GB2516488A

GB2516488A - Animal harness

Info

Publication number: GB2516488A
Application number: GB1313228.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Charles Wells
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-07-24
Filing date: 2013-07-24
Publication date: 2015-01-28
Anticipated expiration: 2033-07-24
Also published as: WO2015011445A3; GB2516488B; WO2015011445A2; GB201313228D0

Abstract

An animal harness for use during animal transport and comprising a bib 6 of a flexible material, the bib comprising a first, front end (14, fig 2) a second, back end (18, fig 2) and two sides. The front end, back end and the sides have peripheral edges and the length of the edges of each of the sides is greater than the length of the edges of each of the back end and the front end. The harness further comprising attachment means (22, fig 2) for enabling the attachment, in use of each side and/or each end portion of the bib to the respective side and/or end regions of a transport vehicle 4 in which in use the animal is to be temporarily harnessed during transport. The harness further comprises a frame having two laterally spaced elongate members 32. Each elongate member is rotatably attached to the frame via an open topped holder 34. The bib is preferably layered and is provided with a number of apertures (20, fig 2) for positioning the limbs of the supported animal.

Description

Animal harness

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an animal harness. In particular, the invention relates to a harness for quadrupeds such as horses and may preferabLy be embodied in a harness used in the context of a vehicle for carrying animaLs, such as a horsebox.

Background

Animal transport and particularly horse transport, is a necessary but dangerous undertaking. Even at low speeds, it is possible for animals to be shaken about such that even if they are not physicalLy injured, they are in some way impaired, which can itself be deLeterious to the health of the animal, Leaving it weak and queasy, or disturbed by the journey. Where the animal is one which is expected to perform in some way, subsequent to transportation, such as the race or dressage horse which has been transported in a horsebox, a bad journey may affect the horse's performance negativeLy. This can be costly to the owner in monetary and reputational terms.

A further problem is the survival of animals in car crashes involving animal transports -clearly where the animaL is free, caged or tied up, there is a high likelihood of injury and death, especiaLly when compared to the increased survival prospects that driver and human passengers who have used seatbelts benefit from. Horse in transit are often equipped with bandages about their Legs in order to provide some defence against an impact but it is apparent that this is not a soLution in itseLf, but merely a means of ameLiorating the effects of an impact.

A further effect of this well known problem is the tendency of animal transport owners to drive slowly and carefully, often weLl below the designated speed limit of a given stretch of highway. This leads to tailbacks and delays, particularly on the narrow stretches of rural road along which animaLs are often transported. It also leads to risky driving from drivers who want to overtake the animal transporter, and such risky driving can, in its turn lead to accidents.

As such, there is a reaL need to find a solution to this wideLy perceived and awkward problem.

The invention described below attempts a solution to these and other problems.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, in a first broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises an animaL harness for use during animal transport and comprising a bib of a flexible material, the bib comprising a first, front end, a second, back end and two sides, wherein each of the front end, back end and the sides has a peripheraL edge and wherein the length of the edges of each of the sides is greater than the length of the edges of each of the back end and the front end, the harness further comprising attachment means for enabLing the attachment, in use of each side and/or each end portion of the bib to the respective side and/or end regions a transport vehicle in which in use the animal is to be temporarily harnessed during transport.

The invention so defined offers a possibLe solution to the problems stated. The harness serves to restrain the animal's movement relative to the vehicle, meaning that during generaL transport the animal will be bucked around Less by the movement of the vehicle.

During crashes or other such accidents, the animal is restrained and is thus Less likeLy to be injured or fatalLy injured. As such the harness as defined can improve the well being and performance of an animaL and may also allow the animal transport driver to drive at a more of a normaL pace relative to other traffic.

PreferabLy, the invention further comprises a frame, the frame comprising two laterally spaced elongate portions, the space between the portions being sufficient to be occupied by the animal to be harnessed, wherein in use the attachment means are attached to the eLongate portions.

The frame provides a further protection to the animal in transit.

PreferabLy, at least one elongate portion is rotatably attached to the frame via a holder.

The rotatable attachment allows for the adjustment of the tension of the harness relative to the harnessed animal and to the surrounding vehicle.

More preferabLy, the harness further comprises locking means for locking the elongate portion at a chosen point of rotation.

Such Locking means provides a means of selecting a tension and straightforwardly holding the harness at a given tension; this in turn means that a single operator can tension the harness relatively easily.

More preferably, the holder has an open top such that the elongate portion is readily removable from the holder.

This ready removability aLlows for the quick unhooking of the elongate portion from the hoLder thereby alLowing the quick release of the harness from its surrounds which can be very useful when dealing with a distressed animaL that wishes to leave its surroundings quickly -such ready removability can militate against an animaL's injury by faciLitating its quick removal from the harness.

PreferabLy, the upright portion of the frame comprises a plurality of apertures spaced along its length, said apertures being so sized and shaped as to receive and releasably retain a portion of the holder, such that the height position of the hoLder reLative to the ground may be adjusted.

PreferabLy, the harness further comprises a pair of upper bars running substantialLy parallel to the elongate portions, and a further removable bar, the further removable bar comprising attachment means for attachment to the pair of upper bars, such that when the removable bar is so attached, it runs lateraLly between the upper bars.

This means of height adjustability allows for use of a single harness set up with a variety of different heights of animal. Advantageously, the lateral bar serves to stabiLise the structure of the harness.

PreferabLy, the harness further comprises a pair of ground engaging base raiLs, the base rails being substantiaLly paraLlel to the eLongate portion.

Advantageously, the base rails spread the point of contact between harness and surrounding vehicle, giving a firm, stable, wide base attachment.

PreferabLy, the attachment means comprises at least one strap, said strap projecting from a side of the bib.

The use of straps to attach the harness to the animaL wherein the straps project from the sides of the bib is advantageous in that the straps are easily accessibLe and easily

adjustable.

Preferably, the bib tapers towards the front end.

The tapering of the bib provides a means of more straightforwardly attaching it to the neck of an animal such as a horse.

PreferabLy, the bib comprises a first, outer layer of breathabLe material, and a second inner layer of absorbent material, such as paper, and wherein the second layer is re-attachabLy detachable, such that it may be replaced.

The provision of a detachabLe disposabLe Lining which is repLaceable provides a usefuL means of keeping the harness hygienic and aLLowing it to be used for muLtipLe animaLs without spreading disease, for exampLe.

PreferabLy, the bib comprises at Least one aperture.

PreferabLy, the bib comprises five apertures, with three apertures positioned towards the back end of the bib and two apertures positioned towards the front end of the bib.

The provision of apertures is usefuL for matching a particuLar bib with the Limbs of a given animaL and for aLLowing the animaL to defecate.

The invention aLso comprises an animaL harness substantiaLLy as described herein with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and / or drawings.

In a second broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises a bib, substantiaLLy as described herein with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and/or drawings.

In a third broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises a frame, substantiaLLy as described herein, with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and / or drawings.

In a fourth broad, independent aspect, the invention comprises an animaL transportation vehicLe, comprising a harness according to the invention.

The invention aLso comprises an animaL transportation vehicLe substantiaLLy as described herein, with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and/or drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention wILL now be described in detaiL with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure 1 comprises a side view of a harness of the invention; Figure la is a cross-sectional side view of a bib of the invention; Figure lb is a side view of a harness of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view at a plan view of a harness of the invention; Figure 3 is a plan view of a component of the invention; Figure 4 is a side view of a component of the invention; Figure 5 is a side view of a further component of the invention; and Figure 6 is a plan view of a component of the invention.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the drawings At Figure 1 there is shown generally a harness 2 attached in situ to a transportation vehicle 4. The harness 2 comprises a bib 6 which fits around the torso of an animaL 8 thereby supporting the animaL during transport; preventing it from being thrown about by uneven roads, pothoLes and so on. The bib 6 is of a suitable material to be strong enough to support the animal 8. The bib 6 may therefore be made of textiLe, plastics, poLymeric materials or any other material, but must necessarily be flexible with a degree of stretch.

The bib 6 wiLl preferably comprise an outer Layer 10 which may be of a waterproof material and an inner layer 12 which is releasably attachable and detachable to the outer layer 10 using known attachment means. The inner layer 12 is preferably a disposable paper liner but reusable materiaLs for liners may be considered. Paper is particularLy advantageous because it is easily disposabLe and has a minimum environmental impact.

Figure la shows the outer layer 10 and the inner layer 12 of the bib 6. The outer layer 10 and the inner layer 12 are attached to one another via any known attachment means 13, aLthough, ties, hook and loop materiaL, press studs and pressure sensitive adhesive are thought to be particuLarLy appropriate.

The harness 2 is so sized to be abLe to fit under the abdomen of the animal 8 and up its sides. A preferred shape of the bib 6 is illustrated at figure 2 wherein the bib 6 can be seen to have a front 14, said front 14 having a tapered portion 16 which overlays an animals chest and a hindward portion 18 which wraps around the animaL's abdomen. A plurality of apertures 20 is provided in the preferred embodiment for the animal's limbs to be passed through; additionaL apertures may be provided in order to allow the animaL to defecate in transit. The bib 6 is of course a portion which may be separated from the rest of the harness 2. The bib 6 can be fastened to an animal prior to attachment to a harness 2.This can be particularly useful when the horse is high spirited or highLy strung and the bib 6 can be tailored such that it fits almost like a horse bLanket. In certain preferred embodiments, the bib 6 can also comprise means for cooling the animal, which may be by dint of apertures in the bib 6, or via hollow tubing sewn into the bib 6 and connected to a water cooling system including a source of water and a pump for moving the cooling water around the system (not shown).

When fitted, the bib 6 goes up each side of the animal's body and is attached by straps 22 which may in turn either be attached to the vehicle 4 directly or to a frame 24. The frame 24 comprises a first formation of elongate portions 26 and a second formation of eLongate portions which are in preferred embodiments is attached to the interior of the vehicle 4-in particularly preferred embodiments via base rails 30. The frame 24 can attach straight to a vehicle 4, or can be instalLed by way of box-like superstructure 25 which can then be securely attached to the interior of a vehicle, as in figure lb. It is possible for the frame 24 or superstructure 25 to comprise rails or casters such that when detached from the vehicle, which may be any appropriate vehicle, including an aeroplane and a boat, as well as the more conventional road transportation. The two formations of elongate portions 26 and 28 are spaced from one another such that in use an animal with a harness 2 be positioned between two said formations 26 and 28. In a preferred embodiment at [east one of the formations 26 and 28 wilL comprise a rotatable portion 32 which in use will be attached to the harness such that the harness 2 can be wound around the rotatabLe portion 32. In a preferred embodiment the rotatable portion rotates inside stirrup 34. Stirrup 34 is of a generalLy U-shaped profile but further comprises a bar for slotting in slots 36 of uprights 38. Uprights 38 have a plurality of such slots 36 thus alLowing the stirrup 34 to be positioned at different heights reLative to the uprights 38 such that different heights and sizes of animal can be fitted with the harness as appropriate. Or, as in figure 3, uprights 38 are connected to sheet portions 39 and those sheet portions comprise the slots.

AlternativeLy, the stirrup 34 fits inside a singLe slot 36 in the upright 38 and the upright 38 itself is adjustabLe in height, via a mechanism such as, for example, a rack and pinion mechanism1 so fitted as to allow for the teLescoping of a first portion of the upright 38 into and out of the second portion. In this latter case, stirrup 34 may be static.

In use the rotatable portion 32 is rotated in a first direction to tighten the bib 4 or in the opposite direction to release the bib 4. The rotatabLe portion 32 can preferabLy be rotated by a handle 40 which attaches to the end of rotatabLe portion 32. Handle 40 is preferably removable. The rotatable portion 32 comprises a plurality of apertures 42. The stirrups 34 aLso comprise apertures 44. In use, the rotatable portion 32 is prevented from rotating relative to stirrup 34 by placing a pin 46 through the aperture 42 in the rotatable portion 32 and the concomitant aperture 44 in the stirrup 34.

In use, the harness 2 may be spread out on the ground or floor of the horsebox. The animal is waLked and positioned to stand over it, the groom lifts the harness 2 up and uses temporary ties 48 to hold the harness 2 into position. The animal is then taken into the box, if it is not already there whilst the harness 2 is tightened so the animal is comfortable and safe for the journey.

At figure 6, there is shown a framework 24 adapted to take a plurality of animals, side by side.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An animaL harness for use during animaL transport and comprising a bib of a fLexible materiaL, the bib comprising a first, front end, a second, back end and two sides, wherein each of the front end, back end and the sides has a peripheraL edge and wherein the Length of the edges of each of the sides is greater than the Length of the edges of each of the back end and the front end, the harness further comprising attachment means for enabLing the attachment, in use of each side and/or each end portion of the bib to the respective side and/or end regions a transport vehicLe in which in use the animaL is to be temporariLy harnessed during transport.
2. A harness according to cLaim 1, further comprising a frame, the frame comprising two LateraLly spaced eLongate portions, the space between the portions being sufficient to be occupied by the animaL to be harnessed, wherein in use the attachment means are attached to the eLongate portions.
3. A harness according to cLaim 1 or 2, wherein at Least one eLongate portion is rotatabty attached to the frame via a hoLder.
4. A harness according to cLaim 3, wherein the harness further comprises Locking means for Locking the eLongate portion at a chosen point of rotation.
5. A harness according to either cLaim 3 or cLaim 4, wherein the hoLder has an open top such that the eLongate portion is readiLy removabLe from the hoLder.
6. A harness according to any of cLaims 2 to 5, wherein the upright portion of the frame comprises a pLuraLity of apertures spaced aLong its Length, said apertures being so sized and shaped as to receive and reLeasabty retain a portion of the hoLder, such that the height position of the hoLder relative to the ground may be adjusted.
7. The harness according to any of cLaims 2 to 6, further comprising a pair of upper bars running substantiaLLy paraLLeL to the eLongate portions, and a further removabLe bar, the further removabLe bar comprising attachment means for attachment to the pair of upper bars, such that when the removabLe bar is so attached, it runs LateraLLy between the upper bars.
8. An animal harness according to any of claims 2 to 7, said harness further comprising a pair of ground engaging base raiLs, the base raiLs being substantiaLLy paraLLeL to the elongate portion.
9. A harness according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the attachment means comprises at Least one strap, said strap projecting from a side of the bib.
10. A harness according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the bib tapers towards the front end.
11. An animaL harness according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the bib comprises a first, outer Layer of breathabLe materiaL, and a second inner Layer of absorbent materiaL, such as paper, and wherein the second Layer is re-attachabLy detachabLe, such that it may be repLaced.
12. An animaL harness according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the bib comprises at Least one aperture.
13. An animaL harness according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the bib comprises five apertures, with three apertures positioned towards the back end of the bib and two apertures positioned towards the front end of the bib.
14. An animaL harness substantiaLLy as described herein with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and I or drawings.
15. A bib, substantiaLLy as described herein with reference to and as iLLustrated by any combination of the text and/or drawings.
16. A frame, substantiaLLy as described herein, with reference to and as ilLustrated by any combination of the text and / or drawings.
17. An animal transportation vehicle, comprising a harness according to any of claims 1-14.
18. An animal transportation vehicLe substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by any combination of the text and/or drawings.