AU770618B2 - Manure or urine collecting device worn by the animal - Google Patents

Description

1 MANURE OR URINE COLLECTING DEVICE WORN BY THE ANIMAL Technical Field This invention relates to a device for mounting or wearable on a domestic animal particularly on a dog for collecting its excrement.

Background Art Human invents flush toilets to dispose of our body excrements, but has neglected to provide similar means for removing excrements for our domestic animals such as dogs. Most responsible dog owners do take precaution to clean up the excrement for their dogs; however, often dogs are allowed to defecate and leave the excrement on roadways, public park lands, and even on the lawns of private properties. The excrement not only creates an unhealthy environment but it also fouls the roadways, and public park lands such that people can not have free enjoyment of these public places without the danger of being soiled by such animal waste.

Furthermore, leaving dog excrement on other people's lawn and property is grossly irresponsible of the dog owner and it is an encroachment on the private property right.

For generations, dogs bring to people a lot of appreciated functions and happiness such as guarding against burglars, rescuing owner from danger and guiding blind people to cross the street. Till today's industrial society, dogs are the lonely people's best friends and they can reduce family conflicts between the busy working parents and their children. As a result, nowadays, dogs live with their owners as a member of the family in our society; in addition, regarding the pets' inoculation, the pet-owners or the whole society spend great efforts in preventive medicine to resolve important problems. Yet till recently, even though much work is done in researches in order to provide nutritious foods for the dog and to explore the best inoculation for maintaining its health, there is one issue left for a long time without much attention, namely, the dogs' sanitary facilities. Because of this lacking, many families owning attention, namely, the dogs' sanitary facilities. Because of this lacking, many families owning .2 dogs are painfully spending a lot of money on their dogs, and such big expenses inherently decrease these families' life quality and environmental sanitation. Human invent flush toilet to solve the problem of disposing our own body's excrement, but we forget to help the "other kind" of the family members by providing similar equipment for solving the dogs' same basic body needs. This is a big and serious shame for this high standard society which improves human's ecology, but ignores the same problem facing their pet animals.

People who love horses like to clean the horse excrement quickly so as to maintain the horse barn in a clean condition so as to maintain the air in the barn fresh to breath. They try to carry out the cleaning jobs as a daily routine for preventing the horses from stepping on the manure and spreading it around to create a hard to remove stinky smell in the barn. The horse owner pay a high cost and labor to maintain such cleanliness. However, often time, they may use an excessive amount of water to wash the barn which can cause a negative impact on the environment. The present invention not only can solve the above problems in a reasonable way, but can also improve the quality of the environment to bring happiness to the people who love horses.

With the use of the present invention, dairy cows can stay in a healthy environment to produce clean milk and it reduces the need of using clean drug and high medicine such as antibiotics to maintain their good health. The present invention lends itself to changing the "cow barn" into a "cow house" which can be just as clean as a human house. At the same time, a large amount of the excrement can be collected for use as a high quality natural fertilize, which can reduces the pollution of the environment and stress. As a result, it will provide the best quality of milk with the daily cost of as little as two shopping bags. Moreover, the cow's o 0: *ooo0 excrement can be collected and cleaned at one place completely so as to resolve the threats and troubles to the environment pollution of the society by the animal farming business.

3 of c.

The issues and problems which may be resolved by the present invention are illustrated in the following examples and explanations: a. For example, it is not a pleasant experience when we take a walk in the public park and step on some animal excrement. When we pass by the grass or sit down on any bench in the park and noticing animal excrement around us, this is another unpleasant evidence. Fortunately, majority of dog owners are aware of cleaning up after their dogs in order to keep the environmental sanitation. However, the feeling of bending down and cleaning up dogs' excrement is similar to cleaning up a person's excrement regardless of the different opponents.

As a consequence, we become our lovely dogs' long term servants! We feel awkward and embarrassed by doing this disrespectful service. Inconspicuously, we develop resistance and confusion in our mind, somehow, we already built up a strong relationship with our dogs. By doing so for years especially for an elderly person, this is certainly bad for the blood pressure and there is such an urgent need to solve this problem immediately.

b. For the majority of dog owners can not sleep late in the morning because of the mental pressure of having to arrange for their dog's defecation. Such mental pressure exists regardless if the owners are retired people. All dog owners must necessarily wake up on time every day including weekends and holidays by putting away their fatigue, just to serve their adorable dogs.

o They worry that their dog would defecate inside the house which is difficult to clean and it fouls the air in the house to present another difficult task for cleaning. The excrement may not be simply cleaned by watering, since it would result in a tremendously wet place; and furthermore, the bad smelly polluted water would flow into the septic tank to result in the increase in Spollution for people who live in an apartment and are restricted by the space. Therefore, many dog owners must clean the dog's excrement and remind themselves repeatedly to remember that the first thing to do each morning would be to clean up the dog's excrement. This task present 4 r more burden for an elderly dog owner because of the long period of not feeling free from the anxiety and worry such that they can not sleep comfortably; as a result, they are more prone to having a lot of medical problems, accordinglythe stressful situation must be resolved right away.

c. Suspicious dog owners: Walking dogs in the park is one of the happiest moments for dog owners; however, they may become suspicious to other people who are also using the park.

For example, a dog owner may be suspected of not having cleaned up the dog's excrement in the park even though the excrement is not discharged by his dog. No one saw the previous dog owner who did not clean up after his dog; therefore, nobody would blame the previous dog ,owner. By saying "hello" or smiling to other people in the park becomes an unpleasant experience, since he or she may be the one who is being suspicious of leaving dog excrement in different places on the grass in different times previously. The dog owners must squeeze their heart tightly and hope to show on their faces that they are innocent dog owners and that they are not the ones who do not take responsibility for their dog's excrement. This results in a very unhealthy pressure in their heart for many dog owners. Doctors who specialized in heart treatment warn their patients to avoid as much as possible such unnecessary stress to their heart.

d. The reason for the subconsciousness of realizing having violated a civil regulation for a long period of time and the shame of yet letting it happening repeatedly: Some dog owners taking their dogs to the park by car, would push their dogs off the car quickly and they would get off the car slowly and take a slow walk. In the meantime, their dogs would run around the park to defecate freely. The dog owners knowing that their lovely dogs have already finished defecating would then simply bring their dogs home without cleaning after their dogs even though the excrement causes environment pollution and it causes other people trouble. When S• such habit continues day after day, year and year, it could cause a shameful conflict in the conscience of such irresponsible dog owners. Day after day, it causes unhealthy thoughts such as anxiousness and depression to buildup for some of those unhealthy people. This subconscious shame would show on their face as if they have stolen a small object in a department store every day. Unconsciously, this bad habit becomes part of these people's character.

e. Labor service is a very expensive service in our societynowadays. Manufacturers help us to eliminate time-consuming activities by offering us meat packing in the supermarket and electrical equipment. Yet, considering over the life of a long live dog, a dog owner would have spent a tremendous amount of time in cleaning after the dog than the time he would spend in performing any other labor service. Sometimes, the dog may change its defecating time or the owner may vary his schedule of taking it out for a walk. On the street, we may see some dog owners leading their dogs with one hand and holding a plastic excrement collecting bag in the other hand, and because of the above mentioned schedule changes some owners may forget to bring toilet paper and the excrement collecting plastic bag so that after the dogs have defecated, the owners can only stand there and become perplex of what to do next. Thus, cleaning up excrement is a worthless labor service. In our society today, a lot of dog owners spend tremendous amount of time in caring their pets with affections and, in doing so, the owners have become the dogs' slaves. This is an oppressed situation.

The above examples well illustrate the circumstances facing most dog owners today. My idea is to help to resolve the unseen, untouched problem in our environment. I hope I can give a complete resolution of the problem.

The advantages of the present invention are as follows: a. From now on, we can surely solve the dog owner's labor service for their dogs and reduce the obstacle to their regular sleeping schedule to the minimum.

b. We help our dogs to improve their life qualityjust the way we help our living quality by using flush toilet; in addition, it improves the ecological environment.

.6, c. Dog owners use different unofficial tools and materials to remove their dog's excrement.

My invention helps to simplify all of these unnecessary steps and solves this problem totally.

d. The most important consequence is to bring happiness to the elderly dog owners and to put them in the position of able to rest at ease. They can reduce the causes of high stress and anxiety. All of these help the whole society to reduce the high expenses in the use of resources and it is beneficial for people to change their bad habits that are caused by caring for the dog.

e. The device of my design can be provided on the dog in advance without having to dispose of the excrement collection bag right away. Accordingly, it helps to alleviate all the problems mentioned above; and it would be pleasant and convenient to bring the dog in visiting friends or in traveling.

f From now on, we will no longer meet frequently dog owners leading a dog with one hand and holding a plastic excrement collection bag in the other hand, and wasting their time, awaiting their dog to defecate. This brings happiness to these dog owners.

g. In addition, the benefits of this invention can solve potential conflicts, arguments stresses, and water pollution in city areas around the animal farming business.

Sh. The present invention can truly change a "milk cow barn" to a "milk cow house".

i. Since discovering the problem, and researching and designing to resolve the problem, my invention helps to bring awareness to such issue in our society of high standard of living.

o• Personally, in consideration of the importance of such knowledge, I wish to support others to further the study in this area, and I wish to devote 30% of the net profit derived from the present invention to people who come from very poor families and who respect their parents and their family members so that they may continue their study in this area.

o•: Summary of the invention .It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a device which can. be is the primary object of the present invention to provide a device which can be 7 mounted on an animal for collecting its excrements.

It is another object of the invention to provide a device having disposable bags removably mounted thereon for collecting an animal's excrements.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which is simple in construction and easy to use.

Brief description of the drawings Figures 1 to 4 are perspective views showing the use of a diaper-like device according to the present invention which may be mounted on a dog for collecting its excrements.

Figure 5 is a general elevation view of a diaper-like device in the open condition.

Figure 6 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the diaper-like device of Figure along section line VI-VI with the excrement and urine collection bags mounted thereon.

Figure 7 is a perspective elevation front view of the portion of the diaper-like device with the excrement collection bag mounted thereon.

Figure 8 is a perspective elevation bottom view of the portion of the diaper-like device with the urine collection bag mounted thereon.

Figure 9 is a perspective elevation view showing the diaper-like device of the present V00, invention mounted on the dog.

.0.Figure 10 shows a perspective elevation view of a harness construction of the present device mounted on the dog.

Figure 11 is an isolated elevation view showing the provision of one form of removable fastening means provided at the bracket of the.harness for mounting an excrement collection bag thereto.

Figure 12 is a side elevation view of the device shown in Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a front elevation of an excrement collection bag for use with the device shown in Figures 10 and 11.

Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the device shown in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is an isolated side elevation view showing an adjustable mounting bracket and a removable excrement collection bag for the device according to the present invention.

Figure 16 is an isolated front elevation view of an alternative mounting bracket construction for the device of the present invention.

Figure 17 is a side partial sectional view showing the mounting of an excrement collection bag on the mounting bracket shown in Figure 16.

Figure 18 is a front elevation view of the removable bag for use with the mounting bracket shown in Figure 16.

Figure 19 is an isolated front elevation view of another alternative mounting bracket fotbr the present device.

Figure 20 is a side elevation view of the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a partial sectional side view of the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 22 is a side elevation view of the excrement collection bag which may be removably mounted to the mounting bracket shown in Figure 19.

Figure 23 is a front elevation of the excrement collection bag of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is an isolated front elevation of another alternative mounting bracket for the device according to the present invention.

Figure 25 is a side elevation view of the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 24.

Figure 26 is a front elevation of the excrement collection bag for use with the bracket shown in Figure 24.

Figure 27 is a sectional side elevation view of the excrement collection bag as shown in Figure 26.

9 Figure 28 is an isolated side perspective view of an alternative mounting bracket for the device according to the present invention.

Figure 29 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the excrement collection bag for use with the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 28.

Figure 30 is a front elevation view of the excrement collection bag as shown in Figure 29.

Figure 31 is an isolated enlarged perspective view showing the side hooks provided on the excrement collection bag for removably engaging with the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 28.

Figure 32 is an elevation view showing the preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention mounted on a dog.

Figure 33 is an isolated side elevation view showing partially the harness on which the mounting bracket and the collection bag according to the present invention are mounted.

Figure 34 is a front elevation view of the mounting bracket.

Figure 35 is a side elevation view of the mounting bracket.

Figure 36 is a front elevation view of the mounting bracket with the front cover removed to show the interior assembly therein.

Figure 37 is an isolated enlarged perspective view showing the pivotal retaining arms inside the mounting bracket for operating the latch.

Figure 38 is a front elevation perspective view of the disposable collection bag of the S• device according to the present invention.

0000 Figure 39 is a side elevation view of the disposable collection bag.

Figure 40 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the disposable collection bag.

o• Figure 41 is a perspective side elevation view of the disposable harness according to the present invention.

Figure 42 is a front elevation view of the excrement collection means for use with the harness shown in Figure 41.

Figure 42 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the excrement collection means..

Figure 43 is a front elevation view of the excrement collection means of Figure 42.

Figure 44 is a top perspective elevation view of the disposable harness of Figure 41 in an opened fashion.

Figure 45 is an isolated sectional side elevation view ofthe urine collection bagprovided on the disposable harness of Figure 41.

Figure 46 is an isolated sectional side elevation view of the excrement collection bag provided on the disposable harness of Figure 41.

Figure 47 is another embodiment of the harness according to the present invention with insertable excrement collection bag and urine collection bag.

Figure 48 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the urine collection bag used with the harness oFFigure 47 showing the provision of a back flow preventing valve in the bag.

Figure 49 is a perspective side elevation view of the urine collection bag of Figure 48.

o Figure 50 is a perspective side elevation view of the excrement collection bag for the harness shown in Figure 47.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments With reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the several views, the excrement collection device of the present invention may be in the fonn of a diaper-like member I which may be worn by a dog as best shown in Figures 1 through 4. A dog is shown as an example for illustration purposes only, and the device may similarly be used for other domestic animals. The diaper-like member 1 is particularly suitable 11, for use with relatively small size dogs. An opening 1A is provided to receive the tail of the dog to be inserted therethrough. A mechanical securing means 1B such as Velcro(a trade mark) may be provided in the bottom portion therein to facilitate easy and quick wearing or removal of the diaper-like member to or from the dog. The belly portion of the diaper-like member I1 may consist of two strips IC and ID for mounting to the belly portion of the dog.

As best shown in Figures 5 through 8, the diaper-like member 1 may have a circular body 2A with two large openings 2B and 2C formed therein to allow the hind legs of the dog to be inserted therethrough. An opening 2D is provided to accommodate the tail of the dog, and an opening 2E which will be in registry with the anal area of the dog when the member 1 is mounted to the latter. The outer edges of the opening 2E is provided with securing means 2F such as Velcro (trade mark) for mounting an excrement collection bag( not shown) on member 1. A slit opening 2G is provided to permit the penis of a male' dog to insert therethrough. An excrement collection bag support pouch 2H and a urine collection bag support pouch 21 are respectively provided for supporting the weight the filled excrement collection bag and the urine collection bag.

The diaper-like device 1 may alternatively be provided with a harness 3 which embraces the belly portion ofthe dog and the body portion may be removably securedto the harness 3 with the provision of fastening means such as Velcro( a trade mark) as best shown in Figure 9.

As best shown in Figure 10, the device according to the present invention may be 20 provided with a harness 4 having a belly belt 4A which may be removably mounted around the belly portion of the dog and a cross belt 4B extending between the upper portion of the body of the dogto its belly portion so as to cover over its rear end. The cross belt 4B includes an opening 4C to accommodate the tail of the dog to be extended therethrough and a mounting bracket 4D which will juxtapose the anal area of the dog. The bracket 4D has an opening 4E which is in 12..

registry with the anus of the dog.

As best shown in Figures 1 land 12, loop and hook mounting means 4F such as Velcro(a trade mark) and a support pouch 4G are provided at the bracket 4D as well as on the harness 4 such that an excrement collection bag 4H may be removably mounted to the bracket. A pull tab 41 is provided on the excrement collection bag 4H to facilitate its removal from the mounting bracket 4D. A similar collection bag not shown) may also be provided for collecting the urine excrement.

An alternative mounting bracket 5 as shown in Figure 15 maybe provided forremovably mounting the excrement collection bag to the device. A flexible band 5A forming a circular clamp is provided at the bracket 5. The circular clamp may be adjusted by operating a threaded finger of a worm screw SB mounted on the bracket. The circular clamp has slot openings which engage with the threads of the worm screw 5B such that the clamp may adjusted to allow an excrement collection bag to be mounted or removed quickly and easily from the bracket.

Another alternative mounting arrangement 6 as shown in Figures 16 through 18 may be provided at the mounting bracket. Inthis construction, a hookingtab 6A is provided at the lower portion of the bracket and a spring latch 6B is provided atthe top portion of the bracket. Radially extending tabs 6F and 6E are provided on the flange portion of the neck of the excrement S•collection bag such that the tabs 6F and 6E will engage with the hooking tab 6A and spring latch 6B for readily mounting or removing the excrement collection bag to or from the bracket.

Another alternative mounting arrangement 7 may be provided at the mounting bracket for mounting the excrement collection bag as best shown in Figures 19 through 21. In this construction, a circular torsion spring 7A is mounted on the bracket. The two end portions 7B and 7C of the torsion spring 7A are slidably held by two supports 7D and 7E respectively, and the ends 7F and 7G of the torsion spring are bent at 90 degrees such that the coiled portion of 13 the torsion spring 7 may be expanded by pressing the ends 7F and 7G towards each other so that an excrement collection bag may be quickly and easily mounted and removed from the bracket.

Two triangular spikes 7H and 71 are formed on the torsion spring to provide a biting action for securely mounting the excrement collection bag on the bracket. Figures 22 and 23 show the excrement collection for use with this type of mounting arrangement.

Another mounting arrangement 8 as best shown in Figures 24 and 25 may be provided for mounting the excrement collection bag. Four substantially S-shaped latching springs 8A are provided around the mounting bracket. The latching springs 8A have a latching end extending into the opening of the mounting bracket. An excrement collection bag may be slidably inserted into the opening such that the latching springs 8A will grasp the neck of the collection bag.

Associated depressions 8B may be formed in the neck of the collection bag so that the latching ends of the latching springs 8A will engage with the depressions 8B to maintain the collection bag securely fastened to the bracket.

Another mounting arrangement 9 as best shown in Figures 28 through 30 may be provided on the mounting bracket and the excrement collection bag for removably securing the latter to the bracket. In this construction, two U shaped pedestals 9A and 9B are formed on the two sides of the mounting bracket. Two L-shaped hooks 9C and 9D are provided on the flange 0 00 of the mouth of the excrement collection bag as shown in Figure 29 and the isolated enlarged view in Figure 31. The excrement bag may easily be mounted onto the mounting bracket by simply engaging the hooks 9C 9D with the opening of the pedestals 9A and 9B to hang the bag on the bracket. An extended arcuate tongue 9E is provided at the lower portion of the flange of the neck of the collection bag to enhance the securement of the bag to the bracket.

0 o: A preferred embodiment of the excrement collection device 10 according to the present invention is generally shown in Figure 32 mounted to a dogl l according to the present invention.

14 The excrement collection device 10 has a harness 1.2 for mounting to the body of the dog 11.

The harness 12 has an adjustable waist strap 13 which maybe mounted around the waist 14 of the dog and a cross strap 15 is slidably mounted to the waist strap 13 and to be located around the rear end of the dog. The cross strap 15 has a top strap 16 which has a looped end 17 slidably coupled to the waist strap 13. An opening 18 is formed in the top strap 16 which is provided to permit the tail 19 of the dog to extend therethrough. Two adjustable clamps 20 and 21 are provided at the two ends of the opening 18 such that the opening size may be adjusted to fit snugly around the tail 19 of the dog. A generally annual-shaped bracket 22 is mounted to the top strap 16 and two under straps 23 and 24. The under straps 23 and 24 are to be located under the belly of the dog and their other ends are secured to the lower portion of the waist strap 13.

The cross strap 13, and the under straps 23 and 24 may be adjusted to mount the harness 12 tightly around the body of the dog with the bracket 22 abutting the anus of the dog. The various straps may be made of an elastic material to ensure that the harness 12 may securely embrace the body of the dog.

The bracket 22 as best shown in Figures 34, 35 and 36 has a circular ring body 25 with a through opening 26 formed therein, and a round base 27 which will abutthe rear end ofthe dog when the device 10 is mounted thereon with the through opening 26 located around the dog's SA anus. Two arcuate extension housings 28 and 29 are integrally formed on the circular ring body 25 and extending outwardly therefrom. Two covers 30 and 31 are provided for the arcuate extension housings 28 and 29 respectively. A side opening 32 is formed in the outer side wall 33 of the left arcuate extension housing 29 and two openings 33 and 35 are formed in the inner side wall 36 therein. A depression 37 is formed on the inside of the inner side wall 36 and located directly opposite to the opening 32 in the outer side wall 33. Two additional depressions 38 and 39 are formed in the inside of the outer side wall 33 and located directly opposite to the openings 34 and 35 respectively in the inner side wall 36. A first cylindrical latching pin 40 is slidably located in the opening 35; similarly and a second cylindrical latching pin 41 is slidably located in the opening 34. The first cylindrical latching pin 40 has a rear portion 42 engages with the depression 39, and the second cylindrical latching pin 41 has a rear portion 43 engages with the depression 38. The rear portion of the latching pins 40 and 41 has a smaller diameter than the front portion of these pins. A slider pin 44 having a large circular head 45 mounted thereon is slidably located in the opening 32 with its rear end engaging with the depression 37. A first substantially V-shaped pivotal member 46 is pivotally mounted in the extension housing 29. One arm 47 of the pivotal member 46 has a flat end portion 48 which has an open end slot formed therein; similarly the other armn 49 of the pivotal member 46 also has a flat end portion 50 with an open end slot formed therein. The open end slot in the flat end portion 48 slidably engages with the rear portion of the latching pin 42 while the open end slot in the flat end portion slidably engages with the slider pin. 44. Similarly, a second substantially V-shaped pivotal member 5 1 is pivotally mounted in the extension housing 29. One arm 52 of the pivotal member 51 has a flat end portion 53 with an open end slot formed therein, and the other arm 54 has a flat II.. end portion 55 having another open end slot formed therein. The open end slot in the flat end portion 53 slidably engages with the rear end portion of the latching pin 41 while the open end slot in the flat end portion 55 also slidably engages with the slider pin 44. A coil spring 56 is mounted on the rear portion of the latching pin 42, a second coil spring 57 is mounted on the slider pin 44, and a third coil spring 58 is mounted on the rear portion ofthe latching pin 43. The coil springs 56, 57 and 58 cooperate with the pivotal arms 46 and 51 to maintain the latching pins 4.0 and 41. normally extending outwards into the opening 26. The latching pins 40 and 41 will retract into the openings 34 and 35 respectively by depressing the circular head 45 of the Osaeoo 0 0 slider pin 44. Similarly, latching pins 59 and 60, and slider pin 61 are provided in the right 16 arcuate extension housing 28; and the latching pins 59 and 60 may be retracted by depressing the round head 62 of the slider pin 61. Figure 37 shows an isolated enlarged view of the slide engagement between the open end slots formed on the flat portions of the pivotal arms and the sliding pin.

Slots 63 is formed in the round base 27 for receiving the cross belt 15 to be mounted to the bracket 22. Slots 64 and 65 are provided in the round base 27 for mounting the under straps 23 and 24 to the bracket 22.

A collection bag 63 for use with the present device is best shown in Figures 38, 39 and The collection bag 63 is made of a bio-degradable material such as paper or degradable plastic and has a substantially rigid L-shaped attachment portion 64 which has a diameter equal to that of the opening 26 of the bracket 22 such that it may be slidably inserting therein. A series of depressions 65 and 66 are formed on one side of the L-shaped attachment portion 64, which are operative to engage with the latching pins 40 and 41, and similar depressions are formed on the other side for engagement with the latching pins 59 and 60, for removably mounting the collection bag 63 to the bracket 22.

~A disposable device according to the present invention is generally shown in Figure 41.

In this embodiment, the harness 12 is made of a disposable material and it is substantially Tshaped as best shown in Figure 44 which includes a waist strap 67 operative for embracing around the body of the dog. Loop and hook fastening means such as Velcro( a trademark fastening means 68 and 69 are provided at the two ends of a transverse strap 67 for mounting Sit quickly and securely around the body of the dog. A diaper strap 70 extends perpendicular to •the waist strap 67. Fastening means 71, 72 and 73 similar to fastening means 68 and 69 are provided at the free end of the diaper strap 70 and at selected distances from the free end such that the free end of the diaper strap 70 may then be secured to the waist strap 67. When thus 17, mounted, the diaper strap 70 will extend over the back of the dog and will wrap tightly over its rear end and belly. A circular opening 74 having an expandable extension slit 75 is formed in the diaper strap 70 to permit the tail of the dog to extend therethrough. A generally L-shaped attachment tubular member 76 is mounted on the diaper strap 70. The tubular member 76 has a collection opening 77 which will abut the anus of the dog when the harness 12 is properly mounted on the dog. The tubular member 76 has a free end 78 extending outside from the diaper strap 70 for receiving an excrement collection bag (not shown) to be removably mounted thereto, and an excrement collection bag supporting pouch 79 is provided on the strap to support the weight of the excrement collection bag after it has been filled. A slit opening 80 is formed in the diaper strap 70 to permit the penis of a male dog to be extending therethrough, and a urine collection bag as shown in Figure 45 may be mounted on the diaper strap 70 for collecting the urine discharge from the dog. A urine collection bag supporting pouch 81 is provided on the diaper strap to support the weight of the filled urine collection bag after it has been filled such that the latter would not dislodge from the mounting when the dog is moving or running. As best shown in Figure 45, the urine collection bag is provided with a back flow preventing valve 82 to prevent leakage of the urine from the bag when it is filled. The valve 82 may be in the form of a pivotal flap attached to one side of the neck of the bag.

A further alternative embodiment of the device according to the present invention is best shown in Figure 47. The disposable harness 12 is similar to that shown in Figure 41, except the excrement collection bag 83 is in the form of a flexible bag having a stiff mounting neck portion 84 with an enlarged rim 85 such that the excrement collection bag 83 may be mounted to the Sdiaper strap 70 by simply inserting the enlarged rim 85 through a slit opening 86 formed in the diaper strap 70. Similarly, the urine collection bag 87 has a substantially L-shaped neck portion 88 and an enlarged mouth 89 which may be inserted through the slit opening 80 for mounting 18 to the diaper strap 70 for collecting any urine discharge from the dog. The urine collection bag 87 is also provided with a back flow preventer valve 90 to prevent the urine inside the bag to spill outwards therefrom. The urine collection bag 87 is also provided with a back flow preventing valve 90 as best shown in Figure 48.

It can be appreciated that the present device not only greatly reduces the hardship of requiring the dog owner to face the problem of having to walk the dog outdoors even during adverse weather conditions and having to wait for the dog to defecate and then cleaning after it, but it also eliminates the potential of any unattended dog excrement from contaminating the ecological environment.

Obviously numerous modifications and variations of the device of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically described herein. As stated above, I would encourage others to improve on the present device and I would like to donate 30% of the profit derived from the present invention to those who require financial assistance in seeking such further improvements to my invention.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

:°oO: o *oooo ooo* go.

ooeoe.

Claims (18)

1. 2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein said harness member includes an adjustable waist strap operative to embrace a waist portion of said animal and a cross strap substantially perpendicular to said waist strap and operative to cover over the rear end of said animal when said harness member is worn by said animal, one end of said cross strap being fixedly secured to said waist strap and a free end of said cross strap being adj ustably secured to said waist strap.
2. 3. A device according to Claim 2 wherein said urine collection bag"includes a back flow preventing valve therein operative to prevent collected urine therein from spilling out of said urine collection bag when said animal is moving.
3. 4. A device according to Claim 3 wherein said harness member is made of a disposable material. A device according to Claim 4 wherein said first opening is a first slit opening and said second opening is a second slit opening, said excrement collection bag having an expanded mouth portion operative insertable into said first slit opening for removably mounting said excrement collection bag on said harness member, and said urine collection bag also having an expanded mouth portion operative insertable into said second slit opening for removably mounting said urine collection bag on said harness.
4. 6. A device according to Claim 5 including a bracket member located at said first opening, said bracket member having mounting means therein adapted for mounting said excrement collection bag removably thereon.
5. 7. A device according to Claim 6 wherein said mounting means includes a circular torsion spring having two free ends extending sideways of said first opening, said torsion spring being expandable being pressing said two free ends towards one another, and two triangular spikes formed on said torsion spring, said spikes being operative to bite onto said excrement collection bag for mounting said excrement collection bag firmly and securely on said harness member.
6. 8. A device according to Claim 7 wherein said mounting means includes a plurality of S substantially S-shaped springs mounted around said first opening, said S-shaped springs having a finger portion extending towards the center of said first opening and being operative to resiliently engaged with a neck portion of said excrement collection bag for mounting said .0.0 excrement collection bag removably on said harness member. 21
7. 9. A device according to Claim 7 wherein said mounting means includes two hanger brackets formed on said bracket member, said hanger brackets being operative to receive two L-shaped hooks provided on said excrement collection bag adapted for removably mounting said excrement collection bag on said harness member.
8. 10. A device wearable on a domestic animal for collecting waste excrement from said animal, comprising: a harness for mounting to said animal, said harness having a waist strap member operative for securely embracing the waist of said animal, and a diaper strap member extending substantially perpendicular to said waist strap and operative to embrace the rear end and belly of saidanimal, a substantially annular bracket member mounted on said diaper strap member, said annular bracket member having a circular opening and said annular bracket member abutting the anal area of said animal with said circular opening encircling around the anus of said animal, said circular opening having a circular inner side wall, a plurality of retractable latching members mounted on said inner side wall, oooo an excrement collection bag member removably mounted to said annular bracket member, said collection bag member having a flexible bag and a substantially L-shaped attachment tubular portion, said L-shaped attachment tubular portion being insertable into said circular opening of said annular bracket member for mounting thereto, 20 a plurality of latching depressions formed in said attachment tubular portion and being operative to engage with said retractable latching means for securely mounting said excrement •collection bag to said annular bracket member, a first pouch located adjacent to said bracket member and adapted to carry said excrement collection bag and operative for supporting said excrement collection bag when said 22 excrement collection bag is filled with excrement.
9. 11. A device according to Claim 10 including an elongated slit opening formed in said diaper strap member and operative to permit a tail of said animal to be inserted therethrough.
10. 12. A device according to Claim 1 1 wherein said latching members comprises a plurality of cylindrical pin members slidably mounted in side openings formed in said side wall of said annular bracket member, said cylindrical pin members having an end portion normally extending into said circular opening of said annular bracket member.
11. 13. A device according to Claim 12 including a plurality of coil springs provided on said cylindrical pin members, said coil springs exerting a biassing force to said cylindrical pin member to position said free end portions therein extending normally into said circular opening.
12. 14. 'A device according to Claim 13 including a retracting means mounted in said annular bracket member and operative to retract said free ends of said cylindrical latching pin members from said circular opening, said retracting means including a sliding pin member slidably mounted in said annular bracket member, a compression coil spring means mounted on said sliding pin member, a relatively large head means mounted on an end portion of said sliding pin member and extending outwardly from said side wall of said circular opening, substantially V- shaped pivot members mounted in said annular bracket member, said pivot members having an open slot therein slidably engaging with said sliding pin member and said latching members.
13. 15. A device according to Claim 14 including two arcuate housings integrallyformed on two sides of said annular bracket member, said latching pin members, pivotal members and sliding S pin member are located in said arcuate housings. •ooo S1.: 16. A device according to Claim 15 including a circular base formed on said bracket member, said base being operative to abut the anal area of said animal.
14. 17. A device according to Claim 16 including a urine collection bag mounted on said diaper 23 strap member and operative to collect urine discharge from said animal.
15. 18. A device according to Claim 17 including adjustable clamp means mounted on said diaper strap member and located on two ends of said elongated slit opening and being operative adjustably for snugly embracing said tail extending through said slit opening.
16. 19. A device according to Claim 18 including adjustable fastening means formed on said waist strap member and said diaper strap member and being operative adjustably for mountiig said harness securely on said animal. A device according to Claim 19 wherein said urine collection bag includes a back flow preventing valve therein operative to prevent spillage of urine from said urine collection bag when said urine collection bag is filled with collected urine.
17. 21. A device according to Claim 20 including a second pouch provided on said diaper strap member and adapted to carry said urine collection bag and being operative for supporting said urine collection bag when said urine collection bag is filled with urine.
18. 22. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 21 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the drawings. Dated this 2 nd day of December 2003 *0 PATENT ATTORNEY SERVICES Attorneys for CHUI-WEN CHIU *000 000 0 0. 0