Animal husbandry – Body worn protective shield or apparel
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-22
2001-07-31
Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Body worn protective shield or apparel
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267083
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to support garments for animals, and in particular to an over garment for use by a dachshund or other four-legged animal to provide comfort and support to the spine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Humans have provided sweaters, scarves, body blankets, and other garments for use by animals for many years. Horses are provided with close fitting blankets for warmth. Dogs and other animals have been provided with similar garments for the same purpose. In addition, medical shields, splints, braces and coverings have also been adapted for use by animals. Examples are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,888 which describes a cylindrical splint for use on the leg of a dog; U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,628 which describes a body encompassing bandage that may be wrapped around an injured dog to aid in healing; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,592 which describes a cervical brace for use by a dog following surgery.
It is also well known that dachshunds and other dogs and four-legged animals having elongated spines suffer from gradual degeneration of the spine over the course of time. For such animals, simple daily walking can lead to early problems with spinal vertebrae and can bring on early arthritis. These are painful maladies that can cause the afflicted animal to discontinue daily exercise, which can lead to a whole host of other medical problems. The most common treatment for animal back problems is either the use of medication, which can have adverse side effects on the animal, or an operation in which success is by no means guaranteed. Moreover, these medical treatments would not be expected to prevent the recurrence of the same spinal problem. It is therefore desirable to provide a means by which these animals might prevent or forestall the spinal problems associated with their species, and to more effectively treat those already afflicted with spinal problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a unique support garment for use by dachshund dogs and other four-legged animals having elongated spines. The garment is in the form of a flexible body wrap or jacket that is provided with a plurality of removable longitudinal support pieces. The jacket has openings for the neck and front legs of the animal, and a pair of flexible anchors for attachment to the rear legs. The portion of the garment which stretches across the back of the animal is provided with a plurality of longitudinal pockets into which corresponding support slats or stays may be removably inserted. When worn by an animal such as a dachshund, the positions of the support stays are generally parallel to the spine of the animal, and the garment is sized to fit the animal snugly. In this way, the stays in the garment provide the same kind of support for the animal that is provided by the animal's spine. This relieves considerable stress and pressure from the animal's spine. Accordingly, the garment may be used preventatively to prolong the onset of spinal problems, or it may be used to treat such problems after they have become symptomatic.
In use, the garment is first sized so that it fits the animal snugly. This is important in order to achieve the stress-relief to the animal's spine. The garment includes a large piece that fits around the animal and is stitched or otherwise fastened together along a seam to form a single sleeve. A neck opening is provided at the front end of the sleeve, and a large rear body opening is provided at the other end. A pair of smaller openings are provided for the front legs, and a pair of flexible loops are attached at the rear body opening for engagement with the rear legs of the animal in order to anchor the rear of the garment. The entire garment sleeve is pulled over the animal so that the head and neck extend through the front opening, and the front legs are inserted through the smaller openings in the garment. The flexible loops are then pulled around the rear legs of the animal. While the garment covers the lower chest area of the animal, the wide opening in the rear leaves plenty of room for the animal to urinate or defecate while wearing the garment.
The garment should be snugly pulled over the animal such that the plurality of longitudinal pockets on the outside of the garment are positioned generally parallel to the direction of the animal's spine. These pockets are elongated and positioned in parallel to each other. Each pocket may have a different length, but all of the pockets extend in a longitudinal direction from the front of the garment to the rear. The longest pockets are preferably those which are most centrally located immediately adjacent to the animal's spine, along the top of the garment when it is fitted over the animal. Shorter pockets are preferably provided in parallel with the longer pockets down each side of the garment, and hence down the sides of the animal. The number of pockets used depends upon the size of the pockets themselves (and the stays which fit into them). the size of the garment used, the size of the animal, and the amount of support desired. Larger pockets with larger stays provide more support, but take up more room than smaller pockets with smaller stays.
Once the garment is positioned on the animal, one or more of the support stays may be slidably inserted into the pockets. The stays should be made of a rigid material in order ot provide proper support; however, they should also have some amount of flexibility in order not to immobilize the animal. Rigid or semi-rigid plastic is preferred, although wood or metal may also be used. One or two stays may be all that is required for a small animal, or for an animal that is not presently experiencing any discomfort. Additional or stiffer stays may be inserted into the pockets to provide additional support for larger animals, or animals showing signs of fatigue. While additional or stiffer stays will provide additional support, they will also reduce the mobility and flexibility of the animal. Each of the pockets is open at one end, and closed at the opposite end. A fold over flap is provided to cover the open ends of the pockets to prevent the stays from sliding out once they have been inserted.
In an alternative embodiment, an area of reinforcement may be provided on the garment where the pockets are located to provide additional support. The reinforcement may take the form of additional layers of thick fabric below the pockets, or it may include a sheet of rigid material sewn between the fabric layers beneath the pockets. This embodiment may be used with or without the stays. Without the stays it would rely on the reinforcement alone for spinal support.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a unique garment that provides spinal support for a four-legged animal having an elongated spine.
It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a comfortable snugly fitting garment for use by a four-legged animal having an elongated spine that provides support to the spine in order to forestall or prevent deterioration of the spine.
It is a further important object of the present invention to provide a comfortable snugly fitting garment for use by a four-legged animal having an elongated spine that may be used to treat spinal disorders in such animals.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a spinal support garment for use by four-legged animals having elongated spines, said garment having a plurality of elongated parallel pockets for receiving corresponding rigid stays to relieve stress and pressure from the animal's spine.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a spinal support garment for use by four-legged animals having elongated spines, said garment having a reinforced area along the spine to relieve stress and pressure from the animal's spine.
Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the detailed descriptions and the claims herein.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3895628 (1975-07-01), Adair
patent: 4
Jordan Charles T.
Miller Mark D.
Shaw Elizabeth
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