EP3840569A1

EP3840569A1 - Device for hands-free leading of an animal

Info

Publication number: EP3840569A1
Application number: EP19734660.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daniel THONHOFER
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-08-24
Filing date: 2019-06-24
Publication date: 2021-06-30
Also published as: WO2020037340A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for the hands-free leading of an animal, preferably a dog, comprising a flexible lower belt (2) that can be detachably attached to the body of a user, as well as an upper belt (3) which can be connected to a dog leash (14) or similar, and which can be detachably attached to the lower belt (2) in such a way that the upper belt (3) surrounds the lower belt (2) and can be moved along a circumferential direction (16) relative to the lower belt (2), wherein sliding elements (5) are provided on the lower belt (2) or on the upper belt (3) arranged distributed over a circumference, preferably spaced apart from one another, and a sliding surface (4) is provided on the upper belt (34) or on the lower belt (2), wherein the sliding surface (4) and the sliding elements (5) can form contact surfaces between the lower belt (2) and upper belt (3) in order to enable a low-friction relative movement between the lower belt (2) and upper belt (3) along the circumferential direction (16). In order to achieve a long service life while having awith low weight, according to the invention, the sliding elements (5) are designed and arranged in such a way that a position of the upper belt (3) relative to the lower belt (2) is limited in a radial direction (17) and a longitudinal direction (15) by the sliding elements (5). The invention also relates to a dog leash, in particular for use in combination with a device (1) for the hands-free leading of a dog.

Description

Device for hands-free driving of an animal

The invention relates to a device for the hands-free leading of an animal,

preferably a dog, having a flexible lower belt which can be detachably attached to a user's torso, and an over-belt which can be connected to a dog leash or the like and which can be detachably attached to the lower belt such that the upper belt surrounds the lower belt and along a circumferential direction relative to the lower belt Is movable, wherein on the lower chord or on the upper chord distributed over a circumference, preferably relatively spaced, sliding elements are provided and on the upper chord or on the lower chord a sliding surface is provided, the sliding surface and the sliding elements forming contact surfaces between the lower chord and the upper chord in order to achieve a low-friction relative movement between Lower chord and upper chord along the

To enable circumferential direction. The invention further relates to a dog leash which is particularly suitable for use in connection with a device for hands-free leading of an animal.

Various devices of the type mentioned at the outset have become known from the prior art, in order, for example, to be able to walk a dog on a leash, although a user still has his arms freely available. Because of the along the

The dog can move freely around the circumferential direction relative to the lower chord within the radius specified by the length of the dog leash

Users of the device move without the user having to adjust their orientation to a current position of the dog. Such a device is therefore often referred to as a 360 ° dog leash, especially since the dog can move freely relative to the user in the circumferential direction.

A disadvantage of devices of the prior art has been found that known devices are heavy and have a short lifespan.

This is where the invention comes in. The object of the invention is to provide a device of the type mentioned, which can be made particularly durable and lightweight. Furthermore, a dog leash of the type mentioned at the beginning is to be specified, with which a particularly long service life is achieved when used on a device for hands-free leading of an animal. This first object is achieved according to the invention by a device of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the sliding elements are designed and arranged such that a position of the upper flange relative to the lower flange is limited in a radial direction and a longitudinal direction by the sliding elements. There are therefore no further devices for fixing a position of the upper chord relative to the lower chord along the longitudinal direction when using the

Device on the body of an existing user usually in

Vertical direction, as well as in the radial direction required, whereby the device can be made particularly lightweight. It goes without saying that the device can be used both for leading a single dog and for leading several dogs or other animals at the same time.

Furthermore, wear is reduced not only to provide a sliding surface along the circumferential direction, but also to fix the upper chord relative to the lower chord along the longitudinal direction and the radial direction. The sliding elements can be spaced apart or arranged directly adjacent to one another on the lower flange.

It is understood that the directions are longitudinal, circumferential and

Radial direction to an imaginary cylindrical coordinate system in an imaginary application of the device according to the invention to a user, wherein a longitudinal direction extends along a longitudinal direction of the user or a longitudinal axis or longitudinal axis of the user, a circumferential direction is defined by a rotation about the longitudinal direction and a radial direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction or to a vector, which is defined on the one hand by a first point on the longitudinal direction and a second point spaced from the longitudinal direction, which is normal to a plane in a plane

The longitudinal direction lies in which plane the first point lies. It has been proven that the sliding elements are perpendicular to the cross section

Circumferential direction lateral limb legs, preferably are approximately U-shaped, and the sliding surface has a width along a longitudinal direction which is less than a distance between the limb legs

Sliding elements. The overbelt can then be arranged on the sliding surface in a simple manner between the limiting legs within the sliding elements, as a result of which both a movement along the circumferential direction and a fixation of the

The upper chord relative to the lower chord along the longitudinal direction and the radial direction are ensured in a simple manner.

It can be provided that the boundary legs have markings which are spaced radially from a bottom surface or sliding surface arranged between the boundary legs. These markings can be used to adapt the upper chord to the lower chord. Thus, when used, it can be provided that the overbelt must be at least so tight that it does not go over the

Mark can be pulled out. This can be done easily

ensure that the upper belt cannot be pulled from the lower belt when in use. The markings are thus a visual indication of a maximum distance between the overbelt and the bottom sliding surface of the sliding elements between the limiting legs.

It is favorable if at least one sliding element has an elevation between the limiting legs which does not protrude beyond the limiting legs in the radial direction. In this way, contact between the sliding surface and the sliding elements can be made very small or only in a punctiform manner, as a result of which favorable sliding properties and reduced wear are achieved.

The sliding surface and the sliding elements can in principle be made of any material. It is particularly expedient if the sliding surface is formed by a plastic element, a material of the plastic element having a coefficient of friction of less than 0.3 when the material is paired with the material of the sliding elements. Usually, a plastic is used both for the plastic element and for the sliding elements, preferably a high-density polyethylene, in particular PE-HD or HDPE. It has proven useful that the plastic element is formed by a plastic film which is sewn onto a textile belt, so that forces along the circumferential direction can essentially be transmitted through the textile belt. By means of a correspondingly multilayered element, which is usually used as a girth, a high degree of wear resistance can be achieved by the plastic film with a high mechanical stability due to the textile belt in relation to tensile forces which can be triggered by a dog pulling on the girth at the same time easier to manufacture and low costs can be achieved. The sliding elements on the one hand and the sliding surface on the other hand can in principle be arranged both on the upper flange and on the lower flange in order to prevent the

To enable the upper chord relative to the lower chord. To a particularly high one

To achieve wearing comfort, however, it is usually provided that the

Sliding elements on the lower flange and the sliding surface on the upper flange are arranged. The spaced-apart sliding elements thus ensure a high flexibility of the lower belt, which means that it can be adapted particularly well to a user's torso, so that a high level of comfort is achieved. The sliding surface usually achieves a higher rigidity of the overbelt, so that it can be guided well in the sliding elements. It goes without saying that an outer diameter of the lower flange in a region on which the upper flange slides on the lower flange usually corresponds to an inner diameter of the upper flange in the region of the sliding surface if the upper flange is arranged on the lower flange when the device is used.

It is preferably provided that the sliding surface extends substantially continuously along a circumferential direction on the overbelt between a sliding surface beginning and a sliding surface end. Although the sliding surface can in principle be arranged continuously on the inside of the overbelt so that it is completely covered on the inside by the sliding surface, this is not absolutely necessary in order to ensure appropriate functionality. A high load on the sliding surface or a compressive force at a contact point between the sliding element and the sliding surface usually occurs at a position which is opposite a position at which the dog leash is connected to the overbelt. For example, the dog leash can only apply tensile forces to the overbelt, which is why high pressure is required always on the opposite side of the dog harness from where the dog leash is connected to the harness.

It has proven useful that the overbelt can be connected to the dog leash via a leash connection, which is designed in particular as a flexible textile band or textile belt, the leash connection being connected to the overbelt at at least two inner contact points spaced apart along a circumferential direction, the dog leash can be connected to the line connection at an external contact point between the internal contact points. A corresponding distance between the internal contact points ensures in a structurally simple manner that a tensile force applied by the dog leash to the device is not applied via a single point, but rather that the tensile force is distributed over the leash connection to the two internal contact points. This avoids a jamming of the upper chord relative to the lower chord when force is applied selectively and one

Ovalization of the overbelt is reduced under tensile stress, so that favorable sliding properties can be guaranteed even with high tensile forces.

It can be provided that two on the textile belt of the upper belt

Leash connection loops are provided, between which the external contact point is positioned. The leash connection can thus be moved along the circumferential direction when the leash connection is stretched in the circumferential direction relative to the textile belt, so that force peaks applied via the dog leash are dampened by a temporary stretching of the leash connection. This will further

A more uniform introduction of force to the overbelt is achieved by a force introduced into the device via the external contact point.

It is preferably provided that the line connection is detachably connected to the overbelt. The connection can be exchanged easily in the event of wear. It has been proven that the length of the line connection can be changed. As a result, the device can also be easily adapted to a user's body size if the line connection closes the

Übergurtes spanned or arranged on a front of the device. It is expedient if the inner contact points are spaced at least 10 cm, preferably 20 cm to 50 cm from one another, the connecting element preferably being connected at the end at the inner contact points to the overbelt. This enables a particularly good distribution of a tensile force transmitted from a dog leash to the device.

For this purpose, the internal contact points can also be arranged such that an imaginary triangle, which on the one hand consists of an imaginary triangle, is centered in the device

arranged vertex on the one hand and on the other hand by the two

Internal contact points is formed, an angle between the legs, which each connect the central vertex and the inner contact points, of about 80 ° to 180 °. This ensures a particularly even application of force.

It is preferably provided that the overbelt at least partially, preferably continuously, in a region without sliding surfaces between the internal contact points

Sliding surface is formed. If the sliding surface is designed, for example, as an HDPE, the area without sliding surfaces has no HDPE. An area without sliding surfaces between the inner contact points is understood to mean an area that lies between the inner contact points when the device is used and is spanned by the line connection, that is to say usually a front area of the device when the device is used. A tensile force is then introduced into the overbelt or into the device via the line connection and the internal contact points, so that the area without sliding surfaces between the internal contact points is pulled away from the lower flange. A pressure load on a contact surface between the sliding surface and

Sliding elements are therefore essentially opposite the area without sliding surfaces between the internal contact points or on the sliding surface, so that a

Weight reduction is achieved by removing the sliding surface between the internal contact points without any functional disadvantage. As a rule, the overbelt is in one

The sliding surface area between the inner contact points, which sliding surface area is opposite the line connection, is continuously formed on the inside with a sliding surface in order to ensure favorable sliding properties.

It is expedient if the lower belt and / or the upper belt can be closed at different positions in order to adapt the device to different body sizes. in particular by means of a magnetic lock. This enables quick and easy adjustment and opening of the device. Especially when on the overbelt

Magnetic closure is provided, an emergency opening function can also be ensured in a simple manner. As a result, the overbelt can be opened easily and reliably under the influence of a tensile force in a dangerous situation, in order to safely separate humans and animals. The use of a closure, which is based on a so-called fidlock principle, has proven particularly useful.

Although the device is usually used as a 360 ° dog leash to enable an animal to move around the user without the user having to turn about its own axis, it can also be advantageous in certain situations if the dog is not may freely run around the user or a position at which the line is connected to the user is rigid relative to the user. For this purpose, it can be advantageous if the overbelt can be locked releasably relative to the lower flange, so that the upper flange cannot be moved in the circumferential direction relative to the lower flange. A position on the device at which a dog leash can be connected to the device is therefore not movable relative to the user if the device is arranged on the user. It has proven useful that the overbelt can be closed at several positions by means of a Velcro fastener in order to adapt the overbelt to different body circumferences, the overbelt preferably being lockable relative to the lower strap by means of a tensile force in the circumferential direction which is greater than a defined arresting tensile force. This makes it particularly easy to lock the overbelt on the lower flange.

A particularly high level of comfort is achieved if the lower flange is of different widths in the longitudinal direction, so that a back region that is wider relative to an abdominal region results in an arrangement on a user

A pocket is provided in the back area, which can be closed, for example, with a zipper. The device is usually used in such a way that a dog runs in front of a user and when the dog then pulls on the device via the dog leash, a tensile force is applied to the back of the user via the device. A wide back area is very cheap so that this force is distributed particularly well. This causes pressure loads, which too Injuries could be avoided. At the same time, a narrow abdominal area is advantageous for good mobility. The lower flange consequently preferably has different extents or a different width along the longitudinal direction over a circumference or along the circumferential direction.

The back area of the lower flange is usually designed with a higher rigidity than the belly area. As a result, an applied force is distributed particularly well and evenly, so that no pressure peaks occur. The is preferred

Back area not only wider, but also with a higher rigidity than the abdominal area in order to achieve a high level of comfort.

In order to achieve particularly favorable sliding properties, it can be provided that a flexible sliding film is arranged between the sliding elements on the lower flange. The sliding element then slides on the one hand on the sliding elements and on the other hand when there is contact with the lower flange between the sliding elements on the sliding film, low friction being ensured in each case in order to achieve minimal wear. The sliding elements usually protrude beyond the sliding film in the radial direction and are generally rigid. Forces caused by sliding and pulling on a line are transmitted to the lower chord essentially via sliding elements. The sliding film thus prevents in a simple manner that when the

Over the belt between the sliding elements there is wear, and still guarantees a high level of comfort due to the flexibility.

In order to reliably avoid injuries or abrasions, it is expedient if the lower flange has an anti-slip coating on the inside, which is arranged in particular in the form of a strip and / or is made of rubber. It is then

ensures that with a relative movement of the upper chord relative to the lower chord, the lower chord nevertheless does not perform a relative movement to the user, so that

Abrasions are avoided.

Furthermore, for particularly convenient connection of the device to a user, it can be provided that the lower belt has one or more leg loops in order to be able to connect the lower belt to a user's legs in a manner similar to a climbing harness. This prevents the lower flange from slipping about an axis running in the longitudinal direction in a simple and at the same time reliable manner.

In order to achieve a particularly high level of comfort, it is advantageous if the lower flange between the sliding elements and an inside, which can be attached to a user's torso, has a fabric which is in particular air-permeable, preferably breathable. The sliding elements can thus be arranged on the outside of the fabric, which can also contain a foam for particularly good pressure distribution. This results in a favorable contact between the device and a user, even if the user wears no clothing or only thin clothing between the lower belt and the skin.

The upper chord and the lower chord can in principle be designed in a wide variety of ways and with a wide variety of materials such as textiles, plastics or metals. It has proven useful that the overbelt has a link chain, which is preferably formed by links of the same type, which links are movable

are interconnected. The links are usually formed by a plastic which, when paired with a material of the sliding elements, has a low coefficient of friction of less than, for example, 0.3. The individual links in the link chain are usually one by one

Rotation axis, which is parallel to the longitudinal direction, movable and thus easily adaptable to the circumference of a user. Furthermore, the links can be detachably connected to one another, so that a length of the link chain, which can also form the overbelt entirely, can be easily adjusted by removing or adding individual elements. It can then be provided that a dog leash can be connected directly to a single link in the link chain. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the link chain can be connected to a line connection via two internal contact points. The links in the link chain can thus form the sliding surface. Alternatively or in addition, the sliding surface can also be formed by a film arranged on the links.

It can also be provided that the outer belt has expandable plastic members, which are arranged approximately in the form of a circular profile, which are attached to the usually breathable and washable lower belt, which generally has a user's hip is put on. The overbelt can consist exclusively of similar members, which are movably and preferably reversibly releasably connected to one another in order to adapt the length of the overbelt to a user. It can also be provided that the overbelt has different links. For example, two different types of links can be provided, namely on the one hand connecting links which essentially form the overbelt and on the other hand connecting links with which the overbelt can be opened and closed and which also enable an emergency opening function. These connecting links can also contain a magnetic lock as mentioned above.

The device according to the invention can be combined with any dog leash known from the prior art. In particular, lines which can be connected to the device via one or more carabiners with or without emergency opening properties and which can be rigid or flexible have proven themselves in connection with the device according to the invention.

A particularly high level of comfort is achieved when a device is connected to the overbelt with which a dog leash can be wound up, the device preferably having a spring-loaded roller, so that the leash can be pulled out of the device by tensioning the spring and without pulling on the leash is wound onto the roll by the spring. Such a device can also have a stop and / or locking device in order to fix a length of the rolled out dog leash or to roll the rolled out dog leash at the push of a head. Such a device can be rigidly or flexibly connected to the overbelt in order to enable a dog to be held hands-free in a simple manner.

The further object is achieved according to the invention by a dog leash of the type mentioned in the introduction, in which a spring area is provided along the dog leash, a bridging element being provided parallel to the spring area, by means of which the spring area can be releasably bridged.

It was recognized in the context of the invention that wear on a

corresponding device can be significantly reduced if the dog leash is not continuously through a substantially rigid along a leash textile band is formed, but a spring region is provided. As a result, force peaks can be easily cushioned, which reduces wear on the device.

The possibility of the spring area by a preferably rigid

To bridge the bridging element, which can have, for example, a click closure formed from a plastic, the dog leash according to the invention can be used very easily at any time as a conventional, unsprung dog leash and can also be carried manually, for example.

The dog leash according to the invention can be used both with an inventive

Device can also be used alone. If the dog leash according to the invention is used without the device according to the invention, for example directly manually, there are of course also advantages due to spring-loaded force peaks.

The spring area can in principle be formed by any spring element. A particularly long-lasting dog leash can be achieved if the spring area has a spiral spring. The spiral spring can in turn be formed from a wide variety of materials such as metals or a plastic.

It is advantageous if the dog leash according to the invention is used in conjunction with a device according to the invention in order to achieve a particularly long service life.

The dog leash is preferably connected to the device via a carabiner.

This can be easily solved.

It goes without saying that both the dog leash and the device can be designed not only to guide a single dog, but also to guide several dogs at the same time. Further features, advantages and effects of the invention result from the exemplary embodiment shown below. In the drawings, to which reference is made, show:

1 shows a device according to the invention; 2 shows a lower flange of a device according to the invention;

3 shows a detail of a device according to the invention;

4 and 5 an overbelt of a device according to the invention;

6 and 7 further devices according to the invention;

8 shows a further overbelt of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 9 shows a dog lead according to the invention.

1 shows a device 1 according to the invention. As can be seen, the device 1 has a lower flange 2 and an upper flange 3, the upper flange 3 enclosing the lower flange 2 and being freely movable relative to the lower flange 2 along a circumferential direction 16. The upper flange 3 is guided in a form-fitting manner in sliding elements 5 relative to the lower flange 2, which are spaced apart from one another in the exemplary embodiment shown and are arranged substantially regularly distributed over a circumference of the lower flange 2. The sliding elements 5 thus allow the upper flange 3 to slide relative to the lower flange 2 along the circumferential direction 16, but allow none or only a minimal one

Movement of the upper flange 3 relative to the lower flange 2 in the radial direction 17 and in

Longitudinal direction 15.

The device 1 according to the invention can in principle be designed both with spaced-apart and with immediately adjacent sliding elements 5. A continuous sliding surface can thus also be formed on the lower flange 2 by immediately adjacent sliding elements 5.

The designations longitudinal direction 15, radial direction 17 and circumferential direction 16 refer to an imaginary cylindrical as shown in FIG. 1

Coordinate system when the device 1 is used on a user, for example for keeping dogs, in which the longitudinal direction 15 runs along a longitudinal axis of the intended user. The radial direction 17 corresponds to any vector which intersects the longitudinal direction 15 or the longitudinal axis of the intended user and lies in a plane which is normal to the longitudinal direction 15.

As can be seen, the lower flange 2 has areas of different widths over a circumference. Thus, a back area 6 is provided on the back, which along the Longitudinal direction 15 wider than one arranged opposite the back area 6

Abdominal area or a front area of the device 1 is formed.

A dog leash 14 can be connected to the over-strap 3, so that the device 1 is suitable for holding a dog hands-free, for example for jogging or walking. The dog can do so within a by a length of

Dog leash 14 move the predetermined radius freely around the user, and without the user having to adapt his orientation to the dog as with conventional dog leashes 14.

Usually the dog is in front of the user, so one over the

Dog leash 14 applied tensile force is transmitted to the user via the back area 6 of the device 1. After the back area 6 is wider, there is a good distribution of force and thus less pressure on the back of the

User reached, which is a high level of comfort.

The upper belt 3 has a textile belt 22 and an inside of the textile belt 22

arranged sliding surface 4, the sliding surface 4 being formed from a material which, in combination with a material of the sliding elements 5, for example HDPE, results in a material pairing with favorable sliding and wear properties.

Usually, both the sliding surface 4 and the sliding elements 5 are made of a plastic, but the sliding elements 5 are usually made of a rigid plastic and the sliding surface 4 is made of a flexible plastic in order to simply assume different curvatures when rotating about the longitudinal direction 15 to be able to. So that low-wear sliding is particularly easy in an area between the sliding elements 5, a flexible sliding film 27 is provided between the sliding elements 5 on the lower flange 2. The dog leash 14 is not directly connected to the textile belt 22 of the upper belt 3 in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but via a leash connection 10. The line connection 10 is connected at two inner contact points 8 to the textile belt 22 of the inner belt, which inner contact points 8 are spaced here in such a way that an imaginary triangle, on the one hand by an apex on the Longitudinal direction 15 and on the other hand is formed by the two internal contact points 8, an angle a between the legs, which each connect the apex and the internal contact points 8, of about 80 ° to 180 °. This angle a is shown in FIG. 5. As a result, a tensile force exerted by the dog is not introduced into the textile belt 22 selectively at only one point 31 but via two spaced points 31, which results in a favorable force distribution for low-wear sliding. As shown, the dog leash 14 is connected to the leash connection 10 via a carabiner 13 at an external contact point 9. In order to introduce the force particularly evenly into the device 1, on

Textile belt 22 of the upper belt 3, two line connection loops 21 are provided, between which the external contact point 9 is positioned. The leash connection 10 can thus be moved along the circumferential direction 16 relative to the textile belt 22, so that the force peaks applied via the dog leash 14 are damped by a temporary stretching of the leash connection 10.

It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the lower chord 2 has leg loops 19 with which the lower chord 2 can be connected to the legs of a user in a manner similar to a climbing harness. Slipping of the lower flange 2 relative to the user along the circumferential direction 16 can thereby be avoided in a simple manner.

FIG. 2 shows a lower flange 2 of a device 1 according to the invention in detail, the lower flange 2 being shown opened or unwound. As can be seen, the lower flange 2 has a fabric 28 on which a sliding film 27 is arranged or fastened by sewing on. A plurality of sliding elements 5 are provided along a circumferential direction 16 distributed over the lower flange 2, in which the upper flange 3 is movable relative to the lower flange 2 along the circumferential direction 16 and is fixed in the longitudinal direction 15 and in the radial direction 17. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the lower flange 2 in the back region 6 has a closure 18, which is designed here as a zipper 20, as a result of which the

Back area 6 results in a practical bag. One of the sliding elements 5 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. As can be seen, this is

The sliding element 5 is approximately U-shaped in a cross section perpendicular to the circumferential direction 16 and has lateral limiting limbs 11 which limit a movement of the upper flange 3 relative to the lower flange 2 in the longitudinal direction 15 when the upper flange 3 is arranged in the sliding elements 5.

Furthermore, the sliding elements 5 between the limiting legs 11

Elevation 12 so that there is a contact surface with a small surface, preferably an essentially point-like contact, between the upper flange 3 and the sliding elements 5. As can be seen, the sliding elements 5 are fastened to the lower flange 2 with two rivets 23. Of course, a connection of the sliding elements 5 to the

Lower chord 2 can also be done in a different way. For example, the sliding element 5 could be sewn or glued to the lower flange 2 or inserted into pockets in the lower flange 2.

It can also be seen in FIG. 3 that the sliding element 5 has a marking 32, which in the radial direction 17 extends from the elevation 12 or one between the

Boundary limbs 11 formed floor, on which the overbelt 3 can slide, is spaced. The marking 32 serves as a visual indication for the adaptation of the upper chord 3 to the lower chord 2. The marking 32 thus shows a maximum protrusion of the upper chord 3 over the lower chord 2. If the maximum protrusion is exceeded by a pull on the overbelt 3, there is a risk that the overbelt 3 will slip out of the sliding elements 5 when in use and thus detach from the device 1. In this case, the overbelt 3 would therefore have to be tightened in order to avoid unintentional loosening.

4 and 5 show an overbelt 3 of a device 1 according to the invention in different views, the overbelt 3 in FIG. 4 in a developed or

open and shown in Fig. 5 in the closed or wound state. The lower flange 2 and the upper flange 3 are essentially flexible, so that they can be easily adapted to a user. The overbelt 3 has a plastic on the inside, which forms a sliding surface 4. Sewn to the outside of this plastic, a textile belt 22 is provided for the upper belt 3. The textile belt 22 is thus suitable for transmitting tensile forces in the circumferential direction 16, which, for example, at a train by a dog can occur on the dog leash 14 attached to the upper belt 3. In order to ensure low friction and low wear, the sliding surface 4 is formed from a plastic which, when paired with the material of the sliding elements 5, which is also usually made of a plastic, has a low sliding friction coefficient of, for example, less than 0.3.

The lower flange 2 and the upper flange 3 are in different positions

Closures 18 can be closed so that the straps can easily be adapted to different users. For this purpose, it can be provided that one end of the upper chord 3 or of the lower chord 2 is inserted into a second end of the respective chord in order to prevent elements from protruding, as shown in relation to the upper chord 3 in FIG. 4.

In FIG. 5 it can also be seen that the line connection 10 itself has a closure 18, so that the line connection 10 and the

Sliding surface 4 can be opened itself. As a result, the line connection 10 or an external contact point 9 provided on the line connection 10 can be arranged in a simple manner in a front region of the upper belt 3. Furthermore, with appropriate closures 18, a simple adjustment of a length of the upper belt 3 to a circumference of a user is also possible.

6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention in a schematic illustration. Here too, a lower flange 2 with spaced and distributed over a circumferential direction 16 sliding elements 5 and an upper flange 3 are provided. As can also be clearly seen here, the overbelt 3 is one

Line connection 10 connected to two internal contact points 8. The connection of the line connection 10 via the two inner contact points 8, which enables a distribution of a force introduced into the device 1 via the line connection 10 to the two inner contact points 8, ensures that the force is transmitted more evenly to the sliding surface 4 between the lower flange 2 and the upper flange 3 to cheap

To achieve sliding properties. As can be seen, the sliding surface 4 in this embodiment is not arranged on the overbelt 3 in a region between the inner contact points 8, but rather extends only between a beginning 29 of the sliding surface and one

Sliding surface end 30, but not in a front area of the overbelt 3, i.e. not under the line connection 10 and under a closure 18 of the overbelt 3. The background is that a load on the sliding surface 4 anyway only on one of the

Line connection 10 opposite area of the sliding surface 4 takes place, so that it is sufficient for a mechanical function if the sliding surface 4 extends in an area substantially opposite the line connection 10. In a region of the overbelt 3, which extends at the front and below the line connection 10, there is thus a region 7 free of sliding surfaces.

7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention.

Here, the overbelt 3 is essentially formed by a link chain made of links 24 of the same type that are movably connected to one another. The individual links 24 can be moved relative to one another about axes of rotation 25, which here are essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction 15, in order to enable different curvatures of the link chain when the link chain is moved along the circumferential direction 16. It can also be seen that the upper belt 3 also has a back region 6 with a widening in order to ensure a high level of comfort.

The dog leash 14 is connected via a device 26 to the upper belt 3, with which a dog leash 14 can be wound up, the device 26 having a spring-loaded roller, so that the leash can be pulled out of the device 26 by tensioning the spring and without pulling on the Line is wound onto the reel by the spring. This enables the device 1 to be carried particularly comfortably. The links 24 of the link chain of the same type ensure a simple structure, and the length of the overbelt 3 can be adjusted in a simple manner by removing or adding individual links 24.

FIG. 8 shows a further overbelt 3 of a device 1 according to the invention, which, like the overbelt 3 shown in FIG. 7, is designed as a link chain. The individual links 24 are arranged approximately along a circular profile and are movably connected to one another again. A metal shackle 33 is arranged on one of the links 24, to which the line can be attached. Furthermore, three emergency openings are provided, which are made of metal here, in order to be able to detach the upper chord 3 from the lower chord 2 as quickly as possible in emergency situations. The emergency opening can basically be designed in a variety of ways. A particularly reliable opening is possible in emergency situations if, as in the illustrated embodiment, one on one Principle of a so-called aircraft buckle 34 based mechanism is used.

9 shows in detail an area of a dog leash 14 according to the invention, which can be connected to a device 1 according to the invention or a handle on the one hand via a textile band 38 and to a dog harness on the other hand via a second textile band 38.

As can be seen, the dog leash 14 has a spring area with a spiral spring 35, which can be bridged with a bridging element 36. If that

Bridging element 36, which is designed here as a click closure, is closed, dog leash 14 is essentially rigid along a leash direction 37 when subjected to tensile stress. If the bridging element 36 is open, the dog leash 14 is stretchable. The spiral spring 35 contained in the spring area, which in the position shown has a length of only about 10 cm, is to a maximum length of

stretchable up to one meter, for example. As a result, jerky forces or force peaks are damped, so that wear of the device 1 is minimized when used in conjunction with a device 1 according to the invention. On the other hand, the dog leash 14 can then be closed simply by closing the

Bridging element 36 can be used as a conventional hand-held dog leash 14. For example, the dog leash 14 can be designed with a carabiner 13 on both sides for connection to a handle or to the device 1 according to the invention and a dog harness on the other hand, which can be attached to the textile bands 38 at ends that are no longer shown.

With a device 1 according to the invention, it is possible in a simple manner to lead one or more pets such as dogs on a leash, while at the same time the hands are not required to hold a leash. Furthermore, a pet can move 360 ° freely around the user without the user having to adjust its orientation to the pet, which provides a high level of comfort, for example when walking with a dog. This enables hands-free 360 ° guidance of the dog. Due to the design with a sliding surface 4, a lightweight and simple structure with a long service life is guaranteed.

Claims

claims

1 . Device (1) for the hands-free leading of an animal, preferably a dog, having a flexible lower belt (2), which on a body of a

Can be detachably attached by the user, as well as an over-strap (3) which can be connected to a dog leash (14) or the like and which can be detachably attached to the under-strap (2) in such a way that the over-strap (3) encloses the under-strap (2) and along a circumferential direction (16 ) is movable relative to the lower flange (2), with the lower flange (2) or the upper flange (3) distributed over a circumference, preferably spaced apart from one another,

Sliding elements (5) and a sliding surface (4) are provided on the upper flange (3) or on the lower flange (2), the sliding surface (4) and the sliding elements (5) being able to form contact surfaces between the lower flange (2) and the upper flange (3), for a low-friction

Relative movement between the lower flange (2) and the upper flange (3) along the

To enable circumferential direction (16), characterized in that the

Sliding elements (5) are designed and arranged such that a position of the

Overbelt (3) relative to the lower flange (2) in a radial direction (17) and one

Longitudinal direction (15) is limited by the sliding elements (5).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Sliding elements (5) in a cross section perpendicular to the circumferential direction (16) have lateral limbs (11), preferably are approximately U-shaped, and the sliding surface (4) has a width along a longitudinal direction (15) which is less than one Distance between the limiting legs (1 1) of the sliding elements (5).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one

Sliding element (5) between the limiting legs (1 1) has an elevation (12) which does not protrude beyond the limiting legs (1 1) in the radial direction (17).

4. The device (1) according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the sliding surface (4) is formed by a plastic element, wherein a material of

Plastic element has a coefficient of friction of less than 0.3 at one

Material pairing with the material of the sliding elements (5).

5. The device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the

Plastic element is formed by a plastic film which is sewn onto a textile belt (22), so that forces along the circumferential direction (16) can essentially be transmitted through the textile belt (22).

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sliding elements (5) on the lower flange (2) and the sliding surface (4) on the upper flange (3) are arranged.

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sliding surface (4) substantially continuously along a circumferential direction (16) on the overbelt (3) between a sliding surface beginning (29) and a sliding surface end (30) extends.

8. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the overbelt (3) via a leash connection (10), which is in particular designed as a flexible textile band, can be connected to the dog leash (14), the

Line connection (10) to at least two along a circumferential direction (16)

spaced apart internal contact points (8) is connected to the overbelt (3), the dog leash (14) at an external contact point (9) between the

Internal contact points (8) can be connected to the line connection (10).

9. The device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the

Leash connection (10) is detachably connected to the overbelt (3).

10. The device (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a length of the line connection (10) is variable.

1 1. Device (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the overbelt (3) in a sliding surface-free area (7) between the

Internal contact points (8) at least partially, preferably continuously, without

Sliding surface (4) is formed.

12. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that the lower flange (2) and / or the upper flange (3) can be closed at different positions in order to adapt the device (1) to different body sizes, in particular by means of a magnetic lock.

13. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the upper flange (3) is releasably lockable relative to the lower flange (2), so that the

The upper flange (3) cannot be moved in the circumferential direction (16) relative to the lower flange (2).

14. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the overbelt (3) can be closed at several positions by means of a Velcro fastener in order to adapt the overbelt (3) to different body circumferences, the overbelt (3) preferably can be locked relative to the lower flange (2) by means of a tensile force in the circumferential direction (16) which is greater than a defined arresting tensile force.

15. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the lower flange (2) is of different widths in the longitudinal direction (15), so that when arranged on a user, a wider back area (6) relative to an abdominal area results, wherein in particular a pocket is provided in the back area (6).

16. The device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that the

Back area (6) of the lower flange (2) is designed with a higher rigidity than the belly area.

17. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that a flexible slide film (27) is arranged between the sliding elements (5) on the lower flange (2).

18. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the lower flange (2) has an anti-slip coating on an inside, which is arranged in particular in a strip shape and / or is made of rubber.

19. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the lower flange (2) has one or more leg loops (19) around the

To be able to tie the lower belt (2) to the legs of a user.

20. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the lower flange (2) between the sliding elements (5) and an inside, which can be attached to a body of a user, has a fabric (28) which is in particular breathable, preferably breathable.

21. The device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the overbelt (3) has a link chain, which is preferably formed by links of the same type (24), which links (24) are movably connected to one another.

22. The device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that a device (26) with the overbelt (3) is connected, with which one

Dog leash (14) can be wound up, the device (26) preferably having a spring-loaded roller, so that the leash can be pulled out of the device (26) by tensioning the spring and is wound onto the roller by the spring without tension on the leash.

23. Dog leash (14), in particular for use in connection with a

Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that a spring region is provided along the dog leash (14), parallel to the

Spring region a bridging element (36) is provided with which the

Spring area can be bridged releasably.

24. Dog leash according to claim 23, characterized in that the spring region has a spiral spring (35).

25. Set of a device (1) for free-handing a dog according to one of claims 1 to 22 and a dog leash (14) according to claim 23 or 24.

26. Set according to claim 25, characterized in that the dog leash (14) is connected to the device via a carabiner (13).