GB2143111A - Animal muzzle - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal muzzle (2) comprising a first portion (4) and a second portion (6) said first portion being adapted to fit under the lower jaw of the animal, said second portion being adjustably secured to said first portion and comprising two loop portions, a first (16) of which is adapted to engage over the upper jaw of the animal and a second (18) of which is adapted to engage behind the ears of the animal. The second portion is provided with a buckle (20) which is used to secure the muzzle on the animal. The muzzle is made of leather. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Animal muzzle This invention relates to animal muzzles, and particularly although not exclusively to muzzles for dogs.

Most known forms of dog muzzles suffer the great disadvantage that they are not adjustable, so that in many instances one size of muzzle has to suffice for different size dogs. The situation arises therefore that either the muzzle is too tight so as to be uncomfortable and too restrictive, or alternatively the muzzle is too loose and may not perform its function properly.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved form of muzzle which will obviate the disadvantages of known muzzles.

According to the present invention there is provided an animal muzzle comprising a first portion adapted to fit under the lower jaw of an animal, and a second portion adjustably secured to said first portion and being adapted to engage over the upper jaw of the animal, means being provided to secure the muzzle in position.

Preferably, said second portion will be threaded through said first portion so as to be adjustable relative to said first portion. Said second portion will preferably include two loop portions, a first loop portion for co-operation with said first portion and engaging over the upper jaw of the animal, said second loop portion engaging behind the ears of the animal.

Said second portion will carry the means to secure the muzzle in position.

Preferably, the first and second portions of said muzzle will be made of leather.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a pictorial view of an animal muzzle according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows the muzzle in position on a dog.

Referring to the drawing, and firstly to Figure 1, the muzzle, indicated generally by reference numeral 2, comprises a first portion 4 and a second portion 6. The first portion 4 is generally square and is provided with four slots 8, 10, 12 and 14.

The second portion 6, in the form of a strap, is threaded through the first portion 4 so that two portions 6A and 6B lie beneath the first portion 4 and so that two loops 1 6 and 18 are formed in the second portion 6. As will be seen, one end of the second portion 6 is provided with a buckle 20 which co-operates with punched holes 22 in the other end of the portion 6.

The first and second portions 4 and 6 are composed of leather or a strong plastics material.

Reference to Figure 2 will show the muzzle 2 of Figure 1 in position on a dog 24. The first portion 4 lies underneath the lower jaw of the dog, and the loop 1 6 passes over the upper jaw, whilst the loop 1 8 passes around the neck and behind the ears, the muzzle being secured in position by means of the buckle 20.

By moving the second portion 6 relative to the first portion 4, the loops 16 and 18 may be made larger or smaller to enable the muzzle to be fitted to dogs of varying sizes. Such movement of the second portion 6 relative to the first portion 4 can also be used to provide a degree of variation on the extent of restraint of the dog's upper and lower jaws.

With a muzzle according to the invention, there is infinite variation in the size of the loops, thus enabling the muzzle to be fitted to almost any size of dog.

It will be appreciated that the muzzle may be used on animals other than dogs.

1. An animal muzzle comprising a first portion adapted to fit under the lower jaw of an animal, and a second portion adjustably secured to said first portion and being adapted to engage over the upper jaw of said animal, means being provided to secure the muzzle in position.

2. An animal muzzle according to Claim 1, wherein said means is carried by said second portion.

3. An animal muzzle according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said second portion is threaded through said first portion so as to be adjustable relative to said first portion.

4. An animal muzzle according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said second portion includes two loop portions, a first loop portion for co-operation with said first portion and engaging over the upper jaw of the animal, and a second loop portion engaging behind the ears of the animal.

5. An animal muzzle according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said first and second portions are composed of leather.

6. An animal muzzle substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Animal muzzle This invention relates to animal muzzles, and particularly although not exclusively to muzzles for dogs. Most known forms of dog muzzles suffer the great disadvantage that they are not adjustable, so that in many instances one size of muzzle has to suffice for different size dogs. The situation arises therefore that either the muzzle is too tight so as to be uncomfortable and too restrictive, or alternatively the muzzle is too loose and may not perform its function properly. The present invention therefore seeks to provide an improved form of muzzle which will obviate the disadvantages of known muzzles. According to the present invention there is provided an animal muzzle comprising a first portion adapted to fit under the lower jaw of an animal, and a second portion adjustably secured to said first portion and being adapted to engage over the upper jaw of the animal, means being provided to secure the muzzle in position. Preferably, said second portion will be threaded through said first portion so as to be adjustable relative to said first portion. Said second portion will preferably include two loop portions, a first loop portion for co-operation with said first portion and engaging over the upper jaw of the animal, said second loop portion engaging behind the ears of the animal. Said second portion will carry the means to secure the muzzle in position. Preferably, the first and second portions of said muzzle will be made of leather. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a pictorial view of an animal muzzle according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows the muzzle in position on a dog. Referring to the drawing, and firstly to Figure 1, the muzzle, indicated generally by reference numeral 2, comprises a first portion 4 and a second portion 6. The first portion 4 is generally square and is provided with four slots 8, 10, 12 and 14. The second portion 6, in the form of a strap, is threaded through the first portion 4 so that two portions 6A and 6B lie beneath the first portion 4 and so that two loops 1 6 and 18 are formed in the second portion 6. As will be seen, one end of the second portion 6 is provided with a buckle 20 which co-operates with punched holes 22 in the other end of the portion 6. The first and second portions 4 and 6 are composed of leather or a strong plastics material. Reference to Figure 2 will show the muzzle 2 of Figure 1 in position on a dog 24. The first portion 4 lies underneath the lower jaw of the dog, and the loop 1 6 passes over the upper jaw, whilst the loop 1 8 passes around the neck and behind the ears, the muzzle being secured in position by means of the buckle 20. By moving the second portion 6 relative to the first portion 4, the loops 16 and 18 may be made larger or smaller to enable the muzzle to be fitted to dogs of varying sizes. Such movement of the second portion 6 relative to the first portion 4 can also be used to provide a degree of variation on the extent of restraint of the dog's upper and lower jaws. With a muzzle according to the invention, there is infinite variation in the size of the loops, thus enabling the muzzle to be fitted to almost any size of dog. It will be appreciated that the muzzle may be used on animals other than dogs. CLAIMS

1. An animal muzzle comprising a first portion adapted to fit under the lower jaw of an animal, and a second portion adjustably secured to said first portion and being adapted to engage over the upper jaw of said animal, means being provided to secure the muzzle in position.

2. An animal muzzle according to Claim 1, wherein said means is carried by said second portion.

3. An animal muzzle according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said second portion is threaded through said first portion so as to be adjustable relative to said first portion.

4. An animal muzzle according to any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said second portion includes two loop portions, a first loop portion for co-operation with said first portion and engaging over the upper jaw of the animal, and a second loop portion engaging behind the ears of the animal.

5. An animal muzzle according to any of the preceding Claims, wherein said first and second portions are composed of leather.

6. An animal muzzle substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.