Abstract:
A portable anchoring device providing a temporary anchoring means for pet leashes includes a round base containing a suction cup, a durable handle, and a clasp to which a dog leash can be attached. The suction cup provides removable attachment to a smooth horizontal or vertical surface via a second handle which pivots to actuate the suction cup and anchor the device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are currently no applications co-pending with the present application. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to animal leash anchors, and in particular, to those which are portable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Restraining pets are a common technique owners use to keep the pet from wandering away. Restraining pets becomes an issue when the owner transports their pet to various locations beyond of their residence. Locating a position to fix the pets leash to an appropriate surface is troublesome. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide portable leash anchor. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents. U.S. Patent No. 2006/0207521, issued in the name of Klauck, describes a hands-free and portable pet tether. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,566, issued in the name of Daniels, describes a portable convertible tethering system with retractable leash. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,022,351, issued in the name of Daniels, describes a portable convertible tethering system with retractable leash. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more disadvantages. Many such devices are not suited for properly securing the pet. Other devices are not suited for ease of use. Accordingly, there exists a need for a portable leash anchor without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and lack in the art and observed that there is a need for a portable leash anchor. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present embodiments of the invention to solve at least one (1) of these problems. The inventor has addressed this need by developing a portable leash anchor provides an anchoring means to pet leashes for constraining a pet. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable leash anchor with comprises a bottom base portion having a suction cup assembly for attachment and removal. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the portable leash anchor with a quick-release clasp. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide the portable leash anchor with a pivoting handle and a stationary handle. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to attach the pivoting handle to a center portion of the base to a linear clevis link portion via a first pin. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to protrude the clevis link downwardly through a washer and through the base, in turn being rotatingly connected to an integral attachment feature of the subjacent suction cup via a second pin. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of procuring a model of the portable leash anchor having a diameter base and suction cup which corresponds to a size and strength of the pet, attaching the portable leash anchor to a smooth surface of a structure by rotating the pivoting handle downwardly against the base, grasping the stationary handle portion of the portable leash anchor with one&#39;s hand; pressing said portable leash anchor against said smooth surface, creating a vacuum zone within the suction cup assembly by rotating the pivoting handle upwardly toward the stationary handle until said pivoting handle contacts, releasing the handle portions of the portable leash anchor; affixing a pet&#39;s leash onto the clasp, and, benefiting from establishing a suitable and secure connection point for a pet leash at almost any location. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are identified with like symbols and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a portable leash anchor  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable leash anchor  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the portable leash anchor  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a section view of the portable leash anchor  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 4 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the portable leash anchor  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the portable leash anchor  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear view of the portable leash anchor  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a right-side view of the portable leash anchor  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 9  is a left-side view of the portable leash anchor  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  portable leash anchor 
               20  suction cup assembly 
               22  base 
               24  suction cup 
               25  vacuum zone 
               26  clevis link 
               28  attachment feature 
               30  first pin 
               32  second pin 
               40  washer 
               60  pivoting handle 
               62  cam feature 
               64  stationary handle 
               65   a  first leg 
               65   b  second leg 
               66  spacer 
               68  aperture 
               80  ring 
               82  clasp 
               100  pet 
               102  leash 
               105  structure 
               110  smooth surface 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 9 , and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of a portable leash anchor (herein described as the “device”)  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  provides a temporary anchoring means for use with pet leashes  102  to positionally constrain a pet  100  to a structure  105  such as a vehicle, a building, or the like. The device  10  comprises a bottom base portion  22  which comprises a large suction cup assembly  20  along a bottom surface allowing a user to quickly attach the device  10  to any smooth surface  110 . The device  10  also comprises an attached quick release clasp  82  onto which a conventional dog leash  102  may be easily attached. The pet  100  and leash  102  may be attached to the device  10  to assure the pet  100  will stay in place until the user returns. Upon return, the leash  102  can be easily disengaged and the device  10  released from said smooth surface  110  by pivoting a vacuum-releasing handle  60 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a perspective and a section view of the portable leash anchor  10  taken along section line A-A (see  FIG. 4 ), according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The device  10  comprises a circular base  22  and is envisioned being introduced in various sizes of approximately three (3) to six (6) inches in diameter depending on a size of a pet  100 . The device  10  further comprises a pivoting handle  60  and a stationary handle  64  both of which extend upwardly being parallel to each other attached along a bisecting centerline of said base  22 . The handles  60 ,  64  are of an arcuate shape having open center areas into which a user may insert their fingers to firmly grasp the device  10 . The base  22  and handles  60 ,  64  are envisioned to be made of rugged metal or composite plastic materials. 
     The pivoting handle  60  provides a means to both release and produce a vacuum zone  25  within the suction cup assembly  20 . The pivoting handle  60  is to be rotatingly anchored at a center portion of the base  22  to a linear clevis link portion  26  via a first pin  30 . Said clevis link  26  protrudes downwardly through a washer  40  and through the base  22 , in turn being rotatingly connected to an integral attachment feature  28  of the subjacent suction cup  24  via a second pin  32 . Said attachment feature  28  is envisioned to be integrally-molded into the suction cup  24  at an upper central location. The first pin  30  connects the clevis link  26  to a cam feature portion  62  of the pivoting handle  60  in an offset manner, such that by motioning said pivoting handle  60  from a horizontal position to a vertical position, the cam feature  62  acts against the washer  40  and resultingly lifts the clevis link  26  and the attachment feature  28  at a center location of the suction cup  24 , thereby creating a vacuum zone  25  between said suction cup  24  and the smooth surface  110 . 
     The stationary handle  64  comprises a horseshoe-shaped appendage which protrudes perpendicularly upwardly from the base  22  being parallel to the previously described pivoting handle  60  when rotated to the vertical position. Said stationary handle  64  further comprises a first leg  65   a  and a second leg  65   b  which are rigidly affixed to a top surface of said base  22  via integral molding, adhesives, fasteners, or the like. The stationary handle  64  provides a stable means to grasp the device  10  as well as allowing the user to grasp both handles  60 ,  64  coincidentally to aid in pulling the pivoting handle  60  to the vertical position. The stationary handle  64  further comprises a pair of integrally-molded cylinder-shaped spacers  66  along an upper inner surface which maintain a gap between said pivoting  60  and stationary  64  handles to aid a user when separating said handles  60 ,  64  to rotate the pivoting handle  60  to the horizontal position. Finally, the first leg portion  65   a  of the stationary handle  64  comprises a drilled or formed aperture portion  68  through a lower portion of said first leg  65   a , thereby providing an attachment means to a common circular metal ring  80  which in turn provides an attachment means to a common spring-loaded clasp  82  onto which a leash  102  may be easily fastened. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 through 9 , various views of the device  10  including a top view, a bottom view, a front view, a rear view, a right-side view, and a left side view, respectively, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the device  10  having a diameter base  22  and suction cup  24  which corresponds to a size and strength of the pet  100 ; attaching the device  10  to a smooth surface  110  of a structure  105  such as a vehicle, building, or the like by rotating the pivoting handle  60  downwardly against the base  22 ; grasping the stationary handle portion  64  of the device  10  with one&#39;s hand; pressing said device  10  against said smooth surface  110 ; creating a vacuum zone  25  within the suction cup assembly  20  by rotating the pivoting handle  60  upwardly toward the stationary handle  64  until said pivoting handle  60  contacts the spacer portions  66  of said stationary handle  64 ; releasing the handle portions  60 ,  64  of the device  10 ; affixing a pet&#39;s  100  leash  102  onto the clasp  82  in a conventional manner; and, benefiting from establishing a suitable and secure connection point for a pet leash  102  at almost any location, afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.