Abstract:
A protective bird apron includes a main body area with a length and a width and a pair of opposing lateral sections attached to the main body area at corresponding opposing edges thereof, each lateral section having a length less than the length of the main body area and a width dimensioned to extend beneath respective wings of the bird. At least one securing strap is coupled to an upper portion of the main body area and to an upper portion of at least one of the lateral sections, the main body area, the at least one of the lateral sections, and the at least one securing strap defining at least one shoulder securing area. A shoulder protector is coupled to the main body area of the back covering, disposed to protect shoulders of the bird while leaving the wings of the bird substantially unrestricted in wing-flapping movement, and has a width substantially the same or greater than an overall width of the back covering. Visible warning indicia are provided on the back covering and/or the shoulder protector.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is:
       a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/356,203, filed on Jan. 20, 2009 (which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/090,489, filed on Aug. 20, 2008),
 
the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
       
 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates generally to the protection of birds, and more particularly relates to an apron worn by hens or other birds to protect their backs from roosters during mating and from attacks from above by birds of prey. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    During mating with roosters, hens often sustain feather loss and cuts and gashes on their backs and shoulders. These injuries can lead to infection, picking, cannibalism, and death. In both backyard and commercial flocks, both hens and roosters often pick at each other, with the same dire results. Once a chicken suffers feather loss and wounds on its back, the chicken must either be removed from the flock or have its back covered to prevent further damage and possible infection. 
         [0006]    Some protectors have been developed that establish a minimal level of protection for the chicken against injury. However, these devices fail to protect all of the susceptible areas of the hen&#39;s back. 
         [0007]    The level of protection that is afforded will depend on the quality of the material and construction of the device. To date, no protector exists that meets the needs of chickens, including a proper fit for both less active (cooped or confined) and more active (free-ranging or pastured) chickens, accommodation of tail feathers, and protection of shoulders, without inhibiting the chicken&#39;s ability to spread its wings and fly. 
         [0008]    A main predator of chickens in free-ranging or pastured flocks is the “chicken hawk.” Although it may be impossible to completely protect a chicken from birds of prey, no current protector offers even a minimal level of protection. 
         [0009]    Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is a protective bird apron that includes a back covering with a main body area that has a length and a width. A first lateral section is attached to a first side of the main body area and has a length less than the length of the main body area and a width dimensioned to extend away from the main body area and beneath a first wing of the bird. A second lateral section is attached to a second side of the main body area opposite the first side and has a length less than the length of the main body area and a width dimensioned to extend away from the main body area and beneath a second wing of the bird. A first securing strap is coupled to an outer portion of the first lateral section and to the second side of the main body area, a second securing strap coupled to an outer portion of the second lateral section and to the first side of the main body area, the first and second securing straps defining a first wing capturing portion, a second wing capturing portion, and a neck capturing portion. A shoulder protector is coupled to the main body area of the back covering, disposed to protect shoulders of the bird while leaving the wings of the bird substantially unrestricted in wing-flapping movement, and has a width substantially the same or greater than an overall width of the back covering. Visible warning indicia are provided on the back covering and/or the shoulder protector. 
         [0011]    In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the visible warning indicia are shaped to resemble a pair of eyes. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a neck-securing loop shaped to secure the shoulder protector to a neck of the bird. 
         [0013]    In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the shoulder protector is removably coupled to the back covering. 
         [0014]    In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, the back covering is of a first material and further comprises an interior layer insulating the back covering from the bird, the interior layer being of a second material different from the first material. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, the shoulder protector is removably coupled to the back covering. 
         [0016]    In accordance with a further feature, the present invention includes an inner layer disposed between the interior layer and the bird. 
         [0017]    In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes a substantially V-shaped lower edge shaped to accept a tail of the bird. 
         [0018]    Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a protective hen apron, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
         [0019]    Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
         [0020]    Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. 
         [0021]    As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” applies to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is a planar view of a single-strap embodiment of a protective apron in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a planar view a protective shoulder cover in accordance with the present invention attached to the protective apron of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the apron assembly and shoulder cover of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a planar view of a dual-strap embodiment of a protective apron in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a planar view of a dual-strap embodiment of a protective apron with an exemplary embodiment of predator-preventing decorative pattern, in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a planar view of a dual-strap embodiment of a protective apron with another exemplary embodiment of predator-preventing decorative pattern, in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    The present invention provides a novel apron that can be worn by birds, for example, hens, to protect their backs from other birds, for example, roosters or predators. The inventive apron can be worn by both hens and roosters to prevent feather loss and cuts and gashes that can lead to picking, cannibalism and death, to cover areas of feather loss and wounds to promote healing and feather re-growth, and to provide protection against birds of prey by both discouraging them from attacking a bird wearing the cover as well as reducing their ability to grasp the birds. The apron is not limited to use on chickens and may be used on other poultry, such as ducks, turkeys and geese. The apron may also be used on other birds, such as parrots, for protection during mating, as a cape for warmth, or as a costume. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , one exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.  FIG. 1  illustrates several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. In this first embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the inventive apron  100  includes a back covering  102  shaped to cover the back of a bird. The back covering  102  has a main body area  104  with a length L 104  and a width W 104  and also includes a pair of opposing lateral sections  106  and  108 , which are both attached to the main body area  104  at corresponding opposing edges  110  and  112  thereof. The edges  110  and  112  can be virtual edges and not physical boarders. Each of the opposing lateral sections  106 ,  108  has a length L 106 , L 108 , respectively, that is less than the length L 104  of the main body area  104  and a width dimensioned to extend beneath the a wing of the bird. 
         [0031]    A securing strap  114  is coupled to an upper portion  116  of the main body area  104  and to an upper portion  118 ,  120  of each of the opposing lateral sections  106 ,  108 , respectively. The main body area  104 , the first lateral section  106  and the securing strap  114  define a first shoulder securing area  122  and the main body area  104 , the second lateral section  108  and the securing strap  114  define a second shoulder securing area  124 . The shoulder securing areas  122 ,  124  accept a bird&#39;s shoulder and secure the apron  100  to the bird. Once placed on the bird, the wings of the bird cover the opposing lateral sections  106 ,  108  and retain the apron  100  against the bird&#39;s back. In addition, the back covering  102  has a substantially V-shaped lower edge  126  that accommodates the bird&#39;s tail feathers. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows an additional feature of the present invention, which provides a shoulder protector  200  that covers and protects the shoulders of the bird. The shoulder protector  200  can be fixedly coupled to the back covering  102  or removably attached thereto. The shoulder protector  200 , according to one embodiment, has a width substantially the same or greater than the width of the back covering  102 . 
         [0033]    In one embodiment where the shoulder protector  200  is removably attached, the main body area  104  can be provided with one or more couples  202 , which allow the shoulder protector  200  to securely attach to the back covering  102 . The couples can be, for instance, VELCRO, snap fasteners, hook and loop closures, zippers, buttons, tacky tape, lacing and many more. Where the shoulder protector  200  is non-removably attached, sewing, gluing, taping, and many others may be used. One benefit of the removable shoulder protector  200  is that it can be placed or removed as seen fit by the chicken&#39;s caretaker. Caretakers may wish to remove the shoulder protectors in hot weather, rain, or during setting, for example. An additional benefit of a removable protector  200  is that a single hen apron can be re-used by other chickens and the protector used on those chickens prone to shoulder damage but not used on other chickens not prone to suffering such shoulder damage. 
         [0034]    Also shown in  FIG. 3  is a strap  204  that goes around the bird&#39;s neck and secures the shoulder protector  200  to the bird. The strap  204  ensures that the upper edges of the shoulder protector will stay in place and against the bird. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the protective back covering  102  can be multi-layer and constructed, for instance, from a top layer  302  and bottom interior layer  304  of various rip, tear, and puncture-resistant materials, such as but not limited to denim, canvas duck, leather, Kevlar and nylon. The interior layer  304  can be of a different material than the first layer  302 . The back covering  102  can be filled with a layer of batting  306  that can be made of various breathable materials, such as cotton. The batting  306  is secured to the top  302  and bottom  304  layers of the back covering  102  with a finished seam  308 . 
         [0036]    The securing strap  114  can be of various materials, such as, but not limited to, elastic, cloth, leather, denim, other sufficiently resilient material. Similarly, the shoulder protector  200  can be made of various materials, such as, but not limited to, denim, canvas duck, leather, Kevlar and nylon. 
         [0037]    The securing strap  114  can be sewn onto the back covering  102 , but can be, alternatively, secured with various methods other than sewing, such as, but not limited to, snap fasteners, buttons, hook and loop closures, and others. 
         [0038]    The apron  100 , in addition to being able to be secured to a hen with the single securing strap  114 , can also be secured with a dual-strap embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, two straps  402  and  404  originate on outer or exterior portions of the opposing lateral sections  106  and  108 , respectively, and attach on either side of the upper portion  116  of the main body area  104  opposite one another. This dual-strap embodiment, defines a first wing capturing portion  406 , a second wing capturing portion  408 , and a neck-securing loop  410  that crosses under the hen&#39;s neck. The wing capturing portions  406 ,  408  accept a bird&#39;s wing and secure the apron  400  to the bird. Once placed on the bird, the wings of the bird cover the opposing lateral sections  106 ,  108  and retain the apron  400  against the bird&#39;s back. In addition, the back covering  102  has a substantially V-shaped lower edge  126  that accommodates the bird&#39;s tail feathers. 
         [0039]    Although both the single-strap embodiment of  FIG. 1  and the dual-strap embodiment of  FIG. 4  are useful for all birds, the single-strap style is advantageous for less active birds, such as cooped, confined, pet, or show chickens. The single-strap apron is secured to the chicken by pulling the chicken&#39;s wings through the two shoulder securing areas  122  and  124  that are formed, one on each side of the main body area  104 , by the single securing strap  114  and the upper portion  116  of the apron. There is no strap around the chicken&#39;s neck in this style. The two-strap embodiment  400  of  FIG. 4  is advantageous for more active free-ranging and commercial chickens. The two-strap apron  400  is secured to the chicken by pulling the apron over the chicken&#39;s head and down onto the chicken&#39;s neck so that the chicken&#39;s head is inserted through the loop  410  made by the crossing-over of the two straps  402  and  404  and then pulling the chicken&#39;s wings through the two strap loops  406  and  408 , one on each side of the apron. The straps cross under the chicken&#39;s neck in this style. Either style can be made with or without a shoulder protector  200 , whether permanent or removable. In both embodiments, the fabric of the shoulder protector covers and protects the chicken&#39;s shoulders. Both embodiments can be constructed in a variety of sizes to fit birds of various sizes and in a variety of fabric colors and patterns. If desired, the colors and/or patterns can be used to identify particular birds easily and quickly, especially in low visibility situations. 
         [0040]    Both strap styles of aprons  100  and  400  and variations (with or without shoulder protectors) of this invention permit the chicken to move as freely as it would if it was not wearing the apron. Chickens wearing the presently inventive apron can fly, jump, take dirt baths, free-range, run, walk, perch, set and lay eggs. 
         [0041]    Both apron embodiments  100 ,  400  feature a V-shaped notch  126  to accommodate the chicken&#39;s tail feathers. The width of the apron is such that it covers the areas of the chicken&#39;s back and sides most likely to be grasped by a bird of prey. The construction of the apron, with three-layers  302 ,  304 ,  306  of puncture-resistant material combined with a finished-seam  308  that secures the inner layer  306  of material around the perimeter of the body, encourages the body to fold laterally and lift upwards when grasped and squeezed by bird of prey&#39;s talons. This embodiment is conducive to use on parrots and other psittacines as an apron, cape, or costume. 
         [0042]    The shoulder protector  200 , shown in  FIG. 2  is useful with both the single-strap embodiment of the apron  100  and the dual strap embodiment of the apron  400 . The shoulder protector  200  can also be constructed of a multi-layer material and is intended to cover the bird&#39;s shoulders without inhibiting the bird&#39;s ability to move her wings, dust bathe, or fly. Advantageously, the present invention protectively covers the bird without inhibiting the bird&#39;s ability to fly and escape predators, take dust baths, remove mites and lice, and much more. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention that features warning indicia which, in the particular embodiment shown, resemble a pair of eyes  501 ,  502 . As is known in the art, birds of prey have a natural fear of objects with indicia that resemble eyes. The eyes give the appearance of an animal looking up at them, which the predator associates with danger. For this reason, the presence of eyes  501 ,  502  on the outer surface of the inventive apron  500  dissuade a predatory bird from dropping down and grabbing the apron  500 . The exemplary embodiment of the eyes  501 ,  502  are shown as circular with a plurality of concentric circles, here four in number. The eyes  501 ,  502  can take other geometric shapes as well, such as ovular, elliptical, lemniscate, lune, Reuleaux polygonal, vesica piscis, triquetra, crescent, spiral, or amygdaliform, and can include any number of any kind of geometric shape internal to the exterior geometry. For example, an outer circle can include therein an internal eye shape containing therein a circular pupil. Further, the eyes  501 ,  502  can be placed in any other location on the apron  500  than shown in  FIG. 5 . Although the eyes  501 ,  502  are only illustrated on the exemplary apron type shown in  FIG. 4 , the eyes can also be present on other apron types, such as apron  100  of  FIG. 1 . The eyes  501 ,  502  can also be provided on a shoulder protector, such as the shoulder protector  200 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  shows an exemplary embodiment of the present invention that features the pair of eyes  501 ,  502  with pupil areas  601 ,  602 , respectively, filled in with pigment, which can be any color or pattern. Such filling enables easy visibility from a distance. In addition, the eyes  501 ,  502  of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  also have lighter shaded outer eye areas  603 ,  604 , respectively. The shaded outer eye areas  603 ,  604  are not necessarily, but may enhance the visibility to a predator. In an alternative embodiment, the pupil areas  601 ,  602  can be relatively lighter and the outer eye areas  603 ,  604  can be relatively darker. 
         [0045]    Although the eyes  501 ,  502  are shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  in a specific location, this location is merely exemplary. The eyes  501 ,  502  can be located in other locations and orientations, for example, horizontal or vertical and either closer or farther apart, which can depend on the size of the apron  100 ,  400 ,  500  and the position of the chicken&#39;s wings. 
         [0046]    An apron  100 ,  400 ,  500  and protective shoulder cover  200  has been disclosed that may be used on hens, roosters, and other birds. The apron  100 ,  400 ,  500  provides an effective barrier between the chicken&#39;s back (and shoulders with shoulder protector  200 ) and the beak and nails of other chickens. It also provides effective warning indicia (e.g.,  501 ,  502 ,  601 ,  602 ,  603 ,  604 ) and a barrier against the areas of the back most likely to be grasped by the talons of an attacking bird of prey. The hen apron  100 ,  400 ,  500  covers the most common areas of contact between predatory birds&#39; talons and the chickens&#39; backs and sides, as determined from study of carcasses of chickens killed by birds of prey. The apron  100 ,  400 ,  500  is also prone to flex laterally and lift upwards when grasped, thereby limiting the ability of the bird to gain purchase of the chicken and potentially enabling the chicken to escape the hawk&#39;s grasp.