Adjustable pet garment

Abstract

An adjustable pet garment includes a torso panel for receiving a torso of an animal. A leg panel is coupled to the torso panel for receiving a leg of the animal. The leg panel includes an elastic band securement on an interior side of the leg panel that extends across a longitudinal axis of the leg panel. A first component of a two-component fastener is positioned on the interior side of the leg panel between a hem of the leg panel and at least a portion of the elastic band securement. A second component of the two-component fastener is positioned on the interior side of the leg panel above the hem and offset from the first component along the longitudinal axis.

Description

TITLE

[0001] Adjustable Pet GarmentCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 678,304 filed August 1, 2025 entitled “Adjustable Pet Garment”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to garments for pets (e.g., cats, dogs), and specifically to pet garments that are adjustable to accommodate variations in pet size.SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment there is an adjustable pet garment including a torso panel for receiving a torso of an animal, a leg panel coupled to the torso panel for receiving a leg of the animal, the leg panel including an elastic band securement positioned on an interior side of the leg panel and extending across a longitudinal axis of the leg panel, a first component of a two- component fastener positioned on the interior side of the leg panel between a hem of the leg panel and at least a portion of the elastic band securement, and a second component of the two-component fastener positioned on the interior side of the leg panel above the hem and offset from the first component along the longitudinal axis.

[0005] In some embodiments, at least a portion of elastic band securement is positioned between the first and second components of the two-component fastener along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the interior side of the leg panel comprises an interior texture is different from a texture of an exterior side of the leg panel. In some embodiments, the interior texture does not function as a component of the two-component fastener. In some embodiments, the elastic band securement is connected to interior and exterior fabric panels of the leg panel at opposed seamlines extending generally along longitudinal edges thereof.

[0006] In some embodiments, the elastic band securement extends substantially across a width of the leg panel normal to the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the two-component fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the first component of the two- component fastener has a length along the longitudinal axis of the leg panel that is less than a length of the second component of the two-component fastener along the longitudinal axis of the leg panel.In some embodiments, the length of the second component is at least twice the length of the first component. In some embodiments, the length of the second component is at least quadruple the length of the first component.

[0007] In some embodiments, the elastic band securement comprises a first elastic band and a second elastic band spaced apart from the first elastic band along the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second component of the two-component fastener is positioned between the first and second elastic bands along a direction of the longitudinal axis. In some embodiments, the two-component fastener includes a pair of first components and a pair of second components, each pair positioned on the interior side of the leg panel on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the leg panel. In some embodiments, the two-component fastener includes only a single first component and a single second component.

[0008] In some embodiments, the leg panel tapers along the longitudinal axis towards the hem. In some embodiments, the leg panel is adjustable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, and in the folded configuration the leg panel is folded such that the hem of the leg panel passes between the interior side of the leg panel and at least a portion of the elastic band securement such that the first and second component of the two-component fastener are engaged with one another. In some embodiments, the leg panel is adjustable between the unfolded configuration and a plurality of different folded configurations. In some embodiments, the two- component fastener is configured to permit a user to select any user-defined length of an adjusted leg panel between a shortest length and a longest length.

[0009] In some embodiments, the torso panel is integral with the leg panel. In some embodiments, the interior texture is configured to not attach to either component of the two- component fastener upon contact. In some embodiments, the taper of the leg panel terminates proximate a hem of the leg panel.

[0010] In another embodiment there is a method of fitting the adjustable garment according to embodiments of the present disclosure to the animal. The method including adjusting the leg panel from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration such that the hem of the leg panel passes between the interior side of the leg panel and at least a portion of the elastic band securement such that the first and second component of the two-component fastener are engaged with one another, passing a leg of the animal into a space between the elastic band securement and the interior side of the leg panel such that the leg panel receives the leg of the animal, and securing the torso panel to the torso of the animal.

[0011] In another embodiment there is a pet garment including a head panel for receiving a head of an animal, the head panel including a first lateral side panel, a second lateral side panel, and a medial panel coupled to the first and second lateral side panels. A seamline formed between the medial panel and the first lateral side panel may define a first ear slot extending along a portion thereof, and a seamline formed between the medial panel and the second lateral side panel may define a second ear slot extending along a portion thereof. In some embodiments, the pet garment further includes a torso panel for receiving a torso of the animal and coupled to the head panel at an upper edge of the torso panel and a seamline formed between a rear edge of the medial panel and the upper edge of the torso panel define a slot for providing access to a neck and / or back of the animal.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments of the system and method, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0013] In the drawings:

[0014] Fig. 1 is rear elevational view illustrating the interior of a pet garment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in an unworn state;

[0015] Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the pet garment of Fig. 1;

[0016] Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of a first leg panel of the pet garment of Fig. 1;

[0017] Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of a leg panel of the pet garment of Fig. 1 ;

[0018] Figs. 5-7 are rear views of the pet garment of Fig. 1 illustrating adjustment of one of the leg panels included therewith;

[0019] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the pet garment of Fig. 1 in use on a dog;

[0020] Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of fitting the pet garment of Fig. 1 to an animal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Fig. 10 i s a perspective view of a pet garment in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig. 11 is a side view of the pet garment of Fig. 10; and

[0023] Fig. 12 is a rear view of a portion of the pet garment of Fig. 10.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Conventional pet garments including, but not limited to, costumes, jackets, foul weather garments are typically provided in a limited number of sizes according to variations in pet size. For example, conventional pet garments are typically provided in sizes varying from extra small (XS) to triple extra large (XXXL). Each of the sizes typically corresponds to average body measurements (e.g., back length, neck circumference, chest circumference) of the type of pet the garment is intended for. For example, various dog breeds are often grouped into sizing categories (e.g., small, medium, large) corresponding to the average fully grown size and pet garments for use with dogs may be similarly sized. However, the size, shape and / or proportions of pets falling within a particular sizing category vary, which may result in a conventional pet garment being ill-fitting for some pets. As such, there is a need to provide a pet garment configured to be adjustable in one or more areas to better fit to pets of various sizes.

[0025] Numerous details are described herein in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, some embodiments may be practiced without any of the specific details, and the scope of the claims is only limited by those features and aspects specifically recited in the claims.

[0026] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figs. 1-8, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments the pet garment 100 is configured to adjust a length of a leg panel included therewith. In some embodiments, the pet garment 100 is configured to enable a user to easily adjust the length of the leg panel by folding the leg panel to a desired length. In some embodiments, the pet garment 100 is configured to retain the leg panel in a folded configuration. Aspects of the pet garment 100 are, in some instances, described and illustrated in reference to being worn by a dog, however it should be understood that the pet garment 100 of the present disclosure may be configured to be worn by other types of pets or animals, such as, but not limited to, cats, domesticated animals, and non-domesticated animals.

[0027] Referring to Figs. 1-2 the pet garment 100 may include a torso panel 102 configured to receive a torso of an animal, and leg panels 104a, 104b coupled to the torso panel 102 for receiving legs of the animal. In some embodiments, the torso panel 102 is configured to cover at least a portion of a pet’s forechest, back, shoulders, loins, croup, abdomen, and / or any other portion of the pet’s torso. The leg panels 104a, 104b may be configured to cover at least a portion of the pet’s front and / or rear legs. For example, and as illustrated in Fig. 8, when the pet garment 100 is worn by adog, the torso panel 102 may substantially cover the dog’s forechest and the leg panels 104a, 104b may extend downwardly therefrom to at least partially cover the dog’s forelegs.

[0028] For sake of brevity, aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated herein in relation to an embodiment of the pet garment 100 having a torso panel 102 receiving a forechest of a pet and two leg panels 104a, 104b receiving front legs of the pet. However, in other embodiments the torso panel 102 and / or leg panels 104a, 104b may be configured to receive different and / or additional areas of the pet. In some instances, the leg panels 104a, 104b cover a portion of the pet’s rear legs. For example, the torso panel 102 may be sized and / or shaped to extend along the back of the pet and the leg panels 104a, 104b may extend downwardly therefrom to partially cover the rear legs of the pet. In further embodiments, the pet garment 100 includes a pair of leg panels and a pair of rear leg panels each being generally similar to leg panels 104a, 104b. For example, the torso panel 102 may be sized and / or shaped to extend along the forechest and back of the pet. The front leg panels may be coupled to the torso panel 102 at the forechest of the pet and extend downwardly therefrom at least partially along the front legs of the pet. The rear leg panels may be coupled to the torso panel 102 approximately at the back of the pet and extend downwardly therefrom at least partially along the rear legs of the pet.

[0029] In some embodiments, the pet garment 100 includes a neck panel 106 configured to receive at least a portion of the pet’s neck. The neck panel 106 may be coupled to the torso panel 102 opposite the leg panels 104a, 104b. In some embodiments, the neck panel 106 is configured to wrap around the neck of a pet to secure the pet garment 100 to the pet. For example, the neck panel 106 may wrap around the neck of the pet such that opposing ends of the neck panel 106 are coupled to one another. The neck panel 106 may include a two-component fastener 108 configured to adjustably couple opposing ends of the neck panel 106 to one another. The two-component fastener 108 may include a first component 108a disposed at one end of the neck panel 106 and a second component 108b disposed at the opposite end thereof. In some embodiments, the two-component fastener 108 is a hook and loop fastener. For example, the first component 108a is one of a hook patch or loop patch and the second component 108b is the other of the hook patch and loop patch.

[0030] In some embodiments, the two-component fastener 108 of the neck panel 106 is configured to enable the neck panel 106 to be adjusted to securely accommodate various multiple circumferences of a pet’s neck. When secured to the neck of a pet, the neck panel 106 wraps around the pet’s neck such that the first and second components 108a, 108b engage one another in one of a plurality of different positions. The plurality of different positions may be related to the overlap of each of the components 108a, 108b in a direction. For example, the positions may relate to whatportion of each of the components 108a, 108b overlap and engage with one another along a width of the neck panel 106. In some embodiments, the first component 108a is positioned on an interior side 110 of the garment and extends along the neck panel 106 by a width W1 and the second component 108b is positioned on an exterior side 112 of the garment 100 and extend along the neck panel 106 by a width W2. The neck panel 106 may be adjusted to the circumference of a pet’s neck by adjusting the overlap and engagement of components 108a, 108b along their respective widths Wl, W2. In some embodiments, the widths Wl, W2 are substantially equal. In other embodiments, the width W2 of the second component 108b is at least 50% greater than the width Wl of the first component 108a. In some embodiments, the width W2 of the second component 108b is between about two to four times greater than the width Wl of the first component 108a.

[0031] In some embodiments, the torso panel 102, leg panels 104a, 104b and / or neck panel 106 are a unitary construct. In some embodiments, the torso panel 102 is integral with the leg panel(s) 104a, 104b. In some embodiments, the torso panel 102, leg panels 104a, 104b, and / or neck panels 106 are formed of the same material(s). In some embodiments, the leg panels 104a, 104b are detachably coupled to the torso panel 102. The leg panels 104a, 104b may be detachably coupled to the torso panel 102 via one or more fasteners (e.g., hook and loop fastener, snap button fasteners, zipper, strap and buckle). For example, in some instances the torso panel 102 and leg panels 104a, 104b include first and second components of a two-component fastener such as a hook and loop patch for detachably coupling the leg panels 104a, 104b to the torso panel 102. In some embodiments, the leg panels 104a, 104b are configured to receive the legs of a pet while decoupled from the torso panel 102. The leg panels 104a, 104b may be configured to be retained against a pet’s leg without being directly coupled to or contacting the torso panel 102. For example, the elastic band securement 114, discussed below, may retain the leg panels 104a, 104b against the pet’s leg in embodiments where the leg panels 104a, 104b are not directly attached to the torso panel 102.

[0032] In some embodiments, the exterior side 112 of the torso panel 102, leg panels 104a, 104b, and / or neck panel 106 is formed of the same material. In other embodiments, the exterior side 112 of at least one of the torso panel 102, leg panels 104a, 104b, and / or neck panel 106 is formed of a different material than the others. In some embodiments, the exterior side 112 of the torso panel 102, leg panels 104a, 104b, and / or neck panel 106 is a unitary construct. In some embodiments, the interior side 110 of the torso panel 102, leg panels 104a, 104b, and / or neck panel 106 is formed of the same material. In other embodiments, the interior side 110 of at least one of the torso panel 102, leg panels 104a, 104b, and / or neck panel 106 is formed of a different material than the others. Insome embodiments, the interior side 110 of the torso panel 102, leg panels 104a, 104b, and / or neck panel 106 is a unitary construct.

[0033] In some embodiments, at least one of the leg panels of the pet garment 100 is configured to be adjustably secured to a pet’s leg. In some embodiments, at least one of the leg panels 104a, 104b includes an elastic band securement 114 and a two-component fastener 116. The elastic band securement 114 may be configured to secure the corresponding leg panel 104a, 104b to a pet’s leg. The two-component fastener 116 may be configured to allow adjustment of the length of the corresponding leg panel 104a, 104b along a respective longitudinal axis Al, A2 thereof. The elastic band securement 114 may extend across the longitudinal axis Al, A2 of the respective leg panel 104a, 104b. The elastic band securement 114 and / or two-component fastener 116 may be positioned on an interior side 110 of the respective leg panel 104a, 104b. In some embodiments, each of the leg panels 104a, 104b includes a respective elastic band securement 114 and a two-component fastener 116. For sake of brevity, aspects of the elastic band securement 114 and two-component fastener 116 will be described herein with regards to the first leg panel 104a and it should be understood that the same description may apply to the elastic band securement 114 and two-component fastener 116 included in the second leg panel 104b. In embodiments in which the pet garment 100 includes more than two leg panels (e.g., four leg panels), each of the leg panels may include elastic band securements 114 and / or two-component fasteners 116 generally the same as those described herein. For example, in one embodiment the pet garment 100 may include a torso panel 102 with four leg panels coupled thereto each of which including elastic band securements 114 and two-component fasteners 116.

[0034] Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the two-component fastener 116 may include a first component 116a and a second component 116b positioned on the interior side 110 of the leg panel 104a. In some embodiments, the first and second components 116a, 116b are configured to form an adjustable closure such that the length of the leg panel 104a may be adjusted, as discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments, the first component 116a is a hook patch and the second component 116b is a loop patch, or vice versa, that together form a hook and loop fastener. In such instances, the first component 116a and second component 116b may be pressed together in a plurality of different positions each of which forming a closure therebetween. In other embodiments, the two-component fastener 116 is a different type of fastener that may be used to form an adjustable closure. For example, the fastener 116 may be a snap fastener where the first component 116a is a socket and the second component 116b includes one or more studs extending longitudinally along the interior side 110 of the leg panel 104a. In some embodiments, the two-component fastener 116 may be one of a button fastener (e.g., including buttons and / or button sockets) and a straps and buckle fastener.

[0035] In some embodiments, the two-component fastener 1 16 includes a pair of first components 116a and a pair of second components 116b, each pair being positioned on the interior side 110 of the leg panel 104a on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis Al. For example, and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, the two-component fastener 116 includes: a) two first components 116a disposed on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis Al and generally aligned with one another in a direction perpendicular thereto, and b) two second components 116b disposed on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis Al and generally aligned with one another in a direction perpendicular thereto. In other embodiments, the two-component fastener 116 includes only a single first component 116a and a single second component 116b.

[0036] In some embodiments, the first and second components 116a, 116b are offset from one another such that they engage one another when the leg panel 104a is folded to a desired length, as discussed in more detail below. The first and second component 116a, 116b may be offset from one another along the leg panel 104a in at least one direction. In some embodiments, the first and second component 116a, 116b are offset from one another along the longitudinal axis Al. For example, the second component 116b may be offset from the first component 116a in a longitudinal direction by an offset distance D. The first component 116a may have a length LI that is unequal to a length L2 of the second component 116b. In some embodiments, the length LI of the first component 116a, as measured along the longitudinal axis Al, is less than the length L2 of the second component 116b.In some embodiments, the length L2 of the second component 116b is at least twice the length LI of the first component 116a. In some embodiments, the length L2 is at least quadruple the length LI . In some embodiments, the length L2 is between about 50% greater to about 300% greater than the length LI. In some embodiments, the first component 116a having a length LI that is less than that of the second component 116b may enable the leg panel 104a to be retained in a plurality of folded configurations spanning a longer range than compared to an instance where the first and second components 116a, 116b have an equal length. For example, the leg panel 104a has a maximum length, and the offset distance D, which is partially dependent upon the length LI, represents a length of the leg panel 104a spanning between the first and second components 116a, 116b within which the leg panel 104a may be folded and retained in a folded configuration.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first and second components 116a, 116b are aligned with one another along the longitudinal axis AL For example, there may be substantially no laterial offset between the first and second components 116a, 116b in a direction generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis Al. In some embodiments, the first and second components 116a, 116b are generally aligned with one another and spaced from one another in the longitudinal direction such that when the leg panel 104a is folded in a direction across the longitudinal axis Al , the first component 116a may contact and engage with the second component 116b and retain the leg panel 104a in the folded configuration (see, e.g., Fig. 3).

[0038] In some embodiments, the elastic band securement 114 is configured to secure the leg panel 104a to a pet when the leg panel 104a is in a folded or unfolded configuration. The elastic band securement 114 may include a first elastic band 114a and a second elastic band 114b. The second elastic band 114b may be spaced apart from the first elastic band 114a along the longitudinal axis Al. For example, the second elastic band 114b may be offset from the first elastic band 114a in a direction generally parallel to the longitudinal axis Al. In some embodiments, the elastic band securement extends substantially across a width W3 of the leg panel 104a that is normal to the longitudinal axis Al. For example, the first and / or second elastic bands 114a, 114b may extend from a first longitudinal edge 118 to an opposed second longitudinal edge 120 of the leg panel 104a. In some embodiments, the elastic bands 114a, 114b are comprised of the same material (e.g., a latexbased rubber and / or polyester fibers).

[0039] In some embodiments, the elastic bands 114a, 114b are configured to enable the leg panels 104a, 104b to be easily secured to and / or removed from a pet’s leg. The elastic bands 114a and / or 114b may enable a pet’s leg to be easily inserted into the space between the bands 114a and / or 114b and the interior side 110 of the leg panels 104a, 104b. While inserted into the space between the bands 114a and / or 114b, the pet’s leg may be sandwiched between the respective leg panel 104a, 104b and the elastic band securement 114. In some embodiments, providing both of elastic bands 114a, 114b in the elastic band securement 114 improves the fit of the leg panel to a pet’s leg when compared to embodiments consisting of a single band. For example, the elastic bands 114a, 114b may substantially reduce the occurrence of fabric bunching and / or aids in preventing the hemline from spreading out when the leg panel 104a, 104b is folded. In other embodiments, one of bands 114a, 114b may be omitted such that the elastic band securement 114 consists of a single elastic band. In other embodiments, the elastic band securement 114 may include more than two elastic bands. In some embodiments, the elastic band securement 114 may include between one to four elastic bands. In some embodiments, the elastic band securement 114 includes two or more elastic bands.

[0040] In some embodiments, the two-component fastener 116 is positioned relative to the elastic band securement 114 such that when the leg panel 104a is retained in a folded configuration,the elastic band securement 114 may receive and secure a pet’s leg to the leg panel 104a. In some embodiments, the first component 116a is positioned between a bottom edge (e.g., a hem 122) of the leg panel 104a and at least a portion of the elastic band securement 114. For example, the first component 116a may be positioned between the hem 122 and the first elastic band 114a along the longitudinal axis Al. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the elastic band securement 114 is positioned between the first and second components 116a, 116b along the longitudinal axis Al. For example, the first elastic band 114a may be positioned along the longitudinal axis Al between the first and second components 116a, 116b. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the second component 116b is positioned between the first and second elastic bands 114a, 114b along a direction of the longitudinal axis Al. For example, at least a portion of the length L2 of the second component 116b is positioned between the first and second elastic bands 114a, 114b.

[0041] Referring to Figs. 3-4, the pet garment 100 may include different textures and / or materials at the interior side 110 and exterior side 112. In some embodiments, the interior side 110 of the leg panel 104a comprises an interior texture that is different from a texture of the exterior side 112 thereof. The leg panel 104a may include an interior fabric panel 124 at the interior side 110 that is joined to an exterior fabric panel 126 positioned at the exterior side 112. In some embodiments, the interior fabric panel 124 defines the texture of the interior side 110 of the leg panel 104a and the exterior fabric panel 126 defines the texture of the exterior side 112, which may be different from that of the interior fabric panel 124. In some embodiments, the interior texture does not function as a component of the two-component fastener 116. For example, in an embodiment in which the two- component fastener 116 is a hook and loop fastener, the interior fabric panel 124 is comprised of a material that does not engage with either part of the hook and loop fastener such that no closure or attachment is formed directly between the first and / or second components 116a, 116b and the interior fabric panel 124. Providing an interior texture that does not function as a component of the two-component fastener 116 may reduce the risk of unintentional snagging or damage to the leg panels 104a, 104b.

[0042] In some embodiments, the elastic band securement 114 is connected to the interior and exterior fabric panels 124, 126. A portion of the elastic band securement 114 may be sandwiched between the interior and exterior fabric panels 124, 126. For example, a portion of each of the elastic bands 114a, 114b may be positioned between the interior and exterior fabric panels 124, 126 and secured thereto at a seamline 128 extending generally along longitudinal edges 118, 120 thereof. In other embodiments, the elastic band securement 114 may include drawstrings or other non-elastic features suitable for releasably securing the leg panels 104a, 104b to a pet.

[0043] As discussed above, aspects of the present disclosure described with reference to the first leg panel 104a may apply to the second leg panel 104b and / or further leg panels included in embodiments of the pet garment. Aspects of the elastic band securement 114 and two-component fastener 116 of the first leg panel 104a described above including, but not limited to, their position, size, spacing, relation to one another and examples of functionality may also apply to the second leg panel 104b. For example, the second leg panel 104b may be substantially the same as the first leg panel 104a.

[0044] Referring to Figs. 5-7, and as discussed above, the leg panels 104a, 104b may be adjustable between an unfolded configuration and at least one folded configuration. In Fig. 5, the leg panels 104a, 104b are illustrated in an unfolded configuration. In the unfolded configuration, each of the leg panels 104a, 104b may remain substantially unfolded along a fold axis (not illustrated) that intersects the respective longitudinal axes Al, A2. In the unfolded configuration, the first and second components 116a, 116b of the two-component fastener 116 may not be engaged with one another. In Fig. 6, the first leg panel 104a is illustrated as being adjusted from the unfolded configuration towards a folded configuration. As shown in Fig. 6, as the leg panel 104a is adjusted the bottom edge of the first leg panel 104a is partially tucked under a portion of the elastic band securement 114. For example, a distal portion of the first leg panel 104a is folded such that the hem 122 of the first leg panel 104a passes under the first elastic band 114a towards the torso panel 102.

[0045] In Fig. 7, the first leg panel 104a is shown in a folded configuration. In the folded configuration, the hem 122 of the leg panel 104a passes between the interior side 110 and at least a portion of the elastic band securement 114 such that the first and second components 116a, 116b are engaged with one another. For example, and as illustrated in Fig. 7, the leg panel 104a is folded such that the first and second components 116a, 116b of the two-component fastener form an adjustable closure. In some embodiments, in the folded configuration a portion of the exterior fabric panel 126 faces the interior side 110 of the pet garment 100. For example, and as illustrated in Fig. 7, a portion of the exterior fabric panel 126 is folded over such that it faces the interior side 110 and is positioned between the first elastic band 114a and the interior fabric panel 124. The leg panels 104b may be adjusted between the unfolded and a folded configuration in generally the same manner as described and illustrated with reference to Figs. 5-7.

[0046] In some embodiments, the leg panels 104a, 104b include a taper along the respective longitudinal axes Al, A2. For example, the width of the leg panels 104a, 104b may decrease along the axes Al, A2 towards the respective hem 122. In some embodiments, the taper terminates proximate the hem 122 of the respective leg panel 104a, 104b. In some embodiments, the taper ofthe leg panels 104a, 104b may substantially prevent the hem 122 and portions of the leg panel proximate to it from flaring outwardly from the longitudinal edges 118, 120 when in a folded configuration.

[0047] Referring to Figs. 3 and 7, and as discussed above, the leg panels 104a, 104b may be adjustable between the unfolded configuration and a plurality of different folded configurations. In Fig. 7, the leg panel 104a is adjusted to a folded configuration in which the first component 116a of the two-component fastener 116 engages with a distal portion of the second component 116b thereof. Further to what is shown in Fig. 7, the leg panel 104a may be further adjusted such that the first component 116a engages the second component 116b at a position closer to or further from the torso panel 102, as measured in the longitudinal direction.

[0048] In some embodiments, the two-component fastener 116 is configured to permit a user to select any user-defined length of an adjusted leg panel 104a, 104b between a shortest length and a longest length. For example, the two-component fastener may enable a user to adjust the leg panels 104a, 104b between a maximum length and a minimum length. The maximum length may be the length of the leg panels 104a, 104b when in the unfolded configuration. The minimum length may be a length at which the leg panel 104a, 104b is in a folded configuration in which the hem 122 cannot cannot be adjusted further towards the torso panel 102 without the first and second components 116a, 116b of the two-component fastener 116 disengaging one another. In some embodiments, the minimum length may generally be equal to the maximum length of the leg panel 104a minus the offset distance D between the first and second components 116a, 116b.

[0049] Referring to Fig. 8, there is shown an example of the pet garment 100 when worn by a pet 10. In Fig. 8, the pet garment 100 is worn while the first leg panel 104a is in a folded configuration and the second leg panel 104b is in an unfolded configuration. For example, following the adjustment of the length of the first leg panel 104a in Figs. 5-7, the pet garment 100 is put on the pet 10. As illustrated, the neck panel 106 wraps around the neck of the pet 10 and the pet’s legs 12 pass between the respective leg panels 104a, 104b and the elastic band securement 114. In Fig. 8, the first and second components 116a, 116b of the two-component fastener 116 coupled to the second leg panel 104b are disengaged from one another and the components 116a, 116b coupled to the first leg panel 104a are engaged with one another. In some embodiments, the pet garment 100 may be a pet costume including one or more ornamental features. For example, the pet garment 100 illustrated in the figures includes ornamental arms protruding from the sides of the torso panel 102 to provide an ornamental appearance to the garment 100. In other embodiments, other ornamental features may be included.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 9, there may be a method, generally designated 200, of fitting the pet garment 100, to an animal (e.g., the pet 10). In some embodiments, the method 200 includes the step 202 of adjusting the length of a leg panel. Adjusting the length of the leg panel may include adjusting the leg panel from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration such that the hem of the leg panel passes between the interior side of the leg panel and at least a portion of the elastic band securement such that the first and second component of the two-component fastener are engaged with one another. For example, and as illustrated in Figs. 5-7, the leg panel 104a is adjusted from the unfolded configuration illustrated in Fig. 5 to a folded configuration illustrated in Fig. 7. In the folded configuration the hem 122 is positioned between the interior side 110 of the leg panel 104a and the first elastic band 114a of the elastic band securement 114.

[0051] In some embodiments, the method 200 includes the step 204 of passing a leg of the animal into a space between the elastic band securement and the interior side of the leg panel such that the leg panel receives the leg of the animal. For example, and as shown in Fig. 8, the pet’s legs are secured to the leg panels 104a, 104b by passing the legs between the elastic band securement 114 and the interior side 110 of the leg panels 104a, 104b. In some embodiments, the method 200 includes the step 206 of securing the torso panel 102 to the torso of the animal. For example, and as shown in Fig. 8, the torso panel 102 is secured to the torso of the pet 10 while the neck panel 106 wraps around the pet’s neck and is secured thereto via the two-component fastener 108.

[0052] Referring to Figs. 10-12, there is shown a pet garment, generally designated 300, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The pet garment 300 may include a torso panel 302 for receiving the torso of an animal and a head panel 304 configured to receive the head of an animal. In some embodiments, the torso panel 302 may be generally similar to the torso panel 102. In some embodiments, there may be a neck panel 306 generally similar to the neck panel 106 coupled to the torso panel 302. In some embodiments, the neck panel 306 is integrally formed with the torso panel 302.

[0053] The head panel 304 may be configured to include a first lateral side panel 308, a second lateral side panel 310 and a medial panel 312 coupled to the first and second lateral side panels 308, 310. The lateral side panels 308, 310 and medial panel 312 may define an opening 314 at the front of the head panel 304 for a pet’s face to protrude from. In some embodiments, the lateral side panels 308, 310 and medial panel 312 are comprised of fabric panels that are stitched together along the seamlines 320, 322. In some embodiments, each of the lateral side panels 308, 310 and the medial panel 312 are comprised of the same material (e.g., the same fabric(s)). In some embodiments, by providing a head panel 304 comprising the lateral side panels 308, 310 and the medial panel 312 thehead panel 304 may better fit to a pet’s head shape when compared to conventional head panels constructed of a singular panel of fabric or other material.

[0054] In some embodiments, the head panel 304 includes a first ear slot 316 and a second ear slot 318 to enable a pet’s ears to extend therethrough when the pet wears the pet garment 300. The first and second ear slots 316, 318 may be defined by the respective first and second lateral side panels 308, 310 and the medial panel 312. In some embodiments, a seamline 320 formed between the medial panel 312 and the first lateral side panel 308 defines the first ear slot 316 extending along a portion thereof. For example, the first ear slot 316 may be an opening extending along a portion of the seamline 320 formed at the junction of the first lateral side panel 308 and medial panel 312. In some embodiments, a seamline 322 formed between the medial panel 312 and the second lateral side panel 310 define the second ear slot 318 extending along a portion thereof. For example, the second ear slot 318 may be an aperture extending along a portion of the seamline 322 formed at the junction of the second lateral side panel 310 and the medial panel 312. The ear slot 318 may approximate an eye-shaped aperture. For example, the aperture may be shaped as a biconvex lens or a convex lens.

[0055] In some embodiments, the ear slots 316, 318 have generally concave curvatures at the respective first and second lateral side panels 308, 310 and / or the medial panel 312. For example, and as shown in Fig. 11, the first ear slot 316 defines an opening having a generally concave curvature along the edge of first lateral side panel 308 and a generally concave curvature along the edge of the medial panel 312. The concave curvatures of the first ear slot 316 may enable a pet’s ear to easily fit through the ear slot. The second ear slot 318 may have generally the same concave curvatures along the respective edges of the second lateral side panel 310 and the medial panel 312. In some embodiments, the medial panel 312 is tapered toward the opening 314 of the head panel 304. The medial panel 312 may taper from the wider rear edge 313 thereof towards the narrow edge near opening 314. In some embodiments, the medial panel 312 may be wider at the rear edge 313 thereof than at the opening 314. For example, the medial panel 312 has a width at the rear edge 313 that is greater than a width of the medial panel along a front edge thereof that partially defines the opening 314. In some embodiments, by providing angled seamlines 320, 322 that are defined at least partially by the medial panel 312, which tapers toward the opening 314, the ear slots 316, 318 that extend along the seamlines 320, 322 may be configured to contour to the direction of a pet’s ears.

[0056] In some embodiments, the torso panel 302 is coupled to the head panel 304 at an upper edge of the torso panel 302. For example, the bottom edge of the head panel 304 is coupled to the torso panel 302 at the top edge 324 thereof where a seamline 326 is formed. In some embodiments, there is a slot 328 for providing access to a neck and / or back of the animal at the seamline 326. Theslot 328 may be an opening extending along a portion of the seamline 326 between the medial panel 312 and the torso panel 302. In some embodiments, the slot 328 may provide access to a collar or harness worn under the pet garment 300 such that a leash or lead may be attached thereto. In some embodiments garment 300 does not include the torso panel 302. The garment may include the head panel 304 and the neck panel 306 directly coupled to thereto. The neck panel 306 may be configured to couple the pet garment 300 to the pet. For example, the neck panel 306, like neck panel 106, is configured to secure the pet garment 300 to the neck of the pet. In some embodiments, torso panel 302 is readily attachable / detachable from garment 300 using a two-component fastener such as those described herein.

[0057] In some embodiments, the pet garment 100 described above in relation to Figs. 1-9 may include a head panel substantially similar to the head panel 304. For example, an embodiment of the pet garment 100 may include a head panel 304 for receiving a head of the pet wearing the garment 100. In such instances, the head panel 304 may be coupled to a top edge of the neck panel 106 and protrude upwardly therefrom away from the torso panel 102. In some embodiments, the pet garment 100 is provided with an embodiment of the pet garment 300 in which the torso panel 302 is not included. For example, pet garment 300 having the head panel 304 and neck panel 306 without torso panel 302 may be included in a clothing set with pet garment 100.

[0058] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.

[0059] Specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”. Finally, unless specifically set forth herein, a disclosed or claimed method should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be performed in any practical order.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An adjustable pet garment comprising: a torso panel for receiving a torso of an animal; a leg panel coupled to the torso panel for receiving a leg of the animal, the leg panel including: an elastic band securement positioned on an interior side of the leg panel and extending across a longitudinal axis of the leg panel; a first component of a two-component fastener positioned on the interior side of the leg panel between a hem of the leg panel and at least a portion of the elastic band securement; and a second component of the two-component fastener positioned on the interior side of the leg panel above the hem and offset from the first component along the longitudinal axis.

2. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of elastic band securement is positioned between the first and second components of the two-component fastener along the longitudinal axis.

3. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the interior side of the leg panel comprises an interior texture is different from a texture of an exterior side of the leg panel.

4. The adjustable pet garment of claim 3, wherein the interior texture does not function as a component of the two-component fastener.

5. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic band securement is connected to interior and exterior fabric panels of the leg panel at opposed seamlines extending generally along longitudinal edges thereof.

6. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic band securement extends substantially across a width of the leg panel normal to the longitudinal axis.

7. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the two-component fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.

8. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the first component of the two-component fastener has a length along the longitudinal axis of the leg panel that is less than a length of the second component of the two-component fastener along the longitudinal axis of the leg panel.

9. The adjustable pet garment of claim 8, wherein the length of the second component is at least twice the length of the first component.

10. The adjustable pet garment of claim 8, wherein the length of the second component is at least quadruple the length of the first component.

11. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic band securement comprises a first elastic band and a second elastic band spaced apart from the first elastic band along the longitudinal axis.

12. The adjustable pet garment of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the second component of the two-component fastener is positioned between the first and second elastic bands along a direction of the longitudinal axis.

13. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the two-component fastener includes a pair of first components and a pair of second components, each pair positioned on the interior side of the leg panel on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the leg panel.

14. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the two-component fastener includes only a single first component and a single second component.

15. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the leg panel tapers along the longitudinal axis towards the hem.

16. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the leg panel is adjustable between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, and wherein in the folded configuration the leg panel is folded such that the hem of the leg panel passes between the interior side of the leg panel and at least a portion of the elastic band securement such that the first and second component of the two-component fastener are engaged with one another.

17. The adjustable pet garment of claim 16, wherein the leg panel is adjustable between the unfolded configuration and a plurality of different folded configurations.

18. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the two-component fastener is configured to permit a user to select any user-defined length of an adjusted leg panel between a shortest length and a longest length.

19. The adjustable pet garment of claim 1, wherein the torso panel is integral with the leg panel.

20. The adjustable pet garment of claim 4, wherein the interior texture is configured to not attach to either component of the two-component fastener upon contact.

21. The adjustable pet garment of claim 15, wherein the taper of the leg panel terminates proximate a hem of the leg panel.

22. A method of fitting the adjustable pet garment of claim 1 to the animal, the method comprising: adjusting the leg panel from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration such that the hem of the leg panel passes between the interior side of the leg panel and at least a portion of the elastic band securement such that the first and second component of the two-component fastener are engaged with one another; passing a leg of the animal into a space between the elastic band securement and the interior side of the leg panel such that the leg panel receives the leg of the animal; and securing the torso panel to the torso of the animal.

23. A pet garment comprising: a head panel for receiving a head of an animal, the head panel comprising: a first lateral side panel; a second lateral side panel; and a medial panel coupled to the first and second lateral side panels, wherein a seamline formed between the medial panel and the first lateral side panel define a first ear slot extending along a portion thereof, and wherein a seamline formed between the medial panel and the second lateral side panel define a second ear slot extending along a portion thereof.

24. The pet garment of claim 23 further comprising: a torso panel for receiving a torso of the animal and coupled to the head panel at an upper edge of the torso panel,wherein a seamline formed between a rear edge of the medial panel and the upper edge of the torso panel define a slot for providing access to a neck and / or back of the animal.

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