Animal harness

A harness for inhibiting an animal from straining against a leash and inducing the animal to come to a halt or to a walk or run at a pace acceptable to the animal handler is provided. The harness may include a longitudinal strap having a set of loop straps extending from the longitudinal strap for placing around the body of the animal. Each loop strap in the set of loop straps may be adjustable to fit the size of the animal on which it is placed so that the harness may be suitable for animals of varying sizes. A continuous cord may be secured to the set of loop straps defining a front restraining member and a back restraining member. Pulling upwards on the cord causes the front and back restraining members to pull inward applying pressure to the front and back legs of the animal to restrain the animal.

FIELD

The present invention relates to an animal harness for humanely restraining and controlling an animal with improved ease.

BACKGROUND

A harness for an animal is typically worn in conjunction with a collar and used as an alternative for leash attachment. While a collar only encircles the neck of the animal, harnesses generally have a loop that surrounds the torso or body of the animal as well, with connecting straps between them for reinforcement. The use of a harness allows for distribution of force on the body of the animal which may prevent choking and reduce the possibility of the animal slipping out that may be possible with only a collar. Harness usage is growing in popularity among many pet owners—especially for those with smaller breed dogs.

With the growing use of harnesses, many problems arise. For example, conventional animal harnesses typically require a significant amount of effort for a handler to control and restrain the animal. Furthermore, conventional harnesses (such as dog collars) put a strain on the animal's neck which can result in injury. Consequently, an animal harness that can humanely restrain and control an animal with minimal effort is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In one embodiment a harness for inhibiting an animal, such as a dog, from straining against a leash and inducing the dog to come to a halt or to a walk or run at a pace acceptable to the leash holder, or animal handler is provided. The harness may include a longitudinal strap for placing on the back of an animal and a set of loop straps extending downwardly from the longitudinal strap for placing around the body of an animal. The set of loops may be directly attached to the longitudinal strap, for example sewn together or directly attached by any other method known in the art, or each loop in the set of loops may be inserted into separate openings of the longitudinal strap. The set of loop straps may include a first loop strap, a second loop strap and a third loop strap.

The first loop strap may be for placing around the neck of the animal and may include at least one first adjustable member for selectively adjusting the length of the first loop strap to accommodate the size of the neck of the animal.

The second loop strap may be for placing around a front body portion of the animal and may include at least one second adjustable member for selectively adjusting the length of the second loop strap to accommodate around the front body portion of the animal.

The third loop strap may be for placing around a back body portion of the animal and may include at least one third adjustable member for selectively adjusting the length of the third loop strap to accommodate around the back body portion of the animal.

The harness may also include a lower front strap secured to the first loop strap and to the second loop strap for preventing the first loop strap from slipping off the neck of the animal.

A continuous cord may be secured to the set of loop straps and lower front strap defining a front restraining member and a back restraining member. Pulling upwards on the continuous cord causes the front and back restraining members to pull inward applying pressure to the front and back legs of the animal to humanely restrain the animal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, certain terminology is used to describe certain features of one or more embodiments of the invention. The term “attaching member” refers to a hook; clasp any other type of device that may be used for attaching to items together. The term “connecting member” refers to a ring, junction or any other type of device that may be used for connecting two or more straps.

According to the present invention, a harness for inhibiting an animal, such as a dog, from straining against the leash and inducing the dog to come to a halt or to a walk or run at a pace acceptable to the leash holder, or animal handler, is provided. Although the harness of the present invention is described implemented on a dog, those skilled in the art will recognize that the principles and teachings described herein may be applied to a variety of four-legged animals including, but not limited to, cats, pigs, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, iguanas and the like. The harness is also suitable for animals of varying sizes whose sizes may range from small to large, as the harness is adjustable to the size of the animal on which it is placed.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an animal harness100according to an embodiment of the present invention. The harness100may include a longitudinal strap102having a set of loop straps extending downwardly from the longitudinal strap102for placing around the body of an animal. The set of loops straps may be directly attached to the longitudinal strap102, for example sewn together or directly attached by any other method known in the art, or each loop in the set of loop straps may be inserted into separate openings of the longitudinal strap102, such as openings104,106and108.

The set of loop straps may include a first loop strap110which may slip over, and extend around the neck of the animal, a second loop strap112which may extend around a front end, or chest portion, of the animal and a third loop strap114which may extend around a back end of the animal. Once the first loop strap110has been placed over the animal's head, a lower front strap116may be used to ensure the harness100does not slip off of the animal. The lower front strap116may have a first end116asecured to the second loop strap112and a second end116bsecured to a front connecting member118. The lower front strap116may further include a lower front strap opening120for insertion of a continuous cord or lead, as discussed below.

The set of loop straps110,112and114may include one or more adjustable buckles or trislides, such as trislides122-138, that may be used to adjust or vary the length of the straps to accommodate the harness100to the body of the animal. The bigger the animal the greater the distance between its shoulder and chest and the greater the length of the strap which runs between the shoulder and the chest junctions needs to be. The number of trislides on the set of loop straps110,112and114may vary by the size of the harness and the varying ranges of sizes the harness100may be adjusted to. Although one trislide is shown on the first loop strap104and four trislides are shown on the second and third loop straps112,114, this is by way of example only and each strap may have more or less trislides. In one embodiment, no trislides may be needed. In an alternative embodiment, other types of buckles may be used instead of trislides.

The longitudinal strap102and the set of loop straps110-114may also include one or more rings140-150, such as D-rings, for securing a continuous cord or lead to the harness100. Although six rings are shown on the harness100, this is by way of example only and the harness100may have more or less rings. In one embodiment, the rings140-150may be formed from a resilient plastic, metal or other suitable material known in the art.

FIGS. 2-4are perspective, left and right side views, respectively, of the animal harness100ofFIG. 1, with a continuous cord or lead152, fitted on an animal154. The first loop strap110of the harness may include a first end loop110aand a second end loop110b(SeeFIG. 5) which may pass through trislides122and123and bands164and166, respectively, in any known manner. Upon passing through bands164and166, the first and second end loops110aand110bmay then pass through the front connecting member118and then may be reverse folded, or doubled-back on itself, such that the end loops110aand110bmay pass through band164and166and trislides122and123for a second time. After passing through trislides122and123, first and second end loops110aand110bmay then be reverse folded, or doubled-back on themselves and sewn together securing the end loops110aand110bto trislides122and123, to permit adjustment of the length of the first loop strap110to accommodate the size of the neck of the animal.

The second loop strap112may include first and second end loops112aand112b. The first end loop112amay be secured to a first top connector portion156aand the second end loop112bmay be secured to a first bottom connector portion156b. The first top connector portion156amay be detachably connected to the first bottom connector portion156bforming a first connector or attaching member156. In securing the first end loop112ato the first top connector portion156a, the first end loop112amay pass, in a known manner, through an opening in the first top connector portion156aand may then be reverse folded, or doubled-back on itself, and sewn together to secure attachment to the first top connector portion156a. In securing the second end loop112bto the first bottom connector portion156b, the second end loop112bmay pass, in a known manner, through ring160and then through an opening in the first bottom connector portion156b. After passing through the opening, the second end loop112bmay then pass back through band160to trislide130and may then be reverse folded, or doubled-back on itself, and sewn together to secure attachment to trislide130to permit adjustment of the length of the second loop strap112to accommodate the size of the front portion of the animal's body.

The third loop strap114may include first and second end loops114aand114b. The first end loop114amay be secured to a second top connector portion158aand the second end loop158bmay be secured to a second bottom connection portion158b. The second top connector portion158amay be detachably connected to the second bottom connector portion158bforming a second connector or attaching member158. In securing the first end loop114ato the second top connector portion158a, the first end loop114amay pass, in a known manner, through an opening in the second top connector portion158aand may then be reverse folded, or doubled-back on itself, and sewn together to secure attachment to the second top connector portion158a. In securing the second end loop114bto the second bottom connector portion158b, the second end loop114bmay pass, in a known manner, through band162and then through an opening in the second bottom connector portion158b. After passing through the opening, the second end loop114bmay then pass back through the band162to a trislide138and may then be reverse folded, or doubled-back on itself, and sewn together to secure trislide138to permit adjustment of the length of the third loop strap114to accommodate the size of the back portion of the animal's body.

The lead may include a continuous cord152that may be used to humanely control and restrain the animal154. The continuous cord152may be placed around the animal's body and secured to the harness100by rings144-150. While it is contemplated that continuous cord152may be in the form of a cord having a generally circular cross-section as shown, and be manufactured from a nylon or other appropriate material, it is also contemplated that the continuous cord152may be in the form of braided nylon rope, nylon webbing, leather or any other styles and/or materials known in the art. Accordingly, the term continuous cord152as used herein is used merely for convenience to refer to any such member, and should not be construed so as to limit the invention to the specific design shown.

The continuous cord152may be comprised of a front restraining member152aand a back restraining member152b. One end of the continuous cord152may have a loop168(SeeFIGS. 3 and 7) which may be threaded through ring146secured to the second loop strap112. From ring146, the continuous cord152may be threaded through the lower front strap opening120in the front strap116(SeeFIGS. 5 and 7) and ring144, causing the front restraining member152aof the continuous cord152to wrap around the chest of the animal. The continuous cord152may then pass through ring148and ring150causing the back restraining member152bof continuous cord152to wrap around the hind legs of the animal. From ring150on the third loop strap, the continuous cord152may then pass through the loop168and continue upwardly passing through ring140secured to the longitudinal strap102(SeeFIGS. 3,4and6). The remaining portion of the continuous cord152extending outwardly from ring140may then be used as a lead or leash. To control the animal, a handler may pull up on the continuous cord152causing the front and back restraining members152aand152bto pull on the animal's front and hind legs humanely restraining the animal into a submissive state.

Advantageously, embodiments of the invention allow a user to provide a humane harness for controlling and/or restraining an animal. As the harness is easy to use, it not does require a person to have a lot of strength to control the animal. The person may merely lift up on the leash holder with the leash using one finger to effortlessly control and/or restrain the animal. That is, by pulling on the leash or continuous cord, the front and/or hind legs of the animal are restrained, thereby preventing it from pulling the person. Furthermore, as the harness is adjustable, it may be fitted to various sizes of animals.

One or more of the components and functions illustrated inFIGS. 1,2,3,4,5,6and/or7may be rearranged and/or combined into a single component or embodied in several components without departing from the invention. Additional elements or components may also be added without departing from the invention.