Abstract:
An apparatus is provided for assisting a large dog traveling on an incline. The apparatus includes a support member and two handles attached to the support member. When a lifting force is applied to the handles, the weight of the dog is partially supported and partially transferred to the support member resulting in increased comfort for the dog.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for use with animals and more specifically to a device which can transfer a percentage of the weight of the animal to a lifting device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Relieving an animal of a percentage of its own body weight is important when that animal is recovering from an injury to the hip or other weight-bearing body part, is aged and has difficulty in walking, or when a degree of control needs to be exerted over the animal when walking. A common situation involves an injured or aged dog with a bad hip which must be assisted in traversing inclines, typically stairs. While, ideally, the entire weight of the animal is relieved by lifting the animal, many dogs are typically too large or too heavy to be completely lifted or carried. In such an instance, assistance by relieving even a percentage of the animal&#39;s weight from the injured hip is beneficial. 
     Other animal apparatus have been used which wrap around the animal and transfer the animal&#39;s entire weight to a lifting device, typically an individual. One example is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,606 to Hartman. This apparatus is a complex series of multiple straps. One drawback of the apparatus described in the &#39;606 patent is that the apparatus must be looped around both the front torso and the rear legs of the animal, thus, it is time consuming to put into place. Furthermore, the apparatus of the &#39;606 patent is particularly unhelpful in relieving a percentage of a dog&#39;s weight on the dog&#39;s front legs and hips when such a dog is traveling up an incline; the position of the handle on an apparatus of the &#39;606 patent actually tends to increase the force on the front end of a dog during a journey up an incline, as an upward force applied at the handle will tend to lift the back legs of the dog and disadvantageously transfer additional weight to the front legs. A second example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,902 to Doyle. This apparatus comprises a sling with holes allowing passage of the animals legs and feet. One drawback of the apparatus described in the &#39;902 patent is that the sling must be large enough to completely lift the animal. If such a device is used to completely lift a large dog off of the ground, the device would be bulky as well as difficult to place around the dog&#39;s legs. Furthermore, the apparatus of the &#39;902 patent functions only with an animal of significantly small size and weight so as to allow an individual to completely life such an animal off of the ground, and is particularly unhelpful for a large dog which, due to its size and weight, could not be completely lifted off the ground easily by an individual. 
     A simple apparatus for animals which are too heavy to lift entirely, which transfers weight from only one area of the animal as necessary, and which is easily and quickly applied to an animal is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes disadvantages in the prior art by providing an improved and simple assisting apparatus. In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides an apparatus for assisting a large dog traveling on an incline, comprising a support member and a first and second handle attached hereto. The first and second handles are attached to the support member at an angle consistent with the angle of incline to be traversed whereby the weight of the dog is substantially evenly dispersed along the support member where the support member contacts the dog, namely, under the front shoulders and the ribcage. The apparatus is compact and can be carried easily by an individual. It can be placed upon the dog and removed quickly and easily as compared to devices of the prior art. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the invention further provides a securing mechanism for securing the apparatus on a dog. This securing mechanism includes a securing device for connecting the ends of the support member together, and may further include a strap system which maintains the position of the apparatus on the dog. 
    
    
     These and other aspects of the invention are herein described in particularized detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a view of an apparatus of the present invention being used on a dog; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of an apparatus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a view of an apparatus of the present invention being used on a dog; 
     FIG. 4 is a view of an apparatus of the present invention with connection means being used on a dog; 
     FIG. 5 is a view of an apparatus of the present invention with the strap system being used on a dog walking up an incline; and 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of an apparatus with a strap system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, an assisting apparatus  20  of the present invention is shown in use on a large dog. The assisting apparatus  20  comprises a support member  30  and a first and second handle  60  and  70 . Support member  30  is placed under the front shoulders of the large dog whereby when a lifting force  66  is applied to handles  60  and  70 , a certain percentage of the weight of the animal is borne by the support member  30 , and such borne weight is distributed by the support member  30  substantially evenly to the undersides of the large dog&#39;s shoulders and to the lower chest area including the ribcage of the large dog. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the support member  30  has a leading edge  34  and a trailing edge  50 . The leading edge  34  includes a first end  36 , a mid-point  38 , and a second end  40 . Mid point  38  is defined by the center of a line which defines the distance between first end  36  and second end  40 . The length of the leading edge, defined as the length of a straight line between first end  36  and second end  40  is in the range of 25 inches to 45 inches. In an embodiment, the length of the leading edge is 35 inches. The trailing edge  50  has a first end  52 , a mid-point  54 , and a second end  56 . Mid point  54  is defined by the center of a line which defines the distance between first end  52  and second end  56  of the trailing edge  50 . The length of the trailing edge  50 , defined as the length of a straight line between first end  52  and second end  56  and is in the range of 19 inches to 39 inches. In an embodiment, the length of the trailing edge  50  is 29 inches. The length of the leading edge  34  exceeds the length of the trailing edge  50  by an amount in a range of 0.5 inch to 13 inches. In an embodiment, the length of the leading edge  34  exceeds the length of the trailing edge  50  by 3 inches. The support member  30  defines first and second support angles  100  and  101  of substantially equal magnitude. First support angle  100  is defined by the intersection of a line defined by the length of the leading edge  34  and a line defining the distance between the first end of the leading edge  36  and the first end of the trailing edge  52 , wherein the magnitude of the first support angle  100  is in the range of 25 degree to 75 degrees. In an embodiment, the magnitude of the first support angle  100  is 60 degrees. Second support angle  101  is defined by the intersection of a straight line defined by the length of the leading edge  34  and a line defining the distance between the second end of leading edge  40  and the second end of the trailing edge  56 , wherein the magnitude of the second support angle  101  is in the range of 25 degree to 75 degrees. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the support member  30  is flexible and typically takes on a U-shape when used to transfer the weight of a dog to a lifting device  65  such as a human being. In an embodiment, support member  30  defines a first and second upper edge  42  and  44  and a bottom  46 . Referring to FIG. 2, a baseline  150  is defined by the support member  30  as a line from the mid point  38  of leading edge  34  to the mid point  54  of trailing edge  50  along the bottom of the support member  46 . The first upper edge of the support member  42  defines a slope  160  in relation to the baseline  150 . Similarly, the second upper edge of the support member  44  defines a slope  161  in relation to the baseline  150 . The slope  160  of the first upper edge  42  is substantially equal to the slope  161  of the second upper edge  44 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the slopes  160  and  161  are generally consistent with the slope of an incline to be traversed by an animal. In an embodiment, slopes  160  and  161  are substantially equivalent to a slope of some conventional stairways, for example,  60 . The application of an apparatus of the present invention to a large dog recovering from hip surgery attempting to climb such a stairway illustrates some of the advantages of the present invention. The support member  30  of an apparatus of the present invention is placed under the front shoulders of the large dog so that the width of the support member  30  at the baseline  150  contacts the under-shoulder and lower chest area covering the ribcage of the dog. The support member  30  is further orientated so that the leading edge  34  of the support member  30  is towards the front of the dog and the trailing edge  50  is towards the back of the dog. In this fashion, the slopes  160  and  161  are oriented consistently with the slope of the stairway. 
     As the dog begins to traverse the incline of the stairway, an individual grabs the handles  60  and  70  attached to the support member  30  and exerts an upward force  66  on the handles  60  and  70  in a sufficient amount to ease the entire work-load of climbing off of the dog. Due to the handles  60  and  70  contacting the support member  30  at points on a slope substantially equal to the slope of the incline, the upward force  66  exerted on the handles  60  and  70  is evenly distributed to the support member  30  and specifically to the baseline  150  of the support member  30 . The even distribution of such force supporting the weight of the dog adds to the comfort of the dog in that no one particular part of the dog which contacts the baseline  150  of the support member  30  absorbs more of the force than any other part. Additionally, the force  66  is not unevenly distributed to the trailing edge  50  of the support member  30 , as would occur if, for example, there was no slope to the upper edges  42  and  44 . 
     Furthermore, an individual attempting to exert an upward force  66  on an apparatus of the present invention will tend to exert such a force in a direction both upwards and towards the top of the stairway in an attempt to assist the animal in an upwards and forwards direction. The forward-directed force component tends to shift distribution of the upward force to the leading edge  34  of the support member  30 , cutting into the shoulders of the dog and tending to bunch the support member  30  forwards, leading to discomfort by the dog. The sloped upper edges  42  and  44  of the present invention encourage the individual exerting the force to grab the handles  60  and  70  slightly forward of the center of each handle. Particularly, the sloped upper edges  42  and  44  to which the handles  60  and  70  are attached shift the center of gravity of the apparatus as measured by the handles from a point in the center of the handles to a point slightly forward of the handles. In grasping the handles  60  and  70  and exerting an upward force  66 , the individual will attempt to grasp the handles so as to exert a force upon the point which is at the center of gravity of the apparatus. By grasping the handles  60  and  70  slightly front of center and applying an upwards and forwards force, such a force is evenly distributed by the handles attached to the sloped upper ends  42  and  44 , and the dog does not experience discomfort from bunching of the support member  30  or uneven support from the leading edge  34  of the support member  30 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, support member  30  is made from single fill cotton duct. In alternate embodiments, the support member  30  is made from any other suitable material or blend thereof, including cotton, nylon, polyester or leather. The support member  30  functions to support a dog and transfer a percentage of the dog&#39;s weight, in conjunction with the handles  60  and  70 , to a lifting device  65  which exerts a lifting force  66 . The support member  30 , when the apparatus  20  is being used, is situated beneath the shoulders of the animal. In an embodiment, one or more reinforcing members  80  are attached to the support member  30  along the leading edge  34  and trailing edge  50 . The size of the support member  30  varies according to the size of the animal being supported. The width of the support member  30  is in the range from about 5 inches to 25 inches. In an embodiment, the width of the support member at the baseline is 8 inches. 
     Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second handle  60  and  70  are made of flexible material and when the apparatus is in use, extend to form a circular shape. The handles  60  and  70  are made from a cotton webbing material which supports at least 600 pounds of force. In alternate embodiments, the handles  60  and  70  are made from any other suitable material or blend thereof, including cotton, nylon, polyester or leather, all of which support at least 300 pounds per square inch. The handles  60  and  70  function as a weight transfer mechanism between the support member  30  and the lifting device  65 . The lifting device  65  is typically an individual person. Referring to FIG. 2, the first handle  60  is attached to the first end of the leading edge  36  of the support member  30 . The first handle  60  is also attached to the first end of the trailing edge  52  of the support member  30 . Correspondingly, the second handle  70  is attached to the second end of the leading edge  40  of the support member  30  as well as the second end of the trailing edge  50  of the support member  30 . The first and second handles  60  and  70  are configured to allow simultaneous grasping by a single lifting device  65 , wherein the flexible handles form the rough shape of an inverted parabola wherein the lifting device  65  applies an upwardly directed force  66  at the apex of the parabola and this force is evenly transferred to the support member  30  by the parabolic extensions of each handle  60  and  70  extending to and connecting with the first and second ends of the leading and trailing edges  34  and  50 . The upwardly directed force  66  is, thus, transferred by the support member  30  to the area around the baseline  150  of the support member and under the shoulders of the large dog. In an embodiment, the handles  60  and  70  are rigid loops constructed of any suitable rigid material or a combination of flexible material and rigid material. In an additional embodiment, the handles  60  and  70  include a rigid component for contact with lifting device  65  and a flexible component to connect each edge of the rigid component to each respective edge of the leading and trailing edge. 
     In an additional embodiment, the leading edge  34  and the trailing edge  50  of the support member  30  are substantially parallel to each other. 
     Referring to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, an assisting apparatus of the present invention further includes connecting mechanism  85  for securing the support member  30  around the animal, wherein the connecting mechanism  85  includes individual fasteners such as snaps, buckles, tie-straps, or belts. In another embodiment, connecting mechanism  85  is a strap or straps in combination with any of the fasteners mentioned above. The straps have an adjustable length. The fasteners are made from plastic or other suitable materials including metal. The straps are made from a cotton webbing material which supports at least 600 pounds of force. In alternate embodiments, the straps are made from any other suitable material or blend thereof, including cotton, nylon, polyester or leather, all of which support at least 300 pounds per square inch. The connecting mechanism  85  functions to secure the support member  30  around the animal. The support member  30  wraps around the animal in a “U” or “O” shape and the connecting mechanism  85  helps maintain that shape. When the support member  30  is wrapped around the animal in an “O” shape and the connecting mechanism  85  engaged, the first and second upper edges  42  and  44  define a gap therebetween. The gap has a width of 0.5 to 4 inches. In an embodiment the gap has a width of 2 inches. The connecting mechanism  85  typically exists in pairs. The connecting mechanism  85  is attached to the support member  30  along the first and second upper edges  42  and  44 . In another embodiment, the connecting means  85  may be attached to the support member  30  at a position other than along edges  42  and  44 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in an embodiment, the support member  30  further includes a strap system  90 . The strap system  90  comprises a first strap  92  and a second strap  96 . Each strap is made from a cotton webbing material which supports at least 600 pounds of force. In alternate embodiments, the straps are made from any other suitable material or blend thereof, including cotton, nylon, polyester or leather, all of which support at least 300 pounds per square inch. The strap system  90  functions to keep the support member  30  aligned on the animal. The strap system  90  also functions to restrict the support member  30  from migrating to a position away from the animal&#39;s shoulders. The strap system  90  is attached to the support member  30 . The first strap  92  has a first end  93  attached to the first end of the leading edge of the support member  30 . The first strap  92  has a second end  94  attached to the second end  40  of the leading edge of the support member  30 . The second strap  96  has a first end  97  which is attached to the midpoint  38  of the leading edge  34  of the support member  30 . The second strap  96  is slidingly engaged with the first strap  92 . The first and second straps  92  and  96  may be attached to the support member  30  by fasteners such as snaps, buckles, tie-straps, or belts. The second strap  96  is slidingly engaged with the first strap  92  using a loop  99  which is attached to the second strap  96  and which circumscribes the first strap  92 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, reinforcing members  80  are strap shaped flexible solids. Reinforcing members  80  may be made of any material used to make the handles  60  and  70  or straps  92  and  96  within the strap system  90 . Reinforcing members  80  function to add strength and durability to the support member  30 . Reinforcing members may be attached along one or more of the edges of the support member  30 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a method for using the animal apparatus  20  includes assisting a dog to travel an incline. The method includes placing a support member  30  beneath the shoulders of the dog. A lifting device  65 , typically an individual, grasps the handles of the apparatus and lifts, thus displacing a percentage of the weight of the animal to the support member  30 . In another method, connecting mechanism  85  attached to the support member  30  are connected to secure the support member  30  to the dog before lifting of the dog occurs. In yet another embodiment of the method a strap system  90  may be placed around the sternum and the legs of the animal and attached to the support member  30  to align the support member with respect to the dog prior to lifting the dog. 
     Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments, the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. Minor variations and insubstantial differences in the various combinations of materials and methods of application may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art while remaining within the scope of the invention as claimed and equivalents.