GB2324959A

GB2324959A - Animal restraining device

Info

Publication number: GB2324959A
Application number: GB9809912A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey Brook
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-05-09
Filing date: 1998-05-08
Publication date: 1998-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-08
Also published as: GB9809912D0; GB2324959B; GB9709323D0

Abstract

An animal restraining device 2 for restraining an animal such as a dog 4 within a motor vehicle such as a car comprises a flexible housing 22 attached to a frame which is strapped to a car seat. The dog 4 is enclosed and restrained in the housing 22 and a neck opening allows the dog's head to protrude. The housing 22 is attached to the frame by hoops 26 which slide along frame members to allow the dog 4 to sit and stand whilst retained by the device 2. The frame (fig 1) comprises a rigid structure of interconnected elongate members (14,16,18, fig 1) and may be quadrilateral, triangle or square for example. The housing 22 may comprise inner and outer housings made from a breathable material and may include pockets to receive temperature control elements e.g. ice bags or hot water bottles. All of the connections and closures are preferably releasable using e.g. zips or Velcro (RTM) arrangements on the housing and buckles for the frame.

Description

ANIMAL RESTRAINING DEVICE The invention relates to an animal restraining device particularly, but not exclusively for use in a motor vehicle such as a car, lorry or bus.

Animals are commonly transported in motor vehicles without any form of restraint, enabling them to move throughout the vehicle. This movement can cause a distraction to a driver, of the vehicle, as well as being a potential safety hazard to both the animal and/or the driver, should the driver of the vehicle have to brake or swerve suddenly. Also, movement of the animal within the vehicle can result in the interior of the vehicle being damaged due to mess, such as animal hairs or dirt being deposited on the vehicle interior.

An object of the present invention is to overcome or at least ameliorate the above problems by providing a restraint which can be attached to a motor vehicle and which will provide a safe and comfortable means of transporting animals within a vehicle, in a convenient and cost-effective manner.

According to the present invention therefore there is provided an animal restraining device for use with a motor vehicle, said device being attachable to a part of the vehicle and including at least one flexible housing which is configured to substantially enclose the animal therewithin.

With this arrangement an animal can be prevented from moving within a motor vehicle by means of a restraint, in a comfortable, convenient and cost effective manner.

In a preferred embodiment the body of animal is substantially enclosed within the or each housing so that only the head of the animal protrudes from the housing(s).

The or each of the housing of the restraining device may be attachable to the motor vehicle (e.g. to a passenger seat) by a frame.

The frame may take any suitable form, but preferably is a substantially rigid structure. Alternatively, however, the frame may be flexible for example, it may include substantially rigid members which are interconnected by connectors which allow movement or adjustment of the members relative to each other.

The frame may be in the form of a framework of interconnected elongate members, in any desired shape, and in one embodiment the framework is arranged to form a quadrilateral structure which may also include diagonal cross members which extend between diagonally opposing corners of the quadrilateral structure.

The frame could also be triangular, square etc.

The or each housing may be attached to the frame by any suitable attachment means which may include attachment e. g. hoop or ring members which may be connected to, and thereby couple together, the or each housing and the frame.

Preferably at least one of the attachment members is movable relative to the frame and may extend around an elongate frame member to be slidable relative there along.

The hoop/ring members may be flexible or rigid and constructed from any suitable material e. g. metal, leather etc.

This arrangement allows a portion or the whole housing to move relative to the frame which would allow the restrained animal both to stand and to sit down within the housing(s).

In a preferred embodiment the housing is a flexible sack or bag structure.

In this way, the animal may be restrained relative to the motor vehicle, while still being able to move in order to get into a comfortable position, even while the restraining device may only just enclose the body of the animal.

The housing may be constructed from any suitable material but preferably, the housings comprise a material which allows moisture and air to pass therethrough, such as cotton or any other suitable material. The housings may also have one or more apertures, so that air may circulate through the restraining device.

There may be a plurality of housings, one outer housing which houses one or more inner housings. Where a plurality of inner housings are provided, each may fit inside another.

Preferably the restraining device comprises two housings an outer housing which houses the other housing which may be the inner housing.

The outer housing may comprise any suitable material and may be an open weave or net structure to allow air flow therethrough. The inner housing(s) may be removable, which would allow cleaning of said housing.

Preferably any inner housing(s) may be detachable from the outer housing. Detachment/attachment of the inner housing may be achievable bv

a connecting means such as a zip arrangement, VelcròXor any other suitable means. The connecting means may be located in any suitable position e. g.

position e. g. on the outer surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the outer housing in order that attachment between the two housings may be effected.

In one embodiment the device comprises an inner housing made from cotton fabric which allows air to circulate but prevents hair/dirt passing from the animals body onto the interior of the car. The device also comprises an outer housing which is a stronger fabric in an open weave to allow air to circulate freely therethrough.

Preferably there are element housing sections, such as pockets or other suitable sections, located in the or at least one of said housings e. g. between outer and inner housings. The element housing sections may be configured for receipt of one or more elements. The elements may be operable to control temperature within the housings e. g. they may be cold, such as ice bags or warm such as hot water bottles, depending upon the temperature of the environment.

The housing may include an entry opening by which means the animal may enter or be placed inside the housing.

The opening may be located in any suitable part of the housing and may, for example extend from the base of the housing to an uppersection thereof.

The opening may take any suitable shape and may be in the form of one or more entry slits in the or each housing.

The opening may include a closure device to effect closure of said opening. The closure device may take any suitable form and may, for example comprise a zip or Velcro arrangement.

In the case where the device includes a plurality of housings, the slit in each housing may be provided with a separate closure device, alternatively or additional a single closure device may be operable to close several or all corresponding slits in the housings.

The or each housing may also provide a neck opening which is suitable to enclose the neck of the restrained animal.

This neck opening may be continuous with the entry opening so that the entry opening (when open) includes the neck opening.

In a preferred embodiment the entry slit(s) extend from the neck opening to the case of the housing(s). Advantageously, there may be two such slits, extending from the entry opening ie. at spaced apart potions on the perimeter of the entry opening.

With this arrangement, a large entry opening is formed. This would be particularly advantageous for an animal which is reluctant to enter the housing, e. g. when first encountering room to manoeuvre.

The housing(s) may include a collar arrangement for fitting around the animal's neck, the collar circumventing the neck opening the attachable at one or more locations to the housing around the opening.

The collar arrangement may comprise a collar member e. g. strap. The collar member may be attachable to the housing and may have a fastening e.

g. quick release fastening at each of its ends in order to enable the collar to be closed around the neck of the animal.

The neck portion and or collar strap may comprise resilient/elastic material to allow circumferential expansion thereby affording the animal more comfort and safely in the event of sudden movement of the vehicle e. g. sharp acceleration, deceleration or braking etc when the neck portion would expand thereby preventing jarring of the animal at the neck.

The base of the restraining device may comprise a cushion which may be inside the housing(s), thereby providing a comfortable seating position for the animal. The cushion may comprise any other suitable construction a bean bag construction.

Attachment of the restraining device to the motor vehicle may be effected by any suitable means for example of one or more straps. Each of a plurality of straps may be attached at one end to the frame while the free ends of each respective strap may comprise a connecting portion e. g. a male or female section, male and female sections being co-operably configured for mutual engagement. This with the arrangement the straps may be attached in pairs to affix the restraining device to said seat. Connection of the straps may also be effected by a buckle arrangement or any other suitable arrangement.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the frame of the animal restraint in accordance with one form of the invention; Fig.2 is a perspective view of an animal enclosed within an animal restraint of Fig. 1 shown located upon a seat of a motor vehicle; Fig.3 is a plan view of the animal restraint of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an animal restraint according to another form of the invention; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the animal restraint of Fig. 4 showing open entry opening.

The restraining device 2 shown in Fig.2 is for use with an animal such as a dog 4 and comprises a generally rectangular frame 6 connected to a flexible housing or jacket 8 in which the dog 4 is housed and attached therein to a motor vehicle. The restraining device is attached to a seat of the motor vehicle by means of straps 10 which extend from each side of the frame 6 and which are connectable due to connecting members 12.

The frame 6 comprises two elongate members 14 which are connected together in spaced apart relationship by elongate members 16, disposed substantially parallel to the members 14. The elongate members 14 and 16 are arranged to provide a generally rectangular construction. It will be appreciated that the shape of the frame could vary to suit the animal and/or place of attachment in the motor vehicle. For example the frame could be square or triangular etc.

When in position the first mentioned members 14 are generally aligned with the plane of the back rest of the seat 28, and members 16 will be generally aligned with the base of the seat. The frame further comprises two diagonal members 18, each diagonal member 18 extending from a diagonal opposed corner of the frame where members 14 and 16 meet. There are two straps 10 located around each member 14, one of which is located on an upper portion of the member 14 and one of which is located on a lower portion of the member 14. Attachment of each strap 10 to the member 14 is achieved by a strap attachment means 20, which in this embodiment is a hoop of robust construction.

At the free end of each of the upper and lower straps 10 there is located a connecting member 12 which may comprise a male or female member, which in combination produce a strap connecting means. The straps 10 are arranged to function in pairs, the straps 10 in each pair being connectable to each other by mutual engagement of male and female engagement portions, one portion provided by each strap in a pair.

The housing or jacket 8 comprises an inner housing or jacket (not shown) and an outer housing or jacket 22. Each of these housings comprise a sack like structure constructed from a material e. g. cotton which allows air and water vapour to pass through. Each of these housings also has a plurality of eyelets (not shown), increase the flow of air and vapour through the housing.

The housing 8 has an entry opening corresponding with openings in the inner housing and outer housing (not shown) in order to enable entry of the dog therein so that the dog may gain access to the interior of the inner housing.

Closure of said opening however is achievable by means of a closure device (not shown) which comprises three Velcro straps on a flap section (not shown), the three straps being located at an upper, middle and lower section relative to the housing. The flap and the straps are located upon the side of the housing closest to the door of the car (not shown), in order to enable easy access to the housing.

The base of the housing 24 comprises a soft material such as a cushion (not shown) which thereby provides a comfortable seating position for the dog.

The outer surface of the inner housing and the inner surface of the outer housing 22 have element carrying sections such as pockets (not shown). The pockets enable insertion of either a hot or cold member (not shown) in order that the temperature within the housing 8 may be either increased or decreased, as required.

The inner and outer housings is are attached by a housing connecting means (not shown) which is in this embodiment a zip fastening but could comprise any other suitable means. The zip fastening extends around the middle of the outer circumference of the inner housing and the middle section of the inner circumference of the outer housing. Attachment of each of the housings can also be achieved by a Velcro fastening or other suitable type fastening. In this way, the housings can be detached from each other, thereby enabling them to be washed individually, if so required.

The housing 8 is attached to the frame 6 by four attachment hoops 26.

These attachment hoops 26 are fixedly connected to the outer housing 22.

Each member 14 has two hoops 26 along its length, the upper attachment hoops 26 being slidable along the member 14, while the lower attachment hoops 26 are fixedly held in place, relative to the member 14.

Attachment of the animal restraint 2 is achievable by placing said animal restraint 2 upon a car seat 28, so that the base 27 of the restraint 2 abuts the generally upwardly facing surface of the car seat back rest 28, and the frame 6 of the animal restraint 2, abuts the base portion of the car seat 28. Such as the back seat. The frame 6 of the animal restraint 2 is maintained adjacent the back rest of the seat 28 by the straps 10. The straps 10 are withdrawn to the rear of the seat 28, and the respective connecting members 12 from each of the upper straps 10 and each of the lower straps 10, are subsequently connected together. In order to ensure that the animal restraint 2 is held rigidly in place upon the car seat 28, each strap 10 has a length adjustable member (not shown), which can be used to either lengthen or shorten the strap lengths in order to accommodate for different width sizes of seat backs. When the animal restraint 2 is held rigidly in place, the straps 10 will be taut.

Entry of the dog 4 into the housing 8 is by means of the entry opening, access to which is gained by unfastening the Velcro straps upon the flap section on the outer housing. The dog 4 is then placed within the housing 8, with its head protruding from a neck opening in the upper part of the housing 8 this opening continuous with the entry opening. In order to maintain the dog 4 within the restraint 2, the flap is drawn over the entry opening, and the Velcro sti ls zips on the outer housing are placed upon their respective attachment sections, which are located on the other side of the opening relative to the Velcro straps. Closure of a collar strap 32 is achievable by drawing the strap over the upper part of the zip and connecting each of the Velcro end attachments together, thereby creating a hole 30 which allows the head of the animal to protrude out of the housing, at the upper part of the housing.

The animal restraint 2 allows the dog 4 the option of either sitting or lying in the housing. This is possible due to the upper attachment hoop 26 being movable with respect to the frame 6. When the dog 4 is in a sitting position the upper attachment hoop 26 will be located toward the upper part of the frame 6, and when the dog 4 is lying down, the upper attachment hoop 26 will be located toward the lower section of the frame. This movable upper attachment hoop 26 also enables the animal restraint 2 to accommodate different sized dogs 4.

On a cold day, a heating element such as a hot water bottle can be placed within the pockets located on the outer surface of the inner housing and/or the inner surface of the outer housing 22. This provides a heating facility for the housing 8, which does not directly touch the dog 4 and therefore parents not cause injury, due to burning. On a hot day an opposite effect can be achieved by placing a cooling element such as an ice pack within the pockets.

Removal of the dog 4 from the housing 8 is achievable by detaching the ends of the collar strap 32 from each other and unfastening the Velcro straps, so that the flap may be withdrawn, thereby re-opening said opening, which enables the dog 4 to be released there from.

Fig. 4 shows another form of restraining device 40 (only housing shown) which is constructed in a similar manner as for the above described device with the exception of the following features.

The restraining device 40 comprises an inner housing 42 located inside an outer housing 44. In this embodiment the inner housing is constructed from cotton, for the animal's comfort, and outer housing in constructed from an open weave net-like nylon material, which is highly robust but prevents heat retention by the housing and is especially suitable for hot environmental conditions.

The housings 42 and 44 each have a generally circular neck opening 50 and the housings are mutually attached around the circumference of the opening.

A collar 52 extends around the circumference and loosely held in position by straps 54.

The collar 52 is constructed from robust resilient material and is thereby expandable affording the animal 4 extra comfort and in the event of sudden vehicular movement e. g. sudden braking of the vehicle, as the animal is jerked generally forward the collar expands to prevent jarring of and injury to the animal's neck.

Another possible collar arrangement would include a concertina design to allow circumferential expansion.

The collar 52 has a quick release fastening device, of which there are many types and these are well known to those skilled in this field and will therefore not be described in further detail here.

Extending from the circumference of the neck opening to the base of the housings 42 and 44 are two spaced apart slits 46 and 48. (Each slit comprising corresponding slits in both housings).

Each of the two slits 46 and 48 are closable by a closure device, which in this embodiment is a sip arrangement but could be any suitable fastening device.

In Fig. 4, the slits are shown in the closed position with the collar fastened around the dog's neck (dog not shown for clarity).

Fig. 5 shows the slits in the open position so that a flap of the housing 58 disposed in between the slits folds out to provide the entry opening 56 (which is actually continuous with and therefore amplified by the neck opening 42). As is clear from the drawing having two slits rather than one single slit provides a greater entry opening 56 facilitating access to the interior of the housing 42 by the animal (not shown).

With the above described embodiment the animal restraint provides a means of securing an animal within a motor vehicle, in a comfortable, convenient and cost effective manner.

The invention is not limited to the above described embodiments and many variations and modifications are possible.

Claims

1. An animal restraining device for use with a motor vehicle, said device being attachable to a part of the vehicle and including at least one flexible housing which is configured to substantially enclose the animal there within.

2. An animal restraining device according to claim 1 in which the or each housing encloses the body of the animal so that only the head protrudes from the housing(s).

3. An animal restraining device according to any preceding claim which is attachable to the motor vehicle by attachment means which includes a frame.

4. An animal restraining device according to claim 3 in which the frame comprises a framework of interconnected elongate members.

5. An animal restraining device according to claim 4 which the or each housing is attached to the frame by one or more ring members.

6. An animal restraining device according to claim 5 in which at least one attachment member is slidable relative to the frame members.

7. An animal restraining device according to any preceding claim which comprises an outer housing and one or more inner housings.

8. An animal restraining device according to any preceding claim in which element housing sections are provided on/in at least one housing, said element housing sections being configured for receipt of one or more elements operable to control the temperature within said at least one housing.

9. An animal restraining device according to any preceding claim in which the or each housing includes an entry opening by which means the animal may enter or be placed inside said at least one housing.

10. An animal restraining device according to any preceding claim which incorporates a neck opening to enclose a neck portion of the animal.

11. An animal restraining device according to claim 9 or claim 10 in which the entry opening comprises one or more slits, each slit extending from the neck opening to the back of the housing(s).

1 2. An animal restraining device according to claim 10 or claim 11 in which the housing includes a collar member which extends around the neck opening and which is for fitting around the animal's neck.

13. An animal restraining device according to claim 12 in which the collar member is constructed from resilient material to allow circumferential expansion of the collar member.

14. An animal restraining device according to any preceding claim in which the or each housing is constructed from a material which allows moisture and air to pass therethrough.

1 5. An animal restraining device as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.