Dynamo light

A retractable leash light has a light housing; and a handle formed on the light housing for handgrip. The light has an LED element and a switch. The light is connected to an electric circuit. A crank mechanism is mounted on the light housing, and the crank mechanism has a knob pivotally mounted to a crank arm of the crank mechanism. The crank mechanism also has a crank wheel mechanically connected to the crank arm of the crank mechanism. A generator is connected to the crank wheel. Rotation of the crank wheel powers the generator to generate electricity output from the generator. The generator is connected to the electric circuit for powering the electric circuit. A leash is mounted on a leash spool. The leash spool is mounted within the light housing. The leash is retractable into the light housing and extendable from the light housing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dynamo retractable leash light.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

Dog walking can be a strenuous task, and may be performed during low light conditions. A variety of lights on a leash have been devised for dog walking convenience.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,296 to DiDonato, issued Apr. 24, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, a retractable leash device has a flashlight attached to the easing, which can provide the pet walker nighttime aid while walking and cleaning up after the pets. A device for detachably connecting a flashlight to a retractable leash removably inserts a flashlight along the top side of the elongate member as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,849 to Macedo et al. issued Sep. 18, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

A combined pet leash and flashlight comprises a mechanical dispensing and retracting cord for the purpose of tethering, restraining and controlling a pet during a walk as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,550 to Levine et al. issued Mar. 30, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,003,472 and 6,024,054 to Matt et al., issued Dec. 21, 1999 and Feb. 15, 2000 respectively, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, a retractable leash includes an integral light connected to the top front portion of the housing section with a rechargeable battery removably connected.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,029 to DuBois et al., issued Jun. 9, 1998, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, a retractable leash apparatus has a first housing section comprising a handle, a light connected to the top front portion of the housing section, a rechargeable battery removably connected and a receiving area. A combination leash apparatus for controlling the movements of an animal includes flexible elongate member and a tubular retaining member for removably retaining a flashlight as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,075 to Passarella et al. issued Jul. 4, 1995, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Unfortunately, people would rather be walking their dog than changing batteries on a dog leash. Additionally, recharging a battery by plugging in to a wall socket can be time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A retractable leash light has a light housing; and a handle formed on the light housing for handgrip. The light has an LED element and a switch. The light is connected to an electric circuit. A crank mechanism is mounted on the light housing, and the crank mechanism has a knob pivotally mounted to a crank arm of the crank mechanism. The crank mechanism also has a crank wheel mechanically connected to the crank arm of the crank mechanism. A generator is connected to the crank wheel. Rotation of the crank wheel powers the generator to generate electricity output from the generator. The generator is connected to the electric circuit for powering the electric circuit. A leash is mounted on a leash spool. The leash spool is mounted within the light housing. The leash is retractable into the light housing and extendable from the light housing.

A battery can also be connected to the electric circuit. A button can be connected to and actuating the leash spool. The button has a depressed position and a released position. The button in the depressed position releases a lock on the leash spool, and the button in the released position engages a lock on the leash spool. Optionally, a mechanical connection can be made between the crank wheel and the leash spool such that rotation of the leash spool rotates the crank wheel, so that rotation of the leash spool powers the generator. An indent can be formed on an external surface of the light housing. The indent receives the knob of the crank mechanism. The knob of the crank mechanism can be made is reversible and stowed in a reversed position. The handle can include a grip having a plurality of finger indents and a plurality of finger protrusions. The grip may further include a handle opening, and the handle opening can be located between the grip and in the leash spool.

The following call out this of elements may be useful in referencing the elements of the drawings with the element numbers in the specification.20Light21Protrusion22Ring23Led Element24Light Housing30Crank mechanism31Knob32Indent33Arm34Swivel35Crank Wheel36Crank39Generator40Handle41Grip42Button43Flange44Leash45Finger Indent46Finger Protrusion48Handle Opening81Spool Bearing82Leash Spool Axis88Leash Spool91Battery Tray

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention includes a leash for dog walking. The leash44is connected to a light housing24which has a handle40and a light20. A user has a crank30for handcrank generation of light, and the user has a button42for controlling retraction of the leash44. The light housing has a light20. The light is connected to an electric circuit, and the electric circuit may also include a generator39or battery for powering the electric circuit.

The light20preferably includes three or more LED elements23. The light further includes a ring22around the circumferential edge of the light. The ring22can be mounted for free rotation. Protrusions21or indentations can be formed on the ring to allow a grip of the ring to provide and facilitate manual rotation of the ring relative to the light housing24. The ring22can be a switch or focus adjustment or mode adjustment for the light. The ring22can be turned clockwise or counterclockwise which can turn on off or select a flashing mode of the light. The light is mounted on the light housing24. The light housing contains other elements.

The housing24has a flange43around an opening from which a leash44protrudes. The light20mounted on the light housing24can extend as a protrusion from a left or right side of the light housing24. The leash is a flexible flat fabric tape having a certain measure of elasticity. The flange provides friction free and tangle free interaction between the leash and the housing. At the external end of the leash, is attached a clip which can be attached to a collar which can be attached to a dog. The inside end of the leash is internal and inside the housing24.

The internal end of the leash is connected to a leash spool88. The leash spool88rotates around a spool hearing81that is connected to a leash spool axis82. The spool bearing81is mounted to and rotates around the leash spool axis82. The leash is extendable outside of the housing through the flange43during extension of the leash. The leash is retractable into the housing also through the flange43during a retraction of the leash. The leash spool88rotates for taking up the leash around the leash spool in a spiral configuration. The spool bearing81can be locked such as by a dilettante mechanism, actuated by the button42. When the button is depressed, the leash spool88is extendable and retractable to allow a dog to run or return, and when the button is released, the leash spool88is fixed for maintaining a constant length of a free end of the leash. The free end of the leash external of the housing can be formed in a fabric tape having multiple numerous widthwise ridges along the length of the fabric tape the leash.

A crank mechanism30includes a knob31pivot mounted to a swivel34. The swivel allows for a free rotation of the knob31relative to an arm33. The arm33rotates for rotating a crank wheel35. The knob31can be inverted in orientation and stowed in an indent32. The crank36provides mechanical energy to a generator39which converts the mechanical motion into electricity. The electricity can be stored in a battery within the housing which can then be output to the light20. The electricity could also be directly output to the light20bypassing a battery or omitting the battery. The user can remove the knob31from the indent32and flip the knob around to the opposite orientation so that it can be grasped. Flipping the knob optionally rotates the arm by about 180° for providing a lever for the user. InFIG. 1, the user rotates the crank to drive the generator held within the housing.

The generator39is optionally auxiliary powered by the leash spool when the leash spool engages with the crank wheel35. The leash spool can be engaged with the crank wheel in a geared configuration where the leash spool has gearing on a circumferential periphery that engages with crank wheel circumferential gearing. Circumferential gearing can be used when such gearing is continuously applied. The leash spool can also be user selectively engaged with the crank wheel by a friction interface such that there is no gearing on a circumferential periphery of the leash spool and the crank wheel. The leash spool and the crank wheel may both have an engaging surface which mutually engage each other in a clutch configuration. The button42can be connected to a pull cord that selectively engages the crank wheel35toward the leash spool88when the button is depressed. When the dog pulls on the leash, the dog will rotate the leash spool88which is selectively clutch engaged to the crank wheel35which is connected to the generator39for outputting electrical power. Optionally, a belt can be placed around the crank wheel and the leash spool for facilitating clutch engagement between the two.

The battery is preferably held in the grip41and accessible by the battery tray91. Access to the battery may allow a user to charge the rechargeable battery in an external charger before putting the batteries in the battery tray. The grip of41preferably includes a plurality of finger indent42and one or more finger protrusions46for providing an ergonomic grip. A handle opening48is preferably disposed between the grip41and the leash spool88.