A CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR THE FRONT END OF A HORSE RUG

Abstract

A closure system (10) for the front end (11) of a horse rug (12) which holds together the sides (13, 14) of the horse rug (12) over the chest of a horse (indicated by reference numeral 15). The closure system (10) consists of a pair of opposed straps (16, 17), each strap (16, 17) being fixed to a respective side (13, 14) of the rug (12) at the front end (11) thereof, and a connector (18) to which each strap (16, 17) is attachable, the connector (18) being of a shape such that, in use, when the sides (13, 14) of the front end (11) of the rug (12) are brought together and the straps (16, 17) are attached to the connector (18), the connector (18) sits snugly against the horse's chest (at 15), which minimises the possibility of the closure becoming snagged by any obstacles.

Claims

1. A closure system for the front end of a horse rug, for holding together the sides of the horse rug over the chest of a horse, which system comprises a pair of opposed straps, the and each strap being fixed to a respective side of the rug at the front end thereof, and a connector to which the and each strap is attachable, the connector being of a shape such that, in use, when the front ends of the sides of the rug are brought together and the straps are attached to the connector, the connector sits snugly against the horse's chest.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a plate having a plurality of orifices located near the periphery thereof, the orifices being spaced apart, such that, in use, an orifice is alignable with a respective strap of the pair of opposed straps, with the and each strap being passable through the respective orifice, and thereby attached to the plate, and the and each orifice being dimensioned such that the corresponding strap is a snug fit therein.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the plate is generally circular with the upper edge of the plate, between the orifices, being flattened.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein an additional pair of straps is fixed to the respective sides of the rug at the front end thereof, with the additional pair of straps being passable through corresponding orifices in the periphery of the plate.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the and each strap has a tab attached to the end thereof, which end faces the plate, in use, the and each tab being passable through the respective orifice and the and each tab being foldable back to connect to the respective strap.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the tabs connect to the straps by means of a system of hooks and loops.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein each orifice is in the form of a slot.

8. A system according to claim 5, wherein the orifices to each side of the plate are in the form of a single slot.

9. A system according to claim 4, wherein the additional pair of straps, in use, follows the groove between the neck and the shoulder of the horse.

10. A system according to claim 4, wherein the straps to each side of the rug define an angle of 40 to 70 therebetween.

11. A system according to claim 4, wherein the straps to each side of the rug define an angle of 60 therebetween.

12. A system according to claim 1, wherein the connector is made of a material with a pre-determined breaking strength.

13. A system according to claim 1, wherein additional means is provided for securing the rug across the chest of the horse, in use.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the connector sits atop the additional means for securing the rug across the chest of the horse, in use.

15. (canceled)

16. A closure system for the front end of a horse rug, for holding together the sides of the horse rug over the chest of a horse, which system comprises a pair of opposed straps, the and each strap being fixed to a respective side of the rug at the front end thereof, and a connector to which the and each strap is attachable, the connector being of a shape such that, in use, when the front ends of the sides of the rug are brought together and the straps are attached to the connector, the connector sits snugly against the horse's chest,; and an additional pair of straps is fixed to the respective sides of the rug at the front end thereof, with the additional pair of straps being passable through corresponding orifices in the periphery of the plate, wherein the additional pair of straps, in use, follows the groove between the neck and the shoulder of the horse, wherein the and each strap has a tab attached to the end thereof, which end faces the plate, in use, the and each tab being passable through the respective orifice and the and each tab being foldable back to connect to the respective strap, wherein the tabs connect to the straps by means of a system of hooks and loops and each orifice is in the form of a slot, such that the orifices to each side of the plate are in the form of a single slot, and wherein the straps to each side of the rug define an angle of 60 therebetween.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein additional means is provided for securing the rug across the chest of the horse, in use.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the connector sits atop the additional means for securing the rug across the chest of the horse, in use.

Description

[0039] The invention will be further illustrated by the following description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a closure system in accordance with the invention positioned on a horse (not shown) wherein the straps are in a partially closed position;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the closure system of FIG. 1 wherein the straps are in a fully closed position;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a further embodiment of a connector for a closure system in accordance with the invention;

[0043] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the connector of FIG. 3;

[0044] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a closure system in accordance with the invention in a closed position and incorporating the connector of FIGS. 3 and 4;

[0045] FIG. 6 is the front elevation view of a further embodiment of a connector for a closure system in accordance with the invention; and

[0046] FIG. 7 is the rear view of the connector of FIG. 6.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated generally at 10, a closure system for the front end 11 of a horse rug 12 for holding together the sides 13, 14 of the horse rug 12 over the chest of a horse in use, indicated by reference numeral 15, in accordance with the invention. The closure system 10 consists of a pair of opposed straps 16, 17, each strap 16, 17 being fixed to a respective side 13, 14 of the rug 12 at the front end 11 thereof, and a connector 18 to which each strap 16, 17 is attachable, the connector 18 being of a shape such that, in use, when the sides 13, 14 of the front end 11 of the rug 12 are brought together and the straps 16, 17 are attached to the connector 18, the connector 18 sits snugly against the horse's chest at 15.

[0048] The connector 18 comprises a plate 19 having a plurality of orifices 20, 21 located near the periphery thereof, the orifices 20, 21 being spaced apart, such that, in use, an orifice 20, 21 is alignable with a respective strap 16, 17, with each strap 16, 17 being passable through the respective orifice 20, 21, and thereby attached to the plate 19.

[0049] Each strap 16, 17 has a tab 22, 23 attached to the respective end 24, 25 thereof, which end 24, 25 faces the plate 19, in use, each tab 22, 23 being passable through the respective orifice 20, 21 and each tab 22, 23 being foldable back to connect to the respective strap 16, 17.

[0050] Additional means 26 in the form of a closure using a system of hooks and loops is provided beneath the connector 18 for securing the rug 12 across the chest of the horse at 15, in use.

[0051] Referring to FIG. 2, the closure system 10 is shown wherein the straps 16, 17 are in a fully closed position.

[0052] The tabs 22, 23 connect to the straps 16, 17 by a system of hooks and loops 27, 28.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 3, a further embodiment of a connector for a closure system in accordance with the invention is illustrated.

[0054] The connector 30 is a generally circular plate 31. Four orifices 32, 33, 34, 35 in the plate 31 are adapted to receive a strap (not shown) of the closure system (not shown), with upper edge 36 of edge 37 of plate 31, between the orifices 32 and 34, being flattened.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 4, a rear view of the connector of FIG. 3 is illustrated.

[0056] Each orifice 32, 33, 34, 35 is in the form of a respective slot 38, 39 40, 41. The edge 37 is bevelled.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 5, a further embodiment of a closure system in accordance with the invention is illustrated generally at 50 in a closed position and incorporating the connector of FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0058] A pair of straps 51, 52 is fixed to the respective sides 13, 14 of the rug 12 at the front end 11 thereof, and pass through respective slots 39, 41 in plate 31. An additional pair of straps 53, 54 is passable through corresponding slots 38, 40.

[0059] The additional pair of straps 53, 54, in use, follows the groove between the neck and the shoulder of the horse (both not shown).

[0060] The straps 51, 52 and 53, 54 to each side 13, 14 of the rug 12 define an angle of 60 therebetween.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 6, a front elevation view is shown of a further embodiment of a connector, illustrated generally at 60, for as closure system in accordance with the invention.

[0062] The connector 60 is in the form of a plate 61 having a curved slot 62, 63 to each side thereof.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 7, the rear of connector 60 is shown. Edge 64 of plate 61 is bevelled.

[0064] Each slot 62, 63 can accommodate two strips of a closure system in accordance with the invention.