WO2009029981A1

WO2009029981A1 - Slip harness

Info

Publication number: WO2009029981A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/001306
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steve Burgess
Original assignee: Walk-Me Slip Harness Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-04
Filing date: 2008-09-04
Publication date: 2009-03-12

Abstract

The animal harness (1) comprises a tethering member (7), a slip ring (6) and an attaching means such as a snap hook (5) fitted to the slip ring (6) to facilitate connecting the animal harness (1) to a collar or choker chain (2). The animal harness (1) also comprises a restraining means such as a buckle (10) operatively coupled to the tethering member (7). When fitted, the buckle (10) divides the tethering member (7) into opposing portions to create a handle (13). The buckle (10) is also adapted to slide along the tethering member (7) to adjust the tightness of the animal harness (1). The slip ring (6) is divided by a centre bar (1 1) and an internal bar (16) into one or more slip openings (19, 20) and one or more anchorage openings (12). Slip openings (19, 20) are configured to allow sliding movement of opposing portions of the tethering member (7), while anchorage openings (12) are arranged to provide anchorage of opposing ends of the tethering member (7).

Description

SLIP HARNESS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

ThB present invention relates broadly to harnesses for controlling animals, and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to a method of fitting an animal harness to an animal. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Collars, leads, choker chains, muzzles, harnesses, are known to be effective in the restraint of animals. Each product displaying different characteristics and areas of effectiveness.

Choker or check chains are a piece of linked chain with a ring at either end. The chain is threaded through one ring to make a noose and this is placed over the animal's head and sits around its neck. A lead is attached to the other ring. When the animal pulls on the lead the chain tightens and theoretically this gives the handler more control over the animal. In the initial training of the animal the animal tends Io pull constantly on the lead thereby tightening the choker chain making it difficult for the animal to breathe and causing them discomfort.

A type of muzzle that fits around the animal's head and tightens as the animal struggles is utilised at times but these can be very uncomfortable to wear for the animal and they are free to swing their body around violently and can actually escape from the apparatus altogether.

Harnesses that are strapped around the animal's body are used to effect but are complicated to fit, lack control over the head of the animal and restrict the animal even when they are being well behaved. Generally speaking, the more difficult the animal is to control the more elaborate the apparatus becomes to restrain the animal. With this additional restraint comes an increased discomfort for the animal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an animal harness comprising: a tethering member; and a slip ring having a slip opening configured to allow sliding movement of opposing portions of the tethering member, the slip ring also being arranged to provide anchorage of opposing ends of the tethering member with adjacent or intermediate portions of the tethering member adapted to loop around the torso of the animal. Preferably the animal harness further comprises attaching means connected to the slip ring and adapted to attach to a collar or choker chain. More preferably the attaching means is a releasably engaging attaching means. Even more preferably the attaching means is a snap hook connected to the slip ring. Preferably the slip ring is adapted to locate above the shoulder blades of the animal.

Preferably the slip opening is one of a pair of slip openings each arranged to receive respective opposing portions of the tethering member for their sliding m ovem ent.

Preferably the opposing ends of the tethering member have fastening means for anchorage of the opposing ends of the tethering member to the slip ring. More preferably the fastening means is a complementary fastening means located on both opposing ends of the tethering member. Preferably the slip ring includes one or more anchorage openings arranged to provide anchorage of opposing ends of the tethering member. More preferably the one or more anchorage openings are smaller than the slip opening configured to allow sliding movement of opposing portions of the tethering member.

Preferably the animal harness also comprises a restraining means operatively coupled to the tethering member, said restraining means adapted to slide along the tethering member to adjust the tightness of the animal harness around the torso of the animal. More preferably the restraining means is located above the slip ring. Even more preferabfy the restraining means cannot pass through the one or more slip openings or one or more anchorage openings in the slip ring. Still more preferably the restraining means is adapted to abut the slip ring. Yet still more preferably the restraining means is a buckle.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of fitting an animal harness to an animal, said method comprising the steps of: passing one end of a tethering member through a sJip opening of a slip ring; looping said one end of the tethering member around the torso of the animal; passing an opposite end of the tethering member through the slip opening of the slip ring; looping said opposite end of the tethering member around the torso of the animal in an opposite direction; anchoring said one end and said opposite end of the tethering member to the slip ring.

Preferably the step of looping said one end and said opposite end of the tethering member around the torso of the animal involves: passing said one end and said opposite end of the tethering member down across the chest of the animal and through the front legs; crossing said one end and said opposite end of the tethering member; passing said one end of the tethering member up one side of the animal; passing the opposite end of the tethering member up an opposite side of the animal. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of an animal harness and a method of fitting an animal harness to an animal will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the slip ring; and

FIG. 2. is a three dimensional view of one embodiment of the animal harness mounted on an animal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a slip ring 6 divided into one or more slip openings 19, 20 and anchorage openings 12 by a centre bar 11 and an internal bar 16. Slip openings 19, 20 are configured to allow sliding movement of opposing portions of a tethering member 7. Anchorage openings 12 are arranged to provide anchorage of opposing ends of the tethering member 7 with adjacent or intermediate portions of the tethering member 7 adapted to loop around the torso of an animal 15. In a preferred embodiment, anchorage openings 12 are smaller than slip openings 19, 20 configured to allow sliding movement of opposing portions of the tethering member.

Slip ring 6 is of a suitable diameter and material to allow easy sliding movement of the tethering member 7. In a preferred embodiment, slip ring 6 is manufactured from metal or plastic. The tethering member 7 may be manufactured from a suitable material, including but not limited to: leather, nylon, etc. The tethering member 7 of the preferred embodiment is approximately 3 m in length and is of the type used in the pet industry such as webbing material. Each of the opposing ends of the tethering member 7 may have complementary fastening means "14 for releasably engaging complementary fastening means 14 located at adjacent or intermediate portions of the tethering member 7 to provide anchorage of opposing ends of the tethering member 7 to the slip ring 6. The complementary fastening means 14 may include but is not limited to: a buckle/strap arrangement, a snap fastener (also called snap, popper, or press stud) arrangement, a button/button hole arrangement, a snap hook arrangement, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the complementary fastening means 14 is a hook-and-loop fabric fastening means such as Velcro® 14.

Slip ring 6 may further comprise attaching means to facilitate connecting the animal harness 1 to a collar or choker chain 2. In a preferred embodiment the attaching means is a snap hook 5 which is able to releasably engage the collar or choker chain 2. Snap hook 5 is connected to the slip ring 6 through hole 17.

Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an animal harness 1 fitted to an animal 15 and releasably attached to a collar or choker chain 2. The animal harness 1 may comprise a restraining means such as a buckle 10 operatively coupled to the tethering member 7. The buckle 10 is adapted to slide along the tethering member 7 to adjust the tightness of the animal harness 1 around the torso of the animal 15. In a preferred embodiment, the buckle 10 is located above the slip ring 6 and is adapted to abut the slip ring B without being able to pass through the slip openings 19, 20 or anchorage openings 12 in the slip ring 6. The animal harness 1 maybe prepared by fitting buckle 10 to divide the tethering member 7 into opposing portions to create a handle 13. The opposing ends of the tethering member 7 are then passed through respective slip openings 19, 20 of the slip ring 6. In the preferred embodiment, the snap hook 5 is attached to the slip ring 6 through hole 17. A collar or choker chain 2 is fitted to the animal 15 in standard fashion. The animal harness 1 may be fitted on an animal 15 by placing the prepared animal harness 1 on the back of the animal 15 and connecting the snap hook 5 to the choker chain or collar 2. The opposing ends of the tethering member 7 are passed down across the chest of the animaf 15 and then passed through the front legs of the animal 15, the opposing ends of the tethering member 7 are then crossed over one another at point 18 and then passed up either side of the torso of the animal 15. The opposing ends of the tethering member 7 are then passed through the anchorage opening 12 defined by the slip ring 6, centre bar 11 and internal bar 16, and folded back on themselves to create a loop 9 around the slip ring 6. The complementary fastening means 14 at the opposing ends of the tethering member 7 are capable of releasably engaging complementary fastening means 14 at adjacent or intermediate portions of the tethering member 7 to provide anchorage of opposing ends of the tethering member 7 to the slip ring 6. When walking the animal 15, the tethering member 7 is allowed free movement through slip openings 19 and 20. This gives control over the animal 15 while causing the animal 15 no discomfort. If the handler requires more control over the animal a slight upward movement of the handle 13 causes the tethering member 7 to pull through slip openings 19 and 20 bringing about a more restrictive fit by the animal harness 1 on the animal 15. This greater restriction is distributed about the torso of the animal 15 in a compassionate fashion and tends to send the animal 15 a message that the more they behave the more natural they will feel. It is important that the slip ring 6 is a large enough diameter to allow the tethering member 7 to slide freely through the slip openings 19, 20 not allowing the animal 15 to gain any momentum and just as quickly rewarding the animal 15 by taking away any restriction on their torso. Again, because of the particular size of the slip ring 6 it is possible to pull extremely hard on the animal harness 1 without transferring pressure to the neck or spine of the animal 15. In this case, you will lift the front legs of the animal 15 off the ground without the animal harness 1 ever pulling completely tight against the animal 15. With practice, the handler is able to allow the animal harness 1 to take up many different positions without any manual adjustment. The most effective position being a very loose fit whereby the animal's 15 energy is used to bring about more restrain by the animal harness 1 and with the least effort by the handler. In a preferred embodiment the animal harness 1 may be adjusted to a non-slip position by sliding the buckle 10 down toward the slip ring 6 limiting the amount of movement of the tethering member 7 around the animal IS. This position is utilised when the handler wants to let go of the tethering member 7 e.g. when tying the animal 15 up or having the animal 15 sit and stay unattended. The design of the animal harness 1 is such that if there is no pressure applied by either the animal 15 or the handler the tethering member 7 sits loosely on the animal 15. With slight pressure applied the tethering member 7 slips through the slip ring 6 and tightens snugly against the torso of the animal 15. Conversely, when this pressure is released the tethering member 7 loosens from around the torso of the animal 15. By pulling slightly harder on the tethering member 7 the animal harness 1 grips the animal 15 more tightly. If the animal 15 tends to stride away from the handler the pressure of the animal harness 1 increases and actually restricts the forward thrust of the animal's front legs. Effectively, the geometry of the animal harness 1 is such that the animal 15 is applying pressure to itself. Conversely, the animal 15 is able to relieve this pressure itself by relaxing and behaving in a desirable fashion. It is important to note that the slip ring 6 of the animal harness 1 sits above the shoulder blade area of the animal 15. This forward position gives greater control of the animal 15 by allowing the handler increased control of the position of the front legs and torso of the animal 15, compared to equipment that attaches further back towards the tail or even the middle of the back of the animal 15. Geometrically, it becomes mechanically easier for the handler to control the animal 15 with less effort. Additionally, it should be noted that the animal harness 1 works best when allowed to IaII loose about the torso of the animal 15 so that the tethering member 7 slips down across the top of their legs. This provides the greatest restriction to the animal 15 leaping forward by removing the power and length of stride of their front legs. This position increases the effect of the animal 15 restraining itself. The design of the animal harness 1 utilises the energy of the animal 15 to control the animal 15. The animal harness 1 sits loosely on the animal 15 to reward the animal 15 as it learns to behave. When required, the animal harness 1 restrains the animal 15 very effectively but causes the animal 15 no stress.

Additionally, by providing a restraining means such as the buckle 10 that can slidingly engage the tethering member 7 the animal harness 1 is then able to be adjusted so that the sliding movement through the slip ring 6 can be controlled such that the animal harness 1 becomes more of a fixed harness. While it is recommended that a choker chain or collar 2 be part of the overall animal harness 1 , it is included purely as a security device in the event the animal 15 becomes free of the animal harness 1. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. It should be appreciated that modifications, alterations to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention, for example, a snap collection may be replaced by a fixed connection. An animal harness 1 maybe extended by clipping on an additional lead.

Claims

1. An animal harness comprising: a tethering member; and a slip ring having a slip opening configured to allow sliding movement of opposing portions of the tethering member, the slip ring also being arranged to provide anchorage of opposing ends of th8 tethering member with adjacent or intermediate portions of the tethering member adapted to loop around the torso of the animal.

2. An animal harness as defined in claim 1 further comprising attaching means connected to the slip ring and adapted to attach to a collar or choker chain.

3. An animal harness as defined in claim 2 wherein the attaching means is a releasably engaging attaching means.

4. An animal harness as defined in claim 3 wherein the attaching means is a snap hook connected to the slip ring.

5. An animal harness as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein the slip ring is adapted to locate above the shoulder blades of the animal.

6. An animal harness as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein the slip opening is one of a pair of slip openings each arranged to receive respective opposing portions of the tethering member for their sliding movement.

7. An animal harness as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein the opposing ends of the tethering member have fastening means for anchorage of the opposing ends of the tethering member to the slip ring.

8. An animal harness as defined In claim 7 wherein preferably the fastening means is a complementary fastening means located on both opposing ends of the tethering member.

9. An animal harness as defined in any of the preceding claims wherein the slip ring includes one or more anchorage openings arranged to provide anchorage of opposing ends of the tethering member.

10. An animal harness as defined in claim 9 wherein the one or more anchorage openings are smaller than the slip opening configured to allow sliding movement of opposing portions of the tethering member.

11. An animal harness as defined in any of the preceding claims further comprising a restraining means opβratively coupled to the tethering member, said restraining means adapted to slide along the tethering member to adjust the tightness of the animal harness around the torso of the animal.

12. An animal Harness as defined in claim 11 wherein the restraining means is located above the slip ring.

13. An animal harness as defined in claim 12 wherein the restraining means cannot pass through the one or more slip openings or one or more anchorage openings in the slip ring.

14. An animal harness as defined in claim 13 wherein the restraining means is adapted to abut the slip ring.

15. An animal harness as defined in claims 11 to 14 wherein the restraining means is a buckle.

16. A method of fitting an animal harness to an animal, said method comprising the steps of: passing one end of a tethering member through a slip opening of a slip ring; looping said one end of the tethering member around the torso of the animal; passing an opposite end of the tethering member through the slip opening of the slip ring; looping said opposite end of the tethering member around the torso of the animal In an opposite direction; anchoring said one end and said opposite end of the tethering member to the slip ring.

17. A method of fitting an animal harness to an animal as defined in claim 16 wherein the step of looping said one end and said opposite end of the tethering member around the torso of the animal involves: passing said one end and said opposite end of the tethering member down across the chest of the animal and through the front legs; crossing said one end and said opposite end of the tethering member; passing said one end of the tethering member up one side of the animal; passing the opposite end of the tethering member up an opposite side of the animal.