Abstract:
This invention relates to a novel assembly of a pet collar for a dog or other animal and a leash. The collar has an integrated, closeable pouch for holding a leash. The leash may be permanently or removably affixed to an anchoring element within the pouch or otherwise on the collar. The pouch seals in a manner so that the leash is hidden, giving a normal appearance to the collar.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/224,764 filed Aug. 12, 2000, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.  
           [0002]    As much as we love them, our pets can be unpredictable and challenging. For example, many a dog owner knows the experience of their dog slipping through a narrowly opened door and heading down the street. What to do? Chase the dog with a leash in hand; apprehend the dog and drag or carry him or her back to the house? Or first look for the dog&#39;s leash, risking that the dog will have disappeared by the time the leash is found and chase can be given? This is a real problem that many dog owners have faced, and I speak from personal experience. It affects the safety and well being of the pet and even the owner. There simply has not been a good solution to this problem.  
           [0003]    Another problem faced by pet owners who are runners or otherwise engage in outdoor activity is the inconvenience of carrying or storing a leash when it is not needed. For example, many people running with their dogs while on trails do not need to keep the leash on the dog. It is inconvenient and freedom restricting for the runner to carry the leash. And all but the best-trained dogs are incapable of helping in this Task. The leash, however, may be needed at a moment&#39;s notice, for example, when meeting other people or animals on the trail or when encountering roads with traffic. There simply is no adequate solution to this dilemma as well.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention overcomes these problems by providing a collar that can contain the leash. Preferably the leash is contained in a manner that does not detract substantially from the normal appearance of the collar. While containing the leash, the collar looks like a conventional dog collar and has no aesthetically displeasing aspects. In aesthetically containing the leash, the collar also keeps the animal safe from being tangled in the leash or catching the leash on environmental objects. The collar and leash assembly conveniently provides a closure system that allows easy access to the leash whenever needed. It also provides a means for comfortable grasping of the leash as well as easily returning the leash into its containment area in the collar. The leash may also be removably attached to the collar so, for example, it can be washed or replaced as needed.  
           [0005]    More specifically, the present invention contemplates the following, non-limiting example embodiments:  
           [0006]    An assembly of a collar and leash, the collar having a closeable pouch for storing the leash substantially integrated into the collar. The assembly may further includea handle element storable in the closeable pouch. The assembly may further include means for holding the leash, e.g. a winding element, insertable into the closeable pouch while holding the leash. The assembly may include a pouch that is substantially the same width as the collar and extends lengthwise along some or all the length of the collar.  
           [0007]    In another possible embodiment, the present invention contemplates a restraining device for an animal having a closeable pouch for storing a leading means substantially integrated into the device, and anchoring means disposed on the device for connecting the leading means. The device may include a leading means connected to the anchoring means. The device may include a leading means that is a leash. The device may include be included on a harness. The device may include a leading means that includes a winding element. The device may include a closeable pouch that is disposed in a device comprising a collar for a dog, the pouch closing in a manner so that the collar appears substantially the same as a conventional collar.  
           [0008]    In another possible embodiment, the present invention contemplates a method of making a restraining device for an animal, comprising: creating a closeable pouch for storing a leading means, the pouch being substantially integrated into a device for restraining an animal, disposing anchoring means on the device for connecting leading means. The method may further comprise the step of connecting a leading means to the anchoring means. In the method, the leading means may be a leash. In the method, the device may be included on a harness. In the method, the leading means may include a winding element. In the method, the closeable pouch may be disposed in a device comprising a collar for a dog, the pouch closing in a mariner so that the collar appears substantially the same as a conventional collar.  
           [0009]    In the foregoing embodiments, the device may include a zipper for closing the pouch. In the foregoing embodiments, the winding element may comprise a flexible tube that may also serve as a handle for the leading means. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a collar and leash assembly  10  according to the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 shows a partial view of the collar and leash assembly  10  of FIG. 1 with the attachment end of the leash  24  showing within a containment pouch  18  on collar  12 .  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 shows the collar and leash assembly  10  of FIG. 1 with a tubular handle/winding element  26  on the end of the leash  22  opposite the attachment end of the leash  24 .  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 shows an end view of handle  26  with leash  22  wound therearound.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 shows a lengthwise view of the handle  26  with leash  22  wrapped therearound.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 shows the collar and leash assembly  10  of FIG. 1 with leash  22  placed in pouch  18 , in this case while wound around optional handle/winding element  26 .  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 shows the collar and leash assembly  10  of FIG. 6 with the leash enclosed within pouch  18 . 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    This invention relates to a novel assembly of a pet collar for a dog or other animal and a leash  10 . The collar  12  has a closeable pouch  18  for holding a leash  22 . The leash  22  may be permanently or removably affixed to an anchoring element within the pouch  13  or otherwise on the collar  12 .  
         [0018]    The leash element  22  may include a handle element  26  that also fits within the pouch  18  of the collar  12 . The handle should be a thin, flexible material that fits within pouch  18 . Preferably, the handle element  26  is a tubular element made of flexible plastic or rubber that fits over the leash  22 . Preferably, the handle element  26  is also a winding element onto which the leash may be wound for easy insertion into the pouch  18  on the collar  12 . For this purpose, the element  26  should have some rigidity but not so much that it will not take the contour of the pet&#39;s neck.  
         [0019]    In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS.  1 - 7 , the collar and leash assembly  10  comprises a nylon strap or collar  12  onto which is stitched an overlying cover or strap  14  comprised of a thin nylon rope, with a closure means  16 , such as a zipper, running along the length of the strap  14 . Cover  14  should only be stitched along its edges to the edges of the collar. A closeable pouch  18  is formed by such an attachment of strap  14  having closure means  16  to collar  12 . The closure means is not necessarily limited to a zipper, closure means may also be, for example, snaps or Velcro® as known in the art. At the ends of the collar  12 , there is included a buckle assembly  20 . Preferably, the collar is of a size and length of a conventional collar. Strap  14  may be about the same width as the collar, or slightly larger. By using a thin rope as a leash, the size and width of the collar/strap assembly may be kept to a minimum, so as to maintain the look of a conventional collar.  
         [0020]    It is also contemplated that alternatives to strap  14  could be a tube or sleeve of material instead of a flat strap. Further, strap  14  could be provided as a single strip of material with a zippered opening or dual strips of materials with mating halves of the zipper, for example, on facing edges of the strips. It is also contemplated that the access openings for pouch  18  could be at either or both ends of the cover  14 , in addition to or instead of a lengthwise opening, as shown in the Figures.  
         [0021]    An end of the leash  24  may be removably or permanently affixed or stitched onto the collar  12  within the space of pouch  18  defined by the collar  12  and strap  14 . Alternatively, there could be a metal ring, clip, clasp or other attachment means stitched or attached onto the collar  12  within the pouch  18  for receiving an end  24  of the leash  22  with a snap, clip, clasp or other means to make the leash removable. In one possible embodiment, such means extends from a closed pouch through an opening. The leash  22  may be made of a strap or other rope-like material as is known in the art. The leash  22  may also be made of stretchable cord materials. A thin nylon rope is particularly suitable because of its strength and durability, and because it does not add excessive bulk to the collar when enclosed in pouch  18 .  
         [0022]    The leash  22  may optionally include a tubular handle member  26 , as shown, so that the user of the leash may more comfortably grasp the leash. As shown in FIGS.  3 - 6 , the handle  26  may alternatively serve as an element for wrapping or otherwise holding the leash  22  so that the leash  22  may more easily be inserted into the pouch  18 .  
         [0023]    In an alternative embodiment, the winding element comprises an anchoring element disposed within the pouch  18 . For example, small hooks could be disposed at opposite ends of the pouch, the leash wound around the hooks. Such anchoring means could also be disposed on opposite ends of the handle to facilitate winding.  
         [0024]    In addition to collars, it is contemplated that the present invention may also be used in similar restraining devices such as harnesses that include a collar portions, as well as in collaring, bridling, and like devices used for livestock and horses, the basic concept of the present invention being a leash or lead that stows in a closeable compartment on something worn by an animal.  
         [0025]    The foregoing embodiments and features are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting persons skilled in the art capable of appreciating other embodiments from the scope and spirit of the foregoing teachings.