AU2002100666B4 - Cover For An Animal's Tail - Google Patents

Description

1 COVER FOR AN ANIMAL'S TAIL Field of Invention The present invention broadly relates to a cover for an animal's tail. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to a cover for protecting a horse's tail.

Background to the Invention Tail covers for a horse's tail, also known as tail bags, generally consist of a tubular sleeve of uniform cross-section with an opening at each end. Their primary function is to protect the tail from the elements such as dirt, rain and sunlight. A tail cover also assists in providing the tail with a thick, healthy and shiny appearance and it particularly useful when preparing the animal for show or competition.

Tail covers are typically manufactured in one standard size, which fails to allow for the vast range of tail lengths and tailbone widths and consideration of the shape of the animal's tail.

The disadvantage of the lack of tailoring to the shape of the animal's tail results in the cover being relatively loose in the portion of the sleeve being placed over the tailbone. This typically results in the animal inadvertently removing its entire tail from the sleeve. The tubular configuration of these tail covers also inevitably results in the cover being too narrow in the portion enclosing the free end of the animal's tail, preventing the tail from hanging fully in its natural shape. The sleeve is also typically of insufficient length to fully enclose the tail, leaving the free end of the tail exposed to the elements.

With existing tail covers, it is also difficult to place the tail within the cover.

Placing the tail within the cover requires that the sleeve be threaded upwards from the free end of the tail, resulting in the hair being bent upwards and in the wrong direction.

P:\User4jan\Tail Bag Speodoc O The use of a tail cover inhibits the animal's ability to swish its tail in order to discourage insects from settling on the body of the animal, which can be a O significant source of irritation to the animal.

The discussion of background to the invention herein is included to explain the IDcontext of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the

IND

IDmaterial referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in Australia as at the priority date of any of the claims.

N An object of the present invention is to minimise one or more problems present in the prior art.

Summary of the Invention According to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a tail cover for an animal's tail, the tail cover including: a single continuous elongate sleeve to receive the tail, the sleeve having a first region to be placed over or in close proximity to a tailbone of the animal and a second region distal to the first region and in close proximity to an end of the tail, the first and second regions being separated by a tapered region which increases in cross-section towards the second region to provide the second region with a cross-section greater than the first region; a first opening at one end of the sleeve to receive the tail; and a second recloseable opening extending partway along the first region of the sleeve, to facilitate guiding of the tail through the first opening and into the sleeve.

Optionally, each of the first and second regions have a substantially uniform cross-section.

W:\SASKIAPatent Spec 2002100666.doc O One advantage of the tail cover of this aspect of the invention is that the shape is effectively tailored to the tail of the animal. The tailored, narrower cross- O section of the sleeve in proximity to the tailbone, can act to encourage the hair to lie down smoothly, whilst the wider cross-section in the region of the sleeve in close proximity to the end of the tail allows the tail to hang oLit fully enhancing IND its natural shape. This shape also makes it less likely that the animal will be Iable to inadvertently remove its tail from the cover.

The cover of the present invention can be provided in any suitable size and length to fit a wide variety of tail lengths.

Preferably, the recloseable opening is located centrally in the first region of the tail cover to be placed over or in close proximity to the tailbone. For ease of use, the recloseable opening may be located so that it is easily accessible when the cover is in place. The provision of such an opening facilitates the correct placement of the tail within the cover and allows the hair on the tailbone of the animal to be smoothed down before closing the opening and securing the tail cover in place.

The recloseable opening may be closed by any suitable means for closing the opening. One suitable closing means is in the form of a zipper. A protection flap may also be provided within the sleeve, to prevent hair being caught whilst the zipper is being closed. Optionally the base of the zipper is provided with a pull tag formed from binding material. The pull tag facilities the opening and closing of the zipper by allowing it to be kept straight whilst operating the zipper.

WASASKIMPatent Spec%2002100666.da O Another suitable means for closing the opening is provided in the form of two strips of complementary hook and loop type material such as a VelcroTM O fastener attached to either side of the opening. Other suitable means for closing the opening include but are not limited to press studs, buttons and laces.

IND In a preferred form of the invention the sleeve has one closed end optionally \formed by overlapping layers, each layer extending laterally from an opposing edge of the end of the sleeve.

c The provision of a closed end prevents any dirt coming in contact with the tail, particularly whilst the animal is in motion or lying down. Forming the closed end by overlapping layers has the advantage of providing the benefits of a sleeve with a closed end, whilst still allowing access to the free end of the tail of the animal when the tail cover is in place.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a tail cover for an animal's tail, the tail cover including: a single continuous elongate sleeve to receive the tail, the sleeve having two ends, one of which has a narrower cross section than the other end; a first opening at the narrow end of the sleeve to receive the tail; and a second recloseable opening extending partway along the narrow end of the sleeve, to facilitate guiding of the tail through the first opening and into the sleeve.

In still another form the sleeve is formed from a weatherproof material, the weatherproof material optionally being denier nylon.

Forming the sleeve from a weatherproof material enhances utility in providing a tail cover which provides protection from rain, sunlight, rot and mildew with the added advantage of being readily machine washable. In one preferable form of the invention, the sleeve is made of a 420 denier nylon.

W:SASKIA\Patent Spec\2002100666.doc The invention further provides that the tail cover may include a plurality of strands extending from the sleeve, wherein the strands swing freely to imitate the natural movement of the tail of the animal.

The provision of a plurality of strands attached to the sleeve, overcomes the problem of inhibiting the natural movement of the animal's tail as a means of preventing insects from irritating the animal. The strands may consist of any suitable cording or strapping. Preferably the strands are made of a material that is lightweight and durable.

The tail cover may incorporate an attachment means, wherein the end of the sleeve over or in close proximity to the tailbone of the animal, includes a strip of hook and loop material such as a VelcroTM fastener attached to the edge of the sleeve, perpendicular to the length of the sleeve; wherein the attachment means is reinforced by a strip of a plastic material being juxtaposed to the before said strip. One particularly suitable plastic material is PVC.

The addition of the plastic strip beside the VelcroTM or similar fastener protects the underlying material forming the sleeve against fraying caused by the repeated application and removal of the VelcroTM hooks.

Brief Description of Drawings The invention will now be described in further detail by reference to the attached drawings illustrating example forms of the invention. It is to be understood that the particularity of the drawings does not supersede the generality of the preceding description of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front view of the tail cover according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the tail cover of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

P:\Usefian\Tail Bag Speci.doc O Figure 3 is a side view of the tail cover of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

O

Figure 4 is an underside view of a tail cover having a closed end according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

NO

NO

IOFigure 5 is a front view of a tail cover having at strands attached to the sleeve according to another preferred embodiment of the invention.

N Figure 6 is a front view of a tail cover wherein part of the sleeve placed over the tailbone of the animal consists of a cushioning material.

Figure 7 is an illustration of an attachment means for the tail cover to a rug worn by the animal.

Figure 8 is a front view of the upper portion of a tail cover when placed over the tailbone an secured in place to the edge of a blanket being worn by the animal, partially secured by the attachment means provided in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a side view of the tail cover in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a view of the rear of a horse with the tail cover in place.

Detailed Description of Drawings Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the tail cover 1 having a recloseable opening 2 located centrally in the first region of the tail cover to be placed over or in close proximity to the tailbone according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, a zipper 3 provides the closure means. The base of the zipper is provided with a pull tag 4 formed from a binding material. The pull tag facilitates the opening and closing of the zipper by allowing it to be kept straight.

W:\SASKIAPatent Spec\200210066.doc Attachment means to the rear of a rug worn by the animal is provided by a strip of hook and loop material 5 such as a VelcroTM fastener, affixed over the edge of the cover, such that it is exposed on both the front and back sides of the O uppermost portion of the cover. Directly beneath the VelcroTM type attachment means 5 is a strip of plastic material 6.

INOAny exposed edges of the tail cover, such as the curved portion 7 which fits beneath the tailbone of the animal and the end of the sleeve 8 (where the sleeve has an open end), are finished in a binding material.

C The rear view of the tail cover illustrated in Figure 2 shows a protective flap 9 which may run along the length of the recloseable opening within the sleeve.

The edge of the curved section 7 at the rear of the tail cover is finished off with a binding material.

The side view shown in Figure 3 illustrates the pull tag 4 positioned at the end of the recloseable opening.

Figure 4 provides an underside view of the tail cover having a closed end formed by two overlapping layers 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Each layer extends laterally from an opposing edge of the end of the sleeve 8. The exposed edge 11 is finished in a binding material. Forming the closure of the end of the sleeve in this manner facilitates easy access to the end of the tail if required.

Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein a plurality of strands 12 extends from the sleeve.

Figure 6 shows a tail cover wherein at least part of the sleeve, which is placed over or in close proximity to the tailbone of the animal, consists of a cushioning material 13. In this particular example the recloseable opening is fastened by means of Velcro TM or similar tabs 14 threaded through rings 15, formed of moulded plastic or metal and folded back and fastened to secure the tail cover in place.

W:\SASKIA\Patent Spec\2002100666.doc Figure 7 demonstrates an attachment piece 16 for securing the tail cover to the rear portion of a rug covering the back of the animal. The attachment piece is formed from a four sided piece of suitable fabric which has a strip of hook and loop or Velcro

T

M type material 17 being complementary to that found on the upper edge of the tail cover, affixed to two opposing edges. The piece is folded in two such that the two strips of VelcroTM or similar overlay one another. The piece is attached to the underside of the rug such that the opposing side lies against the animal's skin. The flap secures the upper edge of the tail cover bearing the complementary VelcroTM strips.

The illustration in Figure 8 shows how the tail cover 1 is secured by the attachment means 16. One side of the attachment means is fastened to the underside of the rug 18 worn by the animal, whilst the other will lie against the animal's skin 19 when the attachment means is folded to secure the tail cover.

The tail cover is attached by means of the VelcroTM type material affixed to the uppermost edge of the sleeve 5, which is secured by the complementary strips of VelcroTM material provided within the attachment means 17. The PVC strips 6 juxtaposed to the VelcroTM or similar strips and running perpendicular to the length of the sleeve, prevent the underlying material forming the sleeve from fraying.

Figure 9 provides a side view of the tail cover when in place. The tail of the animal is lifted slightly to demonstrate the curved portion 7 of the underside of the sleeve which is shaped as such to comfortably accommodate the animal's tailbone.

Figure 10 illustrates a rear view of a horse when fitted with a tail cover 1 of one embodiment of the present invention. The rug 18 worn by the horse is secured in place by straps 19 encircling the rear legs of the horse. The tail cover is attached to the rear portion 20 of the rug by means of the attachment means illustrated in Figure 7. The attachment means is secured to the underside of the rug and thus is out of view when seen from this perspective.

P:\UserManTai Bag Sped.doc 9 It is to be understood that various additions, alterations and or modifications maybe made to the parts previously described without departing from the ambit of the invention.

P:\Useran\Tail Bag Speddoc

Claims (4)

1. A tail cover for an animal's tail, the tail cover including: o a single continuous elongate sleeve to receive the tail, the sleeve having a first region to be placed over or in close proximity to a tailbone of the animal and a second region distal to the first region and in close proximity to an INDend of the tail, the first and second regions being separated by a tapered region which increases in cross-section towards the second region to provide the second region with a cross-section greater than the first region; a first opening at one end of the sleeve to receive the tail; and a second recloseable opening extending partway along the first region of the sleeve, to facilitate guiding of the tail through the first opening and into the sleeve.

2. A tail cover according to claim 1, wherein the recloseable opening is centrally positioned in the portion of the first region of the sleeve which is configured to be exposed during use, to facilitate access to the recloseable opening.

3. A tail cover according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sleeve has one closed end formed by overlapping layers, each layer extending laterally from an opposing edge of the end of the sleeve.

4. A tail cover for an animal's tail, the tail cover including: a single continuous elongate sleeve to receive the tail, the sleeve having two ends, one of which has a narrower cross section than the other end; a first opening at the narrow end of the sleeve to receive the tail; and a second recloseable opening extending partway along the narrow end of the sleeve, to facilitate guiding of the tail through the first opening and into the sleeve. W:ASASKIAMPatent Spec\002100666.doc A tail cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the embodiment shown in any one of figures 1 to 4 or 8 to DATED 14 October, 2004 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys For: EMMA JAMIESON AD a l W:\SASKIA\Patent Spec\2002100668.doc