Combined retractable leash and flashlight

A retractable leash includes an integral light. The apparatus has a first housing section and a retractable leash section. The first housing section has a handle, a light connected to top front portion of the first housing section and a receiving area. A rechargeable battery is removably connected to the first housing in the handle. The retractable leash section has a second housing section pivotably mounted to the first housing section, in the receiving area, and a reel rotatably mounted to the second housing section. A leash is connected to the reel for extension and retraction relative to the first housing section. In an alternate embodiment, a light is located on the leash and electrically connected to a conductor extending along the leash.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a pet leash and, more particularly, to a 
pet leash apparatus having an integral light device. 
2. Related Art 
Numerous types of retractable pet leashes are known in the art. Examples of 
some of these leashes can be found in the following U.S. patents. 
______________________________________ 
U.S. Pat. 2,217,323 U.S. Pat. 2,222,409 
U.S. Pat. 2,250,171 U.S. Pat. 2,314,504 
U.S. Pat. 2,647,703 U.S. Pat. 2,776,644 
U.S. Pat. 2,919,676 U.S. Pat. 3,198,175 
U.S. Pat. 3,233,591 U.S. Pat. 3,315,642 
U.S. Pat. 3,318,288 U.S. Pat. 3,693,596 
U.S. Pat. 3,776,198 U.S. Pat. 3,853,283 
U.S. Pat. 3,937,418 U.S. Pat. 4,108,189 
U.S. Pat. 4,165,713 U.S. Pat. 4,197,817 
U.S. Pat. 4,202,510 U.S. Pat. 4,269,150 
U.S. Pat. 4,501,230 U.S. Pat. 4,748,937 
U.S. Pat. 4,796,566 U.S. Pat. 4,887,551 
U.S. Pat. 5,377,626 U.S. Pat. 5,423,494 
______________________________________ 
People who work during the day often walk their pets at night and need to 
light their way. This usually requires the use of a hand held flashlight. 
Pets, such as dogs, are usually walked with the aid of a leash and, some 
laws require that a leash be used when walking a dog in a public area. 
Thus, walking a pet at night can usually require use of both hands of the 
user; one hand to hold the leash and one hand to hold the flashlight. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a retractable 
leash apparatus is provided comprising a housing, a leash, and a lighting 
section. The housing has a rotatable reel. The leash is connected to the 
reel such that the leash can extend and retract relative to the housing. 
The lighting section has a light and a battery. The battery is located 
inside the housing. 
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a 
retractable leash apparatus is provided comprising a first housing section 
and a retractable leash section. The first housing section has a handle 
section and a receiving area. The retractable leash section has a second 
housing pivotably mounted to the first housing section in the receiving 
area along a first axis of rotation and a reel rotatably mounted to the 
second housing section along a second axis of rotation. The first housing 
section is connected to the second housing section at two opposite ends of 
the second housing section. The first axis of rotation is orthogonal to 
the second axis of rotation. 
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a 
retractable leash apparatus is provided having a housing, a rechargeable 
battery connected to the housing, a light connected to the housing, and a 
leash on a reel of the housing that can be extended from the housing and 
reeled back towards the housing. 
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a 
retractable leash apparatus is provided comprising a housing, a battery, a 
leash, and a light. The housing has a rotatable reel. The battery is 
mounted to the housing. The leash is connected to the reel such that the 
leash can be extended from the housing and retracted onto the reel. The 
light is mounted on the leash electrically connected to the battery by an 
electrical conductor extending along the leash. 
In accordance with another embodiment, the lighting mechanism preferably 
comprises a spot light for illuminating the forward walking area near the 
dog and a flood light for illuminating the walking area of the master. The 
lighting mechanism further preferably includes a caution strobe or 
flashing beacon to alert others of the master's whereabouts, if the other 
lights are turned off. A second caution strobe or flashing beacon unit may 
be provided at the other end of the leash to indicate the location of the 
dog; the dog locating flashing beacon unit is retractable into the case 
along with the leash. The invention may employ batteries which are 
preferably rechargeable on a wall-mounted unit. The dog-locating flashing 
beacon unit may also be recharged when retracted into the case. 
In accordance with another embodiment, the invention employs a 
non-retractable leash having only a flashing beacon unit extending from 
one end of the leash and fastened to the dog's collar. The dog-locating 
beacon of this embodiment can be used either alone on in combination with 
a hand-held flashlight unit having built-in spot light and beacon light 
capabilities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of an apparatus 10 
incorporating features of the present invention being held by a user. 
Although the present invention will be described with reference to the 
embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that features 
of the present invention could be embodied in various different forms of 
alternate embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of 
elements or materials could be used. 
The apparatus 10 includes a housing 12, a leash 14 and a lighting section 
16. Referring also to FIG. 2, the housing 12 has a first housing section 
18 and a retractable leash section 20. The first housing section 18 is 
preferably made of plastic. The first housing section 18 includes a handle 
section 22 and a receiving area 24. The retractable leash section 20 
includes a reel or drum 28, and a coiled spring 30. 
The reel 28 is rotatably connected to the first housing section 18 in the 
receiving area 24. The spring 30 has a first end 32 connected to the first 
housing section 18 and a second end 34 connected to the rotatable reel 28. 
The leash 14 has first end 36 attached to a clip 37 and a second end 38 
that is attached to the reel 28. The leash 14 is wrapped around the reel 
28 and extends out of the housing 12 at an exit flange 40. The apparatus 
10 also include a leash extension brake 42. The brake 42 push button lever 
44 pivotably connected to the housing section 18. 
A finger contact area 45 is located at the front bottom of the handle 
section 22 to be upwardly depressed by a user. The lever 44 is attached to 
a friction brake device 46 at the flange 40. When the lever 44 is actuated 
by a user, it moves the friction brake device 46 to exert a frictional 
force on the leash 14 and thereby stop the leash from extension or 
retraction. In alternate embodiment, any suitable type of brake devices 
could be used, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,423,494; 5,377,626; 
4,501,230; 4,269,150; or any of the other patents identified in the prior 
art section above. In addition, any suitable type of retractable leash 
section could be provided. The housing could also have any suitable type 
of shape. 
The lighting section 16 generally comprises a light bulb 48, a reflector 
50, a cover 52, a switch 54, and a battery 56. The light bulb 48 is 
electrically connected to the battery 56 by the switch 54. The switch 54 
is located at the top of the handle section 22 to be actuated by a user's 
thumb. The cover 52 is threadingly mounted to the housing 12 to keep the 
reflector 50 in place. In the embodiment shown, the light bulb 48 and 
reflector 50 are located at the top front of the housing 12. However, in 
an alternate embodiment they could be located at the bottom of the housing 
or any other suitable location on the housing 12. The lighting section 16 
also includes a small circuit board 58 connected to the battery 56 and to 
contact terminals 60 adjacent the exterior of the housing 12. In this 
embodiment the battery 56 is a rechargeable battery made of a suitable 
material such as NiCad. The terminals 60 and printed circuit board 58 
provide a means to connect the battery 56 to a suitable recharger 62 (see 
FIG. 3) for recharging the battery. In an alternate embodiment, the 
battery need not be a rechargeable battery and, suitable means would be 
provided to remove and replace such a non-rechargeable battery. Referring 
also to FIG. 3, the apparatus 10 is shown mounted in a recharger stand 62. 
The stand 62 has a housing 64 that can preferably be mounted to a wall. The 
stand 62 has a plug-in transformer 66 that can be plugged into an 
electrical wall outlet to supply electricity to contacts (not shown) in 
the housing 64 that contact the contacts 60 of the apparatus 10. In 
alternate embodiments, any suitable type of recharger or recharger stand 
could be provided. 
With the embodiment described above, the apparatus 10 can be used for both 
night walking of a pet or, by merely keeping the switch 54 OFF, for 
daylight walking of a pet. The apparatus 10 only requires a user to use 
one hand. This allows the user to have one hand free, such as to put in 
his or her pocket during cold weather' or to hold other objects. For 
example, the free hand could be used to carry groceries back from a store 
or, for a K-9 police officer, to hold a firearm. The combined tractable 
leash and integral flashlight apparatus 10 thus performs two function from 
a single apparatus. 
Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an alternate embodiment of the present 
invention is shown. The apparatus 70 includes a first housing section 72 
with a handle section 74 and a receiving area 76. The apparatus 70 also 
includes a retractable leash section 78 that is located in the receiving 
area 76 and is pivotably connected to the first housing section 72. The 
handle section 74 has a battery receiving area 80 for removably receiving 
a battery 82. In the embodiment shown, the battery 82 is a rechargeable 
battery with two terminals at one end. Preferably, the battery is a 
VERSAPAK battery sold by Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc. VERSAPAK is a 
trademark of The Black & Decker Corporation of Towson, Md. However, any 
suitable type of battery could be used. Terminals (not shown) inside the 
first housing section 72 at the interior end 84 of the battery receiving 
area 80 are electrically connectable to light bulb 48 by the switch 86. 
The light bulb 48, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, is 
connected to a reflector 50. The reflector 50 is connected to the first 
housing section 72 by the cover 52 at the front top portion of the first 
housing section 72. 
The retractable leash section 78 includes a second housing section 88, a 
reel or roller 90, and a spring located in the reel 90 and having an end 
connected to the second housing section 88. The reel 90 is rotatably 
connected to the second housing section 88 for rotation about an axis A. 
One end of the spring is connected to the reel 90. One end of the leash 92 
is connected to the reel 90, is wrapped around the reel 90, and extends 
out of the second housing section 88 at the outlet 94. The bottom of the 
second housing section 88 has a seat 96. The bottom of the first housing 
section 72 has a pin section 98 that projects into the receiving area 76. 
The pin section 98 extends into the seat 96. Similarly, the top of the 
second housing section 88 has a pin section 100 and the top of the first 
housing section 72 at the receiving area 76 has a seat 102. With this 
arrangement, the second housing section 88 is pivotably connected to the 
first housing section 72 for rotation about an axis B. The axis A is 
orthogonal to the axis B. Thus, the retractable leash section 78 can pivot 
relative to the first housing section 72. This allows a user to more 
easily redirect light from the lighting section of the apparatus 70 by 
merely turning the first housing section 72 with a reduced amount of 
torque on the user's hand if the user's pet is pulling on the leash 92. 
Although a leash break device is not shown in this embodiment, one could 
easily be added by extending a, control through the pivot points 96, 98 
and/or 100, 102 or, moving a portion of the retractable leash section 78 
relative to the first housing section 72. 
Referring now to FIG. 5, another alternate embodiment of the present 
invention is shown. In this embodiment the apparatus 110 has a lighting 
section 112 at a top front of the housing 114. The frame 116 of the 
lighting section 112 is pivotably mounted to the housing 114 to angularly 
move as indicated by arrow C. Thus a user can angularly adjust the beam of 
light from the apparatus 110 in a horizontal plane without angularly 
moving the frame 114. 
Referring now to FIG. 6, another alternate embodiment is shown. In this 
embodiment, the apparatus 120 has a lighting section 124. The frame 126 of 
the lighting section 122 is movably mounted to the housing 124 to 
angularly pivot as indicated by arrow D. Thus, a user car angularly adjust 
the beam of light from the apparatus 120 in a vertical direction. This may 
be desirable dependent upon the type of pet or the environment and 
visibility without the user sacrificing holding comfort of the apparatus; 
especially if the pet pulls a lot or needs to be pulled on a lot. 
Referring now to FIG. 7, another alternate embodiment of the invention is 
shown. In this embodiment, the apparatus 130 has a main unit 132 and a 
holding frame 134. The main unit 132 is pivotably mounted on the holding 
frame 134. The main unit 132 includes a retractable leash section 136 and 
a lighting section 138 inside the housing 140. A switch 142 is provided on 
the housing 140 for the lighting section 138. The battery 144 for the 
lighting section 138 is also located in the housing 140. A button 146 on 
the holding frame 134 is connected to the retractable leash section 136 at 
a pivot point between the main unit 132 and frame 134 to control extension 
and retraction of the leash 137. With this embodiment, the light beam can 
follow the pet. 
Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, another alternate embodiment is shown. In 
this embodiment the apparatus 150 has a housing 152, a hand strap 154, and 
a leash 156. The apparatus 150 does not include a leash retraction device. 
Located on the leash 156 are a plurality of light bulbs 158 electrically 
connected to a battery 160 in the housing 152 by an electrical conductor 
162 that extends along the leash 156. The battery 160 is a rechargeable 
battery. The housing is sized and shaped to fit into a recharger stand 
164. The stand 164 has electrical contacts 166 and a transformer 168 that 
is plugged into an electrical wall outlet. 
In an alternate embodiment, the housing 152 could be provided with a light 
source 170. The electrical conductor 162 could be replaced by a light 
conductor, such as a fiber optic bundle or light tube. In such an 
alternate embodiment, the bulbs 158 need not be provided or could be 
replaced by lens at ends of the light conductor. 
Referring first to FIG. 10, an additional embodiment of the retractable 
leash of the present invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 
202. Many retractable leash devices are presently on the market, and the 
mechanisms employed in same will suffice for use with the present 
invention. Typical of such well-known retractable leash mechanisms that 
would be suitable for use with the present invention are those 
manufactured by Flexi USA Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio, known as their 
"Standard", "Compact", and "Special" lines. 
Retractable leash 20 typically includes a plastic case 200 within which is 
housed a spring-loaded wind-up mechanism which allows leash 224 to be 
extended from and withdrawn into case 210. The other end of leash 224 
normally includes a clasp for engaging the collar 20 of a dog D or other 
animal. Typically, a user or master M may control the amount of the leash 
which is released from case 210. Also, when the distance between dog D and 
master M decreases, leash 224 automatically retracts within case 110, as 
is well known. 
In accordance with the present invention, means are provided for permitting 
the retractable leash 202 to be safely used at night. More particularly, 
case 210 includes a built in lighting system 208 which is preferably able 
to provide three distinct types of illumination. 
Lighting system 208 emits a strong forward spotlight indicated by reference 
letter SL for illuminating dog D and/or the forward walking path. The 
direction of spotlight SL is controlled by master M who grips case 210 in 
the manner shown. 
Secondly, lighting system 208 emits a downwardly directed flood light 
indicated generally by reference letters FL. Flood light FL helps to 
illuminate the path in the immediate vicinity of master M. Finally, 
lighting system 208 is capable of emitting a flashing beacon light 
indicated generally by reference letters BL. Beacon light BL is used to 
indicate the location of master M when either the spotlight SL or flood 
light FL are turned off, or it can serve as a general warning light. 
In addition to the lighting system 208 located in the case 210, the distal 
end of leash 224 has positioned thereon a flashing beacon unit 203 
attached to the dog's collar 204. Beacon unit 203 helps master M keep 
track of the location of dog D. 
Referring now to FIG. 11, reference numeral 10 indicates the case, formed 
of plastic, which contains the retractable leash mechanism as is 
well-known. At the rear of case 210 is located a handle 218 that in turn 
defines a hand opening 215 to enable case 210 to be gripped by the user. 
Positioned within opening 215 is a trigger/lock mechanism 214 which 
conventionally controls the extension of leash 224 from casing 210. Handle 
218 may contain rechargeable batteries. 
A switch 212 is provided on top of casing 210. Switch 212 preferably has 
three positions "flood" (during which flood light FL is illuminated); (2): 
"flood/spot" (during which flood light FL and spotlight SL are both 
illuminated); and (3): flood/spot/beacon" (during which flood light FL, 
spotlight SL and beacon light BL are all energized). Shown rearwardly of 
switch 212 in case 210 is a release slot 216 for switch 212. Inside case 
210 is located a recoil mechanism, indicated generally by reference 
numeral 244, for leash 224. 
In the forward top portion of case 210 is positioned an arcuate beacon 
locator notch 222 within which the dog-locating beacon unit 203 may be 
positioned. Located within beacon locator notch 222 is an aperture 221 
from which extends the retractable leash 224, which is typically and 
preferably made of nylon cord. Also located within notch 222 are a pair of 
contacts 220 (only the lower contact is shown in FIG. 11), for recharging 
the beacon unit 203, as will become more clear hereinafter. 
Extending forwardly from beacon unit 203 is a conventional clip or leash 
clasp 234 for attaching to the dog's collar. Coupling leash 224 to beacon 
unit 203 and its attached clasp 234 is a quick release mechanism indicated 
generally by reference numeral 226 which permits beacon unit 203 and clasp 
234 to be quickly separated from leash 224. Quick release mechanisms of 
the type envisioned for use with the present invention are well-known in 
the art. 
The dog-locating beacon unit 203 has a shape which is complimentary to that 
of beacon locator notch 222 so as to fit therewithin. On the top and 
bottom of beacon unit 203 are positioned a pair of electrical contacts 228 
(only the top contact appears in FIG. 11) which mate with contacts 220 to 
allow beacon unit 203 to be recharged when positioned in beacon locator 
notch 222. 
On each side of beacon unit 203 are positioned a pair of red lenses 232 
(only one of which appears in FIG. 11). Reference numeral 230 indicates a 
label that covers the assembly screw for beacon unit 203. Internally of 
beacon unit 203 is positioned any suitable lighting means. For example, 
inside beacon unit 203 may be located a double-sided printed circuit board 
having two surface mounted LEDs and associated circuitry for causing the 
LEDs to flash; this flashing illumination is visible through lenses 32. 
The lighting system 208 incorporated into case 210 preferably includes a 
lower semicylindrical white lens 240 to emit flood light FL, an upper 
semi-cylindrical red lens 242 to emit beacon light BL, and a clear, 
forwardly positioned lens 238 for emitting spotlight SL. Lens 238 is held 
in an opaque lens holder 236 which is secured to case 210. 
Referring now to FIG. 12, the beacon unit 203 is shown retracted or placed 
within beacon locator notch 222 in case 210. In this position, the 
retractable leash 202 of the present invention is ready for its internal 
batteries of both the lighting system 208 and the beacon unit 203 to be 
recharged. This is done, for example, by placing the present invention 202 
within a recharging bracket 246 that is preferably wall-mounted. Bracket 
246 preferably includes a rear wall 247 having a curved surface which is 
shaped complimentary to the exterior surface of lighting system 208, and a 
flat base 249 onto which the present invention 202 may be placed during 
recharging. Reference numeral 248 indicates recharging contacts located in 
rear wall 247 of recharging bracket 246, while reference numeral 250 
indicates a transformer for plugging into a conventional wall outlet 251. 
In this manner, the present invention 202 may be recharged easily and 
conveniently while not in use. 
FIG. 13 is a reverse perspective view of the dog-locating beacon unit 203 
wherein the quick release mechanism 226 is shown in somewhat greater 
detail. Quick-release mechanism 226 is seen to include mating couplings 
226A and 226B which are typically joined and disconnected by rotating one 
of the units relative to the other, as illustrated by the arrow in FIG. 
13. 
FIG. 14 is a reverse perspective view of the case 210 which shows a pair of 
recharging contacts 252 on the underside of lighting system 208. 
Recharging contacts 252 are adapted to mate with recharging contacts 248 
located in wall bracket 246 (FIG. 12). 
FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein a 
modified form of a dog-locating beacon unit 203' is utilized with a 
conventional (non-retractable) nylon webbing leash 254. At one end of 
leash 254 is located a sewn loop 256 to provide a hand-hold for the 
master. At the other end of leash 254 is positioned dog-locating beacon 
unit 203' which is designed to be attached to the dog's collar 204 by 
leash clasp 234. In this embodiment, since there is no base or recharging 
case, beacon unit 203' needs to include a self-contained battery therein 
for powering same. The lighting mechanism employed by unit 203' may still 
include alternating 2-sided LEDs, as with the first embodiment. Leash 254 
may also be imprinted with graphics thereon, such as walking, "heeling, 
running, fetching", sit, play, etc. 
In FIG. 16 is illustrated a still further alternate embodiment of the 
present invention which employs the same dog-locating beacon unit 203' as 
with the previous embodiment of FIG. 5, including self-contained batteries 
258 as a source of power therefor. However, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, 
leash 224 is connected to a flashlight-type body 262 which may be formed, 
for example, of over-molded rubber with a built-in hand grip 268. 
Reference numeral 264 indicates a light switch for flashlight unit 262, 
while reference numeral 266 indicates a lens hood and holder for leash 224 
which may be wrapped therein. The flashlight body 262 is designed to throw 
a forward spotlight for illuminating whatever area is desired. Further, at 
the rear thereof flashlight body 262 may also be provided with a beacon 
lens 260 (e.g., which may be red) to emit a rear light, flashing or steady 
as may be desired. Both the forward light and the rear light may be 
controlled by light switch 264. 
The embodiment of FIG. 16 is intended as a lower cost alternative to other 
disclosed embodiments, and the embodiment of FIG. 15 is intended as an 
even lower cost alternative that of FIG. 16. The embodiment of FIG. 15 
comprises a very basic unit that incorporates only a dog-locating beacon 
with a low-cost leash. 
It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative 
of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by 
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the 
invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all 
such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope 
of the appended claims.