Abstract:
A safety ensemble with inherent, highly visible radiance/luminosity and a releasable link to allow the animal to shed the ensemble if it becomes dangerously snagged. The ensemble takes the form of bridle, collar, halter or harness, for draping/encircling a portion of an animal&#39;s body, and includes at least one strap member, the opening or separation of which allows the animal to break free of the ensemble. The safety link is realized in disengaging-resetting elements, as well as frangible/breakable-replaceable types. Inherent high visibility is acquired through use of highly luminous, reflective or radiant materials in or placed on selective elements of any article of the invention.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/821,363, filed on Apr. 9, 2004, by the same inventor, entitled: Illuminative and Reflective Safety Horse Garment, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/456,447, filed Jun. 6, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,028, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/223,737, filed on Aug. 20, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,948, which is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/967,687, filed on Oct. 1, 2001 (now abandoned) and for which priority is claimed under 35 USC 119(e) and 120. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates generally to animal equipment including collars, halters, harnesses and the like. More specifically, it is drawn to an article of such that acquires an extraordinary degree of safety owing to a novel combination of the item&#39;s normal functionality with a high visibility character and an emergency/safety release feature. Release is effected upon an event that either breaks, or causes to be opened, a safety link that is part of any such equipment. The invention is also applicable to human articles of safety such as belts and back packs. 
   2. Discussion of Relevant Art 
   Several disclosures are considered as relevant to the instant invention. These show, in general, means for endowing articles, that consist of straps, belts or chains, with a rapid release capability, should the animal fitted with such an article (as the binding member of a collar, halter or harness) become captured in brush, fencing or some other projection in an undesired entanglement. Relative to this discussion, U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,265 (&#39;265) issued to Banks discloses a breakaway device made for a cat&#39;s collar. The safety link of &#39;265 includes a socket type keeper at one end of the collar that is receptive of a ball device fitted to the other end of the collar. The socket captures the ball, which has pins extending there from, into its cavity and presents it for a restrictive extraction when a tug of sufficient force is applied to the collar. This device is the paradigm for one class of non-breakable quick-release links. Although incorporating the concept of flea/tick prevention, the Banks collar bore no other incidents that would expand its safety function. 
   Another U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,297 (&#39;297), was issued to Mudge for a dog collar that included a safety release in order to prevent the animal from strangling. The separation/release member is, like the Banks (&#39;265), one which relies upon the resilient character of interlinked halves or complements. Though re-useable, the Mudge collar, in that it is an ordinary collar, enjoys no greater functionality than its emergency release ability. 
   Mudge et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,404 (&#39;404) show something similar to &#39;297, in the manner of breakaway safety releases. This is an article that is designed for large animals, as well as dogs. It can function in a belt, strap or halter (see  FIGS. 9–12 ). The connection means is the breakaway device itself (such as in the instant invention) and operates when a force or tug is applied to the appliance sufficient to pull a lug through a restrictive set of jaws. The operative characteristic lies in the flexibility or resilience of the lug-capturing jaws. 
   A disclosure by Porrello, U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,384, shows what appears to be a belt apparatus that combines adjustment means with a frangible link in the form of a conventional buckle&#39;s tongue. As with frangible links/connectors, this one requires replacement of the breaking link, an operation not discussed within the disclosure, but perhaps self evident. As another type of release, being neither frangible but resilient, U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,384 (&#39;384), issued to Pacini, employs a releasable link or binder constructed of opposable strips which feature resilient, engaging hook members on one (strip) and loops on the other. This particular binding device is marketed under the trade name VELCRO®, and is used worldwide. The hook and loop device is excellent for strapping or binding, however the instant inventor, although making use of it as an optional release in her invention, was dissatisfied in the realization that, depending on the care with which the VELCRO® member is engaged, no firm standard of force could be determined that would effect consistent release or breakaway events. 
   An excellent example of a resilient safety release is that shown in a U.S. patent issued to Kirby, U.S. Pat. No. 3,011,478 (&#39;478). Comprising the safety release for a choke collar, the device consists of a steel ring, a ring, of predetermined diameter, affixed to one end of the collar, captive of a spring biased, V-shaped element affixed to the other end. When a tug of calculable force is applied to the collar, the element is forcibly drawn through the ring, releasing the ring and V element linkage. Compressing the spring allows for the element&#39;s insertion into the ring, thereby reestablishing the link and foregoing the necessity of equipment repair or change-out. The only limitation perceived in this release device is, because of an elemental extension beyond the ring periphery, a possibility exists during pasturage that a branch or other projection may wedge between the extension and the ring, or the biasing spring, thus altering the critical release characteristics of the device. Like the preceding disclosures, &#39;478 shows little or no other functional attributes characteristic of the apparatus in which the safety release is used. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,028 (&#39;028), recently issued to Longtin is a priority document for this application and teaches, inter alia, animal coverings and associated articles of highly illuminative character. While employing VELCRO® ties, such are not specifically taught as releasable safety links, although certainly capable and effective therefor. 
   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
   The utility of the various devices employed for the safety release of various bindings placed on animals, e.g., collars, halters, reins, and other buckle/strap-on accouterments, is evidenced by the multiplicity of such for which patents have been issued. For their showing of these devices, the following U.S. patents are hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,011,478; 3,994,265; 5,791,297; 6,098,384; 6,360,404 and 6,786,028. 
   DEFINITIONS 
   Most terminology used herein lends itself to the common lexicon. To establish the inventor&#39;s particular meanings, specifically for collective or generic words or phrases, the reader is referred to the following, in bold print: 
   anvil—a ring device or a stylized characterization of the rigid frame of the common buckle, whether it is associated with the tongue; 
   continuity—having the nature of being continuous or unbroken (Note:continuity acquired by use of links or connections is termed herein as piece-wise continuity); 
   frame—having the structure of a picture frame in various geometrical shapes; 
   frangible—applied here in its broadest sense, i.e., breakable; 
   keeper—a stylized designation for the frame-anvil part if this invention that serves to hold or constrain a rod-like element; 
   integral (integrated)—a unit or whole (of being whole or complete for purpose); 
   link—a connector or connection of any type that ensures (piece-wise) continuity in a leash, cord, cable, strap or similar binding, tethering or body part-embracing articles; and 
   separable—capable of separation by fracture, breakage or fundamental design. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Safety release devices, or links as they shall be referred to hereinafter, are common in animal husbandry as in the field of automatic machinery. Their use is to provide various degrees of safety when no supervision is present. Thus, the animal restraint art is replete with such devices, but lacking in the combination with high visibility indicia such as luminescent, iridescent, reflective or radiant markings or physical composition. The instant inventor has provided, therefore, the combination of a safety release with high visibility character for a host of animal embracement articles including belts, bridles, collars, halters, harnesses, etc. 
   The safety release link is provided in a frangible/breakable option, as well as a spring-biased, pull-apart or pop-out one. The former consists of a cord, breakable rod/dowel, cord or zip-tie, the latter of a restrained, resiliently bendable rod. The pull-apart release is realized using the multiple, opposing hook-loop device trademarked as VELCRO.® 
   The high visibility, illuminative character is provided either intrinsically through the use of iridescent/reflective/luminescent materials or dyes (the inventor recommends international/blaze orange) or a lighted portion attached to the most visible portions of the article. The latter is likely to be used only in a temporary circumstance when the animal is allowed to roam only for short periods, in subdued light. 
   For the most part, this high visibility article, with its safety release, takes the form of collars or harnesses for animals that are turned out to pasture (horses, goats, cows, etc.) or allowed to roam and are likely to become entangled in brush, fences and similar snags. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Of the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustration of the invention showing a collar article having a deformable/bendable safety link; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of the invention showing the collar article of  FIG. 1 , in part, and having a frangible safety link; 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the invention showing a breakable safety link device installed in a strap; 
       FIG. 4  is a replication of  FIG. 3 , but for the showing of an alternate form of the breakable safety link; and 
       FIG. 5  is a drawing of a horse equipped with collar and halter articles of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Allowing an ensnared or entangled animal to free itself from brush, fences, posts and the like has been the objective of many inventors. Thus, the functionality of break away devices has commanded much attention in the design of collars, harnesses, halters, etc., especially with regard to unattended animals, irrespective of size. The instant inventor has long engaged in the creation of high visibility gear for animals ranging from the small domestics to much larger farm and sporting animals. Indeed, the art taught hereinafter is applicable to human equipment/apparel that requires the safety functions of high visibility and immediate, safe release. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted the invention  10  adapted to a belt/strap  12 , or collar, that is made of a strong material, such as a solid or woven man-made or natural substance. The instant inventor recommends a modern polymer that has been infused with the highly luminescent dyes that afford the article of the invention the utmost visibility. Where deemed practicable, the manufacturer may elect to use natural substances such as leather or tightly woven natural fibers. Any are suitable so long as the article can, for the most part, be rendered highly reflective, luminescent or otherwise radiant. The collar is, in this particular mode, fitted with a buckle assembly  14 . It can be readily surmised that such an article is useful, not merely as a collar, but as a belt or any portion of a halter or harness, its function being to act as a girdling and securing element. 
   Complementing the high visibility strap  12  of the invention is the releasable/separable link  16 , consisting of a constraining frame-anvil device, alternatively termed a “keeper”  18 , and a resilient, bendable rod  20 , which may be straight or slightly curved at its ends (arcuate). The ends and/or preponderance of the rod may also be flattened (not shown), depending on a manufacturer&#39;s preferences. The rod is spring-like (deformable), and when subjected to a predetermined force F, must be capable of flexing/bending ( 20 ′) to the shown length C, so as to pass through the keeper  18 . As identified in DEFINITIONS, the keeper is realized essentially as a ring or frame, not unlike the frame portion of a common buckle. One end of the belt/strap  13  is turned about a long margin of the frame and secured to itself by a suitable means, here rivets  19 . The complimentary end  15  is retroflexed and secured in similar fashion about the deformable rod  20 , or alternatively, to form a pocket P. In the former case, the tongue end T of the strap  12  must be fed through the keeper  18  to seat the rod, as shown at the left, in phantom. In the latter case, the buckle assembly  14  is not altogether required, because the (empty) pocket P can be used as a buckle by first passing (I 2 ) it through the keeper  18 , the rod  20  then being pressed (I 1 ) into the pocket, to complete the assembly  16 . Once the article is placed on the creature, the illuminative aspect will afford warning of its presence to passersby; while, the breakaway feature of the releasable link  16  will function to disengage the belt ends  13 / 15 , should the predetermined force F be applied to the article and transmitted to the rod  20 . 
   Similar in most respects to the  FIG. 1  embodiment, that of  FIG. 2  differs significantly in the use of a frangible rod  22 . Here, the breakable or frangible rod or dowel is composed of a material such as wood, fiber, plastic or even a brittle metal. It should have a known fracture modulus, in respect of the so-equipped creature&#39;s size and strength. A buckle frame or suitable keeper  18 , as in the  FIG. 1  article, is either of the form shown or simply a geometrically shaped constraining element, such as a ring. In any case, its diametrical or diagonal length X must be less than the length of the rod  22 . As for the rod, its length, greater (&gt;) than X, must also be greater than L, where L is the length of the pouch P which is formed by retro-flexing and making fast  19  the ends of the belt  12 . For rapid engagement of the article  10 , it is only necessary to pressingly insert (I 1 ) the rod  22  into the pouch P so that its ends extend equally beyond the pouch, such as shown in  FIG. 1  at rod  20 . The tongue T end of the belt  12  is then passed through the keeper  18  and secured to the buckle (not shown). As an alternative, the buckle ( 14  of  FIG. 1 ) need not be used with this embodiment because the empty pouch may be passed in through the keeper (after the article  10  is donned) and the rod  22  then inserted. When the article is a simple collar, or more complex but not intended for frequent removal, any adaptation capable of engagement without a buckle  14  (as in  FIGS. 2–4 , and seen with the halter article of  FIG. 5 ) qualifies as best mode. 
   The embodiment of the invention  10  that is the most expedient to realize is depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The buckle  14  is not shown in these figures simply because, in its most simplistic form, whether collar, halter or harness of any type, the true functionality of the invention lies in its high visibility combined with at least one safety release or separable “breakaway” feature. Thus in these two figures, only a high visibility belt/strap  12  with retroflexed ends  15 ′, secured with suitable means  19  to create end pockets P, are shown. Of special and significant interest in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively, are the breakaway elements of this embodiment: a knotted length of leather  24  and a polymeric zip-tie  26 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the cord  24 , though here made of leather, may be of any material, for which the breaking point might be calibrated or otherwise ascertained. It (the cord) must be capable of being hand-knotted and not subject to wide tensile strength when wet. It can be a polymeric plastic, so long as it can be (non-slip) knotted in situ, for field application. 
   Combining the above physical qualities is the alternate expression of the non-slip-knotted tie, the zip-tie  26  of  FIG. 4 . This zip-tie element of the invention  10  consists in an integral anchor member  27  from which a transversely corrugated, elongated strip  25  depends. The anchor is hollow, with an interior one-way restriction, in order to receive there through the tongue T 1  of the strip and, thereafter resist its retrograde slippage from the anchor. The breaking point for the zip-tie element can be predicated on either breakage of the strip  25  or the breakaway of, or from, the anchor. 
   Finally, there is depicted in  FIG. 5  a phantom image of a horse  30  outfitted with the collar  10  and halter  11  articles of the invention. The collar  10  consists in the strap  12  member with the tie  24 / 26  breakaway devices. The halter  11  consists in a buckle  14  (not required here), the various straps  28  and the VELCRO® attachment/breakaway element  32 . The invention now having been disclosed in sufficient detail, it is commended to the field consistent with the hereafter appended claims.