Storage pouch with channel for interchangeably coupling to a leash on a pet or other animal equipment

A storage pouch is adapted to couple to a pet's leash and securely hold items while walking a pet, such as mobile devices, phones, portable music players, identification, and personal items. The storage pouch is configured with a channel so that a pet's leash or other equipment is capable of passing or threading through an opening formed of mesh, cloth or fabric or other such material within the storage pouch, thereby securing the storage pouch in place to the leash. The channel may be formed between pockets on either side of the storage pouch, or on an outer surface on one side of the storage pouch, regardless of whether the pouch has a single-sided pocket or double-sided pocket configuration. Additionally, the storage pouch accommodates corded headset ear bud devices, maintaining the proper length of the cord between the instrument and the ears. The storage pouch provides a hands-free method of carrying and talking on a mobile phone, and a method of storing small personal items away from one's person, and enables receiving and making phone calls and listening to music while the phone or portable music player remains secure within the pouch.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pet accessories. Specifically, the present invention relates to a pouch adapted to couple with a pet's leash for storing items while exercising or walking a pet. The pouch is configured to stay secure at the top of a leash near a handle, and is interchangeable with most leashes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many types of apparatuses, devices and products available that enable pet owners to walk or exercise their pets without the pet running away uncontrolled, commonly known as leashes. There are also many types of storage devices available for people to place personal items such as mobile phones or music players while walking or exercising their pets, such as for example packs secured with a zipper or hook-and-loop system and worn around the hips or waist with strap. However, there is no existing apparatus designed to securely hold personal items on a leash and away from one's person, so that users can walk or run with their pets while still being able to conduct a hands-free phone conversation or listen to music. Similarly, there is no existing apparatus designed simply to securely store items away from their person and on a leash while walking exercising a pet.

Many people enjoy engaging in athletic activities with their pets, such as running. While running, pockets or purses are often cumbersome items to use to store items such phones, music players, identification documents, or other personal items. There is therefore a need in the art for an apparatus and device that enables such items to be stored on a pet's leash while a pet is being walked or while the owner of the pet is running with the pet attached to the leash.

Some pet leashes include a pocket, usually made from mesh or other stretchable material, configured as part of a handle so that it is part of the leash itself. Such configurations have durability problems as they are at risk of easy tearing or losing shape due to the proximity to the handle. When the pocket tears or breaks in some way, or loses its intended function, a new leash must be purchased.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one objective of the present invention to provide for convenient storage of items on a pet's leash. It is another objective of the present invention to provide a storage pouch for use with a pet's leash. It is another objective of the present invention to provide for hands-free use of equipment, and for securely storing items such as identification documents, while exercising a pet, such as walking, running or playing. It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a secure place to store personal items while exercising a pet so that handbags, packs, purses and clothing do not need to be used. It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an interchangeable apparatus for use on many different types of pet leashes or animal equipment, having a channel through which a leash or other component of animal equipment feeds through to couple thereto.

The present invention is an interchangeable storage pouch for use when exercising a pet. The storage pouch includes one or more pockets and a channel through which a leash or other component of equipment for use on animals is capable of being fed through to removeably and interchangeably couple the storage pouch thereto. In one embodiment, the storage pouch comprises a pair of pockets formed within each of a front side and a back side of the storage pouch. Each pocket includes a flap and a fastening means for closing the pocket and securely holding one or more items within the pocket while a pet is being exercised. The channel is positioned between the pair of pockets for accepting a leash of a pet so that the leash feeds into and passes through the channel and the storage pouch, and a fastening device for coupling the storage pouch to a handle of the leash.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a storage pouch for use when exercising a pet that comprises a pocket positioned on an outer surface of a front side of a storage pouch. The pocket has two compartments formed therein, and a flap configured with fastening means for closing the pocket and securely holding one or more items within each of the two compartments while a pet is being exercised. The channel is positioned on an outer surface of a back side, for accepting a leash of a pet so that the leash feeds into and passes through the channel, to enable the storage pouch to be affixed to the leash while the pet is being exercised. The storage pouch also includes a fastening device for coupling the storage pouch to a handle of the leash.

Other objects, embodiments, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments, taken together with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the present invention reference is made to the exemplary embodiments illustrating the principles of the present invention and how it is practiced. Other embodiments will be utilized to practice the present invention and structural and functional changes will be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a storage pouch for use when exercising a pet that is removable from, and interchangeable with, pet leashes and other animal exercising or riding equipment. The inventive storage pouch includes one or more pockets and a channel configured thereon, providing an opening through which the leash or other component of equipment for use on animals is capable of being fed into and passing through to couple the storage pouch so that items may be securely held away from one's person while exercising a pet.FIG. 1is an overall depiction of a storage pouch10according to one embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1, a user12is shown exercising a pet14using a leash16. The leash16includes a handle18and a connection portion20for coupling the leash16to a collar or other such apparatus on the pet14. The storage pouch10is configured to carry within it one or more items such as a mobile telephone or other such device, andFIG. 1additionally depicts the user12with a corded headset coupled to an item within the storage pouch10while the user12listens to audio via headset ear bud device.

The storage pouch10, and the components thereof, may be made of any suitable material, such as mesh, leather, or natural or synthetic cloths and fabric. The channel22provides an opening for a means of attachment to the leash16. The storage pouch10may be comprised of one or more pockets. In the embodiment as inFIG. 1, the leash16slides through the channel22between front and back pockets of a double-sided storage pouch10. Other configurations in additional embodiments are described further herein.

Natural or synthetic cloths and fabric used to make the storage pouch10and the components included therein, may include materials such as cotton, wool, linen, silk, and woven cloths and fabrics from either animal or vegetable fibers, such as for example, but not limited to, burlap. Other suitable materials may also include neoprene, or any similar polychloroprene composition or synthetic rubber that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene; KEVLAR®, or similar para-aramid synthetic fiber; polyester; nylon; canvas; and blended fabrics such as polyester blends and nylon blends. Accordingly it is to be understood that many different types of materials and fabrics may be used and are within the scope of the present invention, and therefore the present invention, regardless of the embodiment in this description, is not to be limited to any one type of material or fabric, nor any one type of material or fabric described herein.

It is to be understood, as noted above, that many different design configurations and embodiments of the storage pouch are possible, as further described herein.FIGS. 2A and 2Bdepict one such design configuration, in which the storage pouch10has a double-sided arrangement with a single pocket on each side of the storage pouch10. The leash16feeds through a center channel22via at least one opening between front and back pockets of the storage pouch10and secures to the pet's existing leash16at or near the handle18with a fastening mechanism24such as a hook-and-loop system (such as for example VELCRO®), snaps, buttons, carabiners, or any other device or means for securing the storage pouch10to the leash16. The leash16therefore is capable of passing through the channel22via the at least one opening so that one end of the leash16is held by the user12with the handle18, and the other end of the leash16couples to the collar of the pet14using the connection portion20. The storage pouch10is therefore positioned at some point along the leash16when in use, such as near the handle18.

Each pocket of the storage pouch10may be secured using a tab or flap26sewn into and near the top of the pouch that forms a closeable opening. The opening may be closed using a hook-and-loop fastening system (such as for example VELCRO®), one or more snaps, buttons, carabiners, or any other fastener to hold contents within each pocket of the storage pouch10securely. A ring may also be affixed to the flap26or to the outside of the pocket of the storage pouch10for coupling items such as keys or a set of keys. The ring may also be used to affix a bell or other noise-making device to provide notice to others nearby that a person is exercising a pet.

FIG. 3is a view of the storage pouch10ready to receive an item to be secured and/or stored in a pocket28, and a handle18of a leash16ready to be threaded through the opening in the channel22between the pockets28. The item to be stored is shown inFIG. 3is a mobile device30, although as noted here any item may be so stored in the pocket(s)28of the storage pouch10. The pocket(s)28include an opening that is closed at least in part by the flaps26.

FIG. 4is a front view of the storage pouch10in an upright position. The storage pouch10is shown with both front and back pockets28in a closed and fastened position using flaps26. An item, such as mobile device30, is positioned within the pocket28on the front side32of the storage pouch10.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view along line5-5of the upright position shown inFIG. 4, clearly showing the two pockets28on each of the front side32and back side34of the storage pouch10, and the channel22which is the opening between the pockets28through which the leash16is threaded. The leash16slides through this channel22and allows the attachment of the storage pouch10to the collar on the pet14using the connection portion20. The channel22keeps the leash16in a secure position and prevents it from shifting or moving when the user12is exercising a pet14.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view along line6-6of the upright position ofFIG. 4.

It is contemplated that the overall dimensions of the storage pouch10may be approximately 4″×6.5″. However, the storage pouch10may be produced in any configuration and may have different dimensions, depending at least in part on items30to be stored within the pockets28. Additionally, it is contemplated that an empty storage pouch10can expand, and may be formed of materials which enable the thickness of the storage pouch10(and walls of pockets28) to expand accordingly, to accommodate items of different sizes, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, and many different kinds of personal items.

It is to be understood that in one embodiment of the present invention, the fastening mechanism24securely couples the storage pouch10to the leash16so that the storage pouch10remains positioned in substantially the same plane as the leash16relative to the pet. The fastening mechanism24therefore enables a configuration that prevents the storage pouch10from swinging relative to the leash16when in use while exercising a pet. This protects devices and items placed within the storage pouch10from damage or loss from excessive movement and/or falling out of the storage pouch10.

In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more pockets of a storage pouch100are arranged in a single-sided configuration, and therefore comprised of a single pocket on a front side104. A channel118is arranged on a back side of the storage pouch100, to provide an opening through which to pass a leash16to attach to the collar of a pet14.FIG. 7shows a front view of this embodiment, in which the storage pouch100has a leash16fed through a channel118formed of a fabric, cloth, mesh, leather, or any other material (as described above) on the back side of, and attached to, the storage pouch100. The leash handle18is attached to the storage pouch100with a carabiner108or other attachment means. A flap102on the storage pocket is closed, and a tab is included on the flap102for attaching a “D” (or any other shape) ring device to the flap102for hooking other items such as keys and securing them to the storage pouch100. A reflective safety strip105may also be included on an outer surface of the storage pouch100on this any other embodiment presented herein to support safer pet exercising at night and enable motorists to visually recognize both a walker and a pet.

In this embodiment of the present invention, a tab106may be sewn or otherwise affixed to the top of the storage pouch100to enable the storage pouch100to be attached to the user's existing leash handle18. This device may also include a grommet for further fastening the tab106to the storage pouch100. A carabiner108or other attachment device may be further included to attach the storage pouch100to the user's existing leash handle18with the tab106.

FIG. 8is a front view of this embodiment of the present invention, showing the storage pouch100with the flap102in an open position to reveal multiple compartments for holding various items, such as mobile phones or devices, portable music players, tablet computers, and other personal items. A hook-and-loop fastening system such as VELCRO® is shown inFIG. 8, but as noted above, any type of fastening mechanism may be used to close the flap102. The flap102includes a ring attached by a tab for hooking on other items such as keys, as noted above.

A first compartment110of the pocket on the single-sided pouch100of this embodiment is formed with dimensions to accommodate carrying a large electronic device114, such as a mobile phone or tablet computer. A second compartment112may be included, with dimensions to accommodate carrying identification or other personal items116such as for example toiletries. A reflective strip105is shown positioned on the outside surface of the front side104of the storage pouch100.

FIG. 9shows the back side120of a storage pouch100, with the user's existing leash16threaded through the channel118. The channel118may be a mesh, fabric or webbed portion affixed to the back side120, as indicated inFIG. 10, on the outer surface of a pocket on the back side120. InFIG. 9, the leash handle18is attached to the storage pouch100with a carabiner108or other attaching device. The channel118, regardless of the embodiment discussed herein, is contemplated to be wide enough to accommodate various and different-sized leashes16.

FIG. 10shows a cross-sectional view along line10-10ofFIG. 9of storage pouch100, with a leash16threaded through the channel118on the back side120of the storage pouch100and opposite the front side104. Reflective strip105is also shown on the front side104. A first compartment110of the storage pouch100has dimensions to accommodate an electronic device114such as a mobile phone device, and a second compartment112is included with dimensions for personal items116, such as identification, toiletries or sundries. A divider115may also be included to provide a separate between first compartment110and second compartment112. The cross-sectional line9-9is below flap102, so that flap102is not seen inFIG. 10.

FIG. 11is an upward-looking perspective view of a storage pouch1000, andFIG. 12is a side elevation view of the embodiment ofFIG. 11, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the storage pouch1000is coupled to a retractable leash1020with two carabiners108that attach the storage pouch1000to the retractable leash1020at each end with a first loop attachment point1004at the top of the storage pouch1000, and with a second loop attachment point1006at the bottom of the storage pouch1000. The retractable leash1020has a leash lead1016that passes through one carabiner108, and a handle1018that is coupled to the other carabiner108.FIGS. 11 and 12also show flap1002and reflective strip105of the storage pouch1000.

FIG. 13is an overall depiction of a storage pouch10/100/1000being used according to another embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 13, the storage pouch10/100/1000is shown coupled to riding equipment, such as for example a saddle, in use upon a horse. The storage pouch ofFIG. 13includes a flap102, shown in a closed configuration on a front side104. A carabiner108is used to connect the storage pouch to one or more components of the riding equipment on the horse. The front side104also includes a reflective strip105. The storage pouch of FIG.13is also configured to carry within it one or more items such as a mobile telephone or other such device, or personal items116.

The storage pouch10/100/1000according to this embodiment may also include a channel, which provides an opening through which one or more components of the riding equipment may pass through to further secure the storage pouch thereto.FIGS. 14-18are various views of the storage pouch as shown inFIG. 13.FIG. 14is a first side view of the storage pouch, andFIG. 15is a second side view thereof.FIG. 14andFIG. 15show a tab106and a channel118on the back side120of the storage pouch.FIG. 17andFIG. 18are top and bottom views, respectively, of the storage pouch according to the embodiment ofFIG. 13. The top and bottom views also show the channel118on the back side120of the storage pouch10/100/1000according to this embodiment.

It is to be understood that other embodiments will be utilized and structural and functional changes will be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, as noted above, multiple design configurations are contemplated, so that many different types of leashes (including but not limited to canvas, leather, rope, and retractable leases) can be accommodated. Further, channels for these leashes may further include an expansion portion which is open or closed by a zipper, snap(s), or other similar device or system, or may simply expand upon exertion of force, to accommodate different types of leashes with the same storage pouch. Channels in the present invention may therefore expand, and may additionally be comprised of material(s) enabling expansion, so that leashes and equipment of different sizes and shapes may be used with the same storage pouch. Additionally, pocket28in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-6, and the first and second compartments110and112ofFIGS. 7-10, as well as the pocket(s) and compartments ofFIGS. 11-12, may also be configured with such an expansion portion that can be open or closed as suggested above. Pockets28, and first and second compartment110and112, may further have any shape or size and come in different sizes and shapes depending on the storage of items therein. Pockets28and first and second compartments110and112may include internal pockets therein. These internal pockets may be specifically-shaped to hold specific devices, such as for example mobile phones or portable music players from particular manufacturers. The pockets28and first and second compartments110and112may themselves be specifically-shaped for devices or items from specific manufacturers. Similarly, the channel22and118may also have different shapes and sizes, and may be specifically-shaped for specific types or manufacturers of leashes16. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description.

Additionally, it is to be understood exercising a pet includes any physical activity with a pet, either indoors or outdoors. Such activity may include walking, running, or playing with a pet, and any other physical activity during which items may be securely stored within the present invention on a pet's leash instead of storage upon one's person.

Regardless of the embodiment in this description, it is to be further understood that the storage pouch of the present invention is configured to couple to the leash or riding equipment at or near a handle thereof (in the case of a leash) or near an easily reachable place relative to the rider (in the case of riding equipment). Such a configuration helps to couple the storage pouch to the leash or riding equipment so that the storage pouch remains positioned in substantially the same plane as the leash (or other equipment) relative to the pet or animal.

Also as noted above, the channel of the present invention provides an opening that allows the leash or other equipment to fully pass through the storage pouch, regardless of the embodiment or configuration. This enables interchangeability, so that the storage pouch can be removed from the leash or other equipment. Such a design allows the storage pouch to be used on other leashes or equipment, and also prevents damage to the leash or other equipment itself. It further enables a user to transfer the storage pouch, with or without its contents, to other places, such as for example to one's handbag or motor vehicle. Where the contents remain within the storage pouch, it enables a user to go from riding a horse to driving home without having to remove, and fumble with, items stored therein.