The present invention relates generally to a pet utility hydration system and, more particularly, to a hydration vest that is worn by a pet, such as a dog, and an associated leash.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, when walking a pet, such as a dog, it can be advantageous to don a harness and/or vest on the pet. Often, a pet utility vest is used to carry and dispense plastic waste bags for collection of pet waste, and for carrying the pet waste until it can be disposed of properly. Such a utility vest may also be used for enhancing visibility of the pet during the day and night, and for covering the pet in cold and inclement weather conditions.
It is also recognized in the art that when exercising or walking the pet, the pet will need to be hydrated. Often, this has meant that whoever was walking the animal was also carrying their own water, and water for the animal. Thus, a water-carrying vest for the pet, which contains pockets for the pet to carry its own water bottles is known in the art. Such a design often requires removing a water container from the vest in order to hydrate the animal.
Other proposals have involved pet harnesses and vests. The problem with these vests is that they do not fit comfortably on the pt. Also, they do not have a convenient means to dispense and retain the liquid for watering the pet. Even though the above cited pet vests meet some of the needs of the market, a utility hydration pet vest that is worn by a pet, such as a dog, for protection, marking, and carrying objects; whereby a liquid bladder fabricated of polyurethane is integrated in the vest; whereby the liquid bladder comprises a collapsible liquid bowl and liquid tube that fit into the vest so that the pet can be fed liquid from the bowl; whereby the vest may include accessories such as an electronic cooling and heating element.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a utility hydration system having both a pet leash and a hydration vest. The leash comprises an external cover and an internal tube system, and wherein the external cover has a sleeve portion, with the internal tube system having a dispensing tube positioned through the sleeve portion and further comprising an outlet shutoff valve and a pump connected with and between the dispensing tube and outlet shutoff valve. The external cover further comprises a handle, a pump cover encasing the pump therein, and a strap attached to the sleeve portion. Additionally, the hydration vest is adapted to be attached to the strap. The hydration vest having a body portion with a bladder therein. The bladder is operable for holding a fluid and connecting with the internal tube system to dispense fluid from the internal tube system.
In use, the pet hydration vest is worn by a pet, such as a dog, for protection, marking, and carrying water and water holding items. The liquid bladder is fabricated of polyurethane is integrated in the vest; whereby the liquid bladder comprises a collapsible liquid bowl and liquid tube that fit into the vest to conveniently water the pet.
The pet vest comprises a body portion defined by an inner surface that engages the pet when adorned, and an outer surface that faces away from the pet. The body portion is further defined by a shoulder section that forms a pair of openings for the fore legs of the pet to pass through and move freely.
The body portion is further defined by a rear section with an overlaying outside pocket layer. The outside pocket layers is formed together along a dividing line to define an isolated liquid compartment comprising a liquid bladder to carry a liquid, and an isolated utility compartment having access openings for holding a collapsible liquid bowl and liquid tube to conveniently water the pet. The vest may include accessories such as an electronic cooling and heating element.
In one aspect, the utility hydration pet vest, comprises:
In another aspect, the body portion is fabricated from a nylon, polyester blend.
In another aspect, the body portion is resilient.
In another aspect, the body portion wraps around a dog.
In another aspect, the front legs of the dog pass through the pair of openings.
In another aspect, the divided line is stitched.
In another aspect, the isolated liquid compartment comprises a bladder.
In another aspect, the bladder comprises a polyurethane rubber sheet.
In another aspect, the liquid comprises water.
In another aspect, the front fastening straps comprise a 2 inch polyester webbing material.
In another aspect, the rear fastening straps comprise the polyester webbing material.
In another aspect, the fastening straps comprise a slider adjuster.
In another aspect, the front and rear detachably attachable ends comprise a snap-fit buckle.
In another aspect, the vest further comprises a heating element operable to heat the body portion.
In another aspect, the vest further comprises a cooling element operable to cool the body portion.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a protective vest to a dog that carries a bladder of water for facilitated watering of the pet.
Another objective is to provide a collapsible bowl in the pocket of the vest for retaining water.
Yet another objective is to provide a vest that is quickly installed and operable to be fitted in a few quick motions with snap fit buckles, closures; whereby the design works around limbs and does not require the threading of limbs through the front openings.
Yet another objective is to provide a durable, machine washable fabric.
Yet another objective is to provide heating and cooling elements in the body portion to regulate the temperature of the dog.
Yet another objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture pet utility vest.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
As noted above, the present disclosure is directed to a pet hydration system. The hydration system includes a utility hydration pet vest (as depicted in
As shown in
In alternative embodiments the pet vest 100 can have a heating element and/or a cooling element that are operational in the fabric of the vest to generate heat and reduce heat in the body portion 102 of the vest 100, through various heating and cooling means known in the art. This helps adjust the temperature for the pet, and the temperature regulation of the pet creates a synergy with the hydration means.
As
Looking ahead to
The body portion 102 is also defined by a shoulder section 110 that overlays the shoulders, and part of the front limbs 202a-b and chest area of the pet 200. Looking ahead to
In order to secure the body portion 102 around the torso of the pet, as shown in
As a complement to the front fastening straps 124a-b, a pair of rear fastening straps 128a, 128b are disposed at the rear section 114 of the body portion 102. The rear fastening straps 128a-b may include 2″ nylon webbing. The rear fastening straps 128a-b extend from opposite sides of rear section 114, and terminates at a pair of rear detachably attachable ends 130a, 130b. The rear detachably attachable ends 130a-b may include a snap-fit buckle 132b that attaches and detaches in in a quick, efficient manner. And as shown in
In donning the body portion 102 onto the pet 200, the inner surface 136 is aligned with the back of the pet 200 and draped over rib cage section. The front limbs 202a-b are passed through corresponding front openings 112a-b. The body portion 102 is then aligned across the longitudinal of the back of the pet 200. The front fastening straps 124a-b are pulled down across the chest of the pet 200 and attached front detachably attachable ends 126a-b, i.e, snap-fit buckles 132a-b. Though other fastening means known in the art may also be used.
Next, the rear fastening straps 128a-b are pulled down across the belly of the pet and attached accordingly. At this point, the shoulder section 110 draped over the front region of the pet, while the rear section 114 drapes over the rear section 114. The body portion 102 is also snug, yet comfortably loose, across the back of the pet 200. As discussed below, an overlaying pocket layer 116 orients upwardly across the back of the pet 200, so as to provide access to a liquid and liquid retaining the items. However in alternative embodiments shown in
As shown in
In one non-limiting embodiment, the isolated liquid compartment 120 is a rubber bladder made up of a polyurethane rubber sheet. The isolated liquid compartment 120 is generally resilient, so that the liquid can be squeezed out of either the first or second access openings 122a, 122b, if necessary. The isolated liquid compartment 120 provides a unique mechanism to dispense the liquid to the pet.
Looking now at
The isolated utility compartment 104 may be smaller than the liquid compartment, and serves to receive and store a dispensing tube 700 (shown in
Additionally, inside the utility compartment a collapsible drinking bowl 706 is contained, and easily remove for retaining the liquid. In some embodiments, the collapsible drinking bowl 706 may include a polyurethane or other material that is resilient to collapse, yet sufficient the rigid to retain the liquid. In yet other embodiments, an extension tube 708 may also be included in the utility compartment to extend the length of the dispensing to. Also, a bowl fastener 710 detachably couples the collapsible bowl dispensing tube 700.
As
As noted above, a dispensing tube 700 is used in a leash 701. This aspect is further depicted in
Referring again to
As noted above, the dispensing tube 700 is encased within the cover 902 (as shown in
For further understanding,
The importance of the leash 701 and its structure is further depicted in
Thus, near the nozzle end of the leash 701, there is a strap 920 that is sewn onto the leash 701 webbing and that is used to buckle to the dog's harness. This strap 920 serves as the support system and takes all the pull/pressure from the dog, ensuring that the tube 700 inside the leash 701 does not break or buckle. The webbing sleeve 914 and the tube 700 inside are not joined together, allowing the tubing 700 inside to slide around freely. The sewn loop strap 920 near the nozzle end attaches to a buckle or clip 720 (which is affixed to the dog harness or collar) and acts as the point of resistance, taking all the pull from the dog; hence, doubling as a “leash”(which is only sewn onto the sheath, leaving the tube 700 inside to move freely). This allows the stretchable food grade safe silicone tube 700 inside to be able to stay securely attached to the liquid bladder and not get pulled or disconnected in the process of the dog pulling on the tube/leash 701. If there is slight pull or buckle in the tube 700, it will not damage the tube 700 as it is formed of a stretchable material.
As shown in
Further and as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, using the two-in-one dog leash with a hydration system is simple. First, slip the water pouch (i.e., fluid compartment) into the dog's harness (i.e., the vest). Then, clip the nozzle end of the leash into the fluid compartment. Next, clip the buckle strap to the top of the vest. Finally, grab the handle of the leash and take your dog for a walk. When your dog needs water, simply grab the pump at the handle end and pump water into your dog's collapsible bowl for it to drink. When done, keep walking.
The two-in-one dog leash used in conjunction with a hydration vest offers several advantages over the prior art. For example, it eliminates water waste and the need to carry a separate water bottle, making walks more convenient and comfortable for both the dog and the owner. The vest ensures that the dog stays close and under control while on the go. The hands-free convenience of the leash makes walks more enjoyable for both the dog and the owner.
In other embodiments, the pet vest is unique in providing alternative versions that further improve the conditions of the pet. In one embodiment the pet vest includes a heating element that is operable to heat the body portion. The heating element may include chemical composition integral in the body portion, which can be heated through motion by the pet or by manipulation of the body portion. In other embodiments, the heating element may include an electric blanket having small wires that heat up after being powered by a battery.
Conversely, the pet vest may also include a cooling element operable to cool the body portion. Cooling element may simply include an additional pocket or space in the body portion that contains ice, dry ice, or a chemical that maintains a low temperature.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
The present application is a Continuation-in-Part application of U.S. Ser. No. 16/428,869, filed on May 31, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16428869 | May 2019 | US |
Child | 18199555 | US |