Animal restraint unit

An animal restraint unit adapted to be worn by the animal and, in its simplest form, comprising a collar, a waistband and a pair of elonaged, rectilinear, lateral pieces pivotally and releasably connected at substantially diametric positions to the collar and to the waistband and adapted to extend therebetween along the animal's sides. The collar and waistband, together with the attachment thereto of the lateral pieces, are adjustable to properly fit the animal. The restraint unit prohibits the animal from twisting its body laterally, thus preventing the animal from traumatizing posterior portions of its body which have undergone surgery or are inflicted which a dermatological problem. Similarly, the restraint unit prevents the animal from scratching anterior portions of its body. The restraint unit may be provided with a mandible engaging attachment to restrict lowering of the animal's head so as to prevent injury after ophthalmic surgery. The restraint may also have a thoracic attachment mounted thereon prohibiting raising of the front legs so as to prevent pawing of the head area and/or jumping. The restraint unit can additionally be used as an aid in training the animal.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The invention relates to an animal restraint, and more particularly to such 
a restraint which will prevent traumatizing by the animal of posterior and 
anterior parts of its body and which may also be used as a training aid. 
BACKGROUND ART 
While the invention is not intended to be so limited, it will, for purposes 
of an exemplary showing, be described in its application to dogs, for 
which it is particularly suited. 
A major difficulty in the treatment of dogs or other animals afflicated 
with dermatological problems or after surgery or the like is the 
traumatizing of the affected area by the animal itself through pawing, 
licking or biting. Not only is the affected area traumatized in this 
manner, but also medicaments and/or bandages can be removed in this 
manner. Workers in the art have long been plagued with the problem of 
preventing such action by the animal without completely immobilizing the 
animal; subjecting the animal to undue discomfort; or interfering with 
normal functions of the animal such as eating, sleeping and the like. 
Prior art workers have devised various types of restraint means for various 
types of animals and for a wide variety of purposes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 
439,598; 934,651 and 2,313,833 describe restraint devices for restricting 
movement of an animal's neck or head. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,026,383 teaches an exemplary form of dog harness made up of 
body, chest and back straps, but not intended to be a restraint within the 
meaning of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 2,826,172, on the other 
hand, relates to a similar dog harness provided with a loin choke 
activated by the animal itself should the animal apply undue pulling force 
to a leash attached to the restraining dog harness. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,036,554 teaches a device for protecting animals against 
self-inflicted injury by chewing or biting. The device is of the shape of 
a truncated cone and is intended to be located about the animals neck with 
the base of the cone extending forwardly. The device is intended to be 
made of plastic, rubber or similar material. Such a device, however, is 
exemplary of those which are uncomfortable for the animal and interfere 
with eating, sleeping and the like. The animal is also free to work at the 
device with his hind paws which may result in its ultimate removal. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,179 illustrates an animal protector comprising a large 
U-shaped padded member adapted to extend about the front of the animal's 
chest and along its sides. The device is held in place by Velcro tape or 
other suitable strap means. The device not only serves to prevent an 
animal from reaching parts of its body, but also as a cushioning device 
for the animal in a cage or while in a vehicle. Once again, however, such 
a device is bulky and cumbersome. 
The present invention is directed to an animal restraint which is very 
simple in construction and completely adjustable so as to properly fit the 
animal. It will prevent the animal from traumatizing posterior or anterior 
portions of its body suffering from a dermatological problem or after a 
surgical procedure. The device is compact, nonbulky and comfortable for 
the animal and will not interfere with normal functions such as sleeping, 
eating or the like. Various attachments may be applied to the basic 
structure for specific purposes, as will be described hereinafter, and the 
device may also be used as a training aid. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the invention there is provided an animal restraint unit 
of the type to be worn by the animal. The restraint unit comprises a 
collar, a waistband and a pair of elongated, rectilinear, lateral pieces 
pivotally and releasable connected at substantially diametric positions on 
the collar and waistband. The lateral pieces extend between the collar and 
waistband along the animals sides. 
The lateral pieces are of such length that the restraint unit prohibits the 
animal from twisting its body laterally. This, in turn, prevents the 
animal from traumatizing posterior portions of its body by licking, 
chewing or biting. At the same time, traumatization of the anterior 
portion of its body by pawing or scratching with its hind paws is 
similarly prevented. Furthermore, medicaments and/or bandages applied to 
the posterior or anterior portions of its body cannot be removed by the 
animal and areas afflicted with dermatological problems or having wounds 
or surgical incisions will undergo the natural healing processes 
relatively unmolested. 
The restraint unit may be provided with a mandible engaging attachment to 
restrict lowering of the animal's head so as to prevent injury to eyes or 
surrounding area after ophthalmic surgery. A thoracic attachment may also 
be mounted on the restraint unit prohibiting the raising of the front 
legs. This serves to prevent pawing or scratching of the head area. This 
device may also serve to prevent jumping. 
Finally, the restraint unit of the present invention may be used for 
training purposes. The thoracic attachment will prevent fence jumping and 
the like, and the unit itself may be used to better control an unruly 
animal.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
The restraint unit of the present invention, in its simplest form, is 
illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 wherein like parts have been given like 
index numerals. In FIGS. 1 and 2 the restraint unit (generally indicated 
at 1) is illustrated mounted on a dog. In FIG. 3, the restraint unit is 
shown alone in perspective. 
In its simplest form, the restraint unit comprises four basic parts. The 
first part is a collar 2 adapted to extend about the animals neck. The 
second part is a waistband 3 adapted to fit snugly, but comfortably, about 
the animal's waist, just behind the rib cage. 
The third and fourth parts of the animal restraint comprise elongated, 
rectilinear, lateral pieces 4 and 5 which may be identical. Lateral pieces 
4 and 5 connect the collar 2 to the waistband 3 and are pivotally affixed 
to the collar 2 and waistband 3 at diametrically opposed positions 
thereon. As is shown most clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2, those portions of 
lateral pieces 4 and 5 extending between collar 2 and waistband 3 are of 
such length that, when the animal's spine is straight, the lateral pieces 
will lie along the animals's sides comfortably, but without any marked 
amount of slack. This is important, as will be evident hereinafter. 
An exemplary form of collar 2 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The collar may be 
made of any appropriate material including plastic, leather or the like. 
Excellent results have been achieved when the collar 2 was made of 
polyvinylchloride. While the collar 2 may be held about the animal's neck 
in any suitable fashion including the use of a typical buckle assembly, it 
is preferred that the ends of the collar be joined by releasable fastening 
means to be described hereinafter. To this end, the collar 2 at its end 2a 
is provided with a pair of perforations 6. At its end 2b, the collar is 
provided with a series of cooperating pairs of perforations 7. To apply 
the collar to the animal, the collar is located about the animals neck and 
the end 2a is caused to overlap the end 2b with the pair of holes 6 in 
alignment with an appropriate one of the pairs of holes 7 for receipt of a 
releasable fastening means. The collar 2 is also provided with a first 
group of three perforations 8 and a second group of three perforations 9. 
These perforations are so located on the collar as to lie substantially 
along its long axis and as to be substantially diametrically opposed when 
the collar is mounted on the animal. A selected one of the holes 8 and a 
selected one of the holes 9 are adapted to receive a releasable fastener 
for mounting lateral pieces 4 and 5 on the collar. The collar should be of 
such width that it supports the animals's neck with a minimum of 
anterior-posterior movement therealong. 
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary form of waistband 3. Again, the waistband 
may be adjustably mounted on the animal through the use of ordinary buckle 
means or the like. Preferably, however, the waistband is attached by 
fastening means in the same manner described with respect to the collar 2. 
As a result, the end 3a of waistband 3 is provided with a pair of 
perforations 10 equivalent to collar perforations 6. The end 3b of collar 
3 is provided with a series of pairs of perforations 11 equivalent to 
collar perforations 7. When the waistband is applied to the animal, the 
end 3a is caused to overlap the end 3b until the pair of holes 10 is in 
alignment with a proper one of the pair of holes 11 for receipt of a 
fastening means. 
The waistband 3 is also provided with a first series of perforations 12 and 
a second series of perforations 13 equivalent, respectively, to collar 
perforations 8 and 9 and intended to enable the fastening of lateral 
pieces 4 and 5 to the waistband in the same manner described with respect 
to collar 2. The waistband 3 may be made of any suitable material such as 
leather, plastic, nylon or the like. 
FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary lateral piece. While FIG. 6 illustrates 
lateral piece 4, it will be understood that lateral piece 5 may be 
identical. The lateral piece 4 constitutes an elongated, rectilinear 
member having a series of perforations 14 evenly spaced along its length 
to enable it to be adjustably attached to collar 2 and waistband 3 by 
means of a releasable fastening member. The perforations 14 also enable 
the fastening of attachment means to the lateral member as will be 
described hereinafter. 
The lateral pieces 4 and 5 can be made of any appropriate material of 
sufficient strength to prevent the animal from twisting laterally, while 
being sufficiently flexible as to cause little or no irritation to the 
sides and shoulder areas of the animal. Excellent results have been 
achieved, for example, with lateral pieces made of nylon or polyurethane. 
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary form of removable fastener for use in 
assembling the parts of the restraint unit of the present invention. The 
fastener is generally indicated at 15 and comprises a base portion 16, an 
upstanding shank portion 17 and a tapering head portion 18 having 
diametrically opposed shoulders 18a and 18b at its juncture with shank 
portion 17. Shank portion 17 and head portion 18 are split by an axially 
extending notch 17a. The fastener also includes a plate-like member 19 
having a perforation 19a therein of a diameter to just nicely receive 
shank portion 17. 
In FIG. 7, the fastener 15 is illustrated as joining together the ends 2a 
and 2b of the collar 2. The ends 2a and 2b l are lapped with one of the 
perforations 6 of end 2a in alignment with one of the perforations 7 of 
collar end 2b. The base portion 16 of fastener 15 is of such size as to be 
greater than the diameter of perforations 6 and 7. The shank 17 is of a 
diameter such as to be just nicely accommodated in the perforations 6 and 
7. The lower part of head portion 18, forming shoulders 18a and 18b, has a 
greater transverse dimension than the diameter of perforations 6 and 7 and 
the diameter of perforation 19a of member 19. 
The fastener 15 is mounted by inserting head portion 18 into the 
perforation 7 of collar end 2b. As the head portion 18 is shoved into 
perforation 7, its tapered configuration will cause its two parts formed 
by notch 17a to shift toward each other so that shoulder portions 18a and 
18b will pass through the perforation 7, and thereafter the perforation 6. 
Once the shoulder portions 18a and 18b have cleared the end 2a of collar 
2, the plate-like member 19 may be applied by locating perforations 19a 
over head portion 18 and shoving downwardly to cause head portion 18 to 
pass through perforation 19a, whereupon head portion 18 and shank portion 
17 will return to their normal condition and base portion 16 and shoulders 
18a and 18b (engaging member 19) will assure that the fastener will remain 
in place, joining the collar ends 2a and 2b. To remove the fastener 15, it 
is only necessary to manually squeeze together the two parts of head 
portion 18 and shove downwardly (as viewed in FIG. 7) so that the head 
portion 18 and its shoulders 18a and 18b will pass through the 
perforations 19a, 6 and 7. While the fastener 15 may be made of resilient 
metal or the like, it lends itself well to be molded of a tough, resilient 
plastic material. 
FIG. 8 illustrates a fastening means similar to that of FIG. 7, but adapted 
to pass through two pairs of perforations in the elements of the restraint 
unit being joined. To this end, the fastener (generally indicated at 20) 
has a base portion 21, a pair of parallel, spaced shank portions 22 and 
23, terminating in head portions 24 and 25. Each of the head portions 24 
and 25 and their respective shaft portions 22 and 23 are split by an 
axially extending notch. Such notches are shown at 22a and 23a. Thus, the 
shank portions 22 and 23 are equivalent to shank portion 17 of FIG. 7 and 
the head portions 24 and 25 are substantially identical to head portion 18 
of FIG. 7. The notches 22a and 23a are equivalent to and serve the same 
purpose as notch 17a of FIG. 7. The fastener includes a plate-like member 
26 similar to plate-like member 19 of FIG. 7 but having two perforations 
27 and 27a for head portions 24 and 25. The fastener of FIG. 8 operates in 
the same manner described with respect to the fastener of FIG. 7, 
differing only in that it is the equivalent of two fasteners of the type 
shown in FIG. 7. 
From the above description it will be evident that to fasten the collar 2 
or the waistband 3 about the animal, two fasteners of the type shown at 15 
in FIG. 7 will be required for each element. On the other hand, the collar 
2 or waistband 3 may be joined together by a single fastener of the type 
shown at 20 in FIG. 8. The joining of lateral pieces 4 and 5 to collar 2 
and waistband 3 requires fasteners of the type shown at 15 in FIG. 7 since 
these attachments must be pivotal in nature. 
The operation of the restraint unit thus far described can best be 
understood from FIGS. 1 and 2. As indicated above, the restraint unit is 
adapted to be fully adjustable so as to fit snugly, but comfortably on the 
animal. Since the attachments of lateral pieces 4 and 5 to collar 2 and 
waistband 3 are pivotal in nature, the animal is free to stand, sit or lie 
down. Furthermore, in both sitting and or standing positions, the animal 
is free to raise or lower its head. Thus, sleeping, eating or other normal 
functions are not inhibited by the restraint unit 1. 
Referring in particular to FIG. 2, it will be evident that if the animal 
desires to lick, bite or chew the left side of the posterior portion of 
its body, it will be necessary for it to turn its head to the left and 
twist its spine to the left. This is precluded by the action of the right 
hand lateral piece 4 which is of such length between collar 2 and 
waistband 15 as to prevent such movement by the animal. Such movement 
would require stretching of lateral piece 4 and compression or bowing of 
lateral piece 5. The lateral pieces 4 and 5 are made of a material 
selected to be substantially unstretchable and incompressible. The 
restraint operates in the same manner to preclude scratching or pawing of 
an anterior portion of the animal's body by its left rear leg. Once again, 
this is precluded by lateral piece 4. 
Laterial piece 5 will function in an identical manner to preclude licking, 
pawing or chewing of a right side posterior portion of its body by the 
animal or scratching or pawing of an anterior portion of its body by its 
right rear leg. In this way, posterior and anterior portions of the 
animal's body are protected from traumatization by licking, pawing, biting 
or scratching. Thus, stitches, bandages or medicaments will remain 
substantially undisturbed to permit normal healing procedures to take 
place. At the same time, the restraint unit 1 is lightweight, compact and 
far more comfortable for the animal than prior art structures. 
While the invention is not intended to be limited with respect to the size 
of the individual parts of the restraint unit 1, the parts of the device 
lend themselves well to be made in various sizes to provide a full range 
of small, medium and large restraint units. Restraint units intended for 
use with dogs, for example, can be made up in the following manner. For 
small dogs, the collar 2 can be made 2 and 1/2 inches wide and in two 
lengths of 13 and 16 inches. For medium size dogs, the collar 2 can be 
made of a 3 and 1/2 inch width in two lengths of 19 and 22 inches. For 
large dogs, the collar 2 can be made of a width of 3 and 1/2 inches and in 
two lengths of 25 and 28 inches. Excellent results have been achieved with 
a collar 2 wherein the perforations 6 were spaced from each other by a 
distance of about 3/4 of an inch. The perforations 7 of each pair thereof 
were spaced from each other by a similar distance. The pairs of 
perforations 7 were spaced from each other by a distance of about 1 inch. 
In similar fashion, the waistband can be provided in small, medium and 
large sizes. When used for dogs, these sizes can be as follows. For small 
dogs, the waistband can have a width of 2 and 1/2 inches and be provided 
in two lengths of 25 and 28 inches, respectively. For medium sized dogs, 
the waistband can be provided having a width of 2 and 1/2 inches and in 
two lengths of 31 and 34 inches. Finally, for a large dog, the waistband 
can be provided with a width of 2 and 1/2 inches and in two length of 37 
and 40 inches. The spacing of the holes 10 at the end 3a of waistband 3 
can be the same as that described with respect to the perforations 6 of 
the end 2a of collar 2. The spacing of the perforations 11 of each pair 
thereof and the spacing of the pairs of perforations 11 from each other 
can be the same as described with respect the pairs of perforations 7 of 
collar 2. 
In the exemplary ranges of small, medium and large for dogs given above, 
the lateral pieces 4 and 5 may be identical and may be provided in three 
lengths of 4 and 1/2 , 8 and 14 inches. Complete adjustability is achieved 
in instances where the perforations 14 of the lateral piece are spaced 
from each other along the lateral piece a distance of about 1 inch. 
Lateral pieces of additional length dimensions can be provided by simply 
combining two or more lateral pieces of the same or different lengths. In 
FIG. 9, a lateral piece 4 is shown combined with a second lateral piece 
4a. The lateral pieces 4 and 4a may be of any of the length dimensions 
taught above. To join the pieces 4 and 4a it is only necessary to lap 
their ends so that at least two perforations of each piece are coaxial. 
The pieces 4 and 4a may then be joined by two of the fastening means 15 of 
FIG. 7 or one of the fastening means 20 of FIG. 8. Since at least two 
perforations of each piece are engaged by fastening means, the joined 
lateral pieces will retain a rectilinear configuration, the juncture of 
the pieces being non-pivotal. 
Under certain circumstances, it is desirable to prevent the lowering of the 
animal's head and to maintain the head in an elevated position. This is 
true, for example, after certain forms of opthalmic surgery. FIG. 10 
illustrates one embodiment of mandible engaging attachment for use with 
the restraint unit 1 of the present invention to maintain the animal's 
head in elevated position. Once again, the restraint unit comprises a 
collar 2, a waistband 3 and lateral pieces 4 and 5 (lateral piece 5 not 
being visible in FIG. 10). The lateral pieces 4 and 5, in this instance, 
are selected to have a length such that, upon appropriate attachment to 
the collar 2 and waistband 3, they will have free ends extending beneath 
the animal's lower jaw. To these free ends of lateral pieces 4 and 5 there 
is attached a U-shaped element 28. The free ends of U-shaped element 28 
are provided with pairs of perforations which align with the first two 
perforations at the free ends of lateral pieces 4 and 5. In this way, the 
U-shaped element 28 can be joined to the free ends of lateral pieces 4 and 
5 through the use of pairs of fastening means 15 (FIG. 7) or the use of 
fastening means 20 (FIG. 8). The extra length lateral pieces 4 and 5, in 
combination with U-shaped element 28 serve to restrict the lowering of the 
animal's head. 
FIG. 11 illustrates another form of mandible engaging attachment to 
restrict lowering of the animal's head. The embodiment of FIG. 11 is 
identical to that of FIG. 10 with the exception that the free ends of 
extra length lateral pieces 4 and 5 have pivotally attached thereto a 
U-shaped member 29. The U-shaped member 29 differs from the U-shaped 
element 28 of FIG. 10 in that its free ends are provided with single 
perforations intended to be pivotally joined to the forwardmost 
perforations of the free ends of extra length lateral pieces 4 and 5 by 
fastening means 15 (see FIG. 7). 
Yet another embodiment of mandible engaging attachment is illustrated in 
FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the restraint unit 1 is made up of a collar 
2, a waistband 3 and lateral pieces 4 and 5, identical to the embodiment 
illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In this embodiment, a pliable strap-like 
element 30 bent into a U-shape is provided, having a pair of perforations 
at both of its ends. In FIG. 12, the pair of perforations of one end of 
element 30 are shown at 31 and 32. It will be evident that perforations 31 
and 32 are in alignment with the first two perforations of the forward end 
of lateral piece 4. The perforation 32 is also in alignment with an 
appropriate one of the diametrically opposed perforations in collar 2. 
Thus, a fastening means of the type shown in FIG. 7 may be used to extend 
through the second perforation of lateral piece 4 and perforation 31 of 
U-shaped element 30. A similar but slightly longer fastening means will 
pass through the collar perforation, the forwardmost perforation of 
lateral piece 4 and the perforation 32 of U-shaped element 30. The other 
free end of U-shaped element 30 will be similarly joined to the restraint 
unit on the other side of the animal and it will be immediately evident 
that the U-shaped element 30 will constitute a rigid continuation of 
lateral piece 4 and lateral piece 5 (not shown). 
FIG. 12 also illustrates a thoracic attachment for the restraint unit 1. 
The thoracic attachment constitutes a pliable strap-like element 33 bent 
into a U-shaped configuration. The free end of element 33 (shown in FIG. 
12) is affixed to a selected one of the perforations 14 in lateral strap 4 
by means of a fastening means such as that shown in FIG. 7 at 15. It will 
be understood that the other free end of element 33 is similarly attached 
to lateral piece 5 (not shown). To prevent pivotal movement of element 33 
with respect to lateral pieces 4 and 5, additional strap-like members are 
used. One such member is shown at 34 in FIG. 12. The member 34 is similar 
in construction to lateral piece 4 and is provided with a series of 
perforations 35 spaced along its length. The element 34 is attached to the 
lateral piece 4 by means of a fastener 15 extending through a selected one 
of the perforations 35 in element 34 and a selected one of perforations 14 
in lateral piece 4. The element 34 is also attached by a fastening means 
15 to element 33 by means of a fastener 15 extending through a selected 
one of a plurality of perforations 36 extending along element 33 and a 
selected one of the perforations 35 of element 34. An element identical to 
element 34 is similarly attached to the other leg of element 33 and to 
lateral piece 5 (not shown) so that the element 33 will be substantially 
rigid with respect to the restraint unit. It will be understood that the 
element 33 will prevent the animal from raising his front paws to paw or 
scratch about the head area thereby preventing injury thereto. This is 
particularly important after ophthalmic surgery or the like. 
It will be evident to one skilled in the art that the restraint unit of the 
present invention can also be employed in the training of an animal. The 
restraint unit will tend to restrict the actions of an unruly animal and 
the thoracic attachment 33 can be used to prevent jumping, jumping over 
fences or the like. 
Modification may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit 
of it.