WO2013016236A1

WO2013016236A1 - Systems and methods to track location and/or enhance awareness of animals

Info

Publication number: WO2013016236A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/047710
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven A. LLORENS
Original assignee: Llorens Steven A
Priority date: 2011-07-22
Filing date: 2012-07-20
Publication date: 2013-01-31

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for increasing the visibility of an animal, comprising a rod and marker adapted to be selectively coupled to an animal's restraint such that the marker draws increased attention to the animal and enhances visibility of the animal.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO TRACK LOCATION

AND/OR ENHANCE AWARENESS OF ANIMALS

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001]The present disclosure provides systems and methods to track the location and/or enhance awareness of animals in urban, rural and natural settings. The systems and methods utilize a stabilized marker system that remains substantially visible above the natural height of the animal despite the animal's movements and do not require a specialized harness system. The systems and methods are easy to use and can enhance the safety of animals by making humans in the area more aware of the animal's presence and location. The systems and methods can also facilitate the training and/or use of animals by allowing trainers and/or users to remain aware of the animal's location over time.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] There are a variety of situations in which improved awareness of an animal's presence and/or location would be beneficial. While some solutions exist, these currently-available solutions are cumbersome and/or require that the animal wear a specialized harness.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The systems and methods of the present disclosure provide an easy-to-use animal visibility system that does not require a specialized harness.

[0004] One embodiment includes a visibility enhancement system comprising: a rod having a first end and a second end; a marker operatively associated with said first end of said rod; and an attachment mechanism adapted to attach said second end of said rod to a restraint worn by an animal wherein the system does not require a harness for the animal and wherein the rod remains in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the animal when attached to the restraint.

[0005] In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism attaches to the edge of the restraint or to a strap of the restraint. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism attaches to a flat portion of the restraint. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a clip, a suction cup, a magnet or hook and loop fastener. [0006] In another embodiment, the rod can be shortened and stored in the marker.

[0007] In another embodiment, the system further comprises a collar restraint wherein the rod and marker can be retracted and stored within the collar restraint.

[0008] In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism comprises a spring clip.

[0009] In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism comprises a pivot mechanism. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism comprises a pivot mechanism that allows the rod to tilt within one plane. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism comprises a pivot mechanism that allows the rod to tilt within more than one plane. In another embodiment, the pivot mechanism is counterweighted to maintain the marker in its substantially vertical orientation.

[0010]A further embodiment of the present disclosure is an attachment mechanism comprising two slots and a counterweighted pivot mechanism wherein the slots are sized to accept a dog's collar. In another embodiment, the slots are open slots. In another embodiment, the counterweighted pivot mechanism includes a threaded stud. In another embodiment, the counterweighted pivot mechanism allows tilt in one plane. In another embodiment, the counterweighted pivot mechanism allows tilt in more than one plane.

[0011] Another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a visibility enhancement system comprising: a collapsible rod having a first end and a second end; a marker operatively associated with said first end of said rod wherein the marker is a sealable pouch; and an attachment mechanism adapted to attach said second end of said rod to a restraint worn by an animal wherein the rod remains in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the animal when attached to the restraint and wherein the attachment mechanism comprises two open slots sized to accept the edge or strap of the animal's restraint and a counterweighted pivot mechanism. In another embodiment, the pivot mechanism allows tilt in one plane. In another embodiment, the pivot mechanism allows tilt in more than one plane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of an animal marker system as disclosed herein.

[0013] Figures 2a &b depict an embodiment of a rod feature of an animal marker system as disclosed herein.

[0014] Figures 3a &b depict an alternate embodiment of a rod feature of an animal marker system as disclosed herein.

[0015] Figures 4a &b depict alternative embodiments of an animal marker system as disclosed herein with a harness system.

[0016] Figures 5a &b depict an alternate embodiment of an animal marker system as disclosed herein wherein the rod and marker are retractable within another component of the system.

[0017] Figure 6 depicts one embodiment of a clip feature of an animal marker system as disclosed herein.

[0018] Figure 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of a clip feature of an animal marker system as disclosed herein with a spring clip feature.

[0019] Figure 8 depicts an alternative embodiment of a clip feature of an animal marker system as disclosed herein with a rod pivot mechanism.

[0020] Figure 9 depicts yet another embodiment of a clip feature of an animal marker system as disclosed herein with a rod pivot mechanism.

[0021] Figure 10 depicts an alternative attachment mechanism in the form of a levered suction cup.

[0022] Figure 1 1 depicts an animal marker system as disclosed herein in which the marker doubles as a storage bag.

[0023] Figure 12 depicts an alternate embodiment of an animal marker system as disclosed herein wherein the rod and marker are stabilized by a yoking system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] There are a variety of situations in which improved awareness of an animal's presence and/or location would be beneficial. For example, generally animals in urban settings need to be taken out in public to be exercised on a regular basis and commonly such animals are walked on tethers, such as leashes. In recent years, retractable-type leashes and extra-long leashes of up to 20 feet in length have become popular and fairly commonplace. As a result, animals that are being exercised are fairly free to walk either in front of or behind their caretakers. This can be quite dangerous for the animal especially in or near streets and/or intersections, since animals can sometimes go unseen due to their height relative to motor vehicles. As a result, animals can be injured by drivers that are either unaware of or unable to see animals in the roadway.

[0025]Animals in more rural settings may be able to exercise more freely in wide open spaces, but rural settings also have roads into which animals can unknowingly run. In these rural settings, roads can have substantially higher speed limits than urban settings, increasing the danger to animals. Further, when animals are allowed to roam more freely in a rural setting, it can be more difficult for the animal's owner to track its location over time.

[0026]An increased ability to track the location of animals would also be beneficial in natural settings. For example, dogs that retrieve hunted game often go through training to learn retrieval skills. It would be beneficial for trainers to be able to maintain knowledge of an animal's whereabouts during training to provide feedback to the animal. In certain circumstances, owners may also like to remain aware of an animal's location outside of training situations. For example, many recreational areas include off- tether hiking areas. Systems and methods of the present disclosure would allow owner's to allow their animals to roam further without losing awareness of the animal's actual location.

[0027] While the foregoing description is focused on domesticated animals, such as pets, the systems and methods disclosed herein are not so limited. For example, the systems and methods disclosed herein could be used to track the location of animals being rehabilitated for reintroduction into the natural environment. Zoos may also find it beneficial to better track the location of animals within their respective enclosures. In a particular example, zoo keepers may want to track the location of a particular animal to assess its behavior during rehabilitation from an injury, during a mating season, or for other purposes.

[0028] Based on the foregoing description, the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide numerous benefits. The systems and methods comprise or utilize, a restraint for the animal (such as a collar or harness) and a rod feature that supports a marker that remains visible above the natural height of the animal despite the animal's movements. Systems and methods disclosed herein can also comprise or utilize a tether for the animal, such as a leash, rope or chain. The restraint, rod, marker and/or tether can be provided as one unitary system or can be provided as independent components.

[0029] In particular embodiments, one important feature is that the rod and marker can easily be attached to or removed from an animal's restraint whether the animal is currently wearing the restraint or not and whether the restraint is a collar, harness or other restraint type. All that is necessary for attachment of the system is that the animal's restraint have at least one edge, strap or flat surface. Therefore, one embodiment of the system includes a rod, a marker and an attachment mechanism to join the rod and marker to an animal's restraint. In another embodiment, the system includes a rod, a marker, a restraint and an attachment mechanism to join the rod and marker to an animal's restraint. In another embodiment, the system includes a rod, a marker, a tether and an attachment mechanism to join the rod and marker to an animal's restraint. In another embodiment, the system includes a rod, a marker, a restraint, a tether and an attachment mechanism to join the rod and marker to an animal's restraint. As should be apparent from this description, the systems can be provided or sold as an "all-in-one" solution or can be provided or sold in various groups of sub-components.

[0030] In use the system is easily attachable to an animal's restraint and configured so that the rod remains in a substantially vertical orientation relative to an animal such that the marker remains above the tail and/or back and/or head of the animal. As used herein, a substantially vertical orientation requires that the rod not deviate more than 75° from vertical. In a preferred embodiment, the rod will not deviate more than 45° from vertical. In a further preferred embodiment, the rod will not deviate more than 20° from vertical.

[0031] Fig. 1 depicts an embodiment of a system 100 for making an animal more visible. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 1 , the system 100 comprises a rod 102 with a marker 104 at a first end and an attachment mechanism 1 10 that associates the rod 102 with the animal's restraint 106 at a second end. In some embodiments, the rod 102 can be adapted and configured to be selectively couplable with the tether 108, the restraint 106 or both the tether 108 and restraint 106. This particular embodiment is particularly well-suited for walking or running with an animal in an urban environment. In use, a caretaker could attach the rod 102 to the animal's restraint 106 and/or its tether. The caretaker could then orient the rod 102 and associated marker 104 as desired relative to the animal. Thus, while the animal is being walked, the marker 104 increases the animal's visibility rendering others in the area more aware of its presence.

[0032] The rod can be comprised of any material with sufficient rigidity to maintain its substantially vertical position over the animal. The rod can be entirely rigid or entirely flexible or it can have at least one portion that is rigid and at least one portion that is flexible. The rigidity (and corresponding flexibility) of the rod can also vary along its length. In a particular embodiment, the rod can be constructed with a plastic or nylon material. The rod can also be formed from internal support structures, such as wires of an appropriate gauge wrapped in, any suitable covering material including, without limitation, rubber or vinyl.

[0033] Figs. 2a & b depict a plan view and cross-section view of an embodiment of the rod 102. In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 2a & b, the rod 102 can be comprised of a base 202 and two or more segments 204, 206. In some embodiments the segments can be adapted to telescopically nest and thus contract the rod 102. In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 2a & b, for example, segment 204 can be hollow and segment 206 can have a slightly narrower cross-sectional dimension such that it can be retracted within segment 204. Any number of segments can be utilized to achieve the desired characteristics of a rod. In alternate embodiments, alternate geometric configurations can be utilized to accomplish a similar retractable feature to rod 102. For example, rods can be collapsible using substantially rigid interconnected segments. The segments may be disconnected to collapse and fold the length of the pole, but remain in physical association with one another by an internal flexible cord (akin to the structure and function of a tent pole). In another embodiment, the segments may simply be disconnected. Accordingly, in these embodiments, in operation, the rod 102 can be coupled with the animal's restraint 106 and/or tether 108 and extended from a first contracted configuration to a second extended configuration and/or any relative configuration there between desired by the caretaker.

[0034] Figs. 3a &b depict an alternate embodiment of the rod 102 depicted in Figs. 2a&b. In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 3a&b, the rod 102 can further comprise a mechanism 302, such as a spring or electric rectilinear drive, and tab stops 304, 306. In some embodiments, the mechanism 302 can be coupled with each of the segments 204, 206 and/or one segment 206 and the base 202 and the tab stops can be operatively associated with each of the segments 204, 206 such that the mechanism can be held in a biased state, if the mechanism is a spring or in a first position if the mechanism 302 is a rectilinear drive.

[0035] In operation of a spring biased mechanism, the natural configuration of the rod 102 can be a configuration in which the segments 204, 206 of the rod 102 are in an extended state and the biased configuration can be a configuration in which one segment 206 is nested within the other segment 204. In some embodiments each segment can include one or more tabs 304, 306 adapted to retain the segments in a biased configuration without the need for external force. In operation, a caretaker can couple the rod 102 with the restraint or tether of an animal and configure the segments 204, 206 relative to each other such that the marker 104 reaches a desired height relative to the animal and/or relative to the ground and/or relative to any other known or convenient item, object or thing. The caretaker can then bias or release the biasing mechanism 302 at any desired level and fix the tabs 304, 306 relative to each other such that the segments 304, 306 remain in the desired configuration without the need for the application of external force.

[0036] In operation of a rectilinear drive mechanism 302, the segments 204, 206 can be configured to move relative to each other as described above. However, a rectilinear or other known, convenient and/or desired mechanism can control the relative positions of the segments relative to each other. In operation, a caretaker can couple the rod 102 with the restraint or tether of an animal and configure the segments 204, 206 relative to each other such that the marker 104 reaches a desired height relative to the animal and/or relative to the ground and/or relative to any other known or convenient item, object or thing. The caretaker can then engage the mechanism 302 to position the segments 204, 206 at any desired level such that the segments 204, 206 remain in the desired configuration without the need for the application of external force. In some embodiments the drive mechanism can be a rectilinear drive mechanism of any known, convenient and/or desired type.

[0037] Figs. 4a & b depict an embodiment of the system 100 depicted in Figs. 1 - 3b that adopts a harness as a restraint rather than a collar. The rod 102 can be coupled to the harness at any appropriate location including at a restraint 106 component, an underbody component 402, a back strap component 404 and/or a backpack component 406 using an attachment mechanism 410 described herein. As such, and in operation, the rod 102 (standard, extendible, biased or otherwise) can be coupled with any one or more parts of the system 100.

[0038] In particular embodiments, the rod and/or marker can be configured to be storable within another portion of the system. For example, the rod and marker can be configured to be retractable and storable within an animal's tether or a portion of an animal's harness. When retractable, the rod can be associated with a biasing mechanism to facilitate ease of storage.

[0039] Figs. 5a & b depict an alternate embodiment of the system 100 depicted in Figs. 1 - 4b wherein the rod and marker are storable within a different component of the system. In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 5a & b, the rod 102 and marker 104 can be adapted to fold within the tether 108, restraint 106, back strap 404 or backpack component 406. In particular embodiments, the rod 102 can be coupled with an item via a bias mechanism 502, such as a spring. Moreover, in some embodiments, the tether 108, restraint 106, back strap or backpack component 406 can comprise a sealable, partially sealable, closeable or partially closeable compartment 504 adapted to contain the rod 102, marker 104 and/or bias mechanism 502. In alternate embodiments the compartment 504 may be absent and the rod 102 can be held against the tether 108, restraint 106, back strap or backpack component 406 via straps and/or any other known and/or convenient retention mechanism. In some embodiments, the entire assembly of the system 100, as depicted in Fig. 5b can be coupled with a clip 506 adapted to allow a user to operatively associate the system 100 with the tether 108, restraint 106, back strap or backpack component 406 of an animal. [0040] The rod and marker of embodiments disclosed herein can be attached to an animal's restraint or tether using an attachment mechanism such as a clipping or mounting component ("clip" and "mount" are used interchangeably herein). Other components such as Velcro, suction cups, magnets etc. may also be used.

[0041] Figure 6 depicts a clip that can attach to an independent restraint. This clip has two slotted openings to accept the side edge of a restraint. In this embodiment, the edge and/or strap of an animal's restraint can be threaded through slots 601 , 603 above outer segments 602, 604 and below middle portion 606. In this embodiment, the second end of a rod with a marker on the first end can then be affixed between protrusions 608, 610. Figure 7 depicts a similar clipping mechanism that includes a spring clip 702 and closed slots (only slot 704 depicted) to further secure the animal's restraint in place relative to the clip and system. In this embodiment, the spring-loaded clip opens like a clothes pin to further engage the restraint. The slots of this embodiment may also be open slots. Other approaches may also be used to secure the restraint in place relative to the clip and system. Non-limiting examples of such approaches, alone or in combination include a spring clip alone, surface texture friction, resistive materials, Velcro loops, adhesives, magnets, etc.

[0042] While the substantially vertical orientation of a rod can be achieved through design of the rod alone, tipping features can also be included to facilitate maintenance of the substantially vertical orientation. Figure 8 provides an embodiment of a clipping mechanism that provides such a tipping feature. This mount 800 provides for a pivot motion in one plane transverse to the restraint. A counter weight 802 can be weighted and sized as required to counter balance the weight of the rod in maintaining a substantially vertical orientation. The rod can be attached to this mount through various mechanisms, including through linking to the top 804 of the tilt mechanism such as through a threaded stud (with receiver portion on the second end of the rod or vice versa) or through other appropriate mechanisms including, without limitation through use of a strap or other connective material to encircle the entirely of the tipping mechanism through central opening 806.

[0043] Figure 9 describes a mechanism with tipping and tilting features to facilitate maintenance of the substantially vertical orientation. This embodiment requires two pivot points positioned 90 degrees from each other. The center half-sphere component 902 can be weighted to counterbalance the weight of the rod. The tipping and tilting feature can continuously adjust during the animal's movement to maintain the rod in a substantially vertical orientation. In this embodiment, a threaded stud 904 on the weighted pivot 902 can be used to attach a removable rod. As described previously, such a threaded stud portion could also be found on the second end of rod to be inserted into a recipient channel on the weighted pivot 902.

[0044] Tipping and tipping/tilting mechanisms can also include locks associated with the respective pivot points so that the rod and marker can be locked in a desired position or the pivot can be limited to only one direction or a range within a given direction. In one embodiment, such locks can consist of a small knob at the end of each pivot point.

[0045] Figure 10 depicts an alternative mounting mechanism. This mechanism includes a suction surface 1002 that can be mated with a receptive surface attached or integral to an animal's restraint. Suction can be achieved by contacting the substantial entirety of the suction surface 1002 with the receptive surface and engaging lever 1004. In this mechanism, the second end of a rod with a socket joint can be mated with tip ball portion 1006. While the depicted embodiment includes a slight curvature leading up to the ball portion 1006 (which can be beneficial in designs for larger animals), ball portion 1006 can also be substantially centered over suction surface 1002.

[0046] Markers used in conjunction with the various embodiments disclosed herein can be any shape, size, color, or material. In one embodiment, markers can be comprised of a flexible plastic. In another embodiment markers can be brightly colored. In another embodiment, markers can include reflective materials. In another embodiment, markers can be comprised of a brightly-colored flexible plastic that includes reflective material. In particular embodiments a marker can be triangular in shape. In another embodiment, a marker can have a maximum height of 1/8th the length of a rod. In some embodiments, a marker can be detachably coupled with a rod such that the marker can be easily interchanged with other various markers, as desired by the user. In other embodiments, a marker can be permanently affixed to a rod. In further embodiments, more than one marker can be associated with a rod. While markers can take a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and other attributes, in preferred embodiments, the marker will not substantially affect the ability of the rod to remain in a substantially vertical orientation. In particular embodiments, when not in use, the marker can also serve as a storage pouch for the rod and/or other components of the systems described herein.

[0047] Figure 1 1 depicts one particular embodiment of the present disclosure adopting particular features previously described. Figure 1 1 depicts a mounting mechanism 1 102 with a spring clip 1 104 and weighted tilt/tip counterbalance 1 108 as depicted in Figure 9. The depicted embodiment further includes a rod 1 106 with interconnected substantially rigid segments 1 108, 1 1 10, etc. The substantially rigid segments can be disconnected and stored, alone or with mounting mechanism, spring clip, and tilt/tip counterbalance 1 102, 1 104, 1 108 within marker 1 1 12. Alternatively, rod 1 106 in this embodiment may represent a coilable support structure with an appropriate covering or telescoping rod, also suitable for storage within marker 1 1 12.

[0048] Figure 12 depicts an alternate embodiment of the system 100. In the embodiment depicted in Fig. 12, the rod 102 is depicted as being coupled with a restraint (in this embodiment a collar) 106 and stabilized via a yoke 602. While the depicted embodiment provides for a 2-pronged yoke, 3, 4, 5 or 6 prongs to stabilize the rod can also be used. In particular embodiments, at least one prong of the yoke is adapted to selectively or permanently couple with the restraint 106 and/or rod 102. The yoke 602 can be comprised of any known, convenient and/or desired material and having any known convenient and/or desired configuration. In some embodiments, the yoke 602 can be integral with the rod 102. However, in alternate embodiments the rod 102 and yoke 602 may not be integral.

[0049] Embodiments discussed thus far have all incorporated a marker at the first end of a rod. While preferred to optimally increase awareness and location tracking and/or for storage purposes, markers are not required, as a rod itself can serve to identify the location and increase awareness of the presence of an animal.

[0050] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as angles and weights and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0051]The terms "a," "an," "the" and similar referents used in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0052] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. It is anticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims. [0053] Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0054] Specific embodiments disclosed herein may be further limited in the claims using consisting of or consisting essentially of language. When used in the claims, whether as filed or added per amendment, the transition term "consisting of excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claims. The transition term "consisting essentially of limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s). Embodiments of the invention so claimed are inherently or expressly described and enabled herein.

[0055] In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A visibility enhancement system comprising:

a rod having a first end and a second end;

a marker operatively associated with said first end of said rod; and an attachment mechanism adapted to attach said second end of said rod to a restraint worn by an animal

wherein the system does not require a harness for the animal and wherein the rod remains in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the animal when attached to the restraint.

2. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism attaches to the edge of the restraint or to a strap of the restraint.

3. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism attaches to a flat portion of the restraint.

4. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism is a clip, a suction cup, a magnet or hook and loop fastener.

5. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 wherein the rod can be shortened and stored in the marker.

6. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 further comprising a collar restraint wherein the rod and marker can be retracted and stored within the collar restraint.

7. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a spring clip.

8. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a pivot mechanism.

9. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a pivot mechanism that allows the rod to tilt within one plane.

10. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a pivot mechanism that allows the rod to tilt within more than one plane.

1 1 . A visibility enhancement system according to claim 9 wherein the pivot mechanism is counterweighted to maintain the marker in its substantially vertical orientation.

12. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 10 wherein the pivot mechanism is counterweighted to maintain the marker in its substantially vertical orientation.

13. An attachment mechanism comprising two slots and a counterweighted pivot mechanism wherein the slots are sized to accept a dog's collar.

14. An attachment mechanism according to claim 13 wherein the slots are open slots.

15. An attachment mechanism according to claim 13 wherein the counterweighted pivot mechanism includes a threaded stud.

16. An attachment mechanism according to claim 13 wherein the counterweighted pivot mechanism allows tilt in one plane.

17. An attachment mechanism according to claim 13 wherein the counterweighted pivot mechanism allows tilt in more than one plane.

18. A visibility enhancement system comprising:

a collapsible rod having a first end and a second end;

a marker operatively associated with said first end of said rod wherein the marker is a sealable pouch; and

an attachment mechanism adapted to attach said second end of said rod to a restraint worn by an animal wherein the rod remains in a substantially vertical orientation relative to the animal when attached to the restraint and wherein the attachment mechanism comprises two open slots sized to accept the edge or strap of the animal's restraint and a counterweighted pivot mechanism.

19. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 18 wherein the pivot mechanism allows tilt in one plane.

20. A visibility enhancement system according to claim 18 wherein the pivot mechanism allows tilt in more than one plane.