GB2174728A

GB2174728A - Animal blanket and material

Info

Publication number: GB2174728A
Application number: GB08609950A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Burton Davis; Paul Michael Hall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-05-09
Filing date: 1986-04-23
Publication date: 1986-11-12
Also published as: GB8609950D0

Abstract

The material, e.g. for a horse blanket which comprises a warp and a weft, the weft comprising a face layer 10 of face weft threads 11, a back layer 12 of back weft threads 13, and an intermediate layer 14 of filler weft threads 15, held by warp threads. The warp comprises a series of face warp threads 16 woven with the face weft 11 to provide a face cloth; a series of back warp threads 17 woven with the back weft 13 to provide a back cloth; and a series of further warp threads 18 woven through all three layers to unite the layers into an integrally quilted three layer material in which the filler weft 15 is sandwiched lightly between the internal runs of the face and back warps. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Animal blanket and material This invention concerns blankets and like coverings or garments, especially but not exclusively for animals such as horses, and material therefor.

Such blankets should be: (a) be permeable to water vapour, e.g. to allow perspiration to evaporate, (b) provide greater thermal insulation than a simple blanket fabric, (c) have a soft under or back surface, and (d) be cleanable.

It is known to construct such garments by securing together various fabrics to provide a double layer composite, and a blanket could be constructed to satisfy the requirements (a) and (b) above e.g. by employing a fleecy or pile under or back fabric and a close woven upper or face fabric, but such composites are expensive, difficult to clean, and more difficult and expensive to make up into a blanket when compared with a simple blanket fabric.

Furthermore, simple blanket fabrics and other pile fabrics having a raised nap tend to become matted during use and cleaning.

An object of the present invention is to provide a materiai, for a blanket or like covering or garment, e.g. for an animal, which can be readily produced to meet the aforementioned requirements and which is relatively durable and inexpensive.

According to the present invention there is provided a woven material comprising warp and weft threads woven together so that a first series of the weft threads is confined substantially to a woven upper or face layer, a second series of the weft threads is confined substantially to an under or back layer, and a third series of weft th reads is confined substantially to an intermediate layer interposed between and woven to the other layers.

The present invention more particularly provides a woven material comprising warp and weft threads, wherein a first series of weft threads is woven with a first series of warp threads or portions of warp threads to provide a woven upper or face layer; wherein a second series of weft threads is woven to a second series of warp threads or portions of wrap threads to provide a woven under or back layer; and wherein a third series of weft threads is secured in an intermediate layer, so as to be interposed between the first and second series of weft threads, by warp threads woven into all the layers.

The upper or face and under or back layers are preferably twill woven. The warp threads woven through all the layers of the material may form a third series arranged to produce longitudinal quilting, or suitable use may be made of the other warp threads to provide quilting in an appropriate pattern. The first series of weft threads may be coloured to produce transverse stripes, or may be jacquarded to produce patterns.

The invention further provides such a woven material in which the first series of weft threads is of acrylic or like rot resistant fibre formed into hardwearing twisted yarn; the second series of weft threads is of similar fibre treated to provide a "lotus wing" yarn; the third series of weft threads is of textured polypropylene filament formed into a low ot zero twist yarn; and the warp threads are of twisted yarn having a smaller bulk (diameter) than the other yarns.

The material composed of such yarns or suitable equivalents thereof is relatively strong, durable, non-matting, easily cleaned, and is easily made up into a warm, comfortable and attractive blanket or garment which allows perspiration or dampness to evaporate readily.

Whilst such material, when made up into a blanket or garment, such as a horse blanket, can reduce many of the disadvantages of known blanket or garments, known horse blankets have certain further disadvantages such as vulnerability to becoming displaced upon the horse, and applying pressure to sensitive and/or vulnerable areas of the animal; and objects of further aspects of the present invention are to enable such further disavantages to be reduced.

According to the present invention there is provided a blanket or garment for a quadruped animal, such as a horse blanket, made up from cloth material, and comprising front portions which overlap at or adjacent the front of the animal, fastening means to secure said front portions together, and rear portions provided with retaining means to engage the rear limbs of the animal and to locate the rear portions against the rear limbs of the animal; wherein the fastening means comprises a tape or strap, a prong less buckle to receive the tape or strap, and a pair of rigid rings to further receive and trap a portion of the tape or strap passed through the buckle so that said portion overlies the buckle. The fastening means remain effective in use, even when the tension on the tape or strap is repeatedly applied and relaxed in use.

The present invention further provides said fastening means, per se, for fastening together two articles or two portions of an article.

According to the present invention there is provided a blanket or like garment for a quadruped animal, such as a horse blanket, made up from woven cloth material, and comprising front portions which overlap at or adjacent the front of the animal, fastening means to secure said front portions together, and rear portions provided with retaining means to engage the rear limbs of the animal and to locate the rear portions against the rear limbs of the animal; wherein the material is arranged so that the warp extends from top to bottom and the weft extends from front to rear of the garment, and wherein said fastening means and, optionally, the retaining means, are located so that the tightening thereof applies tension along the weft direction.

Such an arrangement takes advantage of the strength and inextensibility of the material in the weft direction to ensure that the blanket or garment is not pulled out of shape or displaced by tension applied to or bythefastenings and the retaining means; and takes advantage of the relative extensibility and resilience of the material in the warp direction to allow the blanket or garment to conform to the shape and movement of the animal.

The invention further provides a horse blanket or like garment having integral pockets over wither portions, padding in said pockets, surcingle locating means on, below, or adjacent said pockets to confine a surcingle to pass across said pockets, so that, in use said surcingle traverses a spine covering portion.

This blanket or garment obviates undue pressure being applied to the spine of the horse, whiist avoiding the numerous disadvantages of known pressure relieving contraptions such as wads or rolls of material tied to the surcingle, e.g. the loss, displacement and inefficiency thereof.

The pockets are preferably external patch pockets, and are preferably stitched closed with a relatively easily unpicked stitch, whereby to allow the blanket orgarmentto conform easily and continuously to the horses withers and to allow the pockets to be opened without undue difficulty for replacement of the padding. The padding is preferably selected to minimise moisture absorption.

The surcingle is preferably provided with fastening means, similar to the fastening means hereinbefore referred to, which comprises a prongless buckle and a pair of rings.

The invention and various aspects thereof will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, wherein: FIGURE 1 shows a cut away plan view of a piece of material of the invention; FIGURES 2 and 3 are weft and warp crosssectional weaving diagrams ofthe material; FIGURE 4 shows, in side elevation, a horse blanket of the invention; FIGURE 5 shows, in cross-section, fastening means of the invention; FIGURE 6 shows, in transverse cross-section, withers portions of the horse blanket shown in Figure 4.

The material shown in Figure 1 generally comprises a warp and a weft, the weft comprising a face layer 10 O 10 offaceweftthreads 11, a back layer 12 of back weft threads 13, and an intermediate layer 14 of filler weft threads 15, held by warp threads.

The warp comprises a series of face warp threads 16 woven with the face weft 11 to provide a face cloth; a series of back warp threads 17 woven with the back weft 13 to provide a back cloth; and a series of further warp threads 18 woven through all three layers to unite the layers into an integrally quilted three layer material in which the filler weft 15 is sandwiched lightly between the internal runs of the face and back warps.

Example of suitable threads are as follows:- Face threads 11; 6 fold 6's cotton count open end spun acrylic, folded 3 t.p.i. to produce round yarn.

Back threads 13; single lotus wing acrylic yarn varying in cotton countfrom 1'sto 1.7's, which incorporates loosely spun fibres.

Fillerthreads 15; a 2900 D-TEX zero twist continuous filament textured polypropylene yarn.

Warp threads 16,17 and 18; cotton count open end spun acrylic.

The weft threads are woven at about six threads per centimetre in each layer, the face and back warp threads at about six/cm in each layer, and the warp threads 18 are disposed at about 2.5 cm intervals.

As is indicated in Figure 2, in which the warp threads are numbered El to E9 in loom sequence.

The face warp 16 comprises pairs of adjacent threads e.g. El and E2, and E5 and E6, alternate with intervening pairs, e.g. E3 and E4 which are taken for the back warp 17, except where one of the further warp threads, e.g. E9, is interposed between said pairs. Each of the threads 16 passes over one weft thread 11 and under the next three threads 11,to produce a 3 x 1 face twill; each of the threads 17 passes under one weft thread 13 and overthenext three threads 13 to produce a 3 x 1 back twill; and the thread 18 passes down through the material from over one thread 11 to under a vertically adjacent first thread 13, up and over two filler threads 15 (and a second thread 13 therebelow), below a third thread 13, and upwards through the material to pass over a fourth thread 11, before descending again through the material, so that each alternate pair of filler threads 15 are held to the back cloth.

The pairing of the warp threads 16 and 17 is more clearly indicated in Figure 3, in which the weft threads are numbered W1 to W1 2 in loom sequence, to show that weft threads are inserted sequentially into the layers, e.g. W1 to the face layer 10, W2 to the intermediate layer and W3 to the back layer.

Such a material has several valuable characteristics including: (a) excellent durability by virtue of the integral weaving of the three layers preventing separation of the layers, and preventing uneven shrinkage causing folding or lumping of one of the outer layers; (b) high wear and tear resistance provided by the robust face cloth, and especially by the face cloth being integrally supported by the remainder of the material; (c) even thermal insulation, which does not significantly deteriorate in use, by virtue of the filling trapping air between the face and back layers and being woven into the material so as to be prevented from lumping or thinning out; (d) furtherthermal insulation and a non-abrasive soft, fleecy and comfortable back surface provided by the bulked yarn of the back layer, which surface is resistant to matting; ; (e) low moisture retention and high permeability to water vapour; (f) ease of cleaning or washing combined with rot resistance even when repeatedly damped, e.g. with sweat; and (g) high ultimate tensile strength combined with extensibility in warp direction, high tensile strength and relative inextensibility in the weft direction, considerable flexibility combined with crease resistance, and limited elasticity in the warp direction.

The material is particularly suitable for use in making garments or blankets, such as horse blankets, for use in arduous conditions. However, the yawn employed and the weaving thereof can be varied to suit other purposes. For example, the quilting can be varied to provide patterns other than line 20 in the warp direction, e.g. the warp E9 could be omitted and the or some of the other warps El to E8 diverted, at appropriate levels through the material, to provide diamond pattern quilting, without unduly compressing the filling.

Alternatively, the warps may be diverted from the weave described, at frequent intervals, especially if relatively light face and back cloths are being woven, to conceal the linking together of the layers so as not to provide visually distinct quilting lines, e.g. for making travelling rungs or blankets for camping. Whilst a twill weave is preferred, other suitable weaves may be employed.

As shown in Figure 4, the material can be made up into a horse blanket 30 or like garment, so that the weft runs from front to rear, with the quilting lines 20 running vertically.

The blanket 30 comprises left and right main panels 31 and 32, a neck portion 33 and two withers pockets 34 of said material, bounded by sewn on cloth tape 39; together with fastening means 35, retaining means 36, surcingle locating means 37, and crupper locating means 38.

The panels 31 and 32 are joined together at a spinal junction 21 and to the neck portion 33. The left panel 31 has a front portion 40 which warps across the front of the animal and is overlapped by a front portion 41 of the right panel 32. The free end of the front portion 40 is connected to the portion 41 of a "Velcro" (RTM) fastening (not shown). The fastening means 35 comprises two similar fastenings which each comprise, as shown in Figure 5, a prong less buckle, such as a "Roko" buckle 42, a strap 43, and a pair of D-rings 44, 45, together with an optional ring tidy 46. The buckle 42 has a pivotal under bar 47 below a first crosspiece 48 of the buckle, a main crosspiece 49 which is secured to the portion 41, and a second crosspiece 50.

The strap is secured to the portion 40 to secure the D-rings 44 and 45. In use, the fastening is fastened to draw the buckle towards the D-rings by taking the strap forwards through the D-rings, below and behind the bar 49, forwards and upwards between the bar 49 and crosspiece 48, rearwards over the crosspieces 48 and 49, below and round the crosspiece 50, rearwards over all three crosspieces and through the D-rings, upwards and forwards over the first D-ring 44, and downwards and forwards through the second D-ring 45. If a sufficient length of the strap is available, the end of the strap may also be taken forwards through the tidy 46 as indicated in broken lines. One or more alternative pairs of D-rings may be provided, e.g. the pair 51. Tightening the fastening means 35 applies tension to the portions 40 and 41 along the weft of the material, which is relatively inextensible.

Below the front portions 40 and 41 the panels are cut away to provide an elbow vent 52 and the leave skirts 53 along the sides to the rear of the blanket.

The retaining means 36 comprises, for each panel, a pair of D-rings 54 secured to the back of the panel, a D-ring 55 secured to the rear end of the panel level with the ring 44, and å leg strap 56 having a clip on fastening 57 to engage the ring 54; and at the rear of each panel, adjacent to the spinal junction 21, is a further pair of D-rings 58 to locate a dock strap 59, for locating the rear of the blanket upon the animal.

As shown in Figure 6, each pocket 34 comprises a patch piece 60 of the material securely attached to the spinal junction, and single stitched, with an unpickable stitch, along its lower and rear margin 61 to the panel, and contains a pad 62, e.g. of closed cell resilient foam, stitched or bonded synthetic fibre or other coherent padding material which is nonabsorbent or quick drying. The pads 62 have a thickness sufficient, in use, to cause the tops of the pockets to rise to the level of or above the spinal junction 21.

The surcingle locating means 37, comprises loops 63 secured to the panels below the pockets to locate a surcingle 64 so that in use it traverses the pockets and is supported thereby so as not to bear heavily upon the junction 21.

The surcingle preferably has fastening means 35A which is substantially similar to one of the fastenings of the above mentioned fastening means 35, and, when fastened extends below the animal to hold the skirts 53 to the animal's chest.

The vertical extensibility and elasticity of the panels causes the blanket to "drape" well on the animal so as to conform to the shape and movement of the animal without twisting or becoming displaced off centre to prevent undue drooping atthe rear of the skirts, darts 65 are inserted at the rear quarters of the panels.

The blanket is particularly warm, comfortable, secure and protective for the animal, and is durable and attractive. The fastening means is particularly safe, secure and easy to tighten and release even when wet, and is simple and inexpensive to incorporate into, for example, a garment or belt.

The face weft may be selected easily to introduce colours, e.g. owners racing colours, as stripes or bands along the blanket at negligible cost even for one-offs or very small numbers of blankets.

The invention and various aspects thereof are not confined to the foregoing details and many variations, modifications and uses of the material, the fastening means and the blanket or like garment are possible within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A woven material comprising warp and weft threads woven together so that a first series of the weft threads is confined substantially to a woven upper or face layer, a second series of weft threads is confined substantially to an under or back layer, and a third series of weft threads is confined substantially to an intermediate layer interposed between and woven to the other layers.

2. A woven material comprising warp and weft threads, wherein a first series of weft threads is woven with a first series of warp threads or portions of warp threads to provide a woven upper or face layer; wherein a second series of weft threads is woven with a second series of warp threads or portions of warp threads to provide a woven under or back layer; and wherein a third series of weft threads is secured in an intermediate layer, so as to be interposed between the first and second series of weft threads, by warp threads woven into all the layers.

3. A material as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the warp threads woven through all the layers of material form a third series of warp threads, and are arranged to produce longitudinal quilting of the material.

4. A material as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the first series of weft threads is of acrylic or like rot resistant fibre formed into hardwearing twisted yarn; the second series of weft threads is of similar fibre treated to provide a "lotus wing" yarn; the third series of weft threads is of textured polypropylene filament formed into a low or zero twist yarn; and the warp threads are of twisted yarn having a smalier bulk (diameter) than the other yarns.

5. A woven material substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1.

6. A material woven substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

7. A blanket or like garment, for an animal comprising a material as claimed in any preceding claim.

8. A garment as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the weft extends directionally from front to rear of the garment.

9. A garment as claimed in Claim 7 and comprising front portions which overlap at or adjacent the front of the animal, fastening means to secure said front portions together, and rear portions provided with retaining means to engage the rear limbs of the animal and to locate the rear portions against the rear limbs of the animal; wherein the material is arranged so that the warp extends from top to bottom and the weft extends from front to rear of the garment, and wherein said fastening means is located so that tightening thereof applied tension along the weft direction.

10. A blanket or like garment, for a quadruped animal, made up from woven cloth material, and comprising front portions which overlap at or adjacent the front of the animal, fastening means to secure said front portions together, and rear portions provided with retaining means to engage the rear limbs of the animal and to locate the rear portions against the rear limbs of the animal; wherein the material is arranged so that the warp extends from top to bottom and the weft extends from front to rear of the garment, and wherein said fastening means is located so that tightening thereof applied tension along the weft direction.

11. A garment as claimed in Claim 9 or 10 wherein the fastening means comprises a tape or strap, a prongless buckle to receive the tape or strap, and a pair of rigid rings to further receive and trap a portion of the tape or strap passed through the buckle so that said portion overlies the buckle.

12. A blanket or garment for a quadruped animal, such as a horse blanket, made up from cloth material, and comprising front portions which overlap at or adjacent the front of the animal, fastening means to secure said front portions together, and rear portions provided with retaining means to engage the rear limbs of the animal and to locate the rear portions against the rear limbs of the animal; wherein the fastening means comprises a tape or strap, a prong less buckle to receive the tape or strap, and a pair of rigid rings to further receive and trap a portion of the tape or strap passed through the buckle so that said portion overlies the buckle.

13. Fastening means, for a surcingle or a blanket or like garment for a quadruped animal, comprising a tape or strap, a prongless buckle to receive the tape or strap, and a pair of rigid rings to further receive and trap a portion of the tape or strap passed through the buckle so that said portion overliesthe buckle.

14. Fastening means substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A garment as claimed in Claim 12 wherein the fastening means is as claimed in Claim 14.

16. A horse blanket or like garment having integral pockets over wither portions; padding in said pockets, surcingle locating means, on below, or adjacent said pocketto confine a surcingleto pass across said pockets, so that, in use said surcingle traverses a spine covering portion.

17. A garment as claimed in Claim 16 wherein the pockets are external patch pockets, and are preferably stitched closed.

18. A garment as claimed in Claim 16 or 17 wherein the surcingle is provided with fastening means as claimed in Claim 13 or 14.

19. A garment as claimed in Claim 16,17 or 18 wherein the pockets and padding are arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A blanket or like garment for a quadruped animal generally arranged substantially as hereinbefore described and as shown in Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.