Patent Application
20190374323
N/A
The present invention generally relates to animal devices, but more particularly to an apparatus for improved ear canal airflow in dogs.
It is well known that ear infections in dogs are a very common occurrence, and particularly painful for the dog. Common signs include scratching around the ear, and shaking the head. In most instances, ear infections occur when bacteria or yeast overgrows in the ear canal, usually from moisture entering the ear canal, or caused from long, floppy ears that lie flat against a dog's head covering the ear canal. This restricts air circulation creating a hypoxic environment, which is optimal for yeast and bacteria overgrowth, and, prohibits healing of an infected ear canal. Consequently, there is a need for an apparatus to treat and prevent ear infections in dogs, especially those with long, floppy ears.
In one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for improved ear canal airflow in dogs is provided, comprising a bonnet shaped material having a front portion, a top portion, a left side portion, a right side portion, a back portion, and a bottom portion; an elastic fitting defining a first opening, wherein the elastic fitting is positioned at the front portion, extending from the top portion to the bottom portion; a collar portion defining a second opening, wherein the collar portion is positioned at the back portion, extending from the top portion to the bottom portion, the second and first openings configured to accept a muzzle, a head, and a neck area of a dog; a pair of ear pockets including a left ear pocket and a right ear pocket, each ear pocket having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion on each ear pocket having an ear slit configured to accept an ear of the dog into each ear pocket; and, a mesh portion positioned on the lower portion of each ear pocket, the mesh portion sized to allow airflow but prevent unwanted objects from passing through.
In one embodiment, the top portion includes a first fastening member, the first fastening member orientated on the right side of the bonnet shaped material. In one embodiment, the upper portion of the pair of ear pockets includes a second and a third fastening member on the right ear pocket and the left ear pocket respectively. In one embodiment, the lower portion of the left ear pocket includes a fourth fastening member. In another embodiment, the third fastening member is configured to fasten to the first fastening member, such that a left dog ear is folded over the head of the dog, exposing a left ear canal allowing airflow to enter the left ear canal. In yet another embodiment, the second fastening member is configured to fasten to the fourth fastening member after the third fastening member is fastened to the first fastening member, such that a right dog ear is folded over the head of the dog, exposing a right ear canal allowing airflow to enter the right ear canal.
In one embodiment, the collar portion includes a plurality of collar loops configured to accept an adjustable collar. In another embodiment, a noseband configured to secure the apparatus to the muzzle is provided, wherein the noseband is portioned at a stop of the dog. In one embodiment, the noseband includes padding for pressure reduction. In one embodiment, each of the left and right side of the bonnet shaped material includes a reinforced slit configured to enable the noseband to pass through forming a throatlatch at a throat of the dog, the throatlatch adjustable via a securement clip, wherein the throatlatch secures the top portion of the bonnet shaped material from slipping while in use. In another embodiment, the throatlatch includes a tail portion having a clip. In yet another embodiment, the collar portion includes a plurality of collar loops configured to accept an adjustable collar, the adjustable collar including a ring configured to accept the clip of the throatlatch. In one embodiment, the bottom portion includes a sleeve configured to accept the tail portion. In one embodiment, the bonnet shaped material is constructed from a breathable, lightweight, and stretchable material.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein to specifically provide an apparatus for improved ear canal airflow in dogs.
In one embodiment, the pair of ear pockets is configured to accept a pair of dog ears via a pair of ear slits 105A and 105B. The pair of ear pockets having an upper portion 104 including a pair of fasteners 106A and 106B symmetrically positioned in each back corner each respective ear pockets. In one embodiment, a single fastener 107 is positioned on a right, back portion of the apparatus in between the pair of ear pockets and the collar portion. In one embodiment, the collar portion includes collar loops 109, wherein an adjustable collar 119 is configured to thread the collar loops.
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In one embodiment, an existing (previously owned) adjustable collar may be used, wherein the exiting adjustable collar is threaded through collar loops positioned on the lower, back portion of the apparatus. In an alternative embodiment, the adjustable collar can be provided with the apparatus. In both instances, a collar adjustment means 113 is required, enabling the circumference of the adjustable collar to be adjusted such that the collar may fit a variety of neck sizes.
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is provided in a few specific sizes, such as small, medium, and large. In each specific size, the adjustability of the design as previously described will accommodate most dog breads, including varies head sizes and shapes. The constructed material of the apparatus may be any known material in the art, which is breathable, lightweight, and stretchable, including but not limited to cotton, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, spandex, cellulosic fiber, bamboo, or a combination thereof.
Although the invention has been described in considerable detail in language specific to structural features and or method acts, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention. Stated otherwise, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Therefore, while exemplary illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, numerous variations and alternative embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Such variations and alternate embodiments are contemplated, and can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
It should further be noted that throughout the entire disclosure, the labels such as left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise, counter clockwise, up, down, or other similar terms such as upper, lower, aft, fore, vertical, horizontal, oblique, proximal, distal, parallel, perpendicular, transverse, longitudinal, etc. have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction or orientation. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions/orientations between various portions of an object.
In addition, reference to “first,” “second,” “third,” and etc. members throughout the disclosure (and in particular, claims) are not used to show a serial or numerical limitation but instead are used to distinguish or identify the various members of the group.
