GB2434072A

GB2434072A - Remote controlled dog training device

Info

Publication number: GB2434072A
Application number: GB0600448A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Anthony Swindells
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-11
Filing date: 2006-01-11
Publication date: 2007-07-18
Also published as: GB0600448D0

Abstract

A remote controlled dog training device which includes a box (1) to which is attached a two channel radio receiver (4) and a servo Figure 9 (2A). The device also includes a two channel radio transmitter, Figure 5 (20). A tennis ball (12) can be placed in the top of the box so that it sits on a removable spring (11). When the lid on the box is closed it depresses the ball on the spring. On receipt of a radio signal from the transmitter either the ball is released by the priming arm (8) situated on the top of the lid being rotated, or, a "click" sound is emitted dependant on which button is depressed on the transmitter. A removable scent box, Figure 3 (16) can be attached to the box (1). The device can be used in one of three positions with or without the spring attachment.

Description

I

Remote Control Dog Training Device The invention relates to a device for use in training sniffer dogs. It includes a box containing a tennis ball supported on a spring, a two channel radio transmitter, a two channel radio receiver, a servo and a removable box in which various scents can be placed.

Training dogs to locate various scents is common. However the problem arises in rewarding the dogs once they have located the scent. Traditionally this is done by the handler, but dogs soon realise that the handler is in possession of the reward, the tennis ball, and often look or return to him/her thus leaving the scent. Additionally, training dogs with the use of a device which emits a "clicking" sound is common but again the device is operated by the handler which again causes the dog to look to him/her.

The object of this device is to provide a means where the reward, the tennis ball and/or the "clicking" sound are emitted from the source of the scent or nearby.

Accordingly, this device will allow the handler or a third person to generate a reward and cause the dog to focus on the scent, and not the handler, thus making its indications more positive. It will also reduce the training time as the reward can be generated at a key moment by an experienced person whether that person is the handler or not.

The device is small enough to be concealed in any training environment. It can be used in one of three positions: horizontal, to throw the ball into the air; prone, to throw the ball vertically and suspended, to allow the ball to drop. The device can be used with or without the spring attachment in the prone or suspended positions. It is totally silent when in "standby" mode and contains no other noticeable scents other than the one intended to be found. The radio transmitter is "key-fob" size thus making it easy to handle. The box containing the scent can be removed from the device to allow for it to be further concealed for more advanced training and holes in the box can be regulated to limit/increase the scent flow from the box.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows a right-hand side view of the whole device.

FIGURE 2 shows a sectional view of the device.

FIGURE 3 shows a left-hand view of the device.

FIGURE 4 shows a front view of the device.

FIGURE 5 shows the radio transmitter (key-fob).

FIGURE 6 shows the lid release mechanism (servo).

FIGURE 7 shows the supporting straps.

FIGURE 8 shows a plan view of the device.

FIGURE 9 shows a wiring diagram for the device.

As shown in Figure 1 the device comprises of an oblong box (1) with a hinged lid (3).

The hinge (15) allows the lid to open clear of the box i.e. 270 degrees. When the lid is in the closed position it is held in place by a priming arm (8) which is attached to an electrical server placed inside a retaining box (2). Figure 6 shows the servo (2A) inside the box (2) and this is fastened to the front of the box (l) as shown in Figure 4 The servo (2A) is wired to a two channel radio receiver (4) which itself is fastened to the right-hand side of the box (1). The wiring is completed via three wiring connection blocks (5). The connecting blocks are fastened to the wall of the receiver (4) Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the inside of the box. When a tennis ball (12) is placed inside the box (1) and the lid (3) closed it suppresses the spring (11). The spring is held in placed by retaining eyes (10). The lid can then be secured by moving the priming arm (8) over the lid. This is shown in Figure 8. The spring can be removed by unscrewing it from the eyes or can be replaced by reversing the process.

Figure 2 also shows a battery pack (14) which houses 8 AA batteries. A terminal wire connects the battery pack, via the recess (7) as shown in Figure 1, to the radio receiver (4) again via the connection blocks (5). Figure 9, explained in full later, also shows the method of wiring.

Figure 5 shows the key-fob radio transmitter (20). When the device is connected, as detailed in Figure 9, a single "click" is generated by one depression of the circular button (20B). On depressing the triangular button (20A) the servo (2) is activated causing the priming arm (8) to rotate 90 degrees and thus release the lid (3). This will then cause the tennis ball (12) to spring out of the box (1) Figure 3 shows a left-hand view of the box with the scent container (16) attached. The container (16) is attached via Velcro fittings thus making it removable. A hole (18) in the container can be covered if required by placing the plug (17) over it.

Figure 7 shows two webbing straps. The shorter of the two (21) is fastened to the base of the box (13), Figure 1, and the ringlets (21A) are fitted over the two bolts (6) as visible in Figure 3. This allows access to the battery pack (14) as seen in Figure 2. The longer strap (22) can also be secured to the bolts (6) via the wing-nuts (19) to allow the device to be suspended from a suitable fitting (not shown). The wing-nuts also provide elevation at the rear of the device to allow it to be used in the prone position with or without the internal spring attachment (11).

The electrical wiring for the device is detailed in Figure 9. Power from the battery pack (14) is sent to the radio receiver (4) and to the servo (2A). Circuit boards within the receiver allow a full connection to be made via channel (4A) to the servo on depression of the triangular button on the transmitter, Figure 5 (20A). Depression of the circular button (20B), Figure 5, diverts power to the "blank" channel (4B) thus generating a "click" sound. All signals from the transmitter (20) are received by the antennae (4C) contained within the receiver and linked to the circuit board. Power from the battery pack is connected to the relevant components via a wiring connection block (5).

Claims

CLAIMS

I. A remote controlled dog training device including a box on which is secured a radio receiver and electrical server, the box containing a tennis ball sat on a spring and capable of being ejected by the depression of a button on a transmitter which will release a priming arm on the box lid.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 which will also emit a "clicking" sound on the depression of a second button also located on the same transmitter as detailed in Claim 1.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 on which a scent box can be attached or removed.

4. A scent box as claimed in Claim 3 which has a plug to regulate the flow of scent emitted from the box.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim which includes fittings capable of it being used in an upright, prone or suspended position.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 1, Claim 2 and Claim 3 which is made from metal, plastics material, fabric or wood or from a combination of these materials.

7. A remote controlled dog training device substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.