Infinitely adjustable collar with multiple securements

• US 10,398,129 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2017
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Linda's Leather, LLC
• Original Assignee: Linda's Leather, LLC
• Inventors: Scott, Linda Louise
• Primary Examiner(s): Parsley, David J
• Application Number:
  US15/470,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20170196198A1
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 119814, 119815, 119855, 119856, 119863, 119864, 119865, 54 191, 54 193, 54 21
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 13/00 Devices for grooming or caring of animals, e.g. curry-combs; Fetlock rings; Tail-holders as part of the harness B68B5/04; Devices for preventing crib-biting; Washing devices; Protection against weather conditions or insects
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/001 Collars
• CPC Class Codes: B68B 3/04 Horse collars; Manufacturing same
• CPC Class Codes: B68B 3/06 Adjustable collars
• CPC Class Codes: B68B 3/08 with protective pads

Abstract

A collar has an infinitely adjustable effective length with a securement mechanism that prevents the collar from being loosened or removed by rubbing against a fence or other fixed object.

Claims

1. A collar, comprising:

a main collar strip having a first width, inner and outer surfaces, top and bottom edges and first and second ends;

an alligator flap overlying said outer surface of said main collar strip adjacent to said first end, said alligator flap having top and bottom edges, a hinge end and a free end, with said hinge end secured to said main collar strip at a point recessed from said first end of said main collar strip to form an alligator mouth arrangement, said alligator flap having an inner surface facing a corresponding portion of the outer surface of said main collar strip, wherein said inner surface of said alligator flap and said corresponding outer surface portion of said main collar strip facing said alligator flap include hook-and-loop fastener material, and wherein said second end of said main collar strip has inner and outer surfaces with hook-and-loop fastener material, such that said second end of said main collar strip can be inserted between and secured to said corresponding outer surface portion of said first end and said inner surface of said alligator flap by said hook and loop fastener materials, with said respective hook and loop fastener material on said inner surface of said alligator flap being in direct contact with said respective hook and loop fastener material on said outer surface of said second end of said main collar strip and said respective hook and loop fastener material on said corresponding portion of said main collar strip being in direct contact with said respective hook and loop fastener material on said inner surface of said second end of said main collar strip to establish an effective length of said collar; and

a securement strap projecting over and beyond said free end of said alligator flap to secure said alligator flap in a closed position;

said securement strap being recessed in from said top and bottom edges of said alligator flap and being more flexible than said alligator flap.

2. A collar as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a ring secured to said outer surface of said main collar strip at a point recessed from said second end, wherein said ring receives said securement strap to secure said alligator flap in a closed position.

3. A collar as recited in claim 2, wherein said securement strap has a second width that is less than said first width, and said securement strap is recessed from said top and bottom edges of said main collar strip.

4. A collar as recited in claim 3, wherein said securement strap has an outer surface with hook and loop fastener material and secures to itself by said hook and loop fastener material on said outer surface.

5. A collar as recited in claim 3, wherein said ring is part of a frame of a buckle, and said securement strap secures to said buckle.

6. A collar as recited in claim 4, wherein said main collar strip is sized and shaped to serve as a cribbing collar for a horse.

7. A collar as recited in claim 5, wherein said main collar strip is sized and shaped to serve as a cribbing collar for a horse.

8. A collar as recited in claim 6, wherein said main collar strip is made of leather which is wrapped around a core of woven strapping, and wherein said leather and woven strapping core are sewn together along a plurality of seam lines parallel to said top and bottom edges.

9. A collar as recited in claim 7, wherein said main collar strip is made of leather which is wrapped around a core of woven strapping, and wherein said leather and woven strapping core are sewn together along a plurality of seam lines parallel to said top and bottom edges.

10. A collar as recited in claim 3, wherein said alligator flap has an outer surface, and said securement strap overlies said outer surface of said alligator flap from a point recessed from said free end of said alligator flap, over said free end, and beyond said free end to said ring.

11. A collar as recited in claim 10, wherein said securement strap has an outer surface with hook and loop fastener material and secures to itself by said hook and loop fastener material on said outer surface.

12. A collar as recited in claim 10, wherein said ring is part of a frame of a buckle, and said securement strap secures to said buckle.