Patent ID: 12219925

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is illustrated in further details by the following non-limiting examples.

Referring now toFIGS.1to10, there is shown a dog boot10, according to a preferred embodiments of the present invention. The boot10may also be configured to be used with different types of household domestic animals, and is preferably non-disposable as it may be reused multiple times.

The boot10is made of a fabric material12having a tubular shaped body14, a bottom closed end16and a top open end18. The fabric material12defines an outer surface12′ and an inner surface12″. The boot includes a silicone gel material20that covers the inner surface12″ of the fabric material12. The silicone gel material20is connected to the inner surface12″ of the fabric material12such as by fusing or bonding.

The fabric material12may be made of polyester with a mixture or blend of another flexible material such as spandex, nylon cotton, bamboo, hemp or any combination thereof. The fabric material is sufficiently stretchable so as to conform to the paw and lower leg of a domestic animal. Preferably, the fabric material12is a ribbed fabric material. The ribs in the fabric material help in increasing the fabric stretchability. Persons skilled in the art will understand that other fabric materials may be used to achieve the same results.

Advantageously, one may configure the thickness of the fabric material12and/or silicone gel material20to provide better warmth to the paw and lower leg of the domestic animal. The thickness of the fabric material12may of about 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, or preferably about 1 mm. The fabric material12may weigh between 100 to 300 grams/m2, preferably between 120 to 140 grams/m2. The thickness of the silicone gel material20may be of about 1 mm to 6 mm, preferably about 2 mm to 3 mm.

The silicone gel material20may be made thick enough to be waterproof and tear resistant. Because the silicone gel is covered by the fabric material12, it is less likely that a dog would chew on the boot10. The silicone gel material20is preferably soft enough and has enough tackiness or stickiness so as to properly adhere and cover the paw and lower leg of the domestic animal.

In embodiments, the silicone gel material20has a hardness of about 60 Shore A or less. The silicone gel material20may have a hardness of about 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 Shore A or less.

In embodiments, the silicone gel material20has a hardness of about 90 Shore OO or less. The material may have a hardness of about 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 Shore OO or less.

Preferably, at least a portion of the bottom closed end16includes a grip layer22to provide improved grip to the boot10where the paw is inserted. A plurality of protuberances24may be provided for improving grip of the boot10. The grip layer22and protuberances24may be made of a harder silicone material than the silicone gel material20used for the inside of the boot10. The boot10may have a thinner layer of the silicone gel material20if the grip layer22is provided thereon. If no grip layer22is provided, it is preferable to have a thicker layer of silicone gel material20on the inside of the boot10to improve shock-absorption when the animal is standing, walking, or running. Instead of the grip layer22with protuberances24, the boot10may be provided with rubber puffed prints (not shown) onto the same portion of the closed bottom end16. These rubber puffed prints are directly printed on the outer surface12′ of the fabric material12.

In use, the boot10is configured to be reversible so as to cover and conform to a paw and lower leg of the domestic animal that comes in contact with the silicone gel material20while the boot10is put on. As such, the silicone material20and fabric material12are configured to flexibly and removably secure, through the flexibility of the fabric and silicone materials, the boot10to the paw and lower leg of the domestic animal.

To the knowledge of the inventors, the present dog boot is the first dog boot to fuse a polyester blend fabric with silicone gel. It is easy to put on, as it goes on reversed so the silicone gel is on the outside when putting on the boot, gliding it up the paw and lower leg so the polyester blend is facing outward when the boot is on the dog.

The boot10may have different length sizes to provide more coverage for the dog's lower leg by varying the length of the tubular shaped body14.

The boot10offers one of the most accessible and stretchable opening of any dog boot which is a big part of why it allows it to be the easiest boot to put onto a dog's paw. So much so it may be put on with one hand only, a major advantage versus other dog boots that need to be installed with two hands. The boot10may be put with one hand only as follows. Insert human thumb and index or middle finger into base of boot10with the silicone gel material20facing outward, expand fingers, insert paw and roll or glide upward to complete insertion of boot10onto dog's paw and lower leg. To remove the boot10, simply roll down and remove with one hand as well so that the boot10is then removed with the silicone gel material20exposed, ready to be inserted again with silicone gel material20on the outside facing.

Advantageously, the boot does not allow any space between the dog's paw (or lower leg) and the boot. This provides four (4) main advantages: 1) helps keep the boot on firmly so it does not come off. No hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro™ or snaps are needed to keep the boot on securely; 2) it does not allow the dog to try to chew or gnaw at the boot; 3) it keeps cold and wetness out; 4) it allows dog to walk with ease and comfort as the boot takes the exact shape of every movement from dog's lower leg and paw, as well the silicone gel material20provides shock-absorbing protection for a more comfortable feel for dog or animal.

Advantageously, the boot allows easy removal as the boot easily glides/rolls off the lower leg and paw.

Advantageously, due to silicone gel's excellent thermal properties, extreme cold or hot temperatures (−60 to +200 degrees Celcius or −76 to 392 Fahrenheit) do not change the performance of the product.

Advantageously, the polyester blend of the fabric material12allows for a design aspect so different patterns and colours can be offered to consumers.

Advantageously, the added grip provided by the grip layer22with protuberances24(the grip layer22is studded or made with small “teeth”) underneath the boot is an option to allow for better grip on multiple surfaces and added protection, basically a third layer of protection between underneath paw and floor surfaces.

In embodiments, the silicone gel may be infused with Aloe vera or similar product or moisturizer or combinations thereof to help prevent the cracking of the dogs paws. Indeed, although a dog's paw pads are hardy, they may crack or even bleed. This will mostly happen when you take your dog hiking through an unusual area, especially if the ground is rocky and abrasive, but it may also happen due to hard weather conditions such as snow, heat, cold or ice. Aloe vera is one of the best natural remedies for burns and skin conditions, but it may also be used to treat dermatitis in dogs and it is also very useful to treat disorders affecting dog's foot pads.

Advantageously, a dog boot with a silicone gel infused with Aloe vera may provide the following health benefits: it regenerates skin cells and promotes restoration of the affected foot pad area; it has an analgesic effect and anti-inflammatory action, therefore relieving the discomfort that the dog may feel when walking; its provides antiseptic action, as it may prevent wounds on the dog's foot pads from becoming infected.

Referring now toFIGS.11to13, there is shown a coat30according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A portion of a cross-section of the coat is made of an outer layer32made of a first fabric material, a middle layer34made of a silicone gel material and an inner layer36made of a second fabric material, which may be the same as the first fabric material. The middle layer34is sandwiched between the outer and inner layers32,36.

Preferably, the underneath of the dog coat is provided with a pair of slits to allow the passage of the dog's legs. The slits38are preferably U-shaped, but could take different shapes to achieve the same function.

Preferably, the coat30uses a fusion of a polyester blend fabric with silicone gel. The silicone gel is sandwiched between two layers of polyester/spandex fabric. The silicone/poly fabric panel is positioned underneath the dog's belly and chest and as well a horizontal panel on the top.

Advantageously, the coat30can be put on like a sweater as it can stretch about three times its size. No other known dog coat offers this type of stretching and comfort for the dog.

Advantageously, the coat30provides 4-way stretch: due to its stretchability, from both panels (top and bottom). The coat30allows the dog to walk or run with ultimate ease as there is no hook and loop fastener, such as Velcro™ underneath the belly and chest allowing for free-motion comfort with a silicone gel ultra-comfort feel. In particular, underneath the dog's armpit (using our “U” shaped design which provides a slash guard for front legs), they will experience a very soft feel/sensation due to silicone gel. As well, on the top part of the coat, a horizontal panel allows the coat30to extend up and down providing further mobility and coverage for longer length dogs in particular. No dog coat in the world to the inventors' knowledge provides this stretchability on both top and bottom sides.

Advantageously, due to silicone gel's excellent thermal properties, extreme cold or hot temperatures (−60 to +200 degrees or −76 to 392 Fahrenheit) the dog will have maximum protection for their chest and underbelly which is the most exposed and vulnerable part of their body. Therefore, waterproof, windproof and maximum heat retention.

Advantageously, the polyester blend allows for a design aspect so different patterns and colours can be offered to consumers.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.