Animal Footwear for Animal Suspenders and Animal Footwear Paw Insertion Guide

Abstract

Disclosed is canine footwear with features making the footwear suitable for use with canine suspenders. The disclosure also describes multiple features or variations for a canine footwear guide device that makes it easier for attaching both the canine footwear intended for use with suspenders as well as attaching all other footwear whether being used with suspenders or not being used with suspenders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for protecting the paw of an animal, the system comprising:
 animal footwear, the footwear including a closed bottom and an opened top, a slit formed along the side of the footwear, a zipper formed along the slit for selectively opening or closing the slit, a fabric liner positioned within the footwear and along the slit, the fabric liner protecting the animal paw during the opening and closing of the zipper, a leg strap for securing the animal footwear to a suspender;   an insertion guide, the insertion guide including a lower, arcuate slide chute, an upper funnel, and a retainer positioned between the slide chute and funnel, the retainer position positioned within the opened top of the animal footwear with the lower slide chute being positioned within the footwear and the funnel positioned over the footwear, whereby the animal paw can be guided into the footwear with the aid of the funnel and chute.   
     
     
         2 . A system for protecting the paw of an animal, the system comprising:
 an animal shoe from predominately formed a fabric material, the shoe including a closed bottom formed from a rubberized material and an opened top formed from an elastic band;   an insertion guide, the insertion guide including body potion that is adapted to be retained about the elastic band and a lower chute for guiding the animal paw into the shoe.   
     
     
         3 . The system as described in  claim 2  wherein the insertion guide comprises an upper funnel, a lower slide chute, and a retainer positioned between the slide chute and funnel, the retainer position positioned within the opened top of the shoe with the lower slide chute being positioned within the shoe and the funnel positioned over the footwear, whereby the animal paw can be guided into the shoe with the aid of the funnel and chute. 
     
     
         4 . The system as described in  claim 2  wherein the shoe further comprises a slit formed along the side of the shoe, a zipper formed along the slit for selectively opening or closing the slit, a fabric liner positioned within the shoe and along the slit, the fabric liner protecting the animal paw during the opening and closing of the zipper. 
     
     
         5 . The system as described in  claim 2  further comprising a leg strap for securing the animal footwear to a suspender. 
     
     
         6 . A device facilitating the insertion of an animal paw into the opening in an article of footwear, the device comprising:
 a U-shape body having an opened forward end and a closed rearward end, the body adapted to be positioned within the opening of the footwear, the body functioning to hold the footwear open and thereby make inserting an animal paw into the footwear simpler, easier, and faster.   
     
     
         7 . The device as described in  claim 6  wherein the body has an elongated, downwardly depending side wall that permits the device to remain stable and in place within the footwear long enough to guide the paw. 
     
     
         8 . The device as described in  claim 6  further comprising a handle for lifting the device out of the footwear after the canine paw and leg are inserted. 
     
     
         9 . The device as described in  claim 6  wherein the body has a cross section that is shaped to hold the footwear ankle openings in place and further wherein the body has surface finish that will securely hold the footwear ankle opening in place while the canine paw is being inserted. 
     
     
         10 . The device as described in  claim 6  further comprising a rounded scoop or chute that helps guide the canine paw into the footwear. 
     
     
         11 . The device as described in  claim 6  wherein the body includes sharply contoured ends to prevent the body from slipping when in place. 
     
     
         12 . The device as described in  claim 6  wherein the body has an opened forward end to allow removal of the device from around the animal leg.