containment unit 6200 is in the deployed state. A wrench bar 6204 is connected to the front member 6202 and the rear member 6203 that form a rigid connection therebetween. To disengage the wrench bar 6204, the end 6206 of the front intermediate support member 6205 of the wrench bar 6204 is disengaged from the front member 6202. Alternatively, the end 6208 of the rear intermediate support member 6207 can be disengaged from the rear member 6203. In 6261, the front member 6202 is retracted towards the base structure 6224 via the front rotary actuator 6220. In 6262, the front member 6202 is stored flush with the base structure 6224, and in 6263, the wrench bar 6204 is retracted towards the rear member 6203 via the rear rotary joint 6217. In 6264, the wrench bar 6204 folds under the rear member 6203. Finally, in 6265, the rear member 6203 is retracted towards the base structure 6224 via the rear rotary actuator 6221. In 6266, the rear member 6203 is stored flush with the base structure 6224.

[0168] Fixed straps and lacing

[0169] The animal containment unit 6200 is reinforced by fixed straps 6271 and a lacing structure 6270, which provide additional reinforcement to the animal containment unit 6200 when the animal containment unit 6200 is installed in a vehicle. The fixed straps 6271 extend across the bottom, front, and top of the animal containment unit 6200 to absorb forces that may be applied to the animal containment unit 6200 in a motor vehicle collision (e.g., when an animal on the inside is thrown towards the interior of the animal containment unit). The lacing 6280 on the top / rear of the animal containment unit 6200 is configured to be fastened to an anchor point in the vehicle. Those skilled in the art will understand that any known connector for attachment to a vehicle anchor point can be used for any of the connections described with respect to the exemplary embodiments. These features, in combination with the latch 6242 rigidly assembled to the base structure 6224 of the animal containment unit 6200, provide a continuous protective ring around the animal containment unit 6200 (e.g., 6360 - degree support). Alternatively, for any of the embodiments described herein, the protective ring can extend only 6270 degrees around, as the back of the seat on which the animal containment unit 6200 is mounted can provide protection for the event of an animal being thrown backward.

[0170] Figure 13a The fixed straps and lacing structure 6270 of the animal containment unit 6200 assembled with the frame structure 6201 and the base structure 6224 for a second exemplary embodiment are shown. The fixed strap 6271 includes a first cross - strap 6271a and a second cross - strap 6271b, which extend from rear bracket attachment points 6272 (a first rear bracket attachment point 6272a and a second rear bracket attachment point 6272b) in the latch system 6240 of the base structure 6224 to a rear frame attachment point 6278 on the wrench bar 6204 or a rear member 6203 of the frame structure 6201. Each cross - strap 6271a, 6271b includes a bottom portion 6273 that extends around the bottom 6226 of the top portion 6225 through the bottom portion 6234 of the base structure 6224. The fixed strap 6271 continues to a wrapping portion 6274 where the fixed strap 6271 wraps around the top portion 6225 of the base structure 6224 and continues into the front portion 6275.

[0171] Then, the securing strap 6271 wraps around the front member 6202 of the frame structure 6201 at 6276. The securing strap 6271 continues to the top portion 6277 where the cross straps 6271a, 6271b are joined at the rear frame attachment point 6278 which may be located on the wrench lever 6204 or the rear member 6203. In one aspect, the rear bracket attachment point 6272 can be defined by the bracket 6244 of the latch system 6240. The bracket 6244 can be rigidly fixed to the base structure 6224 such that when the latch 6242 is connected to an anchoring structure in the vehicle, a rigid continuous loop is formed extending from the anchoring structure in the vehicle to one end of the securing strap 6271.

[0172] The frame structure 6201 further supports the lacing 6280 which is fixed to the wrench lever 6204 or the rear member 6203. The lacing 6280 can extend from the top / rear of the animal containment unit 6200 and attach to an anchoring structure in the vehicle, such as on the back of a seat. In one aspect, one end of the lacing 6280 can be directly connected to the securing strap 6271 and the other end of the lacing 6280 can be configured to attach to an anchoring structure in the vehicle.

[0173] Figure 13b A view of the animal containment unit 6200 of the second exemplary embodiment installed in a vehicle is shown. As shown, the latch end 6243 of the latch 6242 is connected to the steel frame of the vehicle. The connector 6281 at the end of the lacing 6280 wraps from the rear member 6203 of the frame structure 6201 to an anchoring point on the back of the seat. This forms a complete protective loop of the lacing 6280 starting from the latch 6242 through the securing strap 6271 and finally through the anchor attached to the back of the seat.

[0174] Figure 13c A view of the animal containment unit 6200 deformed under the action of automotive crash forces is shown. Those skilled in the art will understand that the deformation of the animal containment unit 6200 is substantially similar to the deformation of the animal containment unit 6100 when subjected to similar forces. As in Figure 13cAs shown, in the initial state, a side view of the animal containment unit 6200 presents a substantially square cross-section, where the frame structure 6201 and the securing strap 6271 extend along substantially similar routes on the front and top surfaces of the animal containment unit 6200. Upon impact, the animal is thrown forward, strikes the securing strap 6271, and pushes the securing strap 6271 forward away from the frame structure 6201. At the same time, as the securing strap 6271 moves forward beyond the front of the frame structure 6201 (i.e., the stretching of the securing strap is minimal), the securing strap 6271 pushes the front of the frame structure 6201 backward while the base remains in the same position as when it is attached to the anchor point. In this way, at this position, the top of the frame structure 6201 is further backward and slightly lower, while the sides of the frame structure 6201 have rotated (counterclockwise in this view) to accommodate the movement of the top of the frame structure 6201.

[0175] Figure 14 Shows the animal containment unit 6200 installed in a vehicle. In 6285, the animal containment unit 6200 is collapsed so that it can fit through the vehicle door. In 6286, the latch is pivoted to the extended position and attached to the steel frame of the vehicle. In 6287, the animal containment unit 6200 is deployed. In 6288, the animal containment unit 6200 is fully deployed.

[0176] Third Embodiment

[0177] Figures 15a - 15b Shows a view of the animal containment unit 6300 according to the third exemplary embodiment. Similar to the animal containment unit 6200 of the second exemplary embodiment described above, the animal containment unit 6300 of the third exemplary embodiment is generally hexagonal (although any other arrangement providing the desired space for containing the animal can be used), and is described with reference to the front, rear, first side (e.g., the left side relative to the front view), second side (e.g., the right side relative to the front view), bottom, and top. These sides are marked in Figures 15a - 15b and are omitted in the subsequent figures.

[0178] The animal containment unit 6300 of the third exemplary embodiment has certain features similar to those of the animal containment unit 6200 described in the second exemplary embodiment, including the frame structure, the base structure, the latch system, the containment material, and certain aspects of the securing strap and lacing structure. However, the animal containment unit 6300 of the third exemplary embodiment includes certain actuation mechanisms different from those of the second exemplary embodiment, which will be described in detail below. It should be noted that the containment material and the securing strap and lacing structure of the third exemplary embodiment are arranged in a manner similar to that of the second exemplary embodiment and are not shown in Figures 15a - 15b here. Figure 15a Shows a perspective view of the animal containment unit 6300;Figure 15b The bottom view of the animal accommodation unit 6300 is shown.

[0179] The animal accommodation unit 6300 includes a frame structure 6301 that is coupled to and supported by a base structure 6320. The frame structure 6301 includes a front member 6302, a rear member 6303, and an X-shaped bar 6304 that connects the front member 6302 and the rear member 6303 when the animal accommodation unit 6300 is in the deployed state, which will be described in more detail below with reference to Figure 16 The shapes of the front member 6302 and the rear member 6303 of the third exemplary embodiment are designed to be similar to the front member 6202 and the rear member 6203 of the second exemplary embodiment. In this example, the front member 6302 additionally includes a groove (e.g., a slot) for receiving a pin 6310 of the X-shaped bar 6304 to attach the X-shaped bar 6304 to the front member 6302, which will be described below.

[0180] The X-shaped bar 6304 includes a front portion 6305, an intermediate portion 6306, and a rear portion 6307. The front portion 6305 of this embodiment is attached to the front member 6302 of the frame structure, extends rearward / centrally in two lengths, and joins at the intermediate portion 6306, and also extends from the intermediate portion 6306 in two lengths to the rear portion 6307 for attachment to the rear member 6303 of the frame structure 6301, thereby forming a shape similar to an "X".

[0181] In a manner similar to the wrench bar 6204 of the animal accommodation unit 6200 of the second exemplary embodiment, the X-shaped bar 6304 can be detachable from one or both of the front member 6302 and / or the rear member 6303. In this example, the X-shaped bar 6304 is detachable from the front member 6302. The X-shaped bar 6304 can be detached from the front member 6302 via an X-shaped bar release actuator 6309.

[0182] Figure 16The X-shaped bar 6304 of the frame structure 6301 of the animal containment unit 6300 of the third exemplary embodiment is shown. The X-shaped bar 6304 includes two pins 6308 (one pin 6308 at each lengthwise front-facing end of the front portion 6305 of the X-shaped bar 6304) that are translatable (e.g., extendable and retractable) relative to the front portion 6305 of the X-shaped bar 6304. The pins 6308 are connected to an X-shaped bar release actuator 6309 via respective cables that extend through the front portion 6305. The X-shaped bar release actuator 6309 includes a plunger that a user can press into and / or withdraw from the middle portion 6306 of the X-shaped bar 6304. To attach the X-shaped bar 6304 to the front member 6302, the X-shaped bar release actuator 6309 can be withdrawn from the middle portion 6306, pushing the cables outward (toward the front member 6302) and into a recess of the front member 6302. To release the X-shaped bar 6304 from the front member 6302, the X-shaped bar release actuator 6309 is pressed into the middle portion 6306, pulling the cables inward (away from the front member 6302) and retracting the pins 6308 from the recess of the front member 6302. When the X-shaped bar 6304 is released, the animal containment unit 6300 can be folded downward into a collapsed state in a manner similar to the above-described animal containment unit 6200 of the second exemplary embodiment.

[0183] The animal containment unit 6300 further includes a base structure 6320. It is similar to the base structure 6224 of the second exemplary embodiment. The base structure 6320 of the third exemplary embodiment includes a top portion and a bottom portion, which can be, for example, injection molded from plastic and nested together. A cutout portion that houses the latch system 6330 of the third exemplary embodiment is located in the rear portion of the bottom portion.

[0184] The latch system 6330 of the third exemplary embodiment includes a pivotally rigid latch 6332 that is slidably fitted to a rod-shaped member 6331. The rod-shaped member 6331 includes two brackets 6336 fixed around the rod-shaped member 6331, which is similar to the latch system 6240 of the animal housing unit 6200 of the second exemplary embodiment. The latch 6332 is capable of sliding along the rod-shaped member 6331 between a first position on the first side of the animal housing unit 6300 and a second position on the second side of the animal housing unit 6300. The latch 6332 includes a latch end 6333 that is configured to be attached to an anchor point in a vehicle in a known manner. The latch system 6330 of the third exemplary embodiment includes: a latch release actuator 6340 for releasing the latch 6332 from the vehicle anchor point; a first latch unlocking actuator 6342 for allowing the latch 6332 to rotate to an extended position (e.g., a use position); and a second latch unlocking actuator 6344 for allowing the latch 6332 to rotate to a retracted position (e.g., a storage position).

[0185] Figures 17a - 17c Shown is the latch system 6330 on the bottom of the animal housing unit 6300 of the third exemplary embodiment, which includes a latch release actuator 6340, a first latch unlocking actuator 6342, and a second latch unlocking actuator 6344. Figure 17a Shown is the arrangement of the latch release actuator 6340; Figure 17b Shown is the arrangement of the first latch unlocking actuator 6342; Figure 17c Shown is the arrangement of the second latch unlocking actuator 6344.

[0186] As shown in Figure 17a the latch release actuator 6340 is connected to three actuator protrusions 6341 adjacent to the rod-shaped member 6331. These three actuator protrusions 6341 are along the base structure 6320 at a position where the latch 6332 can extend, e.g., adjacent to the brackets 6336. The actuator protrusions 6341 of this embodiment are connected to the latch release actuator 6340 via a cable, for example, such that actuating the latch release actuator 6340 (e.g., pulling the latch release actuator 6340 toward the front of the animal housing unit 6300) causes the actuator protrusions 6341 to translate toward the front of the animal housing unit 6300.

[0187] Each latch 6332 includes one or more actuator slots 6334 that can be coupled to an actuator projection 6341 when the latch 6332 is in the extended position. For example, when the latch 6332 is in the first position on the first side of the device, the actuator projection 6341 on the first side is received in the actuator slot 6334 of the latch 6332 on the first side, and the actuator projection 6341 in the middle is received in the actuator slot 6334 of the latch 6332 in the middle; when the latch 6332 is in the second position on the second side of the device, the actuator projection 6341 on the second side is received in the actuator slot 6334 of the latch 6332 on the second side, and the actuator projection 6341 in the middle is received in the actuator slot 6334 of the latch 6332 in the middle. When the latch release actuator 6340 is actuated, the movement of the actuator projection 6341 within the actuator slot 6334 releases the latch 6332 (e.g., its latch end 6333) from the anchor point within the vehicle. Thus, the latch release actuator 6340 can release the latch 6332 when the latch 6332 is in any position (e.g., the first position or the second position).

[0188] As shown in Figure 17b the first latch release actuator 6342 is connected to a projection 6343 that can be connected to any of the latches 6332 (e.g., its latch end 6333) to hold the latch 6332 in the retracted (stowed) position. Actuating (e.g., sliding or pulling) the first latch release actuator 6342 can cause the projection 6343 to retract and release the latch 6332, such that the latch 6332 can freely rotate to the deployed (in-use) position.

[0189] As shown in Figure 17c the second latch release actuator 6344 is connected to a pin 6345 that can be received in a pin receiving hole 6335 of any of the latches 6332 when the latch 6332 is in the extended (in-use) position. When the pin 6345 is received in the pin receiving hole 6335, the latch 6332 is locked in the extended position. Both latches 6332 include a pin receiving hole 6335, and thus only one pin 6345 is needed to lock the latches 6332. Actuating (e.g., sliding or pulling) the second latch release actuator 6344 can cause the pin 6345 to retract from the pin receiving hole 6335 of the latch 6332 to allow the latch 6332 to freely rotate, e.g., to convert the latch 6332 to the retracted position.

[0190] Accordingly, the present disclosure can include aspects of the following items.

[0191] Item 1. An animal containment unit for a seat in a vehicle, comprising:

[0192] A base structure, including a base, the base including a front portion and a rear portion;

[0193] A frame structure, including:

[0194] A front member, coupled to the front portion of the base;

[0195] A rear member, coupled to the rear portion of the base; and

[0196] An accommodating material, at least partially extending around the frame structure; and

[0197] A fixing strap structure, at least including a first fixing strap cross strap and a second fixing strap cross strap, each of the cross straps including a first end, the first end being coupled to a corresponding first anchoring point defined by the base structure, the cross strap extending around the outside of the frame structure from the corresponding first anchoring point, and wrapping around the front member to the corresponding second end of the cross strap, the second end of each of the cross straps being configured to be coupled to a rigid connection portion on or near the vehicle seat, such that the fixing strap extends along a desired path around the frame structure, the desired path being configured to restrain a pet accommodated in the animal accommodation unit.

[0198] Item 2. The animal accommodation unit according to Item 1, wherein the front member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the front member is coupled to the front portion of the base on a first side, the second end of the front member is coupled to the front portion of the base on a second side, the front member of the frame structure is formed in a curved shape to partially define the front of the animal accommodation unit and partially define the top of the animal accommodation unit, and the rear member includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the rear member is coupled to the rear portion of the base on the first side, the second end of the rear member is coupled to the rear portion of the base on the second side, the rear member of the frame structure is formed in a curved shape to partially define the rear of the animal accommodation unit and partially define the top of the animal accommodation unit, wherein the cross strap extends along the top portion of the accommodating material to the second end coupled to a second anchoring point, and the top portion of the accommodating material covers the top of the animal accommodation unit.

[0199] Item 3. The animal accommodation unit according to Item 1, wherein the base structure further includes a base frame, the base frame being assembled to the base, wherein the base frame includes a front member, and the first end of the fixing strap cross strap is coupled to the front member of the base frame inside the base.

[0200] Item 4. The animal containment unit according to Item 3, wherein a first end portion of the fixed strap across the strap is sewn to the front member of the base frame.

[0201] Item 5. The animal containment unit according to Item 3, wherein the containment material includes a front containment material that partially defines the front of the animal containment unit and is at least partially supported by the front member of the frame structure, a front portion of the containment material that covers the front of the animal containment unit, the front portion of the containment material including an outer surface and an inner surface, the animal containment unit further including a top portion of the containment material that covers the top of the animal containment unit and is at least partially supported by the front member and the rear member of the frame structure.

[0202] Item 6. The animal containment unit according to Item 5, wherein the fixed strap across the strap is woven through at least a portion of the front containment material such that a portion of the across strap is outside the outer surface of the front containment material and another portion of the across strap is inside the outer surface of the front containment material.

[0203] Item 7. The animal containment unit according to Item 6, wherein the containment material includes at least two layers, and the fixed strap across the strap is woven through the first of the layers but not through the second of the layers.

[0204] Item 8. The animal containment unit according to Item 3, wherein the across strap wraps around the outer surface of the front member of the base frame.

[0205] Item 9. The animal containment unit according to Item 1, wherein the frame structure further includes:

[0206] A first intermediate member and a second intermediate member, each including a first end coupled to the front member and a second end coupled to the rear member, the first intermediate member and the second intermediate member being outside the outer surface of the containment material, and wherein the first fixed strap across the strap extends across the outer surface of the containment material along the first intermediate member, and the second fixed strap across the strap extends across the outer surface of the containment material along the second intermediate member.

[0207] Item 10. The animal containment unit according to Item 9, wherein the intermediate members of the frame structure each include an annular structure through which the fixed strap across the strap extends.

[0208] Item 11. The animal containment unit according to Item 10, wherein the intermediate members of the frame structure each include a front intermediate member and a rear intermediate member that can be detached via a sliding actuator, the sliding actuator being translatable between a first position and a second position, in the first position the sliding actuator slides on the front intermediate member and detaches from the rear intermediate member, in the second position the sliding actuator slides on the rear intermediate member and attaches the front intermediate member and the rear intermediate member, and wherein, when the sliding actuator is translated, the annular structure of the actuator slides on the fixed strap cross strap.

[0209] Item 12. The animal containment unit according to Item 1, further comprising:

[0210] A lacing structure including at least two cross straps, the cross straps of the lacing structure each include a first end coupled to the rear member, the second ends of the cross straps are joined together at a joint, the lacing structure further includes a single cross strap extending from the first end at the joint to the second end, and a lacing latch is adjustably positioned on the second end of the cross strap,

[0211] wherein the lacing latch is configured to attach to a rigid connection portion on or near the vehicle seat.

[0212] Item 13. The animal containment unit according to Item 12, wherein the first ends of the cross straps of the lacing structure are adjacent to the second ends of the fixed strap cross straps.

[0213] Item 14. The animal containment unit according to Item 12, wherein the first ends of the cross straps of the lacing structure are sewn around the rear member.

[0214] Item 15. The animal containment unit according to Item 9, wherein the first end of the fixed strap cross strap is coupled to a rigid bracket at the rear portion of the base.

[0215] Item 16. The animal containment unit according to Item 15, wherein the cross strap extends from the first end into the interior of the base structure, wraps around the front portion of the base structure, and continues to extend to the outside of the outer surface of the front portion of the containment material, wherein the front portion of the containment material covers the front of the animal containment unit.

[0216] Item 17. The animal containment unit according to Item 1, wherein the rigid connection portion on or near the vehicle seat is a first rigid connection portion, and the animal containment unit further comprises:

[0217] A latch, coupled to the frame structure, the latch being configured to couple the frame structure to a second rigid connection portion on or near a seat of the vehicle.

[0218] Item 18. The animal containment unit according to item 17, wherein the second rigid connection portion is spaced apart from the first rigid connection portion.

[0219] Item 19. The animal containment unit according to item 1, wherein second ends of the first securing strap cross-strap and the second securing strap cross-strap are configured to be directly coupled to a rigid connection portion on or near the seat of the vehicle.

[0220] Item 20. An animal containment unit for containing an animal on a seat of a vehicle, comprising:

[0221] A base structure, including a base, the base including a front portion and a rear portion; and

[0222] A frame structure that transitions between a deployed state and a collapsed state, the frame structure including:

[0223] A front member, including a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the front member being rotatably coupled to the front portion of the base, the shape of the front member being designed such that when the frame structure is in the deployed state, it partially defines the front portion of the animal containment unit and partially defines the top of the animal containment unit,

[0224] A rear member, including a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end of the rear member being rotatably coupled to the rear portion of the base, the shape of the rear member being designed such that when the frame structure is in the deployed state, it partially defines the rear portion of the animal containment unit and partially defines the top of the animal containment unit,

[0225] At least one intermediate member, including a first end and a second end, the first end being rotatably coupled to the front member or the rear member via a rotary joint, and when the frame structure is in the deployed state, the second end of the at least one intermediate member is attached to a corresponding portion of the frame structure such that a connection is formed between the front member and the rear member via the at least one intermediate member, and when the frame structure transitions to the collapsed state, the second end of the at least one intermediate member is detached from the corresponding portion of the frame structure such that the front member and the rear member are disconnected, and the rotary joint is rotated to a collapsed position, in which the at least one intermediate member is located within or flush with the front member or the rear member.

[0226] Item 21. The animal accommodation unit according to Item 20, wherein the frame structure includes two intermediate members, each of the intermediate members including a front intermediate member and a rear intermediate member that can be detached via a sliding actuator, the sliding actuator being convertible between a first position and a second position, in the first position the sliding actuator slides on the front intermediate member and detaches from the rear intermediate member, and in the second position the sliding actuator slides on the rear intermediate member and attaches the front intermediate member to the rear intermediate member.

[0227] Item 22. The animal accommodation unit according to Item 21, wherein the sliding actuator includes a first opening and a second opening for receiving a button extending outside the front intermediate member, wherein in the first position the button is received in the first opening, and in the second position the button is received in the second opening.

[0228] Item 23. The animal accommodation unit according to Item 20, further comprising:

[0229] A first front rotary actuator rotatably coupled to the front portion of the base on a first side;

[0230] A second front rotary actuator rotatably coupled to the front portion of the base on a second side;

[0231] A first rear rotary actuator rotatably coupled to the rear portion of the base on a first side; and

[0232] A second rear rotary actuator rotatably coupled to the rear portion of the base on a second side.

[0233] Item 24. The animal accommodation unit according to Item 23, wherein when the at least one intermediate member is brought to the collapsed position, the first front rotary actuator and the second front rotary actuator are rotated to the folded position, in the folded position the front member is within or flush with the base structure or flush with the rear member, and the first rear rotary actuator and the second rear rotary actuator are rotated to bring the rear member within the base structure or flush with the base structure or flush with the front member.

[0234] Item 25. The animal accommodation unit according to Item 23, wherein the first rear rotary actuator and the second rear rotary actuator are positioned relative to the base higher than the first front rotary actuator and the second front rotary actuator, such that when the frame structure is in the collapsed state, the rear member is flush with the top of the front member.

[0235] Item 26. The animal containment unit according to item 23, wherein the first front rotary actuator and the second front rotary actuator can be locked in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the front member of the frame structure extends perpendicular to the base. In the second position, the front member extends parallel to the base. And wherein the first rear rotary actuator and the second rear rotary actuator can be locked in a first position and a second position. In the first position, the rear member of the frame structure extends perpendicular to the base. In the second position, the rear member extends parallel to the base.

[0236] Item 27. The animal containment unit according to item 20, wherein the at least one intermediate member can be detached from one of the front member or the rear member while remaining attached to the other of the front member or the rear member, such that the at least one intermediate member can rotate through a swivel joint.

[0237] Item 28. The animal containment unit according to item 27, wherein the at least one intermediate member can be detached from one of the front member or the rear member via a release actuator assembled to the at least one intermediate member.

[0238] Item 29. The animal containment unit according to item 28, wherein the release actuator can retract at least one pin extending from the at least one intermediate member from a corresponding groove in one of the front member or the rear member.

[0239] Item 30. An animal containment unit for containing an animal on a seat of a vehicle, comprising:

[0240] A base structure including a base and a base frame. The base includes a front portion and a rear portion. And the base frame includes a front member assembled to the front portion of the base and a rear member assembled to the rear portion of the base; and

[0241] A latch bracket slidably coupled to the front member and the rear member of the base frame such that the latch bracket can be translated within the base in a direction parallel to the front member and the rear member from a first position on a first side of the animal containment unit to a second position on a second side of the animal containment unit. The latch bracket includes a latch configured to rigidly couple the animal containment unit to an anchor point within the vehicle.

[0242] Item 31. The animal containment unit according to Item 30, wherein the latch bracket is slidably coupled to the front member of the base frame via a front guide that extends from the front member of the latch bracket that is coupled to the front member of the base frame, and the latch bracket is slidably coupled to the rear member of the base frame via a rear guide that extends from the rear member of the latch bracket that is coupled to the rear member of the base frame.

[0243] Item 32. The animal containment unit according to Item 30, further comprising:

[0244] A first side actuator, coupled to the base structure and accessible from the exterior of the animal containment unit, for locking the latch bracket in the first position such that the latch extends out of the rear portion of the base on the first side; and

[0245] A second side actuator, coupled to the base structure and accessible from the exterior of the animal containment unit, for locking the latch bracket in the second position such that the latch extends out of the rear portion of the base on the second side,

[0246] wherein the latch bracket can be released from the first side actuator or the second side actuator by pulling out the first side actuator or the second side actuator relative to the base structure.

[0247] Item 33. The animal containment unit according to Item 32, wherein the first side actuator and the second side actuator include features for receiving corresponding shape features of the latch bracket to lock the latch bracket.

[0248] Item 34. The animal containment unit according to Item 30, wherein the latch can be converted to a protruding position extending out of the rear portion of the base frame or a retracted position retracted into the rear portion of the base frame.

[0249] Item 35. The animal containment unit according to Item 34, wherein the latch is telescopic.

[0250] Item 36. An animal containment unit for a seat in a vehicle, comprising:

[0251] A base structure including a base having a rear cutout portion; and

[0252] A latch system is assembled into a rear cutout portion of the base and is accessible from the bottom of the animal containment unit. The latch system includes a rod member that extends across the rear cutout portion and is fixed to the base. The latch system further includes a plurality of latches that are slidably and rotatably coupled to the rod member for rigidly coupling the animal containment unit to an anchor point within the vehicle. Wherein the plurality of latches are interconnected to maintain a desired distance between the latches. The latch system further includes a plurality of brackets around the rod member for preventing the latches from sliding when the latches are adjacent to the brackets.

[0253] Wherein the latch can be positioned at a first position of the rod member along a first side of the animal containment unit or at a second position of the rod member along a second side of the animal containment unit.

[0254] Item 37. The animal containment unit according to item 36, wherein the latch can be switched from a retracted position to an extended position. In the retracted position, the latch is retracted into the base. In the extended position, the latch pivots around the rod member and extends out of the base.

[0255] Item 38. The animal containment unit according to item 37, further comprising:

[0256] A latch release actuator connected to a protrusion and configured to translate the protrusion. Wherein at least one latch includes a slot for receiving the protrusion. The latch release actuator is configured such that when the latch release actuator is actuated, the protrusion translates, causing the latch to be released from the anchor point to which the latch is attached.

[0257] Item 39. The animal containment unit according to item 37, wherein when the latch is in the extended position, the bracket prevents the latch from sliding along the rod member, and when the latch is in the retracted position, the bracket does not prevent the latch from sliding along the rod member.

[0258] Item 40. The animal containment unit according to item 8 or item 37, wherein the latch can be locked to the retracted position in the base.

[0259] Item 41. The animal containment unit according to item 40, further comprising:

[0260] A latch release actuator, in the base structure, is connected to a protrusion and configured to translate the protrusion, wherein a first latch in the latch includes a slot for receiving the protrusion, and the latch release actuator is configured such that when the latch release actuator is actuated, the protrusion translates so that the first latch is released from the retracted position and freely transitions to the extended position.

[0261] Item 42. The animal containment unit according to item 37, wherein the latch is lockable to the extended position in the base.

[0262] Item 43. The animal containment unit according to item 42, further comprising:

[0263] A latch release actuator, in the base structure, is connected to a pin and configured to translate the pin, wherein a first latch in the latch includes a hole for receiving the pin, and the latch release actuator is configured such that when the latch release actuator is actuated, the protrusion translates so that the first latch is released from the extended position and freely transitions to the retracted position.

[0264] Item 44. An animal containment unit for a seat in a vehicle, comprising:

[0265] A base structure, including a base and a base frame, the base including a front portion and a rear portion, and the base frame including a front member assembled to the front portion of the base and a rear member assembled to the rear portion of the base;

[0266] A latch system, coupled to the front member and the rear member of the base frame, the latch system including a plurality of latches configured to releasably couple the animal containment unit to an anchor point within the vehicle, the latches being mounted to respective inner members, the respective inner members being slidably coupled to respective side members of the latch system such that the latches are capable of transitioning between an extended position and a retracted position, in the extended position the latches extend outside the rear portion and in the retracted position the latches are retracted into the rear portion; and

[0267] An actuator, coupled to the latch system and accessible from the exterior of the animal containment unit to lock the inner member relative to the side member such that the latch is locked in the extended position or the retracted position, the actuator being operable to unlock the inner member relative to the side member such that the latch is capable of transitioning between the extended position and the retracted position.

[0268] Item 45. The animal containment unit according to item 44, wherein the actuator is assembled to the front member through the front portion of the base.

[0269] Item 46. The animal containment unit according to item 45, wherein the latch system is capable of translating within the base in a direction parallel to the front member of the base frame, and wherein a slot is formed in the front portion of the base such that the actuator can translate with the latch system.

[0270] Item 47. An animal containment unit for a seat in a vehicle, comprising:

[0271] A base structure including a base having a rear portion; and

[0272] A latch system assembled into the rear portion of the base, the latch system including a rod fixed to the base, the latch system further including a plurality of latches rotatably coupled to the rod to rigidly couple the animal containment unit to an anchor point within the vehicle, wherein the plurality of latches are coupled to each other to maintain a distance between the latches,

[0273] wherein by rotating the latches about the rod, the latches can be switched from a protruding position outside the base to a retracted position within the base.

[0274] Item 48. The animal containment unit according to item 47, wherein the latch system further includes a bracket around the rod for preventing the latch from sliding when the latch is adjacent to the bracket.

[0275] Item 49. The animal containment unit according to item 47, wherein the latch can be locked in the retracted position in the base via a lock accessible at the bottom of the base.

[0276] Item 50. An animal containment unit for a seat in a vehicle, comprising:

[0277] A base including a front portion and an opposite rear portion; and

[0278] A latch system coupled to the base, the latch system including:

[0279] A plurality of latches configured to releasably couple the animal containment unit to an anchor point within the vehicle, the latches being movable into the base such that the latches can be switched between a protruding position where the latches protrude from the rear portion and a retracted position where the latches are withdrawn into the rear portion; and

[0280] An actuator coupled to the base and accessible from the outside of the animal containment unit, the actuator being configured to release the latches from the anchor point within the vehicle.

[0281] Item 51. The animal containment unit according to item 50, wherein the actuator is configured to release each of the plurality of latches simultaneously.

[0282] Item 52. The animal containment unit according to item 50, wherein the latch system includes a latch bracket to which the plurality of latches are coupled, wherein the latch bracket is capable of translating within the base in a direction parallel to the front and rear portions of the base from a first position on a first side of the animal containment unit to a second position on a second side of the animal containment unit, and wherein the actuator is configured to release the latches when the latch bracket is in one of the first position and the second position.

[0283] It should be noted that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described in this disclosure are provided by way of example, and their actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and / or configurations depend on the specific application or an application inspired by this disclosure. It should be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented primarily by way of example, and within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the concepts and embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in ways different from those specifically described and claimed. Embodiments of this disclosure relate to each individual feature, element, article, material, component, and / or method described above.

[0284] In addition, any combination of two or more such features, elements, articles, materials, components, and / or methods is included in the scope of the utility model of this disclosure if such features, elements, articles, materials, components, and / or methods are not inconsistent with each other. Without departing from the scope of this disclosure, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made to the design, operating conditions, and configuration structures of the corresponding elements of the above embodiments. The use of a numerical range does not exclude equivalents that fall outside the range that performs the same function in the same manner to produce the same result.

Claims

1. An animal transportation device, characterized in that, the animal transportation device includes a base structure and a frame structure supported by the base structure, and the base structure includes: a base or bottom portion; a latch connected to the base or bottom portion and capable of moving relative to the base or bottom portion in two different movement manners.

2. The animal transportation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the latch can be fixed to a safety interface on an automobile seat, the base structure includes two such latches, and the two latches move synchronously.

3. The animal transportation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the base structure further includes: a base frame assembled to the base; a latch bracket slidably connected to the base frame; an inner member slidably connected to the latch bracket, and the latch is provided at one end of the inner member, wherein the sliding direction of the latch bracket intersects with the sliding direction of the inner member.

4. The animal transportation device according to claim 3, characterized in that, the base frame includes a front member and a rear member parallel to each other, the rear member is raised relative to the front member, the latch bracket can slide along the front member or the rear member, and the inner member can slide under the rear member.

5. The animal transportation device according to claim 4, characterized in that, the latch bracket includes a first side member and a second side member, the inner member includes a first inner member and a second inner member, the first inner member is connected to the outer side of the first side member, and the second inner member is connected to the outer side of the second side member.

6. The animal transportation device according to claim 5, characterized in that, the animal transportation device includes a rod-shaped member, a first end of the rod-shaped member is fixed to the first inner member, and a second end of the rod-shaped member is fixed to the second inner member, so that the first inner member and the second inner member move synchronously.

7. The animal transportation device according to claim 3, characterized in that, a side actuator is provided on the base, and the side actuator can be pushed to lock or release the latch bracket.

8. The animal transportation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the bottom portion includes a rod-shaped member, the latch is rotatably and slidably provided on the rod-shaped member, the latch can slide along the length of the rod-shaped member and pivot around the rod-shaped member.

9. The animal transportation device according to claim 8, characterized in that, the latch includes a first latch and a second latch, and the first latch and the second latch are connected by a rigid member therebetween.

10. The animal transportation device according to claim 9, characterized in that, the animal transportation device includes a first bracket and a second bracket fixed around the rod-shaped member, and when the first latch and the second latch pivot and extend out of the bottom portion, the first bracket and the second bracket prevent the first latch and the second latch from moving along the rod-shaped member.

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