AU2014277707A1

AU2014277707A1 - Protective vest for an animal

Info

Publication number: AU2014277707A1
Application number: AU2014277707A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew Pontarolo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-17
Filing date: 2014-12-16
Publication date: 2015-07-02
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-16
Also published as: AU2018229438B2; AU2014277707B2; AU2018229438A1

Description

1 PROTECTIVE VEST FOR AN ANIMAL Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a protective vest for an animal. Background of the Invention [2] The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative. [3] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention [4] According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a protective vest for an animal, the protective vest comprising at least one layer of a panel adapted to at least partly cover an external skin of the animal, the protective vest comprising expansion means allowing the animal to grow. [5] In one embodiment, the protective vest is adapted to at least partly cover a torso area of an animal. [6] In another embodiment, the protective vest comprises a central section configured to cover the underside of an animal torso and lateral sections for covering lateral sides of the animal torso. [7] In another embodiment, the lateral sections at least partly cover the upper side of the animal torso. [8] In another embodiment, the lateral sections comprise distal edges which form a gap therebetween in use to leave a section of the animal torso uncovered in use. [9] In another embodiment, the central section is a generally elongated rectangular shape [10] In another embodiment, each lateral section comprises a series of parallel rectangular panels. [11] In another embodiment, distal edges of the lateral sections comprise attachment means. [12] In another embodiment, the attachment means are in the form of spaced attachment lugs. [13] In another embodiment, the protective vest further comprises tie means for attaching distal edges of the lateral sections to each other.

2 [14] In another embodiment, the tie means is a zip tie. [15] In another embodiment, the tie means is stretchable. [16] In another embodiment, the tie means is stretchable in a permanent manner. [17] In another embodiment, the tie means is made from polyurethane material [18] In another embodiment, the vest comprises two front leg holes through which the front legs of the animal extend through in use. [19] In another embodiment, the vest comprises two rear cutouts for the rear legs of the animal. [20] In another embodiment, the protective vest comprises at least one sheet of an external cover panel and a reinforcement member. [21] In another embodiment, the protective vest comprises two sheets of an external cover panel and a reinforcement member sandwiched therebetween. [22] In another embodiment, each cover panel comprises a tough flexible fabric or fabric like material which is cut-resistant and/or tear-resistant. [23] In another embodiment, the reinforcement member comprises a flexible tough plastics panel material which is cut-resistant and/or tear-resistant. [24] In another embodiment, the lateral sections comprise separate panels connected by resilient means. [25] In another embodiment, the lateral sections overlap. [26] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed. Brief Description of the Drawings [27] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [28] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an internal side of a protective vest for an animal in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; [29] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an external side of the protective vest of Figure 1; [30] Fig. 3 is a top perspective view of the protective vest of Figure 1 showing its in use configuration; [31] Fig. 4 is a top view of a cover layer for the protective vest of Figure 1; 3 [32] Fig, 5 is a top perspective view of reinforcement inserts in two sizes, one of which is used for the protective vest of Figure 1; [33] Fig. 6 is a top view of an internal side of the protective vest of Figure 1 prior to formation of the front leg apertures; [34] Fig. 7 is a side perspective view of the protective vest of Figure 1 showing the attachment lugs; [35] Fig. 8 is a side perspective view of the protective vest of Figure 1 mounted to a dummy balloon representing a crocodile torso; [36] Fig. 9 is a corresponding top view to Figure 8; [37] Fig. 10 shows a tie means for the protective vest of Figure 1 and a stretched body portion of the tie means; and [38] Fig. 10 is a top view showing the protective vest in two sizes. Description of Embodiments [39] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features. [40] Figures 1 to 3 show a protective vest 10 for an animal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The animal for the protective vest 10 in the example described is a crocodile. The protective vest is for covering the torso area of a crocodile, generally between its front legs and rear legs. The protective vest is for protecting the skin of the crocodile from scratches and other possible injuries. [41] The protective vest 10 comprises a generally panel shaped body portion 12 which comprises a central section 14 and two lateral sections 16. The central section 14 is a generally elongated flat rectangular shape and extends from a front end 13 to a rear end 15 of the protective vest 10. The central section 14 is configured to cover the underside of a crocodile torso. Each lateral section 16 comprises a series of parallel smaller rectangular panels 16a for curving around and covering lateral sides and at least part of the topsides of a crocodile torso. [42] Distal edges 17 of the lateral sections 16 comprise attachment means 18 in the form of spaced attachment lugs 18. The lugs 18 are mounted in a spaced manner to the distal edges 17 of the lateral sections 16. In the embodiment, three spaced lugs 20 are attached to each lateral section 16. An additional pair of lugs 18b are provided at the front end 13. Each lug 18 provides a loop as shown in Figure 7. The respectively aligned lugs 20 are attached to each other via tie means 80 when fitting the vest 10 to an animal as further described below.

4 [43] The front end 13 of the vest 10 comprises two front leg holes 24 through which the front legs of the crocodile extend through in use. The rear end 15 of the vest 10 comprises two rear cutouts 28 for receiving the rear legs of the crocodile. The rear end 15 also comprises end loops 29 formed therein into which a tie means can be inserted as further described below. [44] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the protective vest 10 is composed of two sheets of external cover panels 30 and a reinforcement member 40 sandwiched therebetween. [45] The cover panels 30 are made from a tough flexible fabric or fabric-like material 30 which are cut-resistant and tear-resistant. The panel 30 is also covered with a lacquer at an internal surface thereof which provides it with water-resistant properties. In the embodiment, the cover panels 30 are made from ballistic nylon which is a is a thick, tough, synthetic nylon fabric cut to shape to have a central section 34 and two lateral sections 36. The cover panels 30 also comprise a generally T-shaped formation 37 at a front end thereof, where distal ends 39 of the T-shaped formation 37 when attached to the lateral sections 36 will form the front leg holes 24. A rear end of the cover panels 30 comprises the cutouts 28. [46] Figure 5 shows the reinforcement member 40 which is made from a flexible tough plastics panel material which is cut-resistant and tear-resistant. In the embodiment, the reinforcement member 40 is made from a thermoplastic which is a tough plastics panel cut to shape to have a central section 44 and two lateral sections 46. [47] The reinforcement member 40 is placed between two identical pieces of the cover panels 30. Edges of the cover panels 30 are then attached to each other by sewing. Sew lines 47 are also formed in the lateral sections 16, which forms the panels 16a. The sew lines 47 form bending joints in the reinforcement member 40 which allows the lateral sections 16 to be curved around an animal torso. Apertures are then formed adjacent the distal edges 17 for mounting of the attachment lugs 18. The distal ends 39 of the T-shaped formation 37 are attached to the lateral sections 36 to form the front leg holes 24 [48] Figures 8 and 9 show the protective vest 10 mounted to a dummy balloon 200 representing a crocodile torso. As shown, the protective vest 10 covers the underside of a crocodile torso with the lateral sections 16 curving around and covering lateral sides and at least part of the topsides of the crocodile torso. [49] When mounted, the front legs of the crocodile extend through the front leg holes 24 and the rear legs of the crocodile extend through the rear cutouts 28. The protective vest 10 is dimensioned such that when mounted, there is a gap between the distal edges 17. The purpose of the gap is to leave a space along the back strap of the crocodile which is not covered by the protective vest 10. The back strap of the crocodile channels blood for the animal and it is important that this area is not covered and is exposed to sunlight.

5 [50] Respective pairs of the attachment lugs 18 are then tied to each other using the tie means 80 as shown in Figure 10. The tie means 80 in use extends across the topside of the animal torso. In the embodiment, the tie means 80 is a zip tie 80 having an elongated body 82 with spaced apertures therein, a locking head 84 at one end and an insertion end 86 at the other end. The zip tie 80 is inserted through both attachment lugs 18, and the insertion end 86 is inserted through the locking head 84 at which the locking head 84 engages at least one of the apertures in the body 82 and locks the formed zip tie loop. [51] The zip tie 80 is the embodiment is made from polyurethane material which allows the body 82 to stretch and not return to its original shape as shown by the stretched body 89. This allows the zip tie 80 to get longer as the animal gets bigger and thus the protective vest 10 can adapt and remain on the animal as the animal grows. [52] The tie means 80 thus forms an expansion means for the protective vest 10, in that they allow the vest 10 to 'expand' to adapt and allow the animal to grow. [53] If the crocodile's width is too small, the panels 16a can be folded as shown in figure 7, with new mounting apertures 23 (see Figure 3) formed therein to which the attachment lugs 18 can be mounted. This effectively shortens the length of the lateral sections 17 which will provide the gap between the distal edges 17 as desired. [54] The protective vest 10 can be supplied in any desired size, two of which are shown in Figure 11. In the example shown in Figure 11, the left vest 1 Oa is for a crocodile which is 8 to 18 kilos whilst the right vest 1 Ob is for a crocodile which is 20+ kilos. [55] The crocodile is zapped with a stun gun which stuns the crocodile for a period of about 1 minute, which is sufficient for mounting the protective vest 10. Each protective vest 10 is placed on a crocodile for about three months, with the stretching tie means 80 allowing the crocodile to grow. The zip ties 80 stretch, is only slightly resilient and does not hold tension, and comprises two locking apertures for security. Tie means 80 are also provided for the front lugs 18b and the rear loops 29 to secure the protective vest 10 to the crocodile. [56] The protective vest 10 wraps around the crocodile torso sections in a generally taut manner, generally right against the crocodile's skin, and protects the crocodile's torso skin from scratches, bites and other possible injuries. The protective vest 10 is tear-resistant, cut resistant and/or puncture-resistant. The flat central section 14 on the crocodile belly stops the vest 10 from rolling around the torso. The protective vest is fully secured to the animal, and will not fall off even in violent or sudden movements of the animal. [57] Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to skilled persons that modifications can be made to the embodiments described.

6 For example, attachment lugs 18 can be omitted with the tie means 80 directly inserted into holes in the body 12. Also, the lateral sections 16 can comprise separate panels 16a, which can also be made to be slightly overlapping. The panels can be connected by resilient means which will allow 'expansion' of the lateral sections 16 as the animal glows. [58] It is also possible for the vest 10 to be comprised of a single layer of the cover panel only, or only one cover panel with the reinforcement insert. [59] It is apparent that the protective vest 10 can also be used for other animals for protection or injure recovery.

Claims

1. A protective vest for an animal, the protective vest comprising at least one layer of a panel adapted to at least partly cover an external skin of the animal, the protective vest comprising expansion means allowing the animal to grow.

2. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the protective vest is adapted to at least partly cover a torso area of an animal.

3. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the protective vest comprises a central section configured to cover the underside of an animal torso and lateral sections for covering lateral sides of the animal torso.

4. The protective vest of claim 3 wherein the lateral sections at least partly cover the upper side of the animal torso.

5. The protective vest of claim 3 wherein the lateral sections comprise distal edges which form a gap therebetween in use to leave a section of the animal torso uncovered in use.

6. The protective vest of claim 3 wherein the central section is a generally elongated rectangular shape

7. The protective vest of claim 3 wherein each lateral section comprises a series of parallel rectangular panels.

8. The protective vest of claim 3 wherein distal edges of the lateral sections comprise attachment means.

9. The protective vest of claim 8 wherein the attachment means are in the form of spaced attachment lugs.

10. The protective vest of claim 3 further comprising tie means for attaching distal edges of the lateral sections to each other.

11. The protective vest of claim 10 wherein the tie means is a zip tie.

12. The protective vest of claim 10 wherein the tie means is stretchable.

13. The protective vest of claim 10 wherein the tie means is stretchable in a permanent manner.

14. The protective vest of claim 10 wherein the tie means is made from polyurethane material 8

15. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the vest comprises two front leg holes through which the front legs of the animal extend through in use.

16. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the vest comprises two rear cutouts for the rear legs of the animal.

17. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the protective vest comprises at least one sheet of an external cover panel and a reinforcement member.

18. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the protective vest comprises two sheets of an external cover panel and a reinforcement member sandwiched therebetween.

19. The protective vest of claim 18 wherein each cover panel comprises a tough flexible fabric or fabric-like material which is cut-resistant and/or tear-resistant.

20. The protective vest of claim 18 wherein the reinforcement member comprises a flexible tough plastics panel material which is cut-resistant and/or tear-resistant.

21. The protective vest of claim 3 wherein the lateral sections comprise separate panels connected by resilient means.

22. The protective vest of claim 21 wherein the lateral sections overlap.

23. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the protective vest is fully secured to the animal.