Insect control apparatus for animals

An insect control apparatus for animals including a piece of material for covering the eyes and adjacent portions of the animal. The piece of material includes an adjustable ear opening formed in an upper edge and a hook fastener and loop fastener affixed to a convergence of a right side edge and a lower edge and a left side edge and the lower edge, to define an adjustable neck opening and an adjustable nose opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to animal care products. 
More particularly the present invention relates to a device for animal's 
eyes. 
In a further and more specific aspect, the present invention concerns a 
device as above particularly configured to protect an animal's eyes from 
insects. 
2. The Prior Art 
Insects are a major cause of irritability to animals. Insects can cause 
discomfort as well as infections when having access to the animal's eyes. 
Because it is important to keep the animal's eyes protected from insects 
it is of equal importance that the product chosen to do so is practical, 
safe, reliable, and able to withstand normal wear along with the natural 
elements it is exposed to. It is also important that the product provide a 
snug, but flexible fit that moves with the motion of the animal's head and 
jaw movement. Over the years several types of protective headgear have 
been designed. 
One known device includes separate screen eye coverings for a horse's eyes 
that use adjustable straps to fix the eye coverings to a bridle. 
Another prior art includes separate eye coverings with fringe attached 
under the eye coverings extending past the nostrils to protect the 
nostrils from flies and other insects. The device includes straps to 
secure it to a bridle. 
Still another known device includes another example that has individual eye 
coverings with adjustable straps that are secured on the horse's head and 
neck. This device does not require the horse to wear a bridle or halter in 
order to secure the eye covering. 
Another device includes a protective bonnet for animals, primarily horses. 
The entire horse's face and upper head are covered by the bonnet. The 
bonnet is secured to the horse's head with elastic straps above the nose 
and around the throat area. Additional bands are extended between the 
elastic bands along the side of the horse's face. A modification is shown 
which covers the horse's ears separately or the ears may be excluded from 
the bonnet. 
Another device includes an eye protective device for large animals. It 
contains individual bulging mesh panels for each eye. It is secured to the 
animal's head with one strap behind the animal's ears and a pair of straps 
to tie beneath the animal's head. 
Another known device includes an animal eye protection device primarily for 
horses. It comprises a bubble shaped screen extending across the animal's 
face above, below, and to the sides of the animal's eyes. The screen 
material is secured to straps across the animal's forehead and around the 
area below the eyes and straps along the side of the animal's face, up the 
head behind the ears. Hook and loop type fasteners are used to secure the 
straps. 
Another prior art includes a fly protection device for horses which 
comprises of a mask that fits over the horse's face above the nose and 
just below the ears. There is a strap extending behind the ears to help 
secure the mask. There are individual eye holes with screen caps that 
extend outwardly. 
Yet another device includes a protective mask for animal's made a 
continuous one piece screen which covers the eyes and adjacent facial 
areas of the animal with a single cutout for the ears to protrude. 
Relative to an animal's head, the mask has darts extending from a location 
below each ear to a location proximate each eye, to shape the mask, and 
has a hook and loop type fastener underneath the head. There is plush trim 
around the ear cutout and muzzle area for added comfort. 
Note that the majority of the devices listed above include a type of strap 
arrangement for securing the mask or headgear to the animal's head. Some 
also include cutout areas (for the eyes) covered with a screen or other 
type of material that is fastened to the cutout areas, forming seams. 
Seams are undesirable for they can be irritating to the animal and cause 
additional rubbing. 
Insects, such as flies, are attracted by tears. As tears run down an 
animal's face they form a tear path for insects to crawl up to the eyes. 
It is necessary to have the lower edge of the protective apparatus snug, 
but not tight, about the animal's face and nose, or flies and other 
insects might crawl up the animal's face underneath the apparatus and get 
to the animal's eyes. 
In the first few devices listed above, individual eye protectors are used 
and do protect the eyes to some degree. However, this type of headgear 
required the individual eye protectors be applied relatively securely to 
the animal's face around the eye area. Some also required an additional 
headgear, such as a bridle or halter to attach the apparatus to. It is 
found that horses like to rub. Therefore the materials used to construct 
an insect mask must be durable and able to withstand frequent rubbing that 
a horse, or other animal, would do. It is also important that the mask or 
protective head gear is free from factors that would cause any additional 
rubbing, such as seams. Some of the masks listed above contain seams which 
could cause the horse, or animal, to rub more frequently. Seams can also 
cause problems with the animals skin if rubbing is very frequent. 
The strap arrangement is undesirable because where the arrangement is tight 
around, the animal's face it can cause abrasions and discomfort to the 
animal. 
Animals' heads vary greatly in size, so adjustability is a main factor for 
a good fit. Most of the previous masks have adjustability but are required 
to fit tightly, particularly around the nose area. Some masks have only 
one adjustment. A proper fit is hard to accomplish with only one 
adjustment. 
Most of the previously mentioned devices have limited flexibility. Since 
horses and other animals jaws are frequently moving(while grazing or 
yawning) the jawline of any headgear must provide flexibility to move with 
the jaw motion. 
Most of the previously mentioned devices do not provide a safety feature. 
It is important that any animal wearing headgear is able to free itself 
from the headgear if the headgear is caught on a fence or post to decrease 
the probability of the animal struggling and injuring itself. The safety 
feature should be such that the headgear will fall freely from the 
animal's head if neccessary. 
The prior art tend to lose their shape due to frequent wear and washing. 
One such prior art is trimmed with a plush material which tends to break 
down when exposed to natural elements such as moisture. Because insect 
control masks are primarily worn in the summer, sweat is absorbed by the 
plush causing it to loose its shape and effectiveness. All of these 
conditions are undesirable and should be avoided 
It would be desirable in view of the shortcomings of the prior art to 
provide an insect control apparatus for animal's that would be durable, 
able to withstand natural elements (such as sun, moisture, heat, and oil) 
and also contain a break-away feature for the animal's safety. 
It would be highly advantageous to provide an apparatus which is a 
one-piece mask for protecting an animal's eyes from insects and to provide 
a piece of elastic attached to a hook and loop fastener under the jaw area 
for a snug yet flexible fit and an additional hook and loop fastener to 
provide an adjustment at the top of the head, behind the left ear. These 
two adjustments would allow a better fit for the variety of sizes of 
animal heads. The jawline of the mask should also be flexible and able to 
remain snug while the animal's jaw is in motion. The top hook and loop 
fastener would also act as a break-away feature, allowing the apparatus to 
break free from the animal's head if caught on a fence, tree, wire, etc., 
lessening the animal's struggle and chances of injuring itself. The 
break-away feature would also add to the durability of the mask, as it 
would allow the mask to break free from the animal rather than the animal 
having to tear the mask free from any obstruction it may get caught on. 
The apparatus should be made of relatively durable materials intended to 
withstand rubbing and tearing. The apparatus would include neoprene 
material trim on all edges to maintain the shape of the apparatus under 
most conditions. The neoprene material trim is extremely durable, 
resistant to natural elements (such as sun, moisture, heat and oils) and 
will not break down under normal wear and washing conditions. It would be 
highly advantageous therefore to remedy the foregoing and other 
deficiencies inherent in the prior art. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide 
improvements in headgear for animals. 
It is an object of this invention to supply a new and practical apparatus 
for protecting an animal's eyes from insects. 
Another object of this invention is the provision of a safety break-away 
feature. 
Still another object of this invention is to supply a new and practical 
insect control apparatus for animals that fits relatively snug, yet 
comfortably around the animal's head. 
Yet another object of this invention is to supply a new and practical 
insect control apparatus that is resistant to to natural elements. 
Another object of this invention is to supply a new and practical insect 
control apparatus that is flexible along the animal's jawline. 
Still another object of this invention is to supply a new and practical 
insect control apparatus that provides adequate adjustability for a wide 
range of animal head sizes. 
While another object of this invention is to supply a new and practcal 
insect control apparatus that is durable under normal wear and washing. 
Yet another object of this invention is to supply a new and practical 
insect control apparatus that is able to hold its shape under normal wear 
and washing. 
Another object of this invention is to supply a new and practical insect 
control apparatus for horses. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the present invention in 
accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is an insect 
control apparatus for the head and eyes of an animal, the apparatus 
comprising a piece of material having a contoured left side edge, a 
contoured right side edge, a lower edge and an upper edge, an adjustable 
ear opening formed in the upper edge and including a first loop fastener 
and a first hook fastener configured to separably couple, defining the 
adjustable ear opening, a second loop fastener affixed to the piece of 
material proximate a convergence of the left side edge and the lower edge 
and a second hook fastener affixed to the piece of material proximate a 
convergence of the right side edge and the lower edge, adapted to be 
separably coupled to the second loop fastener to define an adjustable neck 
opening and an adjustable nose opening. 
The insect control apparatus may further include a neoprene edging attached 
to the contoured left side edge, the contoured right side edge, the lower 
edge and the upper edge, for compressively engaging the animal, thereby 
providing protection and sealing engagement to prevent ingress of insects. 
The addition of neoprene may extend to including neoprene edging attached 
to the piece of material surrounding the adjustable ear opening. 
In a further embodiment, the insect control apparatus includes a second ear 
opening formed in the piece of material adjacent the adjustable ear 
opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
A portion of a horse(30) is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, including the 
neck(27) and the head(29) both Of which are necessary to the mask(10) of 
the present invention. For perspective purposes, the neck(27) is shown 
with a mane(28) and the head(29) is shown with several necessary features, 
all of interest to the apparatus of the present invention. The horse's 
head(29) is shown with a pair of ears(24) protruding upward from the top 
of the head. A pair of eyes(25) are shown on the horse(30), only one of 
which shown in FIG. 2. The horse's head(29) also includes a jaw(26). Down 
from the jaw(26) is the mouth(31). Upward from the mouth(31) is a pair of 
nostrils(32), only one of which is shown in FIG. 2. The importance of the 
several features described will be realized in the detailed description of 
the apparatus(10) of the present invention. 
The insect control apparatus (10) is preferably made from an encapsulated 
mesh material (13). While encapsulated mesh is preferred, other materials 
can be used. The encapsulated material preferably consists of polyester 
threads coated with vinyl. An ultraviolet inhibited vinyl is a desired 
coating for the polyester thread. The UV inhibited coating comes in a 
spectrum of colors. Usually the polyester core thread is coated with 
vinyl. The coated thread is then woven, heated, and pressure is applied 
resulting in a unitary mesh fabric. The diameter of the mesh size may vary 
in extent of open/closed area from about 40%/60% to about 20%/80%. The 
greater the open area of the mesh the less obstruction of the view for the 
horse. 
The insect control apparatus(10) shown in FIG. 1,2, and 3,4, and 5 includes 
a contoured left side edge(22) and a contoured right side edge(23). The 
contoured left side edge(22) and the contoured right side edge(23) are 
designed to go around the horse's head, behind the ears(24) and down 
(towards the rear) of the jaw(26) where the head(29) and the neck(27) 
adjoin. Extending inwardly from the left side edge(22) and the right side 
edge(23) are a pair of darts(12) which force the shape of the 
apparatus(10) away from the horse's eyes so that the mask is not in 
contact with the horse's head(29) around the area of the eyes(25). 
The insect control apparatus(10) shown in FIG. 1,2, and 3,4, and 5 also 
includes separate ear openings(11) designed to receive the ears(24) of the 
horse. The ear openings(11) are trimmed with neoprene material(35). The 
neoprene material(35) prevents rubbing of the horse's ears(24) or adjacent 
hair and skin which may occur around ear openings(11) of the 
apparatus(10). 
The insect control apparatus (10) shown in FIG. 4 as an alternate 
embodiment, includes one single ear opening(36) designed to receive both 
ears through said opening. 
The left side edge(212) includes a trim of neoprene material(33). The 
neoprene(33) provides greater durability and helps the apparatus(10) to 
maintain its shape. The left side edge(22 ) further includes a loop 
fastener(19) behind the left ear which defines a first end of the left 
side edge(22) and a loop fastener(16) under the jaw which defines a second 
end of the left side edge(22). The loop fastener(16) under the jaw is 
attached to a piece of elastic (15) which in turn is attached to the lower 
edge(21). The elastic(15) allows a snug yet comfortable fit for a variety 
of animal head sizes. The elastic(15) also stretches with the movement of 
the horse's head providing comfort at all times. 
The right side edge(23) includes a trim of neoprene material(34). The 
neoprene(34) provides greater durability and helps the apparatus(10) to 
maintain its shape. The right side edge(23) further includes a hook 
fastener(20) behind the left ear which defines a first end of the right 
side edge(23) and a hook fastener(17) under the jaw which defines a second 
end of the right side edge(23). The hook fasteners(17,20) and loop 
fasteners(16,19) used are known as "Velcro". Other hook and loop fasteners 
may be used but "Velcro" is preferred. 
The insect control apparatus(10) also includes a lower edge(21). The lower 
edge is designed to go around the horse's head, across the bridge of the 
nose, between the eyes(25) and the mouth(31), just slightly above the 
nostrils(32). The lower edge(21) also includes a trim of neoprene 
material(14). The neoprene provides greater durability and helps the 
apparatus(10) to maintain its shape. 
The neoprene(14,33,34,35) is primarily for durability and moisture 
resistance. Its durability qualities include elasticity, resilience, 
strength and its resistance to water, sunlight, heat, aging, and oils. 
Since this apparatus will be worn by animals in all outdoor weather 
conditions, these qualities are of extreme importance. The neoprene 
material trim is a synthetic rubber made by the polymerization of 
chloroprene and characterized by superior resistance to oils, sunlight, 
ozone and heat. The neoprene(14,33,34,35) is an synthetic rubber material 
and other similar synthetic rubber materials such as Butyl, Hypalon, etc. 
may be used. The neoprene material can be covered with many types of 
fabric such as Lycra, Nylon, Polyester--any of which car be used. The 
fabric comes in a wide spectrum of colors. 
The loop fastener(19) of the right side edge(23) joins the hook 
fastener(20) of the left side edge(22) behind the horse's left ear. The 
loop fastener(16) of the right side edge(23) joins the hook fastener(17) 
of the left side edge(22) under the horse's jaw. The loop fasteners(16) 
and (19), and the hook fasteners(17) and (20) are securely attached to the 
mesh(13) that the insect control apparatus(10) is respectively made of. 
The hook and loop fasteners should be used for convenience and ease of 
application and removal of the apparatus to the animal. The hook 
fastener(20) and the loop fastener(19) serve as a break-away feature to 
prevent needless accidents. It is known that animal's have been strangled 
when halters or other head gear have been caught on posts. It is also 
known that previous inventions become torn and destroyed in an animal's 
struggle to free itself if the mask is caught on a post. This is costly to 
the owner and dangerous to the animal. The break-away feature of the 
present invention is located at the top left side of the apparatus 
allowing the apparatus to fall freely if the animal is standing, 
struggling to free itself from a fence post or obstructing object. 
Therefore, the previously mentioned problems mentioned are solved with the 
use of the break-away feature of the present invention. 
Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for 
purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. 
To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from 
the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the 
scope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the 
following claims.