CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/344190, filed on June 1, 2016, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to ornamental accessories for animals, and more particularly to a strap for attaching an ornamental accessory to the head of a pet.

2. Description of the Related Art

[0003] Many pet owners enjoy creatively dressing up their pets. For example, dog owners will sometimes adorn their pet with a knit sweater and boots or the like. However, when the pet is provided with a decorative ornament to be worn on its head, such as a bow or headband, the animal will invariably find some way to pull it off. Although it is possible to employ temporary measures to secure the ornament, such as using a clip, it will not take long for the item to fall or be pulled off.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention comprises a strap assembly that permits a decorative item to be worn comfortably on the head of a pet without easily falling or being pulled off. The strap assembly can be made of a thin, clear or translucent elastic plastic material making it nearly invisible. Alternatively, the strap can be made of a colored or opaque plastic material, or even a woven fabric.

[0005] In a first embodiment, the strap assembly includes a chin strap in the shape of a loop for placement under the chin of an animal, a first ear strap for placement around a first ear, and a second ear strap for placement around a second ear. Each of the ear straps is attached to the chin strap at a place where a bow, or other similar ornament, may be attached. The ornament may be snapped on or off, and can be easily replaced with another interchangeable ornament. The ear straps can be joined together (e.g., by a pressure-sensitive adhesive) thereby permitting the joined- together strap to be tucked under the neck of the animal

[0006] In a second embodiment, the strap assembly includes an elongated strip structured to permit looped ends to be formed. The looped ends may be secured using a hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro®), or the like. In operation, a decorative band can be placed onto the animal's head such that the band is secured around the top of the head and the chin. The looped ends of the strap are each attached and looped onto the decorative band, with the remainder of the strap wrapped around each of the ears.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a strap in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 illustrates the strap as in FIG. 1 showing a snap fastener portion.

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates the strap as in FIG. 1 worn by a dog supporting a bow.

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates a strap in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. [0011] FIG. 5 illustrates an elongated strip useable for constructing the strap as in FIG. 4.

[0012] FIG. 6 illustrates the strap as in FIG. 4 worn on a dog supporting the decorative band. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1, a strap assembly 100 is shown, according to a first embodiment. The strap assembly 100 includes a chin strap 112 in the shape of a loop for placement under the chin (FIG. 3, 120) of an animal, a first ear strap 114 for placement around a first ear, and a second ear strap 116 for placement around a second ear (FIG. 3). The first ear strap 114 and the second ear strap 116 can further be joined together (e.g., by a pressure-sensitive adhesive, a hook-and-loop fastener) thereby permitting the jointed- together strap to be tucked under the neck of the animal (FIG. 3). The first ear strap 114 and the second ear strap 116 can be portions of a single, elongated strip 102. As illustrated, a decorative ornament 104 is attached to the strap assembly 100 at a location where the chin strap 122, the first ear strap 114 and the second ear strap 116 meet. Although the illustrated decorative ornament 104 is a bow, it is to be appreciated that various other types of ornaments could be similarly attached. Furthermore, the user can be supplied with numerous and various ornaments that are interchangeable. Notably, an ornament can be detached and another one attached without removal of the strap assembly 100 from the animal. The strap assembly 100 can be constructed of a clear or translucent plastic material so that the strap assembly 100 is difficult to see when worn. Alternatively, the strap assembly 100 can be made of a colored or opaque plastic material, or even a woven fabric. The strap assembly 100 can be made of an elastic material, allowing the strap assembly 100 to be snugly fit onto the animal and to resist removal.

[0014] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary female half 160 of a snap fastener is illustrated. As shown, the female half 160 is affixed where the decorative ornament 104 is to be attached. Ends 150, 152 of the chin strap 112 can be secured at approximately the middle of the elongated strip 102, dividing the elongated strip 102 into the first ear strap 114 and the second ear strap 116. It is to be understood that the decorative ornament 104 will include a complementary male half of the snap fastener (not shown) permitting the decorative bow 104 to be snapped onto the strap assembly 100. It is to be further understood that other suitable fastening means (e.g., Velcro, magnets, adhesive) may be used to attach the decorative ornament 104 to the strap assembly 100. [0015] Referring to FIG. 3, the strap 100 as in FIG. 1 is shown worn by a dog 50 supporting a decorative ornament 104 in the form of a bow.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 4, a strap assembly 200 is shown, according to a second embodiment. The strap assembly 200 serves to support a decorative band 212 positioned on an animal, such as a dog (FIG. 6). As shown, the strap assembly 200 includes looped ends 230, 232. The decorative band 212 passes through the looped ends 230, 232, as shown.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary elongated strip 250 that can be used to form the strap assembly 200 is illustrated. The elongated strip 250 can be made of the same materials discussed above for the strap assembly 100. The looped ends 230, 232 can be formed by folding distal ends 242, 244 over, forming respective loops. The distal ends 242, 242 can each include a "hook" portion 245 of a hook-and-loop fastening material (e.g., Velcro ®) attachable to a "loop" portion 248 of the hook-and-loop fastening material positioned a few inches from the respective ends as shown, or vice versa.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 6, the strap assembly 200 as in FIG. 4 is shown worn by a dog 50 supporting the decorative band 212. As shown, the decorative band 212 is placed onto the dog's head such that the decorative band 212 is secured around the top of the head and the chin. As shown in FIG. 6, the looped ends 230, 232 are each attached and looped onto the decorative band 212, with the remainder wrapped around the dog's ears 52, thus securing the decorative band on the dog's head so as to be difficult to fall or be pulled off.

[0019] While this invention has been described in conjunction with the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.