CA2957376A1

CA2957376A1 - Transparent animal muzzle

Info

Publication number: CA2957376A1
Application number: CA2957376A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Scott B. Nelson; Michelle M. Payne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-02-08
Filing date: 2017-02-08
Publication date: 2018-08-08

Abstract

An improved animal muzzle to prevent injury to both treatment personnel and the animal. The muzzle is conically shaped with a large opening at one end that allows easy fitting over the mouth and eyes of the animal. Use of a transparent material helps to minimize the anxiety of the animal and allows monitoring by the attendant. Vents are located on the top and bottom of the device and are angled towards the opening into which the animal's head is inserted to reduce the chance of the animal's claws catching on the vents and pulling the device off from their heads. The orifice in front of the animal's mouth is designed to allow significant natural airflow or the attachment of a standard oxygen supply tube.

Description

Transparent Animal Muzzle The present invention relates to animal muzzles used to prevent injury to both treatment personnel and the animal. It is designed to prevent the animal from biting during various forms of treatments and handling in particular, but not limited, to use on felines.
Background of the Invention It is generally known that many animals kept as pets, especially cats, can be become very defensive and fierce when being restrained and/or undergoing examinations and treatments. In many cases, the animal may strike at the veterinarian, attending staff or owner and try to bite them as a means of defense. This can lead to injuries and liability claims. It is often necessary to employ the use of a muzzle to prevent such injuries.
Many existing muzzles prevent the veterinarian or attending staff from monitoring the physical signs and facial expressions of the animal due to their opaque properties or close fitting. This lack of visual monitoring can also cause the owner, if present, to become concerned since it is harder for them to recognize if their pet is being injured or reacting unfavourably to the treatment or handling. The appearance of a non-transparent muzzle can also cause distress with the owner who may feel that it causes their otherwise gentle pet to be viewed as abnormally dangerous.
Existing muzzles do not allow for or restrict the introduction of oxygen that may need to be administered. it is often necessary to remove these muzzles in order to administer oxygen or other gases, which may lead to a situation in which injury can occur to the attendant.
The design and material choice of existing muzzles is such that an animal can easily catch the device with its claws and subsequently pull the device off from their head.
Easily cleaned and disinfected to help prevent transfer of disease such as Fly.

2 Summary of the Invention Disclosed herein is a device that can be worn by an animal, including, but not limited to felines, which can prevent the animal from biting during various forms of treatments and handling.
The device fits over the mouth and nose of the cat and is attached with two straps, which each extend from opposite sides of the device. The two straps are joined together through a quick latching mechanism that allows for the easy attachment and removal of the device while allowing for the total length of the combined straps to be adjustable to allow for fitting on various sizes of animals. The design does not require multiple straps in different positions and therefore it is easier to attach and remove than existing muzzles.
The device has a conical shape which projects away from the nose and mouth, providing a large airspace and reduced sense of claustrophobia, which can reduce stress to the animal compared to many existing muzzles.
The device is made from a transparent material allowing monitoring of a cat's mucous membranes, colour and facial expressions which can help the attendant more accurately watch for signs of distress.
The clear, smooth shape of this device is less intrusive compared to bulky or complex muzzles. This can aid in reducing the stress of the animal.
Vents located in the walls of the device contribute to airflow and can help reduce or eliminate the accumulation of condensed moisture on the walls known commonly as "fogging".
The placement of the vents in the top and bottom of the device combined with the curvature of the slots towards the larger end of the cone makes it more difficult for the animal to catch the vents with its claws and subsequently pull the muzzle off from their head.
The large centre orifice at the end furthest from the animal's head is designed to accept the attachment of a standard oxygen delivery tube. Other existing muzzles must be removed to attach a specific oxygen delivery mask.

3 The shape and dimensions of the device allow for it to be attached to most cats regardless of their size. Other sizes can be produced for use on other animals.
Brief Summary of the Drawings For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 installed on a cat;
FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of the preferred embodiment without straps installed for affixing onto the animal's head;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a top cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment;
Detailed Description of the Invention As illustrated in FIG. 1, the muzzle body 1 is roughly conical in shape with a large opening at one end 16 and a smaller opening at the other end 15. The muzzle is attached to the cat or other animal by means of a flexible strap 5 connected to one side of the muzzle near the large opening 16 with a second flexible strap 2 attached to the opposite side of the muzzle.
A quick release clasp devised of interconnecting components 3 and 4 is attached to the ends of straps 2 and 5. One end of the clasp 3 allows for the strap to be adjusted as to its distance along the strap relative to the point of attachment on the muzzle body 14.
FIG 2. depicts the typical installation of the muzzle on a cat with the larger opening 16 installed on the cat so as to come to rest between the eyes and ears on top and underneath the head at the bottom. The dimension of the opening 16 as well as the length and taper of the muzzle towards

4 the small end 15 are to be sized appropriately in relation to the physiology of cats allowing the muzzle to fit many sizes of cats from very small to very large. Straps 2 and 5 are joined around the back of the cat's head with clasps 3 and 4. This connection 6 is illustrated in FIG. 2. These straps hold the muzzle on the animal.
FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 show the points of anchoring 14 for the straps using a pin 10 that is moulded or anchored into a boss 9 extending out from the muzzle body 1. The strap can be wrapped around pin 10 and attached back onto itself. Another embodiment may use a slot moulded into the side of the muzzle body 1 in a location similar to anchoring points 14. These slots would be suitably sized to accept the attachment straps 2 and 5.
The use of a moulded transparent material for the muzzle body 1 as illustrated in FIG. 2 allows the animal to maintain a view of its surroundings while allowing the attendant to monitor the facial features and expressions of the animal.
The exchange of fresh air and exhaled gases is achieved though ventilation slots 12 and orifice 15.
FIG 2. illustrates the connection of a standard oxygen supply hose 7 through orifice 15. This orifice may include a collar 11 which can be sized to accept a variety of hose connection sizes. This collar 11 can be moulded with a material that gives a suitable level of friction and flexibility to allow an oxygen supply hose 7 to be held in place during typical use while allowing the hose to be attached and removed without undo force.
When an oxygen supply hose is not attached to the orifice 15, the orifice allows the introduction of various tools that may be used to monitor the health of the animal.
The ventilation slots 12 are moulded as slots into the top and bottom of the muzzle body as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. These slots provide increased air and gas exchange during the process of respiration by the animal. The slots also decrease the accumulation of condensation on the inside of the muzzle body commonly known as "fogging". The ventilation slots 12 are angled from the outside of the muzzle starting from a point towards the smaller open end 15 and angled inwards and towards the larger open end 16 as illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG.

5. The slots are arranged radially from a point centred towards the small end 15 and arcing towards the large end 16 as illustrated in FIG. 6. This arced and angular design helps to minimize the ability of the animal to catch their claws in the ventilation slots and pull the muzzle off from their heads.

Attention: Commissioner of Patents Scott Nelson believes that in accordance with the Patent Rules, they are entitled to pay fees at the small entity level in respect of this application and in respect of any patent issued on the basis of this application.
TRANSPARENT ANIMAL MUZZLE
Signed:
Fcb ze) (7 Scott Nelson

Claims

1. A device that can be worn by an animal, including but not limited to felines, which can prevent the animal from biting during various forms of treatments and handling. Such device is to be designed in a roughly conical shape with an opening large enough to fit over the mouth, nose and eyes of the animal and tapered towards a smaller opening that is located parallel to the large opening but in front of the mouth and nose of the animal. Dimensions and shape shall be such that the device will fit on a variety of ages and sizes of the animal for which the embodiment is designed. The large airspace around the mouth and nose of the animal may reduce the sense of restraint and resulting stress.

2. An embodiment of claim 1 that is manufactured from a transparent rigid material to maintain the vision of the animal and reduce stress as well as to allow for the monitoring of physical features and facial expression.

3. A muzzle device that includes an opening sized appropriately to allow the attachment of an oxygen supply hose to be attached to the device, thus eliminating the need to remove the muzzling device to administer oxygen.

4. A muzzle device constructed of a rigid material that includes ventilation holes arranged on the top and bottom of the body of the device that are curved and angled so as to minimize the ability to the animal to catch the device with their claws and pull the device off of their head.

5. An embodiment of claim 3 that includes a replaceable collar that fits into the opening for the attachment of an oxygen supply hose. Appropriately sized collars can be installed to fit a variety of oxygen hose connectors or similar components.