Abstract:
A head covering that protects a dog or other animal against the intrusion of harmful things or elements such as insects, foreign matter, and weed seeds, which can enter the animal&#39;s ears, eyes, or nose and cause discomfort or damage.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to accessories for domestic animals, and more particularly to a head covering that protects against the intrusion of such things as insects, foreign matter, and weed seeds (also known as “foxtails”), from entering the animal&#39;s ears, eyes, or nose. 
         [0003]    2. Background 
         [0004]    Weed seeds, and particularly the grass seeds that are often referred to as “foxtails”, have barbs that cause the seeds to attach themselves on passing animals. Foxtails imbed painfully in ear canals, nostrils, and eyes. As the animal shakes its head, sneezes, and paws its face, trying to expel the seed, the seed only goes deeper because of the one-way barbs. Within minutes, the seed has gone so deep that the seed must be removed by a veterinarian, under anesthetic, at great cost to the owner and pain to the animal. 
         [0005]    Several products currently exist that attempt to solve this problem, but they are either ineffective or have significant flaws. Blessing&#39;s protective bonnet for animals (U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,334 to Blessing, Aug. 21, 1973) is designed to protect eyes and ears from insects, but not the nose or mouth. The present invention protects the nose and mouth in addition to the eyes and ears because it encloses the entire head. 
         [0006]    Waltz and Davidson (U.S. Pat. No. 1,004,507 to Waltz, Sep. 26, 1911 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,706 to Davidson, Nov. 29, 1994) both designed head enclosures for people to keep the insects away from the face. Both have stiffening ribs to hold the net away from the face. The stiffening ribs cause a visual distraction, which can be especially annoying to an animal and can cause it to be less tolerant of the enclosure. By contrast, the present invention can be made from a fabric stiff enough to stand away from the face without the added stiffening ribs, and therefore there can be no visual distraction for the animal. When made of stiff mesh fabric, the protective hood can stand away from the face, therefore not irritating the animal by touching its face. Because of the lack of visual distraction and facial irritation, the animal could be more willing to wear the device. Finally, construction of the present invention can be simpler and more economical to manufacture without the added stiffening ribs of Waltz and Davidson. 
         [0007]    Vaughn&#39;s Inhalation Net (U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,581B1 to Vaughn, Dec. 21, 2009) protects only the nose and its construction is very complex. The present invention protects the eyes, ears, nose, nostrils and mouth from the intrusion of insects, foreign matter, and weed seeds. Also, because the construction can be very simple, it can be economical to manufacture. In some embodiments, the present invention uses one piece of mesh fabric, to form a hood that can be gathered with a piece of adjustable elastic at a rearward opening end. Vaughn&#39;s Inhalation Net could cause discomfort and distraction to the animal because it is secured to the animal&#39;s muzzle with a piece of elastic that wraps around the lower jaw. The present invention can be designed with as much comfort as possible and therefore little distraction for the animal wearing it. It can be sized larger, longer and wider than the head, so that it doesn&#39;t touch the face, and can be shaped so that it has enough room for the animal to pant and drink (through the mesh), and can be secured gently with elastic around the neck in a fashion that is similar to the animal&#39;s own collar. There could be no visual distractions because any seams are generally out of the animal&#39;s line of sight and the mesh can be easy to see through. Though the present invention can be made in any color mesh, in some embodiments it can be black, which generally doesn&#39;t reflect light and thereby reduces distracting glare. 
         [0008]    Finley and Harris&#39; Protective Ear Canal Covering for dogs and other animals (U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,272 to Finley and Harris, Nov. 17, 1992) protects only the ear canals. The present invention protects eyes, nose and mouth, in addition, to the ear canals, from the intrusion of weed seeds (including foxtails), insects and other foreign matter, lodging therein. 
         [0009]    The Lecys&#39; Pet Hood (U.S. Pat. No. 7,523,720 to Lynda and Duane Lecy, Apr. 28, 2009) is made of an inflexible metal mesh that is die cut and is used to prevent animal from biting. The present invention can be primarily used to protect the animal from the weed seeds, insects, and other foreign matter getting into its eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. The present invention is made of a flexible material and can therefore be much more easily manufactured because it does not need an expensive die created for its manufacture and is easily assembled with a simple sewing machine. Because the present invention is made of a more flexible material it is more comfortable for the animal to wear. It is conceivable that the Lecys&#39; Pet Hood could be used to protect animals from weed seeds, insects and other foreign matter, but it would not be comfortable for the animal or as economical as the present invention. 
         [0010]    What is needed is an apparatus to protect animals against the intrusion of such things as insects, foreign matter, and weed seeds, from entering the animal&#39;s ears, eyes, or nose that can be easily manufactured and is comfortable for the animal to wear than current products. In some embodiments, the apparatus should be flexible and free of distracting or uncomfortable stiffening ribs and/or seams. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are: 
         [0012]    It protects an animal&#39;s entire head, including the ear canal, nose/nostrils and eyes, from intrusion of weed seeds, insects and other foreign matter, therefore avoiding pain and suffering of the animal and costly visits to the veterinarian. 
         [0013]    It is easily worn by an animal and comfortable so therefore is more acceptable to the animal who will be more willing to wear it &amp; much less likely to try to take it off. The protective mesh hood is shaped and sized so that the fabric generally doesn&#39;t touch face and the elastic does not need to be tight to secure the hood in place around the neck. Pets are accustomed to collars around their necks so securing the hood around the neck will be the least irritating way of securing the hood and the elastic length is adjustable if an animal changes in size. Also, the animal can see, pant, drink, and bark while wearing the protective mesh hood and it is not visually distracting since the seams are out of the animal&#39;s line of sight and the mesh is easy to see through. 
         [0014]    The invention is easy for a pet owner to use because the elastic fastening and adjustment is easily accessed on the back of the animal&#39;s head. Once the elastic is drawn up, adjusted for the particular animal and secured with the cord lock, the protective mesh hood can easily be slid on and off without having to release and re-adjust the cord-lock each time. Optional hook/loop fastener straps to prevent animal from removing the protective mesh hood are made to quickly and easily wrap and secure around the animal&#39;s own collar. 
         [0015]    The simple design is easy to manufacture and made of common, inexpensive materials. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description of it. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  An elevation that shows the head of the animal with the protective mesh hood in place. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  A front view that shows the head of the animal with the protective mesh hood in place. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  A perspective view that shows the head of the animal with the protective mesh hood in place. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  A back view that shows the head of the animal with the protective mesh hood in place, illustrating the back of the hood with the hook/loop fastener straps that secure it to the animal&#39;s own collar. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  A construction detail of hood opening casing, showing the reinforced opening, the elastic with the cord-lock adjuster and hook/loop fastener straps. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  A flat side view of the hood only, without opening end gathered. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  A side view of the hood only, with opening end gathered to fit neck. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 8 through 19  show alternate embodiments, but are not limited to only these embodiments of the protective mesh hood: 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  A perspective view of a modification, illustrating an additional piece of mesh at front end of the apparatus that creates a rounded shape at top, front end of apparatus. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  A back view of a modification that shows the head of the animal with the protective mesh hood in place, illustrating the back of the hood without straps that secure it to the animal&#39;s own collar. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  An elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus showing wide elastic sewn directly to the screen mesh, rather than elastic being fed through a casing. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  An elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus that shows a separate casing made of a non-mesh fabric that can be sewn onto the opening end of apparatus. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  An elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus that shows the back of hood made out of a non-mesh fabric. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  An elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus that shows possible placement of extra seams throughout the protective mesh hood. All seams are placed out of animal&#39;s line of sight. 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  An elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus that shows it without the reinforced opening or the cord lock. 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  An elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus that shows it without elastic and without the cord lock. 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  Side ( FIG. 16   a ) and back ( FIG. 16   b ) views of an embodiment that shows an opening at the top of the protective mesh hood for the erect types of ears, in which a separate gathered piece of can be inserted and stitched to enclose the ears. 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  Side ( FIG. 17   a ) and back ( FIG. 17   b ) views of an embodiment that shows the addition of extra fabric to the protective mesh hood that creates extra room at the top of the mesh hood for the erect types of ears that can be shaped with darts at the back of the hood. 
           [0034]      FIG. 18  An elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus that shows it with a narrow type of material threaded through several, evenly spaced holes, and reinforced at the opening end of the protective mesh hood. 
           [0035]      FIG. 19  An elevation of an alternate embodiment of the apparatus that illustrates how the protective mesh hood could be made of one single piece of mesh, suitably shaped to animal&#39;s head using folded darts, pleats or gathers and then secured with stitching to a buckled collar. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a protective hood  2  can be configured and designed to protect an animal from insects and foreign matter by enclosing the entire head in mesh material. Mesh material can be comprised of vinyl coated polyester threads but may be comprised of any material that has the correct size openings between the threads. The threads can be woven together to create openings between threads that can block foreign matter and insects from entering a hood  2 , while allowing visibility and air circulation through openings to animal. In some embodiments, mesh material can have anti-bacterial and/or ultraviolet protective coating and/or inherent properties. In yet other embodiments, a hood  2  can be coated or sprayed with insect repellant. 
         [0037]    A hood  2  can reflect the shape of an animal&#39;s head and can be larger than the circumference of the animal&#39;s head. The size of a hood  2  can be designed larger than an animal&#39;s head so that there can be space between the material and all around the animal&#39;s head. This is for the animal&#39;s comfort and to allow the animal room to open its mouth and pant. In some embodiments, the material that comprises the hood can be shaped by having at least one seam  4 .  FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment in which only one seam  4  is used, but see  FIGS. 6-8 ,  12  and  13  for embodiments utilizing multiple seams  4 .  FIGS. 6-8  depict embodiments comprising a gusset  20  that can add additional room for an animal&#39;s head and/or can provide added structural support to a hood  2 . A gusset  20  can be coupled with the rest of a hood  2  via a seam  4 . A seam  4  can be stitched, as depicted in  FIG. 1 , or can be bonded using adhesive or any other known and/or convenient bonding process. In alternate embodiments, a hood  2  can be molded using other methods such as heat formation (such as placing a piece of mesh over a mold of preferred shape and heating it to conform to shape). 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , an opening end  6  of a hood  2  can be greater than largest circumference of an animal&#39;s head so as to facilitate easy placement of a hood  2  over the animal&#39;s head. An opening end  6  can then be gathered to the size of the animal&#39;s neck. Gathering can be accomplished through utilization of an elongated member  12 , drawn up within a casing  8 , drawn through a reinforced opening  10  in the casing  8 , and secured by a cord lock device  14 . In some embodiments, an elongated member  12  can be elastomeric. In alternate embodiments, an elongated member  12  can be any other type of material shaped in a long thin strip, such as cording or strapping that can be drawn up within the casing  8  and secured by a cord lock device or tied. 
         [0039]    A casing  8  at the opening end  6  of a hood  2  can be formed by folding the mesh material of a hood  2  and then stitching the material back onto itself to secure the edge to a hood  2 . In other embodiments, a casing  8  can be a separate component that can be formed separated and subsequently coupled with a hood  2  (see  FIG. 11 ). In such an embodiment, the material of a casing  8  can be different from that of a hood  2 . In yet other embodiments, a casing  8  and a hood  2  can be made of substantially the same material. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a casing  8  can be any width that is large enough for an elongated member  12  to move through easily. A casing  8  can enclose an elongated member  12  that can be any width that can be accommodated by a cord lock device  14 . A casing  8  comprise a small reinforced opening  10  to allow exit of an elongated member  12 , which then can be threaded through a cord lock device  14  to secure the length of an elongated member  12  to a size that fits the animal&#39;s neck, just behind the ears. The loose ends of an elongated member  12  can hang freely, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , and/or each end can be knotted and/or folded or stitched onto itself to prevent passage through a cord lock device  14 . In other embodiments, the loose ends of an elongated member  12  can be coupled together via tying, gluing, stitching, rivets, or any other known and/or convenient method of coupling. 
         [0041]    An opening  10  can be reinforced by any known and/or convenient method, including stitching similar to how a buttonhole is typically reinforced, or with a small piece of closely woven fabric glued or otherwise bonded around the opening  10 . In other embodiments, an opening  10  can be reinforced with grommets or any other known and/or convenient reinforcement mechanism or method. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 , to prevent an animal from taking a hood  2  off, straps  16  can be coupled with an opening end  6  and can be adapted to temporarily couple with an animal&#39;s own collar  18 . Straps  16  can be made of hook and loop fastener material or any known and/or convenient flexible material. In the embodiment depicted, straps  16  have a long, narrow shape, but in other embodiments, straps  16  can have any other known and/or convenient geometry. Straps  16  can be positioned substantially perpendicular to an animal&#39;s collar  18 , and can be long enough to wrap and secure around the collar  18 . Straps  16  can be coupled with a collar  18  via stitching, adhesive, rivets, snaps or any other known and/or convenient method of permanent or temporary attachment. Similarly, the ends of a strap  16  can be adapted to couple with each other temporarily and selectively via adhesive, snaps, hook and loop mechanism, buckle, or any other known and/or convenient fastening mechanism. 
         [0043]    An alternate embodiment of a hood  2  is shown in  FIG. 9 . Since many animals may not have the ability to, or can be trained not to, take off a hood  2 , in some embodiments straps  16  can be eliminated. 
         [0044]    An alternate embodiment of a hood  2  is shown in  FIG. 14 . In the embodiment shown, a casing  8  does not have an opening  10  or cord lock device  14 . Instead, an elongated member  12  can form a loop and can made of elastomeric material substantially the circumference of an animal&#39;s neck such that, in use, a hood  2  can fit closely around the animal&#39;s neck without applying too much pressure and/or causing strangulation or discomfort. 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, a hood  2  may not have a casing  8 . Instead, as shown in  FIG. 10 , a piece of elastomeric material  22  can be secured directly to the opening end  6  edge of a hood  2  via stitching, adhesive, snaps, or any other known and/or convenient mechanism. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 18 , an elongated member  12  can be threaded through several holes  32  located proximate to the opening end  6  of a hood  2 , such that when an elongated member  12  is drawn up, an opening end  6  is gathered and tightened around an animal&#39;s neck. An elongated member  12  can be secured in a drawn position via a cord lock device  14 , by tying the ends, or by any other known and/or convenient method.  FIG. 15  depicts an embodiment in which an elongated member  12  is secured without the aid of a cord lock device  14 . 
         [0046]    In some embodiments, a hood  2  can be secured around an animal&#39;s head and neck without the use of an existing collar  18 .  FIG. 19  depicts an embodiment in which a hood  2  is coupled with a built-in collar  34 . In this embodiment, a collar  34  can be tightened and secured around an animal&#39;s neck via a buckle mechanism or any other known and/or convenient tightening and fastening mechanism. A collar  34  can be made of nylon, leather, or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, a collar  34  can at least partially comprise reflective coating and/or material and/or battery or solar-powered lights so as to provide increased visibility of the animal in the dark. 
         [0047]    Although  FIGS. 1-4 ,  6 - 7 ,  9 - 11  depict a hood  2  substantially made of one piece of material and one seam  4 , in some embodiments, a hood  2  can comprise a plurality of sections and seams  4 . As depicted in  FIGS. 12-13 , parts of a hood  2  that are out of the line of sight of an animal can be made out of different material. In the embodiments depicted, sections  24  are comprised of more closely woven material that can provide further protection, reinforcement, and/or sun blockage. Sections  24  can be coupled with a hood  2  via stitching, adhesive, or any other known and/or convenient method of bonding at a seam  4 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 16-17  depict embodiments in which a hood  2  is designed to fit animals with erect ears. In  FIGS. 16A-16B , an ear section  28  can be coupled with a hood  2  and can be adapted to accommodate the height of an animal&#39;s erect ears. In  FIGS. 17A-17B , a hood  2  can comprise darts  30  to create extra room at the top of the hood  2  for erect ears. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , in use, a pet owner can hold a hood  2  with a seam  4  facing the ground, and an opening end  6  substantially perpendicular to the ground and facing away from the owner and toward an animal. The owner can then guide an opening end  6  over the animal&#39;s head beginning at the animal&#39;s nose, and then progressing over the ears, to finally lay behind the ears on the animal&#39;s neck. The opening end  6  can then be secured around the neck by drawing up an elongated member  12  and securing it with a cord lock device  14 . Straps  16  can then be wrapped around the animal&#39;s own collar and secured at a length that is comfortable for the animal. In other embodiments, other methods of application and use can be employed, depending on user preference, hood  2  structure and design, and type and size of animal. 
         [0050]    Although a hood  2  has been described for use as a protective enclosure to keep pests or other harmful objects away from an animal&#39;s head, in some embodiments a hood  2  can be used to protect other people or animal&#39;s from the animal wearing the hood  2  by preventing biting, spread of disease, or other harmful activity by the animal. In yet other embodiments, a hood  2  can be used as a barrier to deter an animal from licking itself, irritating a wound, or interfering with a bandage or sutures after surgery or other medical procedures. A hood  2  can also prevent an animal from eating things it shouldn&#39;t, such as feces, plants, or other potentially harmful substances. 
         [0051]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.