GB2160405A - Reflective device for animal collar - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for enabling, for example a dog or cat, to be seen in conditions of poor visibility comprises a strip (2) of reflective material which can be wrapped around and secured to the animal's collar by means of VELCRO (Trade Mark) (7, 8) disposed adjacent opposite longitudinal edges (3, 4) of the strip (2) on opposite sides thereof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility This invention relates to a device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility.

Each year many cats and dogs are killed by moving vehicles. Frequently, the animal is not seen until the vehicle is very close to the animal by which time it is generally too late to stop.

Most dogs wear collars which support a tag containing the name and address of the owner.

Similarly, some cats are provided with similar collars. Unfortunately, such collars are generally made of leather or similar material which, like the wearer, cannot be seen in conditions of poor visibility, e.g. at dawn, at dusk and during the night.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the invention to provide a device which will increase the probability of an animal being seen in conditions of poor visibility.

According to the present invention there is provided a device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility, which device comprises a strip of reflective material and means for securing said strip, in use, around the collar of an animal.

The reflective material may comprise material such as sold by the 3M company under the trademark "SCOTCHLITE" (reference No. 8986) or a base provided with reflective artifacts.

The means for securing the strip around the collar of an animal may comprise, for example, pressstuds or VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) or similar fastener. Such means preferably comprises two parts, one of which is secured to one side of the reflective material and the other to the other side of the reflective material.

In the preferred embodiment the strip of reflective material is generally rectangular having two longitudinal edges and two end edges and said means comprise two parts disposed along the longitudinal edges of said strip.

For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing which is a top plan view of a device in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility. The device, which is generally identified by reference numeral 1 comprises a strip 2 of an orange reflective material sold by the 3M company under the trademark "SCOTCHLITE" (reference No. 8986).

The strip 2 is generally rectangular and comprises two longitudinal edges 3 and 4 and two end edges 5 and 6.

A strip 7 of VELCRO is sewn onto one side of the strip 2 adjacent the longitudinal edge 3 while a strip 8 of VELCRO is sewn onto the other side of the strip 2 adjacent the longitudinal edge 4.

In use, the dog or cat owner simply wraps the strip around the dog or cat's collar so that the strip of VELCRO 7 overlies and engages with the strip of VELCRO 8 thereby securing the device to the collar in a readily removable manner.

When, for example, a car's headlights beam onto the strip 2 it becomes clearly visible thereby alerting the driver to the presence of the animal.

It will be appreciated that use of the device described is not confined to dogs and cats and suitable devices could be made, for example, for cattle, sheep, horses and the like.

1.A A device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility, which device comprises a strip of reflective material and means for securing said strip, in use, around the collar of an animal.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means comprises press-studs.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said means comprises a VELCRO or similar fastener.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said means comprises two parts, one of which is secured to one side of the reflective material and the other to the other side of the reflective material.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said strip of reflective material is generally rectangular having two longitudinal edges and two end edges and said means comprises two parts disposed along the longitudinal edges of said strip.

6. A device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility This invention relates to a device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility. Each year many cats and dogs are killed by moving vehicles. Frequently, the animal is not seen until the vehicle is very close to the animal by which time it is generally too late to stop. Most dogs wear collars which support a tag containing the name and address of the owner. Similarly, some cats are provided with similar collars. Unfortunately, such collars are generally made of leather or similar material which, like the wearer, cannot be seen in conditions of poor visibility, e.g. at dawn, at dusk and during the night. It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the invention to provide a device which will increase the probability of an animal being seen in conditions of poor visibility. According to the present invention there is provided a device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility, which device comprises a strip of reflective material and means for securing said strip, in use, around the collar of an animal. The reflective material may comprise material such as sold by the 3M company under the trademark "SCOTCHLITE" (reference No. 8986) or a base provided with reflective artifacts. The means for securing the strip around the collar of an animal may comprise, for example, pressstuds or VELCRO (Registered Trade Mark) or similar fastener. Such means preferably comprises two parts, one of which is secured to one side of the reflective material and the other to the other side of the reflective material. In the preferred embodiment the strip of reflective material is generally rectangular having two longitudinal edges and two end edges and said means comprise two parts disposed along the longitudinal edges of said strip. For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing which is a top plan view of a device in accordance with the invention. Referring to the drawing there is shown a device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility. The device, which is generally identified by reference numeral 1 comprises a strip 2 of an orange reflective material sold by the 3M company under the trademark "SCOTCHLITE" (reference No. 8986). The strip 2 is generally rectangular and comprises two longitudinal edges 3 and 4 and two end edges 5 and 6. A strip 7 of VELCRO is sewn onto one side of the strip 2 adjacent the longitudinal edge 3 while a strip 8 of VELCRO is sewn onto the other side of the strip 2 adjacent the longitudinal edge 4. In use, the dog or cat owner simply wraps the strip around the dog or cat's collar so that the strip of VELCRO 7 overlies and engages with the strip of VELCRO 8 thereby securing the device to the collar in a readily removable manner. When, for example, a car's headlights beam onto the strip 2 it becomes clearly visible thereby alerting the driver to the presence of the animal. It will be appreciated that use of the device described is not confined to dogs and cats and suitable devices could be made, for example, for cattle, sheep, horses and the like. CLAIMS

1.A A device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility, which device comprises a strip of reflective material and means for securing said strip, in use, around the collar of an animal.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said means comprises press-studs.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said means comprises a VELCRO or similar fastener.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1,2 or 3, wherein said means comprises two parts, one of which is secured to one side of the reflective material and the other to the other side of the reflective material.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said strip of reflective material is generally rectangular having two longitudinal edges and two end edges and said means comprises two parts disposed along the longitudinal edges of said strip.

6. A device for enabling an animal to be seen in conditions of poor visibility, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.