Animal husbandry – Animal controlling or handling – Hitching or tethering
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-30
2002-05-07
Swiatek, Robert P. (Department: 3643)
Animal husbandry
Animal controlling or handling
Hitching or tethering
Reexamination Certificate
active
06382139
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to quick release devices for constrained animals. In particular, the invention relates to a quick release mechanism incorporated in an animal constraining line such as a horse cross-tie or a dog leash wherein one end of the line is attached to the animal and the other end is constrained.
2. Related Art
It is known to incorporate various quick release mechanisms into devices used to constrain or handle animals. Quick release mechanisms currently in use include biased latch-type mechanisms which can easily become corroded or contaminated by moisture, dirt, and debris, thereby making their operation unreliable.
One type of release which does not include a biasing member, pivoting member, or camming-action member is a “three-ring” type release which is of a type used in the parachute art. However, to the best of Applicant's knowledge, an animal constraint or handling device effectively able to incorporate such a release has yet to be developed.
Specific restraints or handling devices which could benefit from a more reliable quick release mechanism include cross-ties and dog leashes.
As regards dog leashes, the handlers of guard dogs, attack dogs and the like (e.g., security personnel) generally constrain the dogs by holding onto a leash attached to a dog's harness, collar, etc. There may come a time when it is necessary to release the dog as rapidly as possible. In such an event, the need for the handler to manipulate a buckle or clip holding the leash to the collar or harness is time consuming, especially if the dog is straining at the leash and moving about. Also, it may be necessary for the handler to put down objects that he/she is carrying, such as a weapon or flashlight, or take his/her eyes from a subject, thereby placing the handler at a disadvantage. Moreover, when it later becomes necessary to reattach the dog to the leash, the handler may again be placed at a disadvantage if the reattachment process is difficult.
Quick release dog leashes that can be remotely operated are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,365 and 4,149,492. However, these mechanisms tend to be of complicated construction, e.g., they may require springs, pivots, and/or cams, and are thereby expensive and prone to contamination and corrosion.
As regards cross-ties, such devices are used to restrain horses wherein one end of a cross-tie is attached to a harness or the like, and another end is held, e.g., by being attached to a fixed object. It may occur that it is desirable to release the horse as rapidly as possible if the horse has lost its balance or otherwise put itself in a precarious position.
U.S. Pat. No. 962,890 to Byrd et al. discloses a harness for controlling animals. A release mechanism is provided for the “operable ropes” of the restraint. The release is located along the lower side area of the animal, which is relatively difficult to access when the animal is standing. The release is activated by pressing a thumb piece, which requires the handler to position himself close to the animal in order to activate the release mechanism, thereby increasing the danger the handler will be kicked or otherwise harmed by the animal. Also, the release utilizes spring-biased mechanical parts which are susceptible to contamination, corrosion, and subsequent failure as noted above.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,197,410 to Wilson et al. discloses a releasable tether having a hook-shaped end and a spring-biased bolt closing member. The release mechanism includes a cable housed in a plastic tube. One end of the cable is connected to the bolt, the other end is connected to a trigger member. This release mechanism is rather complex, and includes moveable spring-biased parts which are prone to contamination, corrosion, and subsequent failure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,771 to Lee discloses a remotely controlled quick release device. The release can be actuated by electromechanical means or manually by purely mechanical means. The release disclosed in Lee is overly complicated, and includes spring-biased relatively moveable parts that are subject to corrosion and contamination as noted above.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved quick release animal constraints and handling devices that are simple, reliable, and inexpensive.
It is another object to provide a quick release dog leash which provides a way of quickly re-attaching the leash to a previously released dog.
These and other objects are attained by providing an animal constraint or handling device with a quick release mechanism that is essentially free of any biasing member, pivoting member, or camming-action member.
A cross-tie constructed according to the present invention includes first and second end cross-tie portions connected by a quick release mechanism that is essentially free of any biasing member, pivoting member, or camming-action member.
A plurality of cross-ties constructed according to the present invention each include a quick release mechanism and an associated trigger mechanism which is slidably connected to a respective cross-tie. The plurality of trigger mechanism are connected to each other and form a singular grasping portion, thereby permitting activation of the plurality of quick release mechanisms of the plurality of cross-ties via the singular grasping portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a lead for constraining an animal, the lead comprising a line having a first end portion adapted to be connected to an animal, and a second end portion adapted to be constrained. The lead further includes a coupler connectable to the animal, and a quick release mechanism for connecting the coupler to the first end portion of the line. The quick release mechanism is essentially free of any biasing member, pivoting member, or camming-action member. The line further includes a trigger member operably slidable relative to, and extending away from, the quick release mechanism. The trigger member is manually graspable at a location spaced from the quick release mechanism, thereby enabling remote actuation of the quick release mechanism.
Preferably, the lead constitutes a dog leash, and the coupler constitutes a first coupler. The lead further comprises a second coupler attached to the line for re-leashing a previously released dog.
That second coupler is preferably held against relative movement to the line by the quick release mechanism.
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