Abstract:
A sleeve cover is provided for a conventional choke collar. As configured in accordance with the present invention, the sleeve cover does not allow the collar to be drawn too tightly around a dog&#39;s neck. The sleeve cover preferably has attachment means disposed at each end of the sleeve cover. The sleeve cover is also provided in combination with a collar of conventional manufacture.

Description:
[0001]    This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/048,326, filed Sep. 10, 2014. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of pets and devices that are used with pets. More particularly, it relates to a sleeve cover that can be placed over a conventional dog collar, and a metal choke chain collar in particular, which reduces the likelihood and risk of injury to a dog&#39;s neck during use of the collar. It also relates to the combination of such a sleeve cover with the conventional dog collar. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Many types of collars have been used with dogs to restrain them, control them and train them. While collars can be used advantageously to these ends, one collar in particular is well known to have the potential to cause damage to a dog&#39;s neck. That collar is the metal choke chain collar, or simply, a choke collar. When a dog pulls forward and the owner yanks back, a choke collar will tighten suddenly around the dog&#39;s neck. The intended goal when using the choke collar is to correct the dog&#39;s behavior. In the hands of a skilled trainer or owner, the choke collar can be a safe and effective handling tool. However, and even in the hands of a skilled trainer or owner, this type of metal restraint can cause relatively minor injuries such as bruising and abrasion around the neck and hair loss. However, increased force can cause more serious injuries, such as crushed tracheas, damaged larynxes and even fractured vertebrae. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a need to provide a trainer or owner with the ability to use a choke collar with her or his dog while also devising a way to reduce the likelihood of injury to the dog&#39;s neck. Such a device would require that the device be easily used with the choke collar and require that the potential hazards posed by the choke collar be reduced or eliminated. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sleeve cover for a conventional choke collar. As configured in accordance with the present invention, the sleeve cover does not allow the collar to be drawn too tightly around the dog&#39;s neck. The sleeve cover preferably has attachment means disposed at each end of the sleeve cover. 
         [0006]    The foregoing and other advantages of the device of the present invention will be further apparent from the detailed description that follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a choke chain collar of the type that is used with the device of the present invention, the collar shown laying straight. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is the choke chain collar shown in  FIG. 1  and illustrating the sleeve cover of the present invention in phantom view. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of the choke chain collar shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , showing the collar as it would be used when applied to a dog&#39;s neck without the sleeve cover of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of the sleeve cover of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of the sleeve cover ends and showing their relationship to a choke chain collar that is used in conjunction with the sleeve cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered elements refer to like elements throughout,  FIG. 1  shows a conventional choke chain or collar, generally identified  1 . The choke chain or collar  1  comprises a length of chain  2  with rings  4 ,  6  disposed at each end  3 ,  5  of the chain  2  such that a collar  1  can be formed into a loop of the chain  2  that slips over the dog&#39;s head and rests around the top of the dog&#39;s neck. See  FIG. 3 . When a leash is attached to one ring, called the “dead ring”  4 , the collar  1  does not constrict the dog&#39;s neck. When a leash is attached to the other ring, called the “live ring”  6 , the chain  2  is allowed to be pulled through the dead ring  4  thereby making the collar  1  tighter when pulled and looser when tension is released. Training with this type of collar  1  and a leash (not shown) involves a quick jerk with an immediate release. This is intended to “correct” a dog&#39;s unwanted behavior. This is accomplished by pulling on the collar  1  which then presses a portion of the chain  2  on the dog&#39;s neck (also not shown). However, pulling on the collar  1  too hard or pulling the collar  1  for an extended period of time can create serious adverse effects for the dog. 
         [0013]    In the device of the present invention, a cover, generally identified  10  is fabricated as a sleeve, the sleeve cover having a front face  11 , a rear face  12 , a first end  13 , a second end  14 , a first end opening  15  and a second end opening  16 . See  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The faces  11 ,  12  are attached along their respective longitudinal sides or edges  17 ,  18 , which sides or edges  17 ,  18  are common to both of the faces  11 ,  12 , by stitching or folding and stitching. It is to be understood that it would also be within the scope of the present invention to present the sleeve cover  10  as a zippered wrap-around or as a Velcro® hook and loop type wrap-around, either of which could be secured to form a sleeve thereby. 
         [0014]    The sleeve cover  10  further comprises end portions  23 ,  24 , each end portion being disposed at or near the openings  14 ,  15  of the sleeve cover  10 . The end portions  23 ,  24  are integrally formed as part of the sleeve cover  10 , but could be separate structures that are fastened thereto. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the end portion  23  at the first end opening  15  is disposed at such end opening  15  whereas the end portion  24  at the second end opening  16  extends slightly beyond the second end opening  16 . This places the end openings  15 ,  16  immediately adjacent one another. Fixed within each end portion  23 ,  24  is a snap fastener  33 ,  34 , the snap fasteners  33 ,  34  being complementary such that one forms a male fastener portion and one forms a female fastener portion. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use other fastening means such as Velcro® loop and hook fasteners, zippers, and the like. 
         [0015]    In application, one end of the chain  3 ,  5  is fed through the sleeve cover  10  such that the end rings  4 ,  6  are exposed. A portion of the chain  2  and the sleeve cover  10  covering it must pass through one of the rings  4 ,  6 , thereby forming a loop—much in the same way that the loop as shown in  FIG. 3  would be created. Once this is completed, the rings  4 ,  6  engage in a fastening fashion as shown in  FIG. 5 . In that position, the combination of the collar  1  and the sleeve cover  10  can be passed over the head of the dog and the attachment end of a leash can be secured to the live ring  6 . The fasteners  33 ,  34  disposed at the ends of the sleeve cover  10  would be secured which would then serve to limit the amount of loop closure that can be achieved by the collar  1  while also covering the collar  1  for the comfort and protection of the dog. 
         [0016]    Lastly, it is also to be understood that the sleeve cover  10  can be made of any organic or man-made fabric material that is both durable and safe for use with the dog. It is also to be understood that the sleeve cover  10  can be used with any type of conventional collar to achieve the same protective result.