GB2549526A

GB2549526A - A dog restraint device for use in a motor vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2549526A
Application number: GB1607006.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Burke Kelley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-22
Filing date: 2016-04-22
Publication date: 2017-10-25
Also published as: WO2017182504A1; GB2563806A8; GB2563806A; GB201817373D0

Abstract

A dog restraint device 10 for use on a seat of a motor vehicle, comprises a container 11 for a dog, one or more restraining points (not shown) within the container for restraining the dog therewithin, and an attachment point 12 on the container for reversibly connecting the dog restraint device to an anchoring point on the body of the motor vehicle. The attachment points may reversibly connect the dog restraint device to an ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body. Alternatively the attachment points are adapted to receive a seatbelt (32, fig 4). A harness may be connected to the restraining points. The container may have a body section 13 and a lid section 14 with apertures 15.

Description

A dog restraint device for use in a motor vehicle

This invention relates to a dog restraint device for use in a motor vehicle and, in particular, to a dog restraint device which allows a small-to medium-sized dog to be transported safely on a seat of the motor vehicle and offers protection to the dog and the occupants of the vehicle in the event of a vehicle collision.

Community Design Registration Nos. 000441266 and 00056501 disclose transport boxes for animals, particularly dogs. These transport boxes are designed for use in the boot of a vehicle and are rather bulky in nature. Furthermore, the transport boxes come in thirteen different sizes, depending on the size of the dog and the size of the car. Thus, the transport boxes are not easily transferable between vehicles. A transport box for animals, particularly dogs, produced by Kleinmetall GmbH, HainstraBe 52, 63526 Erlensee, Germany, and marketed as Variocage^'^ is currently available in Europe. The Variocage'^’^ transport box is a crash test certified box for the transport of dogs and offers protection in the event of a vehicle collision. Again, these transport boxes are designed for use in the boot of a vehicle and are rather bulky in nature. A dog harness, marketed as Allsafe^·^, is also produced by Kleinmetall GmbH, and is currently available in Europe. The Allsafe™ dog harness is crash test certified and offers protection in the event of a vehicle collision. These harnesses are designed to be used on the rear seat of the car. However, with these harnesses the dog has considerable freedom of movement which can be distracting to the driver of the vehicle. US Patent Publication No. US2015/0230424 A1 discloses an adjustable pet carrier restraint which is configured to accept various sizes and shapes of pet carriers. The pet carrier restraint is tethered to a vehicle’s child seat restraint system anchors such as ISOFIX. ISOFIX is the international standard for attachment points for child safety seats in passenger cars. The system has other regional names including LATCH ("Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children") in the United States and UAS ("Universal Anchorage System") or Canfix in Canada. The pet carrier restraint is collapsible and may be positioned against a seat back when no pet carrier is secured therein to allow human passengers to be comfortably seated in the same seat without removal of the pet carrier restraint. The emphasis on the collapsible nature of the pet carrier restraint would result in it being difficult for the pet carrier restraint to maintain the pet carrier in the desired position in the event of a vehicle collision, as the pet carrier restraint is designed to maintain the carrier in a desired location within the vehicle by reducing forward and lateral movement thereof, when subject to forces due to vehicle movement only. Although the pet carrier restraint will be maintained in position during a vehicle collision when tethered to the child seat restraint system or ISOFIX in the vehicle, the pet carrier itself is only secured by straps and not to the ISOFIX itself The pet carrier is secured in the pet carrier restraint by means of an over carrier strap. This strap maintains the pet carrier in position by reducing forward movement of the pet carrier. Additionally one or more side straps, to reduce lateral movement of the pet carrier, are connectable to the pet carrier in a variety of ways and may depend on the type of pet carrier and whether the pet carrier has suitable attachment points. Thus, although the pet carrier restraint would be secured in the event of a vehicle collision, the same cannot be said for the pet carrier itself

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the devices hereinbefore described.

Thus, the invention provides dog restraint device for use on a seat of a motor vehicle, the device comprising a container for a dog, one or more restraining points within the container for restraining the dog therewithin, and an attachment point on the container for reversibly connecting the dog restraint device to an anchoring point on the body of the motor vehicle.

The use of the term dog herein includes similar small domestic pets such as cats or rabbits.

An advantage of the device according to the invention is that it is directly attached to anchoring points on the motor vehicle body. Thus, the dog restraint device is retained in position not only when the motor vehicle is in use but will be maintained in position in the event of a vehicle collision. Thus, the dog is protected within the dog restraint device. Furthermore, neither the dog, nor the dog restraint device itself will become a projectile in the event of a vehicle collision, thus, protecting the occupants of the vehicle.

The device according to the invention is relatively compact and can fit on a seat of a motor vehicle. The device can be used in any type of motor vehicle and thus, can be transferable between vehicles.

In one embodiment of the invention, the or each attachment point is adapted to receive a vehicle seat belt.

The advantage of this feature is that all motor vehicles are fitted with seat belts. Furthermore, should a user wish, the device could be used on either the front passenger seat of the motor vehicle, or on the rear seat thereof.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the or each attachment point is a mechanism for reversibly connecting the device to an ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body.

The ISOFIX system has been proven to reduce injury in the event of a vehicle collision as it is attached directly to the car body. Furthermore, connecting the dog restraint device to the ISOFIX system reduces the risk of incorrectly installmg the dog restraint device which is more likely when using the seatbelt as the anchoring point on the motor vehicle body.

Preferably, the mechanism consists of a bar located within the container, the bar having a bracket attached at each end thereof, which brackets extend out from the container, and each bracket having a latch mounted on the exterior end thereof which is reversibly connectable to the ISOFIX system.

The design of the meehanism aims to utilise the simplest feasible mechanism to reversibly connect the dog restraint device to the ISOFIX system. Furthermore, the aim of the design is to provide a foolproof latch system in order to further improve the safety aspect of the attachment of the dog restraint device to an anchoring point on the body of the motor vehicle.

Further, preferably, the mechanism is held semi-rigidly to the container by grommets.

The grommets can be composed of rubber.

This feature builds in resilience to the design of the dog restraint device and prevents damage of the dog restraint device where the mechanism meets the container.

In a further embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention, the one or more restraining points is/are located on the mechanism for reversibly connecting the device to the ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body.

An advantage of this feature is that separate attachment point(s) are not required as the mechanism is already part of the device.

In a further embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention, a harness is reversibly connectable to the one or more restraining points within the container for restraining the dog therewithin.

An advantage of this feature is that the movement of the dog is further restricted in the dog restraint device. The harness will prevent the dog from injuring itself by slipping or falling if it was otherwise free to move within the device.

Suitably, the harness is composed of high strength polyamide webbings.

Such material would be of sufficient strength to withstand the forces created in the event of a vehicle collision. Thus, in the event of a vehicle collision the dog will remain restrained in the dog restraint device thereby protecting the dog. Furthermore, the dog will not become a projectile in the car in the event of a vehicle collision thus, protecting the other occupants of the motor vehicle.

In a further embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention, the container, has a body section and a lid releasably connectable thereto.

The lid allows the dog to be easily inserted into and removed from the dog restraint device.

Preferably, the container has a base plate attached to the body section, which base plate contacts the seat of the motor vehicle, in use.

The advantage of the base plate is that it can fit between the rear motor vehicle seat upright and the base of the seat which avoids rotation of the dog restraint device in the event of a vehicle collision.

Furthermore, where the anchoring point on the motor vehicle body is the vehicle seat belt, the lap part of the vehicle seat belt is passed between the body section of the container and the base plate, and thus, the base plate provides a pathway for the vehicle seat belt.

Further preferably, the lid has a plurality of apertures therein.

These apertures provide ventilation and allow the dog to see out of the container.

In a further embodiment of the device in accordance with the invention, the body section is lined internally with a cushioning material.

This feature makes the dog restraint device more comfortable for the dog.

Preferably, the cushioning material is high density polyurethane foam.

An advantage of this feature is that it will provide support and remain in shape for a long period of time.

Further, preferably, the cushioning material is covered with vinyl.

This feature makes the dog restraint device easier to clean. Furthermore, vinyl can be waterproofed and is easy to wipe clean.

Suitably, the container is composed of polypropylene.

Using a thermoplastic polymer, such as polypropylene, results in the container being easy to mould and manufacture.

The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a dog restraint device in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view of the device of Fig. 1 with the lid removed showing the mechanism for reversibly connecting the device to an ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mechanism for reversibly connecting the device to an ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body; and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of a second embodiment of a dog restraint device in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is illustrated, generally at 10, a dog restraint device for use on a seat of a motor vehicle, the device 10 comprising a container 11 for a dog, one or more restraining points (not shown) within the container 11 for restraining the dog therewithin, and a mechanism 12 on the container for reversibly connecting the dog restraint device 10 to an ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body. The container 11 has a body section 13 and a lid 14 releasably connectable thereto and is composed of polypropylene material. The lid 14 has a plurality of apertures 15 therein.

Referring to Fig. 2, the dog restraint device 10, is shown with the lid 14 (not shown) removed showing the mechanism 12 for reversibly connecting the device to an ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body. The mechanism 12 consists of a bar 16 located within the container 11, the bar 16 having a bracket 17, 18 respectively attached at either end 19, 20 thereof, which brackets 17, 18, extend out from the container 11, and each bracket 17, 18 having a latch (see Fig. 3), mounted on exterior end 21, 22 respectively, thereof, with each latch being reversibly connectable to the ISOFIX system. The mechanism 12 is held semi-rigidly to the body section 13 of the container 11 by rubber grommets 23, 24. The one or more restraining points (not shown) is/are located on the bar 16 of the mechanism 12.

Referring to Fig. 3 the mechanism 12 for reversibly connecting the device 10 to an ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body is shown independent of the container (not shown). As indicated above, the mechanism 12 consists of a bar 16, the bar 16 having a bracket 17, 18 respectively attached at either end 19, 20 thereof, each bracket 17, 18 havmg a latch 25, 26 respectively, mounted on the exterior end 21, 22, thereof which is reversibly connectable to the ISOFIX system. Each latch 25, 26 is moved from an open to a closed position by means of a spring pin 27, 28 respectively. The mechanism 12 has rubber grommets 23, 24 for semi-rigidly holding the mechanism to the container, in use.

Referring to Fig. 4, there is illustrated, generally at 30, a dog restraint deviee for use on a seat of a motor vehiele aeeording to a seeond embodiment of the invention. The deviee 30 eomprises a eontainer 31 for a dog, one or more restraining points (not shown) within the eontainer 31 for restraining the dog therewithin, and attaehment points 32 whieh are adapted to reeeive a vehiele seat belt so that the dog restraint deviee 30 ean be reversibly eonneeted to the seat belt anehoring points on the body of the motor vehiele. The eontainer 31 has a body seetion 33 and a lid 34 releasably eonneetable thereto and is eomposed of polypropylene material. The lid 34 has a plurality of apertures 35 therein. The eontainer has a base plate 36 attaehed to the body seetion 33, whieh base plate 36 eontaets the seat of the motor vehiele, in use. The lap part of the vehiele seat belt is passed between the body seetion 33 of the eontainer 31 and the base plate 36, in use.

Claims

Claims: -

1. A dog restraint device for use on a seat of a motor vehicle, the device comprising a container for a dog, one or more restraining points within the container for restraining the dog therewithin, and an attachment point on the container for reversibly connecting the dog restraint device to an anchoring point on the body of the motor vehicle.

2. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the or each attachment point is adapted to receive a vehicle seat belt.

3. A device according to Claim 1, wherein the or each attachment point is a mechanism for reversibly connecting the device to an ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body.

4. A device according to Claim 3, wherein the mechanism consists of a bar located within the container, the bar having a bracket attached at each end thereof, which brackets extend out from the container, and each bracket having a latch mounted on the exterior end thereof which is reversibly connectable to the ISOFIX system.

5. A device according to Claim 4, wherein the mechanism is held semi-rigidly to the container by grommets.

6. A device according to Claim 5, wherein the grommets are composed of rubber.

7. A device according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the one or more restraining points is/are located on the mechanism for reversibly connecting the device to the ISOFIX system on the motor vehicle body.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein a harness is reversibly connectable to the one or more restraining points within the container for restraining the dog therewithin.

9. A device according to Claim 8, wherein the harness is composed of high strength polyamide webbings.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the container, has a body section and a lid releasably connectable thereto.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the container has a base plate attached to the body section, which base plate contacts the seat of the motor vehicle, in use.

12. A device according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the lid has a plurality of apertures therein.

13. A device according to any one of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the body section is lined internally with a cushioning material.

14. A device according to Claim 13, wherein the cushioning material is high density polyurethane foam.

15. A device according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein the cushioning material is covered with vinyl.

16. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the container is composed of polypropylene material.

17. A dog restraint device according to Claim 1 for use on a seat of a motor vehicle, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, and Fig.4 of the accompanying drawings.