AU2018229438B2

AU2018229438B2 - Protective vest for an animal

Info

Publication number: AU2018229438B2
Application number: AU2018229438A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Matthew Pontarolo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-12-17
Filing date: 2018-09-12
Publication date: 2019-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-16
Also published as: AU2018229438A1; AU2014277707A1; AU2014277707B2

Abstract

Abstract A protective vest 10c comprises a central section 14 and two lateral sections 16. The central section 14 is configured to cover the underside of a crocodile torso, and comprises an arrangement of panels 14a. Each lateral section 16 comprises a series of parallel smaller rectangular panels 16a extending from the central section 14 to side edges 21 of the body portion 12, for curving around and covering lateral sides and at least part of the topsides of a crocodile torso. A flexible central band 30 extends laterally across a mid-portion of the central section 14, and angles rearwardly to the side edges 21. The reinforced portions of the central section 14 and lateral sections 16 are formed into a front section 32 and a rear section 34, with the flexible central band 30 therebetween. The front section 32 and the rear section 34 thus comprise a series of side by side rectangular reinforced panels 16a and 14a. The front section 32 is bendable relative to the rear section 34.

Description

A protective vest 10c comprises a central section 14 and two lateral sections 16. The central section is configured to cover the underside of a crocodile torso, and comprises an arrangement of panels 14a. Each lateral section 16 comprises a series of parallel smaller rectangular panels 16a extending from the central section 14 to side edges 21 of the body portion 12, for curving around and covering lateral sides and at least part of the topsides of a crocodile torso. A flexible central band 30 extends laterally across a mid-portion of the central section 14, and angles rearwardly to the side edges 21. The reinforced portions of the central section 14 and lateral sections 16 are formed into a front section 32 and a rear section 34, with the flexible central band 30 therebetween. The front section 32 and the rear section 34 thus comprise a series of side by side rectangular reinforced panels 16a and 14a. The front section 32 is bendable relative to the rear section 34.

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2018229438 16 Jan 2019

PROTECTIVE VEST FOR AN ANIMAL

Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to a protective vest for an animal. The present application is a divisional application to Applicant’s Australian Patent Application 2014277707, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

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:

a body portion having:

a central section configured to cover the underside of an animal torso and lateral sections extending from the central section for covering lateral sides of the animal torso, the lateral sections comprising side edges with attachment means, and expandable tie means to extend over the upper side of the animal torso in use for attaching the side edges of the lateral sections to each other via the attachment means, wherein the side edges form a gap therebetween in use to leave the upper side of the animal torso uncovered in use..

[5] In another embodiment, the body portion comprises two sheets of external cover panels and reinforcement member panels sandwiched therebetween.

[6] In another embodiment, the body portion comprises a flexible central band extending laterally across the body portion between the side edges.

[7] In another embodiment, the flexible central band extends laterally across a mid-portion of the central section thus forming a front section on one side of the central band and a rear section at the other side of the central band.

2018229438 16 Jan 2019 [8] In another embodiment, the front section and the rear section comprise a series of side by side reinforced panels.

[9] In another embodiment, the front section is bendable relative to the rear section along the central band.

[10] In another embodiment, the front section and the rear section comprise two sheets of external cover panels and reinforcement member panels sandwiched therebetween.

[11] In another embodiment, a front end and a rear end of the central section are provided with a respective adjustable attachment means for end loops, the end loops being adapted for tying around the neck and tail of the animal respectively.

[12] In another embodiment, each adjustable attachment means comprises an elastic band respectively attached to the front end and the rear end with a fastening means at a free end thereof for attachment to a corresponding fastening means at a lower surface of the central section.

[13] In another embodiment, each lateral section comprises a series of parallel smaller rectangular panels extending from the central section to the side edges of the body portion.

[14] In another embodiment, the attachment means comprise spaced attachment lugs or apertures along the side edges.

[15] In another embodiment, the end loops comprise a flat strap with buckles or zip ties.

[16] In another embodiment, the tie means comprises a stretchable zip tie or an elastic cord.

[17] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings [18] 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:

[19] Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a protective vest for an animal in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, in a curved in-use configuration thereof;

[20] Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the protective vest of Figure 1, showing its upper surface;

[21] Fig. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the protective vest of Figure 1 showing its lower surface;

[22] Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the protective vest of Figure 1 showing the flexibility thereof;

2018229438 16 Jan 2019

Description of Embodiments [23] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[24] Figures 1 to 3 show a protective vest 10c for an animal according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The animal for the protective vest 10c in the example described is a crocodile. The protective vest is for covering the lower and side portions of 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.

[25] The protective vest 10c is a modified version of the protective vests 10 described in Applicant’s Australian Patent Application 2014277707 and has similar features thereto.

[26] The protective vest 10c 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, and comprises an arrangement of panels 14a.

[27] Each lateral section 16 comprises a series of parallel smaller rectangular panels 16a extending from the central section 14 to side edges 21 of the body portion 12, for curving around and covering lateral sides and at least part of the topsides of a crocodile torso.

[28] The body portion 12 is composed of two sheets of external cover panels and reinforcement member panels sandwiched therebetween at the position of the panels 16a and 14a. The cover panels are made from a tough flexible fabric or fabric-like material which are cut-resistant and tear-resistant. The reinforcement members are made from a flexible tough plastics panels which is cut-resistant and tear-resistant, which are generally more rigid than the cover panels.

[29] The reinforcement members are placed between two identical pieces of the cover panels. The cover panels are attached to each other by sewing to form pockets for receiving and retaining the respective reinforcement member panels.

[30] In the previous protective vests 10, the reinforcement members for the panels 16a and 14a extend the full length between the front end 13 to the rear end 15 of the protective vest

10. In the present protective vest 10c, a flexible central band 30 is provided which extends across the body portion 12, between the side edges 21. The flexible central band 30 is formed by having only the cover panels and no reinforcement member panels along the flexible central band 30.

2018229438 16 Jan 2019 [31] The flexible central band 30 extends laterally across a mid-portion of the central section 14, and angles rearwardly to the side edges 21. The reinforced portions of the central section 14 and lateral sections 16 are thus formed into a front section 32 and a rear section 34, with the flexible central band 30 therebetween. The front section 32 and the rear section 34 thus comprise a series of side by side rectangular reinforced panels 16a and 14a. Figure 4 shows the flexibility provided by the flexible central band 30 to improve movement for the animal. The front section 32 is bendable relative to the rear section 34.

[32] Side edges 21 of the lateral sections 16 comprise attachment means 18 in the form of spaced attachment lugs 18 and apertures 23. The lugs 18 are mounted in a spaced manner to the side edges 21. Each lug 18 or aperture 23 provides a loop for tie means 80 when fitting the vest 10 to an animal.

[33] The leg holes in this protective vest are omitted in contrast to the previous protective vests. In this protective vest 10c, the front end 13 and the rear end 15 are provided with a respective adjustable attachment means 50 for end loops 40. The end loops 40 are a strap or tie for tying around the neck and tail of the crocodile to assist in mounting the protective vest 10 to the crocodile.

[34] In one example, the end loops 40 are a flat 20mm wide, 50cm long PVC strap with a plastic slide buckle sewn on one end. In another example, the end loops 40 are wide zip ties.

[35] Each adjustable attachment means 50 comprises a wide elastic band 50 attached to the front end 13 or rear end 15 with a fastening means 52 at a free end thereof. The fastening means is via hook and loop fasteners, being a hook patch 52 at the free end of the elastic band 50 for attachment to a loop patch 54 extending along the length of the lower surface of the central section 14.

[36] 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. When mounted, the end loops 40 are tied around the neck and base of the tail of the crocodile. The elastic bands 50 are attached to or looped around the end loops 40, with the elastic bands 50 being adjustable to provide a tight fit of the central section 14 to the animal.

[37] The lateral sections 16 are curved around the sides of the animal and the attachment lugs 18 are then tied to each other using the tie means 80. The tie means 80 in use extends across the topside of the animal torso. The tie means 80 can be stretchable zip tie or an elastic cord.

2018229438 16 Jan 2019 [38] The protective vest 10 is dimensioned such that when mounted, there is a gap between the side edges 21. 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.

[39] The tie means 80 thus forms an expansion means for the protective vest 10 in the lateral direction, in that they allow the vest 10 to ‘expand’ to adapt and allow the animal to grow. The adjustable attachment means 50 being elastic also provides an expansion means in the longitudinal direction, and also allows manual adjustments to be made as the animal lengthens during growth.

[40] 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 is tear-resistant, cutresistant and/or puncture-resistant. The flat central section 14 on the crocodile belly stops the vest 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.

[41] 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. 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.

[42] 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.

[43] It is apparent that the protective vest 10 can also be used for other animals for protection or injury recovery.

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Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A protective vest for an animal, the protective vest comprising:

a body portion having:

a central section configured to cover the underside of an animal torso and lateral sections extending from the central section for covering lateral sides of the animal torso, the lateral sections comprising side edges with attachment means, and expandable tie means to extend over the upper side of the animal torso in use for attaching the side edges of the lateral sections to each other via the attachment means, wherein the side edges form a gap therebetween in use to leave the upper side of the animal torso uncovered in use.
2. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises two sheets of external cover panels and reinforcement member panels sandwiched therebetween.
3. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the body portion comprises a flexible central band extending laterally across the body portion between the side edges.
4. The protective vest of claim 3 wherein the flexible central band extends laterally across a mid-portion of the central section thus forming a front section on one side of the central band and a rear section at the other side of the central band.
5. The protective vest of claim 4 wherein the front section and the rear section comprise a series of side by side reinforced panels.
6. The protective vest of claim 4 wherein the front section is bendable relative to the rear section along the central band.
7. The protective vest of claim 5 wherein the front section and the rear section comprise two sheets of external cover panels and reinforcement member panels sandwiched therebetween.
8. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein a front end and a rear end of the central section are provided with a respective adjustable attachment means for end loops, the end loops being adapted for tying around the neck and tail of the animal respectively.
9. The protective vest of claim 8 wherein each adjustable attachment means comprises an elastic band respectively attached to the front end and the rear end with a fastening

2018229438 16 Jan 2019 means at a free end thereof for attachment to a corresponding fastening means at a lower surface of the central section.
10. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein each lateral section comprises a series of parallel smaller rectangular panels extending from the central section to the side edges of the body portion.
11. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the attachment means comprise spaced attachment lugs or apertures along the side edges.
12. The protective vest of claim 8 wherein the end loops comprise a flat strap with buckles or zip ties.
13. The protective vest of claim 1 wherein the tie means comprises a stretchable zip tie or an elastic cord.