WO2013082358A1

WO2013082358A1 - Tick-repelling leg and forearm coverings

Info

Publication number: WO2013082358A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/067192
Authority: WO
Original assignee: Lymeze Llc
Priority date: 2011-11-30
Filing date: 2012-11-30
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: US20140283560A1; WO2013082358A9

Abstract

A single-purpose tick-repelling forearm and leg covering apparel for the prevention of tick bites includes a substantially tubular, stretchable, wearable covering, with cuffs at both ends, made of knitted or woven ixodicidally-treated textile, with long-lasting repellency, which is easily slipped on, used by the wearer as a puttee or sleeve for covering bare or clothed legs or forearms for repelling or killing ticks and therefore preventing tick bites. The apparel includes a substantially tubular, stretchable covering that has been treated with tick repellent, and has proximal and distal cuffs for holding the covering in place on the forearm or leg of the wearer.

Description

TICK-REPELLING LEG AND FOREARM COVERINGS

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims an invention, which was disclosed in Provisional

Application Number 61/565135, filed November 30, 2011, entitled "TICK-REPELLING LEG AND FOREARM COVERINGS". The benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the United States Provisional Application is hereby claimed, and the complete disclosure of the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention pertains to the field of pest control and protection. More particularly, the invention pertains to single-purpose tick-repelling forearm and leg covering apparel for the prevention of tick bites.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] There is an epidemic of tick-borne diseases in the United States and throughout the world. Anyone of any age who engages in any outdoor activity in any non-urban setting is susceptible to tick bites. Ticks are small arachnids, of the subclass acari, in the order ixodida that bury their head into the skin of the host to suck blood. Many ticks carry diseases or disease-causing substances. There are three families of ticks, ixodidae (hard ticks), argasidae (soft ticks) and nuttalliellidae. There are more than 200 known tick species. Tick borne diseases include: African tick-bite fever, angiomatosis, Astrakhan fever, babesiosis, bacteremia, boutonneuse (Mediterranean spotted) fever, cat scratch disease, Colorado tick fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, endocarditis, human granulocytic anaplasmosis, human granulocytic ehrlichiosis, human monocyclic ehrlichiosis, Israeli spotted fever, Kyasaur forest disease, louping ill, Lyme disease, meningoencephalitis (Powassan enchephalitis), Omsk hemorrhagic fever, peliosis hepatis, Q fever, relapsing fever (typhinia), Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tick- induced allergies, tularemia (Pahvant Valley plague, rabbit fever, deer fly fever, Ohara's fever), and typhus (Queensland tick t., Murine t., north Asian tick t., Indian tick t.).

[0004] In North America, the primary disease vectors are the deer tick (ixodes scapularis), Lone Star tick (amblyomma americanum), American dog ticks (dermacentor variabilis), Rocky Mountain wood ticks (dermacentor andersoni), black legged tick (ixodes pacificus). In Europe, the main vector is castor bean tick (ixodes ricinus).

Throughout Asia and eastern Europe, the taiga tick (ixodes persulcatus) is probably the most important vector. [0005] Ticks quest for hosts from the ground. They don't fly or jump. A questing tick lies in wait on the ground, in grass or leaves, waving its specialized questing claws so that it can grab and attach to a passing potential host. A tick may quest for days, weeks or even months. A questing nymphal deer tick is the size of the head of a pin. Detection of an attached tick is often difficult. Public health officials consider reasonable precautions against tick bites during outdoor activities to be wearing long pants and shirts with long sleeves, placing pant bottoms inside socks or boots, and careful inspection of the body after each exposure. These precautions are minimally effective. Placing pant bottoms inside socks simply prevents ticks from crawling under pants and onto legs. Ticks instinctively crawl up, so the strategy merely reduces the area of tick bites to the trunk and above. Furthermore, young ticks, and many adult ticks (e.g., ixodes scapularis) are extremely small, and the presence of a tick may be overlooked even with the most careful inspection. It is often difficult for parents to consistently and thoroughly inspect children. Furthermore, human vanity is a considerable factor; pants tucked into socks is simply not an appealing fashion style. [0006] The best strategy is to repel or kill ticks as soon as they climb from the ground onto or fall from tall grass or other vegetation onto the limbs of the host, and to maximally cover the leg and forearm with an ixodicidal substrate. This is the teaching of the current invention. [0007] Furthermore, taking precautions to prevent tick bites must become a habit.

Occasional efforts no matter how effective will leave an individual exposed at all other times as ticks are ubiquitous. The best solution will be one that is not only effective when used but also one that promotes habitual use. Therefore, it is important aspect of the current invention that it has the necessary features of habitual use apparel: single purpose, flexible, easy-to-use, durable, attractive, inexpensive and easy-to-maintain.

[0008] The current invention is single purpose— its only purpose is to repel ticks.

Dual purpose solutions, such as permethrin-treated socks, pants, shirts, leggings or hiking gaiters, inhibit habitual use. Dual purpose solutions are (1) impractical as they require dressing forethought— a showstopper when children are to be protected, (2) expensive, (3) inflexible, (4) style limiting or simply unattractive (e.g., hiking gaiters) for everyday use and (5) maintenance difficulty. Dual purpose also tend to lack the ixodicidal completeness of the present invention; each in its own way is strategically lacking.

[0009] A solution must also be flexible in two ways: (1) it must conform to the variety of human leg and forearm sizes; and, (2) allow for the wearer to wear it over bare legs or forearms as well as clothed legs or forearms. This is all the more true for parents concerned with protecting children going outdoors. This is the approach of the current invention.

[0010] A solution must be easy-to-use. The present invention slips on easily over pant bottom and holds the pants lightly against the leg and above the cuff of the invention, which causes any attached questing ticks to come in contact with the ixodicidal surface of the invention.

[0011] A solution must be durable. For broad, habitual use a must last for repeated use in a variety of outdoor environments. Durability is not simply a cost issue to the consumer, but a factor in habitual use because the user must know that the solution is broadly effective for a variety of activities and always conveniently available.

[0012] A solution must be attractive. A key component of habitual use is attractiveness. Adults and children alike loathe to use on a regular basis an unattractive item or solution. The current invention has appealing attractiveness characteristics. It can be printed or knitted in a variety of patterns that appeal to a wide range of tastes. It can match or contrast current clothing. It can be worn at different heights. It is unobtrusive and generally void of any fashion ugliness. [0013] A solution must be inexpensive. Cost is always an issue for any solution.

Value of a single purpose is that a user may require only a single pair to achieve daily protection. Dual purpose requires a wardrobe. Design must be easy to manufacture and treat. One size fits most is a factor.

[0014] A solution must be easy-to-maintain. To date, the most effective ixodicides (e.g., permethrin) are poisons. Apparel containing ixodicides must be washed separately from other items. Since the present solution is generally worn over pants, it must be laundered less frequently than garments exposed to the skin. Furthermore, it is much easier for the user to launder the invention separately from other garments rather than having to keep track of dual-purpose articles such as socks, pants, leggings, etc. coated with ixodicidal poisons.

[0015] Numerous innovations for leg coverings or ankle bands that are designed to stave off tick bites have been provided in the prior art. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention in that they do not teach a ixodicidally-treated textile which grips the wearer's forearm or leg and covers the whole surface area with such

ixodicidally-treated textile in order to kill or repel ticks as soon as they attach to a human's extremity.

[0016] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,939 to Arber, teaches a disposable onetime use legging made of paper with upper and lower elastic bands that hold the tick repelling covering in place on the wearer's leg, for preventing tick bites by causing ticks to climb across externally mounted adhesive strips which capture them. The prevention strategy is that ticks will (1) climb onto the host from the foot and (2) will be captured by adhesive strips, and (3) will be rendered harmless when the device is disposed. It is a one- time use item. It is intended to be worn with shoes or boots and with the wearer's legs covered.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,802 to Drake, teaches a tick barrier system for a pair of pants. The pants have an integral inner gaiter that fits snugly around the wearer's ankle and are stitched to the inside of the pant leg. The prevention strategy is to prevent tick contact with the wearer's skin by creating a cavity where the tick is frustrated in its attempt to find skin. Presumably the tick never finds the path up the outside of the pant leg and either drops off or is removed after careful post-wear inspection.

[0018] It is apparent that numerous innovations for leg coverings have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0019] The present invention provides tick-repelling coverings to be worn by the user around the legs or forearms. In one preferred aspect there is provided a substantially tubular, stretchable, wearable covering, with cuffs at both ends, made of knitted or woven ixodicidally-treated textile, that when worn, repels or kills ticks.

[0020] Briefly stated, the invention provides, in various preferred forms, a tick repelling covering formed by sewing or preferably circular knitting. The tick repelling covering is a stretchable cover that preferably is constructed from woven, stretchable fabric, which is a treated textile containing an ixodicide, such as the pyrethroid permethrin. The tubular covering has proximal and distal cuffs of elastic yarns, which serve to both keep the covering in place and form a physical barrier to ticks at the respective distal ends. The covering is worn on the leg of wearer, where the distal cuff holds the covering in place around the ankle, and when the wearer is wearing pants, provides sufficient pressure to prevent the bottom of the pant leg from protruding from underneath the covering, and thus not only providing a mechanism for causing ticks to make contact with the ixodicidally-treated fabric, but also depriving ticks a physical route to wearer's body, and the proximal cuff holds the covering in place just below the knee. Alternatively, the covering is worn on the forearm of wearer, where the distal cuff holds the covering in place around the wrist, and when the wearer is wearing long sleeves, provides sufficient pressure to prevent the cuff of the sleeve of the wearer from

protruding underneath the covering, and not only providing a mechanism for causing ticks to make contact with the ixodicidally-treated fabric, but also depriving ticks of a physical route to the wearer's body, and the proximal cuff holds the covering in place just below the elbow, or, alternatively just above the elbow. The covering is easily slipped on over the foot when worn on the leg and over the hand when worn on the forearm. The covering is a treated-textile containing an ixodicidal agent of long-lasting effectiveness, meaning that it lasts through 25 washings of the covering or one year, whichever comes first.

[0021] In one embodiment, the invention provides a tick repelling covering wearable on a human leg or human forearm. It has a stretchable, tubular structure that carries throughout its entire structure an ixodicide. In this form of the invention the covering repels or kills ticks, thereby preventing the human from being subjected to a tick bite, which can ultimately cause a large number of human diseases.

[0022] In another embodiment, the invention provides threads that have been used to knit the covering may carry the tick repellent in a ultramicrocellular (UMC) form.

[0023] A wide variety of insect control ingredients (especially ixodicidal repellants) may be used. Preferred repellents include highly volatile synthetic pyrethroids, such as permethrin. Other ixodida control ingredients include volatile insecticides, volatile insect-repelling natural oils, volatile insect growth regulators, and mixtures thereof. The materials that the covering are made of are not critical, albeit it is preferred that they be stretchable and provide an effective substrate for the ixodicide.

[0024] Accordingly, this invention provides a convenient and inexpensive way to deliver an ixodicide to the extremities of the wearer. As such, protection can be achieved without directly coating an active ixodicide on human skin and/or clothing. [0025] The foregoing and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description. In that description reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and which there is shown by way of illustration, and not limitation, preferred embodiments of the invention. Such

embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0026] The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis instead placed upon the principles of the present invention. Additionally, each of the

embodiments depicted are but one of a number of arrangements possible utilizing the fundamental concepts of the present invention. The drawings are briefly described as follows.

[0027] FIG. 1 demonstrates the preferred form of the invention on the leg of the wearer when the wearer is wearing pants.

[0028] FIG. 2 demonstrates the preferred form of the invention on the leg of the wearer when the wearer's leg is bare.

[0029] FIG. 3 demonstrates the preferred form of the invention on the forearm of the wearer when the wearer is wearing long sleeves and the sleeves are covering the forearm and the proximal cuff of the invention is in position below the elbow.

[0030] FIG. 4 demonstrates the preferred form of the invention on the forearm of the wearer when the wearer is wearing long sleeves and the sleeve is covering the forearm and the proximal cuff of the invention is in position above the elbow.

[0031] FIG. 5 demonstrates the preferred form of the invention on the forearm of the wearer when the forearm of the wearer is bare and the proximal cuff of the invention is in position below the elbow. [0032] FIG. 6 demonstrates the preferred form of the invention on the forearm of the wearer when the forearm of the wearer is bare and the proximal cuff of the invention is in position above the elbow.

REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE DRAWINGS

10 elastic tube 12 distal cuff

14 proximal cuff 16 tubular body

18 wearer 20 lower leg

22 pants 24 skin

26 ankle 28 forearm

30 arm 32 wrist

34 sleeve 36 ticks

38 elastic yarns 40 yarn

42 elbow

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The following description relates to certain preferred embodiments of a single-purpose tick-repelling forearm and leg covering apparel for the prevention of tick bites. Numerous variations and modifications, other than those specifically indicated herein, will be readily apparent to those of sufficient skill in the art. In addition, certain terms are used throughout the discussion in order to provide a convenient frame of reference with regard to the accompanying drawings. However, such terms are not intended to be specifically limiting of the invention, except where so indicated in the claims.

[0034] FIGURE ONE, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use, the tick-repelling elastic tube 10 is shown generally for covering and protecting the lower leg 20 of a wearer 18, when the wearer is wearing pants 22, from ticks 36. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 comprises a distal cuff 12, a tubular body 16, and a proximal cuff 14. The distal cuff 12 of the tick-repelling elastic tube 10, when the wearer is wearing pants, fits snugly against the wearer's pants 22, serves to hold invention comfortably in place around the ankle 26 of the wearer, preventing the ticks 36 from getting therebetween and causes ticks to climb onto the repellent surface of the distal cuff 12, body of the tube 16 or proximal cuff 14 where they are killed or repelled. The distal cuff 12 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. The proximal cuff of tube 14 when the wearer is wearing pants fits snugly against the wearer's pants 22, maintains the elastic tube 10 properly upright on the wearer's lower leg 20, and serves as an additional area of repellent surface of where ticks 36 are killed or repelled by the repellent surface of the invention. When in place on the wearer 18, distal cuff 12, tubular body 16 as well as proximal cuff 14 are stretched slightly so that invention 10 holds the slacks or trousers of the wearer close to the leg in order to direct the ticks to the outer surface of the tick-repellent invention 10. The proximal cuff 14 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 3" long when not stretched. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 include elastic yarns 38 as are usual in the trade for sufficient stretch and gripping. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 are integrally knitted to the tubular body using methods well known in the art. The body of the tube 16 may be knitted from nylon, acrylic, or cotton yarn 40 or other yarns as are standard in the trade. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 as a whole including the distal 12 and proximal 14 cuffs should be approximately 2" wide at top and bottom, and approximately 8" (4" less than the desired overall length). All dimensions are finished with cuffs and tubular body in a non- stretched state.

[0035] FIGURE TWO, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use, the tick-repelling elastic tube 10 is shown generally for covering and protecting the lower leg 20 of a wearer 18 when the wearer's leg is bare, from ticks 36. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 comprises a distal cuff 12, a tubular body 16, and a proximal cuff 14. The distal cuff 12 of the tick-repelling elastic tube 10, when the wearer's leg is bare, fits snugly against the wearer's skin 24, serves to hold invention comfortably in place around the ankle 26 of the wearer, preventing the ticks 36 from getting therebetween and causes ticks to climb onto the repellent surface of the distal cuff 12, body of the tube 16 or proximal cuff 14 where they are killed or repelled. The distal cuff 12 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. The proximal cuff of tube 14, when the wearer's leg is bare, fits snugly against the wearer's bare leg 22, maintains the elastic tube 10 properly upright on the wearer's lower leg 20, and serves as an additional area of repellent surface of where ticks 36 are killed or repelled by the repellent surface of the invention. When in place on the wearer 18, distal cuff 12, tubular body 16 as well as proximal cuff 14 are stretched slightly so that invention 10 fits snugly on the bare skin 24 of the lower leg 20 of the wearer in order to direct the ticks to the outer surface of the tick-repellent invention 10. The proximal cuff 14 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 include elastic yarns 38 as are usual in the trade for sufficient stretch and gripping. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 are integrally knitted to the tubular body using methods well known in the art. The body of the tube 16 may be knitted from nylon, acrylic, or cotton yarn 40 or other yarns as are standard in the trade. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 as a whole including the distal 12 and proximal 14 cuffs should be approximately 2" wide at top and bottom, and approximately 8" (4" less than the desired overall length). All dimensions are finished with cuffs and tubular body in a non- stretched state. [0036] FIGURE THREE, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use, the tick-repelling elastic tube 10 is shown generally for covering and protecting the forearm 20 of a wearer 18, when the wearer is wearing sleeves 34, from ticks 36. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 comprises a distal cuff 12, a tubular body 16, and a proximal cuff 14. The distal cuff 12 of the tick-repelling elastic tube 10, when the wearer is wearing sleeves, fits snugly against the wearer's sleeve 34, serves to hold invention comfortably in place around the wrist 32 of the wearer, preventing the ticks 36 from getting therebetween and causes ticks to climb onto the repellent surface of the distal cuff 12, body of the tube 16 or proximal cuff 14 where they are killed or repelled. The distal cuff 12 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. The proximal cuff of tube 10 when the wearer is wearing long sleeves fits snugly against the wearer's sleeve 34, maintains the elastic tube 10 properly in place on the wearer's forearm 28 below the elbow 42, and serves as an additional area of repellent surface of where ticks 36 are killed or repelled by the repellent surface of the invention. When in place on the wearer 18, distal cuff 12, tubular body 16 as well as proximal cuff 14 are stretched slightly so that invention 10 holds the sleeves of the wearer close to the forearm 28 in order to direct the ticks to the outer surface of the tick-repellent invention 10. The proximal cuff 14 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 include elastic yarns 38 as are usual in the trade for sufficient stretch and gripping. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 are integrally knitted to the tubular body using methods well known in the art. The body of the tube 16 may be knitted from nylon, acrylic, or cotton yarn 40 or other yarns as are standard in the trade. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 as a whole including the distal 12 and proximal 14 cuffs should be approximately 2" wide at top and bottom, and approximately 8" (4" less than the desired overall length). All dimensions are finished with cuffs and tubular body in a non- stretched state.

[0037] FIGURE FOUR, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use, the tick-repelling elastic tube 10 is shown generally for covering and protecting the forearm 28 of a wearer 18 when the wearer is wearing sleeves 34 from ticks 36. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 comprises a distal cuff 12, a tubular body 16, and a proximal cuff 14. The distal cuff 12 of the tick-repelling elastic tube 10, when the wearer is wearing sleeves, fits snugly against the wearer's sleeve 34, serves to hold invention comfortably in place around the wrist 32 of the wearer, preventing the ticks 36 from getting therebetween and causes ticks to climb onto the repellent surface of the distal cuff 12, body of the tube 16 or proximal cuff 14 where they are killed or repelled. The distal cuff 12 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. The proximal cuff of tube 14 when the wearer is wearing long sleeves fits snugly against the wearer's sleeve 34, maintains the elastic tube 10 properly in place on the wearer's arm 30 above the elbow 42, and serves as an additional area of repellent surface of where ticks 36 are killed or repelled by the repellent surface of the invention. When in place on the wearer 18, distal cuff 12, tubular body 16 as well as proximal cuff 14 are stretched slightly so that invention 10 holds the sleeves of the wearer close to the forearm in order to direct the ticks to the outer surface of the tick-repellent invention 10. The proximal cuff 14 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 include elastic yarns 38 as are usual in the trade for sufficient stretch and gripping. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 are integrally knitted to the tubular body using methods well known in the art. The body of the tube 16 may be knitted from nylon, acrylic, or cotton yarn 40 or other yarns as are standard in the trade. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 as a whole including the distal 12 and proximal 14 cuffs should be approximately 2" wide at top and bottom, and approximately 8" (4" less than the desired overall length). All dimensions are finished with cuffs and tubular body in a non- stretched state.

[0038] FIGURE FIVE, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use, the tick-repelling elastic tube 10 is shown generally for covering and protecting the forearm 28 of a wearer 18, when the wearer's forearm 28 is bare, from ticks 36. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 comprises a distal cuff 12, a tubular body 16, and a proximal cuff 14. The distal cuff 12 of the tick-repelling elastic tube 10, when the wearer's forearm is bare, serves to hold invention comfortably and snugly in place around the wrist 32 of the wearer, preventing the ticks 36 from getting therebetween and causes ticks to climb onto the repellent surface of the distal cuff 12, body of the tube 16 or proximal cuff 14 where they are killed or repelled. The distal cuff 12 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. The proximal cuff 14 of tube when the wearer's forearm 28 is bare fits snugly against the skin 24 of the wearer's forearm 28, maintains the elastic tube 10 properly in place on the wearer's forearm 28 below the elbow 42, and serves as an additional area of repellent surface of where ticks 36 are killed or repelled by the repellent surface of the invention. When in place on the wearer 18, distal cuff 12, tubular body 16 as well as proximal cuff 14 are stretched slightly so that invention 10 fits snugly on the forearm 28 in order to direct the ticks 36 to the outer surface of the tick-repellent invention 10. The proximal cuff 14 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 include elastic yarns 38 as are usual in the trade for sufficient stretch and gripping. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 are integrally knitted to the tubular body 16 using methods well known in the art. The body of the tube 16 may be knitted from nylon, acrylic, or cotton yarn 40 or other yarns as are standard in the trade. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 as a whole including the distal 12 and proximal 14 cuffs should be approximately 2" wide at top and bottom, and approximately 8" (4" less than the desired overall length). All dimensions are finished with cuffs and tubular body in a non- stretched state.

[0039] FIGURE SIX, which is a diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention in use, the tick-repelling elastic tube 10 is shown generally for covering and protecting the forearm 28 of a wearer 18, when the wearer's forearm 28 is bare, from ticks 36. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 comprises a distal cuff 12, a tubular body 16, and a proximal cuff 14. The distal cuff 12 of the tick-repelling elastic tube 10, when the wearer's forearm 28 is bare, serves to hold invention comfortably and snugly in place around the wrist 32 of the wearer, preventing the ticks 36 from getting therebetween and causes ticks to climb onto the repellent surface of the distal cuff 12, body of the tube 16 or proximal cuff 14 where they are killed or repelled. The distal cuff 12 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. The proximal cuff of tube 14, when the wearer's forearm 28 and arm 30 are bare, fits snugly against the wearer's skin 24, maintains the elastic tube 10 properly in place on the wearer's arm 30 above the elbow 42, and serves as an additional area of repellent surface of where ticks 36 are killed or repelled by the repellent surface of the invention. When in place on the wearer 18, distal cuff 12, tubular body 16 as well as proximal cuff 14 are stretched slightly so that invention 10 fits comfortably and snugly on the wearer close to the forearm and distal portion of the arm in order to direct the ticks to the outer surface of the tick-repellent invention 10. The proximal cuff 14 is preferably 2 " wide and approximately 2" long when not stretched. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 include elastic yarns 38 as are usual in the trade for sufficient stretch and gripping. Both distal cuff 12 and proximal cuff 14 are integrally knitted to the tubular body using methods well known in the art. The body of the tube 16 may be knitted from nylon, acrylic, or cotton yarn 40 or other yarns as are standard in the trade. The tick-repelling elastic tube 10 as a whole including the distal 12 and proximal 14 cuffs should be approximately 2" wide at top and bottom, and approximately 8" (4" less than the desired overall length). All dimensions are finished with cuffs and tubular body in a non-stretched state.

[0040] In the present embodiment, the tick-repelling elastic tube is preferably knitted from a yarn that has the ability to frictionally engage the wearer's limb while avoiding constriction of the limb or compromising circulation in any manner. One example of a yarn containing these properties would be a yarn containing, cotton, acrylic, wool, polyester, nylon, elastand (spandex), nylon Lycra and/ or elastic hydrocarbon polymer (rubber). Knit density, cross stretch, and levels of elasticity are changed through out the elastic tube knitting process to provide optimum fit and "stay put" qualities for tick protection. By controlling the number of ends of yarns, the density of the stitch, the number of ends of elastic yarns, the tension or lack of tension of the yam feeds, the plaiting of the yarns in concert with each other and the dimensional sizes of the various yams, the present elastic tube expands as needed to be put on or taken off, while frictionally engaging with the wearer's limb to offer "stay put" qualities and optimum fit and protection.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment the fibers contain "free" permethrin applied after knitting. Alternative pesticides include any ixodicide, including compositions of natural and/or synthetic pyrethroids. [0042] In an alternative embodiment, the elastic tube for repelling ticks could be treated after knitting or fabrication with permethrin or other tick repellent chemicals using micro-encapsulation technology rather than "free" permethrin or other repellent.

[0043] In an alternative embodiment, the elastic tube for repelling ticks could be knitted from threads/yarns made of ultramicrocellular (UMC) material containing a repellent such as permethrin.

[0044] It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above. All dimensions are designed to fit an average sized woman. To fit other sizes, dimensions should be scaled accordingly. [0045] While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a stretchable tube for covering and protecting the limbs of a wearer from, and repelling, ticks, however, it is not limited to the details shown, since will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the tick repelling covering illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

[0046] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various application without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A substantially tubular, stretchable, wearable covering, with cuffs at both ends, made of knitted or woven ixodicidally-treated textile, with long-lasting repellency, easily slipped on, used by a wearer as a puttee or sleeve for covering bare or clothed legs or forearms for repelling or killing ticks and therefore preventing tick bites, comprising: a. a substantially tubular, stretchable covering; b. wherein said covering has been treated with tick repellent; c. wherein said covering has both a proximal and distal cuff for

holding the covering in place on the forearm or leg of the wearer.

2. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 formed by circular knitting.

3. The tick repelling covering of claim 2 wherein the threads that have been used to knit the covering carry the tick repellent in a ultramicrocellular form.

4. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein the stretchable cover comprises a woven, stretchable fabric.

5. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein the tick repellent includes an

ixodicide.

6. The tick repelling covering of claim 5 wherein the ixodicide comprises any

natural or synthetic pyrethroid composition.

7. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein the said proximal and distal cuffs comprise elastic yarns.

8. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein when the covering is worn on the leg of wearer the distal cuff holds the covering in place around the ankle.

9. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein when the covering is worn on the leg of wearer the proximal cuff holds the covering in place just below the knee.

10. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein when the covering is worn on the forearm of wearer the distal cuff holds the covering in place around the wrist.

11. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein when the covering is worn on the forearm of wearer the proximal cuff below the elbow.

12. The tick repelling covering of claim 11 wherein the proximal cuff holds the

covering in place just above the elbow.

13. The tick repelling covering of claim 8 wherein the cuff of the covering prevents the bottom of the pant leg of the wearer from protruding from underneath the covering.

14. The tick repelling covering of claim 13 wherein the cuff of the covering allows the bottom of the pant leg of the wearer to protrude yet provides sufficient pressure to act as a barrier to prevent a tick from crawling underneath the pant leg of the wearer.

15. The tick repelling covering of claim 10 wherein the cuff of the covering prevents the cuff of the sleeve of the wearer from protruding underneath the covering.

16. The tick repelling covering of claim 15 wherein the cuff of the covering allows the sleeve of the wearer to protrude yet provides sufficient pressure to prevent a tick from crawling underneath the shirt cuff of the wearer.

17. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein the covering is easily slipped on over the foot.

18. The tick repelling covering of claim 5 wherein the ixodicide has long-lasting effectiveness, meaning that it lasts through 25 washings of the covering or one year, whichever comes first. The tick repelling covering of claim 1 wherein the ixodicidal treatment of the invention is omitted with the expectation that the consumer of the product will wish to apply the ixodicide.