Protective screen for horse blanket

Details Protective screen for horse blanket Protective screen for horse blanket

1999-08-31

2001-11-20

Jordan, Charles T. (Department: 3643)

Harness for working animal

Blanket or garment

Specific material

C054S079300, C119S850000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06318054

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of protective covers for horses, such as blankets and turnout rugs. In particular, it relates to a multilayer blanket that includes a protective outer screen layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various kinds of horse blankets, also called turnout rugs, and water-resistant rain covers have been in use for a long time. They protect horses from cold weather and rain in corrals and stables, often after riding, when the horses are overheated by exertion, It is important that horses always be kept dry and free of accumulation of moisture and sweat under the blanket to prevent colds and other infirmities. Therefore, horse owners commonly have different blankets for different uses, depending on weather conditions, temperature, and humidity. A blanket may include insulation for warmth, a laminated layer for rain protection, or simply consist of a light permeable fabric for absorption of perspiration. Often blankets combine some of these features in a single product. The best modern fabrics for horse blankets are typically made with water-resistant materials that permit passage of moisture from inside out but prevent flow in the opposite direction. These materials are said to allow breathing and are therefore considered “breathable,” as that term has become known in the industry. Often a permeable layer is added inside the water-resistant fabric for comfort. Other blankets utilize an impermeable non-breathable outer material, which is less expensive, and provide breathability by the addition of intermediate permeable layers and/or by structural designs that promote air flow between layers. Horse blankets that are designed for particularly cold weather typically include multiple stacked layers of quilted and impermeable fabric. For example, the first, innermost layer can be a permeable liner intended to lay on the horse's back and provide comfort. As such, cotton or other soft material is preferably used. An intermediate layer may consist of permeable insulation material, such as polyester FIBERFILL®, which is normally quilted to the liner. An outer layer of either impermeable or breathable material, such as GORETEX®, may be used to provide protection from rain. These layers are substantially of equal geometry and size, typically superimposed on each other and stitched together to form a unit.
One problem with all kinds of horse blankets is premature wear. Because moisture, insects and debris are easily trapped under the blanket, horses experience discomfort that causes them to rub against fence posts, corrals and the like. In the process, the outer surface of the blanket is scraped against rough surfaces, pointed structures, and similar protrusions that rapidly damage the blanket. Thus, an expensive and otherwise durable blanket is turned into a worn-out cover much sooner than actual wear and tear should warrant. Once a tear occurs, unless it is immediately repaired, the blanket is rapidly transformed into a dilapidated stack of loose fabric and insulation material.
The common approach to counter this problem has been to reinforce the outer layer of the horse blanket by using thicker material or stronger fibers. Unfortunately, though, these solutions tend to modify the physical characteristics and performance of the blankets, such as its weight, permeability to perspiration, and water resistance. Therefore, this approach does not provide an acceptable alternative. This invention is directed at a simpler and more effective solution for correcting this problem.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary goal of this invention is to improve the durability of a conventional horse blanket without affecting the physical characteristics of its outer layer, such that the functional performance of the blanket will remain unaffected by the added protection.
In particular, an objective of the invention is a protective layer that may withstand entanglement with a rough surface without also damaging the blanket.
Another objective is a replaceable and economic means for protecting the outer layer of a horse blanket, such that a full use of the blanket can be obtained even after accidental damage is incurred as a result of entanglement with corral posts and the like.
Another goal is to provide a means for protecting the blanket without materially adding to its weight.
Finally, an objective of the invention is a protective cover and an associated blanket that can be manufactured relatively inexpensively with standard materials appropriately combined to provide protection against unwarranted wear and tear while retaining the blanket's functional characteristics.
Therefore, according to these and other objectives, the present invention consists of an outer layer of mesh material loosely covering the exterior of a horse blanket such as to provide a protective buffer against damage caused by impact and abrasion experienced during use. The mesh material is preferably connected to the blanket through releasable fasteners only along its edges, thereby leaving it relatively free to slide over the blanket's outer sheet in case of entanglements. The mesh is selected of sufficient density to prevent contact of the blanket's surface with abutting objects; at the same time, the mesh openings must be sufficiently large to prevent impairing the blanket's aeration and to minimize the impact of its additional weight. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, an all-purpose blanket includes multiple layers suitable for all weather conditions. The inner layer of the blanket consists of a soft permeable material to provide breathability and comfort. The next, intermediate layer is an insulating quilted-liner to cover the top and flanks of the animal for warmth. The next outer layer of the blanket is a waterproof material for rain protection. Finally, the mesh material of the invention provides a protective layer covering the entire blanket. All layers are independent units of substantially equal shape and size joined by common fasteners at the edges. Depending on temperature and weather requirements, only some of the blanket layers may be used.
Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention consists of the features hereinafter illustrated in the drawings and fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such drawings and description disclose only some of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced.


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