GB2436929A

GB2436929A - A securing device for a dog faecal waste collector

Info

Publication number: GB2436929A
Application number: GB0702149A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Derrick Thame Sunderland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-04-06
Filing date: 2007-02-05
Publication date: 2007-10-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-05
Also published as: GB2436929B; GB0702149D0; GB0606937D0

Abstract

A retractable securing device 3 comprising a housing 5 which attaches to a dog harness 2 by means of straps 4. The free ends of two cords 8 engage with a waste collection bag W using releasable fastening members 9. The waste collection bag is secured beneath the tail of the dog to collect solid waste. The securing device may incorporate a tensioning mechanism (20, fig. 3). The device may also be fitted with battery powered lights or light emitting diodes (LEDs).

Description

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2436929

Description

Securing Device For Animal Hygiene

The present invention is in the field of public hygiene, and is particularly concerned with the prevention of domestic animal pollution in public places.

Most particularly, the invention seeks to provide a device for attaching to an animal to be used as the securing element of an animal waste collection apparatus.

In recent years, the fouling of urban spaces, particularly by dogs, has aroused environmental and public health concerns. Dog owners are now urged to clean up waste matter from pavements, parks and play areas.

The removal of the dog's waste by it's owner is usually accomplished by inserting a hand into a plastic bag so that the deposited material can be gathered up without direct contact with the offensive material.

Published UK Patent GB 2410883 describes an animal waste collector comprising a waste collection apparatus in which a waste collection bag is attached to the rear of a quadruped by means of a dorsal harness which attaches to an animal's own harness or collar. However, some dog owners may wish to employ a harness which has a more discreet appearance and yet is as fully effective in attaching a waste collection container to an animal.

The present invention seeks to provide a retractable harness device, as part of an animal

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waste collection system in which a housing is releaseably attached to an amimal's own harness and contains at least one retractable mechanism operating to store, extend and retract cords through apertures, the cords serving to secure via fixing members an animal waste collection bag to the rear of an animal in order to collect solid waste deposited by the animal.

A first aspect of the invention provides a convenient and discreet means or attaching a waste collection container to an animal via a device which does not necessitate the use or appearance of a cumbersome and complicated harness system which may extend along and around the body or an animal or between its legs thereby impeding it's movement

In use, retractable cords or tapes can be payed out from a discreet and lightweight housing which has attachment portions which connect to an animal's own collar or harness. A suitable waste collection bag may then be attached to releaseable attachment connections joined to the payed out ends of the cords after being correctly positioned at the rear of an animal.

In operation, retractable mechanisms contained in the lightweight housing, maintain a flexible tension on the tapes or cords which keeps the opening of the bag in position with the cloacal orifice of the animal and allows for the animal's body movements.

After the bag is detached for hygenic disposal, the cords are automatically retracted into the homing. The device may then remain attached to an animal's collar or

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conventional harness ready for further use.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a dorsal view of an animal showing the device attached to a dog's own conventional harness and attaching to a collection bag.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a simplified embodiment of a retractable cord harness with a "figure of eight" shaped housing.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a retractable harness device showing an integral tensioning mechanism, vertically mounted, centrally and top-most the housing engaging with surfaces of rotating reels.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a retractable harness showing the lower section of an alternative, rectangular housing structure in a horizontal plane and engaging obliquely with the rims of rotating reels. A corresponding corner or the upper section of the housing is shown in inset.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a retractable harness device mounted on a dog's conventional harness. The housing incoporates two diametrically opposed side road safety-lights. A battery chamber and ON OFF FLASH mode switch are accommodated centrally and rearward. Attachable loops are

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Figure 5 cont. mounted via 'stop' shields at the extreme payed out ends of retractable cords.

Figure 6 is a dorsal view of a dog showing a device with a single retractable mechanism. The device is attached to a dog's conventional harness. A single payed-out cord terminates in a pair of diverging cords which attach to a collection bag via attaching hooks mounted after stop. shields.

Figure 7 shows a partial view of a single retractable cord terminating in a diverging pair of cord members with attaching hooks at their extreme ends. A piece of triangular fabric is attached to diverging cord members along their entire length.

Referring now to the drawings: Figure 1, shows a dog 1 in rear view wearing a conventional harness 2. The retractable harness 3 is attached to die girth component of the conventional harness by means of attachable straps 4. A waste collection bag W (not part of the present invention) is secured to the rear of the dog via attachable hooks 9 situated at the extremities of cords 8 which emerge from apertures 6.

Figure 2 shows housing 5 or container of moulded hardened plastic or metal or rubber material substantially containing two operable retractable mechanisims 10. The term 'retractable mechanism' includes any mechanism for retracting a cord and permitting extension of at least part of it known in prior art.

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In the embodiments shown in Figures 1,2,3,4 and 5 the retractable devices are two spring-loaded reels 10 mounted on central pins or columns lOe. A coil lOd Fig. 4 applies to spool 10 for retracting and winding cord 8 on to spool 10.

In the Figures the sprung reels 10 are mounted in a lateral plane, side by side with sufficient clearance between the reels 10 and between the reels 10 and housing 5 to permit free rotation or operation of any other retractable device.

It is envisaged that the interior and exterior of the housing 5 may be shaped and embody structures such as recesses, ribs, hollows, separating cavities or walls that facilitate the operation of spring loaded reels or any other retractable device.

Further that the housing 5 may be shaped or constructed to hold retractable devices such as spring powered reels or spools in the positions shown in Figures 2,3 and 4 or in any other workable configuration such as side by side in a vertical or lateral plane, substantially overlaping, placed one on top of the other or in an irregular configuration.

In Figures 1,2,3 and 5 the housing 5 has a curved 'figure of eight' shape. In an alternative embodiment Figure 4 shows the lower section 5b of a rectangular housing 5 in perspective view with a corresponding corner in 'cut away inset'.

It is further envisaged that the housing 5 may be triangular, circular, hexagonal or of any other regular or irregular shape and may have protruding or recessed surfaces so as to accommodate one or more retractable device and all its features.

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It is understood that the exterior surfaces of the housing 5 may have curved or planular surfaces or a combination of both which may be tooled with a pattern or smooth. The housing 5 may have apertures and structures integral and or auxilliaiy to the main housing, interior or exterior the container to allow for the operation of accessory devices such as at least one battery driven road safety light or light emitting diode in addition the housing 5 may be personalised with identity details.

In Figures 1,2,3,4 and S of the drawings the housing 5 is formed from two moulded sections 5a and 5b which fit together to form a box or closed container with apertures. In the embodiments shown it is understood that the housing 5 has internal arrangements lOe Fig. 3 and 4 on which the reels 10 are mounted and which serve as an additional link between sections of the housing 5a and 5b.

The housing 5 may be formed from two or more sections that secure together by means of conventional joints or fixings such as screws 5c, bolts or rivets, co-operating male and female connections 5d, operating plastic joints or hinges Not Shown. These fixings may be situated around the corresponding peripheries 5d and 5e Fig. 2, interior or exterior the perimeters of the housing edges and surfaces that join together.

It is further envisaged that interior or exterior areas of the housing 5 or its corresponding peripheries may have releaseable fixings such as clips, studs, abutments, latches or lever and claw clasps.

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Further, that sections of the housing may pivot or slide open and closed to allow part of the casing to be temporarily opened for the purpose of insertion of batteries or the replacement of worn components.

In Figure 4 the corresponding peripheral edges 5d and Se of the two rectangular sections of the container 5a and 5b are shown to have a 'tongue and groove* joining configuration. It is understood that the releaseable edges of any suitably shaped housing shall be formed to secure together by any conventional joint or any suitable operable joint known in the art.

In Figures 1,2,3,4 and 5 two spring loaded reels 10 function to store, pay out and re-store cords or tapes 8 over varying lengths. These cords see Figures 1 -5 emerge through spaced apertures 6 in the housing 5. These apertures are situated so as to facilitate the efficient paying out and retrieval of the cords or tapes 8.

In Figure 5 cords or tapes 8 may be linked laterally across their payed out lengths by one or more transverse strap parts 8e. This transverse strap part having looped or attachable features 8f at the extreme adjacent ends conjoining with cords 8 enabling the transverse strap part{s} to slide along the extended cords in the region of 3. Alternatively the adjacent connections at either of the extreme ends of the transverse straps envisaged may be permanently joined to the extreme ends of the cords 8 not joined to a retractable device. In use, this transverse strap part 8e may be gripped when extension of the cords occurs and may be used as an anchoring device for variously shaped dogs.

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Further, it is understood that the cords or tapes 8 may be coated or formed from anti-kink material, plastercised or fashioned in such a way as to prevent tangles in animal fur or within the housing 5.

The extreme ends of the cords or tapes which are not attached to the retractable mechanism(s) are permanently connected to attachment hook-members or other suitable attachable devices such as loops, co-operating hook and loop material or snap-fasteners 9,9a, 9b and 9c. These attachable members cooperate with fixing points on the waste collection bag W or to any suitably shaped waste collection container, thus securing the opening of the container in alignment with the anus of the animal at required times.

These fixing members 9,9a, 9b and 9c are sufficiently large enough to act as stops to prevent the retracted cord(s) from being entirely drawn back into the housing after being disengaged from attaching points on the collection receptacle after defecation has occurred.

In the Figures the hooked shaped fixing members 9 and other shaped fixing members incorporate plastic or rubberised washers or sheilds 7 to more effectively prevent this and for easier handling purposes.

In Figure 4 the front-facing edge of the lower section of the housing 5b shows a pair of attachment bars or projecting slots 4b to which attachable straps 4 of a flexible materialsuch as leather, nylon webbing or plastic are permanently secured. These strap parts 4 act as releaseable fixings on to an animal's own

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collar or harness to allow cords 8 to be payed out along the animal's dorsal region 3 towards the tail. It is further envisaged that these attachable and releaseable straps may be fixed to the housing via external rings or slots or one or more clips releaseable or integral to the housing itself or may be permanentlly attached to the housing.

At spaced intervals along releaseable straps 4 are provided pads of co-operating material of hook and loop fastening 4a which enable straps 4 to form attachment loops with an animal harness 2 or collar prior to use.

In another embodiment NOT SHOWN the invention may be secured to an animal's own collar or harness by means of a single releaseable fixing member. It is yet further envisaged that die present invention may be permanently incorporated into the structure of an animal's conventional collar or harness 2 as shown in Figure S.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 3 the housing 5 incorporates a tensioning or braking device 20 situated centrally and topmost the upper casing 5a.

In the drawing in Figure 3 the housing embodys a raised area 12 which may be reinforced so as to accommodate a tensioning device. In Figure 4 there is no obvious increase in thickness or reinforcement in the housing 5.

Centra] the area in the housing 12 (Fig.3) a hole (NOTSHOWN) with a screw thread is channelled vertically downwards through the upper surface of the housing section 5a. A purpose-made screw 15 engages with co-operating

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thread 17 (Fig.4) and passes down through the top section of housing 5. The turning head of the screw 11 may be of any shape, but in the embodiment shown, it is in the form of a calibrated disc which may have tooled pattening about its vertical edges 16. A suitable washer 18 (Fig 4) which may be of the sprung type, separates the gripped head of the screw 11 from the housing 5. In another embodiment NOT SHOWN this washer is replaced by a helical spring or may be a spring and a washer.

At the base of the screw a circular holding plate 14 is attached through it's centre by means of a connecting screw or rivet NOT SHOWN or other means into the shank of the operating screw 15.

To the underside of this holding plate 14 is attached a disc of padded or flexible material 19 such as felt, rubberised foam, soft plastic material or cloth. This pad 19 may be formed of brushes.

In the embodiment shown in the figures the pad of flexible material 19 has sufficient depth and flexibility to provide variable and gradual pressure when engaged. This pad 19 may be circular or have regular dimensions and completely cover the underside of holding plate 14 or exceed its diameter. The pad 19 may also be hemi-spherical in shape.

This pad 19 may be glued onto the the engaging surface of theholding plate 14 or may be screwed into position by means of a counter-sunk screw penetrating both pad 19 and plate 14 into the shank of the screw 15.

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Optionally a helical spring 13 shown in Figures 3 and 4, which may be accompanied by washers surrounds the shank of the screw 15 between the under-surface of the casing 5a and the padded holding plate 14.

In use, the cords or tapes 8, already under a measure of tension determined by the sprung reels 10 may be further tensioned, to suit the body movements and the additional weight of waste deposits within a collection bag of larger animals.

In practice, a slight turning of the screw's turning head 11, which may show graduated figures or numerals 1 la, engages the soft pad 19 at gradually increasing pressures in a vertical plane against the perimeters of the upper surface of the reels 10a.

In a yet further alternative embodiment, shown in Figure 4, the tensioning device 20 as described in Figure 3, may be positioned in a lateral plane through either the backward facing edges shown in Figure 4 or the forward facing edge of housing 5. In this configuration the soft pad 19 engages with the rims 1 Oc of the two reels 10.

It is foreseen that housing 5 may incorporate one or more externally visible lights or Light Emitting Diodes 21 Fig. 5 powered by one or more batteries accommodated within the housing 22 with a releaseable cover 23 and operated by a manually operated switch 24. Further the lights may have a flahing function 21a.

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It is understood that the arrangement, positioning and operation of one or more battery powered road-safety lights or Light Emitting Diodes 21 and relative internal and external components shall be known to those skilled in the art.

Further that the housing may be water tight, robust and weather-proof.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 6 shows a dog 1 in rear view wearing a conventional harness 2. The invention is attached to the girth-component of the conventional harness by means of attachable straps 4. A payed out cord 8 emerges from aperture 6 from a single spring-operated reel accommodated in housing 5g.

Payed out cord 8 has a pair of branching extremeties 8a and 8b which terminate in shield stops 7 and attaching hooks 9 to which a waste collection bag W is secured to the anal region of the animal.

Figure 7 is a partial view of a single payed-out cord 8 terminating in diverging cord members 8a and 8b (NOT SHOWN) with attaching hook members at their extreme ends.

A piece of substantially triangular fabric 8c which may be of a reinforced and weather-proof material is attached to cords 8a and 8b along their entire lengths. In use, single payed out cord 8 may be more easily drawn out of

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the device by grasping leading edge of fabric 8d.

On retraction, this fabric element 8c could be used to cover the device when folded back over device and employing hooks 9 to secure to the transverse element of the dog's own collar or harness.

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Claims

1. A retractable harness device to be used as part of an animal waste collection system comprising:

a housing adapted for fitting to an animal; one or more retractable mechanisms within the housing which operate to permit the storage, extention and retraction of one or more cords or tapes through apertures in the housing, entire retraction of the cords being prevented by releaseable attaching members permanently joined to the payed-out ends of the cords; these cords, with attaching members extending under tension, along an animal's back so as to secure to corresponding attachment points on an animal waste collection bag, thus securing the opening of the bag in alignment with the cloacal orifice of the animal.

2. A retractable harness device according to claim 1„ wherein the housing is formed of two or more corresponding structures.

3. A retractable harness device according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the housing comprises at least one releaseable structure.

4. A retracable harness device according to claims 1,2 and 3 wherein the housing is of weather-proof construction.

5. A retractable harness device according to any preceeding claim wherein the housing comprises structural elements to accommodate at least one retractable mechanism and/or any other related mechanism.

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Claims continued.

6. A retractable harness device according to claims 1,2,3 and 4 wherein the housing has attachment features attachable to a collar or harness worn by an animal.

7. A retractable harness device according to claim 6 wherein the attachment features are linking elements integral to the housing or projecting slots to which flexible straps are permanently attached.

8. A retractable harness device according to claim 7 wherein the flexible straps incorporate co-operating pads of a hook and loop material.

9. A retractable harness device according to claim 6 wherein the attachment features are of at least one snap-fastener or a releaseable clip.

10. A retractable harness device according to any proceeding claim wherein the retractable mechanism is one spring-loaded reel.

11. A retractable harness device according to claims 1 to 9 wherein a pair of spring-loaded reels are configured to operate in the same plane.

12. A retractable harness device according to claims 1 to 9 wherein a pair of spring-loaded reels are configured to operate in diagonally opposed planes.

13. A retractable harness device according to claims 11 or 12 wherein a pair of spring-loaded reels rotate in the same direction.

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14 A retractable harness device according to claims 11 or 12 wherein a pair of spring-loaded reels are configured to rotate in opposed directions.

15. A retractable harness device according to claims 10,13 and 14, wherein the apertures in the housing are lined or have features that prevent prevent damage to through passing cords and aid weather-proofing.

16. A retractable harness device according to claim 1,10,13 aind if, . wherein the cords are tapes.

17. A retractable harness device according to claims 1 and 16 wherein the cords are formed to prevent tangles or kinks.

18. A retractable harness device according to claims 1,16 and 17 wherein two or more cords are connected along their lengths by one or more slideable transverse straps.

19. A retractable harness device according to claims 1 and 10 wherein a single retractable cord diverges into two cord elements which terminate in releasable attaching members.

20. A retractable harness device according to claim 19 wherein the diverging cord elements are attached to a triangular section of weatherproof fabric.

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Claims continued

21. A retractable harness device according to claim 1,10, the releaseable attaching members are hooks, clips, buttons, studs or snap-fasteners.

22. A retractable harness device according to claims 1 and 21 wherein the attaching members incorporate plastic or rubberised washers.

23. A retractable harness device according to claims 1,10,13 and 14 wherein the device incorporates an adjustable tensioning mechanism.

24. A retractable harness device according to claims 1 and 23 wherein the adjustable tensioning mechanism is a screw-operated pad or brush which engages with the reels.

25. A retractable harness device acccording to claims 10,13 and 14 wherein the device incorporates one or more externally visible, batteiy operated lights or Light Emitting Diodes operated by a manual switch accomodated in the housing.

26. A retractable harness device according to claim 25 wherein two battery powered lights or Light Emitting Diodes are accommodated as diametrially opposed side lights.

27. A retractable harness device according to claims 25 and 26 wherein the lights or Light Emitting Diodes have a flashing capability.

28. A retractable harness device according to claims 1,10,13 and 14 wherein the

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Claims continued

28. cont. device may be customised or personalised.

29 A retractable harness device according to claims 1,10,13 and 14 wherein the housing may be 'figure of eight', square, rectangular, circular, triangular or of any other regular or irregular shape.

30. An animal collar with an integral retractable harness device according to any proceeding claim.

31. An animal harness with an integral retractable harness device according to claims 1 to 28

32. A retractable harness device substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.