Patent Publication Number: US-6216642-B1

Title: Vermin-proof covering to protect the head of a horse

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a vermin-proof covering for horse, and more particularly to such a vermin-proof covering that can be conveniently fastened to the head of a horse to protect the eyes and ears of the horse against vermin. 
     Horse riding is a kind of recreational or sports activity. Horses can also be used for pulling streetcars for transporting passengers. However, when a horse running or staying outdoors, vermin may fly to the eyes or the inside of the ears of the horse, causing the horse irritated. When a horse is irritated, it may stand up, jump, or shake the head severely, causing the rider to fall to the ground. Therefore, protective means is required for protecting the eyes and ears of the horse against vermin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the main object of the present invention to provide a vermin-proof covering for horse which can be effectively protect the eyes and ears of the horse against vermin, without stopping the horse from seeing to the outside. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vermin-proof covering for horse which can be conveniently fastened to the head of the horse and adjusted. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a vermin-proof covering according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective rear side view of the vermin-proof covering shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing showing the stitching of the longitudinally extended folded lines on the face panels according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 4A is an applied view of the present invention, showing the vermin-proof covering covered on the head of the horse. 
     FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of a part of FIG.  4 A. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. from  1  to  3 , the body  1  of a vermin-proof covering according to the present invention is made from silk fabrics comprised of two substantially right-angled triangle face panels  10 ; 10 ′ stitched together. The border of the body  1  is stitched with a strip of wool fabric to form a hem  11 . A fastening device  12  is provided for securing the body of the vermin-proof covering  1  to the horse&#39;s head. The fastening device  12  is comprised of a hook tape  121  and a loop tape  122 . The hook tape  121  is fixedly and obliquely fastened to one face panel  10 ′ in one corner at an outer side. The loop tape  122  has one end fixedly fastened to the other face panel  10  in one corner at an inner side corresponding to the hook tape  121 . The other end of the loop tape  122  is a free end. 
     Two insertion holes  13 ; 13 ′ are respectively provided at the face panels  10 ; 10 ′ corresponding to the ears of the horse. Two conical ear-protection caps  14 ; 14 ′ are respectively fastened to the border areas of the insertion holes  13 ; 13 ′, and adapted to receive the horse&#39;s ears. Two longitudinally extended folded lines  15 ; 15 ′ are respectively provided at the face panels  10 ; 10 ′, and downwardly extended from the border areas of the insertion holes  13 ; 13 ′. The width of the folded lines  15 ; 15 ′ gradually reduces from the insertion holes  13 ; 13 ′ toward the end, therefore two convex portions  16 ; 16 ′ are formed at the face panels  13 ; 13 ′ corresponding to the horse&#39;s eyes. A transversely extended folded line is formed between the insertion holes  13 ; 13 ′, so that an arched portion  18  is formed at the top side corresponding to the horse&#39;s poll. Soft edges  17 ; 17 ′; 17 ″ are provided at the connection areas between the insertion holes  13 ; 13 ′ and the ear-protection caps  14 ; 14 ′ and the bottom side of the arched portion  18  between the insertion holes  13 ; 13 ′. 
     Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the vermin-proof covering is covered on the horse&#39;s head, the hook tape  121  and the loop tape  122  are fastened together to secure the vermin-proof covering to the horse&#39;s head, permitting the horse&#39;s ears to be respective received in the ear-protection caps  14 ; 14 ′, the arched portion  18  to be covered over the horse&#39;s poll, the convex portions  16 ; 16 ′ to be covered over the horse&#39;s eyes and spaced from the horse&#39;s eyes at a distance without stopping the horse&#39;s eyes from seeing to the outside. Because the soft hem  11  and the soft edges  17 ; 17 ′; 17 ″ are disposed in close contact with the horse&#39;s and areas around the horse&#39;s ears, the horse does not feel uncomfortable. When the horse runs or stays outdoors, vermin and micro substance are prohibited from passing to the horse&#39;s ears or the inside of the horse&#39;s ears.