Apparatus and methods for improving safety of a pet during travel

Abstract

An apparatus for improving the safety of a pet during travel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a body. The body includes a base, a support structure, and a back support. The support structure is positioned along the base. The support structure includes a top end elevated above the base and an inclined surface for supporting torso portions of the pet during travel. The back support is positioned along the base and configured to support a rear portion of the pet during travel. The apparatus may include a restraint system. The restraint system may include a harness which may engage with a portion of the base and may also engage with other portions of the pet. The apparatus may further include a strap assembly coupled to the base which may define at least one strap end for engaging with an anchor point of a vehicle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for improving safety of a pet during travel, comprising:
 a body defining a front side, a back side formed opposite the front side, a top side, a bottom side formed opposite the top side, a first lateral side, and a second lateral side formed opposite the first lateral side, the body comprising:
 a base defined along the bottom side of the body, 
 a support structure positioned along the base and centered between the first lateral side and the second lateral side of the body, the support structure defining a horizontal portion oriented along a first surface of the base, and an inclined portion extending from the horizontal portion to the front side of the body with the inclined portion terminating at a top end of the support structure defined at the top side of the body along the front side of the body, the inclined portion defining an inclined surface, and 
 a back support positioned at a back side of the body opposite the front side along the first surface of the base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the inclined surface supports a torso portion of the pet, and the back support accommodates a back portion of the pet.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inclined portion defines an arcuate recess for supporting a torso portion of the pet. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the back support defines a back wall extending orthogonally from the base along the back side of the body, a first side wall defined adjacent the back wall, and a second side wall defined opposite the first side wall, the first side wall, the back wall, and the second side wall collectively forming a pocket to receive a back portion of the pet. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is configured to support a sitting position of the pet such that a torso portion of the pet rests along the inclined surface of the support structure, a back portion of the pet and rear legs of the pet abut portions of the back support, and front legs of the pet extend along respective lateral sides of the base with the support structure oriented between the front legs and a breastbone of the pet resting along the top end. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the support structure is removable from the body, the support structure comprising a size predetermined to be suitable for accommodating the pet such that shoulders of the pet align along the top end and the top end is positioned at a predetermined position above the base to support the breastbone of the pet in the sitting position. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the inclined surface slopes downwardly from the top end to the horizontal portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a restrain system positioned over the body, the restraint system including a harness engageable to an attachment portion of the body, the harness defining an opening configured to receive a neck portion of the pet. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the restraint system includes a flap extending over the support structure to hold the pet in place against the inclined surface. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the harness includes a plurality of harness members, a first tightening component to tighten at least one of the plurality of harness members about the pet, and a second tightening component to adjust a distance between the harness and the body to bring the pet in closer proximity to the support structure. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure includes a vertical portion defined along the front side of the body between the top end and the horizontal portion, a first side support defined adjacent the vertical portion for supporting a first front leg of the pet, and a second side support defined opposite the first side support for supporting a second front leg of the pet. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the vertical portion of the support structure includes a belt loop for receiving a belt of a car seat, the belt extendable around the body and through the belt loop for maintaining the body against the car seat. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a strap assembly positioned along a second surface of the base opposite the first surface, the strap assembly configured to engage the body to a car seat.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the strap assembly includes a first strap end and a second strap end extending from the back side of the body in parallel orientation relative to one another, the first strap end and the second strap end engageable to anchor points of the car seat. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making an apparatus for improving safety of a pet during travel, comprising:
 providing a base;   positioning a support structure along a first portion of the base, the support structure defining a top end elevated above the base and an inclined surface between the top end and the base;   positioning a back support along a second portion of the base behind the support structure; and   providing a restraining system engageable to at least one attachment point of the base,   wherein the inclined surface is configured to cradle a torso portion of the pet and the back support is configured to support a rear portion of the pet during the travel.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a strap assembly for coupling the base to an anchor point of a vehicle, the strap assembly including at least one strap end engageable to the anchor point.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 removing the support structure from the base; and   positioning a different support structure along the first portion of the base, the different support structure accommodating a size of a different pet.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the restraining system includes a harness, the harness defining a first harness member attachable to a third portion of the base adjacent the support structure, the harness defining a second harness member attachable to a fourth portion of the base adjacent the support structure and opposite the third portion, a portion of the harness extending over the support structure. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a body, comprising:
 a base defined along a bottom side of the body, 
 a support structure for supporting a pet positioned along the base, the support structure including an inclined portion and a top end, the top end defined at a top side of the body opposite the bottom side, and 
 a back support positioned along the base at a back side of the body behind the support structure. 
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a restraint system oriented over the body for maintaining a pet in a stationary position relative to the body; and   a strap assembly for coupling the base to an anchor point of a vehicle, the strap assembly including at least one strap end engageable to the anchor point,   wherein the restraint system includes a harness configured to wrap at least partially about the pet, and   wherein the support structure, the back support, the restraint system, and the strap assembly collectively maintain the pet in a fixed position relative to a portion of the vehicle during travel.