CA3051944A1

CA3051944A1 - Animal protective wear

Info

Publication number: CA3051944A1
Application number: CA3051944A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Holly Childs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-08-14
Filing date: 2019-08-14
Publication date: 2021-02-14

Abstract

Animal protective wear for protecting an animal in cold environments and to protect that animal's paws from ice and chemicals used to melt ice on the ground is disclosed. The animal protective wear includes a saddle-like garment that is laid over the back of the animal and secured to the animal by a collar straps and chest straps. A
plurality of boots are removably attached to the garment by straps that are each permanently connected at one end to a corresponding boot and then connectable at the opposite end by looping the strap through a corresponding ring attached to the garment. The garment can be worn with our without the boots and has a reversible construction.

Description

ANIMAL PROTECTIVE WEAR
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to protective animal wear and, more particularly, to animal protective wear having protective, saddle-like garment with boots removably attachable to the garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Dog owners like to take their dogs outside to walk, run, and play.
In cold weather dogs can become uncomfortable outside and it is well known that the paws and legs of dogs are especially vulnerable to snow, ice, and the salt and chemicals used to melt ice. Owners want to protect their dogs from these dangers.

[0003] Various solutions have been developed in an attempt to protect dogs from discomfort and injury. For example, there exist boots that can be place onto the dog's feet to prevent direct contact with the ground and there exist various jacket constructions that can be placed over the dog's body. However, many drawbacks are found in the solutions heretofore devised.

[0004] For example, boots tend to slip off either partially or completely. To prevent this, some boots include a strap that can be tightened to secure the boot to the dog's leg. Often, the owner either over tightens the strap, which can cut circulation and injury the leg due to its binding effect on the leg, or the under tightens the strap, which then results in the boot coming off anyway. Other boots having a narrow portion intended to prevent the boot from coming off.
However, as a result of the tighter portion, the boots or slippers can be tedious and difficult to put on. Other solutions include various garments that are worn on the body of the dog and include boots sewn into the garment. These solutions don't really work because every dog and breed of dog have different size requirements. Accordingly, there is a need and a desire for a new solution that overcomes these described drawbacks and other inherent drawbacks found in existing devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Embodiments of the invention provide a new animal protective wear that overcomes the disadvantages of the now existing solutions for protecting animals in cold environments and from the salt and chemicals used to melt ice on the ground.

[0006] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide animal protective wear that has increased leg mobility of an animal.

[0007] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide animal protective wear that has increased animal comfort.

[0008] An object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide animal protective wear having boots with leather soles and toe caps, which gives slip resistance, protects the paws from contacting salt and chemicals or other debris on the ground, and prevents the animal's nails from puncturing the boot.

[0009] Another object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide animal protective wear having a garment that is water resistance and reversible.

[0010] In general, in one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide animal protective wear having a garment that is configured to saddle an animal. The garment has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and second side opposite of the first side. A pair of collar straps, one extending from each of the first side and second sides and approximate the first end, the pair of collar straps being removably attachable to one another by one or more collar strap cooperating fasteners. A pair of chest straps, one extending from each of the first and second sides and spaced from the pair of collar straps in a direction toward the second end, the pair of chest straps being removably attachable to one another by one or more chest strap cooperating fasteners. A
plurality of strap rings, two of which are attached, in a spaced relationship, to the first side of the garment, and another two of which are attached, in a spaced relationship, to the second side of the garment. A plurality of boots, independent of each other and the garment, and configured to fit over the foot and leg the animal. Each boot has a sole of a leather material that wraps around a toe portion of the boot, an open top end that is wider than a middle section located between the top end and the sole, and a length along the middle section have an elastic material. A plurality of boot straps, one strap corresponding to one of the boots, each of the straps having one end permanently attached to the corresponding one of the boots, the opposite end of the strap being free and for threading through one of the plurality of strap rings and securing back upon itself by one or more strap cooperating fasteners, thereby attaching the strap and the corresponding boot to the garment.

[0011] Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0012] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0013] For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The following drawings illustrate by way of example and are included to provide further understanding of the invention for the purpose of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the invention. No attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. Identical reference numerals do not necessarily indicate an identical structure. Rather, the same reference numeral may be used to indicate a similar feature of a feature with similar functionality. In the drawings:

[0015] Figure 1 is a side view of an animal protective wear in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, being worn by an animal in use;

[0016] Figure 2 is a bottom view of the animal protective wear of FIG .1;

[0017] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the animal protective wear taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

[0018] Figure 4 is an enlarged, partial side view of the animal protective wear of FIG.
1, showing a coupling between a garment and a boot strap of the animal protective wear;

[0019] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the animal protective wear taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4, and further showing a coupling between a garment and a boot strap of the animal protective wear;

[0020] Figure 6 is a partial view of a boot strap of the of the animal protective wear of FIG. 1;

[0021] Figure 7 is a front view of a boot of the animal protective wear of FIG. 1; and

[0022] Figure 8 is a side view of the boot of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Initially, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 8 of the drawings, reference number 10 generally designates a protective garment and footwear system for animals in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. It is important to understand that while this disclosure describes the invention in connection with dogs, the invention can be used with other animals and, thus, should not be limited solely to dogs.

[0024] System 10 includes a garment 12 that is configured to be worn by a dog 14 along its back and a plurality of boots 16, each attached to the garment by a strap 18. The garment 12 has a blanket-like construction configured to be laid across the length of dog's back and extend downwardly along its sides and towards the its chest. Importantly, the garment 12 does not include any apertures through which the dog's head and/or the legs must be passed to place the garment upon the dog.

[0025] The garment 12 includes a pair of collar straps 20a and 20b and a pair of chest straps 22a and 22b. The ends of the collar straps 20a and 20b are removably secured together about the dog's neck by cooperative fasteners, such as, hook-and-loop fasteners 24. Similarly, the ends of the chest straps 22a and 22b are removably secured together about the dog's chest by cooperative fasteners, such as, hook-and-loop fasteners 26. Fasteners 24 and 26 permit adjustable securement of the neck and chest straps, respectively, to allow a snug fit of the garment 12 about the dog 14.

[0026] Garment 12 is constructed from suitable fabric, and representatively, has a two-layer construction having a first layer 28 of fabric sewn coextensive with a second layer of fabric 30 to form the body of the garment. In an embodiment, layer 30 is of fleece or a similar warming type fabric, and layer 28 can be a fabric having waterproof properties. The fabrics may have any combination of colors and /or patterns. Further, the construction of garment allows for reversibility, wherein the garment can be put on the dog 14 with either fabric layer 28 or 30 facing outward. In an aspect, the garment 12 could be used without the boots 16, if the owner so desired.

[0027] System 10 further includes a plurality of rings, such as D-rings 32 that are attached to the garment 12, which as described further herein below, and allow attaching straps 18 to the garment. Particularly, two D-rings 32 are attached to the edge 34 of the garment 12 on opposite sides of the garment, with one attached between the neck and chest straps, and one attached between the chest straps and the tail end of the garment. Each D-ring 32 is attached so that the opening thereof is disposed at a position outwardly from the edge 34.

[0028] Boots 16 have a sock-like construction and are made from a fabric material, such as fleece, for example to keep the dog's paws warm. They have an open top 36, a closed bottom 38, and a mid-section 40 that extends therebetween.
The boots 16 are wider at that top 36 than at the mid-section 40 to provide for greater easy with inserting a dog's paws into the boots. A length 42 of the mid-section 40 includes an elastic material that expands when the dog's paw is inserted into the boot 16 and snuggly fits against the leg comfortably without injury and prevents snow and water from getting inside the boot.

[0029] The sole or bottom 38 of the boot is made with leather material 44 that provides slip resistance, and prevents salt and chemicals used to melt ice from entering the boot and touching the dog's pads. The leather material 44 wraps around the toe portion of the boot 16 to prevent the nails of the dog from puncturing through the boot.

[0030] One strap 18 is sewn or otherwise permanently attached to each boot 16 at end 46 of the strap and, preferably, at the top 36 of the boot. The permanent attachment between the strap and boot prevents the boot from becoming detached from the boot during use, which is a problem in existing solutions.
The opposite end 48 of the strap is free end and is looped through a D-ring 32 and secured back upon itself by cooperating fasteners 50, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, to attach the respective boot 16 to the garment 12. Each fastener portion of the fastener 50 runs along a length of the inside surface of the strap 18 so that the fastener is prevented from contacting the dog. The length of the strap 18 can be adjusted by pulling more or less of the length thereof through the D-ring 32, which allows the straps to be fitted to dogs of different sizes.

[0031] The straps 18 are preferably constructed of a fleece material, which prevents chafing and provides comfort upon movement. However, the straps 18 could be made of different material and should not be limited only to fleece material. Additionally, the straps 18 can be sewn with elastic material or threads to provide a resilient stretch to the straps. This stretch allows for unrestricted movement when the dog sits, walks, jumps, or runs.

[0032] An important aspect of the system 10 is that the width of the straps 18 is less than the width of the D-rings 32, as best seen in FIG. x. The purpose of this is to allow the straps 18 to slide back-and-forth along the D-rings 32 when the dog moves to provide additional unrestricted movement to the dog and enhance the dog's comfort. None of the exiting solutions provide the degree of movement and comfort as provided by the system 10.

[0033] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to the illustrated embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Animal protective wear comprising:
a garment configured to saddle an animal, the garment having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and second side opposite of the first side, the garment having a pair of collar straps, one extending from each of the first side and second sides and approximate the first end, the pair of collar straps being removably attachable to one another by one or more collar strap cooperating fasteners;
the garment having a pair of chest straps, one extending from each of the first and second sides and spaced from the pair of collar straps in a direction toward the second end, the pair of chest straps being removably attachable to one another by one or more chest strap cooperating fasteners;
a plurality of strap rings, two of which attached, in a spaced relationship, to the first side of the garment, and another two of which attached, in a spaced relationship, to the second side of the garment;
a plurality of boots, each being independent of each other and the garment, and configured to fit over the foot and leg the animal, each boot having a sole of a leather material that wraps around a toe portion of the boot, each having an open top end that is wider than a middle section located between the top end and the sole, each having a length along the middle section have an elastic material; and a plurality of boot straps, one strap corresponding to one of the boots, each of the straps having one end permanently attached to the corresponding one of the boots, the opposite end of the strap being free and for threading through one of the plurality of strap rings and securing back upon itself by one or more strap cooperating fasteners, thereby attaching the strap and the corresponding boot to the garment.

2. The animal protective wear of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of boot straps includes an elastic material making the strap resiliently stretchable.

3. The animal protective wear of claim 1, wherein the garment is constructed of a first layer of fabric and a second layer of fabric sewn coextensive with a first layer of fabric.

4. The animal protective wear of claim 3, wherein the first layer of fabric is a fleece material, and the second layer of fabric is a waterproof material.

5. The animal protective wear of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of boot straps is constructed from a fleece material.

6. The animal protective wear of claim 1, wherein each strap ring has a strap ring width, and each boot strap has a boot strap width that is less than the width of the strap ring width.

7. The animal protective wear of claim 1, wherein when the garment saddles the animal, the first end is disposed proximate a neck of the animal, the second end is disposed proximate a hind portion of the animal, one strap ring is located proximate a front left leg of the animal, a second strap ring is located proximate a rear left leg of the animal, a third strap ring is located proximate a front right leg of the animal, and a fourth strap ring is located proximate a rear right leg of the animal.

8. Animal protective wear comprising:
a garment configured to saddle the animal, the garment having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and second side opposite of the first side, the garment having a pair of collar straps, one extending from each of the first side and second sides and approximate the first end, the pair of collar straps being removably attachable to one another by one or more collar strap cooperating fasteners;
the garment having a pair of chest straps, one extending from each of the first and second sides and spaced from the pair of collar straps in a direction toward the second end, the pair of chest straps being removably attachable to one another by one or more chest strap cooperating fasteners;
a plurality of strap rings, two of which attached, in a spaced relationship, to the first side of the garment, and another two of which attached, in a spaced relationship, to the second side of the garment;
a plurality of boots, each being independent of each other and the garment, and configured to fit over the foot and leg the animal, each boot having a sole of a leather material that wraps around a toe portion of the boot, each having an open top end that is wider than a middle section located between the top end and the sole, each having a length along the middle section have an elastic material;
a plurality of boot straps, one strap corresponding to one of the boots, each of the straps having one end permanently attached to the corresponding one of the boots, the opposite end of the strap being free and for threading through one of the plurality of strap rings and securing back upon itself by one or more strap cooperating fasteners, thereby attaching the strap and the corresponding boot to the garment;
wherein each strap ring has a strap ring width, and each boot strap has a boot strap width that is less than the width of the strap ring width; and wherein when the garment saddles the animal, the first end is disposed proximate a neck of the animal, the second end is disposed proximate a hind portion of the animal, one strap ring is located proximate a front left leg of the animal, a second strap ring is located proximate a rear left leg of the animal, a third strap ring is located proximate a front right leg of the animal, and a fourth strap ring is located proximate a rear right leg of the animal.

9. The protective wear for an animal of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of boot straps includes an elastic material making the strap resiliently stretchable.

10. The animal protective wear of claim 8, wherein the garment is constructed of a first layer of fabric and a second layer of fabric sewn coextensive with a first layer of fabric.

11. The animal protective wear of claim 10, wherein the first layer of fabric is a fleece material, and the second layer of fabric is a waterproof material.

12. The animal protective wear of claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of boot straps is constructed from a fleece material.