Dog tail protector

Abstract

An animal tail protector encourages healing of wounds such as "happy tail" and prevents further damage by the environment or the animal. The protector belt system is worn around the waist and the hips and rump of the animal, and a tail sling is connected to the belt system at the top of the hip / rump belt and at the bottom of the belt system under the belly of the animal. The tail sling, and the tail received therein, is curved down and forward between the rear legs and held there by the under-the-belly connection. The sling covers most of the tail and has an open tip-end so that air reaches the wounded tail tip. The protector's simplicity makes it easy to install and use and comfortable and safe, as it preferably does not include a body harness, strap(s) around the neck, or connection to a neck collar.

Description

[0001] DOG TAIL PROTECTOR

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

[0004] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 633,480, filed April 12, 2024, entitled Dog Tail Protector, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by this reference.

[0005] Field of the Disclosed Technology

[0006] The invention relates to an apparatus and / or method for protecting an animal’s tail, for example, to help the tail heal from a wound, surgery, disease, or other ailments, and / or for the prevention thereof. For example, in the behavior commonly called “happy tail”, a dog wags its tail so vigorously that the tail repeatedly impacts a wall or other object and is wounded. The “happy tail” wound is often at or near the tip of the tail and is difficult to bandage in a secure way that keeps the bandage on the wound and prevents the dog from removing the bandage from the tail before the tail heals. Thus, conventional treatment of “happy tail” wounds that includes a bandage is frequently ineffective, as the bandage comes off and further tail wagging against hard objects reopens the wound. Similarly, tail surgery, disease, or other ailments may also be difficult to bandage in a secure and dog-interference-resistant manner. Therefore, as will be apparent from the following description and the figures, use of the protector device may be beneficial for healing, and / or preventing an initial or subsequent occurrence(s), of such ailments or injury.

[0007] Related Art

[0008] Conventional treatments aimed at healing “happy tail” wounds, or other conditions or injuries, have conventionally included wrapping the affected region with gauze. Frequently, however, the dog easily pulls the gauze off the tail. Other home remedies have included a single strap or bandana tied around the dog’s waist and a tail sleeve fixed to the strap / bandana. Commercial products aimed at helping the tail heal include K9 TAILSAVER TM that includes a body harness including a neck strap and a chest strap behind but near the front legs, wherein multiple straps extend rearward from the body harness to a tail sleeve. The K9 TAILSAVER may be described as a full-body-hamess and tail sling combination that does not secure the tail under the body, but rather lets the tail in the sling trail behind the dog in its normal position and orientation. This commercial product is reported online, at https: / / happytailsaver.com, as including six (6) adjustable straps that are adjusted to fit each animal prior to use of the product.

[0009] In the patent literature, Valentine Patent No. 11,617350 discloses a dog harness having a collar portion that extends around the dog’s neck or the dog’s breast forward of the dog’s front legs, and a chest strap extending around the dog’s chest near but behind the dog’s front legs, plus straps from the harness to a tail sleeve.

[0010] Dog anatomy is well known, for example, as described in https: / / en.wikipedia.org / wiki / Dog anatomy, incorporated herein by this reference, and many other online references.

[0011] Still, there is a need for an effective device and method for helping a wound, surgery, disease, or other ailment of an animal tail to heal. There is still a need for a safe and effective device and method that protects the animal tail from further damage and / or from interference by the animal itself in the healing process. There is still a need for an effective device that is easy to use, easy to install on the animal, and comfortable for the animal. Certain embodiments of the invented device and methods meet some or all of these needs. Certain embodiments are especially effective for a dog.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

[0013] Certain embodiments of the disclosed device and / or methods comprise an animal tail protector that is simple and easy to use, and effective for encouraging healing of the tail and / or preventing further damage by the environment or the animal itself. Certain embodiments are easy to use and effective at least in part because of the simplicity of the protector’ s dual-belt system, which is worn only around the waist and around the hips and rump of the animal, and a sling connected at one end to the belt on the hips / rump and connected at the other end to the portion of the duel-belt system lying under the belly of the animal.

[0014] Certain embodiments comprise, consist essentially of, or consist only of, a dual-belt system (or “dual-belt unit”) and a tail sling. Certain embodiments of the dual-belt system comprise, consist essentially of, or consist only of, an elongated hip belt and an elongated waist belt, and a fastener or connector adapted to connect to the tail sling. Certain embodiments are especially effective and safe for use on a dog. Certain embodiments of the dual-belt system may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of, two belts that are connected together at a junction region to be installed under the abdomen of the dog in the caudal abdomen region, that is, the abdomen region nearer the tail than the head (also herein, the “belly”). From that junction region, one of the two belts extends from the caudal abdomen region, up along the flanks, and around the lumbar portion of the back, and so this “first belt” may be described in certain embodiments as a “waist belt”. From that junction region, the other of the two belts, or “second belt”, extends from the junction region at the caudal abdomen region, up along the flanks, along / around the hips, and over / across the rump near the base of the tail, and so may be described in certain embodiments as a “hip belt” or a “rump belt”. In preferred embodiments, the two belts are spaced from each other along substantially all of the belt lengths, except for at and near the relatively short under-belly junction region. In certain embodiments, there is no connection, cloth, netting, strap, or other elements connected to and extending between the belts except at said underbelly junction region, wherein the underbelly junction may be 1 -4 inches in length, for example. In certain embodiments, the tail sling is adapted to cover at least the wounded portion of the tail, which is often the tip end of the tail. In certain embodiments, the tail sling encircles the tail, preferably from the tip end to the base of the tail, and detachably connects at a first end (or “upper end”) to the hip belt. The tail sling opposing, second end (or “lower end” or “tipend”), which the end typically covering or encircling the tip end of the tail, is adapted to detachably connect to the dual-belt system at or near the junction region. Thus, the tail sling and the tail received therein may be curved down and forward between the rear legs and held there by a sling-tip-to-belt connection.

[0015] Certain embodiments comprise simply the dual-belt system (or “dual-belt unit”) plus the tail sling, without any straps or other elements that are forward of the waist belt portion of the dual-belt system or that are adapted to be placed forward of the lumbar portion of the back. Certain embodiments include no harness or strap around the chest of the animal. Certain embodiments include no harness or strap around the breast of the animal. Certain embodiments include no harness or strap around the neck of the animal and no connection to a collar around the neck of the animal. Certain embodiments have no straps or other elements extending forward from the forward-most extent of the dual-belt system; have no straps or other elements extending forward to, or connecting to, the front legs; have no straps or other elements extending to or around the animal’s neck, and / or have no straps or other elements connecting said first and second belts except for the one underbelly junction region connection.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 shows a right-side perspective view of an embodiment of the protector device installed on an exemplary dog.

[0018] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the device and dog of Figure 1 , showing the first end (or “upper end” or “upper front end”) of the tail sling connected to the hip belt and the second end (or “lower end” or “lower front end”) extending forward between the dog’s rear legs. Figure 3 is a right front perspective view of the device as installed on the dog in Figures

[0019] 1 and 2, showing how the lower end of the tail sling is connected to the dual-belt system to retain the sling in a position curving forward between the dog’s rear legs to be under a portion of the dog’s caudal abdomen region, and with the sling tip-end and the dog’s tail-tip pointing generally forward between the dog’s rear legs.

[0020] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the dual-belt system with the waist and hip belt fasteners disconnected and with the dual-belt system is flattened to lie on a plane to show to best advantage its exterior surface that is normally away from the dog’s skin when installed on the dog. The hip belt is on the left, the waist belt is on the right, and the junction region is in the middle with the buckle, for connection to the tail sling, extending to the right.

[0021] Figure 5 is a top view of the dual-belt system of Figure 4, , flipped over relative to its position in Figure 4, to show its interior surface that is normally toward / against the dog’s skin when installed on the dog, with the hip belt at the right, the waist belt at the left, and the junction region with buckle still in the middle.

[0022] Figure 6 is a view of the tail sling of Figures 1-3, removed from the dual-belt system and opened and flattened to lie on a plane to show to best advantage the exterior surface of the opened tail sling that is normally away from the skin of the tail when installed on the dog, with the upper end of the sling at the top of the sheet, the two upper end connection straps (“sling suspenders”)unfastened and extended, and the lower end of the sling, with its strap and buckle connector, at the bottom of the sheet.

[0023] Figure 7 is a view of the tail sling of Figure 6 flipped over to show the interior surface of the sling that is typically toward / against the skin of the tail when installed on the dog, and with the sling suspenders still unfastened and extended.

[0024] Figure 8 is a rear view of the tail sling of Figures 6 and 7, closed to form a tubular shape with an interior open-ended passageway for receiving the tail as in Figures 1-3, and with the sling suspenders bent over and fastened to the sling. This view is of an exterior side of the sling that may be called the “fastener side” or “rear side” of the sling, that typically faces rearward and downward when the device is installed on the dog and the dog is standing.

[0025] Figure 9 is a right rear perspective view of the dog wearing the device of Figures 1-3 that comprises the dual-belt system of Figures 4 and 5 and the sling of Figures 6-8. This view is from a lower perspective that shows how the hip belt, sling, and sling suspenders are positioned relative to the tail and anus, whereby the sling and suspenders touch and encircle the tail near the tail base but avoid, so as to not irritate, the anus and dorsal perineum. Only part of the right suspender is shown in this view to reveal the left suspender and tail.

[0026] Figure 10 is a right side view of the device of Figure 9 on the dog, wherein the sling tipend is disconnected from the junction region of the dual-belt system and a person has moved the sling-covered tail outward to the left of the photo, to further show how the hip belt, sling, and both sling suspenders are positioned relative to the tail, anus, and dorsal perineum.

[0027] Figure 1 1 is a top view of the installed device of Figures 9 and 10, illustrating that there is a small gap between the top end of the sling and the hip belt, through which gap one may see the dog tail and that the suspenders cover a substantial portion of that gap, thus helping prevent the tail from “arching upward and out” of the sling.

[0028] Figure 12 is a schematic bottom view of the anatomy of an exemplary male dog, with the schematically drawn dog protector device installed on the male dog but with the lower / distal end of the sling disconnected from the dual-belt system.

[0029] Figure 13 is a schematic bottom view of the anatomy of an exemplary female dog, with the schematically drawn dog protector device installed on the female dog but with the lower / distal end of the sling disconnected from the dual-belt system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Certain embodiments of the invented protector device are a recovery product that helps keep a dog’s tail isolated and secure, so healing can occur. Symptoms associated with “Happy Tail” can be resolved with use of this product. Happy tail occurs when the tail of a dog is repeatedly hit against a wall or surface resulting in the tail breaking open on the tip and becoming sore and irritated. The preferred protector device has two parts that connect to provide securing of the tail, namely, a dual-belt system and the tail sling. The dual-belt system is formed from a waist belt and a hip belt attached to each other, preferably at a single connection. The preferred embodiments of the protector avoid full-body-hamessing and avoid attachment to a dog collar, resulting in more comfort and safety for the dog. Yet, the preferred embodiments secure the tail under the body comfortably, keeping the tail inside the sling and “tucked” between the rear legs generally near or under the belly and protecting the tail from hitting surfaces. Whereas current home and commercial remedies frequently allow the tail wound to become unbandaged, and / or uncovered due to coming out of a tail sling, the present protector keeps the sling on the tail and keeps the sling-covered tail secured and generally “hidden” between the legs.

[0031] The waist belt may be described as a securing belt that is affixed to the hip belt. The hip belt is a lower hip-hugging belt that connects to the waist belt under the belly of the dog. The tail sling covers / surrounds substantially the entire tail and has a non-stick interior liner allowing the tail to move slightly and comfortably inside the tail sling interior passageway with the dog’s natural body movements, thus not allowing the tail or the wound to become “roughed-up” by the sling. The tail sling is connected to the hip belt by tail sling suspenders that wrap around the hip belt for expandability during movement, connecting by hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO TM to the outside of the tail sling. The lower tip-end of the tail sling clips to the underside of the dual-belt system, typically to the junction region where the hip and waist belt connect to each other, thus securing the tail under the body. Preferably, the lower / distal tip-end of the sling is open-ended, so that the tip of the tail may be slightly exposed, to allow for maximum airflow for healing.

[0032] Referring specifically to the Figures, there is shown one, but not the only, embodiment of the invented tail protector for an animal, preferably for a dog. The protector is specially adapted for effectiveness in protecting the tail for a period of time that helps the tail heal or otherwise recover from trauma or ailment, because the protector covers and is retained on the tail in a way that prevents or at least greatly discourages the animal from removing or displacing the cover, that is comfortable and unlikely to irritate the animal, and that prevents or at least greatly eliminates the chance of further “happy tail” damage and other danger or harm to the animal. The protector is specially adapted to be worn during most of the day and night, having one part (the sling) being out of the way (for male dogs) or easily detached (for female dogs) for urination, and / or the sling being left on the tail but unclipped / unlatched from the underside of the dual-belt system or easily removed from the tail, for defecation by both male and female.

[0033] The preferred embodiment positions the dual-belt system at and behind the waist, with no harness, belt, or strap extending to the neck or connecting to a dog collar. This adapts the protector for increased safety compared to prior art that has a part encircling the neck or connecting to a dog collar. If the protector is caught on, or pulled by, an object or a person, the neck is not squeezed or affect in any way, and, if said being caught or pulled is extreme and continuing, the device may slide toward the rear legs and / or off the rump and hips, but will not choke the dog.

[0034] Further, the preferred protector structure and protector position on the animal have surprisingly been found to be very effective in holding the sling in a beneficial and comfortable place / position even though the dual-belt system is on the rear half of the dog, and more preferably on the rear quarter of the dog, for example, substantially or entirely on the hindquarters. The preferred protector structure and protector position on the animal have surprisingly been found to stay on the animal and not fall off during normal activities. Preferably, there is a space between the hip belt and the waist belt along the entire length of the hip and waist belts except for the relatively short-length junction region. For example, the hip and waist belts may be in the range of 20 - 50 inches, depending on the size of the dog, and the single connection / junction region where the hip and waist belts are connected and touching, may be in the range of only 1 - 4 inches long. Thus, except at this single connection / junction region, the preferred hip and waist belts will typically not be connected or touching each other.

[0035] The preferred protector device structure and positioning have surprisingly been found to be comfortable for most or all dogs due to its holding the upper end of the sling high on the tail but not irritating or abrading the tail base or anal area, and due to its holding the lower end / tip of the sling, and the tail therein, extending forward and between the rear legs. This way, the tail is covered at or near the wound, restrained from wagging, and out of the way of the environment and surrounding objects. Surprisingly, the preferred protector device’s structure and positioning has been found to let the dog relax and ignore or substantially ignore the protector and its control of the tail. This comfort and effectiveness may be contrasted with the discomfort and mixed results given by a “cone of shame” around the dog’s neck. Also, this comfort and effectiveness may be contrasted with discomfort, mixed results, and / or possibly safety issues given by a harness that extends around or covers much of the dog’s chest, extends around the dog’s breast, or extends around the dog’s neck or that connects to a dog collar. Also, the ease of comfortable and effective installation of the preferred structure may be contrasted with the difficult or complex installation of more complex devices with many parts.

[0036] Figures 1-3 show one, but not the only embodiment of the tail protector 10 installed on a dog, wherein the protector 10 includes the dual-belt system 12 made of waist belt 14 and hip belt 16 joined at a junction region 18 for placement under / at the dog’s belly. The tail sling 20 is connected at its first, upper end 22 to generally the top center 17 of the hip belt 16 by at least one detachable, elastic sling-to-hip-belt connector, which are preferably two elastic detachable connectors 24, 25 or sling “suspenders” 24, 25. The left and right suspenders 24, 25 extend up from the top edge center 26C of the sling upper end 22, around the left and right sides of the tail, encircle the hip belt 16, and bend downward and connect to the sling’s rear side (also the “fastener side”) via hook-and-loop fasteners, as will be further described below. Each suspender 24, 25 is partly elastic to allow some freedom of movement between the sling- covered tail and the hip belt 16, to prevent undesired stresses on the sling-covered tail or the dog’s anus. Note that, on the standing dog, the waist belt 14 is vertical or substantially vertical, while the hip belt 16 is at an angle AB in the range of about 45 - 75 degrees, or more preferably about 55-66 degrees, to the waist belt 14, so that the hip belt 16 extends up and rearward to rest on the rump. See Figure 1 , from which it will be understood that the waist belt 14 has a length axis LW and the hip belt 16 has a length axis LH, wherein, in certain embodiments, axis LW and axis LH are at an angle AB in the range of 45 - 75 degrees, or more preferably 55-66 degrees, to each other. The hip belt 16 crosses the rump just above the tail. In certain embodiments, the angle between the waist belt 14 and the hip belt 16 when installed is created by the waist belt being fixed to the hip belt in a way that results in at least the waist belt curving at the junction region 18, resulting in the ends of the waist belt diverging from the ends of the hip belt (see Figures 4 and 5) ). This may be done by curving the waist belt and then sewing and securing the curved waist belt to the hip belt in a way that does not let the waist belt straighten. In Figure 4, one may see a reinforcement patch at junction 18 and additional reinforcements R where the reinforcements and the two belts are sewn together, which maintains the curvature of the waist belt and the diverging relationship of the ends of the waist belt 16 relative to the ends of the hip belt 16. The material of the junction 18, and optionally also near the junction 18, may be adapted for gentle and non-irritating contact with the dog’s underside. For example, as discussed later regarding Figures 12 and 13, it may be important to have the junction 18, and optionally several inches to the right and left of the junction, be a soft material that will not irritate or abrade the dog’s skin.

[0037] Note that, due to the belts being made of fabric or other flexible materials, the curvature of the waist belt and its securement to the hip belt in that curved condition also tend to make the hip belt curve slightly so that its ends also curve away from the waist belt, as may be seen in Figures 4 and 5. Such curvature in one or both belts helps separate the waist belt and hip belt from each other, except where they are connected at the junction region 18, thus helping to keep the two belts 14, 16 in their desired positions on the dog while also keeping the junction region 18 flat and comfortable under the belly of the dog. Preferably, there is a space (see space distance SD in Figure 10), between the upper portion of the installed waist belt 14 and the upper portion of the installed hip belt 16, with no connections, straps, belts, or fabric between the waist belt and hip belt except for junction 18. For certain embodiments, this space distance SD may be in the range of 4-12 inches, or 4-6 inches for a small dog, 6-8 inches for a medium dog, or 9-12 inches for a large dog. It may be noted that the waist belt 14 is preferably longer than the hip belt 16, for example 1 - 5 inches longer depending on the size and form of the dog, and more typically 1-3 inches longer, but due to the waist belt preferably being curved along its length more than the hip belt, a straight line between the outer ends of the waist belt is the same or about the same length as a straight-line length between the ends of the hip belt.

[0038] Figure 3 shows the lower, tip-end 30 of the sling 20 and the tail tip TT at or extending slightly out from the opening formed by the tip-edge 28 of tip-end 30. Figures 1-3 make it clear that, with the protector 10 installed on the dog and the sling 20 connected to the dual-belt system 12 at both ends, the sling 20 and the tail are curved down and forward so that tip-end 30 and the dog’s tail tip TT are forward of the rear legs and close to the junction region 18 where the waist 14 and hip belt 16 portions of the dual-belt system 12 are joined / connected. Tip-end 30 of sling 20 is held in that position by a tip connector 32 that extends from the tip edge 28 to a cooperating connector 36 that extends from the junction region 18. For example, connector 32 may be a strap 33 with buckle 34 on the sling tip-end 30 and the cooperating connector 36 may be a strap 37 on the junction region 18 holding a buckle 38 that cooperates with buckle 34 In certain embodiments, the buckles 34, 38 are quick-release connectors such as those commonly called “one-hand release”, “side-release”, “clip-release”, and / or “parachute” buckles. These cooperating buckle components snap together and then normally can be quickly disconnected by a simple one-handed squeeze action on the sides of the connector buckle by an operator.

[0039] Figures 4 and 5 show the dual-belt system 12, detached from the sling 20 and with each of the waist belt 14 and hip belt 16 unlatched so that system 12 lies flat. Figure 4 shows the exterior surface of the dual-belt system 12, and Figure 5 shows the interior surface of the dualbelt system 12. Each of the two belts may be about 2 inches wide by 30 - 32 inches long, for a medium-sized dog. The two belts are joined at junction region 18, for example, by stitching, so that the ends of the two belts may be described as extending out from this middle junction region 18 in an X-pattern. Opposing ends 41 and 42 of the waist belt 14 have / hold cooperating hook-and-loop strips / patches for latching / fastening the waist belt 14 around the waist of the dog. Note that for the dual-belt system, and in other of the hook-and-loop fastener features of the device such as for the sling, the hooks strips / patches may be of the type well-known as VELCO TM or other hook materials, and the loop strips / patches may be of the type well- known as VELCO TM or other hook-compatible loop materials such as “U-Loop Neoprene”.

[0040] In the preferred embodiments shown in the Figures, end 41 of the waist belt 14 has / holds a hook strip / patch 41H and opposing end 42 of the waist belt 14 has / holds a cooperating loop strip / patch 42L. It will be noted, and understood from the Figures portraying the installed device 10, that the reference number 41H in Figure 4 points directly at the hooks of the hook strip / patch, while reference number 42L in Figure 4 points at the back-side of the loop strip / patch, that is, the side opposite of the looped surface. Each hook -and-loop patch of the waist belt is several inches long, for example 4-7 inches long, for adjustment of the waist belt 14 circumference to accommodate the various waist sizes of different dogs. Opposing ends 51 and 52 of hip belt 16 have cooperating hook-and-loop patches for latching / fastening the hip belt around the hips and rump belt of the dog. In the preferred embodiments shown in the Figures, end 51 of the hip belt 16 has / holds a hook strip / patch 51H and opposing end 52 of the waist belt 16 has / holds a cooperating loop strip / patch 52L. It will be noted, and understood from the Figures portraying the installed device 10, that the reference number 51H in Figure 4 points directly at the hooks of the hook strip / patch, while reference number 52L in Figure 4 points at the back-side of the loop strip / patch, that is, the side opposite of the looped surface. Each hook-and-loop patch of hip belt 16 is several inches long, for example, 4-7 inches long, for adjustment of the hip belt 16 to accommodate the various hip and rump sizes of different dogs. Using the adjustable hook-and-loop fasteners, each of the waist belt 14 and hip belt 16 may be installed on the dog to be comfortably snug on the dog.

[0041] In Figure 5, reference numbers 42L and 52L point directly at the hooks of the hook strip / patches, while the loop patches on ends 41 and 51 are only indicated by dashed seam lines indicating the loop patches 4 IL and 5 IL because their loops are provided on the opposite sides of ends 41 and 51. Thus, the loops of strips / patches 42, 52, when the dual-belt system 12 is installed on the dog, face inward toward the dog. That is, the loop-portions 42L, 52L of the hook-and-loop patches are installed to be on the inner / exterior sides of belts 14, 16 (Figure 5), as the loops are smoother and less abrasive compared to the hooks and may comfortably contact the dog’s skin. The preferred embodiments of the hook and loop fastener arrangements and locations in the Figures have been shown to be very effective, safe, comfortable, and easy to use. However, alternative hook-and-loop patch arrangements, and / or alternative fasteners, may be used in certain embodiments of the invention.

[0042] The dual-belt system 12 may be constructed by sewing and / or gluing fabric components, and / or in certain embodiments by molding of polymeric components. The buckle 38 of connector 36 on system 12 may be a commercially available buckle component as will be recognized from the photos. Reinforcements R may be added to strengthen and make durable the system 12 and to maintain the desired relative shape / curvature of the waist belt and hip belt, as discussed above in this document.

[0043] The two belts 14, 16 may have different types and / or different colors of material on their exterior surface, for example, for differentiating which is the forward belt (waist belt 14) and which is the rearward belt (hips belt 16) and / or to provide light and / or reflective material for safety in low light or at night. Preferably, waist belt 14 is made of a lighter color and / or more reflective material. Both belts 14, 16 may be made of durable and non-stretchable or substantially non-stretchable material, or in certain embodiments having stretchable and resilient portions and also non-stretchable potions, to provide a fit that stays snug. Both belts 14, 16 should comprise a soft inner surface for comfortable contact with the dog’s skin. In certain embodiments, said inner surface may have some nap or weave that helps to prevent the installed belts 14, 16 from sliding longitudinally on the dog.

[0044] The reference numbers shown on Figures 4 and 5 are used in the device-installed Figures 1-3, and 9-11. By comparing Figures 1-3 and 9-11 to Figures 4 and 5, one may understand how the waist belt is wrapped around the dog and the loop patch 42L is secured to the hook patch 41H, with this securement being adjustable to the dog’s girth / size / shape by virtue of the adjustable hook-and-loop connection. By comparing Figures 1-3 and 9-11 to Figures 4 and 5, one may understand how the hip belt is wrapped around the dog and the loop patch 52L is secured to the hook patch 51H, with this securement being adjustable to the dog’s girth / size / shape by virtue of the adjustable hook-and-loop connection.

[0045] Figures 6 and 7 show sling 20 in open condition, laid flat with the suspenders 24 unfastened and extended. While various sizes of slings may be made, the preferred sling panel shown in the Figures is approximately 6 inches wide by 13 inches long, with the distance DF between the hook and loop fasteners 64H and 70L being about 5 inches in certain embodiments.

[0046] One may see from Figures 6 and 7 that sling 20 is a flat, or substantially flat, panel, made of flexible and bendable fabric(s). The exterior surface 20E of the sling 20 is visible in Figure 6 and the interior surface 201 of the sling 20 is visible in Figure 7. The top edge 26 of the sling may be seen extending horizontally in Figures 6 and 7. The suspenders 24, 25 may be seen to be attached to the sling generally at the top edge center 26C about midway between the upper comers 60 of the opened and laid-fl at sling panel, with the suspenders 24, 25 diverging from each other at an angle AS in the range of 20 - 45 degrees to extend around the left and right sides of the tail. The tip-edge 28 (or sling “bottom edge”) may be seen to extend horizontally in Figures 6 and 7, with connector 32 attached to the tip-end 30 at or near the tipedge 28. The sling 20 may be constructed by sewing and / or gluing fabric components, and / or in certain embodiments by molding of polymeric components. The exterior surface 20E may be formed by a layer / sheet of preferably soft-to-the-touch, moisture- and weather-resistant fabric, such as NEOPRENE TM, for example. The inner surface 201 of sling 20 may be formed by a layer of smooth or slick material such as vinyl, which is shown by its outer boundary connected to the sling at fabric edges FE in Figure 7, for example, as discussed further below. The buckle 34 of connector 32 on sling 20 may be a commercially available buckle component as will be recognized from the photos. Reinforcements may be added to strengthen and make durable the sling 20.

[0047] Cooperating hook-and-loop fasteners extending along the entire, or substantially the entire, length of the sling 20 serve to firmly close the sling around the tail. A hook-portion 64H extends along one side edge SEI of the exterior surface 20E of the panel, as may be seen in Figure 6. A loop-portion 66L extends along the opposite side edge SE2 of the panel, but on the interior surface 201 of the panel as is visible in Figures 7. The hook-portion 66L is behind (on the reverse side) of the sling, near side edge SE2 at the right of Figure 6 as indicated by dashed line sewing seams, but is visible at the left edge (SE2) of the flipped-over open sling in Figure 7. This placement of the hook and the look portions allows, when the sling is curled into the tubular / cylindrical shape (Figure 8), the hook-portion 64H to face outward and the loop-portion 66H to face inward. This way, loop-portion will over-lap the hook-portion 64H to fasten the sling around the tail but, should the user’s fastening of the sling not be accurate, the only fastener portion that might contact the tail would be the softer, non-abrasive loop-portion 66L.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6, a fastener patch 70L is provided on the exterior surface 20E of the sling 20, extending generally from the top edge 26 near the corner 60 that is between top edge 26 and side edge SE2, down alongside edge SE2 about 30 - 50 percent of the way to the tip-edge 28. A cooperating fastener patch 24H, 25H is provided on each of the outer ends of the suspenders 24. The suspenders 24, 25 may extend from the top edge center 26C of the sling, around the left and right sides of the tail, respectively, around the hip belt 16, and down to the rear side of the sling 20 to adjustably fasten to the sling by the suspender patches 24H, 25H connecting to patch 70L. The lengths of patch 70L and patches 24H, 25H provide leeway for fastening the suspenders to various portions of patch 70L, and, therefore, securing the sling at various distances from the hip belt 16, for example, depending on the dog’s hindquarters’ size and shape and tail position relative to the rump.

[0049] In alternative embodiments, the loop fastener 70L may be larger in length and / or width than is shown in the Figures. For example, loop fastener 70L may extend over all, or substantially all, of the exterior surface 20E of the sling 20. Therefore, in certain embodiments, the exterior surface 20E may comprise or consist essentially of a hookcompatible material such as U-Loop Neoprene that extends from edge SE2 to (or underneath) hook fastener 64H and / or under fastener 64H all the way to SEI, up to edge 26, and down to tip-edge 28, in order to give more options for placement and fastening of the hook strips / patches 24H, 25H of the suspenders 24, 25 to the sling 20 and for providing a more uniform and soft exterior surface 20E.

[0050] From Figures 1-3, wherein the sling is installed around the dog’s tail, one may understand how the sling panel is rolled from the unfastened, flattened configuration in Figures 6 and 7 and fastened around the tail in the hollow tube / cylindrical configuration of Figure 8. The inner surface 201 of sling 20 is formed by a layer of smooth or even slick material such as vinyl, connected at fabric edges FE. Further, the sling 20 is preferably sized and fastened so that, in its rolled and fastened form, it is about 10 - 20% larger than the diameter of the tail, so that sling 20 fits the tail without rubbing or pinching the tail. This way, the material and sizing of the sling 20 is adapted to not catch, bind, pinch or abrade the tail that it encircles, thus, allowing the tail to comfortably adjust its position slightly relative to the sling 20 during use, for example, sliding slightly longitudinally in the sling 20 and / or rotating slightly in the sling 20 during normal use and movement of the dog. This way, the typical contact between the tail and the sling will not be irritating or damaging to the tail or the tail’s wound and the dog will be more likely to accept wearing of the sling. Suspenders 24, 25 are shown unlatched and extended upward in Figures 6 and 7, and latched to patch 70L via hook patches 24H, 25H in Figure 8, as they would be after being looped around the hip belt 16. The width of each suspender 24, 25 is preferably ’ / 2 to 1 inch wide, and preferably % inches wide. The length of each suspender 24, 25 is preferably in the range of 7 - 9 inches long, so that the suspenders may be adjusted via the hook-and-loop fasteners 70L, 24H, 25H to fit different dogs’ hip / rump to tail-set and anus distances. As noted above, certain embodiments include the loop fastener 70L extending from at or near edge 26 to at or near tip-edge 28 and extending from at or near SE2 to at or near edge SEI (underneath 64H), which gives additional options and room for adjustment of the suspender connections. The loop fastener 70L, whether patch-sized such as shown in Figures 6 and 8, or a full-exterior surface cover / layer as described herein, and the suspender-to-patch connection, will face rearward on the dog as is shown to best advantage in Figures 2 and 11. The sling side edges SEI, SE2, folded over and fastened, become the “fastener side” or the “back side” of the installed sling, facing rearward from the dog.

[0051] Figures 9-13 illustrate to best advantage the preferred installed position of the sling 20 and its suspenders 24, 25 relative to the tail base TB, anus A, and dorsal perineum DP. Note that, in Figure 9, the right suspender 25 is cut off where it crosses over the hip belt, to better reveal the left suspender 25 and the dog tail DT. The sling 20 covers nearly all the tail, with the sling top edge center 26C being close to the tail base TB so that it is within Vi to 4 inches, and more preferably 1 - 2 inches of the hip belt 16, and above the anus A of the dog. Portion 26C of sling edge 26 of the closed sling may be described as “front” because it will extend along the underside of the tail “at the front” of the tail near the tail base TB. The sling is preferably installed, by adjusting the suspenders 24, to place the top edge center 26C at the front undersurface of the tail at a distance in the range of 14 - 4 inches (depending on the dog’ s size and particular anatomy), and more preferably 14 - 2 inches, above the anus of the dog. With this spacing of the top edge center 26C and the elasticity of the suspenders 24, the sling

[0052] 20 is not pulled up so high on / under the tail that it rubs or abrades the tail base or other portions of the underside of the tail, but top edge center 26C is high enough on the tail to avoid rubbing on the anus area, and even avoid the dorsal perineum area of the dog. In other words, the sling upper end 22 may be said (when the tail is extending downward) to extend between the tail and the dorsal perineum, up past the anus. Further, the sling exterior 20E is a substantially flat fabric surface with preferably no edges or other features rough or sharp enough to abrade or irritate the anus or the dorsal perineum. A small amount of leeway in the placement of the hip belt 16 on the rump of the dog, and the adjustability of the sling suspenders 24 to move the sling upper end 22 closer or farther from the base of the tail and the anus, allow custom- fitting during the protector device 10 installation in order to maximize comfort for the dog and to prevent rubbing or chaffing of the sling on the dog’s tail and anal and dorsal perineum areas.

[0053] In Figures 9 and 10, one may see that the upper end 22 of sling 20 is pulled up and held close to the base of the dog’s tail DT, with the edge 26 encircling the tail (and its edge center 26C crossing under the tail), but with part of the dog tail DT showing between the sling 20 and the hip belt 16. Thus, the upper end 22 and its edge 26 may be described as the “upper front” of the installed sling, and the sling tip-end 30 and tip-edge 28, between the legs, may be described as the “lower front” of the installed sling. In preferred embodiments, the sling is preferably installed, by adjusting the suspenders 24, 25, to place the top edge center 26C at the front undersurface of the tail at a distance in the range of 14 - 4 inches, and preferably 14 - 2 inches, above the anus of the dog.

[0054] Figures 9 - 11 show how the position of the upper end 22 of sling 20, extending up close to the tail base and the hip belt top center 17, is maintained and stabilized in position by the suspenders 24, 25. The suspenders 24, 25 extend from the edge center 26C up right and up left, respectively, around the right and left sides of tail (see 24 A, 25 A in Figure 11), then up around the hip belt 16 generally at the top center 17 (see 24B, 25B in Figure 11) , and then rearward across the top side of the dog tail DT (see 24H, 25H in Figure 11) to fasten to fastener patch 70L. Therefore, the right and left suspenders 24, 25 extend along right and left sides of the dog tail, extend above and over the dog tail DT to cross over the gap between the sling and the hip belt 16, in effect, to gently capture the tail in the sling. This suspender configuration / location provides an additional benefit of preventing the tail from “inching up” inside the sling (or otherwise working its way up in the sling) and therefore preventing the tail from arching up into the gap, or even coming out of the sling, between the sling and the hip belt. Given that the dog’s tail hair typically has a “grain” in one direction because the hairs typically extend distally along the tail, the preferred vinyl or other smooth, slick interior surface 201 helps prevents the tail hairs from gripping or catching on the surface 201, to further prevent said “inching” its way out of the sling through the gap via sequential movements.

[0055] The protector device 10 as shown installed in the Figures is worn comfortably and effectively by most dogs, to encourage tail healing and to prevent re-damage of the tail. This may be surprising in view of device 10 being far rearward on the dog and comprising a hip belt that is very near the tail-set and tail base. This comfort and effectiveness may be considered unexpected compared to the prior art convention of using a body harness forward on the dog and / or a connection to the dog collar.

[0056] Device 10 as shown installed in the Figures is also easy to use even in view of a typical dog needing to urinate or defecate multiple times a day. For defecation by either a male or female dog, in a first method, the owner or dog care provider may simply unclip the tip connector 32 from connector 36 to free the tip-end 30 of the sling from the dual-belt system 12, but keep the sling on the tail, and let the dog defecate, as that will simulate the dog’s natural defecation action wherein the dog moves his tail up sufficiently for the tail to be out of the way of the anus and feces. Alternatively, in a second method for defecation, the owner or care provider may unclip / unfasten both the sling tip-end 30 and the suspenders 24, 25 and temporarily remove the sling from the tail while leaving the dual-belt system 12 on the dog. Soon after defecation, the owner / carer may easily: 1) in the first method, re-clip the sling tipend 30 to the dual-belt system by means of fastening tip connector 32 to connector 36, or 2) in the second method, reinstall the sling on the tail, fasten it to the hip belt via suspenders 24, 25, and re-clip the sling tip-end 30 to the dual-belt system by means of fastening tip connector 32 to connector 36. Re urination, some male dogs will be able to cleanly and comfortably urinate without removing the tail sling or even unclipping tip connector 32 from connector 36 as the penis is typically forward of the tail sling and the junction region 18 of the dual -belt system. For other dogs, the owner / carer may want to remove the sling from the tail as explained above for defecation, or at least unclip the sling from the junction region 18 at connectors 32, 36, so the tail and sling tend to move back away from the penis and urine. For female dogs, on the other hand, the sling will typically need to be removed as explained above for defecation, or possibly unclipped at connectors 32, 36 so the tail and sling can move back away from the vulva V and urine. Even if complete device 10 removal is desired for defecation and / or urination, for example to keep the device 10 clean, said removal is convenient and quick as it requires only unlatching the hook-and-look fasteners on the hip and waist belts to allow the dual -belt system 12 to fall / come off, and unlatching the suspenders 24 and unclipping connectors 32, 36 to allow the sling to slide off the tail.

[0057] It may be noted that the cooperating connector 36 (strap 37 with a buckle 38 that cooperates with buckle 34) is preferably secured to the junction region 18 of the dual-belt system 12 at a position slightly offset from the bottom-center of the region 18, as may be seen in Figure 4. . Further, the dual-belt system may be installed on the dog so as to accentuate the offset of the connection 36 and hence the sling tip 28, from the vulva or the penis. This offset toward a right or left side of the dog may keep the connectors 32, 36 and the connected sling tip 30 cleaner during urination and may position the connectors 32 and 36 in a position toward the side in order to make access easier for the owner / carer during connection and disconnection.

[0058] The Figures show the preferred protector 10 and its parts to-scale for a protector 10 designed to fit medium-size dogs. One will understand from this disclosure that protector 10 may be scaled up or down from said “medium-size” to provide multiple device sizes, for example, scaled up to a large size or extra-large size for a large dog or a very large dog, or scaled down for a small dog, without significant change to the installation, use, and benefits of protector 10. Also, the hook-and-loop fastening of the dual-belt system 12 allows for some adjustment for dog size and shape.

[0059] Figure 12 schematically shows a bottom view of exemplary male dog D anatomy, with an embodiment of the dog tail protector installed but with the sling 20 detached from the junction region 18 for better viewing of the device relative to the anatomy. The penis P, testicles T, flank F, ventral perineum VP, anus A, dorsal perineum DP, and tail base TB are labeled. The waist belt 14, hip belt 16, sling 20 with center edge 26C, and left and right suspenders 24, 25 are labeled. In this bottom view, the dual-belt system may be seen to extend under the dog’s belly and extend across the caudal abdomen region of the dog and toward right and left flanks. The junction region 18 of the dual-belt system 12 is far back / rearward under the male dog’s belly, that is, typically between the penis P and the testicles T. In certain embodiments, the dual-belt system (14, 16, 18) may extend forward to come into contact with the penis, for example, covering the penis base and even up to the middle section of the penis, but preferably not extending to the urethra. However, the dual-belt system does not abrade or gouge the penis or testicles and may be made of material at or around the junction 18 adapted for gentle and non-irritating contact with the dog’s underside and penis. For example, it may be important to have the junction 18, and optionally several inches to the right and left of the junction, be a soft material that will not irritate or abrade the dog’s skin or the penis. As shown in Figure 1-3 and 9-11, the waist belt and hip belt continue (out of the view in Figure 12) up and around the waist and hips to their installed positions far back / rearward on the waist and hips of the dog, respectively. One may see that the suspenders 24, 25, and the sling 20, are positioned so that they avoid, and will not abrade or gouge the anus A or the dorsal perineum DP.

[0060] Figure 13 schematically shows a bottom view of exemplary female dog D anatomy, with an embodiment of the dog tail protector installed but with the sling 20 detached from the junction region 18 for better viewing of the device relative to the anatomy. The flank F, vulva V, ventral perineum VP, anus A, dorsal perineum DP, and tail base TB are labeled. The waist belt 14, hip belt 16, sling 20 with center edge 26C, and left and right suspenders 24, 25 are labeled. In this bottom view, the dual-belt system may be seen to extend under the dog’s belly and extend across the caudal abdomen region of the dog and toward right and left flanks. One may see that the junction region 18 of the dual -belt system (14, 16) is far back / rearward under the female dog’s belly, that is, typically slightly in front of the vulva V. Preferred embodiments of the dual-belt system (14, 16, 18), therefore, avoid and will not abrade or gouge the vulva V, and, in preferred embodiments, does not touch or cover the vulva or urethra. As shown in Figure 1-3 and 9-11, the waist belt and hip belt continue (out of the view in Figure 13) up and around the waist and hips to their installed positions far back / rearward on the waist and hips of the dog, respectively. One may see that the suspenders 24, 25, and the sling 20, are positioned so that they avoid, and will not abrade or gouge the anus A or the dorsal perineum DP.

[0061] The preferred embodiments of the device may be understood from the above description and the Figures to not be dog diapers, for example, not be sized, positioned, adapted, or intended to catch or absorb any significant amount of urine or feces. Each of the waist and hip belts is narrow, for example, 1 -3 inches wide, and the portion of the dual-belt system extending underneath the dog’s abdomen / belly is also narrow, for example, 1-4 inches wide, Thus, the size and positioning of the belts and junction are adapted to not be underneath or in contact with the urine-producing urethra of the male or female dog. Further, the preferred embodiments do not comprise highly-absorbent materials layers / filing such as would be provided in diapers to absorb urine or feces. Thus, the preferred embodiments of the narrow dual -belt system avoid the dog’ s urethra, do not serve as a diaper, and will not absorb any significant amount of urine. Further, the preferred embodiments are not sized, positioned, adapted, or intended to be a waist, hip, or leg bandage or brace and do not contain gel packs for hot or cold therapy.

[0062] Although this disclosed technology has been described above with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not limited to these disclosed particulars hut extends instead to all equivalents within the broad scope of this disclosure including the Description, the Figures, and the Claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A tail protector for a dog having a tail with a tail-tip, a waist, hips, and a caudal abdomen region, rear legs, anus, and a neck, the protector being for substantially covering the tail and preventing the dog from wagging its tail or hitting the tail against another object; the tail protector comprising:A dual-belt system including a waist belt for encircling the waist, and a hip belt for encircling the hips, wherein the waist belt and the hip belt are joined at a junction region that is for placement at the caudal abdomen region;A sling that is a tubular shape that comprises a top open end and a lower open end, the sling being for receiving the tail inside an interior of the sling, and the sling further comprising a right suspender strap and a left suspender strap extending from an edge of the sling that is underneath the tail, extending up along right and left sides of the tail, respectively, and extending around the hip belt and over the tail and connecting to the sling;The sling further comprising a connector on the lower open end that fastens to a connector on the junction region, so that the sling curves down and forward between the rear legs so that the lower open and of the sling and the tail-tip are held under the caudal abdomen of the dog,2. The tail protector of Claim 1 , wherein the hip belt is connected to the waist belt only at the junction region.

3. The tail protector of Claim 1 , wherein the hip belt and the waist belt are each an elongated strap each having a length axis, and the length axis of the hip belt is in a range of 45 - 75 degrees to the length axis of the waist belt 14, so that the hip belt extends up and rearward from the junction region and rests on the rump.

4. The tail protector of Claim 3, wherein the hip belt length axis is in a range of 55-66 degrees to the waist belt 14 length axis, so that the hip belt extends up and rearward from the junction region and rests on the rump.

5. The tail protector of Claim 3, wherein an upper region of the hip belt and an upper region of the waist belt are spaced a distance from each other in the range of 4-12 inches.

6. The tail protector of Claim 1 , wherein the right suspender strap extends from the edge of the sling that is underneath the tail at an angle in the range of 20 - 45 degrees to the left suspender strap.

7. The tail protector of Claim 1, wherein the right and left suspenders are adjustable to an extent that pulls the top open end of the sling up against a bottom side of the tail and up away from the anus of the dog.

8. The tail protector of Claim 1 , wherein the waist belt fastens on itself via hook-and-loop fastener, and wherein the hip belt fastens on itself via hook-and-loop fastener.

9. The tail protector of Claim 1 , wherein the sling has an interior surface that is a slick surface, so that the dog tail slides on the slick surface.

10. The tail protector of Claim 1 , wherein the sling is a flat panel that curls into the tubular shape and has hook-and-loop fasteners that fasten the sling in said tubular shape.

11. The tail protector of Claim 1 , wherein the connector on the lower open end and the connector on the junction region are quick-release connector components that snap together and subsequently can be quickly disconnected with one hand of an operator.

12. The tail protector of Claim 1 that comprises no strap that extends to a dog collar.

13. The tail protector of Claim 1 that comprises no strap that attaches to a dog collar.

14. The tail protector of Claim 1 that comprises no chest harness.

15. The tail protector of Claim 1 wherein the forwardmost portion of the protector is the waist belt and no strap extends forward of the waist belt.

16. The tail protector of Claim 1 that consists essentially of said dual-belt system and said sling.

17. The trail protector of Claim 1 that consists of said dual -belt system and said sling.

18. The tail protector of Claim 1 that is not adapted to cover or touch a dog’s urethra.

19. The tail protector of Claim 1 that is not adapted to cover or touch a dog’s testicles.

20. The tail protector of Claim 1 that is not adapted to cover or touch a dog’s vulva.

21. The tail protector of Claim 1 that does not comprise highly-absorbent diaper material.

22. The tail protector of Claim 1 that is not adapted to receive or contain a gel pack for hot or cold therapy.

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