U.S. patent application number 11/963391 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for pet leash carried by a pet.
Invention is credited to David Olenick.
Application Number | 20090159014 11/963391 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40787113 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090159014 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olenick; David |
June 25, 2009 |
Pet Leash Carried By A Pet
Abstract
The system has two parts, a carrier and a leash handle housing.
The carrier attaches to a pet. The carrier also has structure for
the leash handle housing to engage the carrier. Some of the
engagement structure helps secure the carrier and leash handle
housing together. Some of the structure is designed to be released
so that user can pull the leash handle housing from the carrier. A
leash on the housing connects to the carrier or elsewhere on the
pet. A retraction mechanism in the housing can retract the leash or
allow it to retract so that the pet can move away from the
user.
Inventors: |
Olenick; David; (Topanga,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SoCAL IP LAW GROUP LLP
310 N. WESTLAKE BLVD. STE 120
WESTLAKE VILLAGE
CA
91362
US
|
Family ID: |
40787113 |
Appl. No.: |
11/963391 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
119/794 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 27/004 20130101;
A01K 27/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
119/794 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/34 20060101
B65H075/34 |
Claims
1. A system for a user to connect to a pet comprising: a carrier
attachable to the pet; a leash handle housing removably attachable
to the carrier; and a leash handle mechanism in the leash handle
housing and a leash attached to the leash handle mechanism, the
leash handle mechanism permitting the leash to extend from the
leash handle and retracting the leash into the leash handle
housing.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the carrier has a recess, and the
leash handle housing further comprises structure engaging the
recess when the carrier and leash handle housing are attached to
each other.
3. The system of claim 1 the wherein leash handle housing further
comprises a pair of spaced-apart arms extending from the leash
handle housing and a handle extending between the spaced-apart
arms.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein leash handle housing further
comprises a pair of spaced-apart arms extending from the leash
handle housing, the carrier further comprising a spring-detent
connection to engage at least one of the spaced-apart arms.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein leash handle housing further
comprises a pair of spaced-apart arms extending from the leash
handle housing, the carrier further comprising a slider mounted for
sliding within the carrier and engageable with a portion of at
least one of the spaced-apart arms.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one slot on
the carrier and at least one tab on the leash handle housing for
engaging the at least one slot when the carrier and leash handle
housing engage each other.
7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a spool lock engageable
with the leash handle mechanism to prevent the leash from
retracting or advancing when the spool lock is engaged.
8. An apparatus for connecting to a pet, the apparatus comprising a
carrier and means for connecting the carrier to the pet, a leash
handle housing, a retractor mechanism inside the leash handle
housing and a leash attached to the retractor mechanism, the
carrier and leash handle housing being removably connected to each
other.
9. A method of connecting a user and pet together comprising:
attaching a carrier to the pet; attaching a handle housing to the
carrier through engaging structure on the handle housing with
structure on the carrier, the handle housing having a leash
attachable to the pet; and the user removing the handle housing
from the carrier to permit the pet to move away from the user by
advancing the leash from the handle housing.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] Retractable pet leashes.
[0003] 2. General Background and State of the Art
[0004] Many pet owners use retractable leashes. They allow the pet
(usually a dog) to walk or run farther from the human user. The
user also can retract the leash to maintain the dog closer to the
user. In addition, when the leash is detached from the dog's collar
or harness, the leash retracts so that the user does not have the
leash dragging from the handle. Nevertheless, that arrangement
requires the user to carry the handle while the dog walks
off-leash.
[0005] Applicant recognizes that owners of pets other than dogs can
use a leash attached to a collar or harness on the pet However, dog
owners use leashes more frequently than cat owners, and dogs and
cats are the most common household pets taken outside. Therefore,
unless from the context the description applies only to dogs, the
use of "dog" encompasses other pets.
SUMMARY
[0006] In applicant's system, the dog carries the leash handle and
the handle's housing. The system has two subsystems. The first, a
carrier, attaches to the dog harness. The second is a leash handle
housing and its retraction mechanism. The carrier and handle
housing attach to each other such that the user can disengage the
handle housing from the carrier. A leash extends from the handle
mechanism in the handle housing and attaches to the carrier or
elsewhere to the dog. The handle mechanism has a retraction
mechanism that allows the leash to play out so that the dog can
move away from the user, but the retraction mechanism is spring
wound to retract the leash. A stop on the handle mechanism can lock
out the retraction mechanism.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a view of a dog carrying an exemplary embodiment
the carrier and handle housing. The housing is detached from the
carrier.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exemplary carrier and handle
housing attached to each other.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the carrier and handle housing attached to each other.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of an
exemplary embodiment of the handle housing and handle
mechanism.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of the
carrier.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an bottom view of an exemplary embodiment of the
carrier.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the carrier.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a plan view of the handle housing mounted on a
carrier.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handle housing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Dog or other pet 10 carries a harness 12 (FIG. 1). The
harness shown in FIG. 1 is only an example of the many available
styles. Some are collars that attach around a dog's neck, but the
version shown in FIG. 1 attaches around the dog's back 14 and the
forearms 16. The exemplary embodiments may be too large to attach
to a dog's neck collar, especially small collars for smaller dogs.
The FIG. 1 harness also has an optional extension 18 rearward along
the dog's back, which forms a coat to protect the dog from rain,
snow or cold weather.
[0017] The system that users connect to their dog includes two
subassemblies. The first is a carrier, foundation or base that
attaches to the dog, and the second is the leash handle housing and
its associated retraction mechanism, leash and handle. The user
holds the handle when walking with the dog, and the handle housing
attaches to the carrier so that the dog carries the carrier and
handle. The exemplary embodiment of the carrier 20 is rectangular
and has additional supports and recesses. The carrier could be more
rounded or have a non-rectangular shape. See FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and
6.
[0018] The carrier can be formed of any suitable material. Rigid,
lightweight materials such as plastic are preferred, but wood,
metal or other material would work. However, they may be more
costly and be heavier. Applicant prefers injection molded plastic
because it is light and rigid. The injection molding process can
form openings or hollow regions to decrease weight. Semi-rigid
material also may function properly. Exposed surfaces may be
covered with real or artificial leather or fabric for a pleasing
look. Because the materials will be exposed to weather, they should
be corrosion resistant, coated or painted to resist the
elements.
[0019] The sidewalls 22, 24, 26 and 28 are generally planar and
vertical in the exemplary embodiment, but they could be angled or
contoured. The bottom has a central curved section 30 (FIG. 5) to
conform to the dog's back. Optional soft cloth or foam material 32
in the curved section may make the carrier feel more comfortable to
the dog. The bottom walls 34 and 36 (FIGS. 5 and 6) beyond the
curved section are flat. As FIG. 6 shows, recesses 38 and 40 inside
bottom walls 34 and 36 allow ventilation and are spaces for adding
soft material. A cloth placed on the dog's back under the carrier
could substitute for soft material attached to the carrier. Center
piece 42 (FIGS. 5 and 6) supports the center of the carrier on the
dog's back.
[0020] Applicant anticipates having different size carriers and
handle housings for different size pets.
[0021] Straps 44 and 46 extend through aligned slots 48, 50, 52 and
54 in sidewalls 24 and 26. See primarily FIGS. 2 and 3. The straps
also may pass through openings (not shown) in centerpiece 42. The
straps go around the front in front of and behind the dog's
forelegs to secure the carrier to the dog. Instead of straps,
plastic arms could extend through the slots. The plastic arms could
be part of an H-shaped structure with the arms parallel and with a
connecting arm between the parallel arms. Flexible straps attach to
the ends parallel arms outside the slots.
[0022] The molding process creates has two upright supports 56 and
58 on carrier 20 (principally FIGS. 4, 5 and 7). Upright slot 60
separates the supports. The supports' rear surfaces 62 and 64 are
circular to accommodate cylindrical surfaces of the handle housing
(FIGS. 3, 4 and 5). Leash 66 extends through the slot into the
housing for the handle mechanism.
[0023] Leash handle housing 70 (FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9) is formed
of similar materials as the base or carrier. It includes two
sidewalls 72 and 74. Arms 76 and 78 extend rearward from the
sidewalls. The arms hold a rounded handle 80 and may allow the
handle to rotate. Handle 80 preferably is made from material that
is comfortable to hold because the user normally holds the handle
while walking a dog on leash. Instead of a rounded handle, the
handle could be webbing between the arms. The arms also could bend
around toward each other to form an integral handle.
[0024] Two horizontal plates 86 and 88 extend toward the center
from sidewalls 72 and 74 (FIG. 3). Upper and lower plates 90 and 92
are secured to the horizontal plates and two each other to hold the
sidewalls to the handle housing. Both plates may be divided. Both
plates also have circular openings (not shown) to accommodate part
of the retraction mechanism that mounts within retraction housing
100. The inside edges of horizontal plates 86 and 88 are cut out to
accommodate the retraction mechanism.
[0025] The exemplary retraction mechanism mounts in retractor
housing 100. The mechanism includes a spool 102 with teeth 104
about the periphery (FIG. 4). The spool has an inner annular wall
106 and an outer annular wall 108. Coil spring 110 mounts within
the inner annular wall and attaches to hub 112 and the inside of
the inner annular wall. Leash 66 attaches to the one of the annular
walls between the inner and outer walls. The leash is formed of
flexible material and may be woven. Alternatively, leash 66 could
be a bendable plastic web that attaches to a more conventional
leash. The spaced walls form an annular cavity into which the leach
is retracted. The cavity must be large enough to store almost all
the leash. The free end 112 of the leash extends through opening
114 in the handle housing. U-shaped flange 116 surrounds the
opening (FIG. 9). The U-shaped flange and slot 60 between supports
56 and 58 guide the leash and handle housing to their proper
positions when the housing is being attached to the carrier.
[0026] Spring 110 (FIG. 4) is pretensioned to supply a sufficient
torque to wind the leash into the retraction mechanism. When the
leash is pulled out of the retraction mechanism, spool 112 rotates
in the direction that causes the spring to become tighter to
increase the force retracting the leash. (The direction depends on
the winding of the spring.) Spring parameters can provide different
desired leash tensions. Different embodiments can have different
tensions to accommodate different size pets and users'
preferences.
[0027] The handle housing attaches to and is removable from the
carrier. In the exemplary embodiment, each support 62 and 64 has a
horizontal slot 120 and 122 (FIGS. 5 and 7). The handle housing has
two tabs 124 and 126 (FIG. 9) that enter the respective slot 120 or
122 when the handle housing and carrier are attached. Flange 116
also fits into slot 60 between upright supports 56 and 58.
[0028] Handle housing 100 includes an upper cylindrical housing 130
and a complementary lower cylindrical housing 132 (FIG. 9). The two
cylindrical housings attach together directly or through
intermediate structure. The cylindrical housings can have equal
diameters or they may be different. Each can have a stepped
sidewall. The diameters and structure are designed to accommodate
the retraction mechanism including spool 102.
[0029] Carrier 20 has a cylindrical recess 140 (FIG. 7), which
receives lower cylindrical housing 132. The cylindrical recess may
be shaped to accommodate any steps on the cylindrical housing's
outside surface. The inside surface of the recess and the outside
surface of the cylindrical housing may have slots, flanges or other
structure to limit pivoting of the cylindrical housing within the
recess.
[0030] When the handle housing is attached to the carrier, tabs 124
and 126 in slots 120 and 122 secure the front end of the handle
housing to the carrier. The mating of cylindrical recess 140 lower
cylindrical housing 132 also helps hold the handle housing to the
carrier. The carrier also has a lock and ball-detent connection
with the arm of the handle housing. In the exemplary embodiment,
carrier 20 mounts a small ball 150 (FIG. 7). The ball extends
though an opening in recessed wall 152. A spring (not shown) behind
recessed wall 152 biases ball 150 outward. The other side of the
carrier has a similarly mounted ball in a similar recess 154.
Handle arms 76 and 78 each have a detent 156 and 158 (FIGS. 3 and
8) that receives the spring-biased balls when the handle housing is
in the carrier. The handle arms also fit into recesses 152 and 154
in the carrier.
[0031] A slide lock also secures at least one handle arm to the
carrier. Slide lock 160 (FIG. 7) is cylindrical in the exemplary
embodiment, but it can be another shape. The slide lock slides
within a recess inside the carrier and slides into and out of
opening 162 in recessed wall 152. In its extended position, the pin
engages hole 164 on handle arm 74 (FIG. 3). In the retracted
position, the slide lock disengages the handle arm. Pin 166 is
fixed to the slide lock. The pin extends through slot 168, and the
user can move the pin to slide the slide lock between is engaged
and disengaged positions.
[0032] The exemplary embodiment uses only one slide lock, but each
handle arm could have its own slide lock. Thus, the carrier has
another slot 170 (FIGS. 5 and 7) although it is not used in the
exemplary embodiment.
[0033] When the handle housing and carrier attach to each other,
the user locks slide lock 160 into opening 162. A spring urges ball
150 into detent 158, and another ball engages detent 156. Now the
user can release the handle housing and the dog carries both
components. The retraction mechanism had pulled loose leash into
the handle housing so the leash does not drag.
[0034] If the user wants to hold the leash and handle, he or she
releases the slide lock 160 and pulls up on handle 80. This pivots
handle arms 72 and 74 in their respective recesses 152 and 154.
Sufficient force retracts the balls 150 from their detents 156 and
158. The pivoting removes lower cylindrical housing 132 from the
cylindrical recess 140, and the user slides tabs 124 and 126 from
slots 120 and 122.
[0035] The free end of leash 64 can attach to the carrier, to one
of the straps 44 or 46 or to a separate collar on the dog. With the
user holding handle 80 or another part of the handle housing, the
dog and user can move away from each other, which causes the leash
to advance out of the retraction mechanism and the handle housing
against the retraction forces from coil spring 110.
[0036] The user may not want to have the retraction mechanism
supplying retraction force or may want to limit the distance
between him or her and the dog. Therefore, applicant can lock out
the retraction mechanism. Spool 102 has peripheral teeth 104 (FIG.
4). Slider 182 extends through a U-shaped extension from upper
cylindrical housing 130 into the housing. An optional spring (not
shown) may bias the slider outward. When the user pushes the slider
into the housing, the inside end of the slider (not shown) engages
a space between teeth 180 to prevent spool rotation. The slider may
have a tapered inside end to engage the teeth better. If the slider
is spring biased, it may have structure that cooperates with the
handle housing to holds the slider against the teeth until the user
releases the slider.
[0037] The foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting,
having been presented by way of example only. Although examples
have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those having
ordinary skill in the art that changes, modifications or
alterations may be made.
[0038] Although many of the examples presented involve specific
combinations of method acts or system elements, those acts and
elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same
objectives. Acts, elements and features discussed only in
connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from
a similar role in other embodiments.
[0039] "Plurality" means two or more. A "set" of items may include
one or more of such items. As used in this application, whether in
the written description or the claims, the terms "comprising,"
"comprised of," "including," "carrying," "having," "containing,"
"involving," and the like are to be understood to be open-ended,
i.e., to mean "including but not limited to." Only the transitional
phrases "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of,"
respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with
respect to claims.
[0040] Use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," "third,"
etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself
connote any priority, precedence or order of one claim element over
another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are
performed. The terms are merely labels to distinguish one claim
element having a certain name from another element having a same
name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim
elements.
* * * * *