Insect protection mask for equines

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an insect protection mask for equines, which is characterized by a very good fit that can be permanently attached to the equine.

[0002] Equines, and especially horses and donkeys kept in pastures, often suffer from flies and mosquitoes in the summer. These insects primarily target the animals' eyes, noses, and ears, which can lead to restlessness and even inflammation of these areas. Equines frequently develop allergies to these insects, so it is best to protect them permanently.

[0003] Fly masks are known from current technology and are made of more or less durable materials, with the eye area made of semi-transparent mesh. Due to the wide variety of sizes and head shapes of equines, it is virtually impossible to provide a specific shape for all equines. Therefore, fly masks sometimes feature one or two Velcro closures, centrally located in the lower part of the mask where it rests against the lower jaw, connecting two long sides. The Velcro strips are relatively long to allow for a looser or tighter fit. However, the strips are sewn flat onto the fabric of the fly mask, resulting in a rigid connection between the long sides. If the fit is too loose, the equine may remove the fly mask, for example, while scratching or rolling.If the setting is chosen to be too narrow, chafing often occurs because the narrow setting does not allow sufficient opening and closing of the jaw, which is essential for feeding.

[0004] US 7,100,349 B2 describes a protective mask for protecting horses from insects, which is attached to the horse's bridle. The mask consists of a covering element that extends between the browband, noseband, and cheekpieces of the bridle. The mask is detachably attached to the bridle by fasteners. When attached to the bridle, the edges of the mask can be positioned either over or under the corresponding part of the bridle. Two darts keep the mask away from the horse's eyes. Elastic parts of the mask ensure a snug fit between the mask and the bridle while the mask is being worn.

[0005] US 5,440,864 A discloses an insect control device for animals comprising a piece of material for covering the eyes and adjacent parts of the animal. The piece of material includes an adjustable ear opening formed in an upper rim, and a hook-and-loop fastener and a loop fastener attached at a convergence of a right side rim and a lower rim, and a left side rim and the lower rim, to define an adjustable throat opening and an adjustable nostril opening.

[0006] US 2007 / 169444 A1 discloses a fly mask for covering a horse's head to protect the horse from flies or other harmful substances, characterized by two large chambers that accommodate the horse's eyes, a pair of ear flaps to flexibly accommodate the horse's ears, and an adjustable fastening device. Thus, the disclosed fly mask is able to provide the horse with both protection and comfort.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide an insect protection mask for equines that can be variably adapted to the respective head shape of the equine and that can be securely positioned on the equine's head even when the equine is active. This object is achieved by the features of the main claim. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention.

[0008] According to the invention, the insect protection mask for equines comprises a first adjustment device for adjusting the circumference of the insect protection mask. The adjustment device is not limited in detail, but serves to variably adjust the circumference in a specific area of ​​the insect protection mask, i.e., to increase or decrease the circumference as needed and thus to adapt the insect protection mask precisely to the shape of the equine's head.

[0009] The first adjustment device comprises an elastic band on a first circumferential section of the insect screen mask and a first locking device on a second circumferential section of the insect screen mask. The first and second sections are essentially unconstrained. Preferably, the first and second sections are located at approximately the same height along the longitudinal axis of the insect screen mask.

[0010] The elastic band is preferably a few millimeters to a few centimeters wide to ensure good pressure distribution on the equine's head. A first end section of the elastic band is attached to the first section. A second end section of the elastic band is not permanently attached to the insect mask and is designed to be guided along the circumference of the insect mask to the second section, which comprises the locking mechanism. The length of the elastic band in its unstretched state can also be selected accordingly. For example, the elastic band can extend along the entire circumference of the insect mask. Alternatively, the elastic band can extend only over a portion of the insect mask's circumference, such as 1 / 6 to 5 / 6 of the mask's circumference.The further along the circumference the elastic band extends, the more evenly the circumference of the insect screen mask can be adjusted, and local pressure points are particularly well prevented. In another embodiment, the elastic band therefore extends almost completely around the circumference of the insect screen mask, so that the circumference can be adjusted uniformly in every section of the mask's circumference.

[0011] The first locking device fixes the length of the elastic band. Therefore, when applying the insect protection mask to an equine, the elastic band on the first section of the first adjustment mechanism is initially stretched until the circumference of the insect protection mask is reduced to the desired size. The band is then fixed in place by the locking device on the second section, preventing it from shrinking back to its original length and thus ensuring the reduced circumference of the insect protection mask remains permanently in place.Preferably, the first section and the second section are adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the insect protection mask, and the elastic band extends along the entire first section, wherein a portion of the elastic band is connected to the first section in such a way that a pull can be exerted on the elastic band, causing the elastic band to expand in length, thereby reducing the circumferential length of the insect protection mask in the area of ​​the first adjustment device and thus adapting it to the head shape of the equine.

[0012] The first locking device is not limited in detail, but preferably serves to reversibly fix the elastic band in order to also facilitate the removal of the insect protection mask from the equine's head.

[0013] According to the invention, the elastic band and the first locking device are guided in a hem, so that unintentional detachment of the elastic band from the locking device is effectively prevented and any injuries during use of the insect protection mask can be avoided even more effectively. Furthermore, guiding the elastic band in particular through a hem allows for a uniformly decreasing circumference along its length, thus enabling even tension and therefore a particularly even fit of the insect protection mask on the equine's head.

[0014] Due to its very simple application and reversible locking mechanism, the first locking device preferably comprises a button, a pin, a clip, a hook or a Velcro fastener.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the first locking device comprises a button, and the button is a first snap fastener, wherein a lower or upper part of the first snap fastener is arranged on the second section. The corresponding upper or lower part of the first snap fastener can be placed on the lower or upper part, respectively. Thus, during intended use, the upper and lower parts of the first snap fastener lie one on top of the other. The elastic band can, for example, be guided around the snap fastener by means of a tab and thereby fixed in its length.

[0016] According to an alternative advantageous embodiment, the first locking device is a hook and loop fastener, and a first adhesive side of the hook and loop fastener is arranged on the second section, and the elastic band comprises a second adhesive side of the hook and loop fastener. According to this embodiment, the first adjusting device, and in particular the elastic band, can be guided, for example, between the first adhesive side of the hook and loop fastener and between a second adhesive side of the hook and loop fastener, and thus fixed lengthwise between the two adhesive sides.

[0017] Preferably, the elastic band is a perforated band. According to the present invention, a perforated band is understood to be an elastic band with openings in the thickness direction of the band. The openings, i.e., holes in the band, can have any shape and are preferably designed such that the locking device can be guided through these openings. Preferably, the holes are slot-shaped. In fact, several openings are provided along a length of the perforated band extending in the circumferential direction of the insect screen mask, which allows for particularly variable adjustment and adaptation of the circumference of the insect screen mask.

[0018] A particularly advantageous feature is the elastic band, which is a perforated strip, and the first locking device, which is a button, pin, clip, or hook. The button, pin, clip, or hook can be inserted through a hole in the perforated strip to fix the length of the elastic band. This allows for a very simple and reversible adjustment of the elastic band's length and thus the circumference of the insect protection mask.

[0019] For example, the button can be designed as a snap fastener, with an upper or lower part of the snap fastener arranged on the second section and thus serving as a fixing point, and a corresponding lower or upper part of the snap fastener arranged on the first section. Preferably, the corresponding lower or upper part of the snap fastener is arranged or attached to the first section in such a way that it can be guided separately from the elastic band to the upper or lower part of the snap fastener on the second section. Thus, by pulling on the elastic band, the desired circumference of the insect screen mask can be adjusted, and it can then be fixed separately by overlapping and securing the upper and lower parts of the snap fastener, causing the first and second sections to lie adjacent to each other or even on top of each other.

[0020] Furthermore, the insect screen advantageously includes a closing device that divides or joins the insect screen longitudinally. In particular, closing the closing device connects a first side and a second side of the insect screen.

[0021] Preferably, the fastening device is positioned so that the insect protection mask can be placed over the equine's head from the top and then closed lengthwise along the underside of the head using the fastening device. This facilitates putting on and taking off the insect protection mask. It is particularly advantageous for the fastening device to be located between the lower jawbones of the equine when closed, as this position is the least obtrusive.

[0022] Particularly advantageous in light of additional stabilization of the closed state of the locking device, and thus preventing the insect protection mask from opening unintentionally, is the elastic band and / or the first locking device being guided over the locking device when the locking device is closed.

[0023] Preferably, when the locking device is closed, the first and second sides of the insect screen mask are connected to each other by the locking device, wherein a first locking element of the locking device is arranged along an edge of the first side in the longitudinal direction of the insect screen mask, and a second locking element of the locking device, corresponding to the first locking element, is arranged along an edge of the second side in the longitudinal direction of the insect screen mask. The insect screen mask is thus longitudinally connected to each other at the respective edges of the first and second sides of the insect screen mask, preferably reversibly, to facilitate putting the insect screen mask on and taking it off the equine's head.

[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the elastic band and the first locking mechanism are positioned on either the first or second side of the insect screen mask. This has the advantage that the mask only needs to be adjusted to the head circumference once, while still making it particularly easy to put on and take off by simply opening and closing the locking mechanism. The elastic band and the first locking mechanism are therefore not routed over the locking device, but are located either on the first or second side of the mask that the locking mechanism connects.

[0025] Due to the quick and easy opening and closing options, the closure device is advantageously selected from a Velcro fastener, a zipper, a hook fastener or a button fastener.

[0026] Advantageously, the closure device is a zipper, and the insect screen mask further comprises a cover strip arranged on the first side of the insect screen mask. In addition, the insect screen mask includes a second snap fastener, wherein an upper or lower part of the second snap fastener is arranged on the cover strip, and in particular on an exposed end section of the cover strip, and a corresponding lower or upper part of the second snap fastener is arranged on the second side of the insect screen mask, so that the zipper pull is concealed by the cover strip when the zipper and the second snap fastener are closed. This prevents the zipper from opening unintentionally.

[0027] Alternatively, the cover strip can also be attached to the second side of the insect screen mask, with the upper or lower part of the second snap fastener attached to the cover strip and the corresponding lower or upper part of the second snap fastener attached to the first side of the insect screen mask. In this case as well, the zipper pull is concealed by the cover strip when the zipper is closed and when the second snap fastener is closed.

[0028] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the first adjustment device is provided at a first end along the longitudinal axis of the insect protection mask, with the first end specifically representing the nasal area of ​​the equine. The nasal area extends along the bridge of the nose from below the eyes to the softer parts of the nose and ends, in particular, above the nostrils and thus at the bony support of the nasal bone of the equine. An insect guard that can be adjusted to the circumference of the nasal area is especially important because the lower jawbones create entry points for insects. Only by precisely adjusting the circumference of the insect protection mask in this area can these insects be effectively prevented from entering the mask, thus preventing chafing and the mask from being unintentionally pulled off.

[0029] A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the insect screen mask also comprises a second adjustment device, wherein the second adjustment device includes an elastic band on a third circumferential section and a second locking device on a fourth circumferential section, the length of which is fixed by the second locking device. The second adjustment device can be designed like the first adjustment device, but can be arranged spatially in a different area of ​​the insect screen mask. This allows the circumference of the insect screen mask to be variably adjusted in a further area, so that the penetration of insects into the insect screen mask is also prevented particularly effectively in this area. For further details regarding the individual design possibilities of the second adjustment device, reference is made to the descriptions of the first adjustment device.

[0030] A particularly advantageous feature is the second adjustment device located at a second end along the longitudinal axis of the insect protection mask, with this second end specifically representing the poll or jaw area of ​​the equine. The poll or jaw area of ​​an equine often features a narrowing between the head and the adjacent neck area, making a reduction in the circumference of the insect protection mask in this area especially effective in preventing the equine from unintentionally removing the mask and also in preventing insects from entering.

[0031] Furthermore, the insect protection mask advantageously includes an ear area and an eye area, wherein the ear area and / or the eye area are made of a mesh material and the remaining areas of the insect protection mask are preferably made of an elastic textile material. This improves the fit and increases the wearing comfort of the insect protection mask.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the ear area can be left exposed, with only the eye area made of a mesh material. This embodiment is preferred when the equine's eyes, in particular, need protection. This is often advisable in cases of eye sensitivity to sunlight.

[0033] Alternatively, only the ear area can be covered with mesh material, leaving the eye area exposed. This protects the equine's ears in particular from insect infestation. For even greater comfort, the ear area can also be made of a highly elastic material, such as Lycra.

[0034] Further details, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a side view of an insect protection mask according to a first embodiment, Fig. 2 a bottom view of the insect protection mask made of Figure 1 and Fig. 3 a bottom view of an insect protection mask according to a second embodiment.

[0035] The figures show only the essential features of the present invention. All other features have been omitted for clarity. Furthermore, identical reference numerals denote identical components.

[0036] In detail, it shows Figure 1An insect protection mask 1 in side view. The insect protection mask 1 comprises a nose area 2, an eye area 3, an ear area 4, and a neck / jaw area 5. These areas are connected by an elastic material. The elastic material ensures a good fit and high wearing comfort. The eye area 3 and the ear area 4, for example, comprise a mesh material, with the mesh material in the eye area 3 designed to facilitate visibility. The mesh material in the eye area 3 is therefore semi-transparent. The ear area 4 can also be made of an elastic material, such as Lycra. Depending on the equine's need for protection, the eye area 3 and / or the ear area may also be left exposed.

[0037] The insect protection mask 1 comprises in the nose area 2, and in particular at a first end 6 in longitudinal direction XX of the insect protection mask 1, a first adjustment device 7 for adjusting a circumference of the insect protection mask 1 in the nose area 2.

[0038] The first adjustment device 7 comprises an elastic band 9 on a first subsection 8 of the insect protection mask 1 in the circumferential direction U and a first locking device 11 on a second subsection 10 of the insect protection mask 1 in the circumferential direction U.

[0039] A length of the elastic band 9, and thus a circumference length of the insect protection mask 1 in the nose area 2, is fixed by the first locking device 11.

[0040] For this purpose, the elastic band 9 is designed as a perforated band, which includes several slit-like openings 12 along its length. The elastic band 9 is guided at least partially in a hem along the circumference of the insect protection mask 1. The elastic band 9 is preferably fixed at one end to the first section 8, e.g., by sewing it into the hem. The first section 8 can extend over a large portion of the circumference, so that the elastic band 9 can be adjusted uniformly in length over a wide area of ​​the circumference. This effectively prevents pressure peaks in the sensitive nasal area 2 of the equine.

[0041] The locking device 11 is exemplified as a snap fastener. The snap fastener comprises a lower part 11a, which is exemplified as being arranged on the second section 10, and an upper part 11b, which is attached to the end of a cover strip 13 on the first section 8. To reduce the circumference of the insect protection mask 1 by using the first adjustment device 7, the elastic band 9 is expanded by tension, and the first section 8 is drawn closer to the second section 10. This now taut band is then fixed in its length by inserting the lower part 11a of the snap fastener through one of the openings 12 in the band and then connecting the lower part 11a of the snap fastener to the upper part 11b of the snap fastener, which is arranged on the cover strip 13, in particular by frictional and / or positive locking.

[0042] Figure 2 The insect protection mask shows 1 of Figure 1From below, i.e., when the garment is fastened on an equine, from the underside of the equine's head. Here, too, the first adjustment device 7, which comprises an elastic band 9 in the form of a perforated strip on the first section 8 and the first locking device 11 on the second section 10, is clearly visible. The first locking device 11, which is in the form of a snap fastener with a lower part 11a, provided on the second section 10, and an upper part 11b, provided on the first section 8, and is attached to one end of the cover band 13, is also clearly visible.

[0043] Furthermore, it can be seen that the insect protection mask 1 comprises a closing device 14, which is exemplified in the form of a zipper, wherein a first side 15 and a second side 16 of the insect protection mask 1 are connected in longitudinal direction XX in the closed state of the insect protection mask 1 by the closing device 14.

[0044] When the insect protection mask 1 is closed, the elastic band 9 and the first locking device 11, which comprises the upper part 11b of the snap fastener attached to the cover band 13 for closing the first locking device 11, are guided from the outside over the closing device 14. This ensures that the closing device 14 remains closed and effectively prevents it from opening unintentionally.

[0045] The insect protection mask 1 can include a second adjustment device in another area, for example in the neck area 5, which is designed in particular like the first adjustment device 7, so that the circumference of the insect protection mask 1 can also be variably adjusted in the neck area or jaw area 5.

[0046] The insect protection mask 1 shown here is characterized by a high level of wearing comfort combined with a very good and permanently, yet reversibly, adjustable circumference. This effectively prevents insects from entering the mask through the bridge of the equine's nose and also prevents pressure sores from forming. The insect protection mask 1 has an adjustable circumference to fit any equine head size, ensuring comfortable wear and preventing the mask from being unintentionally and unintentionally removed.

[0047] Figure 3Figure 1 shows an insect protection mask 1 according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the insect protection mask 1 made of Figure 1 and 2 , are in the insect protection mask 1 in Figure 3 The first locking device 11, which is exemplified as a button, and the elastic band 9 are arranged on the same side of the insect screen mask, and, as shown here by way of example, on the first side 15 of the insect screen mask 1. This allows the circumference of the insect screen mask 1 to be adjusted by guiding the button 11 through an opening 12 in the elastic band 9, regardless of whether the locking device 14 is open or closed. The desired circumference can thus be permanently set and does not need to be readjusted each time the insect screen mask 1 is put on. This simplifies the handling of the insect screen mask 1.

[0048] As already explained in light of the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the closing device 14, i.e., the closing device 14 comprising a first closing part 14a and a second closing part 14b when closed, is also prevented from opening unintentionally. For this purpose, a cover strip 13 is again provided, which comprises an upper part 17b of a second snap fastener. On the second side 16 of the insect protection mask 1, there is a corresponding lower part 17a of the second snap fastener, so that after the second snap fastener is closed, a zipper pull 18 of the zipper is covered.

[0049] In addition to the foregoing written description of the invention, explicit reference is hereby made to the graphic representation of the invention in the following for its supplementary disclosure. Figs. 1 to 3 Reference made to. Reference symbol list

[0050] 1 Insect protection mask 2 Nose area 3 Eye area 4 Ear area 5 Neck area / Cheek area 6 First end 7 First adjustment device 8 First section 9 Elastic band 10 Second section 11 First locking device / first snap fastener / button 11a Lower part of the first snap fastener 11b Upper part of the first snap fastener 12 Opening in the elastic band 13 Cover strip 14 Closure device / Zipper 14a First closure part of the closure device / zipper 14b Second closure part of the closure device / zipper 15 First side of the insect protection mask 16 Second side of the insect protection mask 17a Lower part of the second snap fastener 17b Upper part of the second snap fastener 18 Zipper closure handle Circumferential direction X-XL Longitudinal direction

Claims

1. Insect protection mask for equidae comprising a first adjusting device (7) for adjusting a circumference of the insect protection mask (1), wherein the first adjusting device (7) comprises an elastic band (9) on a first partial section (8) of the insect protection mask (1) in the circumferential direction (U) and a first locking device (11) on a second partial section (10) of the insect protection mask (1) in the circumferential direction (U), wherein a first end section of the elastic band is fastened to the first partial section, wherein a second end section of the elastic band (9) is not fixedly connected to the insect protection mask (1) and is designed to be guided along the circumference of the insect protection mask to the second partial section (10) comprising the locking device (11), wherein, when the insect protection mask is applied to the equidae, the elastic band (9) of the first adjusting device (7) present on the first partial section (8) is tightened to such an extent that the circumference of the insect protection mask is reduced to a desired extent, wherein the elastic band (9) is reversibly permanently fixed by means of the locking device (11) present on the second partial section (10), characterized in that a length of the elastic band (9) is fixed by the first locking device (11), and in that the elastic band (9) is guided in a seam.

2. Insect protection mask according to Claim 1, wherein the first locking device (11) is guided in a seam.

3. Insect protection mask according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the first locking device (11) comprises a button, a pin, a clip, a hook or a hook-and-loop fastener.

4. Insect protection mask according to Claim 3, wherein the button is a first pushbutton, and wherein a lower part (11a) or an upper part (11b) of the first pushbutton is arranged on the second partial section (10), or wherein the first locking device (11) is a hook-and-loop fastener and a first adhesive side of the hook-and-loop fastener is arranged on the second partial section (10) and the elastic band (9) comprises a second adhesive side of the hook-and-loop fastener.

5. Insect protection mask according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic band (9) is a perforated band.

6. Insect protection mask according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastic band (9) is a perforated band and the first locking device (11) is a button, a pin, a clip or a hook, wherein the button, the pin, the clip or the hook can be guided through an opening (12) in the perforated band in order to fix the length of the elastic band (9).

7. Insect protection mask according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a closing device (14) which divides or connects the insect protection mask (1) in the longitudinal direction (X-X), wherein in particular the elastic band (9) and / or the first locking device (11) is / are guided over the closing device (14) in the closed state of the closing device (14), or wherein in particular in the closed state of the closing device (14) a first side (15) and a second side (16) of the insect protection mask (1) are connected to one another by the closing device (14), wherein a first closure part (14a) of the closing device (14) is arranged along an edge of the first side (15) in the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the insect protection mask (1) and a second closure part (14b) of the closing device (14) corresponding to the first closure part (14a) is arranged along an edge of the second side (16) in the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the insect protection mask (1), and wherein the elastic band (9) and the first locking device (11) are arranged on the first side (15) of the insect protection mask (1) or on the second side (16) of the insect protection mask (1).

8. Insect protection mask according to Claim 7, wherein the closing device (14) is selected from a hook-and-loop fastener, a zip fastener, a hook fastener or a button fastener.

9. Insect protection mask according to Claim 8, wherein the closing device (14) is a zip fastener and the insect protection mask (1) further comprises a cover band (13) which is arranged on the first side (15) of the insect protection mask (1), and a second pushbutton, wherein an upper part or lower part (17a, 17b) of the second pushbutton is arranged on the cover band (13) and a lower part or upper part (17b, 17a) of the second pushbutton is arranged on the second side (16) of the insect protection mask (1), such that a closure handle (18) of the zip fastener (14) is concealed by the cover band (13) in the closed state of the zip fastener (14) and in the closed state of the second pushbutton, or wherein the closing device (14) is a zip fastener and the insect protection mask (1) further comprises a cover band (13) which is arranged on the second side (16) of the insect protection mask (1), and a second pushbutton, wherein an upper part or lower part (17a, 17b) of the second pushbutton is arranged on the cover band (13) and a lower part or upper part (17b, 17a) of the second pushbutton is arranged on the first side (15) of the insect protection mask (1), such that a closure handle (18) of the zip fastener (14) is concealed by the cover band (13) in the closed state of the zip fastener (14) and in the closed state of the second pushbutton.

10. Insect protection mask according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first adjusting device (7) is provided at a first end (6) in the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the insect protection mask (1), wherein the first end (6) in particular constitutes a nose region (2) of the equidae, wherein the insect protection mask (1) in particular further comprises a second adjusting device, wherein the second adjusting device comprises an elastic band on a third partial section in the circumferential direction (U) and a second locking device on a fourth partial section in the circumferential direction (U), wherein a length of the elastic band is fixed by the second locking device, wherein in particular the second adjusting device is provided at a second end in the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the insect protection mask (1), wherein the second end in particular constitutes a knot region or ganash region of the equidae and / or wherein the insect protection mask comprises an ear region (4) and an eye region (3), wherein the ear region (4) and / or the eye region (3) are formed in particular from a mesh material and remaining regions of the insect protection mask (1) are formed in particular from an elastic textile material.