GB1559082A - Roller-action leash in a container to be attached to a dogcollar - Google Patents

Description

(54) A ROLLER-ACTION LEASH IN A CONTAINER TO BE ATTACHED TO A DOG COLLAR (71) I, RHODA O MALLEY of 35 Brook Street, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, a British Subject do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following state ment - This invention relates to a roller-action leash in a container for attachment to a dog collar.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel, self-contained dog leash to be attached to a dog collar as an integral part thereof, and designed to harmonise with, or decorate such a collar. A further object of this invention is to provide the animal owner with a leash that is convenient in use, always ready-at-hand, cannot be mislaid. lost or forgotten once it is attached to the collar, and, a leash which, because it is self-encased when not in use, cannot be chewed upon or damaged by the animal.

The inventor also believes this invention to be useful as secondary leash, as well as being useful in dog-training and for the handling of stray animals.

The invention accordingly provides a leash, comprising a rotatable member mounted in a casing, a spring connected to said rotatable member to bias the rotatable member in one sense or rotation, an elongate flexible leash member wound on the rotatable member and having a free end extending from a slot in the casing, the free end having a stop to prevent its complete retraction into the casing, and the inner end of the leash member having a stop member to prevent pulling out from the casing and being connected by a wire to the rotatable member and, when the leash member is fullv extended, the stop member being seated against a latching spring adjacent the slot in the casing to prevent unwanted retraction of the leash member.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the leash.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the leash retracted and extended.

Fig. 6 is a detail of part of the device.

Fig. 7 is an exploded vertical section, and Fig. 8 is a cross section of the leash at right angles to Fig. 7.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, the embodiment comprises a leash member 20, of extruded nylon having a loop 21 at its inner end, embracing a metal rod 22 which acts as a stop. A wire 23 connects the end of the leash to an inner drum 24.

The drum 24 encloses a coil spring 25, an end 26 of which is engaged on a slot 27 in the drum 24.

The drum 24 is mounted in a two part outer case 28, 29, so as to be rotatable on a bolt 30, which is secured by a nut 31.

The other end of spring 25 is secured in a slot in the bolt 30.

The casing 28,29 is attachable to a lead collar of an animal by a metal loop 32.

which passes through an apertured lug 33 of the casing.

The drum 24 is rotatable, and the spring 25 biases the drum in one sense of rotation.

The leash is withdrawn by unwinding from the drurn 24, and causing the latter to rotate against the bias of the spring 25. Loss of the inner end of the leash is prevented by the wire 23, and unwanted retraction of the leash is prevented by a cranked latch spring 34, a kink 35 in which presses against the end stop 22 of the leash. The latch spring 34 is released by pressure on a knob 36 which extends from a slot 37, adjacent the slot for the leash.

In use accordingly, the leash will not be retracted automatically if tension is released, c.g. if a dog escapes, but retraction can be easily effected when desired by pressure on the knob 36.

The outer end of the leash also has a stop, which also conveniently acts is a pulling out tab. This may as shown in Fig. 5 be an identification disc 3S, or medalion.

The free end of the leash is also, as conventionally, formed with a grip loop 39, for holding onto.

The casing in either of the described embodiments can if desired be given a fanciful shape, such as for example a bone, or dog shape, or other ornamental design, without detracting from its utility.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A leash, comprising a rotatable member mounted in a casing, a spring connected to said rotatable member to bias the rotatable member in one sense of rotation, an elongate flexible leash member wound on the rotatable member and having a free end extending from a slot in the casing, the free end having a stop to prevent its complete retraction into the casing, and the inner end of thc leash member having a stop member to prevent pulling out from the casing and being connected by a wire to the - rotatable member and, when the leash member is fully extended, the stop member being seated against a latching spring adjacent the slot in the casing to prevent unwanted retraction of the leash member.

2. A leash according to claim 1 having a ring or loop attached to the casing, for fastening to a lead collar.

3. A leash according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the spring is a coil spring.

4. A leash according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said stop is provided by a grip tab which is wider than the slot.

5. A leash according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable member comprises a drum, and the spring is mounted within said drum.

6. A leash according to claim 1, wherein said latching spring is releasable by pressing on a knob extending out from the casing.

7. A leash substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to an as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. retracted automatically if tension is released, c.g. if a dog escapes, but retraction can be easily effected when desired by pressure on the knob 36. The outer end of the leash also has a stop, which also conveniently acts is a pulling out tab. This may as shown in Fig. 5 be an identification disc 3S, or medalion. The free end of the leash is also, as conventionally, formed with a grip loop 39, for holding onto. The casing in either of the described embodiments can if desired be given a fanciful shape, such as for example a bone, or dog shape, or other ornamental design, without detracting from its utility. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A leash, comprising a rotatable member mounted in a casing, a spring connected to said rotatable member to bias the rotatable member in one sense of rotation, an elongate flexible leash member wound on the rotatable member and having a free end extending from a slot in the casing, the free end having a stop to prevent its complete retraction into the casing, and the inner end of thc leash member having a stop member to prevent pulling out from the casing and being connected by a wire to the - rotatable member and, when the leash member is fully extended, the stop member being seated against a latching spring adjacent the slot in the casing to prevent unwanted retraction of the leash member.

2. A leash according to claim 1 having a ring or loop attached to the casing, for fastening to a lead collar.

3. A leash according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the spring is a coil spring.

4. A leash according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said stop is provided by a grip tab which is wider than the slot.

5. A leash according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable member comprises a drum, and the spring is mounted within said drum.

6. A leash according to claim 1, wherein said latching spring is releasable by pressing on a knob extending out from the casing.

7. A leash substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to an as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.