Abstract:
A protective animal collar having a collar body for forming a barrier for an area from the base of the neck to the head of the animal, a member having openings therein covering one end of the collar body.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention provides a device for preventing an animal from injuring itself and, in particular, a collar which prevents the animal from biting or licking portions of its body. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Conventional animal collars come in funnel, cone, truncated cone, disc and doughnut shapes and either surround the animal&#39;s face or neck region, or cover the area from the neck to the trunk, forming a barrier, in order to keep the animal&#39;s muzzle away from the rest of its body. In order to allow the animal to breathe, eat and drink, the upper parts of these collars are open. When the animal walks or sits, the open upper portion is located directly in front of the face of the animal which enables those with flexible bodies or long limbs, trunks or tails to take their tail or paws in their mouths by twisting their bodies or looking down. In addition, since the size and shape of the collars are limited to allow the animals room to walk, it has not been possible to guard the animal&#39;s paws. Collars formed of synthetic resin also slip easily. In addition, it is typical for collars to be loosely attached to the neck allowing the collars to come off fairly easily. 
         [0005]    In any event, conventional collars typically can not protect the body of the animal from gnawing or licking. Sometimes a protective cover is attached to the front or hind legs, tail or trunk which is effective in preventing licking. However, as expected, movement of the animal&#39;s head is not restricted. For that reason, even if the cover is made of a hard material, it may be gnawed on and broken. 
         [0006]    Sometimes muzzles or halters are used temporarily during treatment. However, since these cover or stabilize the animal&#39;s muzzle, it becomes difficult for them to breathe. In addition, if the animal has vomited, they are unable to spit it out, and there is a danger that they will choke and suffocate. In addition, muzzles and halters are geared for long-muzzled animals, and cannot be used on shorter-muzzled animals. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a device for covering the upper opening of the collar body forming a barrier that entirely covers the animal from below its neck to the top of its head. Thus, no matter how the animal maneuvers, the animal&#39;s muzzle cannot come out of the opening, and no part of its body can be taken into the opening. This makes it possible to reliably protect the entire body of the animal. In addition, there is no need to widen the collar in order to create the barrier. For that reason, the entire shape can be made smaller and lighter. By making the cover easy to take on and off, eating and drinking are made possible, while the collar&#39;s conventional functions remain unimpaired. In addition, by attaching a neck supporter to the lower part of the collar body, an obstacle which acts as a stopper around the neck opening is created. Since the neck supporter is composed of an elastic material, it has an anti-slip effect as well, heightening the stopper effect, and it may be fitted and attached to the neck opening. It is then possible to reliably prevent the collar from slipping off the neck, and the effect of this covered protective collar becomes even more reliable. 
         [0008]    In addition, as the cover and neck supporter may be attached and removed with ease, the shape of the collar may be changed to suit the animal&#39;s condition. 
         [0009]    For example, a collar composed of a cover, collar body and neck supporter may be worn in four different ways; the collar body alone, collar and cover, collar and neck supporter, and collar, cover and neck supporter. In addition, by attaching a trunk directly to the collar body instead of a neck supporter, a stronger stopper effect may be gained. As the collar body is supported by the trunk, the burden on the neck can be reduced. In addition, since there is no need to size it to fit, the neck the collar can be attached with room for movement. 
         [0010]    In addition, by attaching a trunk directly to the neck supporter, a stronger stopper effect is gained and large necked animals can be accommodated. 
         [0011]    Since the collar body is preferably composed of breathable, absorbent, fast-drying fabric, heat and humidity inside the collar is prevented, and inflammation due to saliva and dirt around the mouth is also averted. The collar body is easily washable, and simple to keep hygienic. In addition, since the collar body is light, flexible, and comfortable, the burden from use is reduced, and long-term use is made possible. When the collar body is constructed from elastic, flexible mesh, it is light, breathable, and both easy to see and easier to walk in, so the burden caused by use is reduced. 
         [0012]    Due to the features noted hereinabove, the body and head of the animal are protected from gnawing and licking, which helps speed recovery from an injury and there is no need for the owner to constantly watch the animal. In this way, the present invention reduces the mental, physical and economic burdens of an animal owner. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    For a better understanding of the present invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing therein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a collar body pressed substantially flat; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the protective collar of the present invention utilizing the collar body of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment of the present invention wherein the collar of  FIG. 2  modified so that the cover is removable; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show a third embodiment of the present invention wherein the collar body of  FIG. 2  is modified to incorporate a neck supporter; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6-9  illustrate a fourth embodiment of the protective collar of the present invention; and 
           [0019]      FIGS. 10-12  illustrate a fifth embodiment of the protective collar of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a first embodiment of the protective collar  10  of the present invention. Collar  10  comprises a head portion  12 , and a mesh member  14  which is secured to the far end  16  of head portion  12 . Head portion  12  has a frusto-conical shape when the ends  18  and  20  are secured together. Velcro strips  22  and  24  provide an example of one type of mechanism for connecting ends  18  and  20  together to form the assembled head portion  12  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0021]    The collar body  12  is preferably in the shape of a truncated fan, or hollow cone, and has openings at each end, the first opening at the smaller end (lower part) of the collar body  12  being sized to take into account the neck circumference of the animal. 
         [0022]    The second (upper part of collar body  12 ) opening is sized to take into account the circumference of the animal&#39;s head, the diameter being wide enough to prevent the muzzle of the animal from protruding. The rim, or circumference, at the edge of the collar body  12  is covered by tape made of fabric (cotton or nylon) or of thin rubber, which is either glued or sewn into place. 
         [0023]    The collar body  12  is preferably fabricated from fiber material (exterior) and microfiber material (interior) and attached to cover  14  and neck supporter  62 . In addition, using microfiber material for the collar body interior has significant positive effects; it absorbs the animal&#39;s saliva and the dirt around the mouth, and, is quick drying, preventing the collar from becoming hot and humid, and preventing inflammation around the mouth of the animal. 
         [0024]    Since collar body  12  is made of cloth, it is also easy to wash, and hygiene is easier to maintain. 
         [0025]    A fastening system, such as Velcro portions  22  and  24 , are glued or sewn to both ends of the collar body  12 . To use the protective collar, both ends of the collar body  12  are opened wide, placed over the animal&#39;s head (beginning in front of its face and moving backwards), and secured so that the body of the collar becomes shaped like a hollow cone. 
         [0026]    The fastening systems  22  and  24 , at both ends of the collar body  12  are adjusted to fit the circumference of the neck, after which the collar is secured. 
         [0027]    The cover, or lid,  14  is preferably formed of mesh of an elastic synthetic resin such as polyethylene and shaped like a disc of a size sufficient to cover the second opening of collar body  12 . 
         [0028]    Cover  14  is fixed in place by gluing or sewing it to specific points along the rim of the upper part of the collar body  12  so that gaps cannot form in between the cover and collar body rim. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the protective collar of the present invention wherein cover  14  is removably connected to head portion  12  via a plurality of Velcro systems  74 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate neck supporter  62  joined to animal trunk portion  30  and to the lower part of the collar body  12 , the latter with sewing pattern  50 . 
         [0031]    The neck supporter  62  is made either of a soft, anti-slip stretchy fabric or of flexible fabric. It is band-shaped (other shapes can be used) with its length correlated with the first opening of collar body  12  and the fastener  80  and  82 , and its breadth the distance between the base of the head and the top of the head of the animal. A fastening system comprising strips  80  and  82  is glued or sewn to both edges of the neck supporter  62 . 
         [0032]    The neck supporter  62  is stabilized by being sewn to the inside of the first opening in the collar body  12 . Alternatively, a fastening system for easy attachment and removal is either glued or sewn to the interior of the upper part of the neck supporter  62  and the lower part of the collar body  12 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6  illustrates animal trunk  30 , preferably comprised of stretchy, breathable cloth, and shaped to cover the animal&#39;s neck and chest, with strap ends  34  and  36  stretched out like bands to the left and right. Fastening systems  38  and  40  for easy attachment and removal of trunk  30  are either glued or sewn to the ends of both the bands to secure them directly to the back of the collar body  12  as illustrated.  FIG. 7  illustrates the assembled collar body  12  and trunk  30  positioned on animal  42 . 
         [0034]    It should be noted that the shape of the collar body  12  is not limited to that of a hollow cone. For example, it may be a hollow semi-sphere or sphere. Additionally, while the preferred material for collar body  12  is breathable, absorbent, quick-drying cloth, a flexible, elastic synthetic resin mesh such as polyethylene, other non-metal materials may be used. 
         [0035]    The material which faces the rims of both the second and first openings of the collar body  12  and the cover  14 , may be made of fabric materials such as cotton, nylon or faux leather, or of thin rubber material. Instead of being made of mesh, the cover  14  may be a member with multiple holes, provided that the holes are of a size to prevent the tail, front or hind legs from being taken in, and provided that the breathing of the animal is not impaired. 
         [0036]    The shape of cover  14  may be a projecting dome shape or cap shape. As long as the upper (second) opening of the cover is completely covered, any shape will suffice. However, a shape that dips down into the interior of collar  12  is unsuitable. Flexible, synthetic resin mesh of a material such as polyethylene is preferable, but other materials may be used. However, metals, soft materials that could become twisted inside the collar, and opaque materials are not suitable. 
         [0037]    The collar body  12  and neck supporter  62  may be made of the same material as cover  14  and manufactured as a single integral piece. 
         [0038]    When an animal wears a collar with a cover attached, the animal cannot eat or drink at all, and it is unable to groom itself by licking. Where eating and drinking are concerned, at times appropriate to the condition of the animal, the cover may be removed (or, alternately, the collar may be removed for a short time), and meals and water given to the animal under the owner&#39;s observation. 
         [0039]    The neck of the trunk  30  is sized to fit the inner diameter of the collar body  12 , then sewn into place. Alternatively, a fastening system that allows for easy attachment and removal may be glued or sewn to the edges of the neck of trunk  30  and the lower part (first opening) of the collar body  12 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  illustrates the head of an animal  42  (cat shown) positioned within the protective collar body  10  with mesh member  14  attached to edge  70  of the upper part  14  collar body  12  via Velcro system member  74  ( FIG. 11 ). 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the collar of the present invention. Collar  10  comprises a head portion  12 , and a mesh member  14  which is secured to the far end  16  of head portion  12 . Head portion  12  has a frusto-conical shape when the ends  18  and  20  are secured together, Velcro strips  22  and  24  providing an example of one type of connection mechanism. Collar  10  has an elongated trunk portion  30  and straps ends and  36  having Velcro members  38  and  40  to enable the collar  10  to be attached to the animal being protected. By attaching trunk portion  30  directly to collar body  12 , a stronger stopper effect is provided. In addition, since the collar body  12  is supported by trunk portion  30 , the stress on the animal&#39;s neck is reduced. Since there is no need to size collar body  12  to the neck, collar  10  can be attached with room for movement. 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the collar  10  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is a further embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a neck supporter  62  is interposed between collar body  12  and trunk portion  30 . Trunk portion  30  is secured to neck supporter  62  by sewing pattern  83 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 11  illustrates the head of animal  42  positioned within collar body  12 , the upper opening closed off by mesh cover  14 . In this figure, the collar structure shown in  FIG. 10  is utilized to enclose the head of animal  42 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 12  shows how the strap ends  34  and  36  shown in  FIG. 10  are connected to collar body  12 . 
         [0046]    While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.