Abstract:
A complete skijor system is illustrated, which includes a novel dog harness, safety tension release, and skijor belt. The system facilitates rapid deployment by requiring only five buckles, while providing exceptional safeguards for dog, skier, and adjacent parties. The harness includes uniquely arranged belly and neck straps which serve the dual function of skijor and car harness. The quick release operates by shear of hook and loop type fasteners, and may use other types of attachment means instead of or in addition to the hook and loop. A manual release is provided which supplements the intrinsic over-tension protection. The skijor belt has novel anti-slip material on an internal surface, and a special holding loop opposed to the lead attachment. The holding loop permits a second person to grab the belt and restrain a skier, such as is useful at the start of a skijor race.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/517,112 filed Nov. 3, 2003, the contents which are incorporated herein by reference in entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention pertains to animal husbandry generally, and more specifically to animal tethering systems useful for skijor and in many other diverse applications. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Skijor is a sport where a dog pulls a person on skis over the snow. Most commonly, the person will wear a skijor belt generally about their mid-section that is coupled through a lead to a harness on the dog. Skijor provides excellent winter activity for a dog and person, and so has many participants. Competitions are regularly organized which permit many different dogs and skiers to compete on a trail. 
   Unfortunately, nearly everyone who has participated in skijor will fall. Depending upon various circumstances, such as but not limited to the size of the skier, the size of the dog, the hazards of the trail and the like, it may be important for a skier to rapidly disconnect from their dog. Yet, when disconnected, many dogs will continue down the trail, pulling whatever lead and couplers remain attached. Where metal fasteners are used to enable this rapid disconnect function, the dog will be pulling a metal component on the end of a fairly long lead. As will be understood, the coupling will bounce about the trail, occasionally picking up velocity substantial enough to injure other participants or spectators. This is clearly not acceptable, yet the skier must be provided with a way to disconnect. Consequently, it is important for a suitable skijor system to address both the needs and safety of the skier and the safety of other participants and spectators. 
   In addition to a harmless safety release, there are a number of other additional features that have been generally overlooked heretofore in the sport of skijor that would be highly desirable. Among these are the harnessing of a dog for travel to and from a trail and then for skijor. This would heretofore have typically required separate harnesses with the resulting confusion over which harness to use for what application. In addition, the changing of the harnesses required additional time, which added to the overall burden serving to discourage a person and dog from actively participating. Another overlooked feature is the ability to hold back a skijor competitor at the starting gate. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In a first manifestation, the invention is a skijor system suitable for coupling a skier to a dog, while selectively permitting release of skier from dog in the event of emergency. A harness engages with the dog, and provides a termination. A belt engages with the skier and also provides a termination. A quick release coupled between harness termination and belt termination transmits tension therebetween, and has a first folded strap with a first end and a second end and a fold between, a second folded strap with a second folded strap first end and a second folded strap second end and a fold between, a means to affix first strap first and second ends closer to the second strap fold than a distance between first strap fold and second strap fold, and a release loop coupled to the second strap first and second ends. A flaccid connector couples on a first end to the harness termination and on a second end to the quick release. 
   In a second manifestation, the invention is a quick release coupling a tension there through and having both an overload force required for a non-destructive release of tension coupling and an emergency manual release of tension coupling. The emergency manual release effects non-destructive release at a force substantially below the overload force. The quick release has a first folded strap with a first end and a second end and a fold between the ends. A second folded strap has a second folded strap first end and a second folded strap second end and a fold between the ends. A means is provided to affix the first strap first and second ends closer to the second strap fold than a distance between first strap fold and second strap fold and to release the first strap from second strap upon the application of an overload force. A release loop coupled to the second strap first and second ends is operative to spread the second strap first and second ends and thereby release first strap from second strap upon the application of an emergency manual release force to the release loop. This release occurs without the application of an overload force between the first and second straps. 
   In a third manifestation, the invention is a skijor belt for applying a motive force to a skier. A loop defines a circumference about the skier and has a first end and a second end. At least one manually separable fastener couples the loop first end to the loop second end. A strap defines a hand hold, terminating at two separate points on the first loop. An attachment suitable for coupling the loop to a lanyard is generally opposed to the strap about the loop, such that a first tension applied to the strap is offset by a second tension of equal magnitude and opposite direction to the first tension when applied to the attachment. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing improved dog harness, skijor belt, and coupling. The combination results in a system which is extremely easy and quick to put into use, and which is very safe for the skier, dog, and any spectators or competitors sharing a trail. 
   It is the object of the present harness to not chafe or abrade the dog&#39;s skin at points of contact. It is a further object of this harness to be quickly and easily deployed upon a dog. It is yet another object of this harness to avoid damaging a dog&#39;s throat muscles, windpipe, vocal cords or nerves and to avoid interference with a dog&#39;s ability to breath. It is an even further object of this harness to give enhanced control over hard pulling dogs. It is another object of this harness to distribute the pressures generated during operation over a large surface of the harness. It is a further object of this harness to restrain a dog while traveling in a vehicle. It is yet another object to safely restrain the dog in the event of a sudden stop or an accident, to prevent injury to the dog and to others in the vehicle, and to distribute the pressures generated by a sudden stop or an accident over the surface of the harness the dog is wearing. A further object of the invention is to permit sufficient movement to permit the dog to sit, turn around, lie down, and stand while being restrained, all while not undesirably jeopardizing the safety of the animal. 
   A first object of the quick release is to provide a maximum tension that may be attained before automatic release occurs. A second object of the quick release is to provide a manual release at a tension well below said maximum tension. Another object of the present quick release is to provide a readily activated manual release, while not unduly exposing the quick release to accidental activation. A further object of the quick release is to enable variable placement of the quick release within a lead, cable or the like, and provide manual activation at a location displaced therefrom. Yet another object of the present quick release is to provide substantial control or adjustment of the force magnitude represented by the maximum tension. 
   A first object of the skijor belt is to provide a coupling between person and lead which is comfortable to wear and which does not interfere with the movements of the person. A second object of the skijor belt is to stay reasonably in position, without significant undesired movement relative to the wearer, when in use. Another object of the present skijor belt is to enable another person to readily grasp the belt and counter any forces being applied on the lead. A further object of the skijor belt is to permit integration with a safety quick release device. Yet another object of the present skijor belt is to permit application beyond skijor, including both similar activities, such as running or roller blading with a dog, and dissimilar activities. 
   A first object of the inventive skijor system is to provide a completely integrated and operative system which is readily deployed. A second object of the skijor system is to improve the safety of a skier, dog, spectators and other skiers and dogs over the prior art. Another object of the present skijor system is to facilitate transport from one location to another, with minimal set-up. A further object of the invention is to provide the foregoing with components which are readily manufactured without special expense or unusual process. Yet another object of the present invention is to permit substantial flexibility in application to different dogs, persons, and activities. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred skijor system which includes an animal harness, flaccid lead, quick release coupler and skijor belt designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a side view. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a preferred dog harness used in the preferred skijor system of  FIG. 1  and designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a side view. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred dog harness of  FIG. 2  from a front view. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the preferred dog harness of  FIG. 2  from a top view. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a preferred skijor belt used in the preferred skijor system of  FIG. 1  and designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a slightly projected rear view. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the preferred skijor belt of  FIG. 5  from a side view. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an independent quick release designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention, showing each component disassembled. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the independent quick release of  FIG. 7 , in further combination with a remote actuation lanyard for activating the manual release. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Manifested in the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides novel components that operate synergistically to yield a highly beneficial skijor system.  FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred skijor system  100 , having an optimal harness  200 , a safety quick release  501 , and an advanced skijor belt  500 . As will become apparent herein below, the combined system is deployed through the use of only five removable fasteners, each which are optimally arranged for ease of use. The system begins with added utility prior to even reaching a skijor course, and will have utility during transport of the dog thereto. Each of the individual components are described in greater detail herein below, and through the remaining drawing illustrations. 
     FIGS. 2–4  illustrate a preferred embodiment harness  200 , such as may be used on dogs. In the preferred embodiment, harness  200  is made up of four pieces of one-and one half inch wide nylon webbing. The webbing first piece  210  is a long continuous piece folded over in the center  212 , visible in  FIG. 2 . A one-inch D-ring  213  is placed at folded center  212 . The specific length of the webbing  210  will be determined, as is known in the art, by the desired size of the harness. Webbing  210  is transversed twice, to form the chest joint  214  and lower neck joint  215  visible in  FIG. 3 . A short second piece of webbing  220 , visible in  FIG. 2 , is generally at right angles to webbing first piece  210 , to define the back portion of the neck opening. The webbing third piece  230  forms the attachment points  251 ,  252  for the harness at mid-back. This webbing  230  is laid under webbing first piece  210  near center  212 , and then crossed over the top at  233  to form an X, with the bottom of the X forming a 45 degree angle. The ends of webbing  230  are at  231  and  232 , each which travel to respective buckles  251 ,  252 , where they pass through and loop back to form the aforementioned X, before wrapping over the top at  233 . The webbing fourth piece  240  forms the belly strap  241 , where, preferably, additional padding  242  is provided. Webbing fourth piece  240  terminates at either end at buckle  253 . Most preferably, the entire neck and chest/neck joints are also provided with supplemental padding. 
   The angles of straps adjacent webbing ends  231 ,  232 , which also reflect the underlying angles, is important to the proper operation of the preferred harness  200 . As generally illustrated, these straps are slanted in a forward direction at an approximately 45 degree angle, which allows for a very even pull with no upward movement of the harness under the neck. 
   Applying the preferred harness  200  to dog  5  is far more convenient and easily accomplished than in the prior art. Using harness  200 , the three buckles  251 ,  252  and  253  will be disconnected. As best illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the preferred embodiment, these buckles are, in fact, high quality snaps that are closed simply by sliding the two ends together, and which are opened by manually squeezing the two ears together and then pulling, as is known in the art. Consequently, disconnecting is very fast. Next, the neck portion defined by webbing  210  between chest joint  214  and webbing third piece  220  is passed over the head and about the neck of dog  5 . Once again, this is a very simple and quick maneuver. Then the male portions of snaps  251 ,  252  will be passed under the dog&#39;s front legs, and wrapped back up to the respective female snap portions, where they will be inserted and snapped into engagement. While a person will have to reach around the dog&#39;s front legs, this too will be a very fast operation. The final step is the wrapping of belly strap  241  about the belly of dog  5 , and again the engagement of a snap. Consequently, the dog does not need to step into or out of harness  200  in any way, and the application is very quick and efficient. 
   Preferred harness  200  is designed for application not only with skijor, but also for dual use as a car harness used to restrain a dog while traveling in a car. Belly webbing  240  is believed to be most consequential for this application. When implemented for dual use, a car coupler  400  will be provided, including a twenty inch section of webbing to attach the dog and harness to the vehicle seatbelt female attachment point. A bull snap  410  or other suitable coupling is sewn or otherwise securely fastened on one end and a male seatbelt end is sewn or otherwise securely fastened on the other end. This seatbelt hardware will snap into the vehicle seatbelt female end. There are other suitable known methods of coupling to existing seat hardware that may be similarly used. The bull snap  410  will attach to D-Ring  213  and will rotate, keeping dog  5  from twisting the lead when turning while restrained. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate the preferred embodiment competition skijor belt  500 , with quick release  501  formed integrally therewith. This belt  500  has a unique back support  505  which cups and supports a skier&#39;s lower back. A unique inner liner material most preferably comprises Tough-Tek which is a sticky, skid resistant material that resists slip. Inner liner prevents belt  500  from sliding up on the skier, such as when the skier is tucked while going down hills. An elastic waist band  510  holds skijor belt  500  securely against the skier&#39;s body, and also helps prevent belt  500  from slipping. 
   Pulling tension is primarily transmitted through strap  506 , which wraps around the outside of back support  505 , and extends forward to quick release  501 . Quick release system  501  is most preferably formed integrally into the ends of strap  506 , which enables the skier to separate himself from the dogs in the event of a serious fall. Quick release system  501  includes a short strap  502  which is most preferably laminated with hooks from standard hook and loop fasteners on one face. Strap  506  has loops from standard hook and loop fasteners laminated on an inner face therewith. Consequently, if a force of magnitude greater than the shear strength of the particular hook and loop combination used is encountered, then short strap  502  will simply shear from strap  506 , thereby protecting a skier from extreme forces. In addition, loop  503  is provided which may readily be grasped by the skier. Simply pulling loop  503  closer to buckle  511  will cause the hook and loop fasteners to peel apart, which will also then release short strap  502 . It should be apparent that the specific attachment arrangement of hooks and loops is not critical to the invention. Further, other means of attachment may be provided, either separately or in combination, such as the snap  504  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
   The Skijor belt  500  materials in the preferred embodiment consist of an outer shell of ballistic nylon, a core material of neoprene foam, and the inner liner described above, the combination which helps keep belt  500  from moving up the back of the skier when skiing. These materials are shaped to form, for exemplary purposes only, a 10 inch wide (at the widest point) supportive belt. This belt is shaped to give the greatest amount of back support while not hindering the skier&#39;s movement. A 1½ inch wide section of webbing 60 inches long is sewn across the back of skijor belt  500 , to form strap  506 . It is placed one inch down from the top of the belt. This length of webbing will terminate on each side of quick release system  501 . 
   For exemplary purposes only, and not limiting thereto, the preferred embodiment quick release  501  is built into the ends of the 1½ inch webbing comprising strap  506 . The 1½ inch webbing is extended 18 inches on each side from back support  5 . 05 . 8 inches of 1½ inch Velcro brand loop is sewn onto the webbing, ½ inches back from the end of the segment of webbing on each side. The lengths of webbing are sewn together 1½ inches behind the loop which is sewn into place. Eight inches of rope or bungy cord is sewn into the ends of the 1½ inch webbing at right angles to the webbing. This forms vertical loop  503 . The second part of the quick release comprises 22 inches of 1½ inch webbing, with 8 inches of hook on each side, and snaps as appropriate, to form short strap  502 . 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate an independent quick release  700  designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention, showing each component disassembled. Quick release  700  is preferably designed for use in situations where an operator needs an emergency device to release the operator from another device. One such application for which this device is designed is for Skijoring, while another suitable application is Bikejoring. However, this device may be applicable in many other diverse areas too numerous to specifically describe herein. Among these are military, medical, sporting and consumer applications. As but one example, traction systems including slings and other such apparatus will frequently have a need to protect a patient against excessive forces, but with desired rapid release. Quick release  700  fulfills this need perfectly. As shown in these figures, the components are similar to those already described herein above with reference to quick release  501 . However, two additional concepts are illustrated herein. First, two straps  710 ,  720  may be used, and both be folded to form a fold approximately midway between ends. To provide attachment surface area in the form of loops  712  and hooks  722 , these two straps  710 ,  720  are then nestled together, yielding the assembled quick release shown in  FIG. 8 . Snaps  714  and  724  provide a convenient way to ensure that neither section of the quick release will become lost or slip off of the cord or cable to which they are attached subsequent to a release. 
     FIG. 8  illustrates the independent quick release of  FIG. 7 , in further combination with a remote actuation lanyard for activating manual release loop  703 . This lanyard  730  may be provided for activation at great distance. Alternatively, lanyard  730  may be attached, for exemplary purposes, to a person, such as on a biker&#39;s wrist, in which case the lanyard will automatically initiate and will cause a release if the biker falls. 
   While the folded straps  710 ,  720  are preferred as offering much flexibility for application, it is also noteworthy to observe that a single strip may be used instead of the folded strap  720  illustrated herein. In other words, with a single, unfolded strap having hooks  722  on both faces, it will engage with both loop surfaces  712  on folded strap  710 . In turn, some type of fastener will be required at the end of this single unfolded strap, to permit attachment to some other device, since the strap cannot simply be folded around the other device. 
   While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. Among these are changes in size, dimension, or proportion necessary to accommodate different body sizes and shapes. The present major components, including harness  200 , skijor belt  500 , and quick release  501  form a complete skijor system. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a review of the present disclosure that each individual component will have separate utility, potentially in very diverse fields. For exemplary purposes only, and not limited thereto, skijor belt  500  may have utility in any activity requiring a tension be coupled to a person&#39;s body, including but not limited to other types of skiing, other sporting activities, and even non-sporting work and therapy systems. Likewise, the preferred harness may be used for any suitable activities, bikejor, skijor, walking, and driving being just examples thereof, and will be readily adapted not only to different sized dogs, but to other animals of similar build as well. Finally, the quick release may be used in any tension applications that require a fail-safe to prevent excessive tension transmission or manual termination of applied forces. Consequently, the scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims hereinbelow.