Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02270663 2003-04-25
DEVICES WEARABLE BY A DOt'.i FOR COLLECTING ITS EXCREMENTS
This invention relates to a device far mounting or wearable on a domestic
animal particularly
on a dog for collecting its excrements.
Human invents iOush toilets to dispose of our body excrements, but has
neglected to provide
similar means for removing excrements for our domestic animals such as dogs.
Most responsible
dog owners do take precaution to clean up the excrement deposited in public
places by their dogs;
however, often dogs are allowed to defecate and leave the excrement on
roadways, public park
lands, and even on the :lawns of private properties. The excrement not only
creates an unhealthy
environment but it also fouls the roadways, and public park lands such that
people can not have free
enjoyment of these public places without the danger of being soiled by such
animal waste.
Furthermore, leaving dog excrement o:n other people's lawn and property is
grossly irresponsible
of the dog owner and it is an encroachment on the private property right.
Therefore, it is has been
,~ long-felt need to provide devices which may be worn by a domestic animal
such as a dog for
collecting its excrements for subsequent convenient disposal.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a device which
can be mounted
on an animal for collecting its excrements for subsequent convenient disposal.
It is another object of the invention to provide a device having disposable
bags removably
mounted thereon for collecting an animal's excrements.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a device which is
simple in
construction and easy to use.
Figures 1 to 4 are perspective views showing the use of a diaper-like device
according to the
present invention which may be mounted on a dog for collecting its excrements.
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Figure 5 is a general elevation view of a diaper-like device in the open
condition.
Figure 6 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the diaper-like device
of Figure 5 along
section line VI-VI with the excrement and urine collection bags mounted
thereon.
Figure 7 is a perspective elevation front view of the portion of the diaper-
like device with
the excrement collection bag mounted thereon.
Figure 8 is a perspective elevation bottom view of the portion of the diaper-
like device with
the urine collection bag mounted thereon.
Figure 9 is a perspective elc;vation view showing the diaper-like device of
the present
invention mounted on die dog.
Figure 10 shows a perspective elevation view ofa harness construction of the
present device
mounted on the dog.
Figure 11 is an isolated elevation view showing the provision of one form of
removable
Fastening means provided at the bra<:.ke;t of the harness for mounting an
excrement collection bag
.hereto.
Figwe 12 is a side elevation view of the device shown in Figure 11.
Figure 13 is a front elevation of an excrement collection bag for use with the
device shown
i n Figures 10 and 11,
Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the device shown in Figure 13.
Figure 15 is an isolated side c,levation view showing an adjustable mounting
bracket and a
removable excrement collection bag for the device according to the present
invention.
Figure 16 is an isolated front elevation view of an alternative mounting
bracket construction
for the device of the pre~~ent invention.
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Figure 17 is a side partial sectional view showing the mounting of an
excrement collection
bag on the mounting bracket shown in Figure 16.
Figure I 8 is a firont elevation view of the removable bag for use with the
mounting bracket
shown in Figure 16.
Figure 19 is an isolated front elevation view of another alternative mounting
bracket for the
present device.
Figure 20 is a side elevation view of the mounting bracket as shown in Figure
19.
Figure 21 is a partial sectional side view of the mounting bracket as shown in
Figure 19,
Figure 22 is a side elevation view of the excrement collection bag which may
be removably
mounted to the mountin~,g bracket shown in Figure 19.
Figure 23 is a front elevation of the excrement collection bag of Figure 22.
Figure 24 is an isolated front a levation of another alternative mounting
bracket for the device
according to the present invention.
Figure 25 is a side elevation view of the mounting bracket as shown in Figure
24.
Figure 26 is a front elevation of the excrement collection bag for use with
the bracket shown
on Figure 24.
Figure 27 is a se:etional side elevation view of the excrement collection bag
as shown in
1~ figure 26.
Figure 28 is an isolated side perspective view of an alternative mounting
bracket for the
device according to the present inver~ti~on.
Figure 29 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the excrement
collection bag for use
with the mounting bracket as shown in Figure 28.
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Figure 30 is a front elevatiotn view of the excrement collection bag as shown
in Figure 29.
Figure 31 is an isolated enlarged perspective view showing the side hooks
provided on the
excrement collection bag for removably engaging with the mounting bracket as
shown in Figure 28.
Figure 32 is an elevation view showing the preferred embodiment of the device
of the
S present invention mounted on a dog.
Figure 33 is an isolated side elevation view showing partially the harness on
which the
mounting bracket and the collection bag according to the present invention are
mounted.
Figure 34 is a front elevation v iew of the mounting bracket.
Figure 35 is a side elevation view of the mounting bracket.
Figure 36 is a front elevation view of the mounting bracket with the front
cover removed to
show the interior assembly therein.
Figure 37 is an isolated enlarged perspective view showing the pivotal
retaining arms inside
'the mounting bracket for operating the latch.
Figure 38 is a front elevation perspective view of the disposable collection
bag of the device
according to the present invention.
Figure 39 is a side elevation view of the disposable collection bag.
Figure 40 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the disposable
collection bag.
Figure 41 is a perspective side elevation view of the disposable harness
according to the
present invention.
Figure 42 is a front elevation view of the excrement collection means for use
with the
harness shown in Figure 41.
Figure 42 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the excrement
collection means..
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Figure 43 is a front elevation view of the excrement collection means of
Figure 42.
Figure 44 is a top perspective%e elevation view of the disposable harness of
Figure 41 in an
opened fashion.
Figure 45 is an isolated sectional side elevation view of the urine collection
bag provided
on the disposable harness of Figure 41.
Figure 46 is an isolated sectional side elevation view of the excrement
collection bag
provided on the disposable harness of Figure 41.
Figure 47 is another embodiment of the harness according to the present
invention with
insertable excrement collection bag and urine collection bag.
Figure 48 is a partial sectional side elevation view of the urine collection
bag used with the
harness of Figure 47 showing the provision of a back flow preventing valve in
the bag.
Figure 49 is a perspective side elevation view of the urine collection bag of
Figure 48.
Figure 50 is a perspective side elevation view ofthe excrement collection bag
for the harness
;shown in Figure 47.
With reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate
corresponding
parts in the several viev~rs, the excrement collection device of the present
invention may be in the
Form of a diaper-like member 1 which may be worn by a dog as best shown in
Figures 1 through 4.
A dog is shown as an example for illustration purposes only, and the device
rnay similarly be used
for other domestic animas. The diaper-like member 1 is particularly suitable
for use with relatively
small size dogs. An opening 1 A is provided to receive the tail of the dog to
be inserted therethrough.
A mechanical securing means 1 B such as Velcro(a trade mark) may be provided
in the bottom
pardon therein to facilitate easy and duick wearing or removal of the diaper-
like member to or from
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the dog. The belly portion of the diaper-like member 1 may consist of two
strips IC and ID for
mounting to the belly portion of the dog.
As best shown in Figures 5 through 8, the diaper-like member 't may have a
circular body
2A with two large openings 2B and 2C formed therein to allow the hind legs of
the dog to be
S inserted therethrough. .An opening ''>l~> is provided to accommodate the
tail of the dog, and an
opening 2E which will be in registry with the anal area of the dog when the
member 1 is mounted
to the latter. The outer edges of the opening 2E is provided with securing
means 2F such as Velcro
(trade mark) for mounting an excreme.at collection bag ( not shown ) on member
1. A slit opening
2G is provided to permit the penis of ~a .male dog to insert therethrough. An
excrement collection bag
support pouch 2H and a urine collection bag support pouch 2I are respectively
provided for
supporting the weight the filled excrement collection bag and the urine
collection bag.
The diaper-like device 1 may alternatively be provided with a harness 3 which
embraces the
belly portion of the dog and the body portion may be removably secured to the
harness 3 with the
provision of fastening means such as Velcro( a trade mark) as best shown in
Figure 9.
As best shown in Figure 10, the. device according to the present invention may
be provided
with a harness 4 having .a belly belt 4A which rnay be remavably mounted
around the belly portion
of the dog and a cross belt 4B extendi iag; between the upper portion of the
body of the dog to its belly
portion so as to cover over its rear end. ~Che cross belt ~B includes an
opening 4C to accommodate
~:he tail of the dog to be extended therethrough and a mounting bracket 4D
which will juxtapose the
anal area of the dog. The bracket 4D has an opening 4E which is in registry
with the anus of the dog.
.As best shown in Figures l l and 12, loop and hook mounting means 4F such as
Velcro(a trade mark)
and a support pouch 4G are provided at the bracket 4D as well as on the
harness 4 such that an
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excrement collection bag 4H may be; removably mounted to the bracket. A pull
tab 4I is provided
on the excrement collection bag 4I1 to facilitate its removal from the
mounting bracket 4D. A
similar collection bag ( not shown ) rnay alsa be provided for collecting the
urine exerernent.
An alternative mounting bracket S as shown in Figure 15 may be provided for
removably
mounting the excrement: collection bag; to the device. A flexible band 5A
forming a circular clamp
is provided at the brackt;t 5. The circ:.ular clamp may be adjusted by
operating a threaded finger of
;a worm screw SB mounted on the bracket. The circular clamp has slot openings
which engage with
the threads of the worm screw SB such that the clamp may adjusted to allow an
excrement
.collection bag to be mounted or removed quickly and easily from the bracket.
Another alternative mounting arrangement 6 as shown in Figures 16 through 18
may be
provided at the mounting bracket. Ire this construction, a hooking tab 6A is
provided at the lower
portion of the bracket and a spring latch 6B is provided at the top portion of
the bracket. Radially
extending tabs 6F and 61~ are provided on the flange portion of the neck of
the excrement collection
bag such that the tabs 6:f and 6E will engage with the hooking tab 6A and
spring latch 6B for readily
mounting or removing the excremena collection bag to or from the bracket.
Another alternative mounting ~~rrangement 7 may be provided at the mounting
'bracket for
mounting the excrement collection bag; as best shown in Figures 19 through 21.
In this construction,
a circular torsion sprint; 7A is mounted on the bracket. The two end portions
7B and 7C of the
torsion spring 7A are slidably held bw~ two supports 7D and 7E respectively,
and the ends 7F and 7G
of the torsion spring are bent at 90 degrees such that the coiled portion of
the torsion spring 7 may
be expanded by pressinf; the ends 7F and 7G towards each other so that an
excrement collection bag
may be quickly and easily mounted and removed from the bracket. Two triangular
spikes 7H and
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'7I are formed on the forsion spring tc> provide a biting action for securely
mounting the excrement
collection bag on the bracket. Figures 2~>. and 23 show the excrement
collection for use with this type
~af mounting arrangement.
Another mounting arrangement 8 as best shown in Figures 24 and 25 may be
provided for
mounting the excrement collection bag. Four substantially S-shaped latching
springs 8A are
provided around the mounting bracket. The latching springs 8A have a latching
end extending into
the opening of the mounting bracket. An excrement collection bag may be
slidably inserted into the
opening such that the latching springs 8A will grasp the neck of the
collection bag. Associated
depressions 8B may be formed in the neck of the collection bag so that the
latching ends of the
latching springs 8A will engage with the depressions 8B to maintain the
collection bag securely
fastened to the bracket.
Another mounting arrangement 9 as best shown in Figures 28 through 30 may be
provided
on the mounting bracket and the excrement collection bag for removably
securing the latter to the
bracket. In this construction, two U shaped pedestals 9A and 9B are formed on
the two sides of the
mounting bracket. Two L-shaped hooks 9C and 9D are provided on the flange of
the mouth of the
excrement collection bag as shown in figure 29 and the isolated enlarged view
in Figure 31. The
excrement bag may easily be mounted onto the mounting bracket by simply
engaging the hooks 9C
9D with the opening of the pedestals 9A and 9B to hang the bag on the bracket.
An extended arcuate
tongue 9E is provided at the lower portion of the flange of the neck of the
collection bag to enhance
the securement of the bag to the bracket.
A preferred emibodiment of the excrement collection device 10 according to the
present
invention is generally shown in Figure. 32 mounted to a dogl 1 according to
the present invention.
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'the excrement collection device 10 has a harness 12 for mounting to the body
of the dog 11.
The harness 12 has an adjustable waist strap 13 which may be mounted around
the waist 14
of the dog and a cross strap I S is slidably mounted to the waist strap 13 and
to be located around
the rear end of the dog. The cross strap I 5 has a top strap 16 which has a
looped end 17 slidably
coupled to the waist strap 13. An opening 18 is formed in the top strap 16
which is provided to
permit the tail 19 ofthe dog to extend therethrough. Two adjustable clamps 20
and 21 are provided
.at the two ends of the opening 18 such that the opening size may be adjusted
to fit snugly around
'the tail 19 of the dog. A generally annual-shaped bracket 22 is mounted to
the top strap 16 and two
under straps 23 and 24. The under straps 23 and 24 are to be located under the
belly of the dog and
their other ends are seciued to the lower portion of the waist strap 13. ~Che
cross strap 13, and the
under straps 23 and 24 .rnay be adjusted to mount the harness 12 tightly
around the body of the dog
with the bracket 22 abutting the anus of the dog. The various straps may be
made of an elastic
material to ensure that the harness I 2 may securely embrace the body of the
dog.
The bracket 22 as best show:o in Figures 34, 35 and 36 has a circular ring
body 25 with a
through opening 26 formed therein, and a round base 27 which will abut the
rear end of the dog
when the device 10 is mounted thereon with the through opening 26 located
around the dog's anus.
Two arcuate extension housings 28 and 29 are integrally formed on the circular
ring body 25 and
extending outwardly therefrom. Two covers 30 and 31 are provided for the
arcuate extension
housings 28 and 29 respectively. A side opening 32 is formed in the outer side
wall 33 of the left
arcuate extension housing 29 and two openings 33 and 35 are formed in the
inner side wall 36
therein. A depression :37 is formed on the inside of the inner side wall 36
and located directly
opposite to the opening; 32 in the outer side wall 33. Two additional
depressions 38 and 39 are
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l:ormed in the inside of the outer side r~rall 33 and located directly
opposite to the openings 34 and
:35 respectively in the inner side wall 3~~. A first cylindrical latching pin
40 is slidably located in the
ripening 35; similarly and a second cylindrical latching pin 41 is slidably
located in the opening 34.
'the first cylindrical latching pin 40 has a rear portion 42 engages with the
depression 39, and the
;second cylindrical latching pin 41 has a roar portion 4:3 engages with the
depression 38. The rear
;portion of the latching pins 40 and 41 has a smaller diameter than the front
portion of these pins.
.A slider pin 44 having a large circular head 45 mounted thereon is slidably
located in the opening
32 with its rear end engaging with the: depression 37. A first substantially V-
shaped pivotal member
46 is pivotally mounted in the extension housing 29. One arm 47 of the pivotal
member 46 has a flat
end portion 48 which ha.s an open end slot formed therein; similarly the other
arm 49 of the pivotal
member 46 also has a flat end portion 50 with an open end slot formed therein.
The open end slot
in the flat end portion 48. slidably engages with the rear portion of the
latching pin 42 while the open
end slot in the flat end portion 50 slidably engages with the slider pin 44.
Similarly, a second
substantially V-shaped pivotal member 51 is pivotally mounted in the extension
housing 29. One
I 5 arm 52 of the pivotal member 51 has a flat end portion :53 with an open
end slot formed therein, and
the other arm 54 has a flat end portion 55 having another open end slot farmed
therein. The open
end slot in the flat end f~ortion 53 slida.bly engages with the rear end
portion of the latching pin 41
while the open end slot in the flat end x~ortion 55 also slidably engages with
the slider pin 44. A coil
spring 56 is mounted on the rear portion ofthe latching pin 42, a second coil
spring 57 is mounted
on the slider pin 44, and a third coil spring 58 is mounted on the rear
portion of the latching pin 43.
The coil springs 56, 57 and 58 coop~;r<~te with the pivotal arms 46 and 51 to
maintain the latching
pins 40 and 41 normally extending oui;wards into the opening 26. The latching
pins 40 and 41 will
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retract into the openings 34 and 35 respectively by depressing the circular
head 45 of the slider pin
~14. Similarly, latching pins 59 and 60, and slider pin 61 are provided in the
right arcuate extension
housing 28; and the latching pins 59 a nd 60 may be retracted by depressing
the round head 62 of the
>lider pin 61. Figure 37 ~;hows an isolated enlarged view of the slide
engagement between the open
end slots formed on the flat portions of the pivotal arms and the sliding pin.
Slots 63 is formed in the raurxd base 27 for receiving the cross belt I S to
be mounted to the
bracket 22. Slots 64 and 65 are provided in the round base 27 for mounting the
under straps 23 and
:?4 to the bracket 22.
A collection bag 63 for use with the present device is best shown in Figures
38, 39 and 40.
'The collection bag 63 is made of a bia-degradable material such as paper or
degradable plastic and
IZas a substantially rigid L-shaped attachment portion 64 which has a diameter
equal to that of the
opening 26 of the brackc;t 22 such th<~t it may be slidably inserting therein.
A series of depressions
6S and 66 are formed o0 one side of the L-shaped attachment portion 64, which
are operative to
engage with the latching; pins 40 and 41, and similar depressions are formed
on the other side for
engagement with the latching pins St-~ and 60, f'or rernovably mounting the
collection bag 63 to the
hracket 22.
A disposable device according to the present invention is generally shown in
Figure 41. In
This embodiment, the harness 12 is nuade of a disposable material and it is
substantially T-shaped
;~s best shown in Figure 44 which incl udes a waist strap 67 operative for
embracing around the body
of the dog. Loop and hook fastening means such as Velcro( a trademark )
fastening means 68 and
X59 are provided at the two ends of a transverse strap 67 for mounting it
quickly and securely around
the body of the dog. A diaper strap 7tb extends perpendicular to the waist
strap 67. Fastening means
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71, ?2 and 73 similar to fastening means 68 and 69 are provided at the free
end of the diaper strap
'~0 and at selected distances from the frf;e end such that the free end of the
diaper strap 70 may then
be secured to the waist s~.rap 67. When thus maunted, the diaper strap 70 will
extend over the back
of the dog and will wrap tightly over its rear end and belly. A circular
opening 74 having an
expandable extension shit 75 is formed in the diaper strap 70 to permit the
tail of the dog to extend
t:herethrough. A generall',y L-shaped attachment tubular member 76 is mounted
on the diaper strap
'70. The tubular member 76 has a collection opening 77 which will abut the
anus of the dog when
the harness 12 is properly mounted on the dog. The tubular member 76 has a
free end 78 extending
outside from the diaper strap 70 for receiving an excrement collection bag
(not shown to be
removably mounted thereto, and an fwxcrernent collection bag supporting pouch
79 is provided on
the strap to support the v~reight of the excrement collection bag after it has
been filled. A slit opening
80 is formed in the diaper strap 70 to permit the penis of a male dog to be
extending therethrough,
and a urine collection bag as shown in Figure 45 may be mounted on the diaper
strap 70 for
collecting the urine discharge from the dog. A urine collection bag supporting
pouch 81 is provided
on the diaper strap to support the weight of the filled urine collection bag
after it has been filled
such that the latter would not dislodge from the mounting when the dog is
moving or running. As
best shown in Figure 45, the urine ce:rllection bag is provided with a back
flow preventing valve 82
to prevent leakage of the urine from the bag when it is filled. 'The valve 82
may be in the form of
a pivotal flap attached to one side of the neck of the bag.
A further alternative embodirr~ent of the device according to the present
invention is best
shown in Figure 47. The disposable; harness l2 is similar to that shown in
Figure 41, except the
excrement collection bag 83 is in the :form of a flexible bag having a stiff
mounting neck portion
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t~4 with an enlarged rim 85 such that the; excrement collection bag 83 may be
mounted to the diaper
:crap 70 by simply inserting the enlarged em 8S through a slit opening 86
formed in the diaper strap
'l0. Similarly, the urine collection bad; 87 has a substantially L-shaped neck
portion 88 and an
c;nlarged mouth 89 which may be inseirted through the slit opening 80 for
mounting to the diaper
strap 70 for collecting any urine discharge from the dog. The urine callection
bag 87 is also provided
with a back flow prevernter valve 90 to prevent the urine inside the bag to
spill outwards therefrom.
'rhe urine collection bag 87 is also provided with a back flow preventing
valve 90 as best shown in
l figure 48.
It can be appreciated that tine present device not only greatly reduces the
hardship of
requiring the dog owner to face the problem of having to walk the dog outdoors
even during adverse
'weather conditions and having to wait for the dog to defecate and then
cleaning after it, but it also
eliminates the potential of any unattended dog excrement from con aminating
the ecological
environment.
Obviously numerous modifications and variations ofthe device of the present
invention are
possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood
that within the scope of the
appended claims, the invention may be practised otherwise than as specifically
described herein.
As stated above, I would encourage; others to improve on the present device
and I would like to
donate 30% of the profit derived from the present invention to those who
require financial assistance
in seeking such further improvements to my invention.
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