JOSEPH WATSON

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/720,757, which was filed on August 21, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to carrying bags and backpacks. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to pet carrying backpacks.

[0003] Many people enjoy keeping pets for the companionship, help, and/or friendship that they provide. Pets, of course, require substantial time and attention from their owners to ensure that they are well cared for. Sometimes, pet owners would like to travel, hike, or participate other activities of which their pets are not capable due to the pet’s size, age, or various health issues. Many pet owners also prefer not to leave their pets in the care of friends or commercial pet care facilities while participating in such activities. Accordingly, such pet owners are in need of a solution that allows them to participate in activities they find enjoyable while being able to bring along their pet companions that may not otherwise be capable of joining with them.

SUMMARY

[0004] A pet carrying backpack is provided that includes a bag body having a carrying compartment therein, and shoulder straps attached to a front side of the bag body. A bottom-entry opening is disposed at a lower side of the bag body. The bottom-entry opening allows a bottom portion of the bag body to separate from the bag body.

[0005] In some embodiments, the bottom-entry opening separates the bottom portion of the bag body at both sides of the bag body and at a rear of the bag body. The pet-carrying backpack may further comprise a back-support opening disposed on a rear side of the bag body. The back- support opening may include a zipper opening that extends vertically along the rear side of the bag body from an upper end. Pet back support straps may extend across the zipper opening to releasably connect to one another.

[0006] In one embodiment, the pet carrying backpack may include paw holes disposed on an upper portion of the front side of the bag body. A collar strap may be disposed at an upper end of the bag body. The collar strap serves to adjust a size of an opening of the upper end. The pet carrying backpack may include closeable side vents disposed on sides of the bag body and accessory fasteners configured to attach one or more accessories to the bag body.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, a pet carrying backpack includes a bag body having a carrying compartment therein, shoulder straps attached to a front side of the bag body, paw holes disposed on an upper portion of the front side of the bag body above the shoulder straps, and a bottom-entry opening. The bottom-entry opening is disposed at a lower side of the bag body and allows a bottom portion of the bag body to separate from the bag body to provide access into the carrying compartment from the bottom-entry opening. [0008] In some embodiments, bottom-entry opening separates the bottom portion of the bag body at both sides of the bag body and at a rear of the bag body. The bottom-entry opening may be detachable via a zipper. The backpack may also include a back-support opening disposed on the rear of the bag body. The back- support opening may be a zipper opening that extends vertically along the rear of the bag body from an upper end.

[0009] In one embodiment, pet back support straps may extend across the zipper opening to releasably connect to one another. A collar strap may be included at an upper end of the bag body that adjusts a size of an opening of the upper end. Closeable side vents may be provided on sides of the bag body, and accessory fasteners may be configured to attach one or more accessories to the bag body.

[0010] A method of loading a pet into a pet carrying backpack is also provided. The method including leading a pet through a bottom-entry opening disposed at a lower side of a bag body of a pet carrying backpack, the bottom-entry opening allowing a bottom portion of the bag body to separate from the bag body; leading front paws of the pet through paw holes disposed in a front side of the bag body; and closing the pet within the bag body by closing the bottom-entry opening and a back-support opening disposed on a rear side of the pet carrying backpack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottom-entry pet carrying backpack, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of the bottom-entry pet carrying backpack of FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 3 is a view of the bottom-entry pet carrying backpack in a loading configuration, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0014] FIG. 4 shows a method of loading a bottom-entry pet carrying backpack, according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0015] The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bottom-entry pet carrying backpack, according to one exemplary embodiment. A bottom-entry pet carrying backpack 100 is provided and is configured to allow a user to easily transport a pet, such as a dog. The pet-carrying backpack may include several features in different embodiments, such as those more particularly described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0139922, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0017] In this embodiment, the bottom-entry pet carrying backpack 100 is comprised of a bag body 102, shoulder straps 104 attached to the bag body 102, and waist straps 106 attached to the bag body 102. The bag body 102 defines a carrying compartment in which the pet may be carried. The bag body 102 has a lower end 108 in which a pet is supported while sitting or being hunched on its hind legs within the compartment of the bag body 102. For example, the lower end 108 may include a platform formed by an internal frame part and padding (not shown). This provides a stable seat within the bag body 102 for the pet. The bag body 102 has an upper end 110. The upper end 110 is configured to be open so that the head of the pet may extend therethrough.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of the bottom-entry pet carrying backpack of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the shoulder straps 104 may include upper adjustment straps 112 and lower adjustment straps 114 to adjust the fit of the straps around the shoulders of the user. This allows the user to distribute the weight on the user’s body so that the backpack 100 will rest at a comfortable position on the user. A sternum strap 116 is attached to the should straps 104 to comfortably hold the shoulder straps 104 in place during use. [0019] The waist straps 106 similarly comprises one or more adjustment straps 118 to adjust the size of the waist straps 106. This helps the user load the weight of the backpack 100 onto his/her hips to facilitate easier carrying of the backpack 100 and any pet riding therein.

[0020] The backpack body 102 may comprise an internal frame that extends from the bottom 108 of the backpack body 102 towards the top 110. The frame provides added structure and stability to the backpack 100. Raised padding 120 may be provided along a front side of the backpack. Combined with the internal frame, the raised padding 120 distances the backpack body 102 from the user to allow ventilation between the user and the backpack body 102.

[0021] Near the upper end 110 of the backpack body 102, paw holes 122 are provided. The paw holes 122 help the pet feel secure and comfortable in the backpack and provide a connection between the pet and the user. This also allows the pet to face forward (the same direction as the user) so that the pet has a good view of its surroundings, of its heading, and of the user carrying it.

[0022] Returning to FIG. 1, the upper end 110 of the backpack body 102 comprises a collar strap 124. This secures the pet within the backpack 100 and provides support to the pet’s neck and back by controlling the size of the opening of the upper end 110 of the backpack 100. Back support straps 126 extend across the back of the backpack body 102 to help shape and support the backpack body 102 to securely hold the pet therein and provide support to the lumbar of the pet.

[0023] In this embodiment, the backpack body 102 includes a bottom-entry opening 128 that may be opened and shut via a zipper or other fastener. Especially with larger pets, it may be difficult for a user to pick up and load the pet into the backpack body 102 so that the pet may be carried in the backpack 100. Thus, the bottom-entry opening 128 is provided to allow the pet to easily enter the backpack body 102. To further ease loading and unloading, a back support opening 130 is provided. The back support opening 130 runs vertically from the upper end 110 to a position adjacent to the bottom-entry opening 128. The back support opening 130 may be opened and closed via a zipper or other fastener.

[0024] The backpack 100 may include other features such as accessory fasteners 132 and snaps 134. Other accessories such as clip on bags or other equipment may be attached to the backpack 100 via the accessory fasteners 132. Similarly, rain hoods, sun shades, or other accessories may be added to the backpack via the snaps 134. Side pockets 136 may also be provided to hold water bottles or other similarly shaped objects. Ventilation openings 138 may be included to control air entry into and out of the bag body 102 to increase the comfort of the pet. The openings 138 in this embodiment are opened and closed via a zipper. However, other fasteners may be used. A mesh lining may be provided on the sides of the bag body 102 to allow ventilation when the ventilation openings 138 are opened. A portion of or all of the inside of the back body 102 may be lined with temperature regulating fabric, such as that sold under the Outlast® trade name. [0025] FIG. 3 is a view of the bottom-entry pet carrying backpack in a loading configuration, according to one exemplary embodiment. As mentioned above, the bottom-entry pet carrying backpack 100 allows a pet to enter the backpack body to allow easy loading of the pet. This is especially helpful for larger animals, such as larger breeds of dogs. The backpack may be placed so that the front of the backpack 100 is front-side down (that is, the side with the should straps is place on the ground). The bottom-entry opening 128 is configured to separate the bottom 108 from the bag body 102 such that the bottom 108 of the bag body 102 is rotatable away from the bag body 102. In this embodiment, the bottom-entry opening 128 detaches the bottom 108 along both sides and the rear of the bag body 102. The back-support straps 126 and opening 130 may each be unbuckled and unzipped, respectively, to allow easy ingress to the bag body 102. In this configuration, a pet, such as a dog, may easily crawl into the bag body 102 via the bottom- entry opening 128.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a method of loading a bottom-entry pet carrying backpack, according to one exemplary embodiment. In step 402, the user unzips the bottom-entry zipper and back support zipper. The user also loosens and unfastens the back-support straps to prepare the bag for loading. In step 404, the user leads the pet through the bottom-entry opening and into the bag body. Referring to FIG. 3, the pet is led into the opening 128. The task is made easier due to the back- support zipper 130 and straps 126 being open. [0027] Returning to FIG. 4, in step 406, the user leads the pet’s front paws into through the paw holes. Referring to FIG. 2, the user helps the pet place the front paws into and through the paw holes 122. In step 408 (FIG. 4), with the pet in position in the bag body 102, the user zips the bottom-entry opening and the back- support zipper. This secures the pet in the bag so that the pet cannot fall out. In step 410, the user attaches and tightens the back-support straps 126 and the collar strap 124 as needed to support the pet within the bag. Once the bag is loaded with the pet, the user can wear the backpack with the pet therein.

[0028] In some embodiments, once the pet is loaded, the user may clip a leash attaching to a pet collar to a clip on the interior of the bag. This further helps to train the pet to sit in the bag. Of course, the bag may also be loaded with a pet without using the bottom-entry opening 128, such as by loading the pet from the upper end 110 with the back support zipper 130 open, or by having the pet lie down in the back with the back support zipper 130 open. [0029] While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. In addition, the various features, elements, and embodiments described herein may be claimed or combined in any combination or arrangement.