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A bridge for a harness and a harness for dogs are provided. The invention achieves its objectives with a bridge having a raised area that provides pressure relief to specific parts of a dog.
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02.05.2026
09-01
Saksbehandling
20240638(349191)
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PT Varsel om betaling av første årsavgift (3317) (PT20240638)
Disclaimer: This text has been machine-scanned and may contain errors – please refer to "Publications" for legally binding content.Description
3491911TITLE: Pressure Relieving Harness BridgeBackground of the InventionField of the Invention5 The invention relates to pressure relief in general and more specifically a system and a method for pressure relief for harnesses for dogs.Background ArtState of the art is reflected in traditional harnesses, typically made of flat materials 10 such as webbing, mesh, and/or leather, that are sewn, glued, bolted or welded together. Non-flat materials such as rope are also used. These cross the chest and back closely to the body of a dog wearing the harness, creating a pressure during use. It is known that this can cause discomfort or damages to the dog.15 From prior art one should refer to WO2022200231 by the present applicant, regarding a harness device intended for a dog, more particularly a dog, wherein the harness device includes at least one cord and a plurality of attachment plates, wherein each attachment plate includes at least one attachment point for the at least one cord, wherein said attachment plates are adapted to be placed onto the body of 20 the dog, wherein said at least one cord is releasably connected to the plurality of attachment plates connecting said plates forming a harness around the body of the dog, wherein said at least one cord and said plurality of attachment plates are adapted to be adjustable to fit the body of a dog.25 US2022087226A1 discloses according to its abstract, an anti-pulling animal collar includes a base collar having a front strap and a back strap having a centrally mounted leash D-ring. The front strap includes a first row of soft spikes, a second row of soft spikes, and a trachea portion positioned between the first row and second row of spikes.30There is therefore a need for a method and a system to overcome the above mentioned problems.Summary of the Invention35 Problems to be Solved by the InventionTherefore, a main objective of the present invention is to provide a harness and harness component, to avoid direct force or pressure onto bones, knuckles or
3491912sensitive areas of a dog’s body, where the harness device needs to cross over such areas.Means for Solving the Problems5 The objective is achieved according to the invention by harness as defined in the preamble of claim 1, having the features of the characterising portion of claim 1, and a bridge as defined in the preamble of claim 8, having the features of the characterising portion of claim 8.10 A number of non-exhaustive embodiments, variants or alternatives of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.The present invention attains the above-described objective by a bridge for a harness, wherein the bridge has a raised part.15In a first aspect of the invention, a bridge for a harness for a dog is provided, wherein the bridge comprises a raised part, wherein the bridge, when attached to the harness, raises away from the dog in areas that are pressure sensitive, when the dog is wearing the harness.20In one embodiment, the bridge is provided with at least one pressure distribution surface aside of the raised part. The pressure distribution surfaces typically consists of a material that is gentle to the body when subjected to pressure against the body. The pressure distribution surfaces or panels’ most important function is to avoid 25 direct pressure on small and sensitive areas, but rather distribute the pressure on a larger surface. This improves animal welfare.In one embodiment, the bridge is provided at a position near a trachea of the dog. This improves animal welfare and also avoids damage to the trachea. The trachea is 30 an area that is very susceptible to damage because there’s little tissue or muscles to protect it. The damage often happens when a dog pulls on the leash while keeping the head low. Harnesses can often get pulled up to the neck if the force distribution from the leash is distributed unevenly between the top and bottom of the harness.35 In one embodiment, the bridge is provided at a position near a prosternum of the dog, to act as a connecting part for the pressure distribution surfaces and avoid direct pressure on the prosternum. A dogs’ chest is concave, and by using two
3491913separate paths along the chest, that is offset from the sagittal plane and substantially mirror each other symmetrically, the harness will stay more centred and stable, instead of sliding over to one side of the chest. This improves animal welfare and performance.5In one embodiment, the bridge is provided at a position near a spine of the dog. The spine is a critical area that is very susceptible to damage. It has little protection from body tissue and contains sensitive nerves and tissue. By using a bridge over the spine to avoid direct pressure on it, the risk of damage will be drastically reduced. 10 This improves animal welfare and performance.In one embodiment, the bridge is detachably attached to the harness. This provides added flexibility and enables replaceable parts.15 In one embodiment, the bridge forms a connective material connecting two longitudinal parts of the harness. This provides structural integrity of a harness designed with longitudinal parts.In a second aspect of the invention, a harness for a dog is provided, wherein the 20 harness comprises a left and a right part, each configured to be positioned at least along a path extending along a chest and a neck of the dog, wherein the left and right parts are laterally offset from a sagittal plane through the dog, and do not cross the sagittal plane along the chest of the dog, when the dog is wearing the harness, wherein the left and right parts are connected with at least one bridge.25In one embodiment, the left and right parts are substantially mirror symmetric across the sagittal plane.In one embodiment, the left and right parts do not cross the sagittal plane along the 30 abdomen of the dog, when the dog is wearing the harnessIn one embodiment, the left and right do not cross the sagittal plane along the back of the dog, when the dog is wearing the harness.35 In one embodiment, the left and right part are made of a flexible material. This improves animal welfare by distributing the load across the body and follow the body movements.
3491914Effects of the InventionThe present invention comprises a technological advantage over known systems 5 and methods by use of a bridge having a raised part that provides pressure relief.The present invention provides several further advantageous effects:it protects the trachea from damage,it makes it possible to retrofit such bridges to existing harnesses, 10 it can synergistically be used to assemble a harness around a dog,it can be used to adapt an existing harness to different or growing dogs, it can form a basis for further functionalities such as GPS, lighting and more. Brief Description of the Drawings15 The above and further features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims and together with advantages thereof will become clearer from consideration of the following detailed description of an [exemplary] embodiment of the invention given with reference to the accompanying drawings.20 The invention will be further described below in connection with exemplary embodiments which are schematically shown in the drawings, wherein:Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a harness with a bridge, mounted on a dog,Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the harness when laid flat,25 Fig. 3 shows a front view of the harness of Fig.2,Fig. 4 shows a side view of the harness of Fig.2,Figs. 5A and 5B shows detail views of embodiments of a bridge, Fig. 6 shows a detail view of an embodiment of a bridge adapted for retrofit to an existing harness.30Description of the Reference SignsThe following reference numbers and signs refer to the drawings:10 A dog11 Head13 Abdomen14 Shoulder
349191515 Leg20 Neck21 Trachea30 Chest31 Prosternum40 Back41 Spine100 An assembled harness with bridge in use102 Sagittal plane, through the dog200 Harness202 Laterally offset parts210 Left part220 Right part250 Bridge250’ Second bridge, near the prosternum250’’ Third bridge, near the spine252 Raised part254 Pressure relief pad or surface256 AttachmentDetailed Description of the InventionVarious aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference 5 to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein one skilled in 10 the art should appreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover such an 15 apparatus or method which is practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various aspects of the
3491916disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any aspect of the disclosure disclosed herein may be embodied by one or more elements of a claim.The invention will be further described in connection with exemplary embodiments 5 which are schematically shown in the drawings.Principles forming the basis of the inventionThe inventor has realised that harnesses can be displaced during use, especially during heavy loads. In the case of dogs such as sled dogs, they will lean in and the 10 harness can slide upwards and exert pressure against the trachea that over time can be damaging. Dogs do not always indicate there is a problem and damage can occur before the owner realises the severity of the situation.The inventor then realised that replacing bands across the lower part of the neck 15 with a bridge having a raised part, the bridge will maintain the integrity of the harness without causing undue pressure against the trachea. The raised part provides a clearance and even if the harness slides upwards, a pressure relief against the trachea is still maintained.20 Pressure is instead redistributed away from the raised part in the middle, to parts on either side, where the dog can sustain the pressure.Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a harness 100 with a bridge 200, mounted on a dog 10.25The dog 10 comprises several anatomical landmarks such as a head 11 and abdomen 13, where one would prefer to avoid exerting pressure. The shoulders 14 need freedom of movement and for performance and welfare one should avoid restrictive materials in this region. Further there is the neck 20 where some pressure 30 is used to pull with the harness 200. In the neck region 20 there is also the trachea 21 that one should avoid pressurising, yet traditional harnesses can slide upwards, or the dog can pull with the nose to the ground, and cause uncomfortable or even damaging pressure to the trachea 21. Below the neck is the chest 30 with the ribcage, wherein the ribs of the ribcage are connected by the prosternum 31. Along 35 the back 40 the spine 41 extends as a raised portion.
3491917The inventor has realised that improved animal welfare and performance can be achieved by relieving pressure from the trachea 21, the prosternum 31 and the spine 41.5 The sagittal plane 102 is indicated, also known as the median plane, that divides the dog into a substantially symmetric left and right part.Fig. 1 also shows an embodiment of the assembled 100 harness 200 with bridge 250 worn by the dog 10. The harness 200 comprises a left part 210 and a right part 220 10 that are substantially mirror symmetric about the sagittal plane. Each of the left and right parts 210, 220 forms a loop that at least partially encircle the respective shoulders without coming in direct contact with the shoulder bones, by extending along the chest and the neck of the dog. The left and right parts 210, 220 do not overlap or meet at the sagittal plane, instead they are slightly retracted in order to 15 avoid pressure sensitive areas.The left and right parts 210, 220 are kept together by connecting parts, some or all of which can be in the form of a bridge having a raised part for providing pressure relief. These maintain the integrity of the left and right parts 210, 220 so that they form a 20 functioning harness.Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the harness when laid flat, showing the loops formed by the left and right parts 210, 220. The loops provide openings for the shoulder 14 and the leg 15.25Fig. 3 shows a front view of the harness of Fig.2, worn by a dog. The left and right parts 210, 220 are shown, demonstrating how the laterally offset parts 202 of the left and right parts 210, 220 are positioned offset from the sagittal plane, thus avoiding pressure sensitive areas such as the trachea 21. In this embodiment, a first bridge 30 250 located below the trachea 21 connects the laterally offset parts 202 in position, while the raised part 252 of the bridge 250 will avoid putting pressure on the trachea should the harness 200 slide upwards.A second bridge 250’ is located below the first bridge 250 near the chest 30 in order 35 to keep the laterally offset parts 202 in position also at a lower position. Also the second bridge is provided with a raised part so to avoid putting pressure on the prosternum 31.
3491918Fig. 4 shows a side view of the harness of Fig.2. A third bridge 250’’ is located at the back 40 in order to keep the laterally offset parts 202 in position also at an upper position. Also the third bridge is provided with a raised part so to avoid putting 5 pressure on the spine 41.Figs. 5A and 5B show detail views of embodiments of a bridge 252, comprising a raised part 252 with attachment means 256 on either side of the raised part 252. The attachment means attach to the laterally offset parts 202. The bridge can be10 removably attached to none, one or both of the laterally offset parts 202.Fig. 5A shows an embodiment where the bridge is permanently fixed both parts, the bridge is unlikely to be lost, and the harness is conveniently in a complete form when putting on the dog.In an embodiment where the bridge is permanently fixed to one of the parts and 15 detachably attached to the other part, it is less likely to be lost, and is convenient in putting on the dog.Fig. 5B show an embodiment where the bridge is detachably attached to both laterally offset parts 202, one can select different sized bridges depending on the dog or keep the harness and change the bridges as the dog grows in size.20The bridge works by redistributing the pressure, and for improved animal welfare, the bridge 250 can be provided with one or more pressure relief surfaces 254. These have an extended area A that reduces the pressure p for a given force f according to the definition p = f / A. Thus the area A should preferably have about the same area 25 as the raised part. This area can be part of the bridge but it can be alternatively part of an adapted laterally offset part or parts. The surface can also be part of a pad, which provides improved match to the contours of the dog for an improved and even pressure relief.30 Fig. 6 shows a detail view of an embodiment of a bridge adapted for retrofit to an existing harness. The bridge 250 is attached to a part of a harness 200, typically a strap, that crosses the sagittal plane, using attachment means 256. Such attachment means can be traditional forms of strap attachments.35 The length and height of the raised part are sized to be sufficient to encompass or to avoid the anatomical part to be avoided. For typical sled dogs, this length is typically 5 – 7,5 cm to avoid the spine, and 2 – 4 cm to avoid the trachea. In general, the
3491919width and thickness of the bridges material is dependent, but a length range of 2 – 7,5 cm and a width range of 3 – 7 cm will typically be sufficiently in most instances to avoid the anatomical part to be avoided and provide the mechanical strength to maintain the integrity of the harness and also ensure that the bridge does not deform 5 so as to lose its pressure relieving effect. For polypropylene, one has found that a width of 2 – 4 cm and a thickness of 0.5 - 1 cm are sufficient. For Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), one has found that a width of 2 – 3 cm and a thickness of 0.2 – 0.5 cm is sufficient. For foamed materials such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), one has found that a width of 5 – 7 cm and a thickness of 1 – 2 cm is sufficient.10In one embodiment, the bridge is placed between the strap and the dog, so that the raised part 252 raises the strap out from the dog, thus providing pressure relief and avoidance of the trachea. In an alternative embodiment, the bridge is placed outside the strap, wherein the raised part 252 pulls the strap out from the dog, thus providing 15 pressure relief and avoidance of the trachea.In a third embodiment, the bridge is provided with a groove for insertion of the strap. Preferably, the groove is provided with features to prevent the strap from slipping out of the bridge, such as protrusions or locks.20Best Modes of Carrying Out the InventionThe embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention shown in Fig.1 shows a harness 200 where bridges are moulded as a part of the harness, connecting the 25 longitudinal parts. A first bridge 250 protects the trachea 21, a second bridge 250’ covers the prosternum, and a third bridge 250’’ covers the spine 41.30 Alternative EmbodimentsA number of variations on the above can be envisaged. For instance the bridges can be inserted inside an existing harness, as single bridges or more than one bridges pre-assembled. In one embodiment, the bridges 250 and 250’ are moulded from a single piece and inserted together into a harness.35The bridges can also be used for secondary purposes such as radio, GPS or illumination.
34919110Industrial ApplicabilityThe invention according to the application finds use in harnesses for quadrupedal animals, in particular for dogs, and especially for working dogs.5
Claims
34919111Claims1. A bridge (250, 250’, 250’’), for a harness (200) for a dog (10),5 characterised in that the bridge (250) comprises a raised part (252),wherein the bridge, when attached to the harness, raises away from the dog in areas that are pressure sensitive,when the dog (10) is wearing the harness.10 2 The bridge (250, 250’, 250’’) according to claim 1, wherein the bridge is provided with at least one pressure distribution surface (254) aside of the raised part (252).3 The bridge (250, 250’, 250’’) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bridge is 15 provided at a position near a trachea (21) of the dog.4 The bridge (250, 250’, 250’’) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bridge is provided at a position near a prosternum (31) of the dog.20 5 The bridge (250, 250’, 250’’) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bridge is provided at a position near a spine (41) of the dog (10).6 The bridge (250, 250’, 250’’) according to one of claims 1 – 5, wherein the bridge is detachably attached to the harness (200).257 The bridge (250, 250’, 250’’) according to one of claims 1 – 6, wherein the bridge forms a connective material connecting two longitudinal parts (202) of the harness.30 8. A harness for a dog (10), wherein the harness comprises a left (210) and a right (220) part, each configured to be positioned at least along a path extending along a chest (30) and a neck (20) of the dog,wherein the left and right parts (210, 220) arelaterally offset from a sagittal plane (102) through the dog (10), and 35 do not cross the sagittal plane along the chest of the dog (10),when the dog (10) is wearing the harness,34919112characterised in that the left and right parts are connected with at least one bridge (250, 250’, 250’’) according to one of claims 1 – 7.9. The harness (200) according to claim 8, wherein the left and right parts (210, 5 220) are substantially mirror symmetric across the sagittal plane.10. The harness (200) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the left and right parts (210, 220) do not cross the sagittal plane along the abdomen of the dog, when the dog is wearing the harness1011. The harness (200) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the left and right parts (210, 220) do not cross the sagittal plane along the back of the dog (10), when the dog is wearing the harness.15 12. The harness (200) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the left and right part (210, 220) are made of a flexible material.202534919113PATENTKRAV1. En bro (250, 250’, 250’’), for et seletøy (200) for en hund (10),5 karakterisert ved at broen (250) omfatter en hevet del (252),idet broen når festet til seletøyet, løfter bort fra hunden i områder som er trykkfølsomme,når hunden er iført seletøyet.10 2. Broen (250, 250’, 250’’), ifølge krav 1, idet broen er utstyrt med minst en trykkfordelingsflate (254) til sides for den hevede delen (252).3. Broen (250, 250’, 250’’), ifølge krav 1 eller 2, idet broen er tilveiebrakt i en posisjon nær et luftrør (21) på hunden (10).154. Broen (250, 250’, 250’’), ifølge krav 1 eller 2, idet broen er tilveiebrakt i en posisjon nært prosternum (31) på hunden (10).5. Broen (250, 250’, 250’’), ifølge krav 1 eller 2, idet broen er tilveiebrakt i en 20 posisjon nær en ryggrad (41) på hunden (10).6. Broen (250, 250’, 250’’), ifølge krav 1 – 5, idet broen er avtakbart festet til seletøyet (200).25 7. Broen (250, 250’, 250’’), ifølge krav 1 – 5, idet broen danner et forbindelsesmateriale som kobler sammen to langsgående deler (202) av seletøyet.8. Et seletøy (200) for en hund (10), idet seletøyet omfatter en venstre (210) og en høyre (220) del, hver innrettet for å være posisjonert minst langs en bane som 30 strekker seg langs et bryst (30) og en nakke (20) av hunden,idet den venstre og høyre del (210, 220) ersideveis forskjøvet fra et sagittalplan (102) gjennom hunden (10), og ikke krysser sagittalplanet langs brystet på hunden, når hunden er iført seletøyet,35 karakterisert ved at den venstre og høyre del er forbundet med minst en bro (250, 250’, 250’’) ifølge krav 1 – 7.349191149. Seletøyet (200) ifølge krav 8, idet den venstre og høyre del (210, 220) er i hovedsak speilsymmetrisk om sagittalplanet.10. Seletøyet (200) ifølge krav 8 eller 9, idet den venstre og høyre del (210, 220) 5 ikke krysser sagittalplanet langs buken på hunden når hunden er iført seletøyet.11. Seletøyet (200) ifølge krav 8 eller 9, idet den venstre og høyre del (210, 220) ikke krysser sagittalplanet langs ryggen på hunden når hunden er iført seletøyet.10 12. Seletøyet (200) ifølge krav 8 eller 9, idet den venstre og høyre del (210, 220) er laget av et fleksibelt materiale.15