Cross-reference to related applications

[001] The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/771,833 entitled "Pet Boot Jack (PBJ)" filed on March 2, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Invention

[002] The present invention relates to paw protection for pets including canines, and more particularly to a device for attaching pet socks or boots to a pet's foot.

Background of the Invention

[003] Some pet owners, particularly dog owners, utilize dog boots or socks as a way of protecting a dog's paws from external elements, such as heat, cold, chemicals, harmful surfaces etc. The owners attach these dog boots or socks onto the dog's foot in order to protect the paws.

[004] For example, Pawz® (U.S. Patent No. 8,360,012) is a brand of rubber dog boots. These dog boots may be made of a flexible and elastic material having a closed bottom end and an open top end for receiving a dog's foot. The open top end is typically narrower than the closed bottom end.

[005] Pawz® boots and other similar products typically require two hands to prepare the boot to be able to receive the dog's foot. While two hands hold the boot open, one of the two hands must also direct the dog's foot through the opening, and completely into the boot. Given that dogs often do not like this process, it is difficult and cumbersome to get the dog boots onto a dog's foot. An improved method of attaching dog boots to a dog's paws is required. Summary of the Invention

[006] The present application provides a device and method for attaching pet boots to an animal's paw or foot. The pet boot jack ("PBJ") device makes it easier to attach the pet boot to the pet's paw as only one hand is required to use the PBJ device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[007] Figure 1A illustrates a top plan view of the PBJ device in a closed configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[008] Figure I B illustrates a side plan view of the PBJ device in a closed configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[009] Figure 1C illustrates a bottom plan view of the PBJ device in a closed

configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0010] Figure 2A illustrates a top plan view of the PBJ device in an open configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0011 ]Figure 2B illustrates a side plan view of the PBJ device in an open

configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0012]Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the PBJ device in an open configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0013]Figures 4A and 4B show a perspective view of the PBJ device in a closed configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0014]Figure 5A illustrates a side plan view of the PBJ device in a closed

configuration, according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0015]Figure 5B illustrates a portion view of the PBJ device shown in Figure 5A, detailing notches on a pair of jaws of the PBJ device, according to an example embodiment of the present application. Detailed Description of Example Embodiments

[0016]In the example embodiments, reference is made to a dog boot and using the PBJ to attach the dog boot to a dog's paw. However, the device and method of the present application may be applied to the paw or foot of any animal or pet, such as a cat, rabbit, etc.

[0017]The components of the PBJ device can vary, but in an example embodiment the device comprises two parts representing the two halves of the device. Figures 1A, IB, 1C, 4A, 4B, 5A illustrate the PBJ device 100 in a closed configuration or position and Figures 2A, 2B and 3 illustrate the PBJ device 100 in an open configuration or position.

[0018]As illustrated in Figures 1A, 1C, and 2A the PBJ 100 comprises two opposing halves 102, 104 that are pivotally attached at a securing means 106. The securing means 106 may connect the two halves 102, 104 at a single point using a screw or other type of fastener, allowing the two halves to pivot freely. The two halves 102, 104 when combined have a pair of jaws 112, 114 at one end 130 and a pair of handles 122, 124 at a second end 132.

[0019]As shown in one embodiment of Figures 1A and 1C, each jaw 112, 114 is curved towards each other. The size and shape of the pair of jaws 112, 114 in the closed position generally corresponds to the size and shape of the opening of a dog boot. The pair of the jaws 112, 114 may be constructed in different sizes and shapes (for example, larger or smaller) to accommodate different boot sizes for different dog breeds. For example, in one embodiment for a small sized dog foot, the length of the pair of jaws 112, 114 is approximately 1 inches, the width is approximately 0.7 inches, and the depth of the jaws 112, 114 is 1/16 inches. In another embodiment for a medium sized dog foot, the length of the pair of jaws 112, 114 is approximately 2 inches, the width is approximately 1¾ inches, and the depth of the jaws 112, 114 is ¹ /8 inches. In a further embodiment for a large sized dog foot, the length of the pair of jaws 112, 114 is approximately 3 inches, the width is approximately 2 inches, and the depth of the jaws 112, 114 is ¹ /s inches.

[0020]As seen in Figures I B, 2B, 4A and 4B, the jaws 112, 114 have a top section 150 and a bottom section 160. The bottom section 160 is of a reduced size compared to the top section 150. For example, the side edge of the bottom section 160 in some embodiments is recessed from the side edge of the top section 150. The bottom section 160 may be referred to as a seat, and functions to receive the opening of a dog boot such that the sides of the dog boot surround the seat 160. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the width of the side of the bottom section 160 is of a sufficient size to receive a portion of the top sides of the dog boot. In one example

embodiment, the side width of the bottom section is approximately ¾ inches.

[0021 ] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 4A, 4B, 5A and 5B the

bottom

section 160 of the jaws 112, 114 may include one or more notches or protrusions 302, 304 that extend outwardly from the bottom section 160. The protrusions 302, 304 secure the opening and sides of the dog boot to the bottom section 160 of the jaws 112, 114, to prevent the dog boot from slipping off the jaws 112, 114. The protrusions 302, 304 vary in size and shape depending on the size of the PBJ device 100. In an example embodiment, the length and width of the protrusions 302, 304 is less than the length and width of the sides of the bottom portion 160. As well, the protrusions 302, 304 may be positioned anywhere along the bottom section 160. In the example embodiments shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the protrusions 302, 304 are located at the end of the jaws 112, 114 that is closer to the securing means 106. In one embodiment, the protrusions may be moveable, so that they can be pushed in after the boot is on the dog's foot to make it easier to remove/release the dog boot from the jaws. In a preferred embodiment (not shown), the protrusions are curved (rounded) in order to make removal of the boot easier.

[0022] The PBJ 100 is designed to open its jaws 112, 114 either by squeezing the pair of handles 122, 124 together or by pulling the pair of handles 122, 124 apart. For example, according to one embodiment shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 3, when the pair of handles 122, 124 are squeezed together the pair of jaws 112, 114 extend away from each other. An ergonomic design may be applied to the pair of handles 122, 124 to make the squeezing of the handles 122, 124 easier for a user.

[0023]In use, a dog boot at its open end is attached around the seat 160 of the pair of jaws 112, 114, when the PBJ device 100 is in the closed position. The protrusions 302, 304 secure the dog boot to the seat 160 so that the dog boot does not slip off the jaws 112, 114. A user may then with one hand squeeze the pair of handles 122, 124 together which causes the jaws 112, 114 to expand away from each other, thereby stretching and widening the opening of the dog boot to the appropriate size and shape to allow easy insertion of the pet's foot into the pet boot. Once the pet's foot is in the pet boot, the user may move the PBJ device 100 in an upward direction to detach the pet boot from the bottom section 160 of the pair of jaws 112, 114. In the

embodiment shown, there is no mechanism to hold the boot open, besides the user's hand. The jaws close by themselves using the elastic force of the boot. In other embodiments (not shown), an adjustable interference lever is used to hold the jaws open, so that the user does not have to continue to squeeze the handles together; this mechanism is then released to close the jaws.

[0024]One benefit of the PBJ is that it makes putting appropriate foot protection onto pets easier, and therefore makes it more likely that owners will use adequate foot protection from road salt and extreme cold for their pets. As previously discussed, after attaching the dog boot to the seat 160 of the pair of jaws 112, 114, one would only need a single hand to stretch the dog boot to its fullest opening size and shape, thus allowing the free hand to be used to easily insert the dog's foot into the dog boot. Once the dog's foot is securely in the dog boot, a user can pull or move the PBJ device 100 up slightly until the pair of jaws 112, 114 clear the opening of the dog boot and then can release the pair of handles 122, 124 of the PBJ device 100 to return the device 100 to its closed position .

[0025]The PBJ device 100 may be made of varying production materials such as plastic or composite materials. Other possible materials include, but are not limited to, metal, alloy, stainless steel, and wood.

[0026]The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.