Patent ID: 12219924

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an adjustable vest for use by a quadruped and methods of using same.FIG.1depicts a quadruped, namely, a dog with which the animal vest may be used.FIGS.2through4B and6A and6Bdepict the animal vest of the present invention and its component panels in unassembled states.FIG.5depicts an inner vest structure composed of an attachment panel and a pair of opposing fastening panels of the animal vest of the present invention assembled on a dog.FIGS.7A and7Bdepict cover panels of the animal vest of the present invention coupled to the inner vest structure in open arrangements.FIGS.8A and8Bdepict the cover panels coupled to the inner vest structure in closed arrangements.FIGS.9and10depict dorsal and ventral views of a dog on which the adjustable vest is fully assembled. Generally, the adjustable animal vest includes a plurality of separable panels that are capable of being attached to each other in configurations that allow a comfortable and secure fit to quadrupeds of varying sizes. The fit of the adjustable animal vest is such that empty space between the quadruped and the interior of the adjustable animal vest is reduced. The fit of the adjustable animal vest increases protection to the quadruped and facilitates normal agility and movement of the quadruped.

As used herein, a “quadruped” intended for outfitting with the adjustable vest is an animal which has four feet, especially an ungulate mammal. Exemplary quadrupeds include dogs and horses. An underside of a quadruped may refer to the ventral side of the quadruped. For instance, the chest of a dog is located on an underside of the dog.

As used herein, an “inner surface” of a panel or vest refers to a surface facing toward or configured to face toward the body of the animal during or after vest assembly.

As used herein, an “outer surface” of a panel or vest refers to a surface facing away from or configured to face away from the body of the animal during or after vest assembly.

Applications for the adjustable animal vest of the present invention to be considered include military applications, where the vest panels are fabricated from bulletproof material or capable of storing removable bulletproof plates. Additionally, the vest panel materials may be adapted to protect against chemical damage. Vests configured for military applications are intended to protect and cover an animal's vital organs and provide an athletic fit for satisfactory mobility and agility. The vests may also be configured for use with service animals as a form of identification. In this instance, an adjustable animal vest may signify the identity of the service animal and serves as a “working uniform.” Additionally, the adjustable animal vest may be configured for therapeutic purposes where the vest hugs an animal closely or provides compressive pressure at predetermined locations on the animal's body to provide a sense of comfort and to reduce stress and anxiety. The vests may also be used in sporting applications, including running, and swimming, where an animal may experience inclement weather conditions such as cold temperatures or rough terrain. In these instances, the adjustable animal vest may be configured to offer flotation, protection against the cold or other advantages as the animal undertakes sporting tasks, such as retrieving downed waterfowl, while preserving or enhancing movement and agility.

Additional features of the adjustable animal vest include flotation, impact resistance, armor, temperature regulation, therapeutic positioning or fit, visibility, fashion, exercise and training components, storage, and/or restraint features or materials. For instance, visible materials or features may be added to the vest for fashion or beauty purposes, for identification or camouflaging purposes, or for visibility. Such features include reflective or luminescent materials, electronic lights, logos or colors denoting roles or organizations, or colors and textures of materials that are viewed as fashionable. In instances where temperature regulation is intended, the adjustable vest may be manufactured to include, for instance, thick or insulated panels for warmth, breathable or thin panels for cooling, or built in heating or cooling elements. Pockets are added to panels in some instances to provide storage for desired materials or regions for the inclusion of training weights. Anchor points may be added to vest panels in some instances to attach and store materials on the animal or for attachment of animal restraint materials, such as leashes. Specialized vest materials are sometimes used, such as Kevlar® for protection or buoyancy materials for flotation assistance. High tensile strength materials, such as Kevlar®, are in some instances used as bulletproof materials. Other applications not specifically mentioned are compatible with the adjustable animal vest and methods of using same.

Referring toFIG.1, an exemplary animal11(e.g., a dog) is depicted. Previous vests for animals11often fail to fit certain regions of the animal11closely, leaving openings between the vest and the body of the animal11. These regions are difficult to fit closely using previous vests, as these previous vests are typically available in limited, nonadjustable sizes. However, different animals11often vary in size and proportion, and an individual animal11may vary in size and proportion over its lifetime. The present disclosure describes an adjustable animal vest10that is versatile in size, shape, and application, where adjustability is achieved by including multiple adjustment points between panels of adjustable animal vest10.

InFIG.1, regions of animal11for fit consideration are indicated. These regions include a base of the animal's neck12and the animal's shoulders14, chest16, waist18, and torso20region. More specifically, considerations for adjustment of adjustable animal vest10include neck shape and width, shoulder opening size and shape, chest diameter, size, and shape, waist diameter and shape, and torso area, size, and shape. In certain instances, ill fit at these points allows wind, water and debris to enter or results in discomfort to animal11during movement. Previous vests generally lack adjustment points for each of these regions. For example, prior art vests are generally offered in sizes ranging from extra-small to triple extra-large with extra small neck dimensions ranging from 14.5-15 inches, extra small chest dimensions ranging from 22-24 inches, extra small waist dimensions ranging from 21-22 inches, extra-large neck dimensions ranging from 19-28 inches, extra-large chest dimensions ranging from 33-35 inches and extra-large waist dimensions ranging from 29-34 inches. Thus, sizing of prior art vests is limited to specific sizes that vary according to manufacturer, and such vests are often limited to a specific dimension for each region of animal11. The inflexibility of prior art vests with respect to adjustability also creates situations that do not accommodate animal growth or that require different vests to be purchased for different animals11belonging to one owner. The present adjustable animal vest10is configured to be adjusted to fit closely to an individual animal over its lifetime, as well as to be outfitted on different animals11of differing sizes.

Referring now toFIG.2, adjustable animal vest10is assembled from separable panels, each panel exhibiting a unitary construction, though it is anticipated that one or more of the panels may be fabricated from multiple panel components. Panels of adjustable animal vest10include an attachment panel22, which is positioned between neck12and waist18regions on the underside of animal11upon vest assembly. Other panels include a first fastening panel24, a second fastening panel26, a first cover panel28, and a second cover panel30. First and second fastening panels24,26are positioned on a first lateral side and a second lateral side, respectively, of animal11, upon vest assembly. First and second cover panels28,30are positioned over first and second fastening panels, respectively, upon vest assembly. Each panel includes an inner surface configured to face toward animal11and an outer surface configured to face away from animal11. Materials from which the panels may be fabricated include natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, wool and silk, synthetic fibers such as nylon, rayon, polyester, acrylic and spandex, polymers, plastics or other suitable materials for adjustable panel construction. Attachment materials are present on one or both of the inner and outer surfaces of the panels. Suitable attachment materials include Velcro® fastens, hooks, snaps, buttons, magnets, zippers, or any other suitable structure or material capable of detachably fastening panels to each other, as discussed in detail below.

Referring toFIGS.3A and3B, attachment panel22is shown with its inner surface (FIG.3A) and outer surface (FIG.3B) visible. To conform and adjust to the shape and size of animal11, attachment panel22includes several curved surfaces and regions for receiving and or covering certain bodily features of animal11. These curved regions include a neck curve32, a first shoulder curve34, a second shoulder curve36and a waist curve38. Neck curve32is positioned between neck12and chest16on the underside of animal11upon assembly. Strips19,21of panel material support attachment panel22between neck curve32and each of first and second shoulder curves34,36. Additionally, a strip37of panel material divides first and second shoulder curves34,36and extends longitudinally between about neck12and waist18of animal11. Strips19,21and37combine to form a substantially U-shaped portion of attachment panel22.

First and second shoulder curves34,36are positioned along the underside of shoulders14on the first and second lateral sides, respectively, of animal11upon assembly. Waist curve38is positioned near the underside of waist18of animal11upon assembly. Between first and second shoulder curves34,36and waist curve38is a strip39of panel material that extends along chest16, torso20, and waist18of animal11upon assembly. Strips37and39form a substantially T-shaped portion of attachment panel22. Strips19,21,37and39are unitary in construction, though in some instances individual, separable strips may be used.

Surfaces of attachment panel22include multiple attachment sections for detachably coupling to fastening panels24,26. These attachment sections are formed by or include one or more of the attachment materials identified above and may include the entire surface of attachment panel22or, as shown inFIGS.3A and3B, be located at particular points along attachment panel22. In one embodiment, attachment sections may include a hook-and-loop type fastener such as a Velcro® fastener, which includes male hooks and/or a female loops.FIG.3Adisplays the inner surface of attachment panel22with a plurality of female loop sections at particular locations. In some embodiments, there are two or more female loop sections on the inner surface of attachment panel22. In the depicted embodiment, at least one first section40of female loop fasteners is positioned on strip19of panel material between first shoulder curve34and neck curve32, at least one second section42of female loop fasteners is positioned on strip21of panel material between second shoulder curve36and neck curve32, at least one third section44of female loop fasteners is positioned on strip39of panel material between first shoulder curve34and waist curve38and at least one fourth section46of female loop fasteners is positioned on strip39of panel material between second shoulder curve36and waist curve38.

FIG.3Bdisplays the outer surface of attachment panel22with a plurality of male hook sections at particular locations. In some embodiments, there are two or more male hook sections on the outer surface of attachment panel22. In the depicted embodiment, at least one first section48of male hook fasteners is positioned on strip19of panel material between first shoulder curve34and neck curve32, at least one second section50of male hook fasteners is positioned on strip21of panel material between second shoulder curve36and neck curve32, at least one third section52of male hook fasteners is positioned on strip39of panel material between first shoulder curve34and waist curve38and at least one fourth section54of male hook fasteners is positioned on strip39of panel material between second shoulder curve36and waist curve38. Other positions of the plurality of hoop or loop fastener sections are contemplated in the present disclosure, such that attachment panel22is configured to be detachably and operatively coupled to first and second fastening panels24,26and positioned on an underside of animal11between about its neck12and about its waist18. Additionally, other positions of a plurality of attachment sections are contemplated in the present disclosure, such that attachment panel22is configured to be attached to first and second fastening panels24,26and positioned on an underside of animal11between about its neck12and about its waist18.

FIGS.4Aand B depict an outer surface of each of first and second fastening panels24,26. To conform with and fit the features of animal11, first and second fastening panels24,26include curved regions for fitting about the shoulders14, neck12, and hips of animal11. Strips of panel material forming first and second fastening panels24,26are unitary in construction in some instances or contain individual strips attached to each other by any suitable attachment means in other instances. First fastening panel24is designed to at least partially cover the first lateral side of animal11, and second fastening panel26is designed to at least partially cover the second lateral side of animal11upon assembly. Surfaces of first and second fastening panels24,26include at least one attachment section for attachment to attachment panel22and first and second cover panels28,30. At least one attachment section includes several attachment sections located at particular points along first and second fastening panels24,26in some instances, or, as shown inFIGS.4A and4B, include the entire surfaces of first and second fastening panels24,26. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS.4A and4B, one attachment section on each of first and second fastening panels24,26includes the entire outer surface of each of first and second fastening panels24,26. In embodiments not depicted, one attachment section on each of first and second fastening panels24,26includes the entire inner surface of each of first and second fastening panels24,26. In yet another embodiment not depicted, attachment sections on each of first and second fastening panels24,26include the entire inner and outer surfaces of each of first and second fastening panels24,26. Attachment sections of first and second fastening panels24,26are positioned on the inner surface of one of first and second fastening panels24,26and the outer surface of the other of first and second fastening panels24,26in some instances or, as depicted inFIGS.4A and4B, are positioned on the inner or on the outer surface of both of first and second fastening panels24,26. Similarly, attachment sections of first and second fastening panels24,26include several attachment sections for one of first and second fastening panels24,26and one attachment section for the other of first and second fastening panels24,26in some instance, include several attachment sections for both first and second fastening panels24,26in other instances, or, as depicted inFIGS.4A and4B, include one attachment section for both first and second fastening panels24,26.

In the embodiment depicted inFIGS.4A and4B, attachment sections are a plurality of hoop-and-loop fastener sections on the outer surfaces of each of first and second fastening panels24,26.FIG.4Ashows first fastening panel24with a male hook section56on a first outer fastening surface that faces away from animal11.FIG.4Bshows second fastening panel26with male hook56on a second outer fastening surface that faces away from animal11. In embodiments not depicted, one or both of first and second fastening panels24,26utilizes female loop fasteners62when complementary male hook fasteners56are present on adjacent facing surfaces locations of attachment panel22and when complementary male hook fasteners56are present on adjacent facing surface locations of first and/or second cover panels28,30, such that first and second fastening panels24,26are configured to attach to attachment panel22and be positioned on the first and second lateral sides, respectively, of animal11. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS.4A and4B, first fastening panel24is placed on the first lateral side of animal11upon assembly and second fastening panel26is placed on the second lateral side of animal11upon assembly. First and second fastening panels24,26extend from approximately neck12to approximately waist18of animal11upon assembly. First and second fastening panels24,26each include a means of attachment to each other along their ends that are configured to be spine-adjacent during assembly, relative to the spine of animal11. In one embodiment, first and second fastening panels24,26each include complementary tracks of a zipper58along their spine-adjacent ends, such that the attachment of first and second fastening panels24,26along the spine of animal11is achieved by zipping of zipper58, as depicted inFIG.5.

Additional features for animal restraint or securement are displayed in the embodiment inFIGS.4A and4B, though these features are absent or altered in other embodiments not shown.FIG.4Adepicts a fastening panel ring slot23on first fastening panel24through which a ring25is configured to fit and be accessible. The location and size of fastening panel ring slot23is such that ring25aligns with and fits through fastening panel ring slot23upon a vest assembly.FIG.4Bshows ring25and a handle27located such that each will be near the spine of animal11upon assembly. Ring25is a D-ring in the depicted embodiment, though is a circular, oval, quadrilateral, or otherwise-shaped ring in embodiments not shown. Ring25is constructed of a material that withstands pressure and force without deformation, such as metals, and is attached to second fastening panel26using stitching or other suitable attachment means. Handle27is depicted as being oriented parallel to the spine of animal11when adjustable animal vest10is assembled, though other orientations are possible. Handle27is constructed of cloth, fibers, metal-enforced, fibers, metal, plastic, polymers, or other suitable materials for gripping and secure attachment to second fastening panel26. Handle27is attached to second fastening panel26using stitching or other suitable attachment means. In embodiments not shown, the features on fastening panels24,26are reversed, such that fastening panel ring slot23is on second fastening panel26and ring25and handle27are on first fastening panel24. In yet other embodiments not depicted, handle27is located on the same panel in which fastening panel ring slot23is located. Some embodiments include only one of handle27and the combination of fastening panel ring slot and ring25, or include neither handle27nor the combination of fastening panel ring slot and ring25.

Referring now toFIG.5, an inner vest structure60is formed by the attachment of attachment panel22with first and second fastening panels24,26. Assembly of inner vest structure60is initiated by providing animal11to be outfitted with adjustable animal vest10and attaching first and second fastening panels24,26along the spine of animal11, where first fastening panel24is placed on the first lateral side of animal11and has male hook section56on the first outer fastening surface that faces away from animal11, and where second fastening panel26is placed on the second lateral side of animal11and has male hook section56on the second outer fastening surface that faces away from animal11. Attachment of first and second fastening panels24,26along the spine of animal11is achieved using zipper58connecting a spine-adjacent end of first fastening panel24with a spine-adjacent end of second fastening panel26. Other suitable attachment means for attaching first fastening panel24to second fastening panel26are contemplated for use in the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.5, ring25and fastening panel ring slot23are aligned and placed such that ring25fits through fastening panel ring slot23and such that handle27is accessible from the outer surface of inner vest structure60. Following placement and attachment of first and second fastening panels24,26, attachment panel22is fastened to first and second fastening panels24,26. In some instances, this fastening occurs prior to attachment between first and second fastening panels24,26, such as when adjustable animal vest10has been pre-fitted to animal11. It is envisioned that a pre-fitted adjustable animal vest10is quickly attached to animal11by zipping zipper58, as panel fitting has previously been performed and adjustable areas have previously been attached in a desired conformation. For attachment of first and second fastening panels24,26to attachment panel22, at least one first section40of female loop fasteners and at least one third section44of female loop fasteners on the inner surface of attachment panel22fastens to male hook section56of first outer fastening surface of first fastening panel24and at least one second section of female loop section42and at least one fourth section46of female loop fasteners on the inner surface of attachment panel22fastens to male hook section56of second outer fastening surface of second fastening panel26. Inner vest structure60results from the attachment of first and second fastening panels24,26to attachment panel22, which are quickly attached or removed from animal11using zipper58without the need to detach any hoop-and-loop fastener sections or other attachment points. InFIG.5, inner vest structure60includes an outer surface with male hook fasteners56exposed from panel components, such that first and second cover panels28,30are configured to be attached. In embodiments not depicted where first and second cover panels28,30include an inner surface with male hook section56, inner vest structure60panels are produced such that the outer surface of inner vest structure60includes female loop section62exposed from panel components.

Referring toFIGS.6Aand B, inner surfaces of first and second cover panels28,30are displayed. To conform with and fit the features of animal11, first and second cover panels28,30include curved regions for fitting about the shoulders14, neck12, and hips of animal11. Strips of panel material forming first and second cover panels28,30are unitary in construction in some instances or contain individual strips attached to each other by any suitable attachment means in other instances. First cover panel28is configured to at least partially cover the first lateral side of animal11, and second cover panel30is configured to at least partially cover the second lateral side of animal11upon assembly. Surfaces of first and second cover panels28,30include at least one attachment section for attachment to attachment panel22and first and second fastening panels24,26. At least one attachment section includes several attachment sections located at particular points along first and second cover panels28,30in some instances, or, as shown in the depicted embodiment, includes the entire surfaces of first and second cover panels28,30. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS.6A and6B, one attachment section on each of first and second cover panels28,30includes the entire inner surface of each of first and second cover panels28,30. In embodiments not depicted, one attachment section on each of first and second cover panels28,30includes the entire outer surface of each of first and second cover panels28,30. In yet another embodiment not depicted, attachment sections on each of first and second cover panels28,30include the entire inner and outer surfaces of each of first and second cover panels28,30. Attachment sections of first and second cover panels28,30are positioned on the inner surface of one of first and second cover panels28,30and the outer surface of the other of first and second cover panels28,30in some instances or, as depicted inFIGS.6A and6B, are positioned on the inner or on the outer surface of both of first and second cover panels28,30. Similarly, attachment sections of first and second cover panels28,30include several attachment sections for one of first and second cover panels28,30and one attachment section for the other of first and second cover panels28,30in some instances, include several attachment sections for both first and second cover panels28,30in other instances or, as depicted inFIGS.6A and6B, include one attachment section for both first and second cover panels28,30.

In the embodiment depicted inFIGS.6A and6B, attachment sections are a plurality of hoop-and-loop fastener sections on the inner surfaces of each of first and second cover panels28,30.FIG.6Ashows first cover panel28with female loop section62on a first inner cover surface that faces towards animal11.FIG.6Bshows second cover panel30with female loop section62on a second inner cover surface that faces towards animal11. In embodiments not depicted, one or both of first and second cover panels28,30utilizes male hook section56when complementary female loop section62is present on adjacent facing surface locations of attachment panel22and when complementary male hook section56is present on adjacent facing surfaces locations of first and/or second fastening panels24,26or attachment panel22, such that first and second cover panels28,30are configured to attach to attachment panel22and first and second fastening panels24,26, and are configured to be positioned on the first and second lateral sides, respectively, of animal11. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS.6A and6B, first cover panel28is placed on the first lateral side of animal11upon assembly and second cover panel30is placed on the second lateral side of animal11upon assembly. First and second cover panels28,30extend from approximately neck12to approximately waist18of animal11upon assembly.

Additional features for animal restraint or securement are displayed in the embodiment inFIGS.6A and6B, though these features are absent or altered in other embodiments not shown.FIG.6Adepicts a cover panel ring slot29on first cover panel28through which ring25is configured to fit and be accessible. The location and size of cover panel ring slot29is such that ring25aligns with and fits through cover panel ring slot29upon a vest assembly.FIG.6Bshows a cover panel handle flap31located such that each will be near the spine of animal11upon assembly. Cover panel handle flap31includes an upper flap slit33and a lower flap slit35that each extend into second cover panel30and determine the size of the opening formed when cover panel handle flap31is opened. The dimensions of cover panel handle flap31are such that it covers handle27upon vest assembly and is configured to open and reveal handle27upon vest assembly, when access to handle27is desired. The location of cover panel handle flap31is such that it aligns with the location of handle27upon vest assembly. In the depicted embodiment, both cover panel ring slot29and cover panel handle flap31are present, though in embodiments not shown only one or neither of cover panel ring slot29and cover panel handle flap31are present. In some embodiments not shown, cover panel ring slot29is located on second cover panel30and cover panel handle flap31is located on first cover panel28. However, cover panel ring slot29is located on the same side of animal11as fastening panel ring slot23and on the opposite side of animal11as ring25upon vest assembly. Similarly, cover panel handle flap31is located on the same side of animal11as handle27upon vest assembly.

Referring now toFIGS.7A and7B, first cover panel28is attached to first fastening panel24and attachment panel22of inner vest structure60on animal11.FIG.7Ashows an open configuration, where first cover panel28is not in position over first fastening panel24.FIG.7Bdisplays a closed configuration of first cover panel28, where at least one first and third section of male hook sections48,52of attachment panel22and male hook section56of the first outer fastening surface attach to female loop section62of the first inner cover surface of first cover panel28.

InFIGS.8A and8B, second cover panel30is attached to second fastening panel26and attachment panel22of inner vest structure60on animal11.FIG.8Ashows an open configuration, where second cover panel30is not in position over second fastening panel26.FIG.8Bdisplays a closed configuration of second cover panel30, where at least one second and fourth section of male hook sections50,54of attachment panel22and male hook section56of the second outer fastening surface attach to female loop section62of the second inner cover surface of second cover panel30.

FIG.9depicts a top view of adjustable animal vest10, resulting from the attachment of first and second fastening panels24,26to attachment panel22to form inner vest structure60and attachment of first and second cover panels28,30to inner vest structure60. In instances where first and second cover panels28,30do not obstruct zipper58, adjustable animal vest10is capable of becoming quickly attached or removed from animal11using zipper58without the need to detach any hoop-and-loop fastener sections or other attachment points. In these instances, adjustable animal vest10is capable of being pre-assembled to fit animal11and placement of pre-assembled adjustable animal vest10does not require attachment or adjustment of hoop-and-loop fastener attachment sections. In the depicted embodiment, handle27and ring25are configured to be accessible. Handle27is accessible when cover panel handle flap31is open and is covered when cover panel handle flap31is closed. Ring25is accessible through fastening panel ring slot23and cover panel ring slot29. The assembly of adjustable animal vest10is undertaken so that, when handle27and ring25are present as depicted, the cover panel containing cover panel ring slot29is placed over the fastening panel containing fastening panel ring slot23, and the cover panel containing cover panel handle flap31is placed over the fastening panel containing handle27. Cover panels28,30are completely removable and replaceable from assembly on fastening panels24,26in instances such as that depicted. However, in other instances cover panels28,30are at least partially permanently attached fastening panels24,26prior to assembly.

InFIG.10, adjustable animal vest10is viewed from a vantage point below animal11, such that the underside of animal11is visible. Attachment panel22is displayed to fit between approximately neck12and approximately waist18of animal11. The fit of panels forming adjustable animal vest10is adjustable by altering the attachment of hoop-and-loop fastener attachment sections of the panels. Adjustable animal vest10is configured to provide a suitable adjustable fit according to the following exemplary universal configuration sizing: neck ranging from about 12.5 inches to about 28 inches in circumference, chest ranging from about 22 inches to about 39 inches in circumference, and waist ranging from about 18.5 inches to about 35 inches in circumference. A smallest exemplary configuration includes the following sizing: neck circumference as small as 12.5 inches, chest circumference as small as 22 inches, and waist circumference as small as 18.5 inches. A largest exemplary configuration includes the following sizing: neck circumference as large as 28 inches, chest circumference as large as 39 inches, and waist circumference as large as 35 inches. Sizing is exemplary, and is contemplated to be scalable for sizes outside the stated exemplary ranges and for animal11body shapes varying from the depicted examples.

As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the disclosures and descriptions herein are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.