PROTECTIVE EQUINE LEGGINGS AND BODYSUIT

Abstract

The invention comprises equine leggings, harness, and one-piece, stretch fabric, zippered bodysuit oras a variantlightweight, long-tassel fringe bodysuit with modified harness. Combined, the invention provides complete equine body protection from flying and biting insects. The leggings stretch from hoof to shoulder; the harness encircles the neck then extends down the horse's spine from wither to rump; suspender-type straps extend from the harness to secure the leggings, which feature elasticized gussets at top and bottom to aid fitting; the bodysuit, with a singular, contoured zippered fastening under the belly, stretches around and over first the head, along the horse's body and back, then over the tail in one fitting. The long-tassel fringe bodysuit variant attaches to a modified harness that omits the suspender straps and adds a loop to encircle the tail. The horse can be ridden under saddle while wearing bodysuit, harness, and leggings.

Claims

1. Stretchable, garter-fastened protective leggings and bodysuit as part of a whole-body approach to equine comfort and protection from flying and biting insects, comprising: a) a harness, constituting a circular neck strap (known as a martingale) and a backstrap that extends horizontally along the spine of the horse from wither to rump, with two vertical nylon straps per side of horse, two elasticized V sections per vertical strap, and fasteners suspended from martingale and backstrap to secure the leggings; b) leggings extending from each of the horse's four hooves to the shoulder (front) and hip (rear), then secured to the harness; c) a one-piece, stretch bodysuit covering secured with one zippered, contoured underbelly fastening to cover the horse from afore the shoulder to the rump, then surrounding the tail; and d) a lightweight, long-tassel fringe variant bodysuit attached longitudinally along the backstrap of a modified harness that omits vertical leg straps and extends along the spine to an encircled elastic loop around the horse's tail.

2. Apparel as described by claim 1(a), wherein: the martingale, a circular loop of nylon strapping, is secured by a parachute clip, or 2 elastic that stretches to fit around the horse's neck, andin the preferred embodimentis a closed, stretch loop, but may also include a parachute-type clip fastening that is encased in a fleece-material sleeve to eliminate chafing and promote comfort.

3. Apparel as described by claim 1(a), wherein: the backstrap of the harness comprises nylon, leather, or similar-type strapping and elastic straps, with fasteners including, but not limited to, suspender grip clips or other such fastening arrangements.

4. Apparel as described by claim 1(b), wherein: the leggings are pulled onto and up the horse's legs without vertical fastenings; as such, they feature a stretch, gored gusset at top and bottom to aid in fitting.

5. Apparel as described by claim 1(b), wherein: the leggings are made from fabric including, but not limited to, stretch panne velour, stretch Jersey knit, stretch polycotton, Lycra or Spandex.

6. Apparel as described by claim 1(c), wherein: the stretch bodysuit is made from fabric including, but not limited to, stretch panne velour, stretch Jersey knit, stretch polycotton, Lycra or Spandex and includes a contoured stretch fabric underbelly flap and zippered closure.

7. Apparel as described by claim 1(d), wherein: the long-tassel fringe bodysuit is secured longitudinally along the backstrap of a modified and extended harness, comprising a plurality of close-fitting, string-type tassels up to 80 inches in length, made from fabric or material including, but not limited to, polyester, nylon, polycotton, polycarbonate, cotton, leather, fur, elastic, threaded beads, LED strips, or other natural or synthetic string-like material.

8. Apparel as described by claim 1(d), wherein: the modified harness omits vertical leg straps and instead encircles, in elastic, the horse's tail, with the tail loop encased in a fleece-material sleeve.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING VIEWS

[0032] FIG. 1: Side view of horse showing placement of harness (martingale, backstrap, vertical elastic straps, grip clips) and leggings.

[0033] FIG. 2: Martingale parachute-clip encased in fleece-material sleeve.

[0034] FIG. 3: Legging with trapezoid design, top and bottom gored, stretch-elastic gussets, and rolled elastic cord at top of legging.

[0035] FIG. 4: Modified harness (martingale, extended backstrap, tail loop) and tasseled bodysuit.

[0036] FIG. 5: Stretch bodysuit (with contoured elastic underbelly flap).

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0037] This invention is a system of protective legging and bodysuit/body coverings, particularly in relation to ease of fitting and removal due to the elimination of nearly all traditional fastenings with the bodysuit and tasseled variation. The stretch fabric, which is an appropriate thickness to prevent insect bites, is not only durable enough to withstand the proboscis of a flying insect, but light enough to avoid overheating. Indeed, the tasseled bodysuit variant enables free flow of air circulation while simultaneously repelling flying and biting insects. Due to the elasticized suspender-type straps for placement of the leggings, along with the gusset openings at both top and bottom of each legging, a custom and comfortable fit can be easily achieved for each horse.

[0038] The harness backstrap, which runs from the base of the horse's wither to the crown of the rump, is made from a material that is soft and pliable, such as, but not limited to, nylon webbing or leather to which the suspender-type straps are sewn with reinforced stitching at four points: in a line running vertically above the apex of each shoulder (front) and hip (rear), and again a vertical line running from the top of the hip to each side adjacent to the crown of the rump. A singular, curved front piece to the harness that encircles the neckalso known and described as a martingalemade from the same material as the backstrap with a parachute-clip fastening at the front of the chest covered by a fleece-material sleeve, or a circular stretch elastic loop with no fastening, extends from the points just above the two front shoulders around the chest of the horse, and is designed to be pulled over the horse's head whether by parachute-clip fastening or, in the preferred embodiment, a stretch elastic opening to enable pull-on/pull-off operation.

[0039] In a modified variation of the harness designed to be worn with the tasseled bodysuit, the vertical elasticized leg straps are eliminated. While the martingale design remains intact, the backstrap is elongated to reach beyond the rump towards the top of the tail, and from this extends a circular, elastic loop through which the tail of the horse is pulled in order to secure the harness in place. The tail loop is encased in a fleece-material sleeve to eliminate chafing and promote comfort. The modified harness features a sequence of stringed tassels sewn along the horizontal length of the spine strap; the tassels then hang down up to five feet on either side of the horse. The movement of the tassels, whether in relation to wind, breeze, or ambulation, repels flying and biting insects while maximizing opportunity for airflow and circulation.

[0040] The lightweight long-tassel fringe bodysuit variant, secured longitudinally along the backstrap of the harness, is made from stringed fabric including, but not limited to, polyester, nylon, polycotton, cotton, leather, feathers, fur, elastic, LED strips, or threaded beads.

[0041] The leggings are fitted by first pulling each over the horse's hooves, then stretching the leggings up to the top of the horse's shoulder. The leggings are then attached to the harness by way of elongated vertical elastic straps, each of which end in two V-shaped short elastic straps, from which hang two suspender-type grip clips, which are then fastened to the top of each legging. These clips provide strength and durability andunlike fastenings such as hook and loop, button, zip, buckle, or Velcro, with the stretch elastic of the V-straps, the horse can move flexibly and freely while wearing the leggings.

[0042] Each legging is sewn as a singular tube, designed to slip over and be pulled up the horse's leg, rather than a device that is fastened with various vertical or horizontal fastenings (such as hook and loop, button, zip, or Velcro) around the horse's leg. The gusseted, elasticized inserts at the top and bottom of each legging provides additional ease in terms of dressing: each legging stretches around to fit over the hoof and is pulled up as one complete piece before fastening at the shoulder or hip. This design also means that replacement of each legging, should it become torn or soiled, is very simple.

[0043] The gusseted, elasticized inserts contract and expand sufficiently to fit securely around the horse's pastern and at the base of the shoulder; therefore, resisting falling down and off the leg. Material used for the leggings includes, but is not limited to, fabric such as stretch panne velour, stretch Jersey knit, stretch polycotton, Lycra or Spandex.

[0044] The bodysuit is a one-piece design made from a fabric such as, but not limited to, stretch panne velour, stretch Jersey knit, stretch polycotton, Lycra or Spandex. It comprises a garment with two open holes at either end: one stretch opening at the front of the garment that is pulled over the horse's head, and the other stretch opening at the rear of the garment that expands sufficiently to permit the horse's tail to be pulled through the opening. The bodysuit then stretches over each side of the horse and is secured by a contoured, stretch fabric, underbelly flap that is zippered closed.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 1, the standard iteration of the invention's martingale (1)a circular band or strap that encompasses the horse's chest from shoulder-to-shoulderis fitted over the head of the horse in order to position it correctly around the horse's chest (2). The martingale may be a fully elasticized loop in the preferred embodiment or, as an alternativeand as indicated in FIG. 2the martingale may be fastened at the center of the horse's chest at the base of the neck by a parachute clip (15), which is then encased in a fleece-material sleeve to offer protection and comfort (16).

[0046] The backstrap (3) in FIG. 1 is then positioned horizontally along the horse's spine from the base of the wither (4) to the crown of the rump (5). On each side of the horse, two nylon vertical straps (6, 7), with two elasticized V sections per vertical strap (8, 9) spreading out from the bottom of each strap, hang from the martingale (1) towards the front legs and from the backstrap (3) towards the back legs vertically against the horse's body.

[0047] At the end of each V section (8, 9) is sewn a metallic device, referred to in this invention as a grip clip (10) that is commonly used as a fastening for suspender belts and other belt-type attachments (see also FIG. 3). Further enhancing the gripping capability of each clip is that the top of each legging is reinforced with a strip of rolled cord (11) sewn into the seam, as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, onto and around which the grip clips are secured.

[0048] As in FIG. 1, once the standard backstrap (3) is in place, the leggings are pulled over the horse's hooves and stretched upwards to the top of each leg of the horse (13). The leggings are then secured to the harness on each of the four legs by way of the harness' vertical nylon straps from which two elasticized V section straps per leg spread outwards (8, 9). At the end of each V section, as previously described, is sewn a metallic device, known in this invention as a grip clip (10). Further enhancing the gripping capability of each clip is that the top of each legging is reinforced with a strip of rolled cord (11) sewn into the seam, as in FIG. 3, onto and around which the clips are secured.

[0049] Each legging, two at the horse's front and two at the back (FIG. 1; 13), features a trapezoid design comprising a V-shaped gorean elasticized, expandable gusset at both the top (12) and bottom (14) of each legging that permits an appropriate stretch and fit around the top of the horse's shoulder as well as sufficient stretch and opening to allow the legging to slip over the horse's hoof when putting on the legging (see also FIG. 3; 12, 14). The fabric of each legging is designed for maximum stretch and includes, but is not limited to, stretch panne velour, stretch Jersey knit, stretch polycotton, Lycra or Spandexso that the leggings will accommodate the fitting requirements of different horses without the need to be custom-made for each horse. The leggings are first placed onto each leg by rolling them up into a compressed circle that stretches out to fit over the horse's hoof, then pulled up to extend the legging over the full length of the horse's leg. The leggings are then attached to the straps with the suspender-type grip clip (FIG. 3; 10), which is, in turn, securely clasped around the rolled cord (11) sewn into the top of the legging.

[0050] The modified embodiment of the invention's harness backstrap involves first gathering the tassels in the hand to facilitate ease of fitting. As in FIG. 4, once the tassels are secured in this way, the harness' martingale, a fully elasticized loop (17), and backstrap (18) are pulled over the head of the horse in order to position the martingale correctly around the horse's chest (19) and to lay flat at the base of the horse's wither (20). The backstrap is then laid out along the horse's spine to extend slightly past the crown of the rump (21). A second fully elasticized loop (22) is then extended outwards towards the rear of the horse and the tail is gently pulled through it. The loop is covered in a fleece-material sleeve to eliminate chafing and increase comfort. The tail is then laid flat against the horse's rear, thereby securing the modified harness in place. The tassels of the modified backstrap are then released and left to hang down in a vertical fashion on either side of the horse (23). The tassels may be trimmed or cut to the length desired by the horse's owner.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, the stretch bodysuit is designed to be fitted easily and quickly with a pull-on/pull-off approach. The bodysuit is first pulled over the head of the horse by way of an elasticized circular opening (24) to accommodate the head and neck. The bodysuit is then positioned to sit at the base of the horse's wither (25), and then stretched out along the horse's spine to sit just beyond the crown of the rump (26). A second elasticized circular opening (27) is extended down beyond the horse's tail; the tail is then pulled through the opening. The bodysuit is stretched down on either side of the horse's body, and then the contoured, stretch fabric, underbelly flap (28) is brought together under the horse's belly. The flap is then secured by the zipper that extends from a point just forward of the horse's rear legs (29) to a point just prior to the horse's front legs (30).

[0052] The material figurations of the invention as described here is intended as exemplary and illustrative in nature. Modifications and variations on the stated fabrics and specified design elements to achieve an equivalent product are not only readily envisioned, but also probable given changes and advances in both fabric production and the elements of this invention's design All such modifications and variants are acknowledged and fully intended to be within the scope of the claims made in this invention.