Abstract:
The present invention is an article of apparel that can relatively easily enclose the body of a dog to retain undesirable debris located on or about the body of the animal. Thereby, dander, mud, dirt, water and other materials commonly found on and around a dog&#39;s body may be retained within the article of apparel keeping a vehicle, house, and other similar locations visited by the dog relatively clean. The apparel is made of a lightweight, washable, durable material that is preferably breathable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Technical Field  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to the field of canines and more particularly to the area of apparel for canines.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     Many people own one or more canines and desire to have these animals in areas that are preferred to be kept clean. Often the problem arises that a wet or dirty canine needs to be transported in a vehicle or brought inside a dwelling. For example, owners of hunting canine will often train the canine to fetch birds or other prey. Often the training for and the practice of using a canine for hunting involves water resulting in the canine getting very wet and dirty. When it is time to take the canine home, the animal must be dried and cleaned thoroughly before letting the canine inside the vehicle passenger or made to ride in a pickup truck bed if available. If the canine is not dried and cleaned thoroughly, then the person risks having the interior of the vehicle getting dirty, wet, and foul smelling.  
         [0005]     A similar dilemma arises when a canine is let to venture outside during a rainy, snowy, or otherwise generally wet day or if an outside area is wet or muddy. The canine may become wet, muddy, foul smelling, or any combination thereof. Hence, the owner may be reluctant to let the canine back into the dwelling.  
         [0006]     Another situation arises when canines that are being used as service animals, such as for example for the blind, need to brought into environments or enclosures where others may be allergic to canine dander. One such occurrence which can be particularly problematic is when a canine is brought into a relatively confined space such as a passenger compartment of an airplane. If a fellow passenger is allergic to canine dander, the service animal may need to be removed from its human companion or the allergic passenger must leave or suffer.  
         [0007]     What is needed is an article of apparel that can relatively easily enclose a canine and keep a vehicle, house, or other enclosure relatively clean of dander, mud, dirt, water or other material. It would be beneficial if the article was made of a lightweight, durable, breathable, washable material.  
         [0008]     On occasion service animals, such as search and rescue canines, are used in areas that have relatively hazardous environments. Having something that could provide a protective barrier to the canine&#39;s skin would be beneficial. Again, it would be beneficial if the article was made of a lightweight, durable, breathable, washable material.  
         [0009]     Also, canines who are recovering from surgery and have stitches, with hot spots (acute moist dermatitis), dermatitis, allergies that cause skin eruptions, itching, other skin problems are often forced to wear elongated collars around their necks. These collars are commonly known as an Elizabethan collars. The collar prevents the canine from licking or irritating the affected area but is awkward for the canine to wear and some canines will become extremely agitated while wearing the collar. It would be beneficial if the canine could wear a lightweight, durable, breathable, washable article instead of the Elizabethan collar.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention is an apparel that can relatively easily enclose a canine and keep a vehicle, house, or other enclosure relatively clean of dander, mud, dirt, water or other material. The apparel is made of a lightweight, washable, durable material that is preferably breathable. Examples of such material include but are not limited to nylon, breathable neoprene, or Gore-Tex®. The apparel fully encloses every portion of the canine except the head.  
         [0011]     To insert a canine into the apparel, the feet are first inserted into the proper leg portion and then the sides of the apparel are brought up and secured by an attachment means along the back of the canine. The attachment means may be a zipper, Velcro®, adhesive, buttons, hook-and-loop, snaps, or some other similar attachment means. The apparel may also be secured around the canine&#39;s neck with an elastic band. In one embodiment, each leg portion contains a removable foot portion so the canine&#39;s feet can be exposed and cleaned. Additionally, the apparel may contain a strap or harness that can be used to lift the canine into a vehicle or other raised area.  
         [0012]     Also, the apparel may be used in place of an Elizabethan collar or to apply medicine such a flee powder to the canine. Because the apparel can be made of a breathable material, the canine can wear the article for an extended period while recovering from surgery, letting wounds heal, or for enabling the proper application of medicine to the canine.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the present invention in use;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the apparel the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the feet portion of the present invention; and  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0018]     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. It is also to be understood that structural, procedural and system changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. For clarity of exposition, like features shown in the accompanying drawings are indicated with like reference numerals and similar features as shown in alternate embodiments in the drawings are indicated with similar reference numerals  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  shows canine  100  enclosed in apparel  102 . Canine  100  has a head  114 , body  116 , front feet  118 , and hind feet  120 . Apparel  102  covers every part of canine  100  except head  114 . Apparel contains body portion  122 , front feet portion  124 , and hind feet portion  126 . Body portion  122  covers body  116 , front feet portion  124  covers front feet  118 , and hind feet portion  126  covers hind feet  120  of canine  100 . If canine  100  has a tail, then the tail in contained within body portion  122  of apparel  102 . Apparel  102  also contains closure means  104 , leash attachment means  106 , and may contain elastic  108 .  
         [0020]     Preferably, apparel  102  is comprised of a lightweight, washable, durable, breathable material. Examples of such material include but are not limited to nylon, breathable neoprene, other breathable material such as Gore-Tex®. In an alternate embodiment, apparel  102  is comprised of a relatively inexpensive disposable material such a paper, plastic, or paper lined with plastic wherein apparel  102  can be relatively easily discarded after use. In yet another embodiment, apparel  100  is comprised of a material that is relatively non-pours and does not allow any hair, dandier, or other potential allergens to escape the confines of apparel  102 . In this manner, apparel  100  may be used as an allergy suit to allow canine  100  to be around those with severe allergies to canines. Preferably, when canine  100  is wearing apparel  102 , canine  100  can walk, sit, and lay down relatively easily.  
         [0021]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , body portion  122  has a right side  202  and a left side  204 . Right side  202  contains attachment means  206 . In an alternate embodiment, left side  204  contains attachment means  206  and in the interest of clarity and conciseness further reference will only be made to right side  202  containing attachment means  206 . Attachment means  206  may be adhesive or one part of a mechanical attachment means such as one or more snaps, buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro®, magnets, or any other mechanical fastener that requires the mating of two parts.  
         [0022]     If attachment means  206  is one part of a mechanical attachment means, then left side  204  contains mating attachment means  208 . Mating attachment means  208  is the mating part of attachment means  206 . For example, if attachment means  206  is a hook, then mating attachment means  208  may be a loop. Preferably closure means  104 ,  FIG. 1 , is a zipper.  
         [0023]     In use, canine  100  is inserted into apparel  102  by first inserting front feet  118  into front feet portion  124  and then inserting hind feet  120  into hind feet portion  126 . Alternatively, hind feet  120  may first be inserted into hind feet portion  126  then front feet  118  may be inserted into front feet portion  124 . After the front feet  118  and hind feet  120  of canine  100  have been inserted into their respective portion of apparel  102 , right side  202  and a left side  204  are secured together via closure means  104  and apparel  102  covers every part of canine  100  except head  114 . If canine  100  has a tail, then the tail is tucked into apparel  102  before right side  202  and left side  204  are secured together such that the tail is contained within body portion  122  of apparel  102 .  
         [0024]     Elastic  108  may be used to help secure apparel  102  around canine&#39;s  100  neck. Leash attachment means  106  is at least one D-ring and is preferably two D-rings, one on right side  202  and one on left side  204 . When a leash is attached to leash attachment means  106 , the D-rings are joined together and aid in keeping apparel  102  closed and secured around canine  100 .  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , apparel  102  may also contain lifting straps  128 . Lifting straps  128  aid in lifting canine  100  into a car or truck or other elevated area. Lifting straps  128  are preferably comprised of a strong flexible material such as nylon and contain support  130  and handle  132 . Support  130  is fixedly attached to body portion  122  of apparel  102  and preferably extends from right side  202  to left side  204  and around canine&#39;s  100  mid-section. Handle  132  are attached to support  130  and extend above canine  100  such that a user can grasp handle  132  relatively easy.  
         [0026]     When a user grasps handle  132  and begins to pull upward, the upward force is transferred to support  130  and onto the mid-section of canine  100 . The upward force raises the mid-section of canine  100  and aids in lifting canine  100  into a car or truck or other elevated area.  
         [0027]     In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 3 , front feet portion  124  and hind feet portion  126  (not shown) are removable and contain feet attachment means  302 . Feet attachment means  302  may be adhesive or one part of a mechanical attachment means such as one or more snaps, buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro®, magnets, or any other mechanical fastener that requires the mating of two parts.  
         [0028]     If feet attachment means  302  is one part of a mechanical attachment means, then body portion  122  contains mating feet attachment means  304 . Mating feet attachment means  304  is the mating part of feet attachment means  302 . For example, if feet attachment means  302  is a button, then mating feet attachment means  304  may be a button hole.  
         [0029]     By allowing front feet portion  124  and hind feet portion  126  to be removable, the feet of canine  100  can be cleaned to allow canine  100  to walk to an area such as a bathroom where the rest of canine  100  can be easily cleaned. In addition front feet portion  124  and hind feet portion  126  may contain pads or reinforcement to reduce the wear on front feet portion  124  and hind feet portion  126  and to reduce the effects of canine&#39;s  100  nails.  
         [0030]     In an alternate embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4 , apparel  102  contains intake means  402 . Intake means may be a hose, sealable flap, or other means for gaining access to canine  100  when canine  100  is enclosed in apparel  102 . By allowing access to canine  100 , medicine such as flee spray or powder can be applied. Also, apparel  102  can be used in place of an Elizabethan collar for canines who are recovering from an ailment such as surgery with stitches, with hot spots (acute moist dermatitis), dermatitis, allergies that cause skin eruptions, itching, other skin problems or who are recovering from surgery. Because apparel  102  is breathable, canine  100  can wear apparel  102  for an extended time to allow the injured, infected or otherwise stressed area to heal.  
         [0031]     Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, this description is not to be construed in a limiting sense. There is modification of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of this invention, which will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art, and the invention shall be viewed as limited only by reference to the following claims. For example, the underwear described above could be easily modified for men and such a modification would be apparent to one skilled in the art.