WO2020124126A1

WO2020124126A1 - Improved pet leash

Info

Publication number: WO2020124126A1
Application number: PCT/AU2019/000162
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tracey Squire
Original assignee: Tracey Squire
Priority date: 2018-12-21
Filing date: 2019-12-20
Publication date: 2020-06-25

Abstract

The invention relates to a pet leash assembly. The assembly combines a leash for the pet and a container. The leash has a leash handle and a leash extension having a first end and a second end. The container has a top and a bottom. In one embodiment, the leash handle has a connector for removable connection to the container at a location at the top of the container. The leash extension has at the first end a connector for removable connection to the container at a location at the bottom of the container and at the second end a connector for connection to the pet. The location at the top of the container is approximately in the centre of the top of the container and the location at the bottom of the container is approximately in the centre of the bottom of the container, such that when the leash handle and the leash extension are connected to the container, the container is approximately evenly arranged about the leash extension. In another embodiment, the leash handle is integral with the leash extension and there is a conduit from a location at the top of the container, the location being approximately in the centre of the top of the container, to a location at the bottom of the container, the location being approximately in the centre of the bottom of the container, such that when the pet leash is inserted in the conduit of the container, the container is approximately evenly arranged about the pet leash.

Description

IMPROVED PET LEASH

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an improved pet leash. In particular, the invention relates to a modular pet leash system which includes a container.

BACKGROUND ART

Pet leashes are predominantly used for walking pets and/or for restraining them in a location. For convenience, the description below focuses on leashes for dogs, but it will be appreciated that the leash of the invention can be used for other pets, such as cats, for example.

When walking a dog, the walker may wish to carry personal items, such as house keys, a telephone, cash, credit cards and other items including bags for capturing and disposing of dog waste. Often the walker does not have adequate pocket space for such items. A container such as a bag may be used to store such items. However, when walking a dog, the walker requires one hand to control the dog through a leash; it is not desirable that the walker's other hand is occupied with a bag.

There have been many attempts to produce a container which may be attached to a leash, so that items a walker wishes to have on hand are contained within the container on the leash. Such an arrangement leaves one hand of the walker free while the other hand controls the leash.

All of the prior art attempts have drawbacks. In WO 2017/185144, for example, a bag can be attached to the leash and carried with the leash while walking the dog. However, the leash is threaded through D ring attachments at the top of the bag, which means that the load in the bag is under the leash in use, creating a lack of balance in the bag/leash assembly. Further, the bag can swivel from side to side during the walking motion, creating further disturbance and possibly upsetting the dog. If it is desired to disconnect the bag and use it separately, either the leash is used to form handles for the bag, in which case the dog cannot be restrained by the leash, or the bag must be used without a handle, the walker being obliged to carry the bag by its body.

In AU 24946/97, US 6,4540,129, US 5,441,017, US 6,257,473 and US 2006/0054107, the container, being a utility bag, dog waste container or bag dispenser, is also designed to be threaded onto the leash and has many of the drawbacks set out above, namely an unbalanced load during walking and the need to carry the container by its body when disconnected from the leash (the leash is not intended to form a handle for the container in these prior art items). There is therefore a need for an improved solution that at least attempts to address these and other limitations of the existing state of the art, or at least provides a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, in a first aspect, this invention provides a pet leash assembly comprising: a leash handle; a leash extension having a first end and a second end; and a container having a top and a bottom; wherein: the leash handle has a connector for removable connection to the container at a location at the top of the container; the leash extension has at the first end a connector for removable connection to the container at a location at the bottom of the container and at the second end a connector for connection to the pet; and wherein the location at the top of the container is approximately in the centre of the top of the container and the location at the bottom of the container is approximately in the centre of the bottom of the container, such that when the leash handle and the leash extension are connected to the container, the container is approximately evenly arranged about the leash extension.

The leash handle and the leash extension may be made from any suitable material, including woven or unwoven strap material, including nylon, or leather. The leash handle and the leash extension need not be made of the same material, although this is preferred for aesthetic reasons. If desired, the leash extension, at least, may include high visibility reflective thread for walking at night or in dim conditions. It is preferred that the leash handle and the leash extension are of the same colour.

Some or all components of the assembly of the invention may be treated with an anti- microbial agent.

The leash handle preferably takes the form of a hand loop with a connector located so as to close the loop or located outside the loop. If desired, the inside of loop may be cushioned or padded for comfort in use.

The leash extension may be of any suitable length, such as about 1.8 metres. The connector at the first end of the leash extension may take any suitable form, including a passive connector such as a D-ring or an active connector such as a spring-loaded clip. In an especially preferred embodiment, the connector is active so that, once disconnected from the bottom of the container, it can be connected to the pet or to the leash extension itself, as explained below. Usefully, the leash extension may have mounted on it one or more rings or similar, for use in restraining a dog at a chosen location, for example, around a pole or chair leg while the walker makes a purchase or visits a cafe. For this purpose, an active connector at the first end of the leash extension may be connected to the ring mounted on the leash extension (or any one of such rings if more than one) after having been looped around the pole or chair leg. The ring may be mounted on the leash extension, either directly or via one or more slits in the leash extension. Instead of rings mounted on the leash extension, eyelets or similar may be formed in the leash extension, each eyelet intended to receive a ring.

The second end of the lease extension is connected to the pet. The manner of connection may be as desired, examples being to a pet collar or harness. While the connection may be a permanent one, it is more preferred that the second end of the leash extension is removably connected to the pet, by a spring-loaded clip locking into a D-ring on a pet collar, for example. Other arrangements can also be suitable.

In a preferred embodiment, the leash extension has two layers of material stitched together, except for a part of the leash extension near the second end which can provide a control handle area for tighter control of the dog if needed.

The container is preferably rectangular in both longitudinal and latitudinal cross-section and sized to accommodate at least a large mobile phone (cell phone) with cover. The container may have internal compartments and external pockets, optionally with sliding clasp fasteners or other closures. The container is preferably shaped so it is evenly arranged about the leash extension when connected. By way of example, the container may be 17 cm high, 10.5 cm wide and 3.7 cm deep. However, the container need not have identical sides, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In one embodiment, the container has first and second compartments being side by side and extending from the top of the container to the bottom of the container. If desired, the second compartment may be subdivided into an upper sub compartment and a lower sub compartment.

An access means may be configured to provide access to each of the first and second compartments through the top of the container. An access means may be configured to provide access to the first or second compartments through a side of the container.

Preferably, the access means is a sliding clasp fastener.

The container may include one or more external pockets. It is especially preferred that the container is made of neoprene and more pa rticularly perforated neoprene. However, it is to be understood that the container may be made of any suitable material, including leather.

The container may include reflective material for low light visibility. For connection at the top and the bottom of the container, passive or active connectors may be used, or a passive connector at top or bottom and an active connector at bottom or top, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, the container has an active connector such as a spring-loaded clip at the top and a passive connector such as a D-ring at the bottom. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the pet leash system of the first aspect of the invention is modular in that it may be used in different configurations: the leash handle connected to the container, in turn connected to the leash extension; the leash handle connected directly to the leash extension, if the container is not required; the leash handle connected to the container (which is not connected to the leash extension) to form a mini-container for use without the leash extension; and the leash extension alone clipped onto itself to restrain the dog at a chosen location, as described above. In a second aspect, the invention provides a container for a pet leash assembly, the pet leash including: a leash handle; and a leash extension having an end for connection to the pet; wherein the container has: a top; a bottom; and a conduit from a location at the top of the container, the location being approximately in the centre of the top of the container, to a location at the bottom of the container, the location being approximately in the centre of the bottom of the container, such that when the pet leash is inserted in the conduit of the container, the container is approximately evenly arranged about the pet leash; wherein, when the leash extension is connected to the pet, the container is configured to be fully removable from the pet leash extension without the need to disconnect from the pet.

The container in the second aspect of the invention may be used with a traditional pet leash, where the leash handle and the leash extension are permanently joined.

Alternately, the container of the second aspect may be used with the leash handle and leash extension of the first aspect.

The materials and/or dimensions of the container of the second aspect may be the same as those of the container of the first aspect. To hold the container of the second aspect in place on the pet leash, a strap in the conduit may be designed to thread through the base of the leash handle and clip to the container in or near the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in relation to non-limiting embodiments, in connection with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, showing the leash handle, container and leash extension assembled together and connected to a dog;

Figure 2a is a side view and Figure 2b is a front view of the leash extension in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the leash handle of Figure 1 and part of the leash extension of

Figure 2b; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the leash extension of Figures 1, 2 and 3 clipped around a pole;

Figure 5 is front perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a schematic section of the container of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective rear view of the container of Figures 1, 5 and 6; and

Figure 8 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the container ofthe second aspect of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that the Figures are not drawn to the same scale. Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, pet leash assembly 10 is shown connected to dog 12.

Pet leash assembly 10 has three main elements: leash handle 14, container 16 and leash extension 18 (of chosen length as indicated by the broken lines in Figure 2).

Leash handle 14 has a hand loop 20 and a passive connector 22 in the form of a D-ring (Figure 3), removably connected to top 24 of container 16 at active connector 26 (spring- loaded clip).

Leash extension 18 has first end 28 (Figure 2) and second end 30. Connector 32 (see Figure 2) at first end 28 is an active connector in the form of a spring-loaded clip, removably connected to bottom 34 of container 16 via a passive connector D-ring (not visible).

At second end 30 is another active connector 36 (a spring loaded clip - see Figure 2) removably attached to collar 38 of dog 12.

As shown in Figure 1, the connection of connector 22 is at a location which is approximately in the centre of top 24 of container 16. The connection of connector 32 is at a location which is approximately in the centre of bottom 34 of container 16. Container 16 is approximately evenly arranged about leash extension 18 and leash handle 14, which are in-line. Also shown in Figures 1 and 2 are rings 40, which are evenly spaced along a portion of leash extension 18. Rings 40 may be D-rings, suitably attached to leash extension 18. However, in the illustrated embodiment each ring 40 takes the form of a ring hold (consisting of a circle with a central bar). The structure of ring holds 40 may be seen in more detail in Figure 4, where each ring hold 40 has a circular periphery 41 and a central bar 43, secured in pocket 45 in leash extension 18.

Figure 4 shows the upper part of leash extension 18 after container 16 has been detached from connector 32. Leash extension 18 is secured by passing around post 42 and clipping connector 32 into the appropriate ring 40. The second end of leash extension 18 is still connected to dog 12 (not shown in this Figure), who is thus restrained by post 42. The walker (not shown) is then free to use container 16, hanging from leash handle 14, as a bag to take shopping, etc.

Referring now to Figure 2a, leash extension 18 is made from two layers of material stitched together throughout the length of leash extension 18, except near second end 30, where the two layers are separated into 18a and 18b to form open grip area 44. This can be used for tighter control of dog 12 if required. Open grip area 44 is preferably about 30 cm long.

In Figure 2b, width of leash extension 18 is preferably about 2.5 cm. Rings 40 preferably commence about 22 cm from first end 28. Figure 3 shows an option of joining leash handle 14 directly to leash extension 18, by clipping connector 32 of leash extension 18 into D-ring 22 of leash handle 14.

In Figures 2a and 2b, ring holds 40 are inserted into channels formed in leash extension 18. As an alternate construction, an open area, similar to open grip area 44, may be formed in leash extension 18 closer to first end 28, to accommodate one or more rings 40 (not shown in these Figures). Container 16 is shown in more detail in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Container 16 is made of textured neoprene on the outside, except for top 24, which has heavy duty neoprene. Inside, compartment divider 46 is made of heavy duty fabric (Figure 6). It is preferred that compartment divider 46, leash extension 18 and leash handle 14 are made of the same strong material, to minimise or avoid distortion within container 16. This arrangement also provides strength throughout leash handle 14 (connected to container 16 through connectors 22 and 26), divider 46 and connector 32 (attached to a D-ring (not shown at bottom 34 of container 16). If desired, top 24 may also be made of the same strong material, instead of heavy duty neoprene. Container 16 has on its front side 47 a first compartment being divided into upper compartment 48 and lower compartment 50. Upper compartment 48 includes two card holders 52. Strap 54 has a ring (not shown) for attachment to one or more keys (not shown).

Access to lower compartment 48 is through an access means, in this embodiment in the form of two-way sliding clasp fastener 55. If desired, two-way sliding clasp fastener 55 may be replaced by another access means, such as an envelope-style flap which may be tucked into the container, or a flap with a snap fastener mating with a complementary fastener on container 16. Upper compartment 48 is accessed through sliding clasp fastener 57.

On the rear side 56 of container 16 is a second compartment 58, being side by side with upper compartment 48 and lower compartment 50, and sized to comfortably accommodate a large mobile phone. Single compartment 58 is accessed through sliding clasp fastener 60. External pocket 62 is made of elastic mesh and has an open top 64 (Figure 7).

Apart from using pet leash assembly 10 as shown in Figure 1, leash handle 14 may be connected directly to leash extension 18, if container 16 is not required.

In another arrangement, leash handle 14 remain connected to container 16 and leash extension 18 is disconnected, to form a mini-container for use without leash extension 18. Leash extension 18 may be retained on dog collar 38 and used to secure dog 12 around post 42 as shown in Figure 4. Turning now to Figure 8, container 16' is very similar to container 16, the difference being conduit 66 and strap 68. Conduit 66 is shown in dashed outline in Figure 8. Conduit 66 starts at upper opening 70 and continues internally through container 16' to a lower opening indicated at 72. Conduit 66 is located centrally within container 16'. Traditional leash 80 in this embodiment has leash handle 82 integrated with leash extension 84. In order to retain container 16' in place on leash 80, strap 68 is fed through leash handle 82 and clipped to container 16' in opening 70 at clip 86.

If it is desired to use leash 80 without container 16', strap 68 is unclipped from clip 86 and container 16' can be removed. In this embodiment, conduit 66 is dimensioned so that leash handle 82 can be drawn through conduit 66, to disengage container 16' from leash handle 82, leaving leash extension 84 connected to the pet in use.

It will be appreciated that each of containers 16 and 16' container is approximately evenly arranged about leash extension 18 or 84 respectively, avoiding the shortcoming of prior art container arrangements, which can result in an unbalanced load on the pet leash.

It will also be appreciated that the invention can be used with suitable existing pet leashes, so that the container may be retrofitted without the need to modify suitable existing pet leashes.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The invention can provide a container which can be combined with a pet leash to allow a user to walk the pet while leaving one hand free. The invention can also avoid drawbacks in the prior art which produced an unbalanced effect which could disturb the pet during walking.

The container may be disengaged from the pet leash for separate use, while the leash remains connected to the pet.

Claims

1. A pet leash assembly comprising: a leash handle; a leash extension having a first end and a second end; and - a container having a top and a bottom; wherein: the leash handle has a connector for removable connection to the container at a location at the top of the container; the leash extension has at the first end a connector for removable connection to the container at a location at the bottom of the container and at the second end a connector for connection to the pet; and wherein the location at the top of the container is approximately in the centre of the top of the container and the location at the bottom of the container is approximately in the centre of the bottom of the container, such that when the leash handle and the leash extension are connected to the container, the container is approximately evenly arranged about the leash extension.

2. The pet leash assembly of claim 1, wherein connector at the first end of the leash is chosen from a passive connector being a D-ring and an active connector being a spring-loaded clip.

3. The pet leash assembly of claim 2, wherein the connector is a spring loaded clip capable of connection to the pet or to the leash extension itself after disconnection from the bottom of the container.

4. The pet leash assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the leash extension has one or more rings mounted on it, either directly or via one or more slits in the leash extension.

5. The pet leash assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a pet collar or harness is used at the second end of the leash extension for connection to the pet.

6. The pet leash assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the container has first and second compartments being side by side and extending from the top of the container to the bottom of the container.

7. The pet leash assembly of claim 6, wherein the second compartment is subdivided into an upper sub compartment and a lower sub compartment.

8. The pet leash assembly of claim 6 or 7, wherein an access means is configured to provide access to each of the first and second compartments through the top of the container.

9. The pet leash assembly of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein an access means is configured to provide access to the first or second compartments through a side of the container.

10. The pet leash assembly of claim 8 or 9, wherein the access means is a sliding clasp fastener.

11. The pet leash assembly of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the container includes an external pocket.

12. A container for a pet leash assembly, the pet leash including: a leash handle; and a leash extension having an end for connection to the pet; wherein the container has: a top; a bottom; and a conduit from a location at the top of the container, the location being approximately in the centre of the top of the container, to a location at the bottom of the container, the location being approximately in the centre of the bottom of the container, such that when the pet leash is inserted in the conduit of the container, the container is approximately evenly arranged about the pet leash; wherein, when the leash extension is connected to the pet, the container is configured to be fully removable from the pet leash extension without the need to disconnect from the pet.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the container has first and second compartments being side by side about the conduit and extending from the top of the container to the bottom of the container.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the second compartment is subdivided into an upper sub compartment and a lower sub compartment.

15. The container of claim 13 or 14, wherein an access means is configured to provide access to each of the first and second compartments through the top of the container.

16. The container of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein an access means is configured to provide access to the first or second compartments through a side of the container.

17. The container of claim 15 or 16, wherein the access means is a sliding clasp fastener.

18. The container of any one of claims 12 to 17, which includes an external pocket.