Abstract:
A conventional leash includes a snap fitting for attachment to a ring extending from a collar about the neck of an animal. A lockable cover is detachably attached about the snap fitting to prevent unauthorized detachment of the leash from the ring. A wire or the like may extend along or be embedded in the leash to prevent cutting of the leash by a conventional knife or a pair of scissors. A similar lockable cover is detachably attached about a buckle of the collar to prevent removal of the collar from about the neck of the animal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to security devices for use with animal leashes and, more particularly, to a security device for preventing detachment of a leash from an animal collar. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Prior Art 
         [0004]    In the normal course of walking a dog in a city or municipality, leash laws usually exist requiring that such animal be attached to a leash at all times. Eating establishments and stores generally do not permit the leashed animal to enter. An exception relates to seeing-eye dogs. 
         [0005]    Prior to entering the store or eating establishment, the dog walker must secure the leash to some outside structure. After the dog walker enters the store or eating establishment, the dog is left alone and depending upon temperament of the dog, it is more or less friendly with passersby. 
         [0006]    If a passerby sees the dog and establishes a rapport with the dog, it is an easy matter to unhook the leash from the dog&#39;s collar and take the dog away. Such theft occurs quite often, especially with pedigreed dogs or dogs that are particularly friendly with a passerby. The likelihood of the owner recovering the dog is generally very remote. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The end of a conventional leash includes a snap fitting for selective engagement with a ring attached to a collar for an animal, such as a dog. Generally, the snap fitting is relatively easily attached and detached from the ring by a thumb operated slide. To prevent unauthorized detachment of the snap fitting, a lockable cover in the manner of a security device enfolds a part of the ring and the snap fitting to preclude movement of the slide. The cover includes two parts hingedly attached along one side in a clamshell-like manner. The other side includes locking apparatus to prevent unauthorized opening of the cover. Thereby, unwanted disengagement of the snap fitting from the collar supported ring is precluded. To prevent cutting of the leash or collar, a wire or other difficult-to-sever element may extend along or be embedded within the leash or the collar. 
         [0008]    It is therefore a primary object of the prevent invention to provide a security device to prevent disengagement of a leash from an animal mounted collar. 
         [0009]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover for enfolding the snap fitting of a leash. 
         [0010]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a lockable cover for preventing access to the connecting element between a leash and an animal collar. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lockable device for preventing unauthorized disengagement of a leash from a dog collar. 
         [0012]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a security device lockably interconnecting a leash and a dog collar, which leash includes a security element for discouraging cutting of the leash. 
         [0013]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method for enveloping and securing the element interconnecting a leash with a dog collar. 
         [0014]    A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a tamperproof method for securing a leash to a dog collar. 
         [0015]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art as the description thereof proceeds. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The present invention will be described with greater specificity and clarity with reference to the following drawings, in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a security device enveloping the point of attachment of a leash to a collar worn by a dog and a further security device enveloping the buckle of the collar; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a security device enveloping the buckle of a dog collar; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional view of the security device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a security device in cross-section and enveloping the snap fitting of a leash and a part of the ring extending from a collar; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates the security device shown in  FIG. 4  in the open state; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates the security device shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5  in the closed state; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates the security device in a closed state and having a key operated lock; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  illustrates closing of the security device shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  illustrates the security device with a thumb wheel lock; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  illustrates the security device shown in  FIG. 9  in the open position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates a representative animal, such as a dog, wearing a collar  10 . A leash  12  is attached to a ring  18  on the collar in the conventional manner. A security device  14  may be attached to the collar to envelope the buckle of the collar and prevent unbuckling of the collar from about the animal&#39;s neck. Another security device  16  envelops a conventional snap fitting at the end of leash  12  that engages ring  18  extending from collar  10 . Leash  12  includes a conventional loop  20  for holding the leash and for securing the leash to an anchor of some type to retain the animal in proximity to such anchor. 
         [0028]    Referring jointly to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , there is shown a security device  14  for enveloping a buckle  30 , which buckle secures the ends of collar  10  about the neck of the animal. The security device includes two clamshell-like elements  32 ,  34  hingedly attached to one another (as shown in  FIG. 10 ). Element  32  includes an elongated dome  36  terminated at opposed ends by planar sections  38 ,  40 . Similarly, element  34  includes an elongated dome  42  terminated at opposed ends by planar sections  44 ,  46 . 
         [0029]    To secure elements  32 ,  34  to one another and prevent access to buckle  30 , a locking mechanism  48  may be affixed to the sides of elements  32 ,  34  opposite to the connecting hinge (see  FIG. 10 ). The locking mechanism may include two cylinders  50 ,  52  extending from the edge of element  34  and a cylinder  56  extending from the edge of element  32 . As illustrated, cylinder  52  may include a keyhole  58  for receiving a key to lock and unlock cylinder  56  between cylinders  50 ,  52 . 
         [0030]    Planar sections  38 ,  46  are displaced from one another a sufficient distance to capture the portion of collar  10  disposed therebetween, which distance is insufficient to permit pass-through of buckle  30 . Similarly, planar sections  40 ,  44  are displaced a sufficient distance from one another sufficient to locate collar  10  therebetween and yet not permit pass-through of the buckle. 
         [0031]    By employing security device  14  to envelop buckle  30  of collar  10 , disengagement of the collar from about the neck of the animal is prevented. 
         [0032]    Referring jointly to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  6 , security device  16  for use in enveloping snap fitting  60  attached to the end of leash  12  is illustrated. Security device  16  may be the same as or similar to security device  14 . That is, the space enveloped by each of security devices  14  and  16  must be sufficient to accommodate the enveloped item, whether it be a buckle or a snap fitting. Generally, the same size of security device may be used for each of the buckle and snap fitting. 
         [0033]    Security device  16  includes two clamshell-like elements  62 ,  64  having adjacent edges hingedly attached to one another by a hinge  66 . Element  62  includes an extended dome  68  terminated at opposed ends by planar sections  70 ,  72 . Similarly, element  64  includes an extended dome  74  terminated at opposed ends by planar sections  76 ,  78 . The sides of elements  62 ,  64  opposite to hinge  66  may be lockingly secured to one another, as discussed above with respect to  FIG. 2 . That is, a cylinder  80  extends from the free edge of element  64  and mates with a pair of cylinders  82 ,  84  extending from the free edge of element  62 . A keyhole  86  in cylinder  84  accommodates insertion of a key to lock and unlock the cylinders mated with one another, as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0034]    In operation, snap fitting  60  at the end of leash  12  is engaged with ring  18 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Security device  16  is mounted over the end of leash  12 , snap fitting  60  and a portion of ring  18 . Thereafter, it is closed to envelope these items and locked in place, as shown in  FIG. 6 . As further shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , planar sections  70  and  72  are in close proximity to respective opposed sides of leash  12 . Similarly, planar sections  72 ,  78  are in close proximity to ring  18 . Thereby, movement of leash  12  relative to collar  10  during normal walking of an animal will be accommodated by the relatively loose fit between the leash and planar sections  70  and  76  and between ring  18  and planar sections  72 ,  78 . This loose fit will avoid undue strains upon security device  16  and breakage is unlikely. 
         [0035]    As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , snap fitting  60  and its attachment mechanism to leash  12  are nested within and enveloped by dome sections  68 ,  64 . The girth of the snap fitting is greater than the distance between planar sections  72 ,  78 . Thereby, sliding movement of security device  16  along the leash to provide access to the snap fitting and ring  18  is precluded. Accordingly, security device  16  provides a strong deterrent against disconnecting the snap fitting from the engaged ring except upon unlocking of the security device. 
         [0036]    As security devices  14  and  16  may be identical even though they envelop different parts of an animal harness, the illustrations and descriptions relating to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10  are applicable to each security device. To avoid possible confusion, the reference numerals used with respect to security device  16  will be used with respect to the illustrations shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  10 . 
         [0037]    Element  62  includes an elongated dome  68  terminated at opposed ends by planar sections  70  and  72 . Similarly, the elongated dome section of element  64  is terminated at opposed ends by planar sections  76  and  78 . As particularly illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , space exists between planar sections  70  and  76  to accommodate the thickness of the leash. Similarly, the space between planar sections  72  and  78  is sufficient to accommodate the thickness of ring  18  extending from collar  10 . A key  88  is illustrated to open and close the locking mechanism represented by cylinders  80 ,  82 , and  84 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  particularly shows the opening and closing of security device  16  wherein elements  62 ,  64  are hingedly attached along one edge by hinge  66 . Thereby, this figure illustrates the ease by which security device  16  may be mounted and dismounted about the snap fitting and ring or about the buckle of the collar. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , there is illustrated security device  16  embodying a thumb wheel lock  90  for lockingly engaging elements  62  and  64  with one another. Such a thumb wheel lock includes a plurality of wheels  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and  98  having a plurality of indicia on each wheel. When predetermined indicia of each wheel are aligned, the lock will release. After closure of the security device, rotation of at least one of the wheels will set the lock to prevent opening of the security device. 
         [0040]    As a further security measure to prevent theft of a leashed animal, a single or multistrand wire  100  may be embedded within collar  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Such a wire will prevent, or at least dissuade, the cutting of the collar by a knife or scissors. Various presently available strands of plastic material may be embedded in place of a wire to accommodate flexibility of the collar and yet provide great resistance against being cut. A similar wire  102  or strand(s) of plastic, as shown in  FIG. 6 , may be embedded in leash  12  to dissuade cutting of the leash.