GB2045914A

GB2045914A - Improvements in and relating to illuminated safety devices suitable for attachment to a dog collar

Info

Publication number: GB2045914A
Application number: GB7910809A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Librett B E
Current assignee: Librett B E
Priority date: 1979-03-28
Filing date: 1979-03-28
Publication date: 1980-11-05

Abstract

An illuminated safety device comprises a casing 12 divided into a compartment for a battery or batteries above which is a bulb compartment having a transparent or translucent cover 30. A strap 14 extends from the lower end of the casing, i.e. the end away from the bulb compartment and this strap is of a size to be joined around a dog collar, a person's belt or the like 16. Since the bulb compartment is positioned above the battery compartment the light emission will be visible even if the dog has relatively long hair. Preferably, the strap has an integral identification tag. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to illuminated safety devices This invention relates to an illuminated safety device which can conveniently be carried by or attached to the clothing of, human beings and ani mals so as to give a warning of their presence at night. The invention is particularly applicable to an illuminated safety device for attachment to the col lars of dogs.

Illuminated safety devices of this type are known but generally they have consisted of a number of small electric bulbs implanted in a dog's collar and energised by means of a suitable battery carried in a pocket on the collar. A serious disadvantage of such a device is that it is usually very difficult to replace the bulbs or the like and so the whole collar becomes ineffective once a number of the bulbs have ceased to function. In addition, if the dog has relatively long hair this will generally cover the bulbs and so the bulbs can no longer function as a safety device to warn, for example, the motorists of the presence of the dog.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an important safety device which does not suffer from the above noted disadvantages.

According to the invention there is provided an illuminated safety device comprising a battery and bulb casing which includes a compartment for carrying one or more electric batteries and above that compartment, a bulb compartment which has a transparent or transluscent cover, and strap means extending from the lower end of the casing away from the bulb compartment which can be joined around a collar, belt or the like to hold the device on a collar, belt or the like. Preferably the device additionally has an identification tag which is capable of carrying information relating to the name and address of the wearer.

Such a device has the advantage that the bulb or bulbs are accessible for replacement if required and the device can be attached at will to anyone's collars and belts. In addition, the positioning of the light and the bulb compartment above the battery compartment raises the light source up above the level of for example, a dog's collar so that the light source can be visible despite a dog having relatively long hair which would normally cover any collar it is wearing.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the safety device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the device with its strap in the colsed position and joined round a dog's collar; and Figure 3 is an upright section through the device taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

The illuminated safety device 10 shown in the irawings includes a casing 12 to which is joined a ;trap 14 for attaching the device to, for example, a dog's collar 16 shown in Figure 2. At the base of the casing there are a pair of slots 18 (see Figure 3) and it is through those slots that the strap 14 extends and by means of which the strap and casing are held together.

The casing 12 includes a lower compartment 20 which contains one or more dry batteries 22. The casing has an upper compartment 24 separated from the lower compartment by a wall 26 in which one or more electric light bulbs 28 are positioned. The upper compartment 24 is covered with a domed shape transluscent cover 30 through which the light emitted by the bulb or bulbs 28 passes. The lower compartment 20 has along its side, a further compartment 32 containing a printed circuit 34 carrying the electric leads and the like for controlling the actuation of the bulbs 28 which may be continuously energised or intermittently energised so that the safety device appears to emit a flashing light. An on/off switch 36 is provided on the side of the casing.

The strap 14 has integrally formed in its end an identification tag 40. Also the strap has a slot 42 and a further slot 44 formed in an upstanding rib 46 formed with the tag 40. The identification tag is of conventional construction and provides a recess 48 in which a sheet carrying the name and address of the pet can be positioned and covered with a suitable transparent cover to keep it waterproof.

The strap 14 has formed in it a series of parallel holes 50 whilst the slot 42 has projecting from one side of it, a small resilient finger 52 of such a size as to be capable of engaging any one of the holes 50.

Thus, when the device 10 is to be attached to a dog's collar 16, the strap 14 is bent around the collar, passed up through the slot 42 and pulled tight so that the finger 52 engages the appropriate slot 50 to hold the device securely in place. Then the free end of the strap 14 is, if long enough, passed through the slot 44, as best shown in Figure 2.

An important advantage of the invention is the fact that the illuminated portion of the device is positioned in use well above the dog's collar 16.

Thus the cover 30 is positioned over the upper compartment 24 which is above the battery compartment 20. Therefore, the chances of the cover 30 being covered or masked by a dog's hair are significantly reduced as compared with a case where the bulbs 28 merely project a short distance from the surface of a dog's collar 16.

The illuminated safety device of the invention is not only suitable by pets but can also be used, for example, human beings who participate in nighttime running activities on public roads, by attaching the device to the belt of clothing worn by the runner.

1. An illuminated safety device comprising a battery and bulb casing which includes a compartment for carrying one or more electric batteries and above that compartment, a bulb compartment which has a transparent ortransluscent cover, and strap means extending from the lower end of the casing away from the bulb compartment which can be joined

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to illuminated safety devices This invention relates to an illuminated safety device which can conveniently be carried by or attached to the clothing of, human beings and ani mals so as to give a warning of their presence at night. The invention is particularly applicable to an illuminated safety device for attachment to the col lars of dogs. Illuminated safety devices of this type are known but generally they have consisted of a number of small electric bulbs implanted in a dog's collar and energised by means of a suitable battery carried in a pocket on the collar. A serious disadvantage of such a device is that it is usually very difficult to replace the bulbs or the like and so the whole collar becomes ineffective once a number of the bulbs have ceased to function. In addition, if the dog has relatively long hair this will generally cover the bulbs and so the bulbs can no longer function as a safety device to warn, for example, the motorists of the presence of the dog. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an important safety device which does not suffer from the above noted disadvantages. According to the invention there is provided an illuminated safety device comprising a battery and bulb casing which includes a compartment for carrying one or more electric batteries and above that compartment, a bulb compartment which has a transparent or transluscent cover, and strap means extending from the lower end of the casing away from the bulb compartment which can be joined around a collar, belt or the like to hold the device on a collar, belt or the like. Preferably the device additionally has an identification tag which is capable of carrying information relating to the name and address of the wearer. Such a device has the advantage that the bulb or bulbs are accessible for replacement if required and the device can be attached at will to anyone's collars and belts. In addition, the positioning of the light and the bulb compartment above the battery compartment raises the light source up above the level of for example, a dog's collar so that the light source can be visible despite a dog having relatively long hair which would normally cover any collar it is wearing. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the safety device according to the invention; Figure 2 shows the device with its strap in the colsed position and joined round a dog's collar; and Figure 3 is an upright section through the device taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1. The illuminated safety device 10 shown in the irawings includes a casing 12 to which is joined a ;trap 14 for attaching the device to, for example, a dog's collar 16 shown in Figure 2. At the base of the casing there are a pair of slots 18 (see Figure 3) and it is through those slots that the strap 14 extends and by means of which the strap and casing are held together. The casing 12 includes a lower compartment 20 which contains one or more dry batteries 22. The casing has an upper compartment 24 separated from the lower compartment by a wall 26 in which one or more electric light bulbs 28 are positioned. The upper compartment 24 is covered with a domed shape transluscent cover 30 through which the light emitted by the bulb or bulbs 28 passes. The lower compartment 20 has along its side, a further compartment 32 containing a printed circuit 34 carrying the electric leads and the like for controlling the actuation of the bulbs 28 which may be continuously energised or intermittently energised so that the safety device appears to emit a flashing light. An on/off switch 36 is provided on the side of the casing. The strap 14 has integrally formed in its end an identification tag 40. Also the strap has a slot 42 and a further slot 44 formed in an upstanding rib 46 formed with the tag 40. The identification tag is of conventional construction and provides a recess 48 in which a sheet carrying the name and address of the pet can be positioned and covered with a suitable transparent cover to keep it waterproof. The strap 14 has formed in it a series of parallel holes 50 whilst the slot 42 has projecting from one side of it, a small resilient finger 52 of such a size as to be capable of engaging any one of the holes 50. Thus, when the device 10 is to be attached to a dog's collar 16, the strap 14 is bent around the collar, passed up through the slot 42 and pulled tight so that the finger 52 engages the appropriate slot 50 to hold the device securely in place. Then the free end of the strap 14 is, if long enough, passed through the slot 44, as best shown in Figure 2. An important advantage of the invention is the fact that the illuminated portion of the device is positioned in use well above the dog's collar 16. Thus the cover 30 is positioned over the upper compartment 24 which is above the battery compartment 20. Therefore, the chances of the cover 30 being covered or masked by a dog's hair are significantly reduced as compared with a case where the bulbs 28 merely project a short distance from the surface of a dog's collar 16. The illuminated safety device of the invention is not only suitable by pets but can also be used, for example, human beings who participate in nighttime running activities on public roads, by attaching the device to the belt of clothing worn by the runner. CLAIMS

1. An illuminated safety device comprising a battery and bulb casing which includes a compartment for carrying one or more electric batteries and above that compartment, a bulb compartment which has a transparent ortransluscent cover, and strap means extending from the lower end of the casing away from the bulb compartment which can be joined around a collar, belt or the like to hold the device on a collar, belt or the like.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 which additionally has an identification tag.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 2 in which the identification tag is integrally formed with the strap means.

4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which the strap means pass through two slots in the lower end of the casing.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which, alongside the compartment for the batteries, is a further compartment for electrical wiring, controls and the like.

6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim in which, when actuated, the bulbs are arranged to emit a flashing light.

7. An illuminated safety device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.