GB2616003A

GB2616003A - Leash connector

Info

Publication number: GB2616003A
Application number: GB2202320.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raubenheimer Irené; Carel Rex Metelerkamp Peter
Original assignee: Rogz Propietary Ltd
Current assignee: Rogz Propietary Ltd
Priority date: 2022-02-21
Filing date: 2022-02-21
Publication date: 2023-08-30
Also published as: ZA202302145B; GB202202320D0

Abstract

Leash connector (10, fig. 1) including: a first end (20, fig. 3) defining an eye (21, fig. 3) through which a portion (22, fig. 3) of the first end can extend to define a cow hitch (23, fig. 4); and a second end 30 receivable in the cow hitch and carrying a retaining formation 31 (e.g. a knot). A releasing means (50, fig. 3, e.g. a rope) may loosen the cow hitch releasing the ends from one another. The rope may run along a portion of the first end, underneath the loop 24, and extend beyond the cow hitch to ease gripping. Pulling the rope while folding it back over itself (54, fig. 9) may act as a quick-release, causing the rope to act on the loop and loosen the cow hitch. A sleeve 40 may lock the ends. A leash and animal gear are also provided.

Description

LEASH CONNECTOR

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to leash connector and a leash including such leash connector.

A leash, which is also referred to as a lead or tether, is well-known and generally used to control or handle animals and in particular pets, such as dogs. A wide range of leashes is available in the market with many variations including an elongate piece of material such as a rope, chain, piece of leather or similar material that terminates in a loop at one end for the user to hold the leash. The other end of the leash typically carries a connector for connection to a collar or harness worn by the animal.

One connector commonly used on leashes is in the form of a clip that defines a catch and a manually operable closure. The closure is generally biased to its closed position in which the catch is closed to secure the connector to the collar, for example. In order to attach the clip to or release it from the collar, and therefore the leash, the closure has to be opened against its spring bias to open the catch. Considering the force that the leash and, accordingly, the clip has to withstand in use, the clip is generally made from metal. As a result, these clips are generally hard, bulky and heavy compared to the rest of the leash. The metallic connector is therefore not ideal in situations where an alternative, softer connector is preferred. This may, for example, be during training or simply in use when walking or handling a pet and a lighter, softer connector is preferred. In some instances a metallic connector can cause discomfort or even injury to the animal.

There is also a need to use a connector that provides a quick-release function in the event that the animals needs to be released from the leash quickly. In particularly, there is a need for the quick-release to be fully operable while the leash is under tension. The known clip connectors have the disadvantage that the connecting ring on the collar or harness may be stuck in the catch while the leash is under tension. This may cause unwanted delays in releasing the leash from the collar or harness.

There is also a need for a connector that has greater aesthetic appeal than the known connectors that are available on the market. Pet owners are known to enjoy accessorising their pets and the known leashes provide few alternatives to the clip connectors.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a leash connector that will, at least partially, address the above disadvantages.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a leash connector that will be a useful alternative to existing leash connectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A leash connector for connecting a leash and gear worn by an animal to one another, the leash connector including: a first end section defining an eye through which a portion of the first end section can extend to define a cow hitch; a second end section which is receivable in the cow hitch formed in the first end section, the second end section carrying a retaining formation for holding the second end section captive when the cow hitch is tightened around the second end section, thereby securing the leash connector and gear worn by the animal to one another.

The leash connector may include a catch defining the first and second end sections.

The leash connector may include releasing means for releasing the leash connector, wherein the releasing means is operable to release the first and second end sections from one another.

The releasing means may be in the form of a flexible member that is operable to loosen the cow hitch so as to release the second end section from the first end section.

The flexible member preferably runs substantially along a portion of the first end section and extends beyond the cow hitch when the first and second end sections are secured to one another to define a gripping portion that may be gripped by a user.

The flexible member may carry a gripping formation to facilitate gripping by the user. The gripping formation may be located at a free end of the flexible member.

The releasing means may be in the form of a piece of rope with a knot at its free end.

The leash connector may include locking means for locking the first and second end sections to one another.

The locking means may be in the form of a sleeve located about the first end section and the releasing means, wherein the sleeve is movable along a portion of the first end section between a first, free position wherein it is located away from the cow hitch and a second, locked position wherein it is adjacent, preferably abuts, the cow hitch in order to secure the cow hitch in position, thereby locking the first and second end section to one another.

The leash connector is preferably made entirely of a flexible, soft material.

The first and second end sections may be the ends of a single, flexible cord. The cord may be in the form of a piece of rope.

Alternatively, the first and second end sections may be the ends of separate cords. The cords may be in the form of two, separate pieces of rope.

The first end section may be formed by creating a closed loop in the piece of rope such that the legs are adjacent one another and then sewing the legs together along a portion, preferably a major portion, of their length such that the loop defines the eye.

The second end section may be formed by tying a knot in the piece of rope, folding the legs on either side of the knot back and sewing them together over a portion of their lengths, preferably over a major portion thereof In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a leash including a leash connector according to the fist aspect of the invention.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided gear to be worm by an animal, wherein the gear includes a leash connector according to the fist aspect of the invention for connection to a leash.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a leash connector in accordance with the invention in use connecting a leash to a dog collar; Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a leash including a leash connector of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the leash connector of Figure 1 in a fully open configuration; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the leash connector of Figure 1 in an open configuration in which a cow hitch is formed in one end section; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the leash connector of Figure 1 in an open configuration in which the cow hitch is open to receive a second end section; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the leash connector of Figure 1 in which the second end section extends through the cow hitch; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the leash connector of Figure 1 in a closed configuration in which the cow hitch is pulled tight; Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the leash connector of Figure 1 in a closed configuration in which a locking sleeve is pulled tight against the cow hitch; and Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the leash connector of Figure 1 in which releasing means is pulled to loosen the cow hitch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", "engaged" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, "connected" and "engaged" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words "lower", "upper", "upward", "down" and "downward" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term "include" and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of a leash connector in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The leash connector 10 is shown in use in Figure 1 where it forms part of or is fixed to a leash 12. In this description the word "leash" is not used restrictively and is synonymous to the words "lead", "lead line" and "tether". As a result, the word "leash" should be interpreted to describe any piece of flexible material that is connectable to gear worn by an animal and used to control or handle the animal. The leash 12 is illustrated as a dog leash, which is connected to a dog collar 100, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular application. The leash 12 could be used in many other applications to control or handle animals. For example, the leash 12 could be connected to any animal gear, such as collars, harnesses, halters and so forth, using the leash connector 10 of the present invention.

The leash connector 10 is carried at an end 14 of a piece of material 16, such as a rope, chain, leather, webbing or similar flexible material, for the purpose of connecting the leash 12 to the gear worn by the animal, such as the dog harness 100 shown in Figure 1. The other end 18 of the leash 12 typically terminates in a handle, which is gripped by the user in use. In other embodiments not illustrated in the drawings the end 18 of the leash 12 could terminate in other attachment, connecting or holding means.

The leash connector 10 includes a closable catch in which a portion 101 of the gear worn by the animal is in use received to connect the leash 12 to the gear. The catch is formed by first 20 and second 30 end sections that are releasably connectable to one another. The catch is shown in a closed configuration in Figure 2 wherein the first 20 and second 30 end sections are connected to one another. Figures 3 to 5 show the catch in an open configuration and illustrate the steps of connecting the first 20 and second 30 end sections to one another. Figures 6 to 8 illustrate the steps of securing the first 20 and second 30 end sections to one another in order to secure the catch in its closed position, thereby securing the leash connector 10 to the collar 100.

Turning now to Figures 3 and 4, the first end section 20 defines an eye 21 through which a portion 22 of the first end section can extend to define a cow hitch 23, which is also referred to as a lark's head. In other words, a portion of the first end section 20 is folded back over itself to create the cow hitch 23 (Figure 3). The portion of the first end section 20 defining the eye 21 creates a loop 24 around the portion 22 to define an opening 25 in which the second end section 30 is receivable.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the second end section 30 is threaded through the opening 21 in the cow hitch 23 to close the catch. The second end section has a retaining formation 31 for retaining the second end section in the cow hitch 23. The retaining formation 31 is located at a free end 32 of the second end section 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining formation 31 is a knot formed at the free end 32 of the second end section 30. In use, once the cow hitch 23 is tightened to secure the first 20 and second 30 end sections to one another, the retaining formation 31 holds the second end section captive, i.e. prevents it from being removed from the cow hitch, thereby securing the leash connector 10 to the gear 100 worn by the animal. Although the retaining formation 31 is illustrated as a knot it could take various forms such as a bead or any other element that facilitates gripping by the user.

Locking means 40 is provided to secure the cow hitch 23, and accordingly the leash connector in its closed configuration, thereby locking the first 20 and second 30 end sections to one another. The locking means 40 is illustrated as a sleeve located around the first end section 20. The sleeve 40 is movable along a portion of the first end section 20 between a first, free position wherein it is located away from the cow hitch 23 (Figure 7) and a second, locked position wherein it abuts the cow hitch 23 (Figure 8) in order to secure the cow hitch 23 in position, thereby locking the first and second end sections to one another. Best seen in Figure 8, the sleeve 40 abuts the loop 24 when in its locked position, thereby preventing loosening of the cow hitch 23. In this locked position the sleeve 40 prevents relative movement between portions 22 and 24 forming the cow hitch 23.

The locking sleeve 40 is held in position by means of friction. The sleeve 40 is made from a plastics material, such as silicone for example, that grips onto the first end section 20.

Releasing means 50 is provided to release the cow hitch 23 in order to disconnect the leash connector 10 from the gear 100 worn by the animal. The releasing means 50 is operable to loosen the cow hitch 23 so as to release the second end section 30 from the first end section 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the releasing means 50 is in the form of a flexible member, such as a piece of rope.

The rope 50 extends from the same side of the leash connector 10 as the first end section 20 and passes through the sleeve 40 and underneath the loop 24 of the cow hitch 23. As shown in Figure 8, the rope 50 runs along and substantially parallel to the first end section 20 when the leash connector is in its closed position. The rope 50 extends beyond the cow hitch 23 formed in the first end section 20, and in particular beyond the loop 24, to define a gripping portion 51 for a user to grip when operating the releasing means 50. The gripping portion 51 carries, preferably at its free end 52, a gripping formation 53 to facilitate gripping by the user. The gripping formation 53 is illustrated as a knot created at the free end 62 of the gripping portion 62, and accordingly the rope 50.

In use, the user grips the gripping formation 53 and pulls it in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the loop 24 is pulled when tightening the cow hitch 23. The direction in which the gripping formation 53, and accordingly the rope 50, is pulled is indicated by the reference numeral 54 in Figure 9. Pulling the gripping formation 53 in the direction 54 causes the rope 50 to act on the loop 24 of the cow hitch 23. By moving the loop 24 in the direction 54 the cow hitch 23 is loosened in order to increase the opening 25 until the retaining formation 31 of the second end section 30 can pass therethrough to release the second end section 30 from the cow hitch. As the second end section 30 is released from the cow hitch 30 the catch is opened and the leash connector 10 is released from the gear 100 worn by the animal. In view of the above it should be understood that the user grips the piece of rope 50 extending beyond the cow hitch 23, i.e. the gripping portion 51, and folds the rope back over itself in order to release the lock 40 and open the cow hitch 23.

From the above description of the releasing means 50 it should be understood that it also acts as a quick-release or safety. In use, when the leash 12 is pulled fight, the leash connector 10 can be disconnected from the gear 100 worn by the animal by simply pulling the rope 50 in the direction 54. As a result of the tension in the leash 12, the first 20 and second 30 end sections are being pulled apart. This pulling force acts to pull the second end section 30 out of the cow hitch 23 automatically as the opening 25 reaches a size sufficient to allow the retaining formation 31 to pass therethrough. As the opening 25 reaches this critical size the leash connector 10 is automatically opened to disconnect the leash 12 form the gear 100 worn by the animal. The quick-release or safety is activated simply through a pull on the releasing means 50. An advantage of the leash connector 10 of the invention is that the quick-release or safety can be triggered quickly and effectively through a single, one-handed movement by the user. Furthermore, the quick-release is fully operable under load, i.e. when there is tension in the leash 12 and, in fact, has the added benefit of releasing almost instantaneously when under load. The leash connector 10 of the invention therefore addresses the problem experienced with disconnecting the known connectors when under load.

Another advantage of the leash connector 10 according to the invention is that it comprises entirely of flexible, soft material. The leash connector 10 is entirely free of any metal or similar, hard material. It therefore poses no threat of injury or discomfort to the animal. The first 20 and second 30 end sections are made from a flexible material, preferably from a flexible cord, such a piece of rope for example. In one embodiment, the first 20 and second 30 end sections are the opposite ends of a single piece of rope. In this embodiment the single piece of rope comprising the first 20 and second 30 end sections is connected to the piece of material 16, and preferably sewn thereto, in a central portion using webbing 60. The webbing 60 is wrapped or folded around the central portion of the rope defining the first 20 and second 30 end sections such that the webbing is located on either side of the piece of material 16.

In another embodiment, the first 20 and second 30 end sections may comprise separate pieces of rope that are individually sewn to the webbing 60 and piece of material 16. In this alternative embodiment the first end section 20 is formed by taking a piece of rope and creating a closed loop such that the legs are adjacent one another. The legs are then sewn together along a portion, preferably a major portion, of their lengths such that the loop defines the eye 21. The second end section 30 is, in turn, formed by tying a knot in a piece of rope, folding the legs on either side of the knot back so that they are substantially parallel to one another and sewing them together over a portion of their lengths, preferably over a major portion thereof The releasing means 50, which may also be in the form of a piece of cord, such as a piece of rope, is placed next to the first end section 20 and sewn to the webbing 60 to secure it in position.

Yet another advantage of the leash connector 10 of the invention is that it offers superior customisation in appearance and thus aesthetic appeal. Characteristics such as the type, colour, print, thickness, width and length of the material used in the leash connector 10 and the leash 12 can be customised.

It will be appreciated that the above description only provides example embodiments of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention. For example, the leash connector 10 of the invention could be located on the gear worm by the animal for connection to the leash. In this alternative embodiment the catch may be fixed to the gear worn by the animal. In yet another embodiment the connector of the invention could be removably connectable to both the gear worn by the animal and the leash. In this alternative embodiment the connector of the invention could be independent of the leash and gear worn by the animal. It is easily understood from the present application that the particular features of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged and designed according to a wide variety of different configurations. In this way, the description of the present invention and the related figures are not provided to limit the scope of the invention but simply represent selected embodiments.

The skilled person will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment, unless otherwise expressed or it is evident that these characteristics are incompatible. Also, the technical characteristics described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this embodiment unless otherwise expressed.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A leash connector for connecting a leash and gear worn by an animal to one another, the leash connector including: a first end section defining an eye through which a portion of the first end section can extend to define a cow hitch; a second end section which is receivable in the cow hitch formed in the first end section, the second end section carrying a retaining formation for holding the second end section captive when the cow hitch is tightened around the second end section to secure the leash and the gear worn by the animal to one another.
2. A leash connector according to claim 1, including a catch defining the first and second end sections.
3. A leash connector according to either claim 1 or 2, including releasing means for releasing the leash connector, wherein the releasing means is operable to release the first and second end sections from one another.
4. A leash connector according to claim 3, wherein the releasing means is in the form of a flexible member that is operable to loosen the cow hitch so as to release the second end section from the first end section.
5. A leash connector according to claim 4, wherein the flexible member runs substantially along a portion of the first end section and extends beyond the cow hitch when the first and second end sections are secured to one another to define a gripping portion that may be gripped by a user.
6. A leash connector according to claim 5, wherein the flexible member carries a gripping formation at a free end to facilitate gripping by the user.
7. A leash connector according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the releasing means is in the form of a piece of rope with a knot at its free end.
8. A leash connector according to any one of claims 1 to 7, including locking means for locking the first and second end sections to one another.
9. A leash connector according to claim 8, wherein the lock is in the form of a sleeve located about the first end section and the releasing means, wherein the sleeve is movable along a portion of the first end section between a first, free position wherein it is located away from the cow hitch and a second, locked position wherein is adjacent the cow hitch in order to secure the cow hitch in position, thereby locking the first and second end section to one another.
10. A leash connector according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the leash connector is made entirely of a flexible, soft material.
11. A leash including a leash connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
12. Animal gear for connection to a leash, wherein the animal gear includes a leash connector according to any one of claims 1 to 10.