Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Head or face protector
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-14
2001-11-13
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Head or face protector
C128S866000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314961
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to post operative care devices and, more particularly, to apparatus for supporting and protecting newly cropped ears of an animal.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Some species of dogs normally have their ears cropped shortly after birth. The purpose of ear cropping is primarily aesthetic. After cropping, veterinarians fasten supporting structure to the newly cropped ears for protection and to force them to stand up during the healing process. The veterinarian normally contains this supporting structure in bandages that require periodic replacing at significant cost to the pet owner. To eliminate the necessity of repeated visits to the veterinarian to replace the bandages and support structure, skilled artisans have contrived a variety of devices specifically designed to support and protect newly cropped ears. Although exemplary, these devices are expensive and difficult use, install and construct. Because of these and other deficiencies, the continued need for improvement in the art is evident.
Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide improved apparatus for supporting and protecting newly cropped ears of an animal.
It is a purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is easy to construct.
It is another purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is easy to use.
It is still another purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is easy to install.
It is a further purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is inexpensive.
It is still a further purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is adjustable for accommodating the different sizes of the ears and heads of animals.
It is yet still a further purpose of the present invention to provide new and improved apparatus that is safe and efficient for intended use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes and others realized in new and improved apparatus for supporting and protecting newly cropped ears of an animal. In a specific embodiment, apparatus of the invention comprises first and second ear support apparatus each engagable with one of the newly cropped ears and a bridge interconnecting the first ear support apparatus with the second ear support apparatus. The bridge is adjustable for adjusting the distance between the first and second ear support apparatus. The bridge comprises first and second bridge elements each extending from one of the first and second ear support apparatus, engagement apparatus carried by one of the first and second bridges and detachably engagable complemental engagement apparatus carried by the other one of the first and second bridges for adjustment of the first and second ear support apparatus in a reciprocal direction.
Each ear support apparatus includes a backing sized to substantially cover the outer surface of a newly cropped ear, a substantially rigid spine supported by the backing to extend from the base to the free end of the newly cropped ear adjacent the inner surface and an engagement assembly carried by the backing for securing the backing around the newly cropped ear and the spine in a wrapped condition. The backing preferably includes adjustable structure for adjusting the backing to conform substantially to the outer surface of a newly cropped ear. The adjustable structure comprises one or more removable segments positioned to face the base of the newly cropped ear. The invention may further include a strap supported by the first and second ear support apparatus for engagement about the head of the animal.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3257990 (1966-06-01), Robertson et al.
patent: 3970080 (1976-07-01), White
patent: 4221189 (1980-09-01), Olvera
patent: 4250875 (1981-02-01), Marsh et al.
patent: 4275715 (1981-06-01), Wolfe
Brown Michael A.
Goltry Michael W.
Parsons Robert A.
Parsons & Goltry
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