Animal husbandry – Animal controlling or handling – Hitching or tethering
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-21
2002-10-08
Poon, Peter M. (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Animal controlling or handling
Hitching or tethering
C199S028000, C199S028000, C199S028000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06460488
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to animal leashes and other means used to restrain animals while they are being taken for a walk or while tethered to stationary objects, specifically to an animal leash, and method for its manufacture, with various embodiments of the present invention having three or more flexible cords connected together in end-to-end working relation by one or more cord-locking mechanisms, at least one of the cords being stretchable, and a second cord supporting a freely rotatable handle configured for a secure user grip. Two separable clamping members form each cord-locking mechanism, with threaded fasteners firmly fixing them together during use around cords extending in opposite directions. Each tubular passage, formed by opposing channels in the paired clamping members and into which the blunt end of one cord can be inserted, has a combination of angled teeth and ridges configured to grip any flexible cord substantially filing it, to prevent the secured cord from being suddenly withdrawn when a significant extracting force is applied, such as that which would be expected from a lunging animal attached to the leash. The dimension and number of channels formed in each clamping member during manufacture can vary. Thus, the present invention can use a single stretchable central cord to secure one animal, multiple stretchable central cords to secure an exceptionally large or strong animal, or multiple stretchable central cords to simultaneously secure more than one animal. When three cords and two cord-locking mechanisms would be used to secure one animal, it is contemplated for each cord-locking mechanism to have a tapering octagonal configuration and for the three cords to be unequal in length, with the centrally positioned cord being stretchable, significantly longer than the other two cords, and connected between the narrow ends of the two cord-locking mechanisms. The ends of the two shorter cords would each be secured within the wider end of a different cord-locking mechanism, so as to be formed into a loop. During use of the present invention, a snap-bolt or other type of clip would be attached to the shortest loop, for connection to the type of D-ring typically found on animal collars, while the other looped cord would be threaded through an axial bore in the freely rotatable handle. The stretchable center cord would be made from rubber or an extruded rubber-like material having a small amount of longitudinal stretch, enough to allow a lunging animal to move slowly forward a short distance beyond the non-stretched length of the leash, after which the animal would be promptly caused to reverse its direction of movement and expediently withdraw from its lunging position without injury to animal or the person connected to it on the other end of the leash. The combination of slightly stretchable cord and freely rotating handle contemplated by the present invention would enhance the comfort of animal and animal handler alike during a walk, protect an animal when it is secured to stationary objects during attempts to lunge at out-of-reach objects, as well as protect the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back, hips, and knees of animal handlers from the sudden and substantial wrenching movement that would otherwise be experienced during attempts to control an active animal. Thus, although not limited thereto, one preferred application of the present invention would be for use by pet owners who may often be stiff or experience joint pain as a result of diseases such as osteoarthritis, since the present invention would give the pet owner gentle control of the pet, eliminate most of the jarring and jolting to hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back, hips, and/or knees during the handling of the pet, and give a pet owner more reaction time when his or her pet suddenly moves to lessen instability that could lead to a fall.
BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Walking an animal on a leash can be an uneventful experience, with the animal calmly moving at an even pace throughout the period of exercise and no bodily stress placed upon the person taking the animal for a walk. However, at any moment during a walk even the most well-mannered animal can be distracted by a fast moving squirrel, cat, bicycle, automobile, or child, resulting in an abrupt pulling force on the animal leash that can translate into a sudden wrenching motion to the wrists, hands, arms, shoulders, neck, knees, hips, and back of the person walking the animal. Many animal leashes are made from non-stretchable material and provide no protection from these types of sudden pulling forces that can unexpectedly occur. Even retractable animal leashes that allow more freedom of movement to an animal, do not prevent an abrupt jerking force to the arms, shoulders and back of the person using it to control the animal when it reaches the fully extended length of the coiled restraint cord. Occasionally such leashes can be pulled completely out of the hands of the owner when a large dog attached to the leash ardently pursues a squirrel or cat that is surprised by the dog and suddenly runs away from it. Although stretchable animal leashes made from bungee cord material, such as the stretch leash in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732663 to Manzella (1998), are effective for allowing dogs more freedom of movement while being walked and assisting dog owners in teaching dogs to heel, their extensive bungee-cord-like stretching ability does not make them as well-suited for handling dogs that are apt to frequently and unexpectedly lunge. Since the most preferred embodiment of the present invention is made from three separate cords, an elongated center cord and two looped end cords, the various cords can be made from the same material or different materials as dictated by the amount of cord stretch preferred in each intended application for the maximum user comfort. The quickly assembled and promptly separable cord-locking mechanisms provide easy access to the cords so that they can be easily exchanged to satisfy changing needs, such as the substitution of a longer cord, or one with more or less elasticity, as a puppy gains weight and matures into an adult dog, or for walking and tethering different pets owned by the same person. The cord-locking mechanisms of the present invention securely hold onto the ends of the animal leash cords until the threaded fasteners holding its two clamping members together are deliberately released. The rotating handle with its central core and bushing provide for both enhanced user comfort and prolonged durability of the outer foam grip. There is no known animal leash with all of the features of the present invention, or one that provides all of its advantages.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
The primary object of this invention is to provide an animal leash that protects an animal owner's hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, hips, knees, and back from the sudden and substantial wrenching motion that is often experienced with other animal leashes when an animal that is being taken for a walk suddenly and forcefully lunges at an out-of-reach object. It is also an object of this invention to provide an animal leash that gives pet owners more time to react to sudden pet movement and thereby lessen the type of owner instability that can lead to a fall. It is a further object of this invention to provide an animal leash that also enhances the comfort of the animal as it lunges for an out-of-reach object. It is also an object of this invention to provide an animal leash that enhances the grip of the person using it for better control of the animal, as well as increased user comfort. A further object of this invention is to provide an animal leash that is made from weather-resistant materials, is sturdy and durable in construction, and easy to use. It is also an object of this invention to provide an animal leash with cord-locking devices that are compact and have an aesthetically pleasing design. A further object of this invention is to provide an animal leash tha
Beeman Randolph Scott
Manzella Joseph Frank
Morse Dorothy S.
Poon Peter M.
Valenti Andrea M.
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