FOLDABLE FABRIC CASE FOR TRANSPORTING ANIMAL CAGES

Abstract

A foldable fabric case that encases a collapsible animal carrier when the carrier is collapsed for transport includes a removable handle and a removable, adjustable safety leash that wraps substantially horizontally around the carrier to secure and protect the collapsible animal carrier when traveling.

Claims

1. A foldable fabric case that encases a collapsible animal carrier when the carrier is collapsed for transport, the foldable fabric case comprising: a carrier comprising a plurality of cotton based fabrics; a handle removeably attached to the carrier; and an adjustable safety leash removeably attached to the carrier at a horizontally central location of the carrier.

2. The foldable fabric case of claim 1, the carrier further comprises: a single piece of upholstery grade fiber.

3. The foldable fabric case of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of D-rings held in loops segments which are attached to external outer edges of the carrier.

4. The foldable fabric case of claim 2, wherein the single piece of upholstery grade fiber comprises Dacron™.

5. The foldable fabric case of claim 3, wherein the single piece of upholstery grade fiber is substantially the same size as the two pieces of fabric that form the carrier.

6. The foldable fabric case of claim 3, wherein four loop segments are attached to the carrier via four loops segments.

7. The foldable fabric case of claim 3, wherein the loop segments are arranged opposite to each other in a mirrored manner.

8. The foldable fabric case of claim 3, wherein the loop segments 45 are inserted between one of the fabrics and the single piece of upholstery grade fiber, and sewn in place to form a layer sequence comprising fabric, loop segments, the single piece of upholstery grade fiber and another fabric.

9. The foldable fabric case of claim 1, wherein removable handle includes two bolt snaps connected via a single section of synthetic fiber or polypro webbing.

10. The foldable fabric case of claim 9, wherein the single section of synthetic fiber or polypro webbing is approximately ten inches long.

11. The foldable fabric case of claim 1, wherein the adjustable, removable safety leash comprises a single bolt snap, a single D-ring, a single tri-glide, and a single continuous piece of synthetic fiber or polypro webbing.

12. The foldable fabric case of claim 11, wherein the single bolt snap and the single D-ring are approximately one inch in diameter, the adjustable, removable safety leash is approximately one inch wide and is approximately seventy two inches long.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the foldable fabric case in an unfolded state in accordance with the invention;

[0016] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the D-rings held in loops segments which are attached to external outer edges of the carrier of foldable fabric case in accordance with the invention;

[0017] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the removable handle in accordance with the invention;

[0018] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the foldable fabric case in a folded state in accordance with the invention; and

[0019] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the adjustable removable safety leash in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, the foldable fabric case 10 comprises three main parts, e.g., a carrier 15, a removable handle 20, and an adjustable, removable safety leash 30. The carrier 15 is formed from two pieces of fabric, a single piece of an upholstery grade fiber comprising Dacron™ and a single piece of a synthetic fiber (i.e., the removable handle 20) that is cut to a predetermined length, as well as multiple D-rings 40. In the preferred embodiment, the fabrics are cotton based fabrics, the synthetic fiber or polypro webbing is substantially flat, has a width of approximately one inch and is a synthetic polyester (polyethylene terephthalate) used as a textile fabric having tough, elastic properties, and four D-rings 40 having a one inch diameter are used. In preferred embodiments, the Dacron™ is substantially the same size as the two pieces of fabric that form the carrier.

[0021] With respect to the D-rings 40, these are held in loops segments 45, which are formed from the same synthetic fiber as the removable handle 20, and which are attached to external outer edges of the carrier 15, as shown in FIG. 2. In the preferred embodiment, a total of four loop segments 45 are attached to the carrier 15 and, in this way, when the carrier 15 is folded in half the removable handle 20 can be attached to the carrier 15 via conventional bolt snaps 25 that are commonly used for dog leashes. Here, the loop segments 45 are arranged opposite to each other in a mirrored manner. In this way, uniformity and symmetry is maintained or achieved when the carrier 15 is folded in half. In other preferred embodiments, the loop segments 45 are inserted between one of the fabrics and the Dacron™, and sewn in place to form a layer sequence comprising fabric, loop segments, Dacron™ and fabric.

[0022] A detail of the removable handle 20 is shown in FIG. 3. Here, the removable handle 20 includes two bolt snaps 25 connected via a single section of synthetic fiber or polypro webbing 27. In the preferred embodiment, the single section of synthetic fiber is approximately ten inches long.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a detailed illustration of the adjustable, removable safety leash 30. With specific reference to FIG. 4, the adjustable, removable safety leash 30 comprises a single bolt snap 25, a single D-ring 40, a single tri-glide 50, and a single continuous piece of synthetic fiber or polypro webbing 55. Tri-glides are frequently used as adjusters on back pack straps, or other types of belts. They are used to lengthen or shorten a strap to which it is attached. In the preferred embodiment, the single bolt snap 25 and the single D-ring 25 are approximately one inch in diameter, the adjustable, removable safety leash 30 is approximately one inch wide and is approximately 72 inches long. It should be understood, however, these sizes are exemplary and it is not the intention to be limited to only these exemplary sizes.

[0024] In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, the foldable carrier case 10 is provided in two sizes to accommodate different sized collapsible animal carriers (crates). In one embodiment, the smaller sized fabric is 32 inches wide by 46 inches long. In other embodiments, the larger sized fabric is 38 inches wide by 50 inches long.

[0025] The foldable fabric case 10 is used by laying it on a surface and opening it (see FIG. 1). A collapsed animal carrier (not shown) is now placed on one half of the foldable carrier case 10 and the remaining section of the foldable fabric case 10 is folded over the animal carrier (not shown). The removable handle 20 is now clipped to the foldable fabric case 10 via the holder and the adjustable, removable safety leash 30 is wrapped horizontally around the foldable fabric case 10, as shown in FIG. 5. It should be noted the adjustable, removable safety leash 30 can be adjusted to secure the collapsible animal carrier tightly (see FIG. 2).

[0026] After the animal carrier is secured on the inside of the foldable fabric case 10, the entire assemble is now ready for use by grabbing the handle 20 to carry it. When the final destination is reached, the removable handle 20 and the adjustable, removable safe leash 30 are removed, and the animal carrier (not shown) is then removed. When the animal carrier is re-constructed, the foldable fabric case 10 can be folded to a size that permits its insertion into the animal carrier and can be placed at the bottom of the animal carrier as a cushion for an animal, such as a dog.

[0027] Additional uses for the foldable fabric case 10 could include but not is limited to a seat cover for a car, a cover for a couch and a pet mat. In other embodiments, the adjustable, removable safety leash 30 is paired with the removable handle 20 to create a dog leash.

[0028] While there have been shown, described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the methods described and the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto