Abstract
The invention relates to a novel pet flotation and safety vest device wherein the body section attaches firmly yet comfortably to the pet, and strategically placed mesh panels allow for water drainage. A padded chip strap aids in keeping the pet's head above water. The vest is adjustable for varying sizes of dogs.
Claims
1) A pet flotation and safety vest device comprising: a) Neoprene fabric comprises the body of the vest; b) 2 adjustable nylon belly straps with quick release buckles; c) 4 body sections containing buoyant material; d) An adjustable nylon chin strap containing buoyant material; e) A reinforced nylon handle or “grab strap” on the top side of the device; f) Mesh sections for drainage.
2) The pet flotation and safety vest device as in claim 1 wherein the material for the body of the vest is Neoprene.
3) The pet flotation and safety vest device as in claim 1 wherein the nylon adjustable belly straps are made so that a length of the strap may be pulled outward or inward depending on the size of the dog, and wherein 2 quick release buckles affix the straps around the belly of the dog.
3) The pet flotation and safety vest device as in claim 1 wherein the neoprene body of the vest contains at least 4 sections wherein buoyant material resides therein for floatation and said sections shall extrude farther outward than the sections without buoyant material therein.
4) The pet flotation and safety vest device as in claim 1 wherein a nylon and neoprene chin strap contains buoyant material and is adjustable by extending or retracting a portion of the nylon strap depending on the size of the dog, and wherein said strap connects via a quick release buckle.
5) The pet flotation and safety vest device as in claim 1 wherein a nylon handle or “grab strap” is reinforceably located on the top side of the vest via a criss-cross stitch pattern whereby a pet owner may pull a wet dog out of the water easily without ripping the strap from the body of the vest.
6) The pet flotation and safety vest device as in claim 1 wherein mesh sections of fabric are located on the top and underside of the vest, and wherein a further section of mesh is located underneath the chin strap so that the vest will not remain saturated while the dog is in the water, and so that the vest will drain quickly upon removal of the dog from the water.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention is described in further detail by reference to nine (9) drawings sufficient in detail to describe the invention in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows the vest from the underside;
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates the vest as fitted onto a dog;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side perspective of the vest, straps, and chin section;
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates the side perspective of FIG. 3 with a dog in phantom;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top perspective of the vest;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side perspective with a dog in phantom illustrating the “grab strap” or handle;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an underside view showing the mesh drainage sections;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side perspective illustrating the drainage sections;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a top perspective to illustrate the drainage sections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION, INCLUDING BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the underside of the vest. Two adjustable nylon belly straps 10 are shown with quick release buckles 20. The underside of the adjustable nylon chin strap 30 is illustrated
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the vest with a dog in phantom to clearly illustrate what the attached vest will look like from the underside view as in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vest with the nylon chin flotation strap 30 shown as contains buoyant material as well as the adjustment point 40 for the chin strap. Again the adjustable belly straps 10 are shown with the quick release buckles 20 attached. Buoyant material fills two extruding sections 50 on the side of the vest. These are flotation sections. A wide under-belly section 60 is shown which provides support and comfort for the dog, and is adjustable in concert with the belly straps 10 and quick release buckles 20.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows the vest with a dog in phantom to clearly illustrate the perspective view as in FIG. 3 wherein the reader can easily see the fit as would be when the vest is attached to a dog.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a top perspective of the vest and illustrates again the flotation sections 50 and the chin strap 30. This Figure also shows the chin strap attachment point 40 which is a quick release buckle. A reinforced stitched handle or “grab strap” 70 is located on top of the vest so that the pet owner can easily grasp the handle and pull a dog from the water. This strap is reinforced to compensate for the weight of a wet dog and will not rip away from the vest itself even with significant weight opposing the strap.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view with a dog in phantom to illustrate the reinforced handle or “grab strap” 70 as would approximate the example when the vest is attached to a dog.
[0027] FIG. 7 addresses the mesh drainage sections 80 as per one of the preferred embodiments of the vest. These mesh sections allow for quick water drainage both for the safety of the pet by reducing the weight of a saturated vest, and for ease of pulling the pet from the water. The mesh sections 80 are located both at the top and the underside of the vest. The chin strap is not shown in this Figure for greater clarity re the mesh drainage sections.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a side perspective showing the underside mesh drainage section 80. Also located under the section where the chin strap would be attached is another section of mesh for drainage 90.
[0029] FIG. 9 is top perspective of the vest showing the mesh drainage sections 80 and the reinforced “grab strap” 70. The mesh chin section is also illustrated for clarity. The chin flotation section is not shown in this view.
