WO2007096822A1 - Confining movement of animals in motor vehicles - Google Patents

Confining movement of animals in motor vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007096822A1
WO2007096822A1 PCT/IB2007/050555 IB2007050555W WO2007096822A1 WO 2007096822 A1 WO2007096822 A1 WO 2007096822A1 IB 2007050555 W IB2007050555 W IB 2007050555W WO 2007096822 A1 WO2007096822 A1 WO 2007096822A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
accessory
barrier portion
vehicle
backrest
backseat
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2007/050555
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Theo Eksteen Triegaardt
Original Assignee
Theo Eksteen Triegaardt
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Theo Eksteen Triegaardt filed Critical Theo Eksteen Triegaardt
Publication of WO2007096822A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007096822A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; CARE OF BIRDS, FISHES, INSECTS; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
    • A01K1/00—Housing animals; Equipment therefor
    • A01K1/02—Pigsties; Dog-kennels; Rabbit-hutches or the like
    • A01K1/0236—Transport boxes, bags, cages, baskets, harnesses for animals; Fittings therefor
    • A01K1/0272—Boxes, bags, cages, baskets, harnesses especially adapted for transport in or on automobiles

Definitions

  • THIS INVENTION relates to confining movement of animals in motor vehicles. It more particularly relates to an accessory for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and to a method of confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
  • the invention is to be used in the context of motor vehicles having at least two rows of seats, such as sedan motor vehicles or pick-up trucks, also colloquially known as double-cab pick-up trucks. Further, the invention is expected to be particularly advantageously applicable to confining movement of domestic dogs in motor vehicles and, accordingly such application should particularly be borne in mind when considering this specification.
  • an accessory for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle having at least one front seat comprising a base, a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, and a headrest projecting upwardly from the backrest, and at least one backseat located behind each front seat in the passenger compartment, each backseat including at least a base and a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, the accessory being flattened, having an operatively inner face and an operatively outer face, and the accessory including: a front barrier portion for location behind the backrest of each front seat of a vehicle, the front barrier portion being elongated for extending substantially in face-to- face relationship with the backrest of each front seat transversely across the passenger compartment and being provided with at least one securing formation for securing it to each front seat, the front barrier portion being constructed for projecting operatively upwardly from the backrest of each front seat in face-to-face relationship with the headrest of each front seat towards a roof
  • the accessory may include two door panel cover portions for respectively covering at least interior rear door panels of a vehicle, each door panel cover portion being connected to one of the front barrier portion, the rear barrier portion and the seat cover portion and projecting longitudinally from one end of said portion, each door cover portion being foldably fast with its respective end of said portion such that it is foldable to project operatively upwardly from one end of the seat cover portion, and the accessory being provided with fastening formations for fastening each door panel cover portion, when the door cover portion is folded to project upwardly from the seat cover portion, to at least one of the other said portions of the accessory.
  • the door panel cover portions will cover interior panels of the motor vehicle extending between the front seats and each backseat.
  • a part of the front barrier portion remote from the seat cover portion intended to project upwardly from the backrest of each front seat towards the roof of a vehicle may be of said foraminate construction.
  • At least the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may each include at least one panel of self-supporting resiliently flexible construction.
  • the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may each comprise at least two elongated panels that are located side-by-side, with longitudinally extending fold lines or fold regions being defined between adjacent side edges of neighbouring panels, about which fold lines or fold regions each barrier portion is foldable, to permit substantial conformation of the accessory when in its erected operative condition to the profiles of seats of a vehicle and to permit folding of the accessory into its collapsed inoperative condition.
  • Each door panel cover portion may comprise a central panel fast with the end of the seat cover portion for covering the rear door panel of a vehicle in face-to-face relationship, and two foldable flaps fast with and projecting laterally from the central panel for respectively extending onto and fastening, via the fastening formations, to the front and the rear barrier portions.
  • Each of the front barrier portion, the rear barrier portion and the central panel of each door panel cover portion may comprise an outer sheet defining the operatively outer face of the accessory, an inner sheet defining the operatively inner face of the accessory and a flat and planar self-supporting resiliently flexible core associated with each panel sandwiched between the two sheets, at least the inner sheet being constructed of material having good scuff- and scratch-resistant properties.
  • Said foraminate part of the front barrier portion may be an extension of a panel of the front barrier portion remote from the seat cover portion, the extension being fast with and projecting from a side edge of said panel remote from the seat cover portion, the extension comprising an elongated frame fast with and projecting from said panel and a foraminate grid fast with and framed by the frame and said side edge of the panel of the front barrier portion.
  • the flaps of each door panel cover portion and the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may be provided with said fastening formations for fastening the flaps of each door panel respectively to the front barrier portion and to the rear barrier portion.
  • the fastening formations of the flaps of each door cover portion and the associated fastening formations of the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may be in the form of complementary hook-and-loop fasteners, being arranged to permit adjustable securing of each door cover portion to the front barrier portion and to the rear barrier portion.
  • each door panel cover portion may be of self-supporting resiliently flexible construction.
  • the seat cover portion may be of self supporting panel-like construction, being connected along its respective side edges to the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion, with fold lines or regions being defined along said side edges, along which fold lines or regions the accessory is foldable between its erected operative condition and its collapsed inoperative condition.
  • the rear barrier portion may be constructed for projecting operatively upwardly from an upper edge of the backrest of each backseat of the vehicle, for resisting movement of a domestic animal located between each front seat and each backseat of the vehicle past the backrest of each backseat towards the rear of the passenger compartment
  • the accessory may include a handle formation for facilitating handling of the accessory when it is in its inoperative folded condition.
  • the handle formation may be of two-part construction, the two parts being located such that they are in register when the accessory is in its inoperative collapsed condition, with one of the parts of the handle formation being provided with a securing formation for securing it to the other part of the handle formation when the accessory is in its inoperative collapsed condition for securing the two parts of the handle formation together and retaining the accessory in its inoperative collapsed condition.
  • the two parts of the handle formation may be located on the operatively outer face of the accessory.
  • the front barrier portion may include two of said securing formations, the securing formations being located on the operatively outer face of the accessory, being spaced from each other along the length of the front barrier portion for respectively securing the front barrier portion to the headrest of each front seat.
  • the rear barrier portion may include at least two of said securing formations, the securing formations being located on the operatively outer face of the accessory, being spaced from each other along the length of the rear barrier portion, for respectively securing the rear barrier portion at spaced positions to the backseat.
  • Each securing formation of the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may include at least one elongated flexible strap and a securing mechanism fast with each strap.
  • a method of confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle having at least one front seat comprising a base, a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, and a headrest projecting upwardly from the backrest, and at least one backseat located behind each front seat in the passenger compartment, each backseat including at least a base and a backrest projecting upwardly from the base
  • the method including providing a front barrier behind each front seat of the vehicle, the front barrier projecting, in face-to-face relationship with the backrest of each backseat, upwardly from the backrest of each front seat towards the roof of the vehicle for resisting movement of an animal located behind each front seat past the backrest of each front seat towards the front of the passenger compartment, with at least part of the front barrier projecting upwardly from the backrest of each front seat being foraminate to permit visibility from the front of the passenger compartment towards the rear of the vehicle, and providing a rear barrier in front of each backseat of the vehicle, the rear
  • the method may also include covering a base of each backseat of the vehicle with a cover for protecting the base of each backseat against damage by an animal located between the front barrier and the rear barrier.
  • the method may further include covering interior rear door panels of the vehicle for protecting such door panels against damage by an animal located between the front barrier and the rear barrier.
  • Figure 1 shows, schematically, a face-on elevation of an operatively outer face of an accessory in accordance with the invention for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the accessory being shown in an inoperative unfolded laid-flat condition;
  • Figure 2 shows, schematically, a three-dimensional view of the accessory shown in Figure 1 , the accessory being shown in an inoperative collapsed or folded condition;
  • Figure 3 shows, schematically, a three-dimensional view of the accessory shown in Figure 1 , the accessory being shown in an operative erected condition;
  • Figure 4 shows, schematically and in part, a top plan elevation of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, with the accessory shown in Figure 1 being operatively located in the passenger compartment;
  • Figure 5 shows, schematically, a sectional side elevation, taken at V-V in Figure 4, of the accessory being operatively located in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;
  • Figure 6 shows, schematically and in part, a side elevation of the passenger compartment of a passenger motor vehicle, with the accessory shown in Figure 1 being operatively located in the passenger compartment and with one door panel cover portion forming part of the accessory being unfolded to permit entry of a domestic animal into the passenger compartment;
  • Figure 7 shows, schematically and in part, a front elevation of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, with the accessory shown in Figure 1 being operatively located in the passenger compartment;
  • Figure 8 shows, schematically, a sectional side elevation of part of the accessory shown in Figure 1 , the section being taken at VIII - VIII in Figure 1 .
  • an accessory in accordance with the invention for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is generally designated by reference numeral 10.
  • the accessory 10 serves, on the one hand, to resist hindrance of a driver of a motor vehicle by a domestic animal located in the passenger compartment 12 ( Figures 4 - 7) of the motor vehicle and, on the other hand, it serves to protect the interior of the motor vehicle against damage by an animal.
  • the motor vehicle includes two front seats 14 and a backseat 16 located behind the front seats 14, both the front seats 14 and the backseat 16 being located in the passenger compartment 12.
  • the front seats 14 are transversely spaced across the passenger compartment 12.
  • Each front seat 14 includes a base 18, a backrest 20 projecting upwardly from the base 18, and a headrest 22 mounted on and projecting upwardly from the backrest 20.
  • the backseat 16 in turn, extends transversely across the passenger compartment 12 and includes an elongated base 24, an elongated backrest 26 projecting upwardly from the base 24, and two headrests 28 fast with and projecting upwardly from the backrest 26, the headrests 28 being longitudinally spaced from each other along the length of the backrest 26.
  • the accessory 10 is flattened, having an operatively inner face 30 and an operatively outer face 32.
  • the accessory 10 includes a plurality of portions which are fast with one another and the accessory 10 is of foldable construction, to permit easy handling and storage thereof.
  • operatively inner and outer faces of the various portions of the accessory are hereunder also referred to the operatively inner face 30 and the operatively outer face 32 of each portion.
  • the accessory 10 includes a front barrier portion 34 for location behind and securement to the backrests 20 of the front seats 14 of the vehicle, the front barrier portion being elongated and being constructed to extend along at least most of the width of the passenger compartment 12 behind the front seats 14. Further, the front barrier portion 34 is constructed such that in use it projects upwardly beyond upper ends of the backrests 20 of the front seats 14 towards the roof of a vehicle, to resist movement of a domestic animal located in the rear of the passenger compartment 12 past the backrests 20 of the front seats 14 towards the front of the passenger compartment 12.
  • the accessory 10 also includes a rear barrier portion 36 for location in front of and securement to the backrest 26 of the backseat 16.
  • the rear barrier portion 36 is also elongated and in use extends along at least most of the width of the passenger compartment 12.
  • the rear barrier portion 36 is constructed such that in use it projects upwardly beyond an upper end of the backrest 26, to resist movement of a domestic animal located between the front seats 14 and the backseat 16 past the backrest 26 of the backseat 16 towards the rear of the passenger compartment 12.
  • the accessory 10 further includes an elongated seat cover portion 38 located between and securing the front barrier portion 34 and the rear barrier portion 36 together. In use, the seat cover portion 38 is located on and covers the base 24 of the backseat 16. Two door panel cover portions 40, 42 are respectively fast with and project outwardly from end edges of the seat cover portion 38.
  • the door panel cover portions 40, 42 cover interior door panels of the vehicle in which the accessory 10 is located.
  • the door panel cover portions 40, 42 will cover interior panels of the motor vehicle located between the front seats 14 and the backseat 16 of the motor vehicle.
  • the door panel cover portions 40, 42 are securable to the front barrier portion 34 and to the rear barrier portion 36, to retain them in position when the accessory 10 is operatively folded or erected and located in the passenger compartment 12 of a motor vehicle.
  • the accessory 10 When the accessory 10 is operatively folded or erected (see in particular Figure 3) it generally forms an open-topped box.
  • the front barrier portion 34 is of multi-panel construction, comprising four elongated slender panels 44, 46, 48, 50 which are located and secured together side-by-side, with the front barrier portion 34 being foldable along fold lines defined between adjacent side edges of the panels 44, 46, 48, 50.
  • the panel 50 is provided with a foraminate extension 52 which extends along the length of the panel 50, the foraminate extension 52 comprising a frame 54, in the form of a wire of spring steel, and a foraminate grid 56 fast with and framed by the frame 54 and a side edge of the panel 50.
  • the frame 54 includes a metal core, and the grid 56, in this example, is of synthetic plastics construction.
  • the foraminate extension 52 projects upwardly, in face-to-face relationship with the headrests 22, beyond the upper ends of the backrests 20 of the front seats 14 towards a roof (not referenced) of the motor vehicle, thereby resisting the aforementioned movement of a domestic animal from the rear of the passenger compartment 12 towards the front of the passenger compartment 12 past the backrests 20 of the front seats 14, whilst still, by virtue of its foraminate construction, permitting visibility from the front of the passenger compartment 12 towards the rear of the motor vehicle.
  • location of the accessory 10 in the passenger compartment 12 of a passenger motor vehicle will have little or no adverse impact on the visibility of a driver of the motor vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle.
  • the front barrier portion 34 is provided with two securing formations in the form of elongated flexible straps 58 for securing the front barrier portion 34 to the headrests 22 of the front seats 14.
  • the straps 58 are fast with the panel 50, being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the accessory 10, i.e. being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the panel 50, are longitudinally spaced from each other along the length of the panel 50, and are provided with clips or other securing mechanisms to secure ends of the straps 58 together when they are received around posts or pillars (not shown) of the headrests 22 of the front seats 14.
  • each strap 58 is received around the posts or pillars of one of the headrests 22.
  • the rear barrier portion 36 is also of multi-panel construction, comprising two elongated panels 60, 62, located side-by-side and secured together along adjacent side edges thereof, the rear barrier portion 36 being foldable along said adjacent side edges of the panels 60, 62.
  • the panel 62 is relatively narrow in comparison to the panel 60 and, in use, is located above the panel 60, so that it covers and extends across at least lower parts of the two headrests 28 of the backseat 16.
  • each of the straps 64, 66 can be of resiliently stretchable construction, to provide for securing of the rear barrier portion 36 to a range of differently sized backseats 16.
  • the seat cover portion 38 comprises a single elongated panel 68 which, along its respective side edges, is secured to the panels 44, 60.
  • the accessory 10 is foldable along the side edges of the panel 68.
  • Each door panel cover portion 40 includes a central, somewhat elongated, rectangular panel 70 which, along an operatively lower edge thereof, is foldably secured to one of the end edges of the panel 68 of the seat cover portion 38, and two flexible flaps 72, 74 which, in this example is of synthetic plastics material construction, fast with and projecting from side edges of the panel 70.
  • the door panel portion 42 includes a like central panel also designated by reference numeral 72 which, along its operatively lower edge, is fast with the other end edge of the panel 68 of the seat cover portion 38, and two flexible flaps also designated by reference numerals 72, 74 fast with and projecting from side edges of the panel 70.
  • the central panel 70 of each door panel cover portion 40, 42 can, instead of being of panel- like construction, be constructed of foldable synthetic plastics sheet material.
  • the foldable construction of the accessory 10 enable folding and, accordingly, easy handling and storage of the accessory, but it also enables substantial conformation of the accessory to the interior components, i.e. seats and door panels, of a motor vehicle. Further, all the various components of the accessory 10 are fast with or secured to each or one another, so that the accessory 10 is of one- piece construction.
  • Each of the aforedescribed panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 60, 62, 68, 70 comprises a resiliency flexible yet sturdy core of synthetic plastics construction, the cores being designated respectively in Figure 8 only by reference numeral 44.1 , 46.1 , 48.1 , 50.1 , 60.1 , 62.1 , 68.1 (the cores of the panels 70 not being visible) which is sandwiched between two layers of fabric, one of said layers, being an inner layer 30.1 (referenced in Figure 8 only), providing the operatively inner face 30 of the accessory 10, the other layer, being an outer layer 32.1 (referenced in Figure 8 only), providing the operatively outer face 32 of the accessory 10. Both said layers are constructed of material having good scuff- and scratch-resistant properties.
  • the cores 44.1 , 46.1 , 48.1 , 50.1 , 60.1 , 62.1 , 68.1 and the cores of the panels 70 are 4mm thick CorrexTM sheets.
  • the inner layer i.e. the layer of material providing the operatively inner face 30 of the accessory 10, is advantageously constructed of a synthetic plastics-containing material, being water-resistant and washable, so that it prevents fluids from making contact with the trimming of a vehicle, and so that it can easily be cleaned.
  • at least the sheet 30.1 is of a non-slippery material, to resist slipping and sliding of an animal located in the passenger compartment of a vehicle in response to movement of the vehicle.
  • the panel 68 of the seat cover portion 38 is located on the base 24 of the backseat 16 of a motor vehicle, with the front barrier portion 34 and the rear barrier portion 36 respectively being secured to the front seats 14 and to the backseat 16 of the passenger motor vehicle in locations as hereinbefore described.
  • the panel 44 of the front barrier portion 34 covers a footwell of the vehicle defined between its front seats 14 and the backseat 16.
  • the panels 70 of the door panel cover portions 40, 42 are folded upwardly towards each other such that they project upwardly from the panel 68 of the seat cover portion 38, and their respective flaps 72 are received onto the operatively outer face 32 of the front barrier portion 34, such that the flaps 72 are located between the front barrier portion 34 and the backrests 20 of the front seats 14.
  • the front barrier portion 34 and the flaps 72 are provided with fastening formations in the form of complementary hook-and-loop, e.g. VelcroTM, fastener strips.
  • three laterally spaced strips 82 extend along the operatively inner face 30 of each of the flaps 72 and two complementary elongated strips 84 extend transversely across end edges of the panels 44, 46, 48, being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the front barrier portion 34. Because of the particular construction of the flaps 72 and the strips 82, the flaps 72 are adjustably securable to the front barrier portion 34, thereby to accommodate various shaped interiors of motor vehicles. The flaps 74 in turn, are received, between the backrest 26 of the backseat 16 and the rear barrier portion 36, onto the operatively outer face 32 of the rear barrier portion 36.
  • the flaps 74 and the rear barrier portion 36 are provided with fastening formations in the form of complementary hook-and-loop fasteners acting in similar fashion as those hereinbefore described with reference to the flaps 72 and the front barrier portion 34.
  • the fastener strips secured to the flaps 74 are designated by reference numerals 86
  • the fastener strips fast with the rear barrier portion 36 are designated by reference numerals 88.
  • the fastening formations of at least one of the front flaps 72 can be located on its operatively inner face 72, with the complementary fastening formation of the front barrier portion 34 being located on its inner face, to facilitate fastening or securing and release of said flap 72 to and from the front barrier portion when an animal enters or exits the passenger compartment.
  • the handle 90 being fast with the panel 48
  • the handle 92 being fast with the panel 68
  • both handles 90, 92 being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the accessory 10.
  • the handles 90, 92 can be secured together by means of a securing flap 94, provided with complementary hook-and-loop fastener strips, fast with the handle 92.
  • the flaps are provided with complementary hook-and-loop fastener strips, fast with the handle 92.
  • the panel 50 together with its foraminate extension 52, is folded onto the panels 44, 46, 48.
  • the panel 62 is folded onto the panel 60, and the panel 60 is folded onto the panel 68, after which the panel 68 is folded onto the panels 44, 46, 48, such that the two handles 90, 92 are in register, and the accessory 10 is generally in the form of a flattened suitcase. Unfolding of the accessory 10 is the reverse of the aforedeschbed folding thereof.
  • the invention as described and illustrated thus provides an accessory which not only confines movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a passenger motor vehicle, but also serves to protect interior trimming of the motor vehicle against damage which can be caused by a domestic animal.
  • location and use thereof in a motor vehicle should have little or no adverse impact on visibility of a driver of the vehicle.
  • the foldable construction of the accessory permits the accessory to be neatly folded and stored or stowed when not in use, with the handles of the accessory facilitating handling of the accessory when folded.

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of and an accessory (10) for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The accessory is foldable and includes a front barrier portion (34) for location behind the backrest of each front seat of a vehicle, the front barrier portion being provided with at least one securing formation (58) for securing it to each front seat of a vehicle. The accessory also includes a rear barrier portion (36) for location in front of the backrest of each backseat of a vehicle, the rear barrier portion also being provided with at least one securing formation (64,66) for securing it to each backseat of a vehicle. The accessory further includes an elongated seat cover portion (38) connecting the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion together, for covering the base of each backseat of a vehicle.

Description

CONFINING MOVEMENT OF ANIMALS IN MOTOR VEHICLES
THIS INVENTION relates to confining movement of animals in motor vehicles. It more particularly relates to an accessory for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, and to a method of confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle.
The invention is to be used in the context of motor vehicles having at least two rows of seats, such as sedan motor vehicles or pick-up trucks, also colloquially known as double-cab pick-up trucks. Further, the invention is expected to be particularly advantageously applicable to confining movement of domestic dogs in motor vehicles and, accordingly such application should particularly be borne in mind when considering this specification.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention there is provided an accessory for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle having at least one front seat comprising a base, a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, and a headrest projecting upwardly from the backrest, and at least one backseat located behind each front seat in the passenger compartment, each backseat including at least a base and a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, the accessory being flattened, having an operatively inner face and an operatively outer face, and the accessory including: a front barrier portion for location behind the backrest of each front seat of a vehicle, the front barrier portion being elongated for extending substantially in face-to- face relationship with the backrest of each front seat transversely across the passenger compartment and being provided with at least one securing formation for securing it to each front seat, the front barrier portion being constructed for projecting operatively upwardly from the backrest of each front seat in face-to-face relationship with the headrest of each front seat towards a roof of the vehicle, for resisting movement of a domestic animal located in the back of the passenger compartment of the vehicle towards the front of the compartment past the backrest of each front seat, and the front barrier portion at least partially being of foraminate construction to permit visibility from the front of the passenger compartment towards the rear of the vehicle; a rear barrier portion for location in front of the backrest of each backseat of the vehicle, the rear barrier portion being elongated for extending in face-to-face relationship with the backrest of each backseat transversely across the passenger compartment and being provided with at least one securing formation for securing it to each backseat, the rear barrier portion being constructed for at least partially covering the backrest of each backseat whilst still permitting visibility from the front of the passenger compartment towards the rear of the vehicle; and an elongated seat cover portion extending between and connecting the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion together, for covering the base of each backseat, the accessory being foldable between an operatively erected or unfolded condition for location in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, in which its outer face faces the seats of the vehicle, and an inoperative collapsed or folded condition for facilitating handling and storage thereof.
The accessory may include two door panel cover portions for respectively covering at least interior rear door panels of a vehicle, each door panel cover portion being connected to one of the front barrier portion, the rear barrier portion and the seat cover portion and projecting longitudinally from one end of said portion, each door cover portion being foldably fast with its respective end of said portion such that it is foldable to project operatively upwardly from one end of the seat cover portion, and the accessory being provided with fastening formations for fastening each door panel cover portion, when the door cover portion is folded to project upwardly from the seat cover portion, to at least one of the other said portions of the accessory. In the case of a coupe or two-door motor vehicle, the door panel cover portions, as will be appreciated, will cover interior panels of the motor vehicle extending between the front seats and each backseat. A part of the front barrier portion remote from the seat cover portion intended to project upwardly from the backrest of each front seat towards the roof of a vehicle may be of said foraminate construction.
At least the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may each include at least one panel of self-supporting resiliently flexible construction. The front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may each comprise at least two elongated panels that are located side-by-side, with longitudinally extending fold lines or fold regions being defined between adjacent side edges of neighbouring panels, about which fold lines or fold regions each barrier portion is foldable, to permit substantial conformation of the accessory when in its erected operative condition to the profiles of seats of a vehicle and to permit folding of the accessory into its collapsed inoperative condition.
Each door panel cover portion may comprise a central panel fast with the end of the seat cover portion for covering the rear door panel of a vehicle in face-to-face relationship, and two foldable flaps fast with and projecting laterally from the central panel for respectively extending onto and fastening, via the fastening formations, to the front and the rear barrier portions.
Each of the front barrier portion, the rear barrier portion and the central panel of each door panel cover portion may comprise an outer sheet defining the operatively outer face of the accessory, an inner sheet defining the operatively inner face of the accessory and a flat and planar self-supporting resiliently flexible core associated with each panel sandwiched between the two sheets, at least the inner sheet being constructed of material having good scuff- and scratch-resistant properties.
Said foraminate part of the front barrier portion may be an extension of a panel of the front barrier portion remote from the seat cover portion, the extension being fast with and projecting from a side edge of said panel remote from the seat cover portion, the extension comprising an elongated frame fast with and projecting from said panel and a foraminate grid fast with and framed by the frame and said side edge of the panel of the front barrier portion. The flaps of each door panel cover portion and the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may be provided with said fastening formations for fastening the flaps of each door panel respectively to the front barrier portion and to the rear barrier portion.
The fastening formations of the flaps of each door cover portion and the associated fastening formations of the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may be in the form of complementary hook-and-loop fasteners, being arranged to permit adjustable securing of each door cover portion to the front barrier portion and to the rear barrier portion.
The central panel of each door panel cover portion may be of self-supporting resiliently flexible construction.
The seat cover portion may be of self supporting panel-like construction, being connected along its respective side edges to the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion, with fold lines or regions being defined along said side edges, along which fold lines or regions the accessory is foldable between its erected operative condition and its collapsed inoperative condition.
The rear barrier portion may be constructed for projecting operatively upwardly from an upper edge of the backrest of each backseat of the vehicle, for resisting movement of a domestic animal located between each front seat and each backseat of the vehicle past the backrest of each backseat towards the rear of the passenger compartment
The accessory may include a handle formation for facilitating handling of the accessory when it is in its inoperative folded condition.
The handle formation may be of two-part construction, the two parts being located such that they are in register when the accessory is in its inoperative collapsed condition, with one of the parts of the handle formation being provided with a securing formation for securing it to the other part of the handle formation when the accessory is in its inoperative collapsed condition for securing the two parts of the handle formation together and retaining the accessory in its inoperative collapsed condition. The two parts of the handle formation may be located on the operatively outer face of the accessory.
The front barrier portion may include two of said securing formations, the securing formations being located on the operatively outer face of the accessory, being spaced from each other along the length of the front barrier portion for respectively securing the front barrier portion to the headrest of each front seat.
The rear barrier portion may include at least two of said securing formations, the securing formations being located on the operatively outer face of the accessory, being spaced from each other along the length of the rear barrier portion, for respectively securing the rear barrier portion at spaced positions to the backseat.
Each securing formation of the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion may include at least one elongated flexible strap and a securing mechanism fast with each strap.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle having at least one front seat comprising a base, a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, and a headrest projecting upwardly from the backrest, and at least one backseat located behind each front seat in the passenger compartment, each backseat including at least a base and a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, the method including providing a front barrier behind each front seat of the vehicle, the front barrier projecting, in face-to-face relationship with the backrest of each backseat, upwardly from the backrest of each front seat towards the roof of the vehicle for resisting movement of an animal located behind each front seat past the backrest of each front seat towards the front of the passenger compartment, with at least part of the front barrier projecting upwardly from the backrest of each front seat being foraminate to permit visibility from the front of the passenger compartment towards the rear of the vehicle, and providing a rear barrier in front of each backseat of the vehicle, the rear barrier being spaced towards the rear of the passenger compartment from the front barrier, the rear barrier being sized and shaped such that movement of the animal past the rear barrier towards the rear of the passenger compartment is restricted whilst still permitting visibility from the front of the passenger compartment toward the rear of the vehicle, thereby confining movement of the animal in the passenger compartment to movement between the front and the rear barriers.
The method may also include covering a base of each backseat of the vehicle with a cover for protecting the base of each backseat against damage by an animal located between the front barrier and the rear barrier.
The method may further include covering interior rear door panels of the vehicle for protecting such door panels against damage by an animal located between the front barrier and the rear barrier.
The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows, schematically, a face-on elevation of an operatively outer face of an accessory in accordance with the invention for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the accessory being shown in an inoperative unfolded laid-flat condition;
Figure 2 shows, schematically, a three-dimensional view of the accessory shown in Figure 1 , the accessory being shown in an inoperative collapsed or folded condition;
Figure 3 shows, schematically, a three-dimensional view of the accessory shown in Figure 1 , the accessory being shown in an operative erected condition;
Figure 4 shows, schematically and in part, a top plan elevation of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, with the accessory shown in Figure 1 being operatively located in the passenger compartment;
Figure 5 shows, schematically, a sectional side elevation, taken at V-V in Figure 4, of the accessory being operatively located in the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle;
Figure 6 shows, schematically and in part, a side elevation of the passenger compartment of a passenger motor vehicle, with the accessory shown in Figure 1 being operatively located in the passenger compartment and with one door panel cover portion forming part of the accessory being unfolded to permit entry of a domestic animal into the passenger compartment;
Figure 7 shows, schematically and in part, a front elevation of the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, with the accessory shown in Figure 1 being operatively located in the passenger compartment; and
Figure 8 shows, schematically, a sectional side elevation of part of the accessory shown in Figure 1 , the section being taken at VIII - VIII in Figure 1 .
With reference to the drawings, an accessory in accordance with the invention for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is generally designated by reference numeral 10. As will become more apparent hereunder, the accessory 10 serves, on the one hand, to resist hindrance of a driver of a motor vehicle by a domestic animal located in the passenger compartment 12 (Figures 4 - 7) of the motor vehicle and, on the other hand, it serves to protect the interior of the motor vehicle against damage by an animal.
Although the invention is herein described with reference to a passenger vehicle having two rows of seats, it is to be appreciated that the invention could equally advantageously be applied to passenger vehicles having three or more rows of seats. Briefly, in this example, the motor vehicle includes two front seats 14 and a backseat 16 located behind the front seats 14, both the front seats 14 and the backseat 16 being located in the passenger compartment 12. The front seats 14 are transversely spaced across the passenger compartment 12. Each front seat 14 includes a base 18, a backrest 20 projecting upwardly from the base 18, and a headrest 22 mounted on and projecting upwardly from the backrest 20. The backseat 16, in turn, extends transversely across the passenger compartment 12 and includes an elongated base 24, an elongated backrest 26 projecting upwardly from the base 24, and two headrests 28 fast with and projecting upwardly from the backrest 26, the headrests 28 being longitudinally spaced from each other along the length of the backrest 26.
The accessory 10 is flattened, having an operatively inner face 30 and an operatively outer face 32. As will be described in more detail hereunder, the accessory 10 includes a plurality of portions which are fast with one another and the accessory 10 is of foldable construction, to permit easy handling and storage thereof. For ease of reference operatively inner and outer faces of the various portions of the accessory are hereunder also referred to the operatively inner face 30 and the operatively outer face 32 of each portion.
In particular, the accessory 10 includes a front barrier portion 34 for location behind and securement to the backrests 20 of the front seats 14 of the vehicle, the front barrier portion being elongated and being constructed to extend along at least most of the width of the passenger compartment 12 behind the front seats 14. Further, the front barrier portion 34 is constructed such that in use it projects upwardly beyond upper ends of the backrests 20 of the front seats 14 towards the roof of a vehicle, to resist movement of a domestic animal located in the rear of the passenger compartment 12 past the backrests 20 of the front seats 14 towards the front of the passenger compartment 12. The accessory 10 also includes a rear barrier portion 36 for location in front of and securement to the backrest 26 of the backseat 16. The rear barrier portion 36 is also elongated and in use extends along at least most of the width of the passenger compartment 12. The rear barrier portion 36 is constructed such that in use it projects upwardly beyond an upper end of the backrest 26, to resist movement of a domestic animal located between the front seats 14 and the backseat 16 past the backrest 26 of the backseat 16 towards the rear of the passenger compartment 12. The accessory 10 further includes an elongated seat cover portion 38 located between and securing the front barrier portion 34 and the rear barrier portion 36 together. In use, the seat cover portion 38 is located on and covers the base 24 of the backseat 16. Two door panel cover portions 40, 42 are respectively fast with and project outwardly from end edges of the seat cover portion 38. In use, the door panel cover portions 40, 42 cover interior door panels of the vehicle in which the accessory 10 is located. As will be appreciated, in the case of a coupe or two-door vehicle, the door panel cover portions 40, 42 will cover interior panels of the motor vehicle located between the front seats 14 and the backseat 16 of the motor vehicle. The door panel cover portions 40, 42 are securable to the front barrier portion 34 and to the rear barrier portion 36, to retain them in position when the accessory 10 is operatively folded or erected and located in the passenger compartment 12 of a motor vehicle. When the accessory 10 is operatively folded or erected (see in particular Figure 3) it generally forms an open-topped box. Referring now in particular to the front barrier portion 34, it is of multi-panel construction, comprising four elongated slender panels 44, 46, 48, 50 which are located and secured together side-by-side, with the front barrier portion 34 being foldable along fold lines defined between adjacent side edges of the panels 44, 46, 48, 50. The panel 50 is provided with a foraminate extension 52 which extends along the length of the panel 50, the foraminate extension 52 comprising a frame 54, in the form of a wire of spring steel, and a foraminate grid 56 fast with and framed by the frame 54 and a side edge of the panel 50. The frame 54 includes a metal core, and the grid 56, in this example, is of synthetic plastics construction. In use, as can particularly be seen in Figure 7, the foraminate extension 52 projects upwardly, in face-to-face relationship with the headrests 22, beyond the upper ends of the backrests 20 of the front seats 14 towards a roof (not referenced) of the motor vehicle, thereby resisting the aforementioned movement of a domestic animal from the rear of the passenger compartment 12 towards the front of the passenger compartment 12 past the backrests 20 of the front seats 14, whilst still, by virtue of its foraminate construction, permitting visibility from the front of the passenger compartment 12 towards the rear of the motor vehicle. Thus, location of the accessory 10 in the passenger compartment 12 of a passenger motor vehicle will have little or no adverse impact on the visibility of a driver of the motor vehicle towards the rear of the vehicle.
Further, the front barrier portion 34 is provided with two securing formations in the form of elongated flexible straps 58 for securing the front barrier portion 34 to the headrests 22 of the front seats 14. The straps 58 are fast with the panel 50, being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the accessory 10, i.e. being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the panel 50, are longitudinally spaced from each other along the length of the panel 50, and are provided with clips or other securing mechanisms to secure ends of the straps 58 together when they are received around posts or pillars (not shown) of the headrests 22 of the front seats 14. Thus, each strap 58 is received around the posts or pillars of one of the headrests 22.
Referring now to the rear barrier portion 36, it is also of multi-panel construction, comprising two elongated panels 60, 62, located side-by-side and secured together along adjacent side edges thereof, the rear barrier portion 36 being foldable along said adjacent side edges of the panels 60, 62. The panel 62 is relatively narrow in comparison to the panel 60 and, in use, is located above the panel 60, so that it covers and extends across at least lower parts of the two headrests 28 of the backseat 16. To provide for securing of the rear barrier portion 36 to the backseat 16 of a vehicle, two elongated straps 64 are fast with the panel 62, the straps 64 being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the panel 62, for receipt around the posts or pillars (also not shown) of the headrests 28 of the backseat 16. To provide for securing of the rear barrier portion 36 to the backseat 16 of a vehicle whose backseat 16 does not include headrests 28, the rear barrier portion 34 is provided with two further elongated flexible straps 66 fast with an operatively lower end of the panel 60 and located on the operatively outer face 32 thereof. Each strap 64, 66 is also provided with a clip or other securing mechanism. In particular, each of the straps 64, 66 can be of resiliently stretchable construction, to provide for securing of the rear barrier portion 36 to a range of differently sized backseats 16.
The seat cover portion 38 comprises a single elongated panel 68 which, along its respective side edges, is secured to the panels 44, 60. The accessory 10 is foldable along the side edges of the panel 68.
Each door panel cover portion 40 includes a central, somewhat elongated, rectangular panel 70 which, along an operatively lower edge thereof, is foldably secured to one of the end edges of the panel 68 of the seat cover portion 38, and two flexible flaps 72, 74 which, in this example is of synthetic plastics material construction, fast with and projecting from side edges of the panel 70. In turn, the door panel portion 42 includes a like central panel also designated by reference numeral 72 which, along its operatively lower edge, is fast with the other end edge of the panel 68 of the seat cover portion 38, and two flexible flaps also designated by reference numerals 72, 74 fast with and projecting from side edges of the panel 70. In another example (not shown), the central panel 70 of each door panel cover portion 40, 42 can, instead of being of panel- like construction, be constructed of foldable synthetic plastics sheet material.
Not only does the foldable construction of the accessory 10 enable folding and, accordingly, easy handling and storage of the accessory, but it also enables substantial conformation of the accessory to the interior components, i.e. seats and door panels, of a motor vehicle. Further, all the various components of the accessory 10 are fast with or secured to each or one another, so that the accessory 10 is of one- piece construction.
Each of the aforedescribed panels 44, 46, 48, 50, 60, 62, 68, 70 comprises a resiliency flexible yet sturdy core of synthetic plastics construction, the cores being designated respectively in Figure 8 only by reference numeral 44.1 , 46.1 , 48.1 , 50.1 , 60.1 , 62.1 , 68.1 (the cores of the panels 70 not being visible) which is sandwiched between two layers of fabric, one of said layers, being an inner layer 30.1 (referenced in Figure 8 only), providing the operatively inner face 30 of the accessory 10, the other layer, being an outer layer 32.1 (referenced in Figure 8 only), providing the operatively outer face 32 of the accessory 10. Both said layers are constructed of material having good scuff- and scratch-resistant properties. In this example, the cores 44.1 , 46.1 , 48.1 , 50.1 , 60.1 , 62.1 , 68.1 and the cores of the panels 70 are 4mm thick Correx™ sheets. The inner layer, i.e. the layer of material providing the operatively inner face 30 of the accessory 10, is advantageously constructed of a synthetic plastics-containing material, being water-resistant and washable, so that it prevents fluids from making contact with the trimming of a vehicle, and so that it can easily be cleaned. Further, at least the sheet 30.1 is of a non-slippery material, to resist slipping and sliding of an animal located in the passenger compartment of a vehicle in response to movement of the vehicle.
In use, the panel 68 of the seat cover portion 38 is located on the base 24 of the backseat 16 of a motor vehicle, with the front barrier portion 34 and the rear barrier portion 36 respectively being secured to the front seats 14 and to the backseat 16 of the passenger motor vehicle in locations as hereinbefore described. By virtue of the multi- panel construction of the accessory 10, it will be appreciated that it can suitably be located in a range of differently sized motor vehicles. In particular, when operatively located, the panel 44 of the front barrier portion 34 covers a footwell of the vehicle defined between its front seats 14 and the backseat 16. With the front barrier portion 34, the rear barrier portion 36 and the seat cover portion 38 being located as hereinbefore described, the panels 70 of the door panel cover portions 40, 42 are folded upwardly towards each other such that they project upwardly from the panel 68 of the seat cover portion 38, and their respective flaps 72 are received onto the operatively outer face 32 of the front barrier portion 34, such that the flaps 72 are located between the front barrier portion 34 and the backrests 20 of the front seats 14. To provide for the aforementioned securing or fastening of the flaps 72 to the front barrier portion 34, the front barrier portion 34 and the flaps 72 are provided with fastening formations in the form of complementary hook-and-loop, e.g. Velcro™, fastener strips. In particular, three laterally spaced strips 82 extend along the operatively inner face 30 of each of the flaps 72 and two complementary elongated strips 84 extend transversely across end edges of the panels 44, 46, 48, being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the front barrier portion 34. Because of the particular construction of the flaps 72 and the strips 82, the flaps 72 are adjustably securable to the front barrier portion 34, thereby to accommodate various shaped interiors of motor vehicles. The flaps 74 in turn, are received, between the backrest 26 of the backseat 16 and the rear barrier portion 36, onto the operatively outer face 32 of the rear barrier portion 36. To provide for securing or fastening of the flaps 74 to the rear barrier portion 36, the flaps 74 and the rear barrier portion 36 are provided with fastening formations in the form of complementary hook-and-loop fasteners acting in similar fashion as those hereinbefore described with reference to the flaps 72 and the front barrier portion 34. The fastener strips secured to the flaps 74 are designated by reference numerals 86, and the fastener strips fast with the rear barrier portion 36 are designated by reference numerals 88. In use, as shown in Figure 6, to permit entry and exit of a domestic animal into the passenger compartment 12, one of the door panel cover portions 40, 42 are released from its securement to the front barrier portion 34 and the rear barrier portion 36 and folded away from the panel 68. If desired, the fastening formations of at least one of the front flaps 72 can be located on its operatively inner face 72, with the complementary fastening formation of the front barrier portion 34 being located on its inner face, to facilitate fastening or securing and release of said flap 72 to and from the front barrier portion when an animal enters or exits the passenger compartment.
To facilitate handling of the accessory 10 when it is in its folded inoperative condition (as shown in Figure 2) it is provided with two handles 90, 92 (only shown in selected Figures), the handle 90 being fast with the panel 48, and the handle 92 being fast with the panel 68, both handles 90, 92 being located on the operatively outer face 32 of the accessory 10. When the accessory 10 is in its inoperative folded condition, the handles 90, 92 can be secured together by means of a securing flap 94, provided with complementary hook-and-loop fastener strips, fast with the handle 92. In order to fold the accessory 10 into its inoperative folded condition, the flaps
72, 74 on the one hand and 78, 80, on the other hand, are folded towards each other such that they overlay their associated panels 70, 76, after which the panels 70, 76 are folded towards each other so that they overlay the panel 68. The panel 50, together with its foraminate extension 52, is folded onto the panels 44, 46, 48. The panel 62 is folded onto the panel 60, and the panel 60 is folded onto the panel 68, after which the panel 68 is folded onto the panels 44, 46, 48, such that the two handles 90, 92 are in register, and the accessory 10 is generally in the form of a flattened suitcase. Unfolding of the accessory 10 is the reverse of the aforedeschbed folding thereof.
The invention as described and illustrated thus provides an accessory which not only confines movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a passenger motor vehicle, but also serves to protect interior trimming of the motor vehicle against damage which can be caused by a domestic animal. By virtue of the partial foraminate construction of the accessory in accordance with the invention, location and use thereof in a motor vehicle should have little or no adverse impact on visibility of a driver of the vehicle. Further, the foldable construction of the accessory permits the accessory to be neatly folded and stored or stowed when not in use, with the handles of the accessory facilitating handling of the accessory when folded.

Claims

CLAIMS:
1. An accessory for confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle having at least one front seat comprising a base, a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, and a headrest projecting upwardly from the backrest, and at least one backseat located behind each front seat in the passenger compartment, each backseat including at least a base and a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, the accessory being flattened, having an operatively inner face and an operatively outer face, and the accessory including: a front barrier portion for location behind the backrest of each front seat of a vehicle, the front barrier portion being elongated for extending substantially in face-to- face relationship with the backrest of each front seat transversely across the passenger compartment and being provided with at least one securing formation for securing it to each front seat, the front barrier portion being constructed for projecting operatively upwardly from the backrest of each front seat in face-to-face relationship with the headrest of each front seat towards a roof of the vehicle, for resisting movement of a domestic animal located in the back of the passenger compartment of the vehicle towards the front of the compartment past the backrest of each front seat, and the front barrier portion at least partially being of foraminate construction to permit visibility from the front of the passenger compartment towards the rear of the vehicle; a rear barrier portion for location in front of the backrest of each backseat of the vehicle, the rear barrier portion being elongated for extending in face-to-face relationship with the backrest of each backseat transversely across the passenger compartment and being provided with at least one securing formation for securing it to each backseat, the rear barrier portion being constructed for at least partially covering the backrest of each backseat whilst still permitting visibility from the front of the passenger compartment towards the rear of the vehicle; and an elongated seat cover portion extending between and connecting the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion together, for covering the base of each backseat, the accessory being foldable between an operatively erected or unfolded condition for location in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, in which its outer face faces the seats of the vehicle, and an inoperative collapsed or folded condition for facilitating handling and storage thereof.
2. An accessory as claimed in Claim 1 , which includes two door panel cover portions for respectively covering at least interior rear door panels of a vehicle, each door panel cover portion being connected to one of the front barrier portion, the rear barrier portion and the seat cover portion and projecting longitudinally from one end of said portion, each door cover portion being foldably fast with its respective end of said portion such that it is foldable to project operatively upwardly from one end of the seat cover portion, and the accessory being provided with fastening formations for fastening each door panel cover portion, when the door cover portion is folded to project upwardly from the seat cover portion, to at least one of the other said portions of the accessory.
3. An accessory as claimed in Claim 2, in which a part of the front barrier portion remote from the seat cover portion intended to project upwardly from the backrest of each front seat towards the roof of a vehicle is of said foraminate construction.
4. An accessory as claimed in Claim 3, in which at least the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion each includes at least one panel of self-supporting resiliently flexible construction.
5. An accessory as claimed in Claim 4, in which the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion each comprises at least two elongated panels that are located side- by-side, with longitudinally extending fold lines or fold regions being defined between adjacent side edges of neighbouring panels, about which fold lines or fold regions each barrier portion is foldable, to permit substantial conformation of the accessory when in its erected operative condition to the profiles of seats of a vehicle and to permit folding of the accessory into its collapsed inoperative condition.
6. An accessory as claimed in Claim 5, in which each door panel cover portion comprises a central panel fast with the end of the seat cover portion for covering the rear door panel of a vehicle in face-to-face relationship, and two foldable flaps fast with and projecting laterally from the central panel for respectively extending onto and fastening, via the fastening formations, to the front and the rear barrier portions.
7. An accessory as claimed in Claim 6, in which each of the front barrier portion, the rear barrier portion and the central panel of each door panel cover portion comprises an outer sheet defining the operatively outer face of the accessory, an inner sheet defining the operatively inner face of the accessory and a flat and planar self- supporting resiliency flexible core associated with each panel sandwiched between the two sheets, at least the inner sheet being constructed of material having good scuff- and scratch-resistant properties.
8. An accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 2 - 7 inclusive, in which said foraminate part of the front barrier portion is an extension of a panel of the front barrier portion remote from the seat cover portion, the extension being fast with and projecting from a side edge of said panel remote from the seat cover portion, the extension comprising an elongated frame fast with and projecting from said panel and a foraminate grid fast with and framed by the frame and said side edge of the panel of the front barrier portion.
9. An accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 2 - 8 inclusive, in which the flaps of each door panel cover portion and the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion are provided with said fastening formations for fastening the flaps of each door panel respectively to the front barrier portion and to the rear barrier portion.
10. An accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 2 - 9 inclusive, in which the fastening formations of the flaps of each door cover portion and the associated fastening formations of the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion are in the form of complementary hook-and-loop fasteners, being arranged to permit adjustable securing of each door cover portion to the front barrier portion and to the rear barrier portion.
1 1 . An accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 2 - 10 inclusive, in which the central panel of each door panel cover portion is of self-supporting resiliently flexible construction.
12. An accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 2 - 1 1 inclusive, in which the seat cover portion is of self supporting panel-like construction, being connected along its respective side edges to the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion, with fold lines or regions being defined along said side edges, along which fold lines or regions the accessory is foldable between its erected operative condition and its collapsed inoperative condition.
13. An accessory as claimed in any one of Claims 2 - 12 inclusive, in which the rear barrier portion is constructed for projecting operatively upwardly from an upper edge of the backrest of each backseat of the vehicle, for resisting movement of a domestic animal located between each front seat and each backseat of the vehicle past the backrest of each backseat towards the rear of the passenger compartment
14. An accessory as claimed in any of the preceding claims which includes a handle formation for facilitating handling of the accessory when it is in its inoperative folded condition.
15. An accessory as claimed in Claim 14, in which the handle formation is of two- part construction, the two parts being located such that they are in register when the accessory is in its inoperative collapsed condition, with one of the parts of the handle formation being provided with a securing formation for securing it to the other part of the handle formation when the accessory is in its inoperative collapsed condition for securing the two parts of the handle formation together and retaining the accessory in its inoperative collapsed condition.
16. An accessory as claimed in Claim 15, in which the two parts of the handle formation are located on the operatively outer face of the accessory.
17. An accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the front barrier portion includes two of said securing formations, the securing formations being located on the operatively outer face of the accessory, being spaced from each other along the length of the front barrier portion for respectively securing the front barrier portion to the headrest of each front seat.
18. An accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the rear barrier portion includes at least two of said securing formations, the securing formations being located on the operatively outer face of the accessory, being spaced from each other along the length of the rear barrier portion, for respectively securing the rear barrier portion at spaced positions to the backseat.
19. An accessory as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each securing formation of the front barrier portion and the rear barrier portion includes at least one elongated flexible strap and a securing mechanism fast with each strap.
20. A method of confining movement of a domestic animal in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle having at least one front seat comprising a base, a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, and a headrest projecting upwardly from the backrest, and at least one backseat located behind each front seat in the passenger compartment, each backseat including at least a base and a backrest projecting upwardly from the base, the method including providing a front barrier behind each front seat of the vehicle, the front barrier projecting, in face-to-face relationship with the backrest of each backseat, upwardly from the backrest of each front seat towards the roof of the vehicle for resisting movement of an animal located behind each front seat past the backrest of each front seat towards the front of the passenger compartment, with at least part of the front barrier projecting upwardly from the backrest of each front seat being foraminate to permit visibility from the front of the passenger compartment towards the rear of the vehicle, and providing a rear barrier in front of each backseat of the vehicle, the rear barrier being spaced towards the rear of the passenger compartment from the front barrier, the rear barrier being sized and shaped such that movement of the animal past the rear barrier towards the rear of the passenger compartment is restricted whilst still permitting visibility from the front of the passenger compartment toward the rear of the vehicle, thereby confining movement of the animal in the passenger compartment to movement between the front and the rear barriers.
21 . A method as claimed in Claim 20, which includes covering a base of each backseat of the vehicle with a cover for protecting the base of each backseat against damage by an animal located between the front barrier and the rear barrier.
22. A method as claimed in Claim 21 , which includes covering interior rear door panels of the vehicle for protecting such door panels against damage by an animal located between the front barrier and the rear barrier.
PCT/IB2007/050555 2006-02-22 2007-02-21 Confining movement of animals in motor vehicles WO2007096822A1 (en)

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GB2529198A (en) * 2014-08-13 2016-02-17 Darren Dutton A configurable pet bed
DE102015226109A1 (en) * 2015-12-18 2017-06-22 DOGSTYLER SOEST GmbH Method of transporting animals in a vehicle with limited access

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DE102013107441A1 (en) * 2013-07-14 2015-01-15 iLess GmbH Transport container for a coat having animals
GB2529198A (en) * 2014-08-13 2016-02-17 Darren Dutton A configurable pet bed
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