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Claims  |
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The embodiment of the invention in which an exclusive privilege or property
is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An animal harness comprising a unitary construction, said unitary
construction including an elongated endless band, means to conform the
proximal end of said endless band into a closed loop, an inverted
substantially U-shaped band, one end of said U-shaped band slideably
affixed to and adjacent with the distal end of said endless band, the
other end of said U-shaped band slideably affixed to and adjacent with
said distal end of said endless band and disposed in spaced apart
relationship with said one end thereof, a waist cinching band, said waist
cinching band slideably affixed to two portions of said endless band
intermediate said distal end and said proximal end thereof, said waist
cinching band having a pair of free end portions thereof, means to
adjustably secure one of said free end portions to and along the length of
said waist cinching band at a point therealong located adjacent the other
free end portion thereof, said endless band serving as the only means of
interconnecting said U-shaped band and said waist cinching band together.
2. The animal harness as claimed in claim 1 wherein said securing means
comprises a buckle and tongue assembly hingeably secured to said one end
of said waist cinching band, a plurality of holes disposed in spaced apart
relationship along said length.
3. The animal harness as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conforming means
comprises at least one rubber-like grommet disposed about the exterior
surfaces of two adjacent portions of the length of said endless band.
4. The animal harness as claimed in claim 1 further comprising said one end
of said inverted U-shaped band formed into a first bight, the free end of
said one end fixedly secured to a first portion of the length of said
inverted U-shaped band adjacent said free end thereof, said first bight
encircling a first portion of said distal end of said endless belt.
5. The animal harness as claimed in claim 1 further comprising said other
end of said inverted U-shaped band formed into a second bight, the free
end of said other end removably secured to a second portion of the length
of said inverted U-shaped band adjacent said another free end thereof,
said second bight encircling a second portion of said distal end of said
endless belt. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to animal harnesses and more particularly to that
class utilizing a leash as a unitary portion thereof.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The prior art abounds with animal harnesses having diverse configurations.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,508,601 issued on Sept. 16, 1924 to G. Huff teaches a pair
of circular bands adapted to be fastened about the waist and neck of the
animal, and interconnected by restraining elements running along the back
of the animal and running along the chest of the animal, between the four
legs thereof. A leash is affixed to the neck band or collar.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,026,383 issued on Dec. 31, 1935 to J. Gyulay discloses a
dog harness comprising a waist encircling cinch-like band having a loop
extending horizontally forward therefrom, used to engage the lowermost
regions of the dog's neck. An inverted loop is affixed at the free ends
thereof intermediate the length of the horizontal loop and is supported at
the nape of the neck. A restraining element connects to the uppermost
regions of the inverted loop and the uppermost regions of the waist
encircling band, at which point a hasp is attached for use in connecting
up to a removable leash.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,034 issued on Mar. 21, 1967 to H. S. Dishart teaches a
safety harness and collar for use by a domesticated animal, such as a dog,
in being strapped into a motor vehicle in similar fashion to that of a
human utilizing a seat belt. The apparatus comprises a waist encircling
band and a neck encircling band coupled together with a restraining
element designed to run along the back of the dog. The seat belt apparatus
includes, in conventional fashion, a pair of flexible bands extending
outwardly from the intersection of the seat and back rest portion of the
motor vehicle. The free ends of the bands pass through a pair of enclosed
rings, affixed to the uppermost part of the waist encircling cinch strap
and to a pair of closed rings affixed at the sides of the neck encircling
strap, and thence joined together utilizing a detachable linkage therefor.
All of the aforementioned Patents suffer the common deficiency of requiring
an additive element, such as a leash or seat belt strap to be affixed
thereto, so as to restrain the animal whilst applying restraining forces
to the animal causing the four feet thereof to be lifted upwardly due to
the location of the point utilized in connecting the leash or restraining
strap.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a unitary
construction for an animal leash and harness assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an animal restraining
apparatus which applies restraining forces to an area below the frontmost
portion of the neck thereof.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combination
leash and harness which can be fastened to the animal without tightly
encircling the neck portions thereof.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a harness
assembly with an attached leash, which the animal may comfortably wear.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a combined leash
and harness which may be readily fitted to animals, requiring a minimum of
bending and visual communication therewith, thereby faclitating use by a
blind person.
Heretofore, dog harnesses were confined within two general classes. The
first class includes a dog collar, of lightweight design, worn by the
animal at all times to which a leash is attached, usually at a point about
the nape of the neck. This type of apparatus, though inexpensive, places a
constraining force about the windpipe of the dog, when the animal is
"choked" due to restricting the freedom of motion of the leash each time
the animal lunges forward. The other class of apparatus includes a wide
variety of harnesses, encircling various portions of the animal's body and
adapted to be attached to the animal on those occasions that a leash is to
be removably affixed thereto and the animal is to be restrained or guided
by forces exerted on the leash. This class of apparatus utilizes a
detachable leash, and more often than not applied restraining forces to
the windpipe of the animal. Of maximum importance, however, are the
problems concerning the difficulty encountered when applying the harness
to the animal.
The present invention resides in the second class of apparatus and provides
a lightweight inexpensive device which does not choke the dog and which is
complete with the leash, yet is utterly simple in the attachment to the
animal, when required.
These objects, as well as other objects of the present invention will
become more readily apparent after reading the following description of
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown fitted to a
dog.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The structure and method of application of the present invention is
applicable to an elongated strap, of the endless variety, having a portion
thereof adapted to rest against the lowermost regions of a dog's foreneck.
An opposed portion is formed into a loop and is utilized as the terminal
end of a leash. A flexible waist encircling band is slideably affixed
along its length to the opposed mid-portions of the elongated strap. The
free ends of the flexible waist encircling band may be removably secured
together, at a site adjacent the backbone of the animal, utilizing a
belt-buckle at one free end and a plurality of holes, adapted to engage
the belt-buckle. An inverted U-shaped flexible strap, designed to be
supported at the nape of the neck of the animal, slideably captures
portions of the foreneck grasping end of the flexible elongated band at
the free ends thereof. The free ends may be bent backwards on themselves
and riveted to the legs of the inverted U-shaped band, of if desired, may
utilize a complementary snap-fastener set on one leg thereof so as to
permit the inverted U-shaped band to be slideably attached to the
elongated band with great ease. A pair of rubber-like grommets encircle
the elongated band adjacent the hand grasping portion thereof, so as to
create a unitary leash having a closed loop at the hand grasping end
thereof. A name plate may be affixed to the inverted U-shaped band in
conventional fashion.
Now referring to the Figures, and more particularly to the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2 showing a dog 10 having an elongated endless band 12
secured at point 14 to the lower foreneck portions thereof. A waist
cinching band 16 is affixed to the elongated endless band 12 at point 18,
and is adapted with a buckle 20. An inverted U-shaped band 22 is attached
to the elongated endless band 12, adjacent point 14, at point 24, and is
fitted with name plate 26. Elongated endless band 12 is adapted with a
hand grasping loop 28 and a pair of rubber-like grommets 30 disposed
intermediate loop 28 and point 18. Forces directed in the direction of
arrow 32 are applied to the lowermost regions of the foreneck of the
animal more specifically at point 14, thereby preventing "choking" of the
animal.
FIG. 2 illustrates elongated endless band 12, having loop 28 at one end,
point 14 at the other end, and intermediate lengths 12a and 12i b
there-in-between. Rubber-like grommets 30, shown in spaced apart
relationship, cause intermediate portions 12a and 12b to be clasped
together. Waist cinching band 16 is slideably attached within metallic
loop 34, residing at point 18, affexed to endless belt portion 12a.
Another metallic loop 36, clasps a portion of waist cinching belt 16 to a
portion of endless belt 12b. Buckle 20 is adapted with tongue 38, disposed
selectively passing through holes 40 in one free end of waist cinching
band 16. Inverted U-shaped band 22 is adapted with one free end thereof
folded over on itself, so as to form an opening capturing a portion of
endless belt 12 therein, and having the ends of the loop thus formed
secured together utilizing rivet 42 therefor. In like fashion, the other
free end of inverted U-shaped band 22 is formed into a bight slideably
securing a portion of endless belt 12 in the opening thereof. The other
free end, may utilize a rivet similar in function to rivet 42 to
permanently close the bight or, alternatively, may utilize a snap fastener
44 therefor. Snap fastener 44 may be opened facilitating the passage of
inverted U-shaped band 22 about the nape of the neck of the animal to be
restrained therein, facilitating the ease in which the present invention
may be quickly and easily applied to and removed from the animal.
Thus, there has been disclosed an appratus of unitary construction serving
as a leash and harness assembly which may be easily and conveniently
fitted and removed to and from an animal. The leash is adapted with a
convenient hand grasping loop at the free end thereof which, when utilized
in the process of applying restraining forces, causes the animal to be
confined by an application of a rearwardly directed force to a point of
the animal's body located below the throat region thereof.
One of the advantages of the present invention is a unitary construction
for an animal leash and harness assembly.
Another advantage of the present invention is an animal restraining device
which applies restraining forces to an area below the frontmost portion of
the neck thereof.
Still another advantage of the present invention is a combination leash and
harness which can be fastened to the animal without tightly encircling the
neck portions thereof.
Yet another advantage of the present invention is a harness assembly with
an attached leash, which the animal may comfortably wear.
A further advantage of the present invention is a combined leash and
harness which may be readily fitted to animals, requiring a minimum of
bending and visual communication therewith, thereby facilitating use by a
blind person.
Thus, there is disclosed in the above description and in the drawings, an
embodiment of the invention which fully and effectively accomplishes the
objects thereof. However, it will become apparent to those skilled in the
art, how to make variations and modifications to the instant invention.
Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure
herein, but only by the appending claims.
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