EP3941194A1 - Collar incorporating an extractable cape therefrom when needed - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a garment applicable to a four-legged animal, such as e.g. a dog, to protect it from the cold or shelter it from the rain. Said garment comprises an at least partially hollow collar for accommodating therein a highly flexible cape. The cape is connected to the collar, inside said cavity, at an edge thereof. The cape is flexible to such an extent that it can be completely accommodated in the collar and be partially extractable from the latter when it is folded onto itself.

Description

Collar incorporating an extractable cape therefrom when needed

Field of application of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of accessories for pets, in particular four-legged animals. Namely, the present invention relates to a garment which can be worn by a four-legged animal, for example to protect it from the cold and/or shelter it from the rain.

Overview of the prior art

The current garments which may be worn by a four-legged domestic animal, for example to protect it from the cold and/or shelter it from the rain, substantially consist of capes made of a flexible and possibly waterproof material to be applied on the back of the animal. When they are worn by a dog, said capes generally extend from the withers to the tail and on both sides of the animal so as to at least partially encircle the torso thereof.

All capes are provided with means by means of which they are reversibly connectable to an animal, usually at the legs and/or the torso. Said means usually consist of elasticized slots in which the legs of the animal are to be introduced and/or adjustable belts to be wrapped about the torso thereof. However as is known, animals often are reluctant to wear garments and they put up an even greater struggle if their tail and/or legs are to be introduced into specific slots.

Objects of the invention

It is the object of the present invention to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks by indicating a garment which is applicable to a four-legged pet, for example to protect it from the cold and/or shelter it from the rain, which may be put on said animal with greater simplicity with respect to garments of the same type.

Summary and advantages of the invention

The object of the present invention is a garment which is applicable to (i.e. which can be worn by) a four-legged animal, for example to protect it from the cold and/or shelter it from the rain, said garment comprising:

• a flexible cape which can be folded onto itself, said cape preferably also being waterproof;

• connection means suitable for reversibly connecting said cape to a fourlegged animal. Incidentally, the term “reversibly connect” means that the cape is connectable to an animal and disconnectable from the latter an indefinite number of times,

in which according to the invention, said connection means comprise a collar connected to said cape and reversibly applicable to the neck of a four-legged animal. Incidentally, the term“reversibly applicable” means that the collar is applicable to the neck of an animal and removable from the latter an indefinite number of times,

said collar including a seat where said cape can be wholly accommodated, and from which it is at least partially extractable, when said cape is folded onto itself. The garment the object of the invention substantially is a collar incorporating an extractable cape therefrom when needed.

Four-legged pets usually wear a collar. By using the present invention, a “different garment” advantageously does not require being applied to the animal in case of cold and/or rain. The cape simply requires extracting from the collar. Therefore, the animal puts up less of a struggle when the cape is applied.

Other innovative features of the present invention are disclosed in the following description and are referred to in the dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, said collar is hollow for at least a length thereof so as to comprise, at said length:

• a cavity;

• at least one outer wall delimiting said cavity, said collar further comprising at least one opening in said outer wall for access to said cavity.

According to one aspect of the invention, said cape is connected to said outer wall inside said cavity,

said cavity at least partially corresponding to said seat.

According to this aspect of the invention, the collar serves as container where the cape, folded onto itself, can be accommodated when it is not being used. According to another aspect of the invention alternative to the preceding aspect, said collar comprises at least one inner wall accommodated in said cavity and connected to said outer wall so as to delimit, together with the latter, a portion of said cavity which is accessible by means of said opening,

said cape being connected to said outer wall or said inner wall inside said cavity portion,

said cavity portion at least partially corresponding to said seat.

According to this aspect of the invention, the collar is provided with a pocket where the cape, folded onto itself, can be accommodated when it is not being used.

According to another aspect of the invention, said collar comprises reversible closure means of said opening (i.e. means by means of which the opening of the collar may be closed and reopened an indefinite number of times), said reversible closure means being suitable for closing said opening so as to prevent said cape from coming out of said seat.

Due to the presence of the reversible closure means, advantageously there is no risk of the cape undesirably coming out of the collar due to movements of the animal to which the garment is applied.

The reversible closure of the opening in the collar can be obtained by way of example, by means of a fastener (or zipper), by means of Velcro or by means of one or more snap buttons.

According to another aspect of the invention, said cape comprises at least:

* a first edge at which it is connected to said wall;

• a mutually opposite second and third edge between which said first edge is interposed; • a fourth edge opposite to said first edge and it also interposed between said second and third edge.

The cape is applicable to an animal in such a manner that the second and the third edge are substantially at the sides, respectively, of the animal, and the fourth edge substantially is at the tail or the back of the animal.

According to another aspect of the invention, said connection means comprise at least a first and a second band, each of which having a first and a second end,

said first band being connected to the second edge of said cape at the first end thereof,

said second band being connected to the third edge of said cape at the first end thereof,

said bands being reversibly connectable to each other at the second ends thereof, respectively,

said bands being flexible and foldable onto themselves so that they can be accommodated in said seat.

According to this aspect of the invention, in addition to being connectable to the animal by means of the collar, the cape advantageously is further connectable to the animal by means of the aforesaid bands.

Namely, the cape is applicable to an animal in such a manner that the second ends of the bands advantageously are at the abdomen of the animal (that is, between the front legs and the back legs), i.e. in a position which is difficult for the animal to access with its mouth (should the animal attempt to disconnect the bands).

Incidentally, the term “reversibly connectable” means that the bands are connectable to one another and disconnectable from one another an indefinite number of times.

According to another aspect of the invention, said connection means comprise at least a third and a fourth band, each of which having a first and a second end,

said third band being connected to the second edge of said cape at the first end thereof and in an intermediate position between said first band and said first edge,

said fourth band being connected to the third edge of said cape at the first end thereof and in an intermediate position between said second band and said first edge,

said third and fourth band being reversibly connectable to each other at the second ends thereof, respectively,

said third and fourth band being flexible and foldable onto themselves so they can be accommodated in said seat.

According to this aspect of the invention, in addition to being connectable to the animal by means of the collar, not only is the cape advantageously further connectable to the animal by means of the first and the second band, but also by means of the third and the fourth band.

Namely, the cape is applicable to an animal in such a manner that the second ends of the third and fourth band advantageously are at the chest of the animal (that is, between the neck and the front legs), i.e. in a position which is difficult for the animal to access with its mouth (should the animal attempt to disconnect the bands).

According to another aspect of the invention, said connection means comprise a slot connected to said cape at the fourth edge thereof,

said slot being flexible and foldable onto itself so it can be accommodated in said seat.

According to this aspect of the invention, in addition to being connected to the animal by means of the collar, the cape advantageously is further connectable to the animal by introducing the tail of the latter into the slot.

Although the animal may be reluctant to have its tail put into the slot, this operation is in any case easier with respect to the one to be carried out with the known capes because when an attempt is made to put the animal’s tail into the slot, the cape the object of the invention is already connected to the animal by means of the collar.

According to another aspect of the invention, said connection means comprise a pair of slots connected to said cape substantially at the joints between said fourth edge and said second and third edge, respectively, the slots of said pair being flexible and foldable onto themselves so that they can be accommodated in said seat.

According to this aspect of the invention, in addition to being connectable to the animal by means of the collar, the cape advantageously is further connectable to the animal by introducing the back legs of the latter into the aforesaid pair of slots, respectively.

Although the animal may be reluctant to have its back legs put into the pair of slots, this operation is in any case easier with respect to the one to be carried out with the known capes because when an attempt is made to put the animal’s legs into the pair of slots, the cape the object of the invention is already connected to the animal by means of the collar.

Brief description of the drawings

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below of an example embodiment thereof and from the accompanying drawings merely given by way of a non-limiting example, in which:

- figure 1 shows a plan diagrammatic view of a garment for animals according to the present invention, comprising a collar and a cape;

- figure 2 shows a plan diagrammatic view of the garment in figure 1 , in the configuration in which the cape is folded onto itself and is accommodated inside the collar;

- figure 3 shows a perspective view of the garment in figure 1 , while the cape is being extracted from the collar;

- figure 4 shows a perspective view of the garment in figure 1 , applied to a dog in the configuration in which the cape is extracted from the collar.

Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention

For convenience of disclosure, in the present description reference is made only to a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the garment is applied to a dog. However, the garment described is not limited to the aforesaid example. Given that it is conveniently sized, it indeed is applicable to any four-legged animal.

In the continuation of the present description, a figure may also be shown with reference to elements not expressly indicated in that figure but in other figures. The scale and proportions of the different elements depicted do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

Figure 1 shows a garment 1 which is applicable to a four-legged animal, for example to protect it from the cold and/or shelter it from the rain. Garment 1 the object of the invention comprises a cape 2 made of a preferably polymeric and waterproof material, which is flexible in size such that cape 2 is easily foldable onto itself. Garment 1 further comprises a collar 3 which is reversibly applicable to the neck of a four-legged animal. Cape 2 is connected to collar 3, preferably at an edge 4 thereof, upper edge in figure 1 , identified above with the term“first edge”. Cape 2 further comprises mutually opposite second and third edge 5 and 6, side edges in figure 1 , between which edge 4 is interposed. A fourth edge 7 of cape 2, opposite to edge 4 and lower edge in figure 1 , is also interposed between the edges 5 and 6. Cape 2 preferably is symmetrical with respect to an axis arranged longitudinally, i.e. extending from edge 4 to edge 7.

Garment 1 preferably comprises a first and a second band 8 and 9, preferably elasticized bands, each of which having a first end 8a and 9a and a second end 8b and 9b. Band 8 is connected to the edge 5 of cape 2, preferably almost centrally, at end 8a. Band 9 is connected to the edge 6 of cape 2, it also preferably almost centrally, at end 9a. Thus, the bands 8 and 9 preferably are opposite to each other. The bands 8 and 9 are reversibly connectable to each other at the ends 8b, 9b, respectively. The reversible connection between the bands 8 and 9 preferably occurs by means of Velcro.

Garment 1 preferably also comprises a third and a fourth band 10 and 11 , preferably elasticized bands, each of which having a first end 10a and 11a and a second end 10b and 11 b. Band 10 is connected to the edge 5 of cape 2 at end 10a, in an intermediate position between band 8 and edge 4. Band 11 is connected to the edge 6 of cape 2 at end 11a, in an intermediate position between band 9 and edge 4. Like the bands 8 and 9, also the bands 10 and 11 preferably are opposite to each other and are reversibly connectable to each other at the ends 10b and 11b, respectively. The reversible connection between the bands 10 and 11 preferably occurs by mutually tying together said bands 10 and 11 (at the ends 10b and 11 b).

Garment 1 preferably comprises a first slot 12, preferably an elasticized slot, connected to cape 2 almost centrally at edge 7. Garment 1 preferably further comprises a second and a third slot 13 and 14, they also preferably elasticized slots, connected to cape 2 substantially at the joints between edge 7 and the edges 5 and 6, respectively. Thus, the slots 13 and 14 preferably are opposite to each other.

Collar 3 comprises a first end 3a and a second end 3b, which are mutually opposite and reversibly connectable to each other by means of a snap fastening, which“female” component 15a is, by way of example, at end 3a, and which“male” component 15b is at end 3b. Collar 3 is at least partially made of a flexible material so as to be wound about the neck of an animal. Collar 3 also preferably is waterproof and is hollow for at least length 16, preferably a central length, thereof. Being hollow at least at length 16 results in collar 3 comprising, at said length 16, a cavity and an outer wall 17 delimiting said cavity. As is shown in figure 1 , collar 3 further comprises an opening 18 made in wall 17 to allow the access to the aforesaid cavity. Opening 18 preferably is longitudinal and has a length which preferably is shorter than the one of length 16. Opening 18 moreover preferably is equidistant from the ends 3a and 3b. Cape 2 is connected to wall 17, inside the aforesaid cavity, at edge 4 thereof. In other words, edge 4 is inside collar 3 and cape 2 comes out of collar 3 towards opening 18 in the configuration shown in figure 1. The latter preferably is provided, at the flaps of wall 17 delimiting it, with a zipper 19 by means of which opening 18 is reversibly closeable. Alternatively to the zipper, opening 18 may be provided with equivalent reversible closure means, such as Velcro or one or more snap buttons.

In addition to cape 2, also the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14 are flexible and foldable onto themselves. Namely, cape 2, the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14 are foldable onto themselves so they can be completely accommodated in the cavity of collar 3. In other words, said cavity corresponds to a seat where cape 2 (in conjunction with the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14) can be completely accommodated, and from which it is partially extractable, when it is folded onto itself.

Figure 2 shows garment 1 in the configuration in which cape 2, in conjunction with the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14, are folded onto themselves and are completely accommodated in the cavity of collar 3. In this configuration, the zipper 19 (or the equivalent means thereto) preferably is closed so as to prevent cape 2 from undesirably coming out of the cavity of collar 3. In light of what is said, collar 3 substantially serves as container where cape 2 (in conjunction with the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14), folded onto itself, can be accommodated when it is not being used. In case of cold or rain, cape 2 (in conjunction with the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14) are to be simply extracted from collar 3.

Figure 3 shows garment 1 in the act of extracting cape 2, the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14 from the cavity of the collar 3 after the zipper 19 was opened.

Figure 4 shows garment 1 applied to a dog 20 and in the configuration in which cape 2, the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14 are extracted from the collar 3. In this configuration, being accommodated inside collar 3, the edge 4 of cape 2 is at the neck of dog 20, the edges 5 and 6 substantially are at the sides of dog 20, and edge 7 substantially is at the tail or back of dog 20. When present, the bands 8 and 9 are connected to each other and substantially are at the abdomen of dog 20, between the front legs and the back legs. When present, the bands 10 and 11 are also connected to each other and substantially are at the chest of dog 20, between the neck and the front legs. The tail of dog 20 is inserted into slot 12, when present, and the back legs are inserted into the slots 13 and 14, respectively, when present. In light of what is said, collar 3, like the bands 8, 9, 10 and 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14, when present, serve as reversible connection means of cape 2 to dog 20.

According to one variant of garment 1 , collar 3 comprises at least one wall accommodated in the aforesaid cavity (i.e. inside collar 3) and connected to wall 17 so as to delimit, together with the latter, a portion of said cavity which is accessible by means of opening 18. According to this variant, cape 2 may be connected, at edge 4 thereof and inside said cavity portion, to said inner wall rather than to wall 17. According to this variant, it is said cavity portion to correspond to a seat where cape 2 can be completely accommodated, and from which it is partially extractable, when it is folded onto itself. In other words, according to this variant, collar 3 is provided with a pocket where cape 2 (in conjunction with the bands 8, 9, 10, 11 and the slots 12, 13 and 14), folded onto itself, can be accommodated when it is not being used.

Collar 3 preferably comprises a ring (or an equivalent means thereto) to which a leash is reversibly connectable.

On the basis of the description provided for a preferred example embodiment, it is obvious that certain changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A garment (1 ) which is applicable to a four-legged animal (20), comprising:

® a flexible cape (2) which can be folded onto itself;

• connection means (3, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14) suitable for reversibly connecting said cape (2) to a four-legged animal (20),

said garment (1 ) being characterized in that said connection means (3, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14) comprise a collar (3) connected to said cape (2) and reversibly applicable to the neck of a four-legged animal (20),

said collar (3) including a seat where said cape (2) can be wholly accommodated, and from which it is at least partially extractable, when said cape (2) is folded onto itself.

2. A garment (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said collar (3) is hollow for at least a length (16) thereof so as to comprise, at said length (16):

• a cavity;

• at least one outer wall (17) delimiting said cavity,

said collar (3) further comprising at least one opening (18) in said outer wall (17) for access to said cavity.

3. A garment (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that said cape (2) is connected to said outer wall (17) inside said cavity,

said cavity at least partially corresponding to said seat.

4. A garment according to claim 2, characterized in that said collar (3) comprises at least one inner wall accommodated in said cavity and connected to said outer wall (17) so as to delimit, together with the latter, a portion of said cavity which is accessible by means of said opening (18),

said cape (2) being connected to said outer wall (17) or said inner wall inside said cavity portion,

said cavity portion at least partially corresponding to said seat.

5. A garment (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said collar (3) comprises means (19) for reversibly closing said opening (18), said reversible closure means (19) being suitable for closing said opening (18) so as to prevent said cape (2) from coming out of said seat. 6. A garment (1 ) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said cape (2) comprises at least:

• a first edge (4) at which it (2) is connected to said wall (17);

® a mutually opposite second and third edge (5, 6) between which said first edge (4) is interposed;

* a fourth edge (7) opposite to said first edge (4) and it also interposed between said second and third edge (5,

6).

7. A garment (1 ) according to claim 6, characterized in that said connection means (3, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14) comprise at least a first and a second band (8, 9), each of which having a first and a second end (8a, 8b; 9a, 9b),

said first band (8) being connected to the second edge (5) of said cape (2) at the first end (8a) thereof,

said second band (9) being connected to the third edge (6) of said cape (2) at the first end (9a) thereof,

said bands (8, 9) being reversibly connectable to each other at the second ends (8b, 9b) thereof, respectively,

said bands (8, 9) being flexible and foldable onto themselves so they can be accommodated in said seat.

8. A garment (1 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that said connection means (3, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14) comprise at least a third and a fourth band (10, 11 ), each of which having a first and a second end (10a, 10b; 11a, 11b),

said third band (10) being connected to the second edge (5) of said cape (2) at the first end (10a) thereof and in an intermediate position between said first band (8) and said first edge (4),

said fourth band (11 ) being connected to the third edge (6) of said cape (2) at the first end (11a) thereof and in an intermediate position between said second band (9) and said first edge (4),

said third and fourth band (10, 11 ) being reversibly connectable to each other at the second ends (10b, 11 b) thereof, respectively,

said third and fourth band (10, 11 ) being flexible and foldable onto themselves so that they can be accommodated in said seat.

9. A garment (1 ) according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that said connection means (3, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14) comprise a slot (12) connected to said cape (2) at the fourth edge (7) thereof (2),

said slot (12) being flexible and foldable onto itself so it can be accommodated in said seat.

10. A garment (1) according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that said connection means (3, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14) comprise a pair of slots (13, 14) connected to said cape (2) substantially at the joining areas between said fourth edge (7) and said second and third edge (5, 6), respectively,

the slots (13, 14) of said pair being flexible and foldable onto themselves so that they can be accommodated in said seat.