Abstract:
A dog flotation device with safety flag includes a flotation vest having a central panel adapted to cover the back of a dog, and a safety flag including a flag staff having a lower end connected with the flotation vest and an upper end remote from the lower end. The safety flag includes a motion-activated light connected to the upper end of the flag staff and a flag attached to the flag staff below the motion-activated light. One or more buoyant elements are incorporated into the flotation vest for providing buoyancy to the dog flotation device. The motion-activated light includes an LED light, a power source, a motion detector for detecting movement of the motion-activated light, and a circuit for activating said LED light in response to the detection of motion by the motion detector.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/680,422, filed Aug. 7, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present application is generally related to flotation devices and life vests, and is more specifically related to flotation devices and flotation vests for dogs. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A wide variety of dog floatation devices have been developed for supporting dogs in a water environment. The existing devices include wrap-around vests with buoyant elements such as closed-cell foam that buckles around the dog. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,235 to Larsen et al. discloses a pet flotation aid and walker that includes a hollow and rectangular-shaped top panel that contains a piece of internal foam floatation material, hollow and trapezoidal-shaped right and left side panels that contain pieces of internal foam floatation material and are generally downwardly bendable from the hollow and rectangular-shaped top panel, trapezoidal-shaped and wide right and left belly flaps that are generally inwardly bendable from the hollow and trapezoidal-shaped right and left side panels, generally concavo-convex-shaped right and left neck flaps that contain pieces of internal foam floatation material and are generally inwardly bendable from the hollow and trapezoidal-shaped right and left side panels, neck flap attaching apparatus for releasably attaching the generally concavo-convex-shaped right and left neck flaps to each other, a first continuous, light-reflective, and adjustable belly strap, first strap attaching apparatus for releasably attaching the fixed proximal end and the free distal end of the first continuous, light-reflective, and adjustable belly strap to each other, a second continuous, light-reflective, and adjustable belly strap, and second strap attaching apparatus for releasably attaching the fixed proximal end and the free distal end of the second continuous, light-reflective, and adjustable belly strap to each other. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,659,824 to McCormick discloses a life preserver for use by a four-legged animal for supporting the animal in a generally horizontal, partially submerged state of floating equilibrium in a body of water. The life preserver includes an inflation chamber, and a harness system connected to the inflation chamber for attaching the life preserver to an animal. When worn inflated, the life preserver maintains an animal at or near the surface of the water, with the animal&#39;s head out of the water. The harness system has at least one adjustable harness for encircling the chest and waist areas of an animal. The inflation system includes at least one of a manual inflation system, an automatic inflation system and an oral inflation tube. When deflated, the inflation chamber is adapted to be folded over and packed within a shroud. In one embodiment, the inflation system may have an automatic CO 2  inflation system or a manually activated CO 2  inflation system. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,167 to Peters discloses an animal safety apparatus having a strap-like carrier and one or more non-inflatable floatation members secured adjacent the carrier by a cover material stitched to the carrier. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,817 to Von Zell teaches a dog “swim safe” floatation system including flanking water wings sewn directly to a suspension-type harness for the dog. The harness can be adjusted by a system of Velcro and latches and thus the entire apparatus can be conveniently modified to promote stability. A canine floatation collar is also disclosed. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,300 to Cosson discloses a canine flotation apparatus that uses a segmented panel construction and varying densities of foam within the panels of the apparatus to comfortably and evenly float canines of a wide variety of weights and dimensions. The chest yoke panel and belly panel cradles the canine in the apparatus, helping to keep the head above water. The chest yoke panel further provides a measure of insulation around the heart and lungs, which permits easier lifting of the canine due to the more secure fit and facilitates more natural movement by the canine in the water. 
     In spite of the above advances, there remains a need for improved dog flotation devices that are easier to secure to dogs and that are more visible to third parties when the dogs are in water. There also remains a need for dog flotation devices that enable owners to easily locate their dogs when the dogs are in the water and that facilitate placing dogs into and retrieving dogs from the water. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a dog flotation device with safety flag preferably includes a flotation vest having a central panel adapted to cover the back of a dog. In one embodiment, the flotation vest is preferably made of materials such as vinyl, nylon, plastic, and/or cotton. In one embodiment, the dog flotation device desirably includes a safety flag with a flag staff having a lower end connected with the flotation vest and an upper end remote from the lower end. The flag staff desirably includes a flexible rod, such as a fiberglass rod, having a diameter of about 1/16″-⅛″ and a length of about 18-30″. 
     In one embodiment, the safety flag desirably has a motion-activated light connected to the upper end of the flag staff and a flag attached to the flag staff below the motion-activated light. The dog flotation device preferably includes one or more buoyant elements, such as closed-cell foam elements, incorporated into the flotation vest for providing buoyancy to the dog flotation device. 
     In one embodiment, the motion-activated light includes an LED light, a power source, and a motion detector for detecting movement of the motion-activated light. The motion-activated light may also have a circuit for activating the LED light in response to the detection of motion by the motion detector. In one embodiment, the LED light blinks on and off when motion is detected by the motion detector. 
     In one embodiment, the central panel of the flotation vest desirably includes a leading edge adapted to conform to the neck of a dog, a trailing edge remote from the leading edge, and first and second edges that extend between the leading and trailing edges of the central panel. 
     In one embodiment, the dog flotation device may include a first neck wrap extending forward of the leading edge and the first side edge of the central panel, and a second neck wrap extending forward of the leading edge and the second side edge of the central panel. In one embodiment, the first and second neck wraps desirably fold over one another for encircling the neck of the dog. 
     In one embodiment, the dog flotation device may include fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners or straps and buckles, for holding the first and second neck wraps together and around the neck of the dog. 
     In one embodiment, the dog flotation device preferably includes a first side flap attached to and extending laterally away from the first side edge of the central panel, and a second side flap attached to and extending laterally away from the second side edge of the central panel. The first and second side flaps are desirably wrapped around the chest and the belly of the dog for securing the flotation vest to the dog. In one embodiment, hook and loop fasteners are used for securing the first and second side flaps together. In one embodiment, the flotation device may include length-adjustable straps for securing the flotation vest to the dog. In one embodiment, the length-adjustable straps have free ends with buckles. 
     In one embodiment, the dog flotation device preferably has a flag staff mounting base secured to the central panel of the flotation vest. The flag staff mounting base may have an internally threaded female opening accessible at a top side of the central panel, and the lower end of the flag staff may have an externally threaded shaft that screws into the internally threaded female opening of the flag staff mounting base for securing the safety flag to the central panel of the flotation vest. 
     In one embodiment, the dog flotation device preferably includes at least one piece of light reflective material attached to the central panel. In one embodiment, light reflective patches are attached to the top side of the dog flotation device for reflecting light shined in the dog flotation device. 
     In one embodiment, the dog flotation device preferably has a grab handle secured to the central panel. The grab handle desirably extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the central panel. In one embodiment, the dog flotation device desirably includes a leash ring secured to the central panel, which is located adjacent the leading edge of the central panel. 
     In one embodiment, a dog flotation device with safety flag preferably includes a flotation vest having one or more buoyant elements, the flotation vest having a central panel including a leading edge, a trailing edge, and first and second side edges that extend between the leading and trailing edges. The device desirably has a first neck wrap extending forward from the central panel between the leading edge and the first side edge of the central panel, and a second neck wrap extending forward from the central panel between the leading edge and the second side edge of the central panel, whereby the first and second neck wraps oppose one another and are adapted to wrap around the neck of a dog for holding the leading edge of the central panel against the back of the neck of the dog. The device preferably includes a first laterally extending side flap attached to and extending away from the first side edge of the central panel, and a second laterally extending side flap attached to and extending away from the second side edge of the central panel, whereby the first and second side flaps are adapted to wrap around the chest and the belly of the dog for securing the flotation vest around the mid-section of the dog. The device preferably has a safety flag including a flag staff having a lower end connected with the flotation vest and an upper end remote from the lower end. In one embodiment, the safety flag desirably has a motion-activated LED light connected to the upper end of the flag staff and a reflective flag attached to the flag staff below the motion-activated light. The LED light is preferably adapted to blink on and off when motion of the flag staff is detected. 
     In one embodiment, the flag staff is flexible for moving between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation in response to external forces exerted upon the flag staff. The flotation device desirably includes hook and loop fasteners provided on the side flaps and neck wraps, and length-adjustable straps adapted to wrap around the dog for securing the flotation vest to the dog. 
     In one embodiment, the flotation vest may have one or more inflatable bladders that may be inflated with air. In one embodiment, the flotation vest may have one or more bladders in communication with a gas producing element, such as a CO2 gas producing element that automatically inflates the bladders when the flotation vest is placed into water. 
     In one embodiment, the light at the upper end of the flag staff automatically switches on when the flotation vest contacts water. In one embodiment, the flotation vest may include a moisture or water detector that automatically inflates one or more bladders and/or activates the light when moisture or water is detected. In one embodiment, the safety flag and/or the light emits an audible sound (e.g., a beep) when the flotation vest contacts water, which provides another mechanism for an owner and third parties to locate and identify a dog wearing the flotation vest. 
     In one embodiment, the vest with the safety flag may be worn by hunting dogs when accompanying hunters. The vest may also be worn by dogs accompanying hikers, runners, and joggers so that third parties, including the drivers of vehicles and bikes, can be alerted that a dog is in the area. In one or more of these no-water sport environments, the vest may not have a buoyant element incorporated therein. 
     These and other preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a dog flotation vest having a safety flag with a motion-activated light, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a top plan view of the dog flotation vest and the safety flag shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  shows a lower end of a safety flag juxtaposed with a safety flag mounting base provided on a dog flotation vest, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  shows the safety flag of  FIGS. 2 and 3A  secured to the safety flag mounting base of  FIG. 3A , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  shows a side view of a dog flotation vest having a safety flag capable of flexing from a vertical configuration to a horizontal configuration, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  show an underside of a safety flag mounting base including a female threaded collar connected with the dog flotation vest of  FIGS. 2 and 3A , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a dog flotation vest having a safety flag, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in one embodiment, a dog flotation vest  20  is adapted to be worn by a dog  22  for keeping the dog safe when in water, such as a dog swimming in a river, a lake, or the ocean. The dog flotation vest  20  is preferably made of flexible materials such as vinyl, nylon, synthetics, cotton, and/or plastic. The dog flotation vest preferably contains buoyant material, such as closed-cell foam pads, for providing buoyancy to the flotation vest. The dog flotation vest  20  desirably includes a safety flag  24  that is attached to the flotation vest  20  and that normally has an upright configuration (e.g., vertical) to alert third parties that a dog is present in the water. For example, the safety flag may alert third parties, such as boaters and Jet Ski operators, that a dog is swimming in the area. In one embodiment, the safety flag may help an owner determine where his or her dog is located in the water. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the dog flotation vest  20  preferably includes a central panel  26 , such as a panel made of nylon material, having a leading edge  28 , a trailing edge  30 , a first lateral edge  32 , and a second lateral edge  34 . One or more buoyant elements, such as closed-cell foam pads, may be disposed within the central panel to provide buoyancy to the dog flotation vest. The leading edge  28  of the central panel  26  may be contoured (e.g., have a concave shape) to conform to the shape of a dog&#39;s neck. 
     In one embodiment, the flotation vest preferably includes a first neck wrap section  36  that extends forward of the front edge  28  and the first lateral side edge  32  of the central panel  26 . The first neck wrap  36  preferably includes a hook and loop fastener patch  38  and a buckle clasp  40  attached thereto. The first neck wrap section  36  may have a buoyant element disposed therein. 
     In one embodiment, the flotation vest  20  preferably includes a second neck wrap section  42  that opposes the first neck wrap section  36 . The second neck wrap section preferably extends forward of the leading edge  28  and the second lateral edge  34  of the center panel  26  of the flotation vest. The second neck wrap section  42  desirably includes a flotation pad  44  that contains a buoyant material, such as a closed-cell foam pad, an adjustable-length securing strap  46 , and a buckle  48  that is insertable into the buckle clasp  40  attached to the first neck wrap section  36 . The second neck wrap section  42  may also have a buoyant element disposed therein. 
     In one embodiment, the center panel  26  of the flotation vest  20  preferably includes reflective material strips  50 ,  52 , which are desirably secured to the top side of the central panel  26  for reflecting light at the top side of the flotation vest. 
     In one embodiment, the flotation vest  20  desirably includes a grab handle  54  that is secured to the top side of the central panel  26 . The grab handle  54  may be utilized for placing a dog into the water and/or retrieving a dog from the water. 
     In one embodiment, the flotation vest  20  preferably includes a first laterally extending side panel  56  that extends from the first lateral side edge  32  of the central panel  26 . The first side panel  56  preferably includes strips or pads of hook and loop fasteners  58  (e.g., VELCRO). The flotation vest  20  also desirably includes a second laterally extending side panel  60  that extends from the second lateral side edge  34  of the central panel  26 . The second laterally extending side panel  60  desirably includes strips or pads of hook and loop fasteners (not shown) that oppose the hook and loop fastener strips  58  provided on the first lateral panel  56 . In one embodiment, the first and second laterally extending side panels are wrapped around the belly and chest of a dog and held together using the hook and loop fastening material. 
     The flotation vest  20  also desirably includes laterally extending length-adjustable straps  62 ,  64  that are secured to the central panel  26  and that extend away from the second lateral edge  34  of the central panel  26 . The free ends of the lateral length-adjustable straps  62 ,  64  have buckles  66 ,  68 , respectively, that are insertable into lateral buckle clasps  70 ,  72  secured to the opposite edge of the central panel  26 , located adjacent the first lateral edge  32  of the central panel  26 . 
     In one embodiment, a safety flag  24  is securable to a safety flag mounting base  74  attached to the central panel  26  of the flotation vest  26 . In one embodiment, the safety flag mounting base  74  is located adjacent the leading edge  28  of the central panel  26 . 
     In one embodiment, the safety flag  24  desirably includes a flag staff  76  having an upper end  78  and a lower end  80 . In one embodiment, a motion activated light  82  is attached to the upper end  78  of the flag staff  76 . A flexible flag  84  is attached to the flag staff  76  adjacent the upper end  78  of the flag staff. The flexible flag may be reflective and/or may have reflective lettering mounted thereon. The lower end  80  of the flag staff  76  preferably includes a threaded male connector  86  that is threadable into a female opening provided on the flag staff mounting base  74  for securing the safety flag  24  to the flotation vest  20 . In one embodiment, the flag staff  76  has a diameter of between about 1/16″ and ⅛″. In one embodiment, the flag staff  76  has a length L 1  of about 16-36″ and more preferably about 24″. The flag staff  76  may be made of synthetic materials such as fiberglass. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , in one embodiment, the flag staff mounting base  74  preferably includes an internally threaded female opening  88 . The flag staff mounting base  74  is desirably attached to the flotation vest  20  and is located adjacent the leading edge  28  of the central panel  26  of the flotation vest  20 . As noted above, the lower end  80  of the flag staff  76  of the safety flag preferably includes an externally threaded shaft  86  that screws into the internally threaded female opening  88 .  FIG. 3B  shows the externally threaded shaft  86  ( FIG. 3A ) screwed in to the internally threaded female opening  88  ( FIG. 3A ) on the flag staff mounting base  74  for attaching the safety flag  24  to the central panel  26  of the flotation vest  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , in one embodiment, the light  82  secured to the upper end  78  of the flag staff  76  is a motion-activated LED light having an internal power source such as a battery. In one embodiment, the LED light  82  is activated upon detecting motion, such as movement by a dog wearing the flotation vest. In one embodiment, after motion is detected, the LED light blinks on and off repeatedly to enable rapid and facile location of the light. In one embodiment, the LED light illuminates red light, such as ultra-bright red LED light. The LED light desirably turns off automatically when motion is no longer detected. In one embodiment, the light uses replaceable power sources such as replaceable batteries. In one embodiment, the light is a safety tire strobe light such as that sold by Electrostar, Inc. of Indianapolis, Ind. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , in one embodiment, the flotation vest  20  is secured over a dog  22  so that the central panel  26  of the vest covers the back of the dog, and the first and second laterally extending side panels  56 ,  60  ( FIG. 2 ) wrap around the belly and the chest of the dog. The front edge  28  of the central panel  26  is preferably positioned over the back of the neck of the dog  22 , and the first and second neck wraps  36 ,  42  are desirably wrapped around the front of the neck of the dog  22 . The first and second neck wraps  36 ,  42  are secured together using the hook and loop fastener material shown and described above in  FIG. 2 . The buckle  48  ( FIG. 2 ) on the length adjustable strap  46  is inserted into the buckle clasp  40  on the first neck wrap  36 . The flotation pad  44  attached to the second neck wrap  42  preferably provides buoyancy at the front of the neck of the dog  22 . 
     After the first and second lateral panels  56 ,  60  ( FIG. 2 ) have been wrapped around the chest and belly of the dog, the buckles  66 ,  68  on the laterally extending length-adjustable straps are inserted into the opposing lateral buckle clasps  70 ,  72 . The length of the length-adjustable lateral straps  60 ,  62  may be adjusted to snuggly fit the flotation vest  20  over the mid-section of the dog  22  (e.g., over the belly and the chest of the dog). 
     In one embodiment, the safety flag  24  is flexibly mounted to the flotation vest  20  so that the safety flag  24  may move between a vertical orientation and a horizontal orientation. Such flexibility may be required to enable a dog to swim beneath and/or through a fixed obstruction such as the underside of a dock. Without providing a flexible safety flag, a dog wearing the flotation vest disclosed herein may become stuck under a dock or other fixed object, which may be dangerous for the dog.  FIG. 4A  shows the safety flag  24  in an upright, vertical position.  FIG. 4B  shows the safety flag  24  as it begins to flex in response to contact by a stationary object such as the underside of a dock.  FIG. 4C  shows the safety flag  24  after it has flexed to a fully horizontal orientation. In one embodiment, the flag staff  76  may include a flexible material that enables the flag staff to flex. In one embodiment, the flag staff may include one or more springs for enabling the flag staff  76  to flex and bend for enabling the safety flag  24  to move from the substantially vertical orientation ( FIG. 4A ) to the substantially horizontal configuration ( FIG. 4C ). 
     Although the present invention is not limited by any particular theory of operation, it is believed that providing a flexible safety flag will enhance the safety of a dog wearing the flotation vest  20  because the safety flag will not constrain movement of the dog in water, which could occur if the flag staff were rigid. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in one embodiment, the flag staff mounting base  74  desirably includes a female threaded collar such as that sold by Rotaloc International, LLC of Littleton, Colo. The female threaded collar desirably includes a flat base  90  positioned below the central panel  26  and a shaft  92 , which extends through the central panel  26  for being accessible at the top side of the central panel  26 . The shaft  92  preferably includes the internally threaded female opening  88  shown and described above in  FIG. 3A . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in one embodiment, a flotation vest  120  for a dog  122  preferably includes a central panel  126  that is positioned over the back of a dog and laterally extending side panels  156 ,  160  that extend from the sides of the central panel  126  and that are wrapped around the chest and belly of the dog  122 . The flotation vest  120  desirably includes reflective strips  150 ,  152  that are attached to the top side of the central panel  126  to reflect light. The flotation vest  120  desirably includes length adjustable straps  162 ,  164  and buckles  166 ,  168  for securing the free ends of the length adjustable straps. The length adjustable straps enable the vest to be placed on dogs having different sizes. 
     The flotation vest  120  desirably includes a grab handle  154  that is attached (e.g., sewn) to the central panel  126  for enabling a dog to be placed into and/or retrieved from the water. The flotation vest  120  preferably includes a leash ring  196  that is attached to the central panel  126  and that is accessible at a top side of the central panel. The leash ring  196  is used for securing a leash to the central panel  126  of the flotation vest  120 . 
     The leading end of the flotation vest  120  preferably includes first and second neck wrap sections  136 ,  142  that are wrapped around the front of the neck of the dog  122  and held in place using opposing hook and loop fastener patches. A length adjustable strap  146  having a buckle  148  is used for further securing the first and second neck wraps  136 ,  142  together. 
     In one embodiment, the safety vest  120  preferably includes a safety flag  124  having a flag staff  176  with an upper end  178  having a flexible flag  184  secured thereto and a lower end  180  having a plug  186  attached thereto. The flexible flag may be made of a reflective material and/or may have reflective indicia (e.g., letters) secured thereto. In one embodiment, a motion-activated light  182 , such as an LED light, is secured to the upper end  178  of the flag staff  176 . In one embodiment, the light  182  defines the upper-most end of the safety flag  124 . When motion is detected by the light  182 , the light preferably blinks on and off so that the location of the safety flag may be quickly determined. 
     In one embodiment, the central panel  126  of the flotation vest  120  preferably includes a mounting base  174  adapted to receive the plug  186 , such as a rubber plug, at the lower end  180  of the flag staff  176 . The plug  186  is desirably insertable into the opening of the mounting base  174 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . In one embodiment, after the plug  186  has been inserted into the opening of the mounting base  174 , a fastener such as a stainless steel locking clip may hold the plug  186  in place. 
     In one embodiment, the reflective flag  184  mounted to the upper end  178  of the flag staff  176  may have reflective lettering printed thereon or attached thereto. In one embodiment, the reflective lettering comprises a trade name or trademark for a dog flotation vest having a safety flag. 
     While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, which is only limited by the scope of the claims that follow. For example, the present invention contemplates that any of the features shown in any of the embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, may be incorporated with any of the features shown in any of the other embodiments described herein, or incorporated by reference herein, and still fall within the scope of the present invention.