GB2258380A - Animal lead and collar assembly. - Google Patents

Abstract

An animal lead and collar assembly is stiffened by a T-shaped insert 4 so that the lead is kept upright in use when released from the keepers grip. Entanglement with the animal's legs and soiling on the ground are thus prevented. Elastic tapes 6 prevent the collar from slipping round the animal's neck. <IMAGE>

Description

ANTI-FOULING ANIMAL LEAD AND COLLAR ASSEMBLY This invention relates to an anti-fouling animal lead and collar assembly.

Leads and collars are well known devices for restraining dogs and other animals. They are typically comprised of a length of flexible material in the form of a tape cord or chain attached to a binding which can be fitted to an animal, usually around its neck.

By their highly flexible nature when they are released from the keeper's grip. leads drop to the ground, often becoming entangled in the animal's les and /or becoming soiled by contact with the ground. Retrieval of the lead can be difficult and unpleasant, particularly if the keeper is elderly or infirm, or the animal is untrained or excited, According to the present invention there is provided a lead and collar assembly where the lead is stiffened to prevent collapse and entanglenient. and the collar is designed to retain the lead in an upright position.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows the lead and collar assembly as seen from the front.

Figure 2 shows a "cut away" section of the lead and collar assembly revealing the components integral to this specific embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawing the lead and collar assembly comprises a lead 1 and collar 2 constructed form a sheath or scabbard for a length of a stiffer but not rigid material 4. This stiffener insert 4 is in this example in the shape of an inverted 'T', the vertical part thereof slightly shorter than the length of the scabbard 3.

The collar 2 is provided with an opening in the top outer surface 7 into which are inserted the two short horizontal lengths 5 of the 'T' shaped stiffener. The collar is threaded through the bottom loop 8 of the lead, with the longest part of the 'T' shaped stiffener inserted into the hollow body of the lead. The collar surface which will be in contact with the animal's neck is provided in this example with elastic tapes 6 to resist the collar sliding round under the leverage of the lead.

Claims (8)

1. A lead and collar assembly comprising of a lead and stiffening component, a collar and tensioning component, means of attaching the components, the assembly enabling the lead to be self-supporting in an upright position when in use.

2. A lead and collar assembly as claimed in Claim 1, the lead of which is stiffened by means of an insert of stiffer material.

3. A lead and collar assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the stiffener is adjustable and,'or removahle.

4. A lead and collar assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 where the collar has an adjustable and/or removable tensioning device.

5. A lead and collar assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 where the collar forms a harness.

6. A lead and collar assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 where the lead and collar are separable by means of releasable fastenings.

7. A dog lead and collar assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6 where fastenings are provided to enable its use in conjunction with devices such as retractable leads, running leads, pulleys, handles and anchorage points.

8. A dog lead and collar assembly substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.