Incontinence and protective device for animals

Claim 2

An incontinence and protective device for use on the underside of a four legged animal that includes a retainer means formed of a flexible cloth material that includes a bottom panel consisting of a rectangular front section and a tapered rear section for passing between the hind legs of the animal and a series of pocket-forming facing panels overlying the bottom panel that include a pair of side facing panels positioned along the side edges of the bottom panel, a front facing panel positioned over the front section of the bottom panel and a back facing panel positioned over the tapered section of the bottom panel, seam means for stitching the facing panels to the bottom panel along its peripheral edge and to each other to form an open topped pocket in said retainer means, a sanitary pad removably mounted within the pocket that includes a stiff semi-flexible frame adapted to pass under the facing panels and to retain the shape of the pad when inserted into said retainer means, but conform to the underside of the animal, and an absorptive core attached to the frame that is adapted to fill the pocket opening and thus contact the region on the animal to be protected, a pair of two-piece straps that include a first strap having ends sewn into the seam means on opposite sides of the front section of the bottom panel immediately adjacent to the front edge thereof and a second strap having ends sewn into the seam means on opposite sides of the bottom panel immediately adjacent to the rear tapered section, and separable fastener means associated with each strap for permitting the straps to pass about the torso of the animal and be secured thereto to apply a gentle holding pressure against the pad mounted in the retainer means.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein said straps are fabricated of an elastic material that is able to stretch against the animal's torso when fastened to apply a continuous pressure upon the pad.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 wherein the fasteners are Velcro fasteners.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 wherein the frame of said sanitary pad is formed of a stiff paper board.

Claim 6

The device of claim 1 wherein the retainer means and the straps are fabricated of a washable material whereby they can be cleaned periodically.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1 that further includes an elastic front strap also sewn into the seam means at the front of the retainer having a fastening means for attaching the strap to a neck collar worn by the animal to prevent lateral movement of the retainer.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1 wherein the core of the pad includes a backing of a taffeta textured moisture proof barrier material.

Claim 9

The device of claim 1 wherein the frame is provided with an adhesive coating that will adhere to the facing panels of said retainer means.

Claim 10

An incontinence and protective device for use on a four legged animal that includes a retainer means formed of a flexible cloth material that includes a bottom panel having a rectangular front section adapted to cover the underside of the animal in front of the hind legs and a tapered rear section adapted to pass upwardly between the hind legs, and a series of pocket forming facing panels overlying the bottom panel that include a pair of side panels that abut a U-shaped back facing panel and a front facing panel covering substantially the entire surface of the front section, seam means for stitching the facing panels to the bottom panel along its peripheral edge and to each other to form an open topped pocket in the retainer means, a sanitary pad removably mounted in the pocket that includes a semi-flexible frame that is adapted to be received beneath the facing panels and an absorptive core attached to the frame that fills the pocket opening whereby the core is able to contact a protected region, a body strap having a pair of ends that are sewn into the seam means on either side of the front section adjacent the front edge of the bottom panel and a separable fastener for securing the body strap about the torso of the animal in front of the hind legs, a tail strap having a pair of ends that are sewn into the seam means at the rear of the tapered section of the bottom panel to form a loop for passing about the animal's tail whereby the retainer is supported between the hind legs of the animal and brought adjacent said tail, and a safety strap passing about the body strap and the tail strap having an adjustable fastener for permitting the body strap and tail strap to be drawn together and thus secure the retainer means upon the animal.

Claim 11

An incontinence and protective device for use on a four legged animal that includes a retainer means formed of a flexible cloth material that includes a bottom panel having a rectangular front section adapted to cover the underside of the animal in front of the hind legs and a tapered rear section adapted to pass upwardly between the hind legs, and a series of pocket forming facing panels overlying the bottom panel that include a pair of side panels that abut a U-shaped back facing panel and a front facing panel covering substantially the entire surface of the front section, seam means for stitching the facing panels to the bottom panel along its peripheral edge and to each other to form an open topped pocket in the retainer means, a sanitary pad removably mounted in the pocket that includes a semi-flexible frame that is adapted to be received beneath the facing panels and an absorptive core attached to the frame that fills the pocket opening whereby the core is able to contact a protected region, a body strap having a pair of ends that are sewn into the seam means on either side of the front section adjacent the front edge of the bottom panel and a separable fastener for securing the body strap about the torso of the animal in front of the hind legs, a tail strap having a pair of ends that are sewn into the seam means at the rear of the tapered section of the bottom panel to form a loop for passing about the animal's tail whereby the retainer is supported between the hind legs of the animal and brought adjacent said tail, and a safety strap passing about the body strap and the tail strap having an adjustable fastener for permitting the body strap and tail strap to be drawn together and thus secure the retainer means upon the animal.

Claim 12

The device of claim 9 wherein the retainer means and the straps are fabricated from a washable material.

Claim 13

The device of claim 9 wherein said fasteners are Velcro fasteners.

Claim 14

The device of claim 9 wherein the body strap and the safety strap are fabricated of an elastic material.

Claim 15

The device of claim 9 wherein the frame of the pad is fabricated of a stiff paper board.

Claim 16

The device of claim 9 wherein each of the facing panels contains an interfacing that is sewn into the bottom side of the panel.