Abstract:
A training device for dogs and the like has an upper collar that fits high-up on the neck of the animal and a second, lower collar that fits around the lower part of its neck. Spacer means hold the two collars apart in mutually spaced relation, to position the leash, connected to the upper collar, in the most effective location for controlling the creature. The spacer means may comprise a plurality of spacer straps arranged in mutually spaced relation about the two collars.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention is directed to an animal training device for use in training an animal such as a dog, by the provision of an improved collar having means to retain it in a raised location about the neck of the animal, for consistent application of leash-forces at an optimal location. A particular device embodiment incorporates two collars in mutually spaced relation, having spacing means extending in spacing relation between the two collars. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    In the past, training of animals such as dogs has relied upon a single tether means such as a collar placed about the neck of the animal, and having a leash attached thereto. These collars typically consisted of a strap or a chain, to which a leash is attached, or wherein the chain may also constitute a leash, by which to apply pressure to the neck and head of the animal as a means of modifying its immediate behavior. 
         [0003]    A major problem is frequently encountered, caused by the displacement of the collar downwardly along the animal&#39;s neck, such that the leash-forces applied by the trainer or handler are effectively diminished or negated, being applied to the more muscular and less responsive portion of the creature&#39;s lower neck. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]    The present invention provides an animal training device for attachment of a leash to the neck of an animal such as a dog, comprising a first, top collar portion forming a first loop to fit high-up on the neck of the animal, a second, lower collar portion forming a second loop to fit low-down on the neck of the animal; spacer means extending between the collar portions to maintain them in predetermined, mutually spaced relation; and leash attachment means secured to the top collar portion, in use to receive a leash in secured relation with the device, whereby the leash attachment is retained in an elevated location, to position the leash for consistent and effective physical control of the animal. 
         [0005]    The aforesaid spacer means may consist of at least one spacer strap means in connecting relation with the top and the bottom collar portions. The spacer means may consist of a plurality of strap means located in mutually spaced relation about the collar portions. 
         [0006]    The subject strap means may have looped ends, to receive the first collar portion and the second collar portion in inserted relation through respective ones of these looped ends. 
         [0007]    The first collar portion may include adjustment means, to enable adjustment to the size of the collar loop, as may the second collar portion. 
         [0008]    Each of the collar portions may be individually provided with clasp means to enable their respective opening and closing, to facilitate their attachment to, and removal from the animal. 
         [0009]    In addition to maintaining the top collar portion in its raised, optimal location, the spacer means may also serve to maintain the leash attachment point at a preferred location, by preventing rotation of the collar about the animal&#39;s neck, when in use. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated, by way of example, without limitation of the invention thereto, other than as set forth in the accompanying claims; it being understood that further embodiments may be derived by one skilled in the art. 
           [0011]    Reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an animal training device made in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the animal training device shown in place on a dog; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the animal training device shown from the front; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the animal training device shown from the top. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    The subject collar type device which may be utilized to train an animal that is primarily intended to be used in conjunction with the training of a dog as shown in  FIG. 2 , but, it should be understood that it could be used in conjunction with other types of animals. 
         [0017]    However, the discussion herein, will be based on its&#39; use with a dog. The device includes a lower neck strap  1  and an upper neck strap  2 . Strap  2  is connected to itself with a strap formed as a loop  3 . 
         [0018]    Strap  1  and strap  2  are connected by a bottom strap,  4  and two side straps  5  and  6 . Lower neck strap  1  is preferably in the form of a loop of flat, flexible, band-like material such as polyester, nylon, leather or webbing like material  7 . For the purpose of this description it will be referred to as webbing. 
         [0019]    A conventional slide adjuster  8  is provided on one end of webbing  7 , which enables the user to adjust the size of the lower neck strap  1 . 
         [0020]    During the assembly of lower neck strap  1  the webbing  7  is fed through the slide adjustor  8 , then through a slide loop  9 . Subsequently receiving one end of a conventional locking clasp generally,  10 . The webbing  7 , is then fed back through the slide loop  9  and then through the slide adjustor  8  subsequently forming a small loop which is attached to the webbing  7 , for example by stitching, gluing, riveting or other methods of fastening. 
         [0021]    The remaining end of the webbing  7  is provided with a loop  12  that will receive the second half of the locking clasp. 
         [0022]    A conventional locking clasp  10  includes side tabs  11  which, when depressed, allows the clasp  10  to be opened for ease of positioning strap  1  on the dog. It is also possible to use another conventional locking device such as a buckle, button(s), snap(s) or clasp(s). The upper neck strap  2  is also generally in the shape of a loop like structure and preferably made of flat, flexible, band-like material such as polyester, nylon, leather or webbing like material  13 . For the purpose of this description it will be referred to as webbing. 
         [0023]    During the assembly of the upper neck strap  2  the webbing  13  is fed through the slide adjustor  14 , then through one end of a conventional locking devise  15 . 
         [0024]    The webbing  13  is then fed back through the slide adjustor  14  forming a small loop which is attached to the webbing  13 , for example by stitching, gluing, riveting or other methods of fastening. 
         [0025]    To continue the assembly of loop  2  the webbing indicated by the number  18  is fed through the second half of a conventional locking device  19 , forming a small loop indicated by the number  20  which is attached back to the webbing  18  by means of stitching, gluing, riveting or other method(s) of fastening. 
         [0026]    The remaining end of the webbing  18  is fed through a ring-like device  21  forming a small loop  22  which is attached back to the webbing  18 . 
         [0027]    To form the final loop of the upper neck strap  2  it is connected to itself with a strap formed as a loop indicated by the number  3 . 
         [0028]    The loop  3  is preferably made of flat flexible, band-like material such as polyester, nylon, leather or webbing like material(s). The following materials could also be used: chain-like devices, rope or cable-like devices. For the purpose of this description it will be referred to as webbing. 
         [0029]    One end of webbing  23  is fed through ring  21  and subsequently through ring  16 . Both ends of webbing  3  overlap each other, receiving a ring-like device  24  that is fastened by the over-lapping ends to each other by stitching, gluing, riveting or other method(s) of fastening. 
         [0030]    Strap  1  and strap  2  are connected by a bottom strap  4  and two side straps  5  and  6 . Strap  4 ,  5  and  6  are preferably made of flat, flexible, band-like material such as polyester, nylon, leather or webbing-like material(s). 
         [0031]    These straps  4 ,  5  and  6  are sufficiently stiff that, in use, they maintain the ‘collar’ straps  1  and  2  in predetermined, mutually spaced relation. 
         [0032]    During the assembly of strap  4  the webbing  25  is wrapped around the webbing  13  of the upper neck strap  2  forming a loop allowing the strap to slide for a proper fit. 
         [0033]    The other end of strap  4  the webbing  25  is wrapped around the webbing  7  of the lower neck strap  1  forming a loop allowing slide-ability. To secure both ends of strap  4  the webbing  25  are overlapped and stitched, glued, riveted or fastened in any other way that still maintains the slide-ability of both loops. 
         [0034]    During the assembly of strap  5  the webbing  26  is wrapped around the webbing  13  of the upper neck strap  2  just below ring  21 . The other end of the webbing  26  is wrapped around neck strap  1  just above the slide loop  9 . Both ends of webbing  26  over-lapping each other and for example stitched together as  27 , leaving a loop  28  around strap  1  for slide-ability. The loop  29  is fastened to the upper neck strap  2  by way of stitching, riveting, gluing or any other method(s) of fastening. 
         [0035]    During the assembly of strap  6  the webbing  30  is wrapped around the webbing  13  of the upper neck strap  2  just below ring  16 . 
         [0036]    The other end of the webbing  30  is wrapped around the lower neck strap  1  opposite of strap  5 . Both ends of webbing  30  over lapping each other and for example stitched together  31 , leaving a loop around strap  1  for slide-ability. 
         [0037]    The loop  32  is fastened to the upper neck strap  2  just below ring  16 , opposite of strap  5  by way of stitching, riveting, gluing or any other method(s) of fastening. 
         [0038]    To position the double collar training device on the dog open the clasp  10  of the lower neck strap  1  and place neck strap  1  around the dogs lower part of the neck just above the shoulders. 
         [0039]    The slide adjustor  8  may be moved along the webbing  7  lengthening or shortening neck strap  1  to adjust to for a proper fit. 
         [0040]    Once neck strap  1  is placed around the dog&#39;s neck close clasp  10  and proceed to place upper neck strap  2  around the dogs&#39; neck. 
         [0041]    Open clasp  15  and position upper neck strap  2  around the upper portion of the dog&#39;s neck close to the dogs&#39; skull, close the clasp, adjust the slide adjuster  14  until the collar fits snug around the dogs&#39; neck. Connect leash to ring  24 , by tugging on the leash, loop  3  tightens neck strap  2  by pulling ring  16  and  21  closer together, thereby, providing even pressure around the dogs&#39; neck. It is this pressure in conjunction with the appropriate commands that will let the dog know to correct its&#39; immediate behavior.