GB2472194A

GB2472194A - Animal transportation box

Info

Publication number: GB2472194A
Application number: GB0912968A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Esther Tarszisz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-07-27
Filing date: 2009-07-27
Publication date: 2011-02-02
Also published as: WO2011012888A2; GB0921854D0; GB2474719A; GB0912968D0; WO2011012888A3

Abstract

An animal transportation box 1 comprising a base, a top panel 4 and a hinged side panel 2, wherein the top panel and hinged side panel may be independently opened and closed. The top panel may also be hinged. The box may comprise air holes 20, and the lid may be transparent. The animal container may comprise wheels and an extendable handle. A method for moving an animal such as a cat from the box to a crush cage is also described.

Description

Animal transportation box The present invention relates to an animal transportation box.

Animals need to be transported for a variety of reasons, such as being taken on holiday or to the vet. Boxes and cages are routinely used to transport animals. Domestic cats have traditionally been transported in wicker boxes that have a door at one end through which the cat enters and exits. This arrangement can be acceptable if the cat is docile and compliant, but often cats can be aggressive and dangerous. Such cats are known as fractious', and are encountered by veterinarian practitioners regularly.

In order to control fractious cats a veterinarian practitioner will often use a crush cage. This is a cage that has an adjustable side wall, allowing the cat to be held firmly in place in order for it to be inspected and treated without the cat moving and harming either itself or the practitioner.

When a fractious cat arrives at a veterinarian practice the practitioner must move the cat from the cat box in which it has been transported into the crush cage. Existing cat boxes are inadequate for this process.

With traditional cat boxes, which have a single end opening, it can be difficult to entice the cat out of the box, as the cat is able to cower at the back of the box and defend itself from removal. This can be hazardous to the veterinarian practitioner.

Not all pet carriers only have a single door, and some including access from the top have been suggested, but none have proved to be suitable for the safe handling of fractious cats.

The present invention seeks to address this issue.

According to the present invention there is provided animal transportation box comprising a base, a top panel and a hinged side panel, wherein the top panel and hinged side panel may be independently opened and closed.

Provision of a hinged side panel allows for directional control over the animal when removing and returning an animal to and from the box.

Preferably the top panel is hinged.

Preferably the hinged side panel is joined to the box by at least one hinge connecting to the base of the box.

Having the side panel hinged at the base of the box allows a crush cage to be lowered into place to collect the animal as the side panel is opened.

Preferably the top panel is joined to the box by at least one hinge connecting to a wall of the box that is opposite the hinged side panel.

Having the top panel hinged on a wall that is opposite the side panel allows for the top and side panels to be opened away from each other.

Preferably when the top panel and hinged side panel are open there is an uninterrupted space along at least part of an edge where the hinged side panel and top panel meet when the box is closed. More preferably there is an uninterrupted space along the whole of an edge where the hinged side panel and top panel meet when the box is closed.

The provision of uninterrupted space allows easy access to an animal inside the box.

Preferably the box comprises a plurality of air holes.

Preferably at least one panel of the box is partially transparent or transparent.

More preferably the top panel of the box is partially transparent or transparent.

Preferably the box comprises wheels. Preferably the box comprises a pair of wheels. Preferably the pair of wheels is situated along the edge where the base meets the side panel opposing the hinged side panel.

Preferably the box comprises an extendable handle. Preferably the extendable handle is attached to the box on the side panel opposing the hinged side panel.

Provision of wheels and an extendable handle allows the box to be easily moved.

Preferably the box comprises a carrying handle attached to the top panel.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of moving an animal between an animal transportation box comprising a base and a hinged side panel and a crush cage comprising the steps of: i) opening a hinged side panel on the animal transportation box; ii) moving an open crush cage towards the hinged side panel iii) simultaneously tipping the animal transportation box and crush cage such that the animal moves from the animal transportation box to the crush cage under the force of gravity.

The hinged side panel of the animal transportation box allows a degree of directional control over the animal.

Preferably the hinged side panel is attached to the base of the animal transportation box by at least one hinge.

Attachment of the hinged side panel to the base of the animal transportation box provides the greatest degree of directional control over the animal.

Preferably the crush cage is lowered to rest on the hinged side panel before tipping the animal transportation box and crush cage.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood a specific embodiment will now be described with reference to the following drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the box when fully closed; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the box with the hinged side panel partially open; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the box with the hinged side panel fully open; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the box with the top panel open; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the box with both the top and hinged side panel open; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the box with a crush cage being lowered into place as the hinged side panel opens; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the box with a crush cage nearly in place and the hinged side panel fully open; Figure 8 is a view from the outside of the box directly onto the side panel that is not hinged with the extendable handle in a retracted position; and Figure 9 is a view from the outside of the box directly onto the side panel that is not hinged with the extendable handle in an extended position.

Referring to Figures, the animal transportation box is in the form of a box 1, comprising two side panels 2, 3, a top panel 4, a base 5 and two end panels 6, 7. Side panel 2 is attached to the base 5 by two hinges 8, 9. Top panel 4 is attached to side panel 3 by two hinges 10, 11. Side panels 2, 3 are longer than end panels 6, 7.

Side panel 2 is held in a closed position by means of latches 12 and 14 cooperating with latch-holders 13 and 15. Latch-holders 13 and 15 provide means to release latches 12 and 14, thus allowing side panel 2 to open, as shown in Figure 2. Release of latches 12 and 14 causes hinged side panel 2 to spring slightly ajar, thus assisting opening of the panel.

Top panel 4 is held in a closed position by means of latches 16 and 18 cooperating with latch-holders 17 and 19. Latch-holders 17 and 19 provide means to release latches 16 and 18, thus allowing top panel 4 to open, as shown in Figure 3. Release of latches 16 and 18 causes the top panel 4 to spring slightly ajar, thus assisting opening of the panel.

It will be appreciated that the use of internal latch holders and latches is merely one method to hold the top and side panels in place. External latches and latch-holders, or other means such as clips, hooks or elastic members could be used.

Hinged side panel 2 and top panel 4 may be opened independently of each other, as shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5.

End panels 6 and 7, base 5, and side panel 3 are formed in one piece from a lightweight plastics material. It will be recognised that alternatively these parts could be independently fabricated and joined together.

Hinged side panel 2 and top panel 4 are also formed of a lightweight plastics material.

Any or all of the panels may be made of a transparent or partially transparent plastics material, or they may be made of an opaque material. In the present embodiment top panel 4 is made of a transparent material and the remaining panels of opaque material. This allows a person dealing with an animal inside the box to view what the animal is doing before and whilst opening the panels.

Top panel 4 is provided with a plurality of air holes 20 to provide a supply of air to an animal being transported. Other panels may also comprise air holes to allow a regular flow of air. Top panel 4 might contain no air holes, and instead air holes might be provided in either or both of end panels 6 and 7.

The use of the box shall now be explained with reference to Figures 6 and 7, in which the box notionally contains a fractious cat or other animal (not shown).

Turning to Figure 6, box 1 is shown with hinged side panel 4 having just been opened and crush cage 21 being lowered into position along direction of arrow A. As hinged side panel 4 is slowly opened crush cage 21 is lowered onto the opening side panel until it rests upon it, as shown in Figure 7. Crush cage 21 is then moved in direction of arrow B so as to close the gap between box 1 and crush cage 21.

Both box 1 and crush cage 21 may be tipped up (not shown) so that the animal moves under force of gravity into the crush cage. As box 1 is removed the crush cage door 22 may be closed.

Thus the animal is transferred from box 1 to crush cage 22 without risk to a veterinary practitioner.

The box also has other advantages over existing animal carriers.

In use, an animal that is not fractious, but may be scared may be easily removed from the box when the top panel is open as shown in Figure 4. For even greater access the hinged side panel may also be opened, as shown in Figure 5. This is arrangement has advantages over existing animal transportation boxes where scared animals can cower in a corner or at the back of the box making removal difficult.

Beneficially, the box does not comprise a joining member between corners of end panels 6 and 7 along the edge where the hinged side panel meets the top panel. Thus there is free, uninterrupted space along this edge. The animal may then be easily manoeuvred out of the box for treatment or examination.

The box has further advantages. As shown in Figures 8 and 9 the box comprises two wheels 22, 23 mounted on side panel 3. These wheels could of course be mounted on base 4.

Base 4 also comprises two rests 24, 25, which are plastic protrusions extending directly out from the base and positioned near hinged side panel 4.

Rests 24, 25 allow the plane of the base to be level with the floor when the wheels are not in use.

The box also comprises extendable handle 26 affixed to side panel 3.

Extendable handle 26 may be moved between a retracted position, as shown in Figure 8 and an extended position, as shown in Figure 9. In the present embodiment a telescopic mechanism is employed to allow the extendable handle to extend and retract.

In use, extendable handle 9 may be extended and the box angled slightly such that it rests solely on wheels 22, 23. The box may then be easily wheeled between locations, thereby assisting transportation of an animal.

Optionally, a carrying handle 27 may be positioned on top panel 4, as shown in Figure 2 (and no other Figures). The carrying handle may be pivoted such that it can lie substantially flat with the surface of top panel 4 when not in use.

Although the term box' has been used throughout, it will be appreciated that the box need not be cuboid. Certain parts may be curved for aesthetic or other purposes, or other different shapes might be employed.

The above embodiment is by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims: 1. An animal transportation box comprising a base, a top panel and a hinged side panel, wherein the top panel and hinged side panel may be independently opened and closed.
2. The animal transportation box of claim 1 wherein the top panel is hinged.
3. The animal transportation box of claim 1 or 2 wherein the hinged side panel is joined to the box by at least one hinge connecting to the base of the box.
4. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the top panel is joined to the box by at least one hinge connecting to a panel of the box that is opposite the hinged side panel.
5. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein when the hinged side panel and top panel are open there is uninterrupted space along at least part of an edge where the hinged side panel and top panel meet when the box is closed.
6. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the box comprises a plurality of air holes.
7. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein at least one panel of the box is partially transparent or transparent.
8. The animal transportation box of any claim 7 wherein the top panel of the box is partially transparent or transparent.
9. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the box comprises wheels.
10. The animal transportation box of claim 9 wherein the box comprises a pair of wheels.
11. The animal transportation box of claim 10 wherein the pair of wheels is situated along an edge where the base of the box meets the side panel opposing the hinged side panel.
12. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the box comprises an extendable handle.
13. The animal transportation box of claim 12 wherein the extendable handle is attached to the box on a side panel opposing the hinged side panel.
14. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the box comprises a carrying handle attached to the top panel.
15. A method of moving an animal between an animal transportation box comprising a base and a hinged side panel and a crush cage comprising the steps of: iv) opening a hinged side panel on the animal transportation box; v) moving an open crush cage towards the hinged side panel vi) simultaneously tipping the animal transportation box and crush cage such that the animal moves from the animal transportation box to the crush cage under the force of gravity.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the hinged side panel is attached to the base of the animal transportation box by at least one hinge.17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the crush cage is lowered to rest on the hinged side panel before tipping the animal transportation box and crush cage.
17. An animal transportation box substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A method of moving an animal between an animal transportation box and a crush cage substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims: 1. An animal transportation box comprising a base, a top panel and a hinged side panel, wherein the top panel and hinged side panel may be independently opened and closed and the side panel is joined to the box by at least one hinge connecting to the base, and wherein when the hinged side panel and top panel are open there is free space along at least part of the edge where the hinged side panel and top panel meet when the box is closed.2. The animal transportation box of claim 1 wherein the top panel is hinged.3. The animal transportation box of claim 1 or 2 wherein the top panel is joined to the box by at least one hinge connecting to a panel of the box that is opposite the hinged side panel.4. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the box CY) comprises a plurality of air holes.5. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein at least one Q 20 panel of the box is partially transparent or transparent.6. The animal transportation box of claim 5 wherein the top panel of the box is partially transparent or transparent.7. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the box comprises wheels.8. The animal transportation box of claim 7 wherein the box comprises a pair of wheels.9. The animal transportation box of claim 8 wherein the pair of wheels is situated along an edge where the base of the box meets the side panel opposing the hinged side panel.10. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the box comprises an extendable handle.11. The animal transportation box of claim 10 wherein the extendable handle is attached to the box on a side panel opposing the hinged side panel.12. The animal transportation box of any preceding claim wherein the box comprises a carrying handle attached to the top panel.13. A method of moving an animal between an animal transportation box and a crush cage wherein the box comprises a base, a top panel and a hinged side panel, the top panel and hinged side panel may be independently opened and closed, and the side panel is joined to the box by at least one hinge connecting to the base, and wherein when the hinged side panel and top panel are open there is free space along at least part of the edge where the hinged side panel and top panel meet when the box is closed comprising CY) the steps of: c) opening a hinged side panel on the animal transportation box; d) lowering the crush cage onto the opening side panel until it rests Q 20 upon it; e) simultaneously tipping the animal transportation box and crush cage such that the animal moves from the animal transportation box to the crush cage under the force of gravity.14. An animal transportation box substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.15. A method of moving an animal between an animal transportation box and a crush cage substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.