WO2023073359A1

WO2023073359A1 - Handle for a dog lead

Info

Publication number: WO2023073359A1
Application number: PCT/GB2022/052714
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jamie ANDREWS
Original assignee: INU:IP Ltd
Priority date: 2021-10-28
Filing date: 2022-10-25
Publication date: 2023-05-04
Also published as: GB202115542D0

Abstract

A handle for a dog lead comprising a first groove for receiving a user's index finger and a second groove for receiving a user's middle finger. The handle further comprising a front portion comprising an attachment point for attaching a lead for a dog, the front portion being located between the first groove and the second groove, to allow a pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion, from a lead attached to the attachment point, to act between the first and second grooves. A dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle, the handle comprising a first groove for receiving a user's index finger, and a second groove for receiving a user's middle finger. The lead is attached to the handle via a front portion, the front portion being located between the first groove and the second groove of the handle, to allow a pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion, from a lead attached to the handle, to act between the first and second grooves.

Description

Handle for a Dog Lead

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to handles for dog leads, and to dog leads including the said handles.

Background

It is common for dog leads to have handles, and these come in a variety of forms. Many handles for dog leads are flexible loops. These are comfortable for the hands of a dog owner if they have a dog that does not pull on the lead, but if a dog does pull (or lunge) when on a lead that has a flexible handle, the loop type handles tend to compress the hand of the user, causing discomfort at a minimum, and injury to users if the pulling is more severe. Injuries to users can include acute injuries caused by one specific incident or may alternatively include chronic injuries that are built up over time. Other types of handles for dog leads, which are most commonly found in retractable leads, include an at least partly rigid handle. Providing a handle that is at least partly rigid helps to reduce the likelihood of severe discomfort or injury to users if they have a strong pulling or lunging dog. However, although severe discomfort (or injury) may be reduced by providing an at least partly rigid handle, these handles are often still uncomfortable for users, firstly due to the shape of the handles, and secondly due to how the handles distribute the force of a pulling dog through the hand of a user and into the user’s arm. Dependent on where a dog lead is attached to a rigid or partly rigid handle, a pulling force down the lead can result in the user’s wrist being pivoted as a result of the lead causing a turning moment through the handle and therefore through the user’s hand. Pivoting or misalignment of the user’s wrist can result in the user having a less secure grip on the handle, and therefore less control over their dog. Pivoting or misalignment of the user’s wrist can also result discomfort, or, in the long term, injury to the user.

The present invention has resulted from applicant’s work in developing a handle for a dog lead that will not compress a user’s hand even if a dog attached to the lead pulls or lunges, and that will not result in uncomfortable, or potentially injury causing, misalignment of the user’s wrist even if a dog attached to the lead of the handle pulls or lunges. The handle requires less strength in the fingers due to better distribution of the strain across all four fingers and the thumb. This results in the handle and lead being more comfortable for a user.

Summary

According to a first of the present invention there is provided a handle for a dog lead, the handle comprising: a first groove for receiving a user’s index finger; a second groove for receiving a user’s middle finger; a front portion comprising an attachment point for attaching a lead for a dog, the front portion being located between the first groove and the second groove, to allow a pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion, from a lead attached to the attachment point, to act between the first and second grooves.

This arrangement that causes any pulling forces from a lead (and therefore from a dog pulling on that lead) to be transmitted between the first and second grooves, and therefore, in use, between the index and middle fingers of a user, results in a significant improvement to user comfort. In situations where pulling or pushing forces are transmitted through a user’s wrists, there is an optimal position for the user’s wrist to be in. In this position, a straight line passing through the elbow and the wrist of an arm of a user would also pass between the metacarpophalangeal joints of the index and the middle fingers of a user. Providing a handle that causes external pulling forces to act between the index and the middle fingers of a user cause the pulling forces to naturally align the user’s wrist towards the optimal wrist position to withstand these pulling forces. This can reduce discomfort and injury.

Optionally, the front portion comprises a flange, the flange preferably being substantially flat. Providing a flange, preferably a substantially flat flange, located between the first and second grooves, enables a user to hold the handle in a natural "fist” shape. The flange being substantially flat means that, in use, the index finger of a user is not splayed away from the remaining fingers of the user.

Optionally, the handle further comprises a third groove for receiving a user’s ring finger and/or a fourth groove for receiving a user’s little finger.

Providing means for essentially the entire hand of a user to grasp the handle may improve the users grip of the handle, and may improve the user’s comfort.

Optionally, the handle comprises a rigid section, the rigid section preferably being hollow.

The rigid section being hollow reduces the weight of the handle.

Optionally, the rigid section of the handle comprises reinforcing ribs.

This may improve strength of the handle with minimal increase to the weight of the handle.

Optionally, one or more of the grooves comprise a padded section.

This may improve user comfort.

Optionally, the handle comprises a thumb rest for a user’s thumb.

This may allow the user to have improved grip and control over the handle.

Optionally, the attachment point comprises a buckle.

Optionally, the attachment point comprises an aperture through which a lead can be attached. Optionally, the rigid section is hollow and has a pivoting cover, the hollow being suitable for carrying a roll of dog waste bags, and the cover preferably having a slot, the slot allowing withdrawal of a dog waste bag from the hollow while the cover is in a closed position.

There is further provided a kit of parts for a dog lead system, the kit of parts comprising a lead for a dog and a handle for a dog lead according to the above aspect of the invention.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is further provided a dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle, the handle comprising: a first groove for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove for receiving a user’s middle finger; the lead being attached to the handle via a front portion, the front portion being located between the first groove and the second groove of the handle, to allow a pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion, from a lead attached to the handle, to act between the first and second grooves.

This arrangement that causes any pulling forces from the lead attached to a handle (and therefore from a dog pulling on that lead) to be transmitted between the first and second grooves, and therefore, in use, between the index and middle fingers of a user, results in a significant improvement to user comfort. In situations where pulling or pushing forces are transmitted through a user’s wrists, there is an optimal position for the user’s wrist to be in. In this position, a straight line passing through the elbow and the wrist of an arm of a user would also pass between the metacarpophalangeal joints of the index and the middle fingers of a user. Providing a handle that causes external pulling forces to act between the index and the middle fingers of a user cause the pulling forces to naturally align the user’s wrist towards the optimal wrist position to withstand these pulling forces. This can reduce discomfort and injury.

Optionally, the flange comprises part of the handle.

Optionally, the flange comprises part of the lead.

Optionally the handle comprises a thumb rest for a users thumb.

This may allow the user to have improved grip and control over the handle.

This reduces the weight of the handle.

Optionally, the rigid section of the handle comprises reinforcing ribs.

Optionally, one or more of the grooves comprise a padded section.

This may improve user comfort.

Optionally, the handle is positioned at an intermediate position along the lead. Optionally, the rigid section is hollow and has a pivoting cover, the hollow being suitable for carrying a roll of dog waste bags, and the cover preferably having a slot, the slot allowing withdrawal of a dog waste bag from the hollow while the cover is in a closed position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is further provided a computer- readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause a 3D printer to print at least part of a handle for a dog lead according to any of claims 1 to 9 and/or a handle for a dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 20.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is further provided a method of using a dog lead handle according to the first aspect or a dog lead system according to any the second aspect, the method comprising: a user holding the handle in their hand so that so that the index finger of the user is received in the first groove and the middle finger of the user is received in the second groove, the front portion of the handle therefore being located, in use, between the index finger and the middle finger of the user, therefore allowing any pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion to act between the first and second grooves of the handle, and therefore to act between the index and middle fingers of the user.

Further features and advantages of the first, second, third, and fourth aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the claims and the following description.

Brief Description of Drawings

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which: -

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the handle of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the handle of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section view through the line A-A of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the handle of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a rear perspective of the handle of Fig. 1 with a rear cover in its open position

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 8 is a side view of a third embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the handle of Fig. 8, shown with part of a lead for a dog within the aperture;

Fig. 10 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the handle of Fig. 10, shown with part of a lead for a dog within the aperture;

Fig. 12 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the handle of Fig. 12, shown with part of a lead for a dog within the aperture;

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention; Fig. 15 is a front view of the handle of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a sectional view through line A-A of the handle of Figs. 14 and 15;

Fig. 17 is a side view of a seventh embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the handle of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a front view of the handle of Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view through line B-B of the handle in Fig. 19;

Fig. 21 is a side view of a first embodiment of a dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle according to the second aspect of the present invention

Fig. 22 is a sectional view through line C-C of Fig. 21

Fig. 23 is a top view of the dog lead system of Fig. 21

Fig. 24 is a side view of a second embodiment of a dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle according to the second aspect of the present invention

Fig. 25 is a sectional view through line D-D of Fig. 24

Fig. 26 is a front view of the dog lead system of Fig. 24; and

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through line E-E of Fig. 26 Detailed Description

A number of different embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure are described subsequently. In order to minimise repetition, similar features of the different embodiments are numbered with a common two-digit reference numeral and are differentiated by a third digit placed before the two common digits. Such features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have similar functions unless otherwise indicated.

Although particular embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims .

It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Figs. 1-6 show a first embodiment of a handle 102 for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention. Handle 102 has a first groove 104 for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove 106 for receiving a user’s middle finger. Handle 102 also has a front portion 108 comprising an attachment point 110 for attaching a lead (not shown) for a dog. In the embodiment 102 in Fig. 1, the front portion 108 is a substantially flat flange 108 that comprises part of handle 102. Attachment point 110 has a circular aperture 111 through which a lead can be attached. The direction of pulling force that handle 102 will experience via flange 108 if a dog attached to a lead attached to attachment point 110 pulls is shown by arrow F. The arrangement of the lead attachment point 110 (which does not have to be a solitary point, it can be any suitable attachment means that a lead suitable for a dog could be attached to), and the flange 108 relative to the locations of the first groove 104 for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove 106 for receiving a user’s middle finger, means that, in use, pulling forces from a pulling dog (not shown) attached to a lead (not shown) attached to lead attachment point 110 are transmitted between the first groove 104 for receiving a user’s index finger, and the second groove 106 for receiving a user’s middle finger, and therefore, in use, the pulling force F acts between the index and middle fingers of a user.

Handle 102 also has a third groove 112 for receiving a user’s ring finger, a fourth groove 114 for receiving a user’s little finger, and a thumb rest 115 for receiving a user’s thumb. A rear part 117 of handle 102 is shaped to be comfortably received by the palm of a user. As best shown in the sectional view of Fig. 4 and the exploded view of Fig. 5, handle 102 has a main rigid body 116 which contains a hollow 118. Rigid body 16 is reinforced by ribs 120. Preferably, rigid body 116 is injection moulded from polypropylene, but suitable other materials may be used, preferably other plastics, and more preferably other plastics that can be injection moulded. The hollow 118 has a pivoting cover 124 (which is rear part 117 in the present embodiment). Pivoting cover is shown in its closed position in Figs. 1-4, and in its open position in Fig. 6. When pivoting cover 124 is in its open position, a user can access the hollow 118 to add or remove items, preferably dog waste bags. When cover 124 is in its closed position, any items within hollow 118 are enclosed.

Each of the grooves of handle 102 includes a padded section 122, but it will be appreciated that the entire handle could be provided without any padded sections, or, only some but not all of the grooves could be provided with padded sections. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide padded sections in the first and second grooves. Padded sections 122 are preferably made from a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicon rubber. The padded sections 122 are preferably attached to the rigid body 116 by curing the padded sections onto the rigid body 1016.

Fig. 7 shows a second embodiment of a handle 102a for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention. Handle 102a is identical to handle 102, with the exception of the pivoting cover 124a of handle 102a. Pivoting cover 124a additionally comprises a slot 126. Slot 126 allows a user to remove one or more dog waste bags that are stored within hollow 118, without cover 124a needing to be opened. Figs. 8 and 9 show a third embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention. This third embodiment only differs from the handle of Figs. 1-7 in that attachment point 210 of handle 202 is a different shape to attachment point 110 of handle 102. Attachment point 210 has an aperture 211 with a stadium shaped cross section, best suited for receiving a lead 213 with a rectangular or stadium shaped cross section.

Figs. 10 and 11 show a fourth embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention. This fourth embodiment only differs from the handle of Figs. 1-7 in that attachment point 310 of handle 302 is a different shape to attachment point 110 of handle 102. Attachment point 310 has an aperture 311 with a kidney shaped cross section, best suited for receiving a lead 313 with a rectangular or stadium shaped cross section that is folded/bent at the point where the lead is within aperture 311.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a fifth embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention. This fifth embodiment only differs from the handle of Figs. 1-7 in that attachment point 410 of handle 402 is a different shape to attachment point 110 of handle 102. Attachment point 410 has an aperture 411 with a C-shaped cross section, best suited for receiving a lead 413 with a rectangular or stadium shaped cross section that is bent into a C-shape at the point where the lead is within aperture 411.

Figs. 14-16 show a sixth embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention. The majority of handle 504 is identical to the l^st-5^th embodiments described above - the only differences are in the nature of the front portion and the attachment point of handle 502. The front portion of handle 502 is a small flange 508, which includes an attachment point 510 (in the form of a buckle), to which a lead 513 for a dog can be attached. In Fig. 16 the direction of pulling force that handle 502 will experience via flange 508 if a dog attached to a lead attached to attachment point 510 pulls is shown by arrow F. The arrangement of the lead attachment point 510 and therefore any attached lead 513 and the flange 508 relative to the locations of a first groove 504 for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove 506 for receiving a user’s middle finger, means that, in use, pulling forces from a pulling dog (not shown) attached to lead 513 attached to lead attachment point 510 are transmitted between the first groove 504 for receiving a user’s index finger, and the second groove 506 for receiving a user’s middle finger, and therefore, in use, the pulling force F acts between the index and middle fingers of a user.

It will be appreciated that any of the 3^rd-6^th embodiments of a handle for a dog lead may have a slot in their cover, as described in the second embodiment above, to enable any of the above discussed embodiments of handle to allow a user to store dog waste bags within the said hollow and to remove one or more dog waste bags that are stored within the said hollow through the slot without the cover needing to be opened.

Figs. 17-20 show a seventh embodiment of a handle for a dog lead according to the first aspect of the present invention. Handle 602 has a first groove 604 for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove 606 for receiving a user’s middle finger. Handle 602 also has a front portion 608 comprising an attachment point 610 for attaching a lead (not shown) for a dog. In the embodiment 602, the front portion 608 is a substantially flat flange 608 that comprises part of handle 602. Attachment point 610 has a circular aperture 611 through which a lead can be attached. The direction of pulling force that handle 602 will experience via flange 608 if a dog attached to a lead attached to attachment point 610 pulls is shown by arrow F. The arrangement of the lead attachment point 610 (which does not have to be a solitary point, it can be any suitable attachment means that a lead suitable for a dog could be attached to), and the flange 608 relative to the locations of the first groove 604 for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove 606 for receiving a user’s middle finger, means that, in use, pulling forces from a pulling dog (not shown) attached to a lead (not shown) attached to lead attachment point 610 are transmitted between the first groove 604 for receiving a user’s index finger, and the second groove 606 for receiving a user’s middle finger, and therefore, in use, the pulling force F acts between the index and middle fingers of a user.

The flange and attachment point shown in the two-finger handle 602 (the seventh embodiment) are identical to those in the first and second embodiments, and the manufacturing methods/assembly methods/preferred materials are also identical. It will readily be appreciated that the only differences between the l^st-6^th embodiments and the 7^th embodiment is that the rigid body 616a of handle 602 does not include grooves shaped to receive all four fingers of a user, and that rigid body 616a defines hollow 618a and there is not a cover in the seventh embodiment.

It will readily be appreciated that a handle with a rigid body shaped generally as rigid body 616a could be formed with or be attached to any of the types of attachment points/front portions shown and described in relation to any of the above embodiments.

A number of different embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure are described subsequently. In order to minimise repetition, similar features of the different embodiments that are also found in the embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention are numbered with a common two-digit reference numeral and are differentiated by two digits placed before the two common digits. Such features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have similar functions unless otherwise indicated.

A first embodiment of a dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle according to the second aspect of the present invention is shown in Figs. 21-23. Dog lead system 1000 comprises a lead 1013 and a handle 1002. Handle 1002 comprises a first groove 1004 for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove 1006 for receiving a user’s middle finger. Lead 1013 is attached to the handle 1002 via a front portion 1008. Front portion 1008 is located between the first groove 1004 and the second groove 1006 of the handle, to allow a pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion 1008, from a lead 1013 attached to the handle 1002, to act between the first groove 1004 and the second groove 1006. Any pulling force that handle 1002 will experience via portion 1008 if a dog attached to lead 1013 pulls will act through portion 1008. When a user is holding the handle 1002 , this force will therefore be transmitted to the user between the index finger and the middle finger of the user.

Handle 1002 also has a third groove 1012 for receiving a user’s ring finger, a fourth groove 1014 for receiving a user’s little finger, and a thumb rest for receiving a user’s thumb. As in the previously discussed embodiments of handles according to the first aspect of the present invention, handle 1002 has a main rigid body 1016 which contains a hollow 1018. Rigid body 1016 is reinforced by ribs 1020. Preferably, rigid body 1016 is injection moulded from polypropylene, but suitable other materials may be used, preferably other plastics, and more preferably other plastics that can be injection moulded. Preferably, system 1000 is manufactured by placing lead 1013 in position and then forming rigid body 1016 around part of lead 1013. In the preferred embodiment, lead 1013 has several holes 1028 through it, and when the rigid body is moulded around the lead 1013, the material that will form rigid body 1016 flows into the holes 1028 in the lead, and then sets through them.

The hollow 1018 has a pivoting cover 1024, shown in its closed position in Figs. 21-23. When pivoting cover 1024 is in its open position, a user can access the hollow 1018 to add or remove items, preferably dog waste bags. When cover 1024 is in its closed position, any items within hollow 1018 are enclosed.

It will be appreciated that this embodiment of a handle for a dog lead may have a slot in its cover, similar to the slot described in relation to the second embodiment of the first aspect of the invention above, to enable any the present embodiments of handle to allow a user to store dog waste bags within the said hollow and to remove one or more dog waste bags that are stored within the said hollow through the slot without the cover needing to be opened.

Each of the grooves of handle 1002 includes a padded section 1022, but it will be appreciated that the entire handle could be provided without any padded sections, or, only some but not all of the grooves could be provided with padded sections. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide padded sections in the first and second grooves. Padded sections 1022 are preferably made from a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicon rubber. The padded sections 1022 are preferably attached to the rigid body 1016 by curing the padded sections onto the rigid body 1016.

A second embodiment of a dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle according to the second aspect of the present invention is shown in Figs. 24 -27. Dog lead system 2000 comprises a lead 2013 and a handle 2002. Handle 2002 comprises a first groove 2004 for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove 2006 for receiving a user’s middle finger. Lead 2013 is attached to the handle 2002 via a front portion 2008. Front portion 2008 is located between the first groove 2004 and the second groove 2006 of the handle, to allow a pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion 2008, from a lead 2013 attached to the handle 2002, to act between the first groove 2004 and the second groove 2006. Any pulling force that handle 2002 will experience via portion 2008 if a dog attached to lead 2013 pulls will act through portion 2008. When a user is holding the handle 2002 , this force will therefore be transmitted to the user between the index finger and the middle finger of the user.

Handle 2002 also has a thumb rest 2015 for receiving a user’s thumb. As in the previously discussed embodiments of handles according to the first aspect of the present invention, handle 2002 has a main rigid body 2016 which contains a hollow 2018. Rigid body 2016 is reinforced by ribs 2020. Preferably, rigid body 2016 is injection moulded from polypropylene, but suitable other materials may be used, preferably other plastics, and more preferably other plastics that can be injection moulded. Preferably, system 2000 is manufactured by placing lead 2013 in position and then forming rigid body 2016 around part of lead 2013. In the preferred embodiment, lead 2013 has several holes 2028 through it, and when the rigid body is moulded around the lead 2013, the material that will form rigid body 2016 flows into the holes 2028 in the lead, and then sets through them.

It will be appreciated that front portion 2008 may be extended to provide a larger flange. Alternatively, part of the lead adjacent to portion 2008 may be considered to be a flange, most preferably if it contains some reinforcement.

The majority of potential combinations of features have been explicitly explained, but for the avoidance of doubt, any handle for a dog lead or any dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle according to the present invention may be include or be provided with any or all of: a flange; a substantially flat flange; a flange that comprises part of the handle; a flange that comprises part of the lead; a third groove for receiving a user’s ring finger; a fourth groove for receiving a user’s little finger; a thumb rest for a user’s thumb; a rigid section; a hollow rigid section; a hollow rigid section of the handle comprising reinforcing ribs; the grooves comprising a padded section; a rigid section that is hollow and has a pivoting cover, the hollow being suitable for carrying a roll of dog waste bags; the cover preferably having a slot, the slot allowing withdrawal of a dog waste bag from the hollow while the cover is in a closed position.

Claims

1. A handle for a dog lead, the handle comprising: a first groove for receiving a user’s index finger; a second groove for receiving a user’s middle finger; a front portion comprising an attachment point for attaching a lead for a dog, the front portion being located between the first groove and the second groove, to allow a pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion, from a lead attached to the attachment point, to act between the first and second grooves.

2. A handle for a dog lead according to claim 1, wherein the front portion comprises a flange, the flange preferably being substantially flat.

3. A handle for a dog lead according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle further comprises a third groove for receiving a user’s ring finger and/or a fourth groove for receiving a user’s little finger.

4. A handle for a dog lead according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle comprises a rigid section, the rigid section preferably being hollow.

5. A handle for a dog lead according to claim 4, wherein the rigid section of the handle comprises reinforcing ribs.

6. A handle for a dog lead according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the grooves comprise a padded section.

7. A handle for a dog lead according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment point comprises a buckle and/or an aperture through which a lead can be attached.

8. A handle for a dog lead according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle comprises a thumb rest for a user’s thumb.

9. A handle for a dog lead according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein the rigid section is hollow and has a pivoting cover, the hollow being suitable for carrying a roll of dog waste bags, and the cover preferably having a slot, the slot allowing withdrawal of a dog waste bag from the hollow while the cover is in a closed position.

10. A kit of parts for a dog lead system, the kit of parts comprising a lead for a dog and a handle for a dog lead according to any of claims 1-9.

11. A dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle, the handle comprising: a first groove for receiving a user’s index finger, and a second groove for receiving a user’s middle finger; the lead being attached to the handle via a front portion, the front portion being located between the first groove and the second groove of the handle, to allow a pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion, from a lead attached to the handle, to act between the first and second grooves.

12. A dog lead system according to claim 11, wherein the front portion comprises a flange, the flange preferably being substantially flat.

13. A dog lead system according to any of claims 11 or claim 12, wherein the flange comprises part of the handle.

14. A dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the flange comprises part of the lead.

15. A dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the handle further comprises a third groove for receiving a user’s ring finger and/or a fourth groove for receiving a user’s little finger.

16. A dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the handle comprises a rigid section, the rigid section preferably being hollow, and the rigid section preferably comprising reinforcing ribs. 19

17. A dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the handle comprises a thumb rest for a users thumb.

18. A dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 17, wherein one or more of the grooves comprise a padded section.

19. A dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the handle is located at an intermediate position along the lead.

20. A handle for a dog lead according to any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the rigid section is hollow and has a pivoting cover, the hollow being suitable for carrying a roll of dog waste bags, and the cover preferably having a slot, the slot allowing withdrawal of a dog waste bag from the hollow while the cover is in a closed position.

21. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause a 3D printer to print at least part of a handle for a dog lead according to any of claims 1 to 9 and/or a handle for a dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 20.

22. A method of using a dog lead handle according to any of claims 1 to 9 or a dog lead system according to any of claims 11 to 20, the method comprising: a user holding the handle in their hand so that so that the index finger of the user is received in the first groove and the middle finger of the user is received in the second groove, the front portion of the handle therefore being located, in use, between the index finger and the middle finger of the user, therefore allowing any pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion to act between the first and second grooves of the handle, and therefore to act between the index and middle fingers of the user.

23. A method of using a dog lead handle according to any of claims 3 to 9 or a dog lead system according to any of claims 15 to 20, the method comprising: a user holding the handle in their hand so that so that the index finger of the user is received in the first groove, the middle finger of the user is received in the second groove, 20 the ring finger of the user is received in the third groove (when present), and the little finger of the user is received in the fourth groove (when present); the front portion of the handle therefore being located, in use, between the index finger and the middle finger of the user, therefore allowing any pulling force exerted on the handle via the front portion to act between the first and second grooves of the handle, and therefore to act between the index and middle fingers of the user.

24. A method of manufacturing a handle for a dog lead according to any of Claims 1-9, or a dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle according to any of Claims 11-15 wherein the handle is at least partly made by injection moulding.

25. A method of manufacturing a dog lead system comprising a lead and a handle according to any of Claims 16-19, wherein the rigid body is at least partly made by injection moulding, and preferably wherein the injection moulding step comprises moulding the rigid body around the lead, even more preferably through holes provided in the lead.