Predator Deterrent Vest

Abstract

A predator dissuading vest is provided for pets and other animals. The vest is configured to employ bristles extending from engagements with the vest to distal ends and spikes as a deterrent to an attack by a predator. Conductors for an electric shock can also be included as an additional predator dissuading component.

Claims

1. A predator dissuading vest as shown and described.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive, examples of embodiments and/or features. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an overhead or plan view of the exterior surface of the vest of the device herein, and shows the securing straps and shows the fasteners positioned on the exterior surface allowing for user configuration of the device.

[0033] FIG. 2 depicts the device of FIG. 1, showing spikes engaged to a collar portion and also showing areas of the vest having bite resistance provided by multiple fabric layers and/or the inclusion of ballistic resistant fabric.

[0034] FIG. 3 depicts the bristles in multiple adjacent sections which are engageable to the vest and which project therefrom once engaged to fasteners on the exterior of the vest.

[0035] FIG. 4 depicts a smaller configuration of bristles like those of FIG. 3, but which can be positioned by the user to any position on the vest having a cooperative fastener.

[0036] FIG. 5 depicts engageable spikes extending from a base which would be engaged with the vest, or configured with mating fasteners to allow for removable engagement to the vest.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the vest of the device as it would appear on the side of a pet or animal to which it engages and shows bristles extending along with spikes.

[0038] FIG. 7 depicts the device having the vest with bristles extending from top, collar, and side surfaces, and also having spikes projecting from a collar portion.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows the device having a vest with spikes engaged upon both the collar, and light emitters such as LED's engaged to the sides and which are operatively engaged with a battery to illuminate the sides of the vest.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows the vest of the device having spikes engaged to the sides as well as projecting from the collar, and additionally having bristles extending from the top or peak and from the collar.

[0041] FIG. 10 shows an attachment to the vest of the device configured for delivering a high voltage shock to a predator in contact with the two conductive strips which are operatively engaged to a high voltage power generating component operable using a remote control.

[0042] FIG. 11 shows the conductive strips engaged to one side with the opposite side similarly engaged and both operatively engaged with the high voltage generating component, and showing bristles and spikes also extending from the best.

[0043] FIG. 12 depicts components employable with the vest device herein to deliver a high voltage shock to an attacking predator.

[0044] FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view of a removably engageable cover showing weight force actuated secondary separable fasteners positioned on a first side which are configured for a removable engagement with separable fasteners on the exterior of the vest portion of the device herein.

[0045] FIG. 14 depicts an opposite second side of the cover, showing elongated sections of separable fasteners positioned thereon which are engageable with the bristles and spikes and other components noted herein.

[0046] FIG. 15 depicts the releasable cover of FIG. 13 having the weight force actuated separable fasteners of FIG. 13 removably engaged with the separable fasteners located on the exterior surface of the vest, such as shown in FIGS. 1-2.

[0047] FIG. 16 depicts the device having the first surface of the body of the cover removably engaged with the vest as in FIG. 1-2, which will release and separate therefrom upon a force less than the weight of the animal wearing the vest, and showing spikes engaged with the separable fasteners positioned on the second side of the body of the cover.

[0048] FIG. 17 depicts the device as in FIG. 16 with spikes engaged to a central positioned separable fastener located on the second side of the body of the cover.

[0049] FIG. 18 shows the device herein as in figure with the body of the cover engaged in a calculated releasing engagement with the vest, and depicting bristles removably connected to the centrally located separable fastener on the second side of the body of the cover.

[0050] FIG. 19 depicts a fur-appearing layer removably engaged using separable fasteners to the centrally located separable fastener of the vest.

[0051] Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0052] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only. Such prepositions are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0053] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-19, there is seen in FIG. 1 the device 10 FIG. 1 shows the overhead or plan view of an exterior surface of the vest 12 of the device 10 herein. The vest 12 employs a fastener adapted to maintain the vest 12 engaged over the back and down the sides of an animal such as a dog. Currently, such fasteners are provided by securing straps 14 having strap fasteners 16 at mating distal ends of the straps 14.

[0054] The body 13 of the vest 12 configured to the device 10 herein, so configured, is adapted to be secured to an as-used position, with an interior surface thereof in contact with or adjacent to the body of the wearer, and with the central portion substantially covering the back along the spine of the wearer such as a dog. Situated in this as-used position, both opposing sides 15 or side portions, will cover the sides of the body of the animal such as a dog. The vest 12 may be held in this as-used position, by securing the mating strap fasteners 16 on opposing sides of the body 13, to thereby hold the vest 12 in a manner substantially encircling the body of the animal being covered.

[0055] The body 13 of the vest 12 is formed of flexible fabric material, preferably a material which breathes such as textile fabric which is woven or knitted, or non woven. Such breathable allows the device 10 to fit comfortably in the as-used position. Bite-resistant portions 20 of the body 12 can be included in the vest 12 and can be formed of multiple layers of textile fabric forming the body of the vest 12, or may include ballistic or pierce-resistant fabric or material such as ballistic resistant material, such as KEVLAR, or other material which can be sewn, or positioned within a pocket, of the body of the vest 12.

[0056] The bite resistant portions 20 can be placed anywhere on the vest 12, however experimentation has shown that panels of pierce resistant fabric positioned on opposing sides 15 of a central portion 17 of the vest covering the spine, which are configured to cover the sides of the body of the animal when in the as-used position, work well as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0057] The body 13 forming the vest 12 preferably includes a collar portion 18 at one end, adapted to encircle all or most of the neck of the animal having the device 10 positioned thereon in the as-used position. The collar portion 18 can also include a bite-resistant portion of similar construction to bite resistant portions 20 on the sides 15 of the body. So formed of pierce resistant fabric adapted to prevent the teeth of a predator from piercing the skin of the neck of the dog or animal wearing the device 10 around which the collar portion 18 wraps.

[0058] Such bite-resistant portions 20 can be included in addition to bite dissuading attachments shown engaged upon the collar portion 18 and extending from the exterior surface of the vest 12, such as the pointed spikes 22 shown engaged to the collar portion 18 in FIG. 2. The spikes 22 can be permanently engaged to the body 13 of the vest 12 as in FIG. 2, or can be removably engaged to the vest 12 using a spike 23 strip shown in FIG. 5, and the removably engageable fasteners on an opposite side of a flexible base 24, from the spikes 22 as in FIG. 5.

[0059] As noted, the vest 12 can be provided in static form, with spikes 22 and/or bristles 26 permanently engaged to and extending from the exterior surface of the vest 12 at one or more of the central portion 17, side portions 15 and collar portion 18, of the vest 12. Or, the spikes 22 and the bristles 26 and/or other predator dissuading attachments to the vest 12, can be engaged with a separable fastener 28, formed of a first half thereof engaged on the base 24 of the spikes 22 and/or a base 24 having bristles 26 engaged, which is configured for a removable engagement with a second half of the separable fastener 28, located on an exterior facing surface of the body 13 of the vest 12.

[0060] Shown herein for sake of disclosure and understanding, such a separable fastener 28 can be hook and loop fabric, positioned in both the vest 12 and the base 24, used for attaching dissuading components. However, any separable fastener 28 on which half of that fastener may be positioned on the exterior surface of the vest 12, and a mating half of the fastener to a base 24 of an attached predator dissuading component, can be employed as one skilled in the art would use, such as clips, snaps, buttons, sewing, zippers, zip ties, or any separable mating fastener as one skilled might find in the GRANGER or another fastener catalog.

[0061] The separable mode is preferable in that it allows the user to configure the vest 12 to include bristles 26, spikes 22, light emitting components such as LED's 30, or other predator dissuading components attached to the vest 12 as desired, and allows each user to adapt a respective vest 12 with such attachments in positions and of a type, to dissuade local predators to the animal to which they have engaged the vest in the as-used position. In the modes of the device of FIGS. 14-20 the vest 12 can be removably engaged to a cover, where the separable fasteners 28 are configured to release at a determined force, which would be a force slightly less than that of gravity on the body of the animal wearing the vest 12.

[0062] Additionally, it should be noted that while spikes 22, and bristles 26, and light emitters 30, are shown as a group of different attachments which can be removably engaged to the vest 12, other predator dissuading attachments can be employed and are considered included within the claims of this invention.

[0063] FIGS. 3 and 4, shows that the bristles 26 can be engaged to a flexible base 24 in multiple adjacent sections, which are engageable to the vest 12 directly, or can be engaged using separable fasteners 28 between the vest 12 and base 24 thereof. The bristles 26 are preferably formed of flexible material such as a polymeric material such as plastic, nylon, PVC, or similar materials which will bend but return to a linear shape.

[0064] A first end of the bristles 26 are engaged to either the vest 12 or a base 24 engaged to the vest 12, and the bristles extend to a distal which may be between one half inch to 18 inches or more in length. The base 24 will be generally flexible and planar on the attaching side engaging the vest 12, but on the opposite side engaging bristles 26 the base 24 might have other shapes adapted to project bristles 26 therefrom in many directions. For example an arched shape will allow bristles to extend from a perceived hump in an arched configuration, or a dome shape of the base 24 would allow extension of the bristles 26 in many different directions away from the vest 12 surface. Further, the bristles 26 can be colorized to allow decoration of the animal, as well as the use of a color which might confuse or otherwise dissuade a predator.

[0065] As noted, FIG. 5 depicts engageable spikes 22 extending from a base 24 which would be engaged with the vest 12 directly or can be removably engaged using separable fasteners 28 between the vest 12 and base 24. The spikes 22 may be engaged anywhere on the vest 12 such as the collar portion 18, or areas where half portions of the separable fastener 28 are positioned. The same is true of the light emitters 30 or bristles 26, and it should be noted the separable fastener 28 can also be anywhere on the vest 12 and not just in the preferred positions shown.

[0066] FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the vest 12 of the device 10 as it would appear from a position adjacent an animal with the device 10 secured in the as-used position. As shown, bristles 26 extend from an area which will cover the spine of the animal, and the top of the neck, and spikes 22 are engaged to the collar portion 18. Such has been found to prevent bites by predators along the spine of the animal, or to the neck of the animal wearing the device.

[0067] FIG. 7 shows a mode of the device 10 in a similar view to FIG. 6, and having the vest 12 with bristles 26 extending centrally on the central portion 17 above the spine of an animal with the device in the as-used position, and at the top of the collar portion 18 and also extending from side surfaces of the vest 12 covering sides of body of the animal wearing it. These bristles 26 as noted make the animal wearing the vest 12 confusing and appear larger to a predator, and projecting from the top and sides will tend to spear or engage the eyes of a predator trying to bight the body or neck of the animal wearing the device.

[0068] FIG. 8 shows the device 10 configured similar to FIG. 7, but having spikes 22 engaged upon the top and the collar portion 18 of the body. Also included are light emitters 30 such as LED's engaged to areas of the vest 12 adapted for positioning on the sides of the body of the animal wearing it. A battery (not shown) and wiring and switches would be included and engaged to the base 24 holding the light emitters 30. Emitting light has both the effect of confusing and scaring predators, and allowing the owner of the animal to find it in darkness.

[0069] FIG. 9 provides a view of the vest 12 of the device 10 showing that spikes 22 can be engaged to the side portions 15 as well as projecting from the collar portion 18, to show as noted that configurations are only limited by the number and type of dissuading attachments available with an attachable base 24, and the positions of the mating separable fasteners 28 on the vest 12.

[0070] Shown mounted in FIG. 11, FIG. 10 shows an attachment to the vest 12 of the device 10 configured with a electric conductor shown as a electrically conductive base 24 formed of electrically conductive material such as copper fibers, and an operatively connected to a switch 32 which may be activated to communicate one pole or one half of a high voltage electric power supply, to each of said electrically conductive base 24 portions. In one mode, the switch 32 can be wirelessly activated by a remote control 36 to connect power from the onboard power supply such as a battery 34.

[0071] The conductive base 24 may be engaged to the vest 12 using any of the separable fasteners 28 noted herein, in positions thereon adapted to engage in the mouth of a predator biting the vest 12 on an animal. As shown, in one preferred mode, a wireless remote control 36 is employable to activate the combination switch 32 and an electric shock generating component 33 to thereby deliver one half of a high voltage electric current circuit, to each side of the conductive base 24 from an onboard electric power source 34 such as a battery 34 or capacitor. The mouth of the predator biting the pet or dog over their back, will complete the circuit, and deliver a high voltage shock from the electric shock generator 33 to the predator thereby encouraging release.

[0072] The high voltage can be generated by a stun gun type electric shock generator 33 engaged to or within the housing for the switch 32, or might be provided by a higher voltage battery 34 or capacitor 34, engaged to the conductive bases 24 through the switch 32.

[0073] As noted, FIG. 11 shows the electrically conductive base 24 engaged to one side portion 15 of the worn vest 12, and the second conductive base 24 would be similarly engaged on the opposite side portion 15, close enough to the central portion covering the spine of an animal, to allow contact with both strips in a bite by a predator over the spine and back. The conductive base 24 portions may be employed in combination with the attachment of spikes 22 or bristles 26 or other attached components, such that even if a predator is not dissuaded by contact with spikes 22 or bristles 26, they will receive an electric shock. This may entail forming the base 24 engaged with spikes 22 or bristles 26 or other dissuading projections, from conductive material such as copper fiber or other conductive threads or material.

[0074] The conductive base 24 strips as noted, each may be connected by switch 32 activation with one pole from an high voltage electric shock generator 33 which may be positioned in the housing for the switch 32. Each of the conducting base 24 sections would be connected to one pole or half of the high voltage electric circuit, such that the mouth of a predator contacting both portions of the conductive base 24 will complete the circuit and deliver a high voltage shock.

[0075] As noted earlier, other means for activating the switch 32 to connect one half of a high voltage circuit, to each of the two conducting base 24 portions may be employed. Such may be for example, proximity switching activated by software running on a computing component 37 or computer, operatively engaged to close the switch 32. In this mode the switch 32 employing a connected transceiver 39 will transmit an RF signal for receipt by the remote control 36, and a return signal will be sent by the remote control 36 which must be received by the transceiver 39 and communicated to the computing component 37 operating the switch 32. If the pet or dog as strayed to a proximity outside a distance where the RF signals travel, subsequent to a sent signal from the transceiver 37, which is not answered by the remote control 36, software running on the computing component 37 adapted to monitor such, will close the switch 32 and thus arm the conductive base 24 components.

[0076] If the pet or dog locates to a position sufficiently proximate to the remote control 36 to receive an answer to a sent signal subsequently, the computing component 37 will open the switch 32 and disarm the conductive base components 24. Such will protect the pet or animal wearing the vest should they panic or just run away from their owner.

[0077] As noted earlier, other means to automatically activate the switch 32 to connect the conductive base 24 components to the electric shock generator 33 can be employed, which will automatically protect a pet or animal wearing the vest should the owner or caretaker not be proximate. Such for example may be a microphone 41 connected to the computing component or microprocessor operatively engaged to open and close the switch 32. Should the microphone 41 communicate an electronic signal representative of a preprogrammed sound designated in software running on the computing component 37, that elicits a response to activate the switch 32, software running on the computing component 37 will signal the switch 32 to close thereby connect the conductive base 24 portions, to the energized electric shock generator 33. Such a sound for example could be a growling noise, or could be a recorded sound of panic or stress the pet or animal wearing the device makes when faced with a predator.

[0078] FIG. 13 depicts a bottom view of a removably engageable or separable cover 44 having a cover body 46 which provides protection to the vest 12 wearer from being picked up and carried away by an aerial predator or for that matter a larger animal. On a first side 48 of the cover body 46 are shown at least one, and preferably a plurality of secondary separable fasteners 29 which are configured to mate with and removably engage with the separable fasteners 28 half portion on the exterior surface of the vest 12. As with the separable fasteners 28 noted above, where half is located on the vest 12 and the other half is located on flexible base 24, while shown as hook and loop fabric, the separable fasteners 28 and secondary separable fastener 29, may be any separable fastener where one half is positioned on the vest 12 and the other half on the body 46 of the cover 44, where they will disconnect at a calculated force or peel strength.

[0079] In all modes of the device 10 employing the separable cover 44, the separable fasteners 28 removably engaging the cover body 46 of the cover 44 are formed of two half portions of separable fasteners 28 and secondary separable fasteners 29, which are calculated to release. This release occurs at any time a force is imparted pulling the cover 44 away from the vest 12, such as when a bird of prey grips the cover 44 in talons, and attempts to lift the wearer of the vest 12 having the separable cover 44 engaged.

[0080] The calculated peel strength or release force would be less than the weight of the animal wearing the vest 12. As such, when the cover body 46 of the separable cover 44 is pulled in a direction vertically away from the vest 12, the engagement of the separable fastener 28 and secondary separable fastener 29 will release under the force of the weight of the wearer of the vest 12, which will exceed the peel strength or separating force the separable fasteners 28 and secondary separable fastener 29 will support.

[0081] For example, and in no way limiting, if the wearer of the vest 12 has a weight of eight pounds, the peel strength or disconnect of separable fasteners 28 employed will release at all times, at a force less than eight pounds such as seven pounds. Thus, should a predator pull on the cover body 46 defining the cover 44 in a direction away from the vest 12, the separable fasteners 28 and secondary separable fasteners 29, will disconnect before the wearer of the vest 12 lifts away from the ground or support surface on which they are standing.

[0082] This release of the separable fasteners 28 at a determined force or peel strength can be provided for example, by forming the separable fasteners 28 and secondary separable fasteners 29 of hook and loop fabric, with a total area of the secondary separable fastener 29 on the first side 48 of the cover body 46 calculated to peel from and release from the separable fastener 28 on the vest 12 to which it engages, at the desired weight or force. Such is easily determined by testing or employing factory specifications on the configuration and/or area of secondary separable fasteners 29 and separable fasteners 28 required to resist disconnection at a determined peel strength or force.

[0083] Other separable fasteners 28 and secondary separable fasteners 29, such a buttons and clips can be also found or calculated to release at a determined force which is less than the force required to lift the weight of the animal wearing the vest 12. In a method of fitting the animal, they first would be weighed, and then sized for a vest 12. Based on the weight of the vest 12 wearer, separable fasteners 28 and secondary separable fasteners 29 will be chosen which disconnect, at a force less than that required to lift the vest 12 wearer. The chosen separable fasteners 28 and secondary separable fasteners 29 will be engaged to one or both of the cover body 46 and the vest 12 such that thereafter, a lifting force imparted to pull the cover 44 from contact with the vest 12, will cause the secondary separable fasteners 28 to disengage from the separable fasteners 28 before the lifting force equals or exceeds the lifting force required to lift the weight of wearer of the vest 12.

[0084] Currently employing separable fasteners 28 which will separate at 20 to 80 percent of the weight of the animal wearing the vest 12 is preferred. This is because, in use, separation of the fasteners 28 and secondary separable fasteners 29 at 20-40 percent of the weight of the animal wearing the vest 12 works well to both confuse the predator trying to lift the animal wearing the vest 12. The separation allows the animal wearing the vest 12 disconnected from the separable cover 44, to escape the confused predator which ends up holding the cover 44 after such a separation.

[0085] Shown in FIG. 14 is the separable cover 44 having a second side 50 of the cover body 46 having one half of the separable fasteners 28 located thereon. Once the first side 48 of the separable cover 44 is connected to the vest 12 as noted above, this second side 50 is positioned on top of the vest 12. The elongated portions of the separable fasteners 28 are then engageable with separable fasteners 28 on the flexible base 24 to which the bristles 26 and spikes 22 and other components noted herein may be engaged.

[0086] FIG. 15 depicts the separable cover 44 of FIG. 13 having the cover body 46 engaged to the underlying vest 12. As noted herein, the secondary separable fasteners 29 shown in FIG. 13 are removably engaged with the separable fasteners 28 on the vest 12 in a manner having a peel strength or yielding a disconnection therebetween, at a force in pounds less than the weight of the animal wearing the vest 12.

[0087] FIG. 16 depicts the device 10 herein having the first side 48 of the separable cover 44 removably engaged with the vest 12 in the manner noted above. As shown, once the separable cover 44 is so engaged to separate and the determined force, other removably engageable components such as the spikes 22 on a flexible base 24 can be connected using the separable fasteners 28 on the vest 12 and on the flexible base 24.

[0088] FIG. 17 depicts the device, as in FIG. 16, showing spikes 22 positioned on a flexible base 24 connected by separable fasteners 28 to positions on the separable cover 44 adjacent the sides 15 of the vest 12 and adjacent the central portion 17 of the vest 12.

[0089] FIG. 18 shows the device herein as in FIG. 16 with the separable cover 44 engaged in the calculated releasing engagement with the vest 12. As shown, bristles are removably connected to the separable fastener 28 on the second side 50 of the cover body 46 which are centrally located adjacent the central portion 17 of the vest 12. Spikes 22 positioned on a flexible base 24 are connected by separable fasteners 28 to positions on the separable cover 44 adjacent the sides 15 of the vest 12.

[0090] Shown in FIG. 19, is an especially preferred mode of the device herein, having pile fabric 27 also known as faux fur, engaged to the flexible base 24. The pile fabric 27 is then removably engaged to the separable fastener 28 located in a central area of the separable cover 44, or, while not shown, it can be directly engaged to the separable fastener on the exterior surface of the vest 12 in the same fashion as the bristles 26 in FIG. 7-8 and provide for a release when a weight limit of the releasable fasteners 28 on the exterior of the vest 12 and the underside of the pile fabric 27 is reached.

[0091] Such a pile fabric 27 appears to predators as the fur of the animal wearing the vest 12 and will operate as a decoy which the predator will naturally grab in an attack from the air. The grasping of the pile fabric 27 by the predator will result thereafter in a separation of the cover body 48 of the separable cover 44 from the vest 12, if the pile fabric 27 is engaged thereto, or a separation from the exterior surface of the vest 12 if directly engaged thereto, upon communication of the determined force thereto. When such occurs as noted, the predator is left holding the faux fur or pile fabric either engaged to the separable cover 44, or just separated from the exterior surface of the vest 12 when the fasteners 28 release, giving the animal wearing the vest 12 time to escape.

[0092] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the predator dissuading vest for pets and animals have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.