Animal toenail grips

Abstract

An animal toenail grip designed and configured to provide an animal with traction on slippery and/or hard surfaces. The toenail grip includes a tubular member removably securable via frictional interference to the nail of the animal. The tubular member is constructed of a flexible, returnably-resilient material having superior non-slip or gripping characteristics. The toenail grip enhances proprioception in animals having certain neurological deficits and yields long term improvement in gait and stance on hard-surface flooring.

1 . A nail grip comprising an annulus. 
     
     
         2 . The nail grip of  claim 1 , wherein the annulus comprises a tubular member, the tubular member comprising:
 an elongated body having an open upper end, an open lower end, and a hollow interior.   
     
     
         3 . The nail grip of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular member is constructed of a flexible, returnably-resilient material. 
     
     
         4 . The nail grip of  claim 3 , wherein the flexible, returnably-resilient material is constructed from one of the group of materials consisting of natural latex rubber, soft or elastic synthetic rubber, soft or synthetic fiber, polymer-based material, and rubberized or plastic elastomers. 
     
     
         5 . The nail grip of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular member is removably held to an animal's toenail via mechanical interference. 
     
     
         6 . The nail grip of  claim 2 , where in the tubular member is removably held to an animal's toenail via adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The nail grip of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular member is constructed so as to be available in a variety of colors or decorative patterns. 
     
     
         8 . A method of treating or improving a neurological deficit, a behavioral condition, or a musculoskeletal condition, including at least one of treating or reducing fear; treating or reducing pain; treating or reducing emotional stress; reducing slippage; providing or improving grip and fraction; inducing confidence; improving quality of life; building muscle tone; improving stance; and improving gait, the method comprising attaching in a secured manner one or more annuluses to one or more corresponding animal toenails. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the one or more annuluses are removable. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the nail grips provide grip and traction to at least one paw of an animal, thereby reducing slippage of the animal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the nail grips improve the stance or gait of an animal. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the nail grips reduce the risk of slip-and-fall injuries to an animal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the nail grips reduce fear in an animal. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the nail grips induce confidence in an animal. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the nail grips contribute over time to increased muscle tone in an animal. 
     
     
         16 . A method of providing proprioceptive stimuli in an animal having neurological deficits comprising:
 attaching in a secured manner one or more annuluses to one or more corresponding animal toenails,   thereby impacting proprioception and yielding long-term improvement in the stance or gait of the animal.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the one or more annuluses are removable. 
     
     
         18 . A method of aiding in the rehabilitation of an animal post-operatively or post-injury comprising attaching in a secured manner one or more annuluses to one or more corresponding animal toenails. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the one or more annuluses are removable. 
     
     
         20 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The nail grip of  claim 2 , where in the tubular member is affixed or secured to an animal's toenail by at least one of the group of materials consisting of pressure sensitive adhesive, glue, collagen-based adhesive, plant-based adhesive, synthetic monomer glue and synthetic polymer glue.