JP-3255758-U - Dog swimming aids

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a swimming aid for dogs that can swim easily, even if the dog cannot swim on its own or is not a strong swimmer. [Solution] The device comprises a flexible body 2 having a ring-donut-shaped outer form, and a string 6 for holding opposing parts of the body 2 in close proximity. The string 6 holds the opposing parts of the body 2 in close proximity, causing the body 2 to bend into a U-shape, forming a front support part 10 that supports the neck area, a rear support part 11 that supports the torso area, and a through hole 4 between the front support part 10 and the rear support part 11 that allows the front legs to protrude downward. [Selection Diagram] Figure 5

Inventors

• 滝川 進

Assignees

• 有限会社タキコウ縫製

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20260306

Claims (5)

1. A swimming aid for dogs, characterized by comprising a flexible buoyancy body having a ring-donut-shaped outer form, and a connecting member for holding opposing portions of the buoyancy body in contact or close proximity, wherein the connecting member holds the opposing portions of the buoyancy body in close proximity, causing the buoyancy body to bend into a U-shape, forming a front support portion for supporting the neck area, a rear support portion for supporting the torso area, and an opening between the front and rear support portions for allowing the front legs to protrude downward.
2. The dog swimming aid according to claim 1, characterized in that the buoyancy body is elliptical in shape, and the opposing portions of the buoyancy body are positioned at the major axis.
3. The buoyancy body is characterized by containing small spheres made of foamed plastic within a hollow, ring-shaped, flexible storage bag, as described in claim 1 or 2 for a dog swimming aid.
4. The dog swimming aid according to claim 3, characterized in that the storage bag is made of a breathable material.
5. The dog swimming aid according to claim 3, characterized in that the storage bag has an opening for inserting and removing the small spheres from the storage bag.

Description

This invention relates to a swimming aid for dogs that attaches to a dog's body to provide buoyancy, making it easier for the dog to swim. Pet dogs are sometimes taken swimming in pools, ponds, or the sea. However, just like humans, some dog breeds are good swimmers, while others are not. While humans can use flotation devices or kickboards to assist those who are not strong swimmers, dogs, due to their different body shape and inability to hold these aids with their hands, cannot use flotation devices designed for humans. Patent document 1 shows a flotation device, the most common type of swimming aid. For example, while such a flotation device can be used by humans with the upper body above the device and the lower body in the water, it is likely that a dog would slip out of the device through its opening if it were to use it. Design Registration No. 600465 Publication A plan view of the deployed state of the dog swimming aid according to the embodiment.Front view of the same dog swimming aid folded into a use position.A side view of the same dog swimming aid folded into a use position.Cross-sectional view along line A-A in Figure 1.(a) is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dog wearing the swimming aid for dogs according to the embodiment, and (b) is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dog wearing the aid and swimming in the water. Below, an example of a swimming aid for dogs, which is an embodiment of the present invention, will be described based on the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the dog swimming aid 1 has a main body 2 as a flexible buoyancy body. The main body 2 is equipped with a storage bag 3 made of a mesh fabric with a leno weave made of synthetic fiber (e.g., polyester) which forms the outer skin. The storage bag 3 is constructed to form a ring-shaped bag surrounded by fabric by sewing the edges of two elongated oval-shaped annular fabric members together. To give an idea of the size, the dimensions of this embodiment are approximately 55 cm on the major axis and approximately 30 cm on the minor axis. The storage bag 3 has a perforated hole 4 in the center as an opening. Reinforcement parts 5 are sewn to both ends of the major axis of the storage bag 3, and the ends of a pair of strings 6, which serve as connecting members, are sewn to these reinforcement parts 5. The pair of strings 6 are inserted through a cord stopper 8. The cord stopper 8 is fixed in a predetermined position relative to the strings 6 by an internal friction member, and by pulling the pair of strings 6 against the cord stopper 8, the reinforcement parts 5 (i.e., the ends of the major axis of the main body 2) are pulled in via the strings 6. At any desired tightening position, the pair of cords 6 are secured by the cord stopper 8. The closer the cord stopper 8 is to the reinforcing part 5, the closer the pair of reinforcing parts 5 will be to each other. The storage bag 3 is filled with numerous small spheres 7 made of foamed polyester, each about 1 mm in diameter. The filling of these spheres causes the storage bag 3 to expand and take on a ring-donut shape. The spheres 7 can be replenished or retrieved through a zipper opening 9 formed on the inner surface of the storage bag 3 when it is folded. By adjusting the amount of spheres 7 stored, the thickness, flexibility, buoyancy, and other mechanical properties of the main body 2 can be adjusted. Figure 4 schematically shows the storage bag 3 almost completely filled with spheres 7. By using the cord stopper 8 to tighten the pair of cords 6, the reinforcing parts 5 at both ends of the major axis side of the storage bag 3 are brought closer together, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, causing the main body 2 to bend into an inverted U-shape in the front view shown in Figure 2. At this time, the main body 2 appears U-shaped when viewed from the side in Figure 3. Positions P1 and P2 in the unfolded state of the main body 2 shown in Figure 1 correspond to the positions of the front support part 10 or the rear support part 11 in the bent state. Positions P1 and P2 are in the direction of the minor axis of the elliptical main body 2. Positions P1 and P2 are the lowest positions when the main body 2 is bent. The method of using the dog swimming aid 1 configured in this way will now be explained. As shown in Figure 1, the main body 2 of the swimming aid 1 is unfolded on the floor, and the pet dog K that will use it is placed on the main body 2. At this time, the dog K is positioned so that its head extends outward from position P1 or P2, and its front legs are inside the through-hole 4. Thus, the dog K's body is positioned so that it extends outward from position P2 or P1. In this state, the cord stopper 8 is used to pull the pair of strings 6 tightly, bending the main body 2 so that the tip of the long axis of the main body 2 is on the upper side, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Then, as shown in Figure 5(a), the dog K is fitted so that it is wrapped in the dog swimming aid 1. T