FR3130507A1 - ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR PETS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an anti-theft device for pets, comprising: - at least one support (1) comprising a control box (6), - at least one leash (2), one end (3) of which is fixed to the support ( 1) and the other (4) is free and comprises locking/unlocking means (5) capable of being controlled by the control box (6), and - connection means (7) between the control box ( 6) and the locking/unlocking means (5). The invention also relates to a method for securely attaching a pet, to a method for detaching a pet as well as a method for managing a device according to the invention. Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

ANTI-THEFT DEVICE FOR PETS

The invention relates to an anti-theft device for a pet, a method for securely attaching a pet, a method for detaching a pet and a method for managing the device according to the invention.

Background of the invention

According to an article published on June 10, 2021 on the website of the French magazine "Le Point" and quoting the French newspaper "Le Figaro" dated June 9, 2021, 75,000 dogs are stolen in France each year to be resold generally between 1,500 and 3500 euros, making dog theft the ^3rd traffic in the world.

In an attempt to curb this already old scourge, it was proposed in 2002 in US patent No. US 6,371,056 a leash comprising a kind of padlock.

A little later, the publication in 2007 of the French patent application n° 2 898 012 made available to the public a leash equipped with a particular fastening system.

In 2014, US patent application no. US2014/0083370 disclosed an anti-theft harness and leash system connected to each other by a padlock.

Brief Disclosure of the Invention

The main object of the invention is to provide an anti-theft device for pets which is safe, simple, inexpensive and easier and quicker to use than the systems described above.

Such a device is intended in particular to be placed near an establishment such as a shop, a supermarket, a restaurant, a cinema, etc., inside which pets are not authorized to enter.

According to the invention, this object is achieved using a device in accordance with the following point 1:

1. Anti-theft device for pets, comprising:

- at least one support comprising a control unit,

- at least one leash, one end of which is fixed to the support and the other is free and includes locking/unlocking means capable of being controlled by the control unit, and

- Connection means between the control box and the locking/unlocking means.

Advantageous characteristics of the device of the aforementioned point 1 are indicated in the following points 2 to 12:

2. Anti-theft device according to point 1, in which the locking/unlocking means are electromagnetic means.
3. Anti-theft device according to point 1 or 2, in which the locking/unlocking means are adapted to be fixed to a collar or harness of a pet.

4. Anti-theft device according to one of points 1 to 3, in which the locking/unlocking means are suitable for attaching/detaching to/from the leash itself.

5. Anti-theft device according to one of points 1 to 4, in which the connection means are an electric cable accompanying the leash.

6. Anti-theft device according to one of the previous points, in which the support is vertical and comprises a base and a vertical rod.

7. Anti-theft device according to one of the previous points, in which the support further comprises at least one hook, preferably in the form of a loop.

8. Anti-theft device according to one of points 1 to 7, in which the free end of the leash further comprises a part forming a collar or harness capable of being fixed to the locking/unlocking means.

9. Anti-theft device according to point 8, in which the part forming a collar or harness comprises, along its length, several places for attachment/detachment to/from the locking/unlocking means.

10. Anti-theft device according to one of points 1 to 9, in which the support comprises several leashes.

11. Anti-theft device according to point 10, in which the support comprises several horizontally spaced parts, the sum of the lengths of the leashes of two adjacent parts being less than the space between these parts.

12. Anti-theft device according to one of the preceding points, in which the control box contains or can be connected to a source of electrical energy and it comprises electronic means including a microprocessor, a memory containing a program to be executed by the microprocessor , input means and display means.

The invention also relates to a process for attaching a pet animal in accordance with the following point 13:

13. Method for attaching a pet by means of a device according to point 12, comprising the following steps:

- if necessary, selection of a leash using input means,

- fixing of the locking/unlocking means of the free end of the selected leash

• to part of the leash itself, surrounding the pet's neck or thorax,
• to the pet's collar or harness or
• to the part forming the collar,

- entering a locking/unlocking code using the input means,

- possible confirmation of the locking/unlocking code.

The invention also relates to a process for detaching a pet animal in accordance with the following point 14:

14. Method for detaching a tethered pet by means of a device according to point 12, comprising the following steps:

- if necessary, selection of a leash using input means,

- entry, using the input means, of the locking/unlocking code corresponding to the selected leash,

- detachment of the locking/unlocking means from the free end of the selected leash

• the part of the leash surrounding the pet's neck or thorax,
• the pet's collar or harness, or
• of the part forming the collar.

The leash selection step mentioned in points 13 and 14 is of course meaningless if the support only has one leash.

Finally, there is also a question of a method for managing the anti-theft device of the aforementioned point 12, in accordance with the following point 15:

15. Method for managing the anti-theft device according to point 12, comprising the following steps:

- waiting for the choice of operating mode,

- if the mode of operation is the attachment of a pet,

• request and wait for the entry of a leash number,
• then unlocking the free end of the selected leash,
• request and wait for the entry of a lock/unlock code for the selected leash,
• possibly, request and wait for confirmation of the code entered,
• association of the code entered with the selected leash number and storage of the association,
• locking of the selected leash,
• possible display of the completion of the locking of the selected leash,
• return to waiting for operating mode selection;

- if the mode of operation is the detachment of a pet,

• request and wait for the entry of a leash number,
• request and wait for the entry of the locking/unlocking code corresponding to the leash number entered,
• verification of the correspondence between the code entered and the leash number entered,
• if there is no match, display of an error message then return to the choice of operating mode,
• in case of correspondence, unlocking of the leash whose number has been entered,
• possible display of the realization of the unlocking of this leash, then
• return to waiting for the choice of operating mode.

It goes without saying that the management method according to point 15 can be simplified if the support only has one leash. Also, some of its steps can be reversed.

Thus, thanks to the device according to the invention, the mistress or the master of the pet can do her shopping in peace, without fear that her animal will be stolen from her.

In addition, the cost of the purchase or rental of the anti-theft device according to the invention is offset by the increase in the canine clientele and therefore in the revenue of the establishment which has acquired the device or which rents it. .

It goes without saying that the invention can be applied to pets other than dogs, for example cats and ferrets.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be described in detail in the following description which is given with reference to the appended figures, which schematically represent:

: a device according to the invention in front view;

: an example of locking-unlocking means suitable for the device of the , in front view in section along BB ( );

: the locking/unlocking means of the , in top view in section along AA;

: a leash variant comprising a part forming a collar or harness;

: the first part of an example of a flowchart for the device of the ; And

: the second part of the organization chart example of the .

Detailed disclosure of the invention

Device according to the invention

An embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the .

The pet anti-theft device includes:

- at least one support 1 comprising a control unit 6,

- at least one leash 2, one end 3 of which is fixed to the support 1 and the other 4 is free and comprises locking/unlocking means 5 capable of being controlled by the control box 6, and

- connecting means 7 between the control unit 6 and the locking/unlocking means 5.

The locking/unlocking means 5 may be suitable for attaching to the leash 2 itself, surrounding the neck or the thorax of the pet, and for detaching from this leash 2.

Alternatively, they may be designed to be attached to a collar or harness of a pet, preferably to the buckle of this collar or harness, in particular if this collar or this harness is not easy to detach from the 'pet. It must indeed be borne in mind that the device according to the invention is intended to be placed in a public place and thieves who would spend too much time trying to detach a pet or who would have suspicious behavior would attract attention. passers-by or a store security employee, for example. Therefore, thieves would give up trying to steal the pet.

The connecting means 7 can be a simple electric cable with two wires. They accompany the leash 2, from the support 1 to the locking/unlocking means 5, for example by being attached to it over its entire length, namely, from the support 1 to the free end 4 of the leash 2.

The device according to the invention shown in the comprises a support 1 comprising a post or vertical rod 9 maintained by a horizontal base 8 in the form of a circular plate or not.

The vertical rod 9 can be hollow.

The leash 2 and the rod 9 must be strong enough to withstand the pulling of dogs and that of dog thieves.

The leash 2 can for example be a chain and the cable 7 can pass through its links. Preferably, the chain and the cable 7 are surrounded by a sheath, for example made of flexible plastic material, such as for a bicycle lock, or of metal mesh such as that of a coat of mail.

The rod 9 must be firmly attached to the base 8, the latter having to be solid, large enough to ensure its stability and preferably well fixed to the ground.

The end 3 of the leash 2 must be fixed firmly to the support 1, for example by screwing, welding or riveting.

On the support 1, the numbers of the leashes 2 are indicated near the places where these leashes 2 are fixed.

Only a leash 2 has been represented on the , however, the device according to the invention may comprise several.

According to an advantageous variant, in order to prevent several dogs attached simultaneously to the support 1 from arguing or fighting, the support 1 can comprise several support parts spaced horizontally, the sum of the lengths of the leashes 2 fixed to two adjacent parts then being preferably less than the space between these parts, with the aim of preventing any contact between the dogs, and the cable 7 being connected to all the support parts 1.

Preferably, the locking and unlocking means 5 are electromagnetic means. They are provided for easy fixing:

• either to a part of the leash 2 itself,
• either to a pet collar or harness, preferably to the buckle of this collar or harness,

and for quick release of that leash, collar or harness.

An example of electromagnetic locking/unlocking means 5 is represented on the . It is generally a kind of carabiners like those already used with leashes or used as key rings, including:

• a fixing ring 10 to a leash 2,
• a main body 11 comprising one end in the form of a hollow cylinder 12 split longitudinally to which the ring 10 is secured,
• a rivet 13 pressed into the base or free end of the cylinder 12 and serving as a stop for
• a spring 14 provided to exert a thrust on the longitudinal end 18 of a locking rod 15 towards another end 16 of the main body 11;
• a recess 17 preferably in the form of a blind hole provided in the end 16 in order to receive the other longitudinal end 19 of the locking rod 15; this end 19 may have a diameter greater than that of the rest of the rod 15 and comprising a hole 20; the body 11 comprising a cavity 21 intended to receive a collar or harness loop or a part of the leash 2 such as a link or link, which loop or part of the leash 2 then being intended, as can be seen in the , to be traversed by the locking rod 15 which closes the cavity 21;
• the body 11 comprising a bore 22 in which has been inserted a micro-electromagnet 23 in the form of a solenoid and of the pulling type, namely that its rod 24 enters the interior of the solenoid when the electromagnet is activated, i.e. that is to say traversed by an electric current; the hole 20 of the end 19 of the rod 15 being turned towards the rod 24 in order to house it in normal times, that is to say when the electromagnet 23 is not energized; when the electromagnet 23 is supplied with electricity by the wires 25 which are connected to the cable 7 which accompanies the leash 2, the rod of the electromagnet 24 retracts and the locking rod 15 can then move towards the end 12 of the main body 11 against the force of spring 14 and release the buckle of the collar or harness or the retained part of the leash 2,
• so that a user can easily move the locking rod 15 towards the end 12, this rod is provided with a finger 26 passing through the slot of the end 12 and projecting outwards from this end in order to be able to be pushed by the user, usually by one of their thumbs.

According to another advantageous variant, the device according to the invention further comprises at least one hook 29, preferably in the form of a loop (cf. ) to receive the free end of the leash that the mistress of the pet held in her hand when arriving close to the device according to the invention.

However, if this mistress considers that her leash has value (financial or sentimental) and risks being stolen, she can unhook it from the dog – because the latter is firmly attached by the leash 2 – and take it away and keep with her while she goes shopping.

The control box 6 of the device according to the invention contains a source of electrical energy such as one or more cells or a battery. It can also be connected to an electrical power source. It generally comprises electronic means powered by the source of electrical energy and including a microprocessor, a memory containing a program to be executed by the microprocessor, input means 27, in particular a keyboard, for example with 10 keys (1 to 9, and “validate”) and display means 28 such as a liquid crystal screen.

Functioning

When a mistress walking with her dog wishes to enter a store to do her shopping and dogs are prohibited in this store, she can then use the device according to the invention by proceeding for example as follows:

- she selects a leash 2 by typing her number on the keyboard 27, then

- if necessary, she unhooks the free end 4 of the leash 2 from the hook 29 which holds it,

- she fixes the locking/unlocking means 5 of the free end 4 of the selected leash to the buckle of the collar or harness of her pet, by pushing the finger 26 towards the ring 10, so as to bring the rod 15 in the end 12 of the body 11, it puts the loop inside the cavity 21, then it releases the finger 26 and, under the effect of the spring 14, the end 19 of the rod 15 penetrates inside recess 17; the buckle of the collar or harness is thus held in the cavity 21, between the locking rod 15 and the end 16 of the main body 11, then

- the mistress enters a secret locking/unlocking code using the keyboard 27 and

- it may confirm the secret code.

The dog is then securely attached to support 1.

Later, when the mistress leaves the store, she unties her dog as follows:

- she enters, using the keyboard 27, the number of the leash 2 to which her dog is attached, then

- she enters, using the keypad 27, the secret code she used to tether her dog,

- she then detaches, from the buckle of her dog's collar or harness, the locking/unlocking means 5 of the end 4 of the leash 2,

- if necessary, she hooks the free end 4 of the leash 2 to a hook 29.

It goes without saying that if the leash 2 allows it, in particular when it consists at least in part of a thin chain, the mistress can fix the locking-unlocking means to the leash 2, to one of her links or links, the end 4 of the leash then surrounding the animal's neck or thorax.

Management of the device according to the invention

The device according to the invention can be managed by software executing the steps of the flowchart shown in Figures 5 and 6.

After starting up at step 100, the microprocessor asks, at 101, displaying a message on the screen 28 of the device, what the user wants, the attachment or detachment of her dog. It waits at 102 for the user's response.

If this one chooses the attachment, in 102bis, it goes towards the right part of the organization chart of the , and at 103, it asks the user, by displaying a message, to enter the number a leash number and waits at 104 for their response. At 105, it checks, on the one hand, whether the leash number corresponds to an existing leash number and, on the other hand, whether the corresponding leash is free. If not, it displays at 106 that the leash number is not valid, either because the number does not exist, or because the end of the leash corresponding to the number entered is already attached to a dog and the leash is therefore not available. He leaves the message displayed at 106bis long enough for the user to have time to read it, then returns to 103 and again asks the user to choose a leash number.

If this time the user chooses a leash whose number exists and which is available, the microprocessor saves at 107 in the memory of the control box the leash number, then invites the user at 108,109 to enter a secret code of locking / unlocking for the locking means located at the free end 4 of the leash that she has chosen. At 110, it saves the entered code. At 111, 112, it invites the user to enter the secret code again. In 113 ( ), it verifies the concordance between the two codes, in the event of a difference, it makes this known by display at 114 and waits at 115 for a certain time, then returns to 108 and again asks the user to enter a code again.

If in 113, there is agreement between the code entered and the code entered again, the microprocessor goes to step 116 where it saves the couple (leash/code) and it notes in 117 in the memory the fact that the leash selected is no longer available to another user. Then, at 118, it controls the energization of the electromagnet 23 of the chosen leash. The rod 24 of the latter then retracts, which means that the locking rod 15 can move along the axis of the cylindrical end 12. The user is informed of this at 119. The microprocessor lets him the time to unhook the leash from the hook 29 to which it is fixed and to attach the dog by delaying at 120. Once the allotted time has elapsed, it locks at 121 the end 4 of the leash. The dog is then securely attached. The microprocessor displays at 122 a corresponding message, waits at 123 for a certain time so that the user can read it then returns to 101 to put itself immediately at the service of a new mistress or dog master, or a little late, at the service of the same user who comes to pick up her dog.

If, at 101, a master-user chooses to untie his bitch, the microprocessor proceeds to steps 124, 125 where it invites the user to enter the number of the leash to which his bitch is attached. It saves the chosen number at 126. In 127,128 he invites the user to enter the code associated with the leash he has chosen. At 129, the microprocessor verifies whether the code corresponds to the leash in question. If not, it informs the user of the error at 130,131 and returns to step 101.

Of course, he could return to step 119 instead of returning to step 101, but returning to step 101 forces the user to redo as many steps as possible, which is intended to discourage him s is a dog thief or thief.

If there is correspondence between the leash number and the secret code, the microprocessor goes to step 132 where it controls the electricity supply to the electromagnet 23, the latter then pulls its rod 24 towards the inside of the solenoid and thus releases the locking rod 15. The user is also informed of this at 132 and is asked to altruistically hang up the leash on a hook 29.

At 133, the microprocessor notes in the memory associated with it that the leash number is available again, it waits at 134 for the user to have time to untie his dog and then returns to step 101. If the hook 39 is in the form of a loop, the leash can no longer be removed from the hook 39 until a new cycle of dog attachment restarts (steps 103 and following).

Complements

The memory can be constant, i.e. it retains information, in particular associations (secret code/leash), so that the dogs are always releasable, even if a power cut has occurred at a time of day.

A back-up battery can be provided to allow the release of the dogs if a power outage were to be prolonged.

The electromagnets described below are of the pulling type, so as to obtain a normally closed system. Thus, in the event of a power cut, the dogs remain attached. Thieves who would succeed in cutting the wires 7, could therefore not steal the dogs, unless they connected the cut wires of the electromagnet to a battery for example. However, this would not be done discreetly or easily, because it would be necessary at the same time to move the locking rod 15 and remove the leash part 2 or the collar or harness buckle from the cavity 21.

An administrator secret code for all leashes, or, possibly, an administrator code per leash,

can be provided so that an administrator can unlock all leashes or a particular leash, for example, if a mistress or a master no longer remembers the secret code she/he used to tether her/his dog. The leash or leashes are then noted by the microprocessor as being free.

In order to prevent smart people from having fun blocking leashes without dogs, that is to say by choosing a leash and assigning it a code in the absence of a dog, it can be planned to program at the end of each day, when it is certain that all the mistresses and masters have taken their animals back, that all the leashes are noted as being available.

Development

Most dog leashes and harnesses commercially available these days are usually easy to attach to the pet and detach.

To prevent a skilful thief from being able to quickly and discreetly seize a dog by unfastening its collar or harness, it is possible either to attach the locking/unlocking means 5 to the leash 2 itself, as been described previously, or to use the variant of leash visible on the .

This variant is particularly interesting when the leash 2 is a large chain and/or to which it is impossible to attach the locking-unlocking means 5.

Thus, the variant of comprises, at its free end 4, a part 30 forming a collar or harness, intended to be fixed by the mistress or master of the dog around the body of the animal (neck or thorax).

This part 30 forming a collar or harness is suitable for being fixed to the locking/unlocking means 5. It can therefore comprise at its end a loop which can be held in the cavity 21 by being crossed by the locking rod 15.

Preferably, the part 30 forming a collar or harness intended to surround the neck or the thorax of the pet comprises several locations along its length for attachment to the locking/unlocking means.

This allows it to adapt to the size of the animal's neck or thorax and can be easily obtained, for example when, as seen in the , the part 30 forming a collar or harness is a chain, or includes a section forming a chain, with links that can cooperate with the connection rod 15, that is to say be crossed by this connection rod 15. Thus, each link corresponds to a determined length corresponding to the circumference of the neck or the thorax of an animal and the part 30 forming a collar or harness can therefore be used to attach animals of different sizes.

Furthermore, it is possible to use the device and the methods according to the invention to attach/detach other objects such as bicycles, scooters, Segways, etc.

Claims (15)

Anti-theft device for pets, comprising:
- at least one support (1) comprising a control box (6),
- at least one leash (2) of which one end (3) is fixed to the support (1) and the other (4) is free and comprises locking/unlocking means (5) able to be controlled by the control unit (6), and
- connecting means (7) between the control unit (6) and the locking/unlocking means (5). Anti-theft device according to claim 1, in which the locking/unlocking means (5) are electromagnetic means. Anti-theft device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the locking/unlocking means (5) are adapted to be fixed to a collar or harness of a pet. Anti-theft device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the locking/unlocking means (5) are suitable for attaching/detaching to/from the leash (2) itself. Anti-theft device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the connecting means are an electric cable (7) accompanying the leash (2). Anti-theft device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support (1) is vertical and comprises a base (8) and a vertical rod (9). Anti-theft device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the support (1) further comprises at least one hook (29). Anti-theft device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, in which the free end (4) of the leash (2) further comprises a part (30) forming a collar or harness suitable for being fixed to the locking/unlocking means ( 5). Anti-theft device according to claim 8, in which the part (30) forming a collar or harness comprises several places for attachment/detachment to/from the locking/unlocking means (5). Anti-theft device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, in which the support (1) comprises several leashes (2). Anti-theft device according to Claim 10, in which the support (1) comprises several parts spaced horizontally, the sum of the lengths of the leashes (2) of two adjacent parts being less than the space between these parts. Anti-theft device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control box (6) contains or can be connected to a source of electrical energy and it comprises electronic means including a microprocessor, a memory containing a program to be executed by the microprocessor, input means (27) and display means (28). A method of attaching a pet by means of a device according to claim 12, comprising the following steps:
- if necessary, selection of a leash (2) using the input means (27),
- fixing of the locking/unlocking means (5) of the free end (4) of the leash (2) selected

• to a part of the leash (2) itself, surrounding the pet's neck or thorax,
• to the pet's collar or harness or
• to the part (30) forming a collar,

- entering a locking/unlocking code using the input means (27),
- possible confirmation of the locking/unlocking code. A method of detaching a tethered pet by means of a device according to claim 12, comprising the following steps:
- if necessary, selection of a leash (2) using the input means (27),
- input, using input means (27), of the locking/unlocking code corresponding to the leash (2) selected,
- detachment of the locking/unlocking means (5) from the free end (4) of the leash (2) selected

• the part of the leash (2) surrounding the pet's neck or thorax,
• the pet's collar or harness, or
• of the part (30) forming the collar.

Method for managing the anti-theft device according to claim 12, comprising the following steps:
- waiting for the choice of operating mode,
- if the mode of operation is the attachment of a pet,

• request and wait for entry of a leash number (2),
• then unlocking the free end (4) of the leash (2) selected,
• request and wait for the entry of a locking/unlocking code for the leash (2) selected,
• possibly, request and wait for confirmation of the code entered,
• association of the code entered with the leash number (2) selected and storage of the association,
• locking of the leash (2) selected,
• possible display of the completion of the locking of the leash (2) selected,
• return to waiting for the choice of operating mode;

- if the mode of operation is the detachment of a pet,

• request and wait for entry of a leash number (2),
• request and wait for entry of the locking/unlocking code corresponding to the leash number (2) entered,
• verification of the correspondence between the code entered and the leash number (2) entered,
• if there is no correspondence, display of an error message then return to the choice of operating mode,
• in the event of a match, unlocking of the leash (2) whose number has been entered,
• possible display of the realization of the unlocking of this leash (2), then
• return to waiting for the choice of operating mode.