Abstract:
A pet vest adapted to safely secure weights to a pet to improve the health benefits of exercise and a method for using same.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(c) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/690,053 entitled “MOTION CONTROL WEIGHTED CANINE FITNESS GARMENT” and filed on Jun. 18, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     INTRODUCTION 
       [0002]    The increasing number of overweight and under exercised canines creates well known areas of canine health and fitness devoted to addressing these trends. Current statistics indicate that more than 50 (fifty) percent of the canine population is overweight or obese. Veterinarians also predict that nearly 20 (twenty) percent of middle aged canines and 90 (ninety) percent of senior dogs have osteoarthritis in one or more joints. Preventative measures, such as modifying activities or diet, are sometimes helpful but are not always sufficient to address joint health. However, introduction of weight bearing activities, along with diet and exercise, has been shown to increase muscle strength which in turn promotes joint stability to help reduce the likelihood of canines developing joint diseases. Weight bearing activities also increase endurance and performance by challenging the body at a higher intensity level, and it increases the body&#39;s metabolism to burn more calories and jump start weight loss. Additionally, the concept of deep pressure therapy has been used for sensory integration. It is known to offer self-calming and relaxation benefits for children that are easily distracted and hyperactive. The firm hugging sensation provides proprioceptive deep pressure feedback and stability to more positively process sensory stimulus and provide for a more controlled learning environment. The sensation of the pressure seems to act like another layer of connective tissue, sending messages through the body to make breathing easier and increases balance and coordination. 
         [0003]    Canines do not have the same reasoning capacity as humans and in many breeds their high drive exceeds acceptable tolerance and their conditioning levels. They are unable to quantify perceived exertion rates or communicate that weights have moved, shifted, or are too heavy to achieve comfort and proper body positioning during movement. Inability to communicate these problems can result in inefficient, or even harmful, weight bearing exercise regimes. In addition, most dog owners do not possess knowledge of a canine&#39;s anatomy to ascertain best practices regarding weight application and positioning, to promote optimal comfort, physiological and psychological benefits while reducing risk of injury. Thus, a need exists for a gravity enhanced fitness garment that is anatomically compatible and capable of delivering gradual and progressive safe resistance training while ensuring optimal wearability on the canine. Furthermore, one that incorporates compression material in its design to promote natural, normal canine motion and mechanics while keeping the weight resistance dorsally positioned and stationary relative to a dog&#39;s skin; while providing sensory integration benefits and allows for good air flow to minimize overheating. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, a weighted pet fitness garment is made from a body hugging material. A weight compartment is integrated with the body hugging material and is positioned to optimize the health benefits to the pet using the garment. The garment safely distributes the weights in the garment and keeps the weights in place during use. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the body type of a pet is evaluated to select a body conforming garment that will snuggly fit the pet. The garment has pockets positioned to properly place any associated load to optimize the health benefits associated with use of the garment while minimising the damage associated with use of the garment. An appropriate weight is selected to optimize the health benefit associated with use of the garment and is placed in the garment pocket. The garment secures the weight in place during exercise. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, the garment has reflective piping. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the weights conform to the body of the pet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0008]    Preferred embodiments of the present application will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1   a  depicts a left panel of a disassembled weighted vest. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1   b  depicts a right panel of the disassembled weighted vest. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2   a  depicts a first embodiment of a side view of a weighted vest assembled on a canine. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2   b  depicts a top view of the weighted vest of  FIG. 2   a  in a closed state. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2   c  depicts a top view of the weighted vest of  FIG. 2   a  in a partially open state. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   a  depicts a second embodiment of a side view of a weighted vest assembled on a canine. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   b  depicts a top view of the weighted vest of  FIG. 3   a  in a closed state. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   c  depicts a topview of the weighted vest of  FIG. 3   a  in a partially open state. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4   a  depicts a third embodiment of a side view of a weighted vest assembled on a canine. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4   b  depicts a top view of the weighted vest of  FIG. 4   a  in a closed state. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4   c  depicts a top view of the weighted vest of  FIG. 4   a  in a partially open state. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross section of an integrated weight compartment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    The present application is directed at a motion control weighted canine fitness garment. The motion control weighted canine fitness garment is specially designed to fit like a second skin over the canine anatomy. It supports purposeful placement of its resistance weights that is also by design resistant to motion (relative to the dogs skin) and does not restrict the natural normal movements of the canine thoracic/lumbar regions, or that of the hind or front limbs. Integrated weight placement is based on Kinesio-Taping Methodology practices that have been proven to be therapeutically effective and influential for the musculoskeletal system. This type of methodology influences blood flow, either increasing (when applied in the same direction as the muscle fibers) or decreasing/restricting blood flow (when applied across the muscles fibers). It is used often in the human and canine world to facilitate the body&#39;s natural healing process while providing support and stability without restricting range of motion. This methodology best explains why the present application provides two options for weight placement. For the purposes of fitness, weights should promote blood flow and muscle function by lying with the muscle fibers; the opposite technique running across the muscle fibers restricts blood flow and may be used in rehabilitation practice. The motion control weighted canine fitness garment permits the canine to safely engage in normal active canine movements utilizing stabilized weight resistance which prevents excessive weight shifts, chafing or restriction of movement for the benefit of canine health and fitness. 
         [0022]    More specifically, the present application describes a garment of the abovementioned type, comprising a vest shape intended to encompass and conform to a canine&#39;s torso. The weighted vest wraps securely around the neck, shoulders, chest, front legs, ribcage, and spine, and employs compression and strategically positioned weighted chambers which are integrated within the garment. The weighted vest is worn by the canine during exercise and other activities. The weight in addition to benefiting canine strength and endurance when combined with the compression material also helps to calm dogs and stimulate the postural muscles of proprioception to encourage the dog to engage their front and hind quarters more efficiently thus enhancing the body&#39;s core strength naturally to promote more anatomically correct movements. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  depict a left panel  100  and a right panel  150  of a disassembled weighted vest, respectively. The left panel  100  and the right panel  150  of the weighted vest are comprised of a fabric having stretch and compression properties, such as Lycra™, Spandex™, Neoprene™ or other multi directional stretch material which is, by design, body conforming. Such materials provide natural expansion and contraction to “function like a second skin” on a canine&#39;s body during exercise or activity. The stretch and compression properties of the fabric provide a glove like fit and further aid in stabilizing the integrated weights against the body of the canine in a therapeutic hugging manner that stimulate the postural muscles of proprioception. The fitted weighted vest thereby eliminates discomfort caused by the unpredictable strain of unwieldy weight shifts or bouncing during activity. In addition, the left panel  100  and the right panel  150  are further comprised of a breathable fabric, such as Lycra™, Spandex™, that promotes air flow and helps prevent overheating. 
         [0024]    As will be discussed in further detail below, the weighted vest is assembled by joining the two panels  100  and  150 . The top edge  102  of the left panel  100  and the top edge  152  of the right panel  150  are joined together. Likewise, the bottom edge  104  of the left panel  100  and the bottom edge  154  of the right panel  150  are also joined together. In one embodiment, the top edges  102  and  152  are long enough to cover the vertebra of the canine between the T3 and just past the T11 vertebrae into the early lumbar region. Each of the two panels also has a front edge and a back edge. The front edge  106  of the left panel  100  is joined with the front edge  156  of the right panel  150  when the weighted vest is assembled. When assembled, the front edges  106  and  156  form a circumference large enough for the weighted vest to wrap around the lower neck of the canine. The back edge  108  of the left panel  100  is joined with the back edge  158  of the right panel  150  when the weighted vest is assembled. When assembled, the back edges  108  and  158  form a circumference large enough for the weighted vest to wrap around the abdomen of the canine. The edges may be joined together by one or more fasteners, including but not limited to stitching, zippers, buttons, snaps and hook and loop fasteners (i.e., Velcro®), etc. 
         [0025]    The left panel  100  and the right panel  150  each include a closure mechanism along the top edge. As depicted in  FIG. 1   a.  the closure mechanism  110 . runs along the top edge  102  of the left panel  108 . Specifically, the closure mechanism  110  runs from the back edge  108  of the left panel  100 , towards the front edge  106  of the left panel  100 . In one embodiment, the closure mechanism  110  runs the entire longitudinal plane of the top edge  102  from the back edge  108  to the front edge  106 . In another embodiment, the closure mechanism  110  runs only a portion of the top edge  102 . from the back edge  108  to a distance, D, from the front edge  106 . The right panel  150 , as depicted in  FIG. 1   b,  is likewise configured. Specifically, the closure mechanism  160  runs the longitudinal plane of the top edge  152  from the back edge  158  to the front edge  156 . Closure mechanism  160  of the right panel  150  minors closure mechanism  110  of the left panel  100  such that the length of closure mechanism  160  is the same as the length of closure mechanism  110 . Closure mechanisms  110  and  160  may be any closure mechanisms known in the art. including zippers, buttons, snaps, and hook and loop fasteners, (i.e. Velcro®). etc. 
         [0026]    Left panel  100  and right panel  150  further include cutouts  116  and  166 . The cutouts  116  and  166  allow the weighted vest to be fitted over a canine&#39;s front legs. The cutouts  116  and  166  depicted in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  are elliptical shaped and are by design not to interfere or restrict shoulder movement. However, it should be appreciated that cutouts may be any shape that allows a canine&#39;s front legs to comfortably fit through the weighted vest and shoulder movement to be free and natural. 
         [0027]    The panels of the weighted vest may each include one or more weight compartments. The weight compartments may be located in one or more locations on the left panel  100  and the right panel  150 . For example, there may be weight compartments positioned on the front part of the shoulders such as compartments  112  and  162 . The weighted vest may also include evenly weighted compartments positioned dorsally on either side of the spine as seen in  114  and  164 . For fitness and strength enhancing activities the back compartments should run horizontal in its position to the spine to allow for blood flow and span the thoracic and early-lumbar regions, but should not extend into the lower Lumbar/Sacral junction to avoid pressure and hyperextension of the LS (pelvic) joint. The position of the weights is controlled by the body conforming vest material. In one embodiment, compartment  114  is separate from compartment  164 . In another embodiment, compartments  114  and  164  are two sections of a single compartment positioned on the back of the canine. Moreover, all compartments  112 ,  114 ,  162 , and  164  may be fluidly connected to one another. The weight compartments  112 ,  114 ,  162 , and  164  may be attached to either the outside or the inside of the panels of the weighted vest. As will be appreciated, the present application contemplates any number of weight compartments of any shape in any position on the weighted vest. The structure of the weight compartments will be discussed in further detail below with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0028]    As will also be discussed in further detail below, one or more weight materials may be inserted into each or all of the weight compartments  112 ,  114 , 162 , and  164 . The weight material may be constructed of any pliable body conforming substrate including, but not limited to sand, weighted gel. bird shot, a combination of the aforementioned, etc. In one embodiment, the weight material is integrated in the weight compartment and not removable. In another embodiment, the weight material may be in a sac or pouch for easy insertion or removal from the weighted compartments  112 ,  114 ,  162 , and  164 . The weight material may also be a thermal material, such as a cooling or heating agent, to alleviate pain or swelling in the canine&#39;s muscles or joints . The amount of weight load used as weight material differs based on a canine&#39;s size and breed. Canine professionals recommend a weight load capacity from as high as 25% to as low as 10%, of overall body weight for healthy dogs. For gradual, therapeutic and progressive resistance training starting at a level that is &lt; or = to 5% is optimal and will help prevent dog owners from overloading their dog. The weight load may be adjusted by substituting one type, or size, of weight material for a heavier or lighter weight material. 
         [0029]    Left panel  100  and right panel  150  may further include reflective piping. Reflective piping may surround the front edges  106  and  156  of the weighted vest, such as reflective piping  118  and  168 . Reflective piping may also surround the back edges  108  and  158  of the weighted vest, such as reflective piping  120  and  170 . In addition, reflective piping may surround the cutouts  116  and  166 , such as reflective piping  122  and  172 . Reflective piping may be comprised of a reflective tape, reflective fabric, or any other manner of reflection known in the art. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2   a  depicts a first embodiment of a side view of a weighted vest  200  assembled on a canine. As will be appreciated, the first embodiment of the weighted vest  200  is constructed from left panel  100  and right panel  150  depicted in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b.  As the canine is facing to the left, the left panel  100 , and components including weight compartment  112 , weight compartment  114 , and reflective piping  122  are visible. In a closed state, such as depicted in  FIG. 2   a,  the closure  210  of weighted vest  200  is comprised of connected closure  110  and  160 . In addition, the assembled reflective piping  204  now fully encapsulates the assembled front edge  202 . Likewise, the assembled reflective piping  208  now fully encapsulates the assembled back edge  206  and closure of  160  and  110 . Additionally, the assembled weighted vest  200  may include a loop  212  to which a leash may be attached. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2   b  depicts a front view of the weighted vest of  FIG. 2   a  in a closed state. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 2   b,  the closure  210  is secured when the. weighted vest is in the closed state. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2   c  depicts a front view of the weighted vest of  FIG. 2   a  in a partially open state. In a partially open state, part of the closure of weighted vest  200  is open and part of the closure of the weighted vest  210  is closed. As can be appreciated from  FIG. 2   c,  closures  110  and  160  are separated when the weighted vest  200  is in the partially open state. The portion of closure  210  that remains closed when the weighted vest  200  is in the partially open state connects closures  110  and  160  to secure the portion of the weighted vest in the closed state. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3   a  depicts a side view of a second embodiment of a side view of a weighted vest  300  assembled on a canine. The second embodiment of the weighted vest includes different weight compartments than the weighted vest  200  depicted in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c.  Specifically, the main weight compartments comprising three separate weight compartments are located dorsally on the canine. They are integrated horizontal to the spine; the shoulder location for a weight represents other possible locations to elicit additional muscular response and may or may not be included.  302   a,    302   b.  and  302   c.    
         [0034]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  depict the different weight compartments when the weighted vest is in a closed state and a partially open state, respectively. As can be appreciated, weighted vest  300  is depicted with six separate weight compartments  302   a - f  on the back of the canine. However, any number of weight compartments, are contemplated within the scope of the present application. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4   a  depicts a third embodiment of a side view of a weighted vest  400  assembled on a canine. The third embodiment of the weighted vest  400  includes different weight compartments than weighted vest  200  depicted in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   c  or weighted vest  300  depicted in  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c.  Specifically, the weight compartments located dorsally on the canine now comprise four separate weight compartments that run vertical in relation to the spine. This vertical position as related to the spine could be desired for use in a rehabilitation application where blood flow may need to be restricted vs. muscle strengthening and enhancement,  402   a,    402   b,    402   c.  and  402   d.    
         [0036]      FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  depict the different weight compartments  402   a - h  when weighted vest is in a closed state and a partially open state, respectively. As can be appreciated, weighted vest  400  is depicted with six separate weight compartments  402   a - h  on the back of the canine. However, any number of weight compartments, are contemplated within the scope of the present application. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  depicts a cross section of a weight compartment  500 . Integrated weight compartment  500  is comprised of an outer fabric layer  502  and leak-proof membrane  504 . The outer fabric layer  502  covers the leak-proof membrane  504 . The outer fabric layer may be any material, including the stretch material of the weighted vest, such as Lycra™ or Spandex™. In  FIG. 5 , leak-proof membrane  504  is integrated into the weight compartment, and contains the weight material  506  inside the weight compartment  500 . As discussed above, the weight material  506  may be directly inserted into the weight compartment  500 . In another embodiment, the weight material  506  may be contained in a sac or a bag and may remain separate and removable from the weight compartment  500 . In this embodiment, the weight compartment may further include an insertion point into which the weight material may be inserted, or removed, from the weight compartment  500 . Weight compartment  500  may be secured to the weighted vest by stich lines  508   a  and  508   b.  In one embodiment, the weight compartment  500  is affixed to the inside of the weighted vest. In another embodiment, the weight compartment  500  is affixed to the outside of the weighted vest. 
         [0038]    While there have been described herein what are to be considered exemplary and preferred embodiments of the present technology, other modifications of the technology will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the teachings herein. The particular methods of manufacture and geometries disclosed herein are exemplary in nature and are not to be considered limiting. It is therefore desired to be secured in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the technology. Accordingly, what is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is the technology as defined and differentiated in the following claims, and all equivalents.