Abstract:
A pet leash with a removably attached disposable plastic bag for picking up dog waste and holding the dog waste during a walk. The plastic bag can be removably contained within a pouch that is removably attached to the leash. During a walk, when needing to retrieve pet waste, the bag can be opened and the user insert his hand from the bottom of the bag and the bag is partially or completely turned inside-out for retrieving the pet waste. With the hand in the bag it is possible to reach down and pick up the dog waste by grasping the pet waste through the material of the bag. After all the waste is grasped, the user pulls his hand back through the bag to return the bag back to its original orientation with the pet waste within the bag. The bag can then be closed and later removed from the leash to dispose of the bag with the pet waste therein.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This description describes a pet leash with an integrated pet waste bag that can be used to collect and temporarily carry pet waste during a walk with the pet or other activity. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Pet waste cleanup during walking is inconvenient and messy. Carrying extra equipment during a walk is a hassle. Further, touching pet waste through a plastic bag is not desirable, and storage of the waste after pickup during a walk is inconvenient since a garbage can may not be readily available. 
         [0003]    There are several products on the market for picking-up pet waste. These products are complicated and require bringing along extra equipment during a walk. Pet waste scoops are available but are cumbersome and not worth carrying. Portable pet waste bag dispensers are available but require that the waste is picked up with just a thin bag between your hand and the waste. Storage of the bag containing the pet waste afterword is an inconvenient issue. There is no solution that allows very convenient pickup and storage of the pet waste while also providing a significant barrier between your hand and the pet waste. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A pet leash is described that has a bag attached to the leash between the handle end and the pet connection end. For example, the bag can be attached to the leash near the handle end of the leash. The bag, which can be opened and closed, can retain pet waste. During a walk, when needing to retrieve pet waste, the bag can be opened and the user insert his hand from the bottom of the bag and the bag is partially or completely turned inside-out for retrieving the pet waste. With the hand in the bag it is possible to reach down and pick up the dog waste by grasping the pet waste through the material of the bag. After all the waste is grasped, the user pulls his hand back through the bag to return the bag back to its original orientation with the pet waste within the bag. The bag can then be closed and later removed from the leash to dispose of the bag with the pet waste therein. 
         [0005]    The pet waste can then be carried in the closed bag that is attached to the leash during the remainder of the walk. The pet waste can be cleanly and easily removed for disposal by detaching the bag from the leash. This process keeps the users hand clean and provides a barrier from the pet waste while allowing the pet waste to be grasped by the user&#39;s hand during pick-up. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the bag can be a pouch with at least one disposable bag removably disposed inside of the pouch. In another embodiment, the bag is a disposable plastic bag that is removably affixed to the leash. 
         [0007]    In the case of the pouch with the disposable bag within the pouch, the disposable bag(s) can be removably retained in the pouch in any suitable manner. For example, an elastic band and hook system described herein can be used. Other means that removably retain the disposable bag(s) in the pouch can be used. In addition, the pouch can be opened and closed using any form of closure mechanism examples of which include, but are not limited to, a zipper, hook and loop material, snaps or clasps, buttons, and the like. Because the pouch and the disposable bag are turned inside-out while retrieving the pet waste, the pouch is always kept clean and the pet waste is contained to the inside and bottom of the disposable bag. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows an example of a leash with a pouch without a disposable bag installed. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates the leash and the pouch of  FIG. 1  with a disposable bag inserted into the pouch. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates the leash and the pouch of  FIG. 2  with the disposable bag inserted in the pouch with the ends of the disposable bag tucked into the internal retainer and the opening closed and ready to walk the dog. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates the leash of  FIG. 3  with the pouch and the disposable bag turned inside-out with a user&#39;s hand inserted from the bottom to pick-up dog waste. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates the leash of  FIG. 4  with the pouch after being pulled back to its original configuration (no longer inside out) with the dog waste contained in the disposable bag. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates the leash with the disposable bag containing the pet waste removed from the pouch and ready for disposal. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of a leash with a pouch. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  illustrate the leash of  FIG. 7  with the pouch zipped closed. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a resilient frame that is used in the pouch. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  illustrates elastic cords of the resilient frame secured to hooks of the resilient frame to secure a disposable bag in the pouch. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  illustrates a disposable bag being inserted into the pouch of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  illustrates the disposable bag of  FIG. 11  inserted into the pouch. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  illustrates bag handles of the disposable bag folded outwardly to be tucked between the elastic cords and the resilient frame. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  illustrates the outwardly folded bag handles of the disposable bag tucked between the elastic cords and the resilient frame. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  illustrates the elastic cords secured to the hooks of the resilient frame to secure the disposable bag. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement between the disposable bag, the resilient frame, the elastic cords, and the hooks. 
           [0024]      FIG. 17  shows the pouch of  FIG. 15  turned inside-out for pet waste retrieval. 
           [0025]      FIG. 18  illustrates the leash and pouch of  FIG. 17  flipped over. 
           [0026]      FIG. 19  shows the users hand picking up pet waste using the pouch of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 20  shows an example of how the resilient frame can be secured to the leash. 
           [0028]      FIG. 21  illustrates a retractable leash utilizing a waste retrieval pouch that can be similar to the pouch in  FIGS. 1-6  or in  FIGS. 7-20 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 22  illustrates an embodiment of a leash where the pouch is attached to the outside of the two leash portions. 
           [0030]      FIG. 23  illustrates still another embodiment of a leash with a plastic handle where the resilient frame is attached directly to plastic handle. 
           [0031]      FIG. 24  illustrates still another embodiment of a leash with a closeable pocket on the side of the pouch. 
           [0032]      FIG. 25  illustrates still another embodiment of a leash with a tab to secure the pouch in a rolled-up configuration. 
           [0033]      FIG. 26  illustrates the pouch of  FIG. 25  in the rolled-up configuration. 
           [0034]      FIG. 27  illustrates still another embodiment of a leash with retaining members. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    A pet leash is described that has a bag removably attached to the leash between the handle end and the pet connection end by a bag attachment apparatus located between the pet connection end and the handle end. In one embodiment described and illustrated herein, the bag attachment apparatus can include a pouch with at least one disposable plastic bag removably disposed inside of the pouch. In another embodiment, the bag can be removably attached to the leash without the use of the pouch. The bag attachment apparatus can have any form suitable for removably attaching the bag to the leash. For sake of convenience, the bag will hereinafter be described as being at least one disposable plastic bag removably disposed inside of a pouch. However, it is possible that the disposable plastic bag can be used without the pouch described below by attaching the disposable plastic bag to leash in a similar manner to the pouch as described further below. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a pet leash  2  with a pouch  1  attached to the leash  2  is illustrated. The pouch  1  is intended to allow easy pick-up of dog waste during a walk without the need to carry cumbersome apparatus or containers separately. The leash  2  can be made of any material suitable for forming a pet leash  2  including, but not limited to, cloth or fabric webbing, or leather. The leash  2  includes a pet connection end with a suitable connector  4 , such as a clasp, for connection to a dog collar, and a user handle end that defines a handle  10  for gripping by a user. The pouch  1  can be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, cloth or leather or plastic. For example, the pouch  1  can be made from two or more layers of light and flexible fabric which can be washable to permit cleaning of the pouch  1 . 
         [0037]    The pouch  1  can attached to the leash  2  anywhere between the pet connection end with the connector  4  and the handle  10 . For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the pouch  1  can be attached to the leash  2  at a position that is closer to the handle  10  than to the connector  4 . In one embodiment, the pouch  1  can be attached to the leash  2  at a position that is approximately 75% of the length of the leash  2 , i.e. the pouch  1  is positioned approximately ¾ of the length of the leash  2  from the connector  4  or ¼ of the length of the leash  2  away from the handle  10 . 
         [0038]    The pouch  1  can be attached to the leash  2  in any suitable manner. For example, the pouch  1  can be attached to the leash  2 , for example by being attached by sewing to the leash  2 . In another embodiment, the pouch  1  can be removably attached to the leash  2  in a manner that allows the pouch  1  to be non-destructively removed from the leash  2 , for example by being attached using hook and loop type fastening, snap buttons, or other removable fastening. 
         [0039]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the leash  2  is illustrated as being split into two portions  2   a ,  2   b  at a location between the connector  4  and the handle  10 . The pouch  1  is secured to the leash  2  between the two portions  2   a ,  2   b . Therefore, in this embodiment, the pouch  1  is not directly secured to the handle  10 . The pouch  1  can be permanently or non-removably secured to the two leash portions  2   a ,  2   b  (i.e. the pouch  1  is not intended to be removable from the leash  2 ) using a suitable type of connection including, but not limited to, sewing the pouch  1  to the two leash portions  2   a ,  2   b . In another embodiment, the pouch  1  can be removably secured to the two leash portions  2   a ,  2   b  using a suitable type of removable connection including, but not limited to, hook and loop fastener, permitting the pouch  1  to be removed from the leash  2 . In another embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 21 , the pouch  1  is attached to a housing  12  of a retractable leash  9  where the housing  12  also forms the handle. 
         [0040]    Returning to  FIGS. 1-5 , the pouch  1  has an opening  3  at the top at one end thereof, and a second or opposite end of the pouch is closed. The pouch  1  defines an interior space and one or more disposable bags  5  (shown in  FIGS. 2-5 ) are removably inserted into the interior space of the pouch  1  and the open end(s) of the bag(s)  5  are suitably secured to the pouch  1  near the opening  3  to keep the disposable bag(s)  5  neat and also prevent the bag(s)  5  from falling out when turning the pouch  1  inside-out for waste pick up. The bag(s)  5  can have a size that is smaller, larger or about the same as the interior size of the pouch  1 . The bag(s)  5  can have any size and construction that allows it to be retained inside of the pouch  1  during operation of the leash  2 , allow the pouch  1  and bag(s)  5  to be turned inside-out during waste pick-up, and allow removal of the bag  5  from the pouch  1  after waste pick-up. For example, the bag(s)  5  can be plastic grocery bags or bags intended for pet waste retrieval. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the leash portions  2   a ,  2   b  can be provided with bag retainers  7 . The bag retainers  7  can be constructed from thin rubber secured to the leash portions  2   a ,  2   b  and have a slit in them so that the ends of the disposable bag(s)  5  can be tucked into the slits. The slits allow the ends of the bag(s)  5  to reside between the two or more layers of fabric that the pouch  1  can be constructed of. This gives a tidy and clean appearance to the pouch  1  while walking, and also prevents the disposable bag(s)  5  from falling out when turning inside-out to retrieve pet waste. 
         [0042]    In one embodiment, the pouch opening  3  can be closed using a suitable closure mechanism in order to close the opening  3 . Examples of suitable closure mechanisms include, but are not limited to, magnets or a zipper that allow the sides of the pouch  1  connected to the leash portions  2   a ,  2   b  to be secured together to close the opening  3 . Alternatively, one can simply flip the pouch  1  over the leash  2  effectively sealing the pouch  1 . A mechanism such as a hook and loop fastener could be used to hold the pouch  1  in that position. 
         [0043]      FIG. 2  illustrates an embodiment where an upper end of the bag(s)  5  extends above the pouch  1  and the bag(s)  5  is provided with handles to facilitate grasping of the bag(s)  5  during removal of the bag  5  from the pouch  1 . 
         [0044]    In operation, the leash  2  is attached to the dog collar by the connector  4  for a walk. Referring to  FIG. 4 , assuming the disposable bag  5  has been installed in the pouch  1 , when it is necessary to pick up dog waste during the walk, the hand  8  is inserted up from the bottom of the pouch  1  turning the pouch  1  inside-out. The disposable bag  5  is now on the outside of the pouch  1  and the hand  8  is on the inside of the pouch  1 . Dog waste  6  is then picked up using the hand  8  in the pouch  1  while being protected by the barrier of the pouch  1  and the disposable bag  5 . All of this is done conveniently while the dog is still attached to the leash  2 . The dog may actually provide tension in the leash  2  which can make the process easier. Referring to  FIG. 5 , after grasping all of the pet waste, the hand  8  is drawn back through the pouch  1  turning the pouch  1  back to its original position (no longer inside out). The pouch  1  is suspended from the leash  2  with the dog waste  6  contained inside the disposable bag  5  that is also contained inside the pouch  1 . After finishing the walk, the disposable bag  5  can be removed from the pouch  1  ( FIG. 6 ) and disposed of with the pet waste  6  inside. A new disposable bag  5  can then be inserted into the pouch  1  and secured in position ready for the next walk. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-20 , another embodiment of a pet leash  20  is illustrated. Like the pet leash  2 , the leash  20  also includes a pouch  22  attached to the leash  20 , a pet connection end with a connector  24  such as a clasp, and a user handle end with a handle  26 . The pouch  22  is intended to allow easy pick-up of dog waste during a walk without the need to carry cumbersome apparatus or containers separately. The leash  20  can be made of any material suitable for forming a pet leash including, but not limited to, cloth or fabric webbing, or leather. The pouch  22  can be made of any suitable material including, but not limited to, cloth or leather or plastic. For example, the pouch  22  can be made from two or more layers of light and flexible fabric which can be washable to permit cleaning of the pouch  22 . 
         [0046]    The pouch  22  can attached to the leash  20  anywhere between the pet connection end with the connector  24  and the handle  26 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pouch  22  can be attached to the leash  20  at a position that is closer to the handle  26  than to the connector  24 . In one embodiment, the pouch  22  can be attached to the leash  20  at a position that is approximately 75% of the length of the leash  20 , i.e. the pouch  22  is positioned approximately ¾ of the length of the leash  20  from the connector  24  or ¼ of the length of the leash  20  away from the handle  26 . 
         [0047]    In this embodiment, the leash  20  is illustrated as being split into two portions  28   a ,  28   b  at a location between the connector  24  and the handle  26 , and the pouch  22  is secured to the leash  20  between the two portions  28   a ,  28   b . Therefore, in this embodiment, the pouch  22  is not directly secured to the handle  26 . The pouch  22  can be permanently or non-removably secured between the two leash portions  28   a ,  28   b  (i.e. the pouch  22  is not intended to be removable from the leash  20 ) using a suitable type of connection including, but not limited to, sewing the pouch  22  to the two leash portions  28   a ,  28   b . In another embodiment, the pouch  22  can be removably secured between the two leash portions  28   a ,  28   b  using a suitable type of removable connection including, but not limited to, hook and loop fastener, permitting the pouch  22  to be removed from the leash  20 . In another embodiment, the pouch  22  can be attached to the housing  12  of the retractable leash  9  like in  FIG. 21 . 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 9-10 , the pouch  22  can be secured to the portions  28   a ,  28   b  by a hinged resilient frame  30  having a pair of elastic cords  32   a ,  32   b  attached to the frame  30 . As best seen in  FIGS. 9-10 , the frame  30  includes a pair of resilient frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  that can be flexed between a curved, open configuration shown in  FIGS. 7, 9 and 10  for retaining the pouch  22  in an open configuration, and a somewhat flat, generally parallel closed configuration shown in  FIG. 8  when the pouch  22  is closed. The ends of the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  are hinged together by hinge pins  36 ,  38  that permit relative pivoting movements of the ends of the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  as the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  flex between their open and closed configurations. 
         [0049]    As best seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the pair of elastic cords  32   a ,  32   b  are secured to the frame  30 . The cords  32   a ,  32   b  extend from one end of the frame  30  to the other end thereof, and are intended to help secure a disposable bag within the pouch  22 . The cords  32   a ,  32   b  can have any configuration that is suitable for achieving the functions of the cords  32   a ,  32   b . In the illustrated example, the cords  32   a ,  32   b  form an endless loop, with the cords  32   a ,  32   b  extending through holes in the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  and ends  40 ,  42  of the cords  32   a ,  32   b  looped around the hinge pins  36 ,  38 . 
         [0050]    Each of the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  also includes at least one hook  44   a ,  44   b  on interior facing surfaces thereof. The hooks  44   a ,  44   b  can be located at any suitable location on the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  for performing the intended function(s) of the hooks  44   a ,  44   b . Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 15-16 , during use the cords  32   a ,  32   b  are hooked under the hooks  44   a ,  44   b  to help secure the disposable bag to the pouch  22  and help retain the disposable bag in an open configuration during waste pick-up. In the illustrated example, the hooks  44   a ,  44   b  are located approximately midway along the length of the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b . However, the hooks  44   a ,  44   b  are preferably slightly laterally offset from one another so that when the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  flex to their closed configuration, the hooks  44   a ,  44   b  do not interfere with one another, thereby allowing the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  to close more completely. In addition, a plurality of optional spacers  46  can be provided on the interior facing surfaces of the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b . The spacers  46  help to pinch the disposable plastic bag against the cords  32   a ,  32   b  to help retain the bag. 
         [0051]    The pouch  22  can be permanently or non-removably attached to the frame  30 . Alternatively, the pouch  22  can be non-permanently or removably attached to the frame  30  using a removable attachment mechanism such as hook and loop fasteners. As indicated above, if the pouch  22  is not used, the disposable plastic bag can be removably fixed to the frame  30 . In addition, referring to  FIG. 20 , the frame  30  can be non-permanently or removably attached to the leash portions  28   a ,  28   b  using a removable attachment mechanism. For example, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the exterior surfaces of the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  can include a first portion  48  of a hook and loop attachment mechanism, while the interior surfaces of the leash portions  28   a ,  28   b  can include a second portion  50  of the hook and loop fastening mechanism intended to engage with the first portion  48 . 
         [0052]    Returning to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the pouch  22  has an opening  52  that can be zippered-closed using a zipper mechanism  54  or other form of closure mechanism. In the illustrated embodiment, the zipper mechanism  54  is attached to the pouch  22 . In particular, one-half of the zipper teeth of the zipper mechanism  54  is provided on one side of the pouch  22  and the other half of the zipper teeth are provided on the other side of the pouch  22 , and a zipper pull  56  is used to draw the two parts of the zipper teeth together. In an alternative embodiment, the zipper portions can be attached to the leash portions  28   a ,  28   b , and the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  can be secured to leash portions  28   a ,  28   b . The pouch  22  can then be removably secured to the outside of the leash portions  28   a ,  28   b . This would make installation of the pouch  22  easier, and the pouch  22  would be the only item being washed. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 11-16  illustrate installation of a disposable bag  60  in the pouch  22 . With the frame  30  attached between the leash portions  28   a ,  28   b , and the zipper mechanism  54  opened, the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  of the resilient frame  30  flex open to their open configuration. The disposable bag  60  is then inserted between the cords  32   a ,  32   b  and pushed to the bottom of the pouch  22  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The ends of the disposable bag  60  are then folded outwardly as shown in  FIG. 13 , and the ends are then tucked between the cords  32   a ,  32   b  and the interior surface of each frame portion  34   a ,  34   b  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The elastic cords  32   a ,  32   b  are then placed under the hooks  44   a ,  44   b  as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . This retains the disposable bag  60  in place, with the resilient frame  30  keeping the opening  52  of the pouch  22  spread open when it is unzipped and ready for waste retrieval. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 17-19 , the pouch  22  is then turned inside-out ( FIG. 17 ), the leash  20  and pouch  22  are then flipped over ( FIG. 18 ), and the users hand then picks-up the pet waste  6 . The user then draws his hand back through the pouch  22  turning the pouch  22  back to its original position (no longer inside out). The pouch  22  can be closed, for example using the zipper mechanism  54 . When the pouch  22  is closed, the elastic cords  32   a ,  32   b  help to create a seal with the disposable bag  60 . To remove the disposable bag  60  containing the pet waste, the pouch  22  is unzipped or otherwise opened, the elastic cords  32   a ,  32   b  unhooked from the hooks  44   a ,  44   b , the ends of the bag  60  pulled upwardly to pull the bag  60  from the pouch  22 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 22  illustrates an embodiment of a pet leash  70  that is generally similar to the embodiment in  FIGS. 7-20 . However, in this embodiment, the pouch  22  is attached to the outside of the leash portions  28   a ,  28   b  using suitable attachment mechanisms such as hook and loop fasteners, snaps, and the like. The resilient frame  30  and the elastic cords  32   a ,  32   b  thereof are secured within the leash portions, for example by attaching the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  to inside surfaces of the leash portions  28   a ,  28   b , while the pouch  22  is secured to the outside surfaces of the leash portions  28   a ,  28   b . This embodiment allows easier removal of the pouch  22  and allows washing of the pouch  22  without having to wash the frame  30  and the cords  32   a ,  32   b  with the pouch. This embodiment also allows the user to leave the pouch  22  off of the leash  70 , and allows use of the leash with only the disposable plastic bag which can be secured to the frame  30  in the manner as described above for  FIGS. 7-20 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 23  illustrates an embodiment of a pet leash  80  that is generally similar to the embodiment in  FIGS. 7-20 . However, in this embodiment, the handle  26  comprises a plastic handle that can be substantially rigid. The end of the resilient frame  30  is attached directly to the end of the handle  26 , and an end  82  of the leash webbing or leather is attached to the opposite end of the frame  30 . In this embodiment, the pouch  22  can be attached to outer surfaces of the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b . The leash webbing or leather of the leash  80  in this embodiment does not have leash portions that form a loop. Instead, the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  form first and second portions of the pet leash  80  between the pet connection end and the handle end, wherein the first and second portions form a loop. 
         [0057]      FIG. 24  illustrates an embodiment of a pet leash  90  that is generally similar to the embodiment in  FIGS. 7-20 . In this embodiment, the pouch  22  includes a pocket  92  on the side thereof. The pocket  92  can be used to carry items such as extra bags, keys, cash, and the like. In one embodiment, the pocket  92  can be closeable by a closing mechanism  94  at an openable end thereof. The closing mechanism  94  can be any mechanism that can be used to selectively close the openable end of the pocket  92 . Examples of closing mechanism  94  that can be used include, but are not limited to, a zipper (illustrated in  FIG. 24 ), hook and loop fasteners, one or more snaps, and the like. 
         [0058]      FIGS. 25-26  illustrate an embodiment of a pet leash  100  that is generally similar to the embodiment in  FIGS. 7-20 . In this embodiment, the pouch  22  can be rolled up around the two leash portions.  FIG. 25  illustrates the bottom end of the pouch  22  as including a fastener  102  that can be used to secure the pouch  22  in the rolled-up configuration shown in  FIG. 26 . The fastener  102  can be any fastener that can releasably secure the pouch  22  in the rolled-up configuration. For example, the fastener  102  include, but is not limited to, a hook patch or a loop patch of a hook and loop fastener (the corresponding hook or loop patch would be located on the other side of the pouch  22 ), a portion of a snap mechanism (the other portion of the snap mechanism would be on the other side of the pouch  22 ), and the like. 
         [0059]      FIG. 27  illustrates an embodiment of a pet leash  110  where the frame  30  is secured to a conventional leash  112  without the two leash portions forming a loop. In this embodiment, the webbing of the leash  112  extends along one side of the frame  30  (such as along the frame portion  34   a  as illustrated or along the frame portion  34   b ) and the leash webbing is detachably secured to the frame  30  by a suitable fastening mechanism. In the illustrated example, the fastening mechanism comprises at least one, or plurality of, retaining member(s)  114  such as retaining clips or the like that clip onto the leash webbing and the frame  30 . In this embodiment, one of the frame portions  34   a ,  34   b  is not covered by the leash webbing. This embodiment permits the use of existing leashes with the frame  30 . 
         [0060]    Any of the features in  FIGS. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25-26 and 27  can be used individually or collectively with one another, or used individually or collectively with any of the features in  FIGS. 1-6  or  FIGS. 7-20 . 
         [0061]    The examples disclosed in this application are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not limitative. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description; and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.