GB2518630A

GB2518630A - Animal head restraint

Info

Publication number: GB2518630A
Application number: GB1317070.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ruth Challoner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-26
Filing date: 2013-09-26
Publication date: 2015-04-01
Also published as: GB201317070D0

Abstract

An animal head restraint for limiting the head 104 movement of an animal 100. The restraint comprises a body 11 strap which is securable around a body of the animal proximate a shoulder region, a head strap 13 which in use is secured around the head of the animal proximate the nose, and a connecting strap 17 which in use, extends along an underside of the animal between the head strap and the shoulder strap. The restraint thus limits upward movement of the head strap, relative to the shoulder strap. An additional collar strap 21 may be provided. The straps may be adjustable and the head strap may be padded and comprise a reflective or fluorescent portion.

Description

I

The present invention Slates to an animal head restraint and parti9ulady, but not exrluslve1y to a head restraint for a canine.

Traditional methods of controlling animars such as canines, involve securing a collar around the neck of the canine and then coupling a tether or read to the coHar. A canine handler can then control the movement of the canine by gripping the lead. In this manner the canine is typically restricted to moving within a pre4etlned range from the handler, as determined by the length of the lead.

Alternative methods involve the use of harnesses which extend around the body of the animal, such as a canine. The tether or lead is then coupled to an upper region of the harness proximate the back of the canThe. This method is generally the favoured method for controlling small canines. However, similar to the collar and lead, the harness and lead only provides for a restriction to the distance which the animal can move away from the handler; the collar and harness do not restrict the ability of the animal to bite.

Accordingly, when controlllng vicious animals or animal which may pose a threat to other animals and/or people, it is common to muzzle the animal by securing a cage or similar around the mouth of the animal to prevent the animal from biting. Muzzles however, often limit the animal's ability to open their mouth arid can thus limIt the, atility of the animal to breathe and also pant, the latter of which is particularly important for canines, since panting enables the canine to release excess heat to prevent overheating.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an ardmai head restraint, the restraint comprising a body strap which it securable around a body of the animal proximate a shoulder region, a head strap which in use is secured around the head of the animal proximate the nose, and a connecting strap which: in use, extends along an underside of the animal between the head strap and the shoulder strap to Omit upward movement of the head strap, relative to the shoulder strap.

Advantageously, the restraint substantlally prevents the animal from raising their head beyond a threshold point, and thus restricts the animal from biting. The restraint further S enables the animal to breathe normally, pant, eat and drink and thus provides for a more friendly restraint for the animal.

The. head strap comprises free ends which are secured to a connector sing, and further comprises a slider rIng Which extends around f he straps to form a looped portion which is arranged to extend aroqnd the animals head. The size of the looped portion is varied by sliding the slider ring along the laoped strap.

in an embodiment, the restraint further comprises a neck collar secured to the head strap and which in use is arranged to extend around the neck of the animal to prevent the.

head strap from slipping off the end of the nose of the animal. The neck collar is preferably coupled Ia the, head strap via the slider ring.

in an embodiment, the head strap comprises a padded region for providing a comfortable fit upon the animal, and may further comprise a reflective or fluorescent portion disposed on an upper surface thereof for improvIng, the visibility of the animal in reduced fighting conditions, such as during the night.

Preferably, the neck collar comprises a fastening arrangement which permits the neck coliar to be opened and dosed around the neck of the animal, The fastening arrangement may comprise a hookand-1Qop or Veicrc* arrangement. in an' alternative embodiment, the neck collar may comprise a first and second connector disposed at a respectWe free end of the strap, which are arranged to detachable couple together. lb a further alternative, the fastening arrangement may comprise a buckle having a Frame secured. to a first end of the neck collar, and which is arranged to receive a second end of the neck collar, the buckle further comprising a prong which is arrançed to locate ñthin one of a plurality of apertures disposed along the neck collar prSmate the second end thereof.

The neck collar may also conveniently comprise adjustment means for permitting a re-sizing of the length of the neck collar.

In an embodiment, the body strap is securable behind the front legs of' the animal to.

minimise movement of the body a strap along the body of the animal toward the head thereof. The body strap preferably comprises a fastening arrangement which permits the body strap to be opened and closed around the body of the animal. The fastening arrangement may comprise a hook-and-loop, or Veloroct) arrangement In an alternative embodiment, the head strap may comprise a first and second connector disposed at a respective free and of the strap, which are arranged, to detachable couple together In a further alternative, the fastening, arrangement may comprise a buckle having a frame secured to a first end of the head strap, and which is arranged to receive a second end of the head strap, the buckle' further comprising a prong which is arranged to kcate within one of a plurality of apertures disposed along the body strap proximate the second end thereof.

In an embodiment. the body strap may further comprise adjustment means for permithng a re-sizing of the length of the body strap to suit the particular animal.

The connectlng strap ii preferably securabte at first end to the connector ring and at a second end thereof to connector piece disposed on the body strap,. Preferably, the connectIng strap comprises adjustment means to permit a re-&zng of the length of the connecting strap.

The animal head restraint preferably further comprises a safety strap which Is secured at a proximal end thereof to the connector i'ing and which omptises a coupler disposed at a distal end thereof for selectively coupling the distal end of the safety strap to a traditional do collar for example, disposed on the animal, so that in the event that the animal head restraInt fails, the animal handler can maintain control over the animal.

EmbOdiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 Is a schematic view of the animal head restraint, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and, $ Figure 2is a view of the animal head restraint secured upon a canine.

Referring ta figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated an animal head restraint IC) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The restraint 10 comprises a body strap ii which is arranged to extend around the body 101 of the ima1. such as a canine (as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings), preferably at the rear of the front leg's 102 proximate a shoulder region 103. The positioning of the body strap ii behind the front legs 102 prevents the strap 11 from passing atong the body 101, forWardli of the legs 102.

The body chap 11 Is secured around the canine body 101 using a fastening arrangement 12 which in the illustrated embodiment comprises a buckle 12. The btjckle 12 comprises a frame 12a secured to a first eM lie of the body strap 11, which Is arranged to receive a second end 11 h ot the strap 11'. The buckle 12 further comprises a pmng I 2h which is arranged to locate within one of a plurality of apertUre I Ic disposed along the strap 11, proximate the second end 1 lb thereof. In this respect, the buckle 12 enables the strap 11 to be suitably sized and secured around the body 101 of the cine I Q0., in an: alteratiwe embodiment which is not iflustrated' the body strap 11 may' be secured using a hook-and-loop type fastening arrangement (not shown), whereby the hook section is disposed along a portion of the strap ii praximate a first end 11 a thereof and is. arranged to cooperate with loop section is disposed along a portion of the strep 11 proximate a second ead 1 lb thereof.

In a further alternatIve, the fastening arrangement 12 may comprise a first and second connector (not shown) disposed at a respective end of the body strap 11 which may detachably couple together. In this case, the body strap 11 may further comprise an adjustment means (not shown), which perot the length of the body stiap to be suitably sized to match the body size of the canine 100..

The restraint 10 further comprises a head strap 13 whIch is arranged to extend around a portion of the canine's head 104 proximate the canines nose 105. The head strap 13 comprises a first and second end portion ISa, I Sb which are secured to a connector ring 14,. and further comprises a skier ring 15 with extends around the Sap porUqns ISa, 13b to form a looped portion 16 of the head strap 13 which is arranged to extend around the animals head 104. The size of the looped portion 16 is varied by sliding the slider ring 15 along the strap portions 13*, 1 Sb. The portion or the head strap 13 whlch extends In contact with the canine 100 is padded for improved comfort and futther comprises a reflective or fluorescent portion 17 to improve the visibility of the canine 100 when wearing the restraint during reduced lighting conditions.

The head strap 13 and body strap II are secured together with a connectinG strap 17 which is secured at a first end 17a thereof to the connector ring 14, which in use is located at the undersk[e of the canine 100, and at a second eric! lib to a connector piece iS secured to the body strap 11. and which in use is located at an underside ci' the canine 100.

In this respect, the connector strap 17 extends from the head strap 1$ along an underside of the canine 100, between the front legs 102 of the canine 100, to the body strap 11 and is arranged to limit the extent to which a canine 100 may raise its head 104. The degree. of upward movement is governed by the length of the connecting strap 17 and as such, the connecting strap comprises adjustment means I, so that the length of the connecting strap 17 may be suitable sized for a particular canine 100.. The connector strap 17 may further comprise a coupler 20 disposed at each end thereof, for detachably coupling the connector strap 17 to the connector ring 14 and connector piece 18, such that the connector Strap 17 may be removed and replóced as required by a canine handier (not shown).

The restraint 10 further comprises a neck, collar 21, which in use extends around the neck 106 at the canine 100 and which is coupled to the head strap 12 vIa the connecting ring 14. In a further embodiment, the neck collar 21 may 1efurther coupled to the head strap 13 via a retaining strap 22, which serves to maintain an approximate orientation of the neck collar 20 elative to the head strap 13.

The neck collar 21 comprises a fastening arrangement 22, which may be similar to that disposed on the body strap 11 to permit the neck collar 21 to be opened and closed around the canine's neck 104, thereby permitting the neck collar 21 to be placed upon and removed from the CanIne 100. In the illustrated embodiment, ths fastening arrangement 23 IC) of the neck collar 21 comprises a first and second connector 2%, ZSb disposed at a respective end ci the neck collar 21 which may detathably couple to9ether. However1 the neck qollar 21 may alternatively coçnpise a hoolcand4oop type fastening arrangement (not shown). In a further embodiment, the lastening arrangement 23 may cc.zmpiise buckle (not shown). In a further ernbodiinent, the neck collar 21 may further comprise adjustment means 24, to permit the length of the neck collar 21 to be suitably sized to match the, neck size of the canine 100: In an embodiment, the restraint 10 may further comprise a safety strap 25 whIch Is coupled at a proximal end thereoF to the connectIng rIng' 14 and which comprises a coupler 26, such as a karabiner, disposed at a distal end thereof which enables the safety strap 25 to b detachably coupled to a traditional canine collar 7, for example. The safety strap 25 thus provides a failsafe, such that in the even the restraint fails, the handler (not' shown) may retain some control of the canine 100.

Referring to figure 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated the above described animal head restraint 10 suitably positioned upon a canlpe IOQ, During use, once the restraint 10 has been secured upon the canine iGO, the length of the connector strap 17 connecting the head strap Ia to the body strap 11 may be suitably adjusted using the adjttstment means, 1,8 to restrlctthe upward movement of head strap 13 and thus the canine's head 104 relative to the body strap 11. The handier (not shown) may further couple a lead or tether 28 to the connecting ring 14 of the restraint 10 ta restrict' the travel of the, canIne 100 relative to the handler (not shown).

From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the animal head restraint provides for an improved control oyer' the animal For' the handler.

Claims

I. An animal head restraint, the restraint comprising a body strap which is securai,le around. a body of the animal proximate a shoulder region, a head strap with in use is secured around the head of the animal proximate the nose, and a connecting strap which in use, extends along an underside of the animal between the head strap and the shoulder strap to limit' upward movement of the head strap, relative to. the.shoulder strap.
2. An animal head restraint according to claIm 1, wherein the head strap comprIses free ends which are secured to a connector ring, and further comprises a slider ring which IC) extends around the straps to form a looped portion which is arranged to extend art,uncl' the animals head.
S. An animal head' restraint according to claim 2, ft,rther camprisng a neck collar secured to the head strap and which in use is arranged to extend around the neck of the animal to prevent the head strap from slipping oft the end of the nose of the animal.
4. An animal head restraint according o daim 3, whereIn the necic collar is coupl&i to the head strap via the slider ring,
5. An, animal head restraint according to any preceding claim, wherein the head strap compdses a padded region for providing a comfortable fit upon the animal 8. An animal head restraint accorthng' to any preceding claim, fwther comprising a reflective, or fluorescent portion disposed on an upper surface at the head strap for improving the visibility of the animal in reduced lighting conditions.7. An animal bead restraint according to claim 3cr 4, wherein the neck collar comprises a fastening arrangement which permits the neck collar to be opened and closed around the neck of the animal.8. An' animal head restraint according to claim 3 or 4, further com'ptising adjustment means for pennItting a re-sizing of the length of' the neck collar.9. An animal head restraint according to any preceding daim, wherein the body strap comprises a fastening arrangement which perruita the body strap to be opefled and closal around the body of the animal 10, An animal head restraint according to claim 9, whereIn the body strap further comprises adjustment means for permitting a resizing of the lenØth of the body strap to suit the. partloular animal.lit An animal head restraint according, to claim 2, wherein the connecting strap is secunbie at first: end to the connector ring and' at a second end thereof to connector piece disposed on the body strap.12,. An animal head. restraint according to. any preceding claim, wherein the connecting strap comptises adjustment means to permit a unizinçj of' the tength ot' the connecting strap.t$. An animal head restraint according to claim 2: further comprising' a safety strap which is secured at a proximal end thereof to the connector ring and: which comprises a coupler disposed at a distat end thePeof.