Abstract:
The present invention is a dog “swim safe” floatation system, including flanking water wings sewn directly to a suspension-type harness for the dog. The harness can be adjusted by a system of Velcro and latches and thus the entire apparatus can be conveniently modified to promote stability. A canine floatation collar is also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    The present application derives priority from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/905,454 filed 7 Mar. 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to canine floatation devices, and more particularly, to a canine floatation device and harness system with frontal flotation combined with attached water wings that, when deployed, lie flat on the water&#39;s surface and promote greater stability and buoyancy. A canine floatation collar is also disclosed. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background 
         [0005]    There are a variety of canine floatation devices that generally support the animal when in a water environment. The existing devices generally comprises a wrap-around vest formed of closed-cell foam or the like, that buckles around the dog. This particular design and construction has a degree of inherent instability that typically limits the use to “normal and healthy” participants that can assist in maintaining themselves upright in the water. 
         [0006]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. D507,084 issued to Sabeth-Azar on Jul. 5, 2005 discloses an ornamental design for a pet floatation device. Sabeth-Azar&#39;s pet floatation device has two separate floating sections, one atop the back and one beneath the chest. This invention suffers from the aforementioned drawback, namely that the floatation sections do not promote any lateral stability, and the dog will tend to rollover in the water. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,160,167 to Peters issued Jan. 9, 2007 shows an a animal safety apparatus including a strap-like carrier and one or more non-inflatable floatation members secured substantially adjacent the carrier by a cover material stitched to the carrier. 
         [0008]    Despite the foregoing, swimming and other water activities remain especially difficult for small dogs, or dogs that are handicapped, obese, or otherwise suffer from limited mobility. Small dogs have much shorter legs (and no inherent ballast or stability), and are far more susceptible to choppiness and wave motion. Likewise, handicapped dogs cannot counter wave motion and cannot use their legs to keep themselves upright. In both cases the dogs are very prone to rollover and drowning. 
         [0009]    It would be greatly advantageous to provide a canine floatation device adapted especially for small dogs and dogs that suffer from limited mobility, which incorporates: 1) lateral water wings to promote floatation stability and prevent rollover: (2) a harness system that maintains the water wings in place for single plane buoyancy; (3) provides comfort and independence by allowing the wearer to swim freely or walk; (4) possesses a simple and scalable design for adaptation to any size dog; (6) is fabricated of lightweight and reflective materials providing an appropriate degree of buoyancy, comfort, flexibility, resiliency, durability, and longevity; and (6) is inexpensive to manufacture and sell for widespread use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide canines with a floatation harness system especially for small dogs and dogs that suffer from limited mobility, which incorporates lateral water wings to promote flotation stability and prevent rollover, and which positions the water wings laterally alongside the upper torso for single plane buoyancy, in combination with an element of frontal flotation. 
         [0011]    It is another object to provide a canine floatation device as described above that allows for an unrestricted, comfortable, and fully supported water activities, as well as freedom to walk or run on land. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for the attachment of the device with relative ease for both applicator and end user. 
         [0013]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide for easy adjustment of the fit depending on the girth and length of the area to be harnessed. 
         [0014]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a floatation device that possesses a simple and scalable design. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a floatation device that is fabricated of lightweight reflective materials wherein provide an appropriate degree of buoyancy, flexibility, comfort, resiliency, durability, longevity, and support. 
         [0016]    An additional object of the present invention is to provide a canine floatation device that is inexpensive to manufacture and sell to provide for widespread use and enjoyment. 
         [0017]    These and other objects are accomplished with a canine floatation device with an integral buoyant stabilizing system including a harness with frontal flotation plus lateral water wings, wherein the harness once fully attached maintains the water wings laterally flanking the torso and running alongside the torso at shoulder blade level to provide a stable suspension-type flotation. Adjustable Velcro and latches are sewn within the harness system for security, adjustability and comfort, and the floatation component is comprised of highly buoyant and durable Styrofoam members inserted in nylon panels and sleeves. The entire device is easy to attach and remove, and is durable and lightweight. It provides exceptional stability especially for small dogs and dogs that suffer from limited mobility, and prevents rollover. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the canine floatation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of the canine floatation device as in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an assembly view of the canine flotation device as in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective photo of a slightly modified version of the flotation device as described above which illustrates some of the possible variations. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a canine floatation collar according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the canine floatation collar as in  FIG. 5  in use. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the canine flotation collar as in  FIGS. 5-6  in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show side and front perspective views, respectively of a first embodiment of the present invention, which is a canine floatation device  2  especially for small dogs and dogs that suffer from limited mobility, that increases lateral stability in the water and prevents rollover. The canine floatation device  2  generally comprises a harness system  4  with attached water wings  6 A,  6 B flanking each side. Each water-wing  6 A,  6 B comprises a Nylon™ sleeve extending lengthwise, either closed at the front or wrapping around the front, and open at the rear but with a Velcro™ closure. A closed cell foam (e.g., Styrofoam™) strip or cylinder is inserted into each sleeve through the rear opening and is contained therein by the Velcro closure, which allows removal of the Styrofoam for cleaning or replacement. The sleeves are sewn lengthwise along the harness  4 . Harness  4  generally comprises an underwrap for seating the dog and wrapping around overtop, where it is fastened onto itself. The harness  4  specifically includes two closed side panels formed of Nylon fabric sewn around the margins and enclosing flat elongate panels of closed cell foam, thereby forming buoyant sidewalls  10 A,  10 B. Each water-wing  6 A,  6 B is sewn directly onto the outside of a corresponding sidewall  10 A,  10 B. The sidewalls  10 A,  10 B run a majority of the length of the water wings  6 A,  6 B and are sewn along their entire periphery to the water wings  6 A,  6 B for added strength. Whereas the foam inside water wings  6 A,  6 B tapers and terminates toward the front of the dog, the buoyant sidewalls  10 A,  10 B wrap around front and attach to themselves (or are attachable by Velcro™ or other suitable fastener) to form a buoyant frontal collar  20  that adds to the in-water stability of the device  2 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is an assembly view of the canine floatation device substantially as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . A rectangular section of nylon mesh webbing  16  with Nylon fabric-reinforced margins is sewn end-to-end, from one water-wing  6 A to the other  6 B. The webbing  16  provides under-torso support for the dog, yet is dimensioned to provide ample clearance up front and behind for the legs of the dog. For added strength the webbing  16  may be sewn between the sidewalls  10 A,  10 B where they are attached to water-wings  6 A,  6 B. The webbing  16  serves as both the torso supporting component for the dog as well as an anchoring system for the harness  4 . At the rear of the harness  4 , and sewn to the corresponding ends of the sidewalls  10 A,  10 B, lies an adjustable nylon strap  18  (two sections with buckle/clasp fastener). Strap  18  spans the sidewalls  10 A,  10 B and fastens around the butt of the dog. Similarly, at the front of the harness  4 , and sewn to the corresponding ends of the sidewalls  10 A,  10 B, lies an attachable collar  20  (here, two sections with Velcro fastener). Collar  20  spans the sidewalls  10 A,  10 B and fastens by the Velcro around the chest of the dog. On the top of each sidewall  10 A,  10 B, a rectangular section of nylon mesh webbing  22   a ,  22   b  with Nylon fabric-reinforced margins is sewn along one side to each sidewall  10 A,  10 B and protrudes freely there from. For added strength the webbing  22   a ,  22   b  may be sewn between the margins of sidewalls  10 A,  10 B. The two rectangular sections of nylon mesh webbing  22   a ,  22   b  include opposing strips of Velcro fastener ( 19 ) at their distal ends to attach onto each other. Thus, the webbing  22   a ,  22   b  when so attached provides over-torso support for the dog, as well as an anchor for the harness  4 . It should now be apparent that the above-described harness affords over-, under-, and front and back restraint, yet still affords complete leg and full motion freedom for the dog. It also allows easy attachment to the dog. Optionally, at the top of the each of the sidewalls  10 A,  10 B and attached to the opposing webs  22   a ,  22   b  are looped handles  24 A,  24 B formed of Nylon straps sewn endwise in a loop. On the underside of the top left side handle  24 A and the topside of the right side handle  24 B are Velcro strips to allow the handles to be fastened together. 
         [0028]    In use, the canine floatation device  2  of  FIGS. 1-3  is attached by unfolding it as shown in  FIG. 3 , and placing it underneath the dog with mesh webbing  16  against the chest. The two rectangular sections of nylon mesh webbing  22   a ,  22   b  are then closed together overtop the dog and are secured with the opposing strips of Velcro fastener at their distal ends. The adjustable nylon strap  18  is then adjusted and secured behind the dog under the tail, and the front of the harness  4  is secured by the collar  20 . When the dog is immersed in water, both the collar  20  as well as the flanking water wings  6 A,  6 B are supported by the harness  4  at approximately shoulder level and provide integral frontal and sidelong buoyancy for the dog. Moreover, since the wings  6 A,  6 B float on opposing sides of the dog the harness  4  provides a suspension-type support and anti-roll flotation for the dog. 
         [0029]    Out of the water the dog is free to walk or run and can be carried by the optional handles  24 A,  24 B. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective photo of a slightly modified version of the flotation device as described above which illustrates some of the possible variations. In  FIG. 4  the sidewalls  10 A,  10 B are much larger and extend above the back of the dog for additional flotation. In addition, rather than the attachable front-fitting collar  20  described above in regard to  FIG. 3 , a simple wrap-around collar  30  is provided. This provides the additional advantage of allowing a leash eye-clip to be attached to the collar  30 . Furthermore, rather than a Velcro overhead closure a zipper  33  is provided. The foregoing amenities make the device more suitable for slightly larger dogs. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a canine floatation collar according to the present invention. Collar  100  generally comprises a blown closed-cell (EPI) foam harness  105  conforming to the upper torso of the dog and designed to wrap around the upper back, with side sections secured together around the upper chest of the dog (behind the fore-legs). The harness is also formed with forwardly protruding lobes  112  for securement together around the sternum of the dog (in front of the fore-legs). A rear portion of the harness  105  is formed of uniform-thickness foam (such as, for example, 0.5 inch) molded to maintain a semi-cylindrical shape to conform to the torso. The rear portion is integrally attached to a forward portion that is a thicker (for example, 1″) foam and which includes a pronounced protuberance  110  at the upper neck of the dog forming an area of increased buoyancy relative to the rest of the harness  105 . A pair of mating closure straps  114  are secured to the forwardly protruding lobes  112  and these may include a mating buckle  115 , or Velcro™ or other closure device for securing the lobes  112  together around the sternum of the dog (in front of the fore-legs). Likewise, a pair of mating closure straps  111  are secured to the sides of the rear portion of the harness  105  and these may include a mating buckle  113 , or Velcro™ or other closure device for securing the rear sides together around the torso of the dog (in back of the fore-legs). The rear portion of the harness  105  is dimensioned to leave an area of the chest open. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the canine floatation collar as in  FIG. 5  in use, illustrating the relative proportions of the protuberance  110  which, when secured, generally forms a pronounced collar running about the upper back and sternum of the dog for maximum buoyancy in this area, and especially at the upper back. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the canine flotation collar as in  FIGS. 5-6  in use, and showing the protuberance  110  maintains maximum buoyancy in back of the dogs head, keeping the dog upright and head-down in water despite shorter (no ballast) legs and waves. 
         [0034]    Regardless of the possible variation, the above-described device possesses a simple and scalable design and provides the appropriate degree of buoyancy, support, resiliency, durability, and longevity. It prevents roll and prevents drowning. The components are simple to assemble, inexpensive to manufacture and sell, thereby providing for widespread use and benefit. When the dog is immersed in water, the collar  100  supports it at approximately shoulder level and provides integral buoyancy for the dog at the nape of the neck, maintaining position. This in combination with the dual-securement of the harness  105  provides a suspension-type support and anti-roll flotation for the dog. 
         [0035]    Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.