Docket No. COA.P0019 1 ANIMAL TRAINING HARNESS
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a device to assist in the training of an animal, in particular, a dog. More specifically, the device of this invention is in the form of a harness which remains properly fitted while training a dog.
BACKGROUND ART
Animal restraint and training harnesses have been used for many years for the purposes of training and restraining pets, such as a dog.
Typically such devices include a harness having straps that are positioned across the chest, shoulder blade and behind the front legs. Such devices also include a means for attaching a leash at a point near the animal's shoulder blades. An additional means for attaching a leash can be provided at the front of the harness near the chest of the animal. When the leash is attached to the front chest portion of the harness, additional control over the animal is provided so that instead of merely restraining the animal, a trainer may also effect the direction in which the animal is facing.
However, such prior art devices often fail to assure a good fit on many animals. Particularly, the front chest strap often times becomes loose and falls down, causing the harness to become loose. In this state, the animal may slip out of the harness or trip over the loose straps. Additionally, when the harness is loose, the control point of the leash moves around causing the harness to become less effective.
Thus, the need exists for a device which can be used effectively to train an animal without becoming loose.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a harness which may be used to train an animal, such as a dog, with a proper fit being maintained throughout use.
Docket No. COA.P0019 It is another object of the present invention to provide a harness, as above, which includes a chest strap and a girth strap interconnected in a unique fashion.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a harness, as above, with at least two leash attachment points to improve the control of the dog by a trainer.
These and other objects of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art forms, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.
In general, a harness made in accordance with the present invention includes a first loop adapted to be positioned around the chest of an animal in front of its legs. A second loop is adapted to be positioned around the torso of the animal behind its legs. The first and second loops are connected by a first strap which is adapted to be positioned on the back of the animal and by a second strap adapted be positioned on the chest of the animal.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a harness includes a first loop having two ends and adapted to extend around the neck of the animal. A second loop is adapted to extend around the torso of the animal. A first strap is positioned between the first and second loops. A
second strap is positioned between the first and second loops on the side of the animal body opposite the first strap. The harness also includes a ring and at least two means for attaching a leash. The ends of the first loop are secured to the ring.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a harness includes a first strap adapted to extend around the neck of the animal and having a loop formed on each end thereof. The loops slidably receive a ring. A second strap is adapted to extend around the torso of the animal. A
third strap having a loop on one end which slidably receives the ring, with the other end being fixedly attached to the second strap. A fourth strap has a loop at one end which slidably receives the second strap, the other end being fixedly attached to the first strap. Leash attachment means are positioned on at least two of the straps.
Docket No. COA.P0019 3 A preferred exemplary animal training device made in accordance with the concepts of the present invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings without attempting to show all the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied, the invention being measured by the appended claims and not by the details of the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an animal harness made in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the harness of Fig. 1 shown in place on a dog.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A harness which may be utilized to train an animal is indicated generally by the numeral 10. Harness 10 is primarily intended to be used in conjunction with the training of a dog, as shown in Fig. 2, but it should be understood that it could be used in conjunction with other types of animals.
However, the discussion herein will be based on its use with a dog.
Harness 10 includes a neck strap generally indicated by the numeral 11, and a girth strap generally indicated by the numeral 12. Straps 11 and 12 are connected by a shoulder strap, generally indicated by the numeral 13, and a chest strap generally indicated by the numeral 14. Neck strap 11 is preferably in the form of a loop of a flat webbing 15 preferably made of polyester, nylon or like material. A conventional slide adjustor 16 is provided, on each end of webbing 15, which enables the user to adjust the size of neck strap 11. During assembly, the webbing 15 is fed through the slide adjustor 16 and then through a ring 18. The webbing 15 is then fed back through the slide adjustor 16. In this manner, each end of neck strap 11 is provided with a loop 17 that receives ring 18.
Girth strap 12 is also generally in the shape of a loop and preferably made of a flat webbing 20 of a polyester, nylon, or like material. A
conventional locking clasp 21 includes side tabs 22 which, when depressed, allows the clasp 21 to be opened for ease of positioning strap 12 on the animal. Girth strap 12 Docket No. COA.P0019 4 is further provided with a conventional slide adjustor 23 which enables the user to adjust the size of the girth strap 12.
Shoulder strap 13 is also preferably made of a flat webbing 24 and is attached at one end to girth strap 12, for example, as by stitching 25. Prior to applying stitching 25, the ends of webbing 24 are passed through a ring 26 so that ring 26 is held in place proximate to the interface between girth strap and shoulder strap 13. The ring 26 is provided as a potential attachment point for a leash. It should be appreciated that other means may be provided for attaching a leash at this point, for example, a clip or fabric loop. On the end opposed to girth strap 12, webbing 24 is folded back on itself and secured with, for example, stitching 27, which creates a loop 28. Prior to stitching, webbing 24 is fed through ring 18 thereby connecting shoulder strap 13 to neck strap via ring 18. The present embodiment allows loops 17 and 28 to slide circumferentially around ring 18, thereby providing greater comfort and fit.
Chest strap 14 is also preferably made of a flat webbing 30 and is provided a conventional slide adjustor 31 which enables the user to adjust the size of chest strap 14. During assembly, webbing 30 is fed through slide adjustor 31, then wrapped around the webbing 20 of girth strap 12. Webbing 30 is then fed back through slide adjustor 31. In this manner, chest strap 14 is provided with a loop 32 which slidably receives webbing 20 of girth strap 12.
On the end opposed to girth strap 12, webbing 30 is attached to neck strap 11, for example, as by stitching 33. Prior to stitching at 33, the ends of webbing are passed through a ring 34, so that ring 34 is held in place proximate to the interface between neck strap 11 and chest strap 14. Ring 34 is provided as a potential attachment point for a leash. It should be appreciated that other means may be provided for attaching a leash at this point, for example, a clip or fabric loop.
To position the harness 10 on the dog, the head of the dog is positioned through neck strap 11, and clasp 21 may be opened allowing the dog to step through the opening (with right leg, as shown) defined between straps 11, 12, 13 and 14. At that time, girth strap 12 may be extended around the torso of the dog just behind the front legs. Clasp 21 is then locked.
Adjustments can then be made to slide adjustors 16, 23 and 31 in order to Docket No. COA.P0019 5 provide a proper fit. As shown in Fig. 2, when secured to a dog, neck strap 11 is positioned around the neck (near the shoulders) of the dog in front of the its legs. Girth strap 12 is positioned about the torso of the dog behind its legs.
Shoulder strap 13 is positioned substantially at the center of the back of the dog between the shoulder blades, and chest strap 14 is positioned substantially 180 degrees from the shoulder strap 13 against the chest of the dog between its two front two legs.
When using harness 10, the user may attach a leash to either ring 26 or ring 34, or he may attach a leash to both rings 26, 24 depending upon the training requirements. In this manner, the present invention provides a harness which will not become loose during use and provides multiple points of leash attachment.
In view of the foregoing, it should be evident that a harness constructed as described herein accomplishes the objects of the present invention and otherwise substantially improves the art.