Animal safety apparatus

Abstract

Apparatus useful for providing buoyancy for animals are described. One apparatus includes a strap-like carrier and one or more floatation members secured substantially adjacent the carrier by a cover material stitched to the carrier. Another apparatus includes hook and loop fasteners to both fasten the ends of the carrier together as well as fasten the floatation members to the carrier.

1 . A pet animal safety apparatus comprising: 
 a) a strap-like, substantially solid, flexible collar adapted to fit around a pet's neck, the collar having front and back surfaces;    b) at least one non-inflatable floatation member positioned substantially adjacent at least one of the front and back surfaces; and    c) a cover material positioned over the at least one floatation members, the cover material fastened to the collar in such a way to secure the at least one floatation member substantially adjacent the collar.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the collar comprises first and second ends adapted to be fastened together using a fastening means.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fastening means is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, buckles, clasps, snaps, pins, and buttons.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the collar comprises a collar material selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic carrier materials.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the collar material is a natural material.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the natural material is leather.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the synthetic material is selected from the group consisting of woven and nonwoven materials.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the synthetic material is woven and comprises fibers selected from the group consisting of nylon, polyester, cotton, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one floatation member comprises a single floatation member.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one floatation member comprises a plurality of floatation members.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one floatation member comprises a synthetic foam material.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the synthetic foam material is selected from the group consisting of foamed polystyrene, foamed polyurethane, foamed polyolefin, and a foamed mixture comprising polyvinyl chloride and acrylonitrile butadiene rubber.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cover material is a synthetic material.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the synthetic material is woven nylon fabric.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cover material is stitched to the carrier.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15  comprising a plurality of floatation members, and the cover material is stitched to the carrier in locations in between the floatation members.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the at least one floatation member has a maximum water absorption of 0.1 lb/ft 2 .  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a) a strap-like, substantially solid, flexible collar adapted to fit around a pet's neck, the collar having front and back surfaces, first and second ends, a first portion of a first hook and loop fastener, and a means to fasten the ends together; and    b) at least one non-inflatable floatation member removably fastened to at least one of the front and back surfaces of the collar, the at least one non-inflatable floatation member including a mating second portion of the first hook and loop fastener.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18  wherein the collar is leather.  
   
   
       20 . A method comprising: 
 a) securing a strap-like, substantially solid, flexible collar around a pet animal's neck, the collar comprising front and back surfaces; and    b) changing floatation characteristics of the collar by removably attaching at least one non-inflatable floatation member substantially adjacent at least one of the front and back surfaces.