Abstract:
A diaper support garment for a four-legged animal comprises an article of animal clothing shaped to substantially cover fore and midsection body areas of a four-legged animal without covering or interfering with the waste product discharge areas of the animal; a closable utility envelope for defining at least one storage compartment which is removably secured to the article of animal clothing for helping to prevent displacement and slippage of a disposable diaper from a hindquarter area of the four-legged animal when the disposable diaper is worn in combination with the primary protective garment; the closable utility pocket being provided with a closure flap to seal the at least one storage compartment to conceal and store for deployment when needed at least one tethered diaper coupler for securely gripping and helping to maintain the disposable diaper in an intended animal protective position for capturing and collecting animal waste products discharged from the four-legged animal.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to animal garments and more particularly to an animal support garment and support garment kit and methods of using the garment and kit for helping to maintain an animal diaper or shield in a desired animal protection position while being worn by an animal. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Utilization of dog and cat diapers is well known in the prior art For example, reference may be made to the following U.S. Patent Nos.: U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,949 by O&#39;Rourke issued on Mar. 21, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,421 by Lowman issued on Feb. 10, 1993 U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,015 by Ohta issued on Sep. 21, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,985 by Shover issued on Nov. 7, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,847 by Kelly issued on Sep. 17, 1996; and US Patent Application Publication No.: 2011/0192357 by Pellegrini published on Aug. 11, 2011. 
         [0003]    While each of the above-mentioned diapers have generally been satisfactory for their intended purpose, nevertheless they have not been entirely satisfactory. That is, due to the body shape of the rear hind portion of a dog or cat, many of the conventional animal diapers will not remain in place on the animal but instead, will slip and slide off the rear of the animal. This is true whether or not the diaper is soiled, but it is particularly true when the absorbent material within such a diaper becomes saturated with the urine and waste product of the animal. In either event, either the clean or the spent diaper may fall off the animal leaving the animal unprotected from soiling and causing unwanted and undesired damage to an indoor environment area or otherwise protected area where animal urine and waste product discharge is undesired and unwanted. 
         [0004]    Recognizing this slippage problem, various solutions have been proposed in the form of improved diaper constructions and diaper support systems. For example, reference may be made to the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,105 by McKnight issued on Nov. 7, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,008 by Krenkel issued on Jul. 13, 2010; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,302,565 by Williams issued on Nov. 6, 2012. 
         [0005]    Each of the above mentioned diaper support garments and harnesses have been generally satisfactory for their general intended purpose; nevertheless, they have not been entirely satisfactory. In this regard, if the animal owner desires to release his or her animal to an outside environment area for the purpose of eliminating their waste products, the support garment and diaper must be removed from the animal and then subsequently the diaper and the support garment must be placed once again on the animal, which is not only time consuming and inconvenient but may also because of such nuisance encourage the animal owner to leave a soiled diaper on the animal for an excessive period of time. 
         [0006]    Therefore it would be highly desirable to have a new and improved diaper support system that prevents a soiled animal diaper from sliding off the animal either because of normal animal activity movement or because of excess diaper weight caused when the absorbent material within the diaper becomes saturated with the waste product of the animal. 
         [0007]    It would also be highly desirable to have a new and improved diaper support system that does not require the support system to be removed from the animal when the animal is released to an outside environment for waste elimination purposes thereby encouraging the animal owner to release the animal to the outside environment on a more frequent basis. 
         [0008]    Such a new and improved diaper support system should be universal and easy and convenient to use with animals of different breeds and sizes as well as with the various different types and kinds of utilized animal diapers. Finally, such a new and improved diaper support system should be relatively inexpensive and convenient to use with conventional animal protective and decorative clothing items like sweaters, T-shirts and the like. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a support garment for an animal that comprises a base animal protective garment having disposed thereon a garment support arrangement that helps secure a primary animal protective garment or diaper in a desired animal protective position. The garment support arrangement includes a utility envelope that defines at least one compartment for the storage and release of a support coupler, where the support coupler is adapted to be removably secured to the diaper for helping to maintain the diaper in its intended desired animal protective position. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention the base animal protective garment and the diaper have separate and distinctly different animal protection purposes and are adapted to be spaced from one another on an animal to be protected. 
         [0011]    In another embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention the utility envelope of the garment support arrangement has a closure flap for protecting the support coupler from an animal wearing the animal protective garment. 
         [0012]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention t he utility envelope is adhesively secured to the animal protective garment. 
         [0013]    In still yet another embodiment of the present invention the utility envelope is sewn to the animal protective garment. 
         [0014]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention the utility envelope is secured by rivets to the animal protective garment. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment of the present invention the garment support arrangement includes a reinforcement pad that helps to prevent the tearing and ripping of the garment support arrangement under repeated use. 
         [0016]    Another embodiment of the present invention is that the support coupler is a set of hooks or a set of loops that are adapted to releasably engage a fabric surface of the diaper so that the diaper is maintained in its intended desired animal protective position. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment of the present invention the set of hooks or said set of loops is disposed on a distal end portion of an elastic band where a proximal end portion of the elastic band is secured to the reinforcement pad. 
         [0018]    In still yet another embodiment of the present invention the support coupler is a large loop having a sufficiently large opening to receive therein at least one set of securing members forming part of the diaper so that the diaper is maintained in its intended desired animal protective position. 
         [0019]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention the large loop is disposed on a distal end portion of an elastic band; and wherein a proximal end portion of the elastic band is secured to the reinforcement pad. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment of the present invention the support coupler a fastener for engaging a fabric surface of the diaper. 
         [0021]    In still yet another embodiment of the present invention the fastener is a clip. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment of the present invention the clip is a clam shaped clip. 
         [0023]    In still yet another embodiment of the present invention the clip is an alligator clip. 
         [0024]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention the fastener is disposed on a distal end portion of an elastic band; and wherein a proximal end portion of the elastic band is secured to the reinforcement pad. 
         [0025]    still yet another embodiment of the present invention the fastener is a Y-shaped fastener that includes a pair of short straight leg members forming a V like configuration and a single long straight leg member having a distal end and a proximal end; wherein the distal end of the single long straight leg member intersects an interconnection between the pair of short straight leg members and wherein a proximal end of the long straight leg is secured to the reinforcement pad; and wherein the pair of short straight leg members have a set of hooks or a set of loops disposed thereon for engaging opposing fabric surfaces of the diaper. 
         [0026]    In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention a garment support kit for an animal protective garment comprises a garment support arrangement to facilitate securing a diaper so the diaper is maintained in its intended and desired animal protective position; and wherein the garment support arrangement is adapted to be secured to the animal protective garment to facilitate deployment of a support coupler so that the support coupler can be coupled to the diaper helping to maintain the diaper in its intended desired animal protective position. 
         [0027]    An embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention is that the garment support arrangement includes a utility envelope having a closure flap, where the envelope has at least one compartment dimensioned for containing therein the support coupler to facilitate removably securing the animal protective garment to the diaper to help maintain the diaper in its intended desired animal protective position. 
         [0028]    Another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention is that the envelope is adapted to be adhesively secured to said animal protective garment. 
         [0029]    Yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention is the provision that the closure flap is adapted to be positioned in either an open position or a close position; wherein the closure flap when positioned in the open position, facilitates the deployment of the support coupler from the at least one compartment so that the support coupler can be fastened to the diaper to releasably hold the diaper in its intended desired animal protective position; and wherein the closure flap when positioned in its closed position facilitates the protection of the support coupler from an animal wearing the animal protective garment. 
         [0030]    In still yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention is the primary animal protective garment and the diaper garment have separate and distinctly different animal protection purposes and are spaced from one another when disposed on an animal to be protected. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment of the second aspect of the present the garment support arrangement is an elongate flap that has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is adapted to be permanently secured to the animal protective garment and wherein a distal end portion of the flap is provided with a set of hooks or a set of loops for engaging a fabric surface of the diaper to releasably hold the diaper in its intended desired animal protective position. 
         [0032]    In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the present the flap has a top surface and a bottom surface; wherein the top surface has disposed thereon along its longitudinal dimension at least one strip of hooks or at least one strip of loops to facilitate the rolling up of the flap into a cylindrical configuration when said flap is not in use; wherein the set of hooks or the set of loops for engaging said fabric surface of the diaper is disposed on the bottom surface of the flap; and wherein the flap in its cylindrical configuration is adapted to be rolled open into a substantially flat configuration for deployment and engagement with the fabric surface of the diaper when in use. 
         [0033]    In still yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention is that the utility envelope includes a reinforcement pad to help prevent the tearing and ripping of the animal protective garment. 
         [0034]    Yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the present the support coupler is a set of hooks or a set of loops for releasably engaging a fabric surface of the diaper so that the diaper is maintained in its desired animal protective position. 
         [0035]    Another embodiment of the second aspect of the present the set of hooks or the set of loops is disposed on a distal end portion of a fabric band; and wherein a proximal end portion of the fabric band is secured to the reinforcement pad. 
         [0036]    In yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the present the support coupler is a large loop having a sufficiently large opening to receive therein at least one set of securing members forming part of the diaper so that the diaper is maintained in its desired animal protective position. 
         [0037]    In still yet another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention the large loop is disposed on a distal end portion of a fabric band; and wherein a proximal end portion of the fabric band is secured to the reinforcement pad. 
         [0038]    An embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention the support coupler is an elongate flap having a proximal end and a distal end; wherein said proximal end is adapted to be permanently secured within the utility envelope and wherein a distal end portion of the flap is provided with a set of hooks or a set of loops for engaging a fabric surface of the diaper to releasably hold it in its intended animal protective position. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention the flap has a top surface and a bottom surface; wherein the top surface has disposed thereon along its longitudinal dimension at least one strip of hooks or at least one strip of loops to facilitate the rolling up of the flap into a tight cylindrical configuration for storage within the envelope when the flap is not in use; wherein the set of hooks or the set of loops for engaging the fabric surface of the diaper is disposed on the bottom surface of the flap; and wherein the flap in its cylindrical configuration is adapted to be rolled open into a substantially flat configuration for deployment from the envelope and for engagement with the fabric surface of the diaper when in use. 
         [0040]    In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention a garment support kit for an animal protective garment comprises a garment support arrangement to facilitate securing a diaper to the animal protective garment to ensure that diaper remains secured in a desired and intended animal protective position; wherein the garment support arrangement includes: a support coupler adapted to be coupled to the diaper to help maintain the diaper in its desired and intended animal protective position; and a reinforcement pad adapted to be permanently secured to the animal protective garment as a fabric reinforcement to help prevent the tearing and ripping of the animal protective garment and for supporting from below for deployment the support coupler. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0041]    The above mentioned features and steps of the invention and the manner of attaining them will become apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters represent like parts throughout the several views and in which: 
           [0042]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a diaper support garment which is constructed according to the present invention illustrating the support garment being worn in combination with a dog diaper; 
           [0043]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the diaper support garment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the diaper support garment supporting the dog diaper; 
           [0044]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a self contained diaper support kit which kit is constructed in accordance to the present invention, illustrating the diaper support kit supporting a dog diaper; 
           [0045]      FIG. 4  is a top plane view of the self contained diaper support kit of  FIG. 3 , illustrating the diaper support kit in a closed non-diaper supporting position; 
           [0046]      FIG. 5  is a top plane view of another self contained diaper support kit having a two compartment construction with a plurality of deployed support couplers, which kit is constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 6  is a top plane view of the diaper support kit of  FIG. 5 , illustrating deployed primary and secondary support couplers supporting a diaper, with the secondary support coupler being secured by a closure flap to help retain the diaper in an intended animal protective position; 
           [0048]      FIG. 7  is a top plane view of another diaper support garment having a single compartment construction with a plurality of plural support couplers, which garment is constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0049]      FIG. 8  is a top plane view of the diaper support garment of  FIG. 7 , illustrating deployed primary and secondary support couplers supporting a diaper; 
           [0050]      FIG. 9  is a top plane view of yet another diaper support garment having a single compartment construction and a plurality of support couplers, including a single primary support coupler and a plurality of secondary support couplers, which garment is constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0051]      FIG. 10  is a top plane view of the diaper support garment of  FIG. 9 , illustrating its primary support coupler and its secondary support coupler both engaging and supporting an animal diaper, where the secondary support coupler is an elastic band coupler having a plurality of hooks; 
           [0052]      FIG. 11  is a top plane view of the diaper support garment of  FIG. 9 , illustrating its primary support coupler and its secondary support coupler both engaging and supporting an animal diaper, where the secondary support coupler is a split elastic band coupler having a plurality of hooks; 
           [0053]      FIG. 12  is a top plane view of the diaper support garment of  FIG. 9 , illustrating its primary support coupler and its secondary support coupler both engaging, and supporting an animal diaper, where the secondary support coupler is a clip supported by an adjustable length strap; 
           [0054]      FIG. 18  is a top plane view of the diaper support garment of  FIG. 9 , illustrating its primary support coupler and its secondary support coupler both engaging and supporting an animal diaper, where the secondary support coupler is an elastic loop coupler; 
           [0055]      FIG. 14  is a top plane view of still another self diaper support garment, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0056]      FIG. 15  is a top plane view of still yet another diaper support garment, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0057]      FIG. 16  is a top plane view of yet another self contained diaper support garment, which is constructed in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0058]      FIG. 17  is a top plane view of another diaper support garment, which constructed is in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0059]      FIG. 18  is a flowchart illustrating a novel method of using a support garment to engage, support and retain an animal diaper or an animal shield in its intended and desired animal protective position; 
           [0060]      FIGS. 18A-C  are flowcharts forming part of the flowchart of  FIG. 18 , illustrating the novel method of using a support garment to engage, support and retain an animal diaper or an animal shield in its intended and desired animal protective position; 
           [0061]      FIG. 19  is top plane view of yet another diaper support kit which is constructed according to the present invention illustrating the support kit being worn in combination with a dog diaper; 
           [0062]      FIG. 20  is a top plane view of the diaper support kit of  FIG. 19 , illustrating its integrally formed support coupled extended into a diaper support position for supporting a associated dog diaper; 
           [0063]      FIG. 21  is a top plane view of the diaper support kit of  FIG. 19 , illustrating its secondary support couplers cooperating with, its integrally formed support coupler for supporting a dog diaper; 
           [0064]      FIG. 22  is a top plane view of the diaper support kit of  FIG. 19 , illustrating its secondary support couplers extended into a diaper support position for supporting a associated dog diaper; 
           [0065]      FIG. 23  is a bottom plane view of the diaper kit of  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 24  is a bottom plane view of the diaper kit of  FIG. 19 , illustrating it primary support coupler folded forwardly into an open diaper engaging position; 
           [0067]      FIG. 25  is a bottom plane view of the diaper kit of  FIGS. 19 , illustrating its storage compartment open exposing its secondary couplers ready for diaper engaging deployment; and 
           [0068]      FIG. 26  is a bottom plane view of the diaper kit of  FIG. 19 , illustrating the primary support coupler in a closed position for helping to secure its secondary support couplers within the kit. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0069]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 1-2 , a multi-purpose pet protection garment according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and shown generally at reference character  10 . The pet protection garment  10 , when used in accordance with a novel method of use  1400  ( FIG. 18 ), functions to grip and securely hold a secondary animal protection garment, such as a diaper or shield  40 , in its intended and desired animal protective position, even though the diaper  40  may be fully loaded or completely saturated with animal waste product. The protection garment  10  also sufficiently grips and holds the diaper  40  when it is being worn by an older animal whose back may be so severely slanted that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to otherwise securely hold the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position due to undesired and unwanted diaper slippage. 
         [0070]    Its accordance with the novel method of using  1400  as best seen in  FIG. 18 , the pet protection, garment  10 , several unique and novel advantages are obtained or achieved. One advantage is that the pet protection garment  10  prevents a soiled animal diaper  40  from accidentally sliding off an animal  12  either because of normal animal activity movements or because of excessive diaper weight caused when the absorbent material within the diaper  40  becomes saturated with the waste product of the animal  12 . 
         [0071]    Another important advantage of the pet protection garment  10  is that it may be coupled or attached to an animal diaper  40  in a very fast and convenient manner, as best seen in  FIG. 2 , so the diaper  40  may be held in its intended and desired animal protection position. Likewise, the pet protection garment  10  may be easily and quickly detached from such a diaper  40 , as best seen in  FIG. 1 , permitting the diaper  40  to be quickly and conveniently removed from the animal  12  so that it may be replaced if soiled, or simply removed and temporarily set aside for later use, when the animal  12  is released to a suitable environment for waste elimination purposes. Moreover, the pet protection garment  10  may be worn by a dog or cat or nearly any other type of animal with a similar body construction to that of a dog or cat. 
         [0072]    Still yet another advantage of the pet protection garment  10  is that it is universal in nature. That is, the pet protection garment  10  may be utilized to support various different types and kinds of diapers and shields. Still yet another advantage is that the pet protection garment  10  is relatively inexpensive and may be easily and conveniently used for any of its intended purposes whether this is its primary purpose of providing protection to the animal from environmental elements, such as inclement weather conditions or a secondary purpose such as supporting or holding the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protection position. 
         [0073]    As best seen in  FIGS. 1-2 , the pet protection garment  10 , generally comprises: (1) a primary animal protective garment  20 , such as a protective animal vest, a pressure wrap garment, an animal T-shirt, or an animal sweater, and (2) an integrally formed secondary garment support arrangement  30 , which is adapted to couple the primary animal protective garment  20  to the secondary animal protective garment  40  in order to secure the secondary animal protective garment  40  in its desired and intended animal protection position. The secondary garment support arrangement  30  is integral to and carried by the primary animal protective garment  20  until it is ready to be deployed for engagement with the secondary animal protective garment  40 . 
         [0074]    The primary animal protective garment  20  is a multi-function garment; that is, it functions to protect the animal  12  from environmental conditions or it may be configured with simple or complex fabric design features so that it further functions as a decorative fashion wear item or a fashion statement item worn by the animal  12 . More particularly, the primary animal protective garment  20  may comprise a water-repellant fabric to protect the animal from raining weather, a thick quilted fabric to protect the animal from cold weather or a light-weight print fabric arranged in a highly decorative pattern. Other fabric structures, such as non stretchable and stretchable fabric structures which open and wrap around the body and neck areas of an animal in either a lateral manner or in a longitudinal manner as opposed to pull-over type structures are clearly contemplated relative to the present invention, so there is no intention of limiting the fabrics, their structures or the purpose of the primary protective garment to those mentioned herein. 
         [0075]    Considering now the garment support arrangement  30  in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the garment support arrangement  30  is composed of a fabric material that is soft, pleasing to the touch, and decorative with an aesthetic appearance which enhances the overall decorative features of the primary animal protective garment  20 . In this regard, the support arrangement  30  is integral to the protective garment  20  extending from a distal end  94  portion of the garment  20  rearwardly toward the tail or rear bodily area  14  of the animal  12  providing the primary support garment  20  with a decorative tail  36  ( FIG. 2 ). The decorative tail  36  has a sufficient length dimension and a sufficient width dimension to overlay a substantial top surface, proximal end area, of the diaper  40  when the tail  36  of the support arrangement  30  is disposed in an open or diaper engaging position, indicated generally at  60  as best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0076]    Because of its fabric construction, the garment support arrangement  30  is integrally formed in the fabric structure of the animal protective garment  20  at about a distal end area  94  thereof. In this regard, the decorative garment  20  may be cut, constructed, sewn and fashioned to enhance the decorative features of the protective garment  20  while at the same time enabling the protective garment  20  to have a further unique function, namely being constructed via the tail  36  to grip and hold a diaper in its desired and intended animal protection position. In the alternative, the support arrangement  30  may be formed as a separate structure which may then be sewn, stitched, riveted or adhesively secured to the fabric surface area  90  of the garment  20  at about a distal end area  94  thereof. 
         [0077]    As best seen in  FIGS. 1-2 , the tail  36  has a top diaper engaging surface area indicated generally at  36 A and a bottom primary protective garment engaging surface area indicated generally at  36 B. The top surface area  36 A of the tail  36  is provided with a primary support coupler arrangement  52 A, which is composed of a plurality of hooks arranged in a decorative design, such as the face of a puppy. The hooks of the coupler arrangement  52 A are adapted to engage and securely grip a top fabric surface of the diaper  40 , so the diaper  40  is secured to the protective garment  20  via the tail  36  of the support arrangement  30 , with the tail  36  being held in its open position  60  ( FIG. 2 ). 
         [0078]    In a similar manner, the bottom surface area  36 B of the tail  36  is provided with a secondary support coupler arrangement  52 B, which is also provided with a plurality of hooks. The hooks of the secondary support coupler  52 B are adapted to engage and securely grip the top fabric surface area  90  of the primary protection garment  20  for holding the tail  36  in a closed or support garment engaging position  62  ( FIG. 1 ). The location of the garment support arrangement  30  is selected so that it may be easily and quickly utilized to grippingly hold or secure the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position at a rear bodily area  14  of the animal  12 . This preferred position is also selected to be at a location where the support arrangement  30  can not be easily reached by the animal  12 . 
         [0079]    In summary then, a multi-functional animal protective garment  10  generally includes a primary protective garment  20  having an integral tail  36  moveable between an open secondary garment engaging position  60  and a closed primary garment engaging position  62 . The tail  36  has a top surface area  36 A and a bottom surface area  36 B, where the top surface area  36 A is provided with primary support coupler  52 A for helping to fasten the tail  36  in its open position to a secondary animal protective garment  40  (a diaper or shield), and where the bottom surface area  36 B is provided with secondary support coupler  52 B for helping to fasten the tail  36  in its close position (a non diaper engaging position). In this manner, the tail  36  of the primary protective garment  20  is adapted to grip and hold the secondary animal protective garment  40  in its desired and intended animal protective position as best seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0080]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 3-4 , there is illustrated a self contained garment support kit  110 , which kit  110  is also constructed in accordance with the present invention. The self contained garment support kit  110  may be easily and quickly attached to a primary animal protective garment  120 , such as a protective animal vest, an animal sweater or animal T-shirt. When attached to the primary protective garment  120 , the kit  110  provides the primary protective garment  120  with a completely new and unexpected secondary functions; namely, providing a storage area for a secondary animal protective garment, such as an animal diaper  40  and when needed a means of securing or supporting the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position when the diaper  40  has been secured to an animal  12 . 
         [0081]    The self contained garment support kit  110 , when used in accordance with a novel method of using and attaching  1400  ( FIG. 18 ) functions to provide the primary animal protective garment  120  with the capability of supporting an animal diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position. The kit  110  in this regard, assures that the secondary animal protective garment or diaper  40  will not become dislodged due to normal animal activity movement, or because the diaper  40  becomes saturated with urine or the unwanted and undesired waste product of the animal  12 . 
         [0082]    In accordance with the novel method of using and attaching  1400 , the garment support kit  110  in use provides several unique and unexpected advantages. More particularly, the support kit  110  may be easily and quickly secured to a primary animal protective garment  120  to provide the primary animal protective garment  120  with the above-mentioned secondary function. The kit  110  in this regard, when attached to the primary support garment  120 , prevents a soiled or unsoiled animal diaper  40  from sliding off the animal  12  during normal animal activity movement and even when there is excessive diaper weight caused by the absorbent material of the diaper  40  becoming saturated with the waste product of the animal  12 . 
         [0083]    Another important advantage of the garment support kit  10  is that it can be easily and quickly coupled or attached to the secondary animal protective garment  120  in a very fast and convenient manner. Likewise, the kit  110  may be easily and quickly attached and detached from such a diaper  40 , permitting the diaper  40  to be quickly and conveniently removed from the animal  12  so that the diaper  40  may be replaced if soiled or simply removed and temporarily set aside for later use, when the animal  12  is released to a suitable environment or waste elimination purposes. 
         [0084]    Still yet another advantage of the garment support kit  110  is that it is universal in nature and may be utilized with different types and kinds of primary animal protective garments such as shirts, sweaters, and vests, to support various different types and kinds of diapers and shields. Another advantage provided by the garment support kit  110 , is that the kit  110  is simplistic in nature, relatively inexpensive, and may be easily and quickly attached to a primary animal protective garment  120  for immediate use with another animal protective garment, such as a secondary animal protective garment  40 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 . Finally, the garment support kit  110  may be provided in different sizes to accommodate different sized animals, such as teacup, miniature, small, medium, large and extra-large sized animals. 
         [0085]    Considering now the garment support kit  110  in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 3-4 , the garment support kit  110  generally comprises a garment support arrangement  130  which is provided with a base or pocket unit  132  having a closure flap  136 . The garment support arrangement  130  is composed of a fabric material that is soft, pleasing to the touch, and decorative with an aesthetic appearance which may be selected to be coordinated in appearance to the primary animal protective garment  120 . In this manner the garment support arrangement  130  maybe selected to enhance the overall decorative features of the primary animal protective garment  120  to provide a fashion statement. 
         [0086]    The underside of the pocket unit  132  is provided with an adhesive backing  131  as best seen in  FIG. 4 , which enables the pocket unit  132  to be adhesively secured to a top fabric surface area  190  of the primary protective garment  120  at about or near a distal end portion thereof, as best seen ire  FIG. 3 . The adhesive backing  131  is provided with a coating of a conventional fabric adhesive that functions to attach or secure the garment support arrangement  130  to the primary animal protective garment  120 . 
         [0087]    Although the,attachment of garment support arrangement  130  to the primary support garment  120  has been described as an adhesive attachment, it is contemplated that other means of attachment could also be employed. For example, a set of hook or loop fasteners could be provided on the undersigned of the pocket unit  132  and a complimentary set of hook or loop fasteners could be adhesively secured to the fabric surface area  90  of the garment  120  so the hook and loop fasteners could be engaged to secure the support arrangement  130  to the garment  120 . As another example, a set of fastening buttons and complementary button holes could be provided in the garment  120  so the arrangement  130  could be button fastened to the garment  120 . Likewise a set of snap buttons could be attached to the garment  120  and to the underside of the pocket unit  132  to enable the arrangement  130  to be snapped placed on the garment  120 . Based on the foregoing, there is no intention of limiting the manner in which the garment support arrangement  130  may be temporarily or removably secured to the garment  120  as other means of attachment are fully contemplated within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The important feature however, is that the arrangement  130  may be quickly attached or removed from the primary protective garment  120  for those times when the animal  12  needs or does not need to be protected with a diaper, such as the diaper  40 . Moreover, the location of the garment support arrangement  130  is selected at about the distal end area of the primary protective garment  120  so that it may be easily and quickly utilized to grippingly hold or secure the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position at a rear bodily area  14  of the animal  12 , while at the same time being positioned at a location where it can not be easily reached by the animal  12 . 
         [0088]    Considering now the closure flap  136  in greater detail, with respect to  FIGS. 3-4 , the closure flap  136  is stitched to the pocket unit  132  at about a tail facing end or distal boundary end of the pocket unit  132  indicated generally at  194 . In this regard, the closure flap  136  is moveable or foldable about the distal end  194  of the pocket  132  from a closed or pocket sealing position  62  as best seen in  FIG. 4  to an open or diaper engaging position  60  as best seen in  FIG. 3 . In this regard, the closure flap  136  has a sufficient length dimension and a sufficient width dimension to overlay a substantial top surface proximal end area of the diaper  40  when the flap  136  is disposed in the open or diaper engaging position  60  as best seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0089]    The closure flap  136  has a top diaper engaging surface area indicated generally at  136 A ( FIG. 4 ) and a bottom base unit engaging surface area indicated generally at  1368  ( FIG. 3 ). The top surface area  136 A of the closure flap  136  is provided with a primary support coupler  152 A, which is composed of a plurality of hooks arranged in a decorative design as best seen in  FIG. 4 . The hooks of the primary support coupler  152 A are adapted to engage and securely grip a top fabric surface of the diaper  40  so the diaper  40  and the closure flap  136  are coupled removably together so the diaper  40  may not be dislodged from the animal  12 . 
         [0090]    In a similar manner, the bottom surface area  1368  is provided with a secondary support coupler  152 B, which is also provided with a plurality of hooks that are adapted to engage and securely grip a pocket fasteners  133  which is secured to a top surface floor area  138  of the pocket unit  132 . In this regard, the pocket fastener  133  is composed of a plurality of loops which will engage the hooks of the secondary support coupler  152 E to grip or fasten the closure flap  136  in its closed position  62 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the secondary support coupler  152 B and the pocket fasteners  133  are arranged in a raised U-shaped configuration so as to provide a standoff from the floor or inner face  1368  of the closure flap  136  and a corresponding standoff from the floor area  138  of the pocket unit  132 . This is an important feature of the present invention, as in combination when the pocket fasteners  133  and secondary support coupler  152 B are fastened together they form a pocket space with a sufficient height, width and depth dimension for receiving therein a folded, packaged diaper, that can be retrieved and utilized on the animal  12  when needed. In this regard, the fabric construction of the pocket unit  132  allows it to be easily conformed about the packaged diaper so the diaper  40  is secured within the pocket unit  132  for future use when needed. 
         [0091]    By way of example only, and without intending any limitation on the size or appearance of the primary support coupler  152 A, it may be of different sizes and configurations. For example, it may be in the configuration of the face of an animal, such as the face of a dog as best seen in  FIG. 4 , or it may have a pattern or shape that complements the pattern of the fabric forming the primary protective garment  120 . The primary support coupler  152 A does have however, a sufficient diaper engaging surface area so that a set of hooks formed into the above-mentioned pattern or shape will engage and grip the outer material surface of the diaper  40 . In this regard, most if not all diapers are composed of an open weave fabric with a plurality of fiber like loops. These loops when engaged with the hooks of the support coupler  152 A become intertwined with the hooks to form a plurality of small fasteners deployed across the outer surface area of the support coupler  152 A. This engagement of hooks and loops is sufficient to prevent the diaper  40  from freeing itself from the primary support coupler  152 A and its associated carrying member, the closure flap  136 . 
         [0092]    Considering the primary coupler  152 A in still greater detail, the primary support coupler  152 A in one preferred embodiment is sewn to the outside or diaper engaging surface area  136 A of the closure flap  136 . There is no intention however, of limiting the manner of attaching the primary support coupler  152 A to the closure flap  136  by this method. Other methods of attachment are contemplated and will be described hereinafter in greater detail. For example in other preferred embodiments of the present invention as best seen in  FIGS. 16-17 , a primary support coupler  634 , rather than being permanently secured to a closure flap  636  may be removable secured to the closure flap  636 . In this;regard, the primary support coupler is a removable stick pin device  634  having a male pin component, such as a male pin component  656  ( FIG. 16 ) and a female securing component  658  ( FIG. 17 ) which receives the male pin component  656  in a friction-tight fit. The female securing component  658  is provided with a set of hook or loop fasteners configured in a decorative design  655 , such as the face of a dog, the face of a cat, a Christmas tree, a flag, or emblem design for example. With this arrangement, when the closure flap  636  is disposed in its closed position  62 , the decorative design of the female securing component  658  is clearly seen and complements the decorative design of the primary animal protective garment  120 . When the closure flap  636  is moved to the open or deploying position  60  the back side or un-decorative side of the male pin component  656  is seen, while the female fastening elements in the form of the set of hook or loop fasteners is brought into engagement with the material or fabric surface of the diaper  40 . From the forgoing, it is clear that the primary support coupler  634  when not in use securing the diaper  40  to the primary animal protective garment  120  has a secondary function, namely that of supplementing the decorative design provided by the primary animal protective garment  120 . 
         [0093]    As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, the male pin component  656  ( FIGS. 16-17 ) may be separated from the female fastening component  658  and substitute female fastening components may be utilized to provide the closure flap  636  with different types of decorative designs, which may be desired because of the seasons and special holidays. It is also possible to reverse the female fastening component so that it is disposed on the concealed side of the closure flap  636 . This reversal is used for those situations where the garment support arrangement  630 , is carried on an inner or inside fabric surface area of the primary animal protective garment  120 . This embodiment of the present invention is for those situations where the overall length of the primary animal protective garment  120  is structure so as to overlay the diaper  40 . When this occurs, the closure flap  636  is moved to its open position  60  to permit the female fastening component  658  to engage the fabric surface of the diaper  40 . In this configuration, the distal end area of the protective garment  120  may be folded over a sufficient distance to expose the garment support arrangement  630  so that it is not in direct contact with the body of the animal until such time as a diaper  40  is placed on the animal. This configuration simply addresses where the overall length of the primary animal protective garment  120  is such that it overlays the diaper  40  as opposed to being spaced from the diaper  40  as best seen in  FIG. 3  which would be considered the more normal situation. 
         [0094]    From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the closure flap  636  may be provided with a removable or interchangeable primary support coupler, or it may be provided with a permanent set of hook or loop fasteners secured to either the exposed or concealed surfaces of the closure flap  135 . In these configurations, the hook or loop fasteners may also be provided in a decorative pattern to complement the fabric design features of the primary animal protective garment  120 . There is therefore no intention of limiting the disclosed invention to that of a removable or interchangeable primary support coupler  634  or a permanently attached support coupler  152 A as described herein. 
         [0095]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 5-6 , another self contained garment support kit  210  constructed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The garment support kit  210 , like garment support kit  110  is adapted to be removably secured to a primary animal protective garment  120  in the same manner as described relative to the garment support kit  110  and therefore the manner in which the kit  210  is secured to the primary animal protective garment  120  will not be described hereinafter in greater detail, 
         [0096]    The self contained garment support kit  210  may be easily and quickly attached to a primary animal protective garment  120 , such as a protective animal vest, animal sweater or animal shirt. When so attached, the kit  210  provides the primary protective garment  120  with a completely new and unexpected secondary functions; namely, 1) a storage area for a diaper  40 ; and 2) when needed, means for securing or supporting the secondary animal protective garment  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position. 
         [0097]    The self contained, garment support kit  210 , when used in accordance with a novel method of using and attaching  1400  ( FIG. 18 ) functions to provide the primary animal protective garment  120  with the capability of supporting an animal diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position. The kit  210  in this regard, assures that the secondary animal protective garment or diaper  40  will not become dislodged due to normal animal activity movement, or because the diaper  40  becomes saturated with urine or the unwanted and undesired waste product of the animal  12 . The garment support kit  210 , like garment support kit  110  is adapted to be removably secured to a primary animal protective garment  120  in the same manner as described relative to the garment support kit  110  and therefore the manner in which the kit  210  is secured to the primary animal protective garment  120  will not be described hereinafter in greater detail. 
         [0098]    Considering now the garment support kit  210  in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 5-6 , the garment support kit  210  generally includes a garment support arrangement  230  which is provided with a base or pocket unit  232  having a diaper engaging closure flap  236  and a coupler engaging closure flap  237 . The diaper engaging closure flap  236 , like closure flap  136  is adapted to carry a primary support coupler  234  into position for grippingly engaging the secondary animal protective garment, such as a diaper  40 . The coupler engaging closure flap  237  on the other hand, is adapted to carry a storage compartment indicated generally at  240 . As a secondary function, the closure flap  237  is further adapted to help secure tethered secondary support couplers, such as a support coupler  250  to a floor area  242  of the pocket unit  232  when such secondary support couplers  250  are deployed for helping to support the diaper  40  as will be explained hereinafter in greater detail. 
         [0099]    Considering now the secondary support couplers  250  in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 5-6 , unlike garment support kit  110 , the garment support kit  210  is provided a plurality of support couplers of different types and kinds for engaging, and supporting the diaper  40  in its desired and intended animal protective position. The reason for providing a plurality of support couplers of different types and kinds is to facilitate the absolute securing of the diaper  40  to the garment support arrangement  230  regardless of the construction of the diaper  40 . For example, a diaper may be constructed of an outer plastic material, with a fabric-like, highly absorbing inner material, where the outer plastic material would not have a sufficient open weave of loops that could engage the hooks otherwise provided on primary coupler  234 . Accordingly, different types and kinds of couplers, such as the secondary coupler  250  are provided with the garment support kit  210  to accommodate such different diaper constructions. 
         [0100]    In view of the above-described need, the closure flap  237  has a dual purpose as mentioned earlier: first, it provides a storage space or storage compartment  240  for storing a packaged diaper (not shown) and one or more secondary couplers, such as the secondary coupler  250 . Secondly, it is for supporting in a diaper engaging position, one or more of deployed secondary couplers, such as the secondary coupler  250 , when such a secondary coupler  250  is utilized to further secure the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position as best seen in  FIG. 6 . The manner in which a secondary coupler is deployed and utilized to secure the diaper  40  will be described hereinafter in greater detail. 
         [0101]    Like the garment support arrangement  130 , the garment support arrangement  230  is also composed of a fabric material that is soft and pleasing to the touch, and decorative with an aesthetic appearance which may be selected to be coordinated in appearance to the primary animal protective garment  120 . In this manner the garment support arrangement  230  maybe selected to enhance the overall decorative features of the primary animal protective garment  120  to provide a fashion statement. 
         [0102]    Considering now the closure flap  236  in greater detail, with respect to  FIGS. 5-6 , the closure flap  236  is stitched to the pocket unit  232  at about a tail facing end or distal boundary end of the pocket  232  indicated generally at  294 . In this regard, the closure flap  236  is moveable or foldable about and away from a distal end area  294  of the pocket  232  from a closed or pocket sealing position, such as similar to that closed position  62  of the closure flap  136  as best seen in  FIG. 4 , to an open position  60  as best seen in  FIGS. 5-6 . In this regard, the closure flap  236  has a sufficient length dimension and a sufficient width dimension to overlay a substantial top surface proximal end area of the diaper  40  when the flap  236  is disposed in the open or diaper engaging position  60  as best seen in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0103]    The closure flap  236  has a top or diaper engaging surface area indicated generally at  236 A and a bottom or a base unit engaging surface area indicated generally at  236 B. The top surface area  236 A of the closure flap  236  is provided with the primary support coupler  234 , which is substantially similar to primary support coupler  234  and will not be described hereinafter in greater detail except to mention that the primary support coupler  234  is adapted to engage and securely grip a top fabric surface of the diaper  40  so the closure flap  236  is held in its open position  60  ( FIG. 6 ) in a tight gripping relationship with the diaper  40 . In this manner the diaper  40  is removably secured to the closure flap  236  via the primary support coupler  234 . 
         [0104]    As mentioned earlier, whenever the open weave or loop-like construction of the diaper  40  is not sufficiently open to provide an absolute gripping relationship with the hooks of the primary coupler  234 , the gripping function of the primary coupler  234  may be reinforced, supplemented or completely substituted with one or more secondary couplers  250  as best seen in  FIGS. 5-6 . When such additional or substitute support is required, the closure flap  237  may be moved from its closed position as best seen in  FIG. 6 , to its open position as best seen in  FIG. 5  which exposes the storage compartment  240 . When so exposed, a user may easily retrieve at least one secondary support coupler  250  from the storage compartment  240  for use. 
         [0105]    As best seen in  FIG. 5 , when the closure flap  237  is moved to its open position, toward the proximal end of the primary protective garment  120 , the floor area  242  of pocket  232  is also exposed. The floor area  242  is provided with a set of tether pins, such as a male tether pin  252  which is adapted to receive and secure a proximal end of a secondary coupler  250  so the proximal end of the coupler  250  may be tethered at this pin point and deployed. In this regard, the proximal end of the coupler  250  is provided with a female pin receiving component  253  that snaps onto the tether pin  252  for securing the coupler  250  to the floor  242  of the pocket  232 . Once, one or more of the secondary couplers are deployed, the closure flap  237  may then be returned to its closed position ( FIG. 6 ) where fasteners  238  and  239  engage one another to hold the flap  237  in its closed position. In this closed position, flap  237  overlays the couplers  250  helping to secure them within the pocket unit  232 . The secondary coupler  250 , which is provided with diaper attachments means, such as a clam shaped clip  254  which may then be attached to the diaper  40  to supplement the securing role of the primary coupler  234 . 
         [0106]    In those situations where the primary coupler  234  is unable to grip the weave of the diaper  40  or in those situations where the gripping force of the primary coupler  234  is so sufficiently weak that it may be easily disengaged from the diaper  40 , the closure flap  236  being moved to a closed position, similar to the closed position illustrated in  FIG. 7 , where the closure flap  236  overlays closure flap  237  A closure flap fastener  235  disposed on the closure flap  236  may then engage and grip another closure fastener  233  disposed on an upper surface area  237 A of the closure flap  237  to secure the closure flap  236  in its closed position. In this manner, the closure flap  236  in its closed position further facilitates securing the secondary couplers, such as the couplers  250  within the pocket unit  232 . 
         [0107]    Again referring to  FIG. 5 , the secondary storage compartment indicated generally at  240  has a sufficient volume for the storage of a packaged diaper and at least two secondary support couplers, such as the support coupler  250 . It is contemplated that different types and kinds of secondary support couplers may be provided with the garment support kit  210 , including but not limited to, fixed length support couplers, variable length support couplers, elastic support couplers, clam shell support couplers, alligator clip support couplers, draw string support couplers, and hook and loop support couplers. Most, if not all of these different types and kinds of support couplers will be described hereinafter in greater detail. 
         [0108]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 7-8 , a multi-purpose pet protection garment according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and is shown generally at reference character  310 . The pet protection garment  310 , when used in accordance with a novel method of use  1400  ( FIG. 8 ), functions to grip and securely hold a secondary animal protective garment, such as a diaper or shield  40 , in its intended and desired animal protective position, even though the diaper  40  may be fully loaded or completely saturated with animal waste product. The protection garment  310  also sufficiently grips and holds the diaper  40  when it is being worn by an older animal whose back may be so severely slanted that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to otherwise securely hold the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position due to undesired and unwanted unloaded diaper slippage. 
         [0109]    The pet protection garment  310 , generally comprises: (1) a primary animal protective garment  120 , such as a protective animal vest, a pressure wrap garment, a T-shirt, or a sweater, and (2) a garment support arrangement  330 , which is either integral to or sewn (attached) onto and carried by the primary animal protective garment  120 . The primary pet protection garment  120  may be worn by a dog or cat or nearly any other type of animal with a similar body construction to that of a dog or cat. The primary animal protective garment  120  functions to protect the animal  12  from environmental conditions or it may be configured with simple or complex fabric design features so that it further functions as a decorative fashion wear item or a fashion statement item worn by the animal  12 . More particularly, the primary animal protective garment  120  may comprise a water-repellant fabric to protect the animal from raining weather, a thick quilted fabric to protect the animal from cold weather or a light-weight print fabric arranged in a highly decorative pattern. Other fabric structures and primary animal protective garment purposes are clearly contemplated relative to the present invention, so there is no intention of limiting the fabrics or the purpose of the primary protective garment to those mentioned herein. 
         [0110]    Considering now the garment support arrangement  330  in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 7-8  the garment support arrangement  330  is provided with a pocket area indicated generally at  332  with a closure flap  336  having an inside surface area  336 B and an outside surface area  336 A. The garment support arrangement  330  is permanently secured to the animal protective garment  120  substantially as in the manner as the garment support arrangement  30  was secured to the protective garment  10 . Similarly, the garment support arrangement  330  is substantially similar in construction to the garment support arrangement  230  except that the arrangement  330  is permanently attached to the protective garment  120  as opposed to be removably attached as was the case of the garment support arrangement  230 . A fastener  335  on an inside surface area  336  of the closure flap  336 , similar to fastener  235  cooperates with a pocket fastener  333 , similar to fastener  233 , to hold the closure flap  336  in its closed position as best seen in  FIG. 7 . One other difference regarding the garment support arrangement  330  is that it is not provided with a coupler engaging closure flap, such as the closure flap  237  as previously described. In the absence of the closure flap  237 , the secondary support couplers are stored in the pocket  332  area and are tethered by tether pins  352  extending upwardly from a floor area  342  of the pocket  332 . It is anticipated that this embodiment would be employed when the user is aware that the utilized diaper  40  does not have a strong open weave, and therefore the utilization of the secondary couplers, such as a secondary coupler  250  will be anticipated in most situations. Because of these similarities, the garment support arrangement  330  will not be described hereinafter in greater detail except for the discussion that follows relative to the different types and kinds of secondary support couplers. 
         [0111]    Considering now the different types and kinds of secondary support couplers that may be deployed for supplemental support of the diaper  40 , reference may be made to  FIGS. 9-13 , where  FIG. 9  is substantially similar to  FIG. 8  which illustrates the closure flap  336  in an open diaper engaging position. The only difference between  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  in this case is with reference to the secondary support couplers. In this regard, the secondary support coupler  250  as best seen In  FIG. 7-8  is a fixed length support coupler, whereas the secondary support coupler  350  as best seen in  FIG. 9  is an adjustable length coupler. Similar differences are disclosed relative to  FIGS. 10-13 , where  FIG. 10  illustrates an elastic band type secondary coupler  370  with a set of hooks that may be utilized to fasten to the diaper  40 .  FIG. 11  illustrates an elastic Y-band type secondary coupler  380  with extension arms  381  and  382  respectively, each having a set of hooks to allow one arm to extend over the outer surface area of the diaper  40  and the other arm, if desired to extend over the inner surface area of the diaper  40  in a pinching configuration. For clarity of illustration the two arms  381 ,  382  in  FIG. 11  are both shown engaging the outer surface area of the diaper  40 .  FIG. 12  is substantially similar to  FIG. 9  except the strap of the secondary coupler in this embodiment is an adjustable elastic strap coupler  360  as opposed to an adjustable fixed length strap coupler  350  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 13  illustrates an elastic loop secondary coupler  390 , where the loop is utilized in combination with the normal diaper securing straps  40 S; e.g. the loops support the straps  40 S to hold them securely to the garment support arrangement. 
         [0112]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 14 , another multi-purpose pet protection garment  410  is illustrated, which pet protection garment  410  is constructed in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The pet protection garment  410 , when used in accordance with a novel method of use  1400  ( FIG. 18 ), functions to grip and securely hold a secondary animal protective garment, such as a diaper or shield  40 , in its intended and desired animal protective position, even though the diaper  40  may be fully loaded or completely saturated with animal waste product. The protection garment  410  also sufficiently grips and holds the diaper  40  when it is being worn by an older animal whose back may be so severely slanted that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to otherwise securely hold the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position due to undesired and unwanted unloaded diaper slippage. 
         [0113]    As best seen in  FIG. 14 , the pet protection garment  410  generally comprises: (1) a primary animal, protective garment  120 , such as a protective animal vest, a pressure wrap garment, a T-shirt, or a sweater, and (2) a garment support arrangement  430 , which is integral to or attached and carried by the primary animal protective garment  120 . The garment support arrangement  430  generally includes a base or pocket unit  432  that is secured to the primary animal protective garment  120  at about its distal end. The preferred method of attachment is by stitching the support arrangement  430  to the underlying garment  120 , but as mentioned earlier other means of attachment are fully contemplated by the present invention. Attached to the base pocket unit  432  at about its distal end boundary is a closure flap  436  having an outside surface area  436 A and an inside surface area  436 B, which closure flap  436  is moveable between a closed position and an open position in the same manner as closure flap  36 . 
         [0114]    Considering now the utility pocket  432  in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 14 , the utility pocket  432  is provided with a zipper pocket assembly  466  a pair of tether pads indicated generally at  444  and fasteners indicated generally at  433 . As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, each tether pad  444  is provided with a detent indicated generally at  442  which is adapted to secure and retain on the pad  444 , a secondary support coupler, such as a secondary support coupler  450 . The distal end of the support coupler  450  is provided with an eyelet that engages and slides the detent  442  inwardly when the eyelet is pressed down onto the pad  444  and once the eyelet passes the detent  442  the detent  442  slides back to its extended position substantially preventing the eyelet of the coupler from escaping from the pad  444 . 
         [0115]    Considering now the zipper pocket assembly  466  in greater detail, the zipper pocket assembly  466  generally comprises overlaying inside and outside pocket layers  481 ,  482 , which are joined together along peripheral edges indicated at stitching lines  483 ,  484 , and  485  respectively. When so stitched together, the utility pocket  432  is then provided with a secondary support coupler storage compartment, indicated generally at  438 . The storage compartment  438  has an access opening  486  with a zipper closure  488 . The storage compartment  436  has a sufficient storage capacity for receiving and storing therein a packaged diaper (not shown) and at least two support couplers, such as the support coupler  450 . With this arrangement, access to the zipper pocket assembly  466  and the support couplers stored therein is prevented, when the closure flap  436  is disposed in its close position. 
         [0116]    As noted herein earlier, the garment support arrangement  430  is disposed at a distal end area of the primary protective garment  120  so that when the closure flap  436  is moved to its open position, the primary support coupler (not shown) carried by the closure flap  436  is deployed for engagement with the diaper  40 . When the flap  436  is so positioned in its open position, the spacing difference between the primary protective garment  120  and the diaper  40  should be sufficiently small so the closure flap  436  will be deployed in an overlaying relationship with the diaper  40 . In this manner then, the primary support coupler s positioned to be easily positioned by the user gripping the flap  436  and then fastened to the secondary protective garment or diaper  40  so the diaper  40  is securely held in its intended and desired animal protective position. While deployment of the primary support coupler as described above is generally successful, the utilization of a secondary support coupler  450  may be needed, when (1) the spacing difference between the primary protective garment  120  and the diaper  40  is so great that the closure flap  436  when moved from its close position to its open deployment position to deploy the primary support coupler, does not result in an overlaying relationship. When this occurs, the utilization of a secondary support coupler, such as the secondary support coupler  450  may be required. 
         [0117]    As best seen in  FIG. 15 , it is contemplated that in yet another preferred embodiment a pet protection garment  510 , with either an integral or separately attached and permanently secured garment support arrangement  530 . The garment support arrangement  530  is provided with a pocket area  532  with a closure flap  536 . The support arrangement  530  in this embodiment is provided with a different construction. That is, rather than the zipper pocket assembly and tether pin pads being disposed in the pocket area of the support arrangement  530 , they are disposed on the closure flap  536 . In this regard, the garment support arrangement  530  is provided with a base or utility pocket  532  and a closure flap  536  each provided with a fastener, such as previously described that permits the closure flap  536  to seal and close the pocket  532 . The closure flap  536  in this arrangement is provided with a zipper pocket assembly  566 , and a pair of tether pads indicated generally at  544 . Each tether pad  544  is provided with a female snap pin receptacle  570  that will receive a corresponding male snap pin (not shown) disposed on the distal end of a secondary support coupler  550 . In this configuration the zipper pocket assembly  566  generally comprises overlaying inside and outside pocket layers  581  and  582  which are joined together along peripheral edges indicated at stitching lines  583 ,  584 , and  585 . When so stitched together, the closure flap  536  is then provided with a backup storage compartment, indicated generally at  538 . The storage compartment  538  has an access opening  586  with a zipper closure  588 . The storage compartment  538  has a sufficient storage capacity for receiving and storing therein a package diaper (not shown) and at least two support couplers, such as the support coupler  550 . With this arrangement, access to the storage compartment  538  and the support couplers stored therein is prevented when the closure flap  536  is disposed in its close position. 
         [0118]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 16-17 , a multi-purpose pet protection garment according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and shown generally at reference character  610 . The pet protection garment  610  when used in accordance with a novel method of use  1400  ( FIG. 18 ), functions to grip and securely hold a secondary animal protective garment, such as a diaper or shield  40 , in its intended and desired animal protective position, even though the diaper  40  may be fully loaded or completely saturated with animal waste product. The protection garment  610  also sufficiently grips and holds the diaper  40  when it is being worn by an older animal whose back may be so severely slanted that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to otherwise securely hold the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position due to undesired and unwanted unloaded diaper slippage. 
         [0119]    The pet protection garment  610  generally comprises: (1) a primary animal protective garment  120 , such as a protective animal vest, a pressure wrap garment, a T-shirt, or a sweater, and (2) a garment support arrangement  630 , which is carried by the primary animal protective garment  120 . The garment support arrangement  630  generally includes a base utility pocket unit  632  that is secured to the primary animal protective garment  120  at about its distal end. The preferred method of attachment is by stitching the support arrangement  630  to the underlying garment  120 , but as mentioned earlier other means of attachment are fully contemplated by the present invention. Attached to the base pocket unit  632  at about its distal end boundary is a closure flap  636  which is moveable between a closed position and an open position in the same manner as closure flap  336 . 
         [0120]    Considering now the closure flap  636  in greater detail, the closure flap  636  has a diaper engaging surface  636 A and a pocket engaging surface area  636 B. Disposed on the diaper engaging surface  636 A is a primary coupler  634  ( FIG. 17 ). Disposed on the pocket engaging surface area  6366  is a zipper pocket assembly  666  ( FIG. 16 ) and a pair of tether pads indicated generally at  687  and  689  respectively. As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, each of the tether pads  687 , 689  are adapted to receive thereon and secure thereto a secondary support coupler, such as a secondary support coupler  50 . 
         [0121]    Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to  FIGS. 19-22  another multi-purpose pet protection garment  1310  is illustrated, which garment  1310  is also constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. The pet protection garment  1310 , when used in accordance with a novel method of use  1400  ( FIG. 18 ), functions to grip and securely hold a secondary animal protective garment, such as a diaper or shield  40 , in its intended and desired animal protective position, even though the diaper  40  may be fully loaded or completely saturated with animal waste product. The protection garment  1310  also sufficiently grips and holds the diaper  40  when it is being worn by an older animal whose back may be so severely slanted that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to otherwise securely hold the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position due to undesired and unwanted unloaded diaper slippage. 
         [0122]    As best seen in  FIGS. 19-22 , the pet protection garment  1310  generally comprises: (1) a primary animal protective garment  1320 , such as a protective animal vest, a pressure wrap garment, a T-shirt, or a sweater, and (2) a garment support arrangement  1330 , which is carried by the primary animal protective garment  1320 . The garment support arrangement  1330  generally includes a base unit  1332  having an upper section  1340  and a lower section  1350 . A protective flap or tail  1360  is secured to the base unit  1332  which functions to carry a primary diaper coupler  1365 . The protective flap or tail  1360  is secured along its distal end as best seen in  FIG. 20 , to a distal end area of the base unit  1332  to facilitate its rearward extension from the base unit  1332  a sufficient distance so that the flap  1360  overlays a substantial top surface proximal end area of the diaper  40  when the flap or tail  1360  is disposed in an open or diaper engaging position, indicated generally at  60 , as best seen in  FIGS. 20-21 . 
         [0123]    The upper and lower sections  1340  and  1350  respectively, are integrally attached to one another along an imaginary lateral line indicated generally at  1390  as best seen in  FIG. 19 ; and although the upper section  1340  is permanently secured by its proximal boundary end area to the animal protective garment  1320  by attachment means indicated generally at  1342 , the lower section  1350  is not. In this regard, the lower section  1350  is not secured to the animal protective garment  1320  so that it may be lifted up and away from the protective garment  1320  and folded back onto or rotated forwardly onto overlaying the upper section  1340 . 
         [0124]    The lower section  1350  when folded back onto the upper section  1340  exposes the tail  1360  so that it may be gripped and pulled forward toward the rear or tail end of an animal  12  a sufficient distance so that the tail  1360  overlays a substantial top surface area of the diaper  40 . In this manner, a primary diaper coupler  1365  carried by the tail  1360  may be brought into gripping, securing engagement with the top fabric surface area of the diaper  40  for holding or securing the diaper  40  in its intended animal protection position as best seen in  FIGS. 20-21 . 
         [0125]    Considering now the garment support arrangement  1330  in still greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 20 and 22 , the tail  1360  of the garment support arrangement  1330  has a diaper engaging surface area indicated generally at  1362  ( FIG. 24 ). The diaper engaging surface area  1362  is provided with a primary support coupler arrangement  1365 , which is composed of a plurality of hooks which may be arranged in a decorative design and which are adapted to engage and securely grip a top fabric surface of the diaper  40  so the tail  1360  is held in its open position  60  as best seen in  FIG. 20  supporting the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protection position. In order to hold the tail  1360  in its closed position as best seen in  FIG. 23 , the garment support arrangement  1330  is provided with a tail fastener, indicated generally at  1361 . 
         [0126]    In a similar manner, the garment support arrangement  1330  is provided with a secondary support coupler arrangement  1380  ( FIG. 24 ) which is concealed by the tail  1360  when it is disposed in its closed position as best seen in  FIG. 23 . The secondary support coupler arrangement  1380  generally includes a zippered pocket arrangement indicated generally at  1368  ( FIG. 24 ) with an access opening  1370  ( FIG. 25 ) with a zipper closure  1378 . The access opening  1370  has disposed therein a pair of spaced apart tether pins, such as a tether pin  1372  having tethered thereto a secondary diaper coupler  1366  ( FIG. 26 ). The secondary diaper coupler  1366  generally includes an elastic extension strap  1374  secured at its proximal end to the tether pin  1372  and having a diaper clip  1376  secured at its distal end. In this regard, the secondary diaper coupler  1366  may be released from the access opening  1370  and extended via the extension strap  1374  so the clip  1376  may be secured to the diaper  40  to hold or secure the diaper in its intended and desired animal protection position. When not in use, the secondary coupler  1366  is placed back into the access opening  1370  and enclosed therein by the zipper closure  1378  sealing the zippered pocket assembly  1368  until needed again for supporting or holding a diaper in place. It should be noted that the location of the garment support arrangement  1330  is selected so that it may easily and quickly be utilized to grippingly hold or secure the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position at a rear bodily area  14  of the animal  12 , while at the same time being placed at a location where it can not be easily reached by the animal  12 . 
         [0127]    Because of its fabric construction, the garment support arrangement  1330  is adapted to be sewn, stitched, riveted or adhesively secured to the fabric surface area of the garment  1320  at about a distal end area  1394  thereof 
         [0128]    Referring now to  FIG. 18 , the novel and unique method  1400  of using the support garment  10  for holding or supporting a secondary animal protective garment, such as a diaper  40 , to prevent the diaper  40  from sliding off the animal  12 . In this regard, the support garment  10 , via the garment support arrangement  30 , effectively retains the diaper  40  in its intended desired animal protective position regardless of normal animal activity movement or because of excessive diaper weight caused when the absorbent material of the diaper  40  becomes saturated with the waste product of the animal  12 . 
         [0129]    The novel method of use  1400 , begins at a start step  1402  and proceeds from the start step  1402  to a placing step  1404  where an animal owner, not shown, places the pet protection garment  10 , on an animal  12  to be protected. The pet protection garment  10  in this regard is the primary animal protective garment  20  having disposed thereon the garment support arrangement  30 . Next at another placing step  1406 , the animal owner places a secondary animal protective garment  40 , namely the animal diaper  40 , on the animal  12 . With the animal diaper  40  in place, the animal owner expects that any animal waste product eliminated from the animal  12  will be retained by the diaper  40  and will not be able to be deposited on the ground or floor in the surrounding environment whether the floor or ground is in a home residence, or on a footpath, or a sidewalk in a public or private location. However, to make absolutely certain that the diaper  40  does not accidental slip off the animal  12  due to normal animal movement or due to the absorbent material of the diaper  40  become excessively weighty due to the, absorption of waste, owner proceeds to a release or deployment step  1408 . 
         [0130]    At the release or deployment step  1408 , the animal owner deploys a primary support coupler  52 A from the garment support arrangement  30 . In this regard, the owner opens the closure flap or tail  36  allowing it to be fully opened so the primary support coupler  52 A carried by the closure flap  36  is able to engage with a fabric surface of the secondary animal protective garment  40 . As will be explained hereinafter in greater detail, the garment support arrangement  30  may include a single support coupler or a plurality of support couplers, including like type couplers and unlike type couplers. For the moment however, for the purpose of describing this aspect of the unique and novel method of use  1400  only a single coupler, namely the primary support coupler  52 A carried by the closure flap  36  will be described. In this regard, in order to facilitate the coupling of the primary animal protective garment  20  with the secondary animal protective garment  40 , the closure flap  36  needs to have 1) a sufficient longitudinal length to extend from the primary animal protective garment  20  into an overlaying position on a desired fabric area of the diaper or secondary protective garment  40 ; and 2) a primary support coupler  52 A with a set of loop fasteners or a set of hook fasteners that operates to provide a sufficient fastening or gripping force to securely hold the diaper  40 . That is, the set of loop or hook fasteners must sufficiently grip and secure the diaper  40 , so that it can not slide off the animal  12  because of normal animal activity movements or because of excessive weight caused when the absorbent material of the diaper  40  becomes saturated with the waste product of the animal  12 . 
         [0131]    Since there is great variation in the size of animals  12 , in the size and fit of a primary animal protective garment  20  on an animal, and in the size, fit and fabric structure of a diaper, the closure flap  36  may not have a sufficient length to overlay the diaper  40  or the fabric structure of the diaper  40  may be such that it prevents the primary support coupler  52 A from gripping its fabric structure, the process proceeds to a verifying step  1410 , where the animal owner verifies that the primary support coupler  52 A has in fact securely engaged the diaper  40 . 
         [0132]    The process continues to a decision step  1412 , where the animal owner makes a determination that the diaper  40  is securely gripped and is being held in its intended and desired animal protection position. If the owner determines the diaper is not being securely held, the process advances to a go to secondary deployment step  1416  that will be described hereinafter in greater detail. On the other hand, if the animal owner determines that the diaper  40  is being securely held, the process proceeds to a go to a waiting step  1414 . 
         [0133]    If the animal owner confirms that the primary support coupler  52 A has firmly gripped the diaper  40  so the animal  12  may freely roam and move about within a protected environment, the process proceeds from step  1414  to step  1433  as best seen in  FIG. 18C . In this regard, from step  1433 , the process advances to a releasing and waiting step  1434 , where the animal owner releases, the animal  12  to a protected environmental area (not shown) and waits until the animal  12  needs the diaper  40  to be removed or changed. When released, should the animal  12  need to eliminate its bodily waste, it will be contained within the diaper  40  until such time as the animal owner intentionally removes the diaper  40  from the animal  12  being protected. This is described as a waiting step  1434  as best seen in  FIG. 18G . 
         [0134]    When the animal owner is ready to allow his or her animal  12  to be released to a non protected environment where the animal may eliminate its bodily waste products, the method proceeds to a removal decision step  1436  to determine if the diaper  40  needs to be removed from the animal  12 . If not, the process simply waits at this decision step until such time as the diaper  40  needs to be changed or simply removed. In any event, if the diaper  40  needs to be changed or removed, the process advances to a releasing step  1438  where the animal owner releases the gripping forces applied to the diaper  40  via the garment support arrangement  30 . 
         [0135]    Next, the process advances to a removing step  1440 , where the animal owner removes the diaper  40  from the animal and releases the animal to a non protected environment area, such as a runway, kennel area, or an non protected yarn area. The process then goes to a ready determination or decision step  1442  to determine when the animal owner is ready to have the animal  12  be returned to a protected environment. If the owner is not ready, the process repeats the ready decision step  1442  until the owner is ready. In any event, when the animal owner is ready, the process advances to a go to step  1444  which initiates a new process via a go to step  1444  which returns to step  1402  so the above-described process may be repeated again. If the owner determines that there is no longer any need for the animal  12  to be protected, the process ends when the owner removes the pet protection garment  10  from the, animal  12  causing the novel method of use to be concluded. 
         [0136]    Referring again to  FIGS. 18A-B , if at decision step  1412 , the animal owner determines that the primary support coupler  52 A is not able to grippingly engage or secure the diaper  40 , the process proceeds to a go to step  1416  for deploying a secondary support coupler, such as the support coupler  50 . In this regard, the process advances from step  1416  to step  1418  and then to an opening step  1420 . At the opening step  1420 , the animal owner opens a secondary support coupler storage pocket and retrieves from the storage area of this storage pocket a desired type of a secondary support coupler. In this regard, the secondary support coupler is selected from a group of support coupler consisting of fixed length support couplers and elastic support couplers that have the ability to stretch 2 to 8 times their non-stretched length. Such support couplers are provided with different types of fastening arrangements including a set of hook fasteners, a set of loop fasteners, an enlarged loop fastener, a clam shaped clip fastener, an alligator clip fastener, a slip clip fastener, and other conventional fasteners that can easily and quickly be deployed for gripping engagement with the diaper  40  to facilitate holding the diaper in its intended and desired animal protective position. 
         [0137]    After retrieving the selected secondary support coupler  50  from the storage compartment, the process goes to an attaching step  1422 . At the attaching step  1422 , the animal owner attaches the selected secondary support coupler  50  to a male tether pin which is disposed in the deployment compartment. The attachment is done by simply pushing an associated female tether coupler, disposed at about a proximal end of the support coupler  50 , onto the male tether pin. 
         [0138]    When the secondary support coupler  50  is tethered to the pin, the process goes to a securing step  1424 , where a fastener, such as an alligator clip fastener secured to the distal end of the support coupler  50  is opened and moved to the diaper  40  and released so that the fastener securely grips and holds the diaper  40 . As mentioned earlier, other types of fasteners are fully contemplated by the present invention, so there is no intention of limiting the type of fastener to that of an alligator clip type fastener. Next, the process advances to an anchoring step  1426 , where the animal owner moves the closure flap  36  back to its close position  62  where the closure flap  36  then anchors the tethered fastener or support coupler  50  so that it is securely held within the pocket of the garment support arrangement. 
         [0139]    From the anchoring step  1426 , the process advances to a determination step  1428 , where the animal owner verifies that the support coupler  50  is securely anchored and is securely gripping the diaper  40  holding the diaper  40  in its intended and desired animal protective position. If the there is a problem with either the support coupler  50  being anchored or not securely gripping the diaper  40 , the process returns to step  1426  and proceeds as previously described. If there is no problem with the support coupler  50  being anchored and securely gripping the diaper  40 , the process goes to a go to step  1432  returning the process to step  1433  where the process continues from there as previously described. 
         [0140]    The preceding merely illustrates the principles of the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements which, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples and conditional language recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes and to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents and equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure. 
         [0141]    This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the figures of the accompanying drawing, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. 
         [0142]    All patents, publications, scientific articles, web sites, and other documents and materials referenced or mentioned herein are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and each such referenced document and material is hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if it had been incorporated by reference in its entirety individually or set forth herein in its entirety. Applicants reserve the right to physically incorporate into this specification, any and all materials and information from any such patents, publications, scientific articles, web sites, electronically available information, and other referenced materials or documents to the extent such incorporated materials and information are not inconsistent with the description herein. 
         [0143]    The written description portion of this patent includes all claims. Furthermore, all claims, including all original claims as well as all claims from any and all priority documents, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into the written description portion of the specification, and Applicant(s) reserve the right to physically incorporate into the written description or any other portion of the application, any and all such claims. Thus, for example, under no circumstances may the patent be interpreted as allegedly not providing a written description for a claim on the assertion that the precise wording of the claim is not set forth in haec verba in written description portion of the patent. 
         [0144]    The claims will be interpreted according to law. However, and notwithstanding the alleged or perceived ease or difficulty of interpreting any claim or portion thereof, under no circumstances may any adjustment or amendment of a claim or any portion thereof during prosecution of the application or applications leading to this patent be interpreted as having forfeited any right to any and all equivalents thereof that do not form a part of the prior art. 
         [0145]    All of the features disclosed in this specification may be combined in any combination. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is only an example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0146]    It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Thus, from the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for the purpose of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims and the present invention is not limited except as by the appended claims. 
         [0147]    The specific methods and compositions described herein are representative of preferred embodiments and are exemplary and not intended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other objects, aspects, and embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of this specification, and are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, or limitation or limitations, which is not specifically disclosed herein as essential. Thus, for example, in each instance herein, in embodiments or examples of the present invention, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “containing”, etc. are to be read expansively and without limitation. The methods and processes illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in differing orders of steps, and that they are not necessarily restricted to the orders of steps indicated herein or in the claims. 
         [0148]    The terms and expressions that have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intent in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalent of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as claimed. Thus, it will be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by various embodiments and/or preferred embodiments and optional features, any and all modifications and variations of the concepts herein disclosed that may be resorted to by those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0149]    The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each of the narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the generic disclosure also form part of the invention. This includes the generic description of the invention with a proviso or negative limitation removing any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or not the excised material is specifically recited herein. 
         [0150]    It is also to be understood that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, the term “X and/or Y” means “X” or “Y” or both “X” and “Y”, and the letter “s” following a noun designates both the plural and singular forms of that noun. In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, it is intended and those skilled in the art will recognize, that the invention embraces and is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group. 
         [0151]    Other embodiments are within the following claims. For example, rather than having as disclosed a utility envelope for the deployment of a support coupler it is contemplated that utility means in the form of a simple strap with spaced apart coupling means could be provided to deploy coupling means to the primary protective garment and to the secondary protective garment so the primary protective garment in combination with the utility means support and hold the secondary protective garment in its intended animal protection position. Therefore, the patent may not be interpreted to be limited to the specific examples or embodiments or methods specifically and/or expressly disclosed herein. Under no circumstances may the patent be interpreted to be limited by any statement made by any Examiner or any other official or employee of the Patent and Trademark Office unless such statement is specifically and without qualification or reservation expressly adopted in a responsive writing by Applicants. 
         [0152]    Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention. 
         [0153]    Other modifications and implementations will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the description hereinabove is not intended to limit the invention, except as indicated in the following claims. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           10  a multi-purpose pet protection garment 
           12  an animal 
           14  a tail or rear bodily area of the animal 
           20  a primary animal protective garment (a sweater, a pressure strap, etc.) 
           30  a secondary garment support arrangement 
           36  a tail forming an integral part of the primary animal protective garment 
           36 A a top diaper engaging surface area 
           36 B a bottom primary protective garment engaging surface area 
           40  a secondary animal protection garment (a diaper or shield) 
           40 S a diaper strap 
           50  a secondary support coupler 
           52 A a primary support coupler arrangement 
           52 B a secondary support coupler arrangement 
           60  an open position of the secondary garment support arrangement 
           62  a closed position of the secondary garment support arrangement 
           90  a top fabric surface area of the garment  20   
           94  a distal end area of the primary animal protective garment  20   
           110  a self contained garment support kit 
           120  a primary animal protective garment 
           130  a garment support arrangement 
           131  an adhesive backing 
           132  a base or pocket unit 
           133  a pocket fastener 
           136  a closure flap 
           136 A a top surface area of the closure flap 
           1368  a bottom surface area of the closure flap 
           138  a top surface floor area of the pocket unit 
           152 A a primary support coupler 
           152 B a secondary support coupler 
           190  a top fabric surface area 
           194  a distal boundary end of the pocket unit 
           210  another self contained garment support kit 
           230  a garment support arrangement 
           232  a base or pocket unit 
           233  a closure fastener 
           234  a primary support coupler (carried by closure flap  236 ) 
           235  a closure flap fastener 
           236  a diaper engaging closure flap 
           236 A a top or a diaper engaging surface area 
           236 B a bottom or a base unit engaging surface area 
           237  a coupler engaging closure flap 
           237 A an upper surface area of the closure flap  237   
           239  a fastener 
           240  a storage compartment (carried by closure flap  237 ) 
           242  a floor area of the pocket unit  232   
           250  a secondary support coupler 
           252  a male tether pin 
           253  a female pin receiving component 
           254  a clam shaped clip 
           294  a distal end area of the pocket unit  232   
           310  a multi-purpose pet protection garment 
           330  a garment support arrangement 
           332  a pocket area 
           333  a fastener 
           335  a fastener 
           336  a closure flap 
           336 A an outside surface area 
           336 B an inside surface area 
           342  a floor area of the pocket area  332   
           350  an adjustable fixed length strap coupler 
           352  tether pins 
           360  an adjustable elastic strap coupler 
           370  an elastic band type secondary coupler 
           380  an elastic Y-band type coupler 
           381  an extension arms 
           382  an extension arm 
           390  an elastic loop coupler 
           410  a pet protection garment 
           430  a garment support arrangement 
           432  a base or utility pocket 
           433  a fastener 
           436  a closure flap 
           436 A an outside surface area 
           436 B an inside surface area 
           438  a secondary support coupler storage compartment 
           442  a detent 
           444  a tether pad 
           450  a secondary support coupler 
           466  a zipper pocket assembly 
           481  inside pocket layer 
           482  an outside pocket layer 
           483  a stitch line 
           484  a stitch line 
           485  a stitch line 
           486  an access opening 
           488  a zipper closure 
           510  a pet protection garment 
           530  a garment support arrangement 
           532  a backup storage compartment 
           536  a closure flap 
           538  a backup storage compartment 
           544  a tether pad 
           550  a secondary support coupler 
           566  a zipper pocket assembly 
           570  a female snap pin receptacle 
           581  a inside pocket layer 
           582  an outside pocket layer 
           583  a stitch line 
           584  a stitch line 
           585  a stitch line 
           586  an access opening 
           588  a zipper closure 
           610  a pet protection garment 
           630  a garment support arrangement 
           632  a base utility pocket unit 
           634  a primary support coupler or a removable stick pin device 
           636  a closure flap 
           636 A a diaper engaging surface 
           636 B a pocket engaging surface 
           655  a decorative design 
           656  a male pin component 
           658  a female securing component 
           666  a zipper pocket assembly 
           687  a tether pad 
           689  a tether pad 
           1310  a multi-purpose pet protection garment 
           1320  a primary animal protective garment 
           1330  a garment support arrangement 
           1332  a base unit 
           1340  an upper section 
           1342  a fastener 
           1350  a lower section 
           1360  a protective flap or tail 
           1361  a tail fastener 
           1362  a diaper engaging surface area 
           1365  a primary diaper coupler 
           1366  a secondary diaper coupler 
           1368  a zippered pocket assembly 
           1370  an access opening 
           1372  a the pin 
           1374  art elastic extension strap 
           1376  a clip 
           1378  a zipper closure 
           1380  a secondary support coupler arrangement 
           1390  an imaginary lateral line 
           1394  a distal end area 
           1400  method of use 
           1402  a start step 
           1404  a placing step 
           1406  another placing step 
           1408  a deployment step 
           1410  a verifying step 
           1412  a decision or determination step 
           1414  go to waiting step 
           1416  go to secondary deploying step 
           1418  a from step 
           1420  an opening step 
           1422  an attaching step 
           1424  a securing step 
           1426  an anchoring step 
           1428  a determination step 
           1432  a go to step 
           1433  a from step 
           1434  a releasing step 
           1436  a decision step 
           1438  a releasing step 
           1440  a removing step 
           1442  a decision step 
           1444  a go to step