Reversible pet harness

Abstract

There is a reversible animal harness including a harness pad, a neck strap coupled to the harness pad, a chest strap coupled to the harness, and a back strap having a neck strap aperture through which the neck strap is rotatably coupled and a chest strap aperture through which the chest strap is rotatably coupled.

Description

Docket No. 124489-5051-WOTITLE

[0001] Reversible Pet HarnessCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 702,405 filed October 2, 2024 entitled “Reversible Pet Harness”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a reversible harness for pets (e.g., cats, dogs) and, specifically to a reversible pet harness having an adjustable neck strap to accommodate variations in pet size.SUMMARY

[0004] In one embodiment, there is a reversible animal harness including a harness pad, a neck strap coupled to the harness pad, a chest strap coupled to the harness, and a back strap having a neck strap aperture through which the neck strap is rotatably coupled and a chest strap aperture through which the chest strap is rotatably coupled.

[0005] In some embodiments, the harness pad includes a neck strap sleeve through which the neck strap is coupled to the harness pad. In some embodiments, the neck strap is slidable within the neck strap sleeve. In some embodiments, the neck strap includes a length adjustment slider, and the neck strap is configured in a continuous bound loop. In some embodiments, the neck strap sleeve includes a continuous channel from a right side of the harness to a left side of the harness.

[0006] In some embodiments, the back strap extends along a longitudinal axis of the harness from the neck strap to the chest strap. In some embodiments, the back strap includes a ring attachment oriented centrally on the harness when the harness is worn by an animal.

[0007] In some embodiments, the reversible animal harness further includes a girth strap rotatably coupled to the harness pad. In some embodiments, the harness pad includes a girth strap sleeve through which the girth strap is rotatably coupled to the harness pad. In some embodiments, the girth strap is slidable within the girth strap sleeve. In some embodiments, the chest strap is coupled to the harness with at least one detachable buckle. In some embodiments, the neck strap andback strap are configured to remain attached to the harness when chest strap is decoupled from harness.

[0008] In some embodiments, the neck strap includes webbing that circumscribes the neck of an animal when the harness is worn by the animal. In some embodiments, the harness pad has a first side and a second side and wherein the harness pad, neck strap, and back strap cooperate to enable reversing of a relative position of the first side and second side with respect to the animal without detaching the neck strap or the back strap from the harness. In some embodiments, the harness pad includes a smallest width as measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the harness pad is between 25% and 35% of a longest length of the harness pad as measured in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the harness pad.

[0009] In another embodiment, there is a method of reversing a visible portion of a worn harness on an animal. In some embodiments, the harness includes a harness pad, a neck strap coupled to the harness pad, a chest strap coupled to the harness, and a back strap having a neck strap aperture through which the neck strap is rotatably coupled and a chest strap aperture though which the chest strap is rotatably coupled.

[0010] In some embodiments, the method includes on a harness worn by the animal, unclipping the harness pad from one of the chest strap or the neck strap, removing the harness from the animal, flipping the harness pad so that a desired surface of the harness pad previously not visible when worn by the animal is visible, rotating the neck strap relative to the back strap and resecuring the harness to the animal with the desired surface exposed by clipping one of the chest strap or the neck strap. In some embodiments, the method further includes prior to the resecuring of the harness, rotating the chest strap relative to the harness.

[0011] In some embodiments, the unclipping includes removing a male portion of a securement from a female portion of the securement. In some embodiments, the method further includes prior to removing the harness from the animal, loosening the neck strap to fit over the head of the animal, wherein the neck strap is a continuous sewn loop.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of embodiments of the reversible pet harness 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. l is a top view of a reversible pet harness in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the reversible pet harness of Fig. 1 ;

[0016] Fig. 3 is a top view of the reversible pet harness of Fig. 1 illustrating adjustable portions of the pet harness;

[0017] Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the reversible pet harness of Fig. 1 illustrating adjustable portions of the pet harness;

[0018] Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of fitting the reversible pet harness of Fig. 1 to an animal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0019] Fig. 6 is a top view of the reversible pet harness of Fig. 1 illustrating rotation of a chest strap included therewith.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Reversible pet harnesses may be limited in size according to the average body measurements of the type of pet the pet harness is intended for. To accommodate for variations in pet size, a reversible pet harness may be adjustable in the chest. A conventional reversible pet harnesses may be fixed and nonadjustable around the pet’s neck. The size, shape and proportions of a pet vary and conventional sizing may result in the pet harness being ill-fitting for some pets.

[0021] 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.

[0022] Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in Figs. 1-5 a pet harness, generally designated 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The pet harness 100 is configured to be reversible while also being adjustable in one or more areas, such as the neck, to better accommodate pets of various sizes. In some embodiments, the pet harness 100 is configured to enable a user to easily adjust the length of the neck strap included therewith when reversing the visible portion of the pet harness 100. Aspects of pet harness 100 are, in some instances, described and illustrated in reference to being worn by a pet such as a dog or cat, however it should be understood that the pet harness 100 of the present disclosure may be configured to be worn by other types of domesticated and non-domesticated animals.J

[0023] Referring to Fig. 1, the pet harness 100 may include a harness pad 102 configured to receive a torso of a pet. The harness pad 102 may include a first side 104 and a second side 106 opposite the first side 104. The first side 104 and second side 106 may each define a separate and distinct layer of the harness pad 102. For example, the first side 104 may define a first layer and the second side 106 may define a second layer. In some embodiments, the first side 104 and second side 106 are fixedly coupled to one another by stitching or adhesives. The first side 104 may be visually and / or texturally different from the second side 106. In some embodiments, the first side 104 and second side 106 are formed from a durable fabric material. In some embodiments, the first side 104 and second side 106 include designs which are printed, adhered to, and / or stitched onto the fabric. In some embodiments, the first side 104 and second side 106 may include a mesh material coupled thereto.

[0024] In some embodiments, harness pad 102 may include internal or surface padding. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, harness pad 102 may include an upper wing 108 and a lower wing 110. The upper wing 108 may fit around the torso and neck of the animal and the lower wing 110 may fit around the girth or abdominal section of the animal. In some embodiments, the upper wing 108 is longer than the lower wing 110 to accommodate wrapping around the animal’s torso and neck. Harness pad 102 may have a generally hourglass profile (e.g., as illustrated in Fig. 2) that includes a narrow waist portion. In some embodiments, the harness pad 102 includes a generally longitudinal axis, Al (Fig. 3), that runs from the upper wing 108 to the lower wing 110 along the center of the harness pad 102. The harness pad 102 may be generally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis Al.

[0025] Referring to Figs. 1 -2, the pet harness 100 may include a series of straps including a neck strap 112 extending as a continuous bound loop around the neck of the animal, a back strap 114 extending along the back of the animal, a chest strap 116 extending around the chest of the animal and a girth strap 202 extending around the abdomen of the animal. The series of straps may be rotatably coupled to the harness pad 102 and configured to secure the harness pad 102 around the body of the animal. In some embodiments, the series of straps are comprised of a generally non- stretchable material. In other embodiments, the series of straps (or at least one of the series) are comprised at least partially of an elastic material to provide for some stretchability. In some embodiments, the series of straps may be comprised of polyester or other synthetic materials. In some embodiments, the series of straps are comprised of a nylon webbing.

[0026] The neck strap 112 may include a length adjuster, such as adjustable slide buckle 126, adjustably coupled to the neck strap 112 for adjusting its length to fit different size pets. The biggerthe animal the greater the circumference of the neck and the greater the length of the neck strap 112. The number of adjustable slide buckles 126 on the neck strap 112 may vary by the length of the neck strap 112 and the size of the pet harness 100. In some embodiments, the adjustable slide buckle 126 is comprised of a generally rigid material. In some embodiments, the adjustable slide buckle 126 is comprised of a plastic. In other embodiments, another type of similar buckle is used to adjust the length of the neck strap 112 instead of the adjustable slide buckle 126. In some embodiments, the adjustable slide buckle 126 is flat. In some embodiments, the neck strap 112 is adjustable only in length. In some embodiments, the neck strap 112 is fixed to the pet harness 100 in the continuous bound loop and cannot be removed from the adjustable slide buckle 126.

[0027] In some embodiments, the upper wing 108 of the harness pad 102 includes a neck strap sleeve 124 disposed on the first side 104 of the upper wing through which the neck strap 112 is rotatably coupled to the harness pad 102. The neck strap sleeve 124 may include a continuous channel that extends across the upper wing 108 of the harness pad 102 from a right side of the upper wing 108 to a left side of the upper wing 108 (e.g., across the entire width of the upper wing). In some embodiments, the neck strap sleeve 124 is directly coupled to the first side 104 of the upper wing 108 to create a casing. In some embodiments, the neck strap sleeve 124 is stitched onto the first side 104 of the upper wing 108. In some embodiments, the neck strap sleeve 124 includes webbing 302 extending through the neck strap sleeve 124 and around the neck of the animal when the harness is worn by the animal. In some embodiments, the neck strap 112 is slidable in the neck strap sleeve 124. The neck strap 112 may have a width which is smaller than a width of the neck strap sleeve 124. In some embodiments, the neck strap 112 may be stitched in a continuous bound loop such that it maintains the loop in all configurations as it is rotated within the neck strap sleeve 124.

[0028] In some embodiments, the back strap 114 includes a neck strap aperture 128 through which the neck strap 112 is rotatably coupled and a chest strap aperture 130 through which the chest strap 116 is rotatably coupled (e.g. as illustrated in Fig. 5). Neck strap aperture 128 and chest strap aperture 130 may be openings in the back strap 114 such that neck strap 112 and chest strap 116 may be inserted through back strap 114. In some embodiments, neck strap 112 is slidable in the neck strap aperture 128 and the chest strap 116 is slidable in the chest strap aperture 130. In some embodiments, the neck strap 112 has a width smaller than a width of the neck strap aperture 128 and the chest strap 116 has a width smaller than width of the chest strap aperture 130. Neck strap aperture 128 may be on the end of the back strap 114 closest to the head of the animal and chest strap aperture 130 may be on the opposite end of the back strap 114 closest to the tail of the animal.In some embodiments, the back strap 114 may include stitching between the neck strap aperture 128 and the chest strap aperture 130 for reinforcement. In some embodiments, the back strap 114 is fixed to the pet harness 100.

[0029] The back strap 114 may have a length (e.g., A at Fig. 3), in a direction along the longitudinal axis Al of the harness pad 102. In some embodiments, back strap 114 has a length A of 3-3.5 inches, 3.5-4 inches, 4.5-5 inches, 5-5.5 inches, 5.5-6 inches, 6-6.5 inches, 6.5-7 inches, 7-7.5 inches, 7.5-8 inches, 8-8.5 inches, or 8.5-9 inches.

[0030] In some embodiments, the pet harness 100 includes one or more ring attachments to receive a leash or rope. In some embodiments, the pet harness includes a back ring 132 adjustably coupled to the back strap 114 and located centrally on the pet harness 100 when the pet harness 100 is worn by the animal. In some embodiments, the back ring 132 is rearward of the chest strap 116 when worn. In some embodiments, the back ring 132 is disposed on the end of the back strap 114. In some embodiments, the back ring 132 is a D-ring. In other embodiments, the back ring 132 is generally circular, generally rectangular, generally square, or generally triangular in shape. In some embodiments, the back ring 132 is comprised of a metal such as stainless steel, nickel, nickel -plated steel, brass, or diecast zinc. In other embodiments, the back ring 132 is comprised of a plastic.

[0031] In some embodiments, chest strap 116 includes at least one buckle for detachably coupling the chest strap 116 to the harness pad 102. For example, chest strap 116 may include end buckles 134,136 disposed on either end of the chest strap 116. In some embodiments, the end buckles are male slide release buckles. In some embodiments, the end buckles are comprised of a generally rigid material. In some embodiments, the end buckles are plastic. End buckles 134,136 of the chest strap 116 may be detachably coupled to the girth strap 202 to create a closed loop around the middle section of the animal’s body. In some embodiments, the chest strap 116 may be decoupled from the harness pad 102 when the end buckles 134,136 are detached from the girth strap 202 while the neck strap 112 and back strap 114 remain attached to the harness pad 102.

[0032] Chest strap 116 may have a length, F (e.g., Fig. 3), in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Al of the harness pad 102. In some embodiments, chest strap 116 has a length F of 6.5-7 inches, 7-7.5 inches, 7.5-8 inches, 8-8.5 inches, 8.5-9 inches, 9-9.5 inches, 9.5-10 inches, 10-10.5 inches, 10.5-11 inches, 11-11.5 inches, 11.5-12 inches, 12-12.5 inches, 12.5-13 inches, or 13-13.5 inches.

[0033] In some embodiments, the chest strap 116 may include a length adjuster, such as adjustable slide buckle 126, adjustably coupled to the chest strap 116 for adjusting its length to fit different size pets. The bigger the animal the greater the circumference of the chest and torso and thegreater the length of the chest strap 116. The number of adjustable slide buckles 126 on the chest strap 116 may vary by the length of the chest strap 116 and the size of the pet harness 100. In other embodiments, another type of similar buckle is used to adjust the length of the chest strap 1 16 instead of the adjustable slide buckle 126.

[0034] Referring to Fig. 2, the girth strap 202 may include end buckles 204, 206 disposed on either end of the girth strap 202 for securing the girth strap 202 to the chest strap 116. The end buckles may be female slide release buckles. In some embodiments, the end buckles are comprised of a generally rigid material. In some embodiments, the end buckles are plastic. As discussed earlier, end buckles 204, 206 of the girth strap 202 may be detachably coupled to and mate with the end buckles 134,136 of the chest strap 116.

[0035] In some embodiments, the lower wing 110 of the harness pad 102 may include a girth strap sleeve 208 disposed on the first side 104 of the lower wing 110. The girth strap sleeve 208 may include a continuous channel that extends across the lower wing 110 of the harness pad 102 from a right side of the lower wing 110 to a left side of the lower wing 110. In some embodiments, the girth strap sleeve 208 is directly coupled to the first side 104 of the lower wing 110 to create a casing. In some embodiments, the girth strap sleeve is stitched onto the first side 104 of the lower wing 110. In some embodiments, the girth strap 202 is slidable in the girth strap sleeve 208. The girth strap 202 may have a width which is smaller than a width of the girth strap sleeve 208.

[0036] Referring to Figs. 3-4, the pet harness 100 may have dimensions that vary depending on the size of the animal wearing the pet harness. The harness pad 102 may have a length, B, in a direction along the longitudinal axis Al from an outer edge of the upper wing 108 to an outer edge of the lower wing 110. In some embodiments, harness pad 102 has a length B of 6-7 inches, 7-8 inches, 8-9 inches, 9-10 inches, 10-11 inches, 11-12 inches, 12-13 inches, 13-14 inches, 14-15 inches, 15-16 inches, or 16-17 inches.

[0037] In some embodiments, the upper wing 108 of the harness pad 102 has a width, E, that is greater than a width of the lower wing 110, 1, to accommodate the animal’s chest which may be greater than the animal’s abdomen. In some embodiments, the upper wing 108 has a width E of 1- 1.5 inches, 1.5-2 inches, 2-2.5 inches or 2.5-3 inches. In some embodiments, the lower wing 110 has a width I of 1-1.5 inches, 1.5-2 inches, 2-2.5 inches or 2.5-3 inches. In some embodiments, the harness pad 102 has a central portion 122 (e.g., Fig. 4) with a width J in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Al, that is narrower than width E of the upper wing 108, and width I of the lower wing 110. In some embodiments, width J is 20-25%, 25-30%, 30%-35%, or 35-40% of length B of the harness pad 102. In other embodiments, width J is 25-35% of length B.

[0038] Referring to Fig. 6, there may be a method, generally designated 600, of reversing the pet harness 100 worn on an animal. In some embodiments, the method 600 includes a step 602 of uncoupling a harness pad worn on an animal from one of a chest strap or a neck strap. Uncoupling the harness pad may include unbuckling a one or more buckles on the chest strap and removing a male portion of the buckle from a female portion buckle. In some embodiments, the method 600 includes a step 604 of removing the harness from the animal. Removing the harness from the animal may include adjusting the length of the neck strap to loosen the neck strap to fit over the head of the animal. For example, and as illustrated in Fig. 1, the neck strap 112 is a continuous bound loop that includes an adjustable slide buckle 126 to adjust the length of the neck strap 112.

[0039] In some embodiments, the method 600 includes a step 606 of flipping the harness pad so that a desired surface of the harness pad that was previously not visible when worn by the animal is visible. For example, and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, first side 104 of the harness pad 102 is visible when worn by the animal and second side 106 is not visible. The second side 106 becomes visible when the harness pad 102 is flipped.

[0040] In some embodiments, the method 600 includes a step 608 of rotating the neck strap relative to the back strap. For example, and as illustrated in Fig. 1, neck strap 112 is rotatably coupled to the back strap 114 through the neck strap aperture 118 and can be rotated whilst the back strap 114 remains fixed. Neck strap 112 can rotate within the neck strap aperture 118 without decoupling the neck strap 112 or the back strap 114 from the pet harness 100. The adjustable slide buckle 126 can be flat allowing it to be reversible without twisting the neck strap 112 relative to the adjustable slide buckle 126.

[0041] In some embodiments, the method 600 includes a step 610 of rotating the chest strap relative to the back strap. For example, and as illustrated in Fig. 5, chest strap 116 is rotatably coupled to the back strap 114 through the chest strap aperture 120 and can be rotated once it is detached from the harness pad 102. In some embodiments, the method 600 includes a step 612 of rotating a girth strap relative to the harness pad.

[0042] In some embodiments, the method 600 includes a step 614 of resecuring the harness pad to the animal with the desired surface visible by securing one of the chest strap or the neck strap to the harness pad. Resecuring the harness to the animal may include buckling one or more buckles on the chest strap to the harness pad.

[0043] The term “about” or “approximately” is used herein to provide literal support for the exact number that it precedes, as well as a number that is near to or approximately the number that the term precedes. In determining whether a number is near to or approximately a specificallyrecited number, the near or approximating unrecited number may be a number, which, in the context in which it is presented, provides the substantial equivalent of the specifically recited number. It should be appreciated that all numerical values and ranges disclosed herein are approximate values and ranges, whether “about” is used in conjunction therewith. It should also be appreciated that the term “about,” as used herein, in conjunction with a numeral refers to a value that may be ±0.01% (inclusive), ±0.1% (inclusive), ±0.5% (inclusive), ±1% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±2% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±3% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±5% (inclusive) of that numeral, ±10% (inclusive) of that numeral, or ±15% (inclusive) of that numeral. It should further be appreciated that when a numerical range is disclosed herein, any numerical value falling within the range is also specifically disclosed.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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. A reversible animal harness comprising: a harness pad; a neck strap coupled to the harness pad; a chest strap coupled to the harness; and a back strap having a neck strap aperture through which the neck strap is rotatably coupled and a chest strap aperture through which the chest strap is rotatably coupled.

2. The reversible animal harness of claim 1, wherein the harness pad includes a neck strap sleeve through which the neck strap is coupled to the harness pad.

3. The reversible animal harness of claim 2, wherein the neck strap is slidable within the neck strap sleeve.

4. The reversible animal harness of claim 1, wherein the neck strap includes a length adjustment slider, and the neck strap is configured in a continuous bound loop.

5. The reversible animal harness of claim 2, wherein the neck strap sleeve includes a continuous channel from a right side of the harness to a left side of the harness.

6. The reversible animal harness of claim 1, wherein the back strap extends along a longitudinal axis of the harness from the neck strap to the chest strap.

7. The reversible animal harness of claim 6, wherein the back strap includes a ring attachment oriented centrally on the harness when the harness is worn by an animal.

8. The reversible animal harness of claim 1 further comprising: a girth strap rotatably coupled to the harness pad.

9. The reversible animal harness of claim 8, wherein the harness pad includes a girth strap sleeve through which the girth strap is rotatably coupled to the harness pad.

10. The reversible animal harness of claim 9, wherein the girth strap is slidable within the girth strap sleeve.

11. The reversible animal harness of claim 1, wherein the chest strap is coupled to the harness with at least one detachable buckle.

12. The reversible animal harness of claim 8, wherein the neck strap and back strap are configured to remain attached to the harness when chest strap is decoupled from harness.

13. The reversible animal harness of claim 1, wherein the neck strap includes webbing that circumscribes the neck of an animal when the harness is worn by the animal.

14. The reversible animal harness of claim 1, wherein the harness pad has a first side and a second side and wherein the harness pad, neck strap, and back strap cooperate to enable reversing of a relative position of the first side and second side with respect to the animal without detaching the neck strap or the back strap from the harness.

15. The reversible animal harness of claim 1, wherein the harness pad includes a smallest width as measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the harness pad is between 25% and 35% of a longest length of the harness pad as measured in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the harness pad.

16. A method of reversing a visible portion of a worn harness on an animal wherein the harness includes a harness pad, a neck strap coupled to the harness pad, a chest strap coupled to the harness, and a back strap having a neck strap aperture through which the neck strap is rotatably coupled and a chest strap aperture though which the chest strap is rotatably coupled, the method comprising: on a harness worn by the animal, unclipping the harness pad from one of the chest strap or the neck strap; removing the harness from the animal; flipping the harness pad so that a desired surface of the harness pad previously not visible when worn by the animal is visible; rotating the neck strap relative to the back strap; and resecuring the harness to the animal with the desired surface exposed by clipping one of the chest strap or the neck strap.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: prior to the resecuring of the harness, rotating the chest strap relative to the harness.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the unclipping includes removing a male portion of a securement from a female portion of the securement.

19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:prior to removing the harness from the animal, loosening the neck strap to fit over the head of the animal, wherein the neck strap is a continuous sewn loop.

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