Abstract:
A retracting lead assembly including a casing with an interior surface and an exterior surface and a proximal end and a distal end, the casing having an open space at a center of the distal end; a reel mounted within the casing, the reel having a lead that is on the interior of the casing wrapped at least partially around the reel, the lead having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the reel, the second end constructed and arranged to attach to an animal; and a handle attached to the exterior surface of the proximal end of the casing.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a lead or leash for handling domestic animals and, more particularly, to a retractable leash with an incorporated storage compartment. 
         [0002]    Typically, pets are required by local law ordinances to be on a leash so as to control the pet and prevent the pet from uncontrollable movement. With this need for pets to be on a leash, advancements have been made to make the leash more functional and user friendly. Various retractable leashes for a pet owner to control the pet are well-known in the art. 
         [0003]    Usually, a retractable leash includes a reel around which the line may wind and a mechanism for controlling the extension and retraction of the line. Most retractable leashes in the art feature a retractable coiling system stored in a casing and a handle extending from the casing. Some configurations of the retractable leash may have various compartments attached to the retractable leash casing so as to alleviate the need for the user to carry pet supplies, such as food or water, in his or her hands or a bag. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A retracting lead assembly includes a casing with an interior surface and an exterior surface and a proximal end and a distal end, the casing having an open space at a center of the distal end; a reel mounted within the casing, the reel having a lead that is on the interior of the casing wrapped at least partially around the reel, the lead having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the reel, the second end constructed and arranged to attach to an animal; and a handle attached to the exterior surface of the proximal end of the casing. 
         [0005]    Another leash assembly includes a housing having an opening therethrough, the housing having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a resilient material attached to a portion of the opening; a retainer mechanism within the housing; and a line with at least a portion stored within the housing and wound around the retainer mechanism, the line having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the retainer mechanism, the second end extending through an orifice in the exterior surface of the housing, the second end configured to connect to a moveable object. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a retractable leash with an opening able to accommodate an object. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a first side elevation view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a second side elevation view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a distal elevation view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1  along with an object being held within the opening. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a proximal elevation view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a retractable leash. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a distal elevation view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 8  with an object being held within the opening. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  is a proximal elevation view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a retractable leash. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 12 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In general, the present invention relates to a retractable leash with the ability to accommodate an object, such as a retrieval toy. The leash is able to be used with a smaller animal, such as a pet dog. The retractable leash includes a casing that is ring shaped with an opening at the center of the distal end of the casing and the ability to firmly hold an object, including a retrieval toy such as a spherical ball. The leash allows the leash user to have the object easily accessible without having to resort to other means to carry the object. Inside the casing of the retractable leash is a length of line or other lead material with one end attached to a mechanism that allows the line to extend and retract. The line extends through an opening in the casing and allows the outer end of the line to attach to an animal. The components of each embodiment of the leash can be manufactured using known methods of plastic molding or similar materials and manufacture, the details of which are apparent to those having skill in the art. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of retractable leash  100  according to one embodiment of the leash. Retractable leash  100  includes casing  20  having outer perimeter surface  22 , open space  26  in an inner perimeter surface  28 , line  24 , resilient component  30 , handle  32 , brake mechanism  34 , brake mechanism lock  36 , and line opening  38 . 
         [0022]    Casing  20  is a housing with outer perimeter surface  22  and inner perimeter surface  28  that provides the main structure component to which all other features are attached to or encompassed within. Casing  20  is rigid and can be made from various materials, such as plastic, fiberglass, or other polymers with similar properties, and by various methods, such as injection molding or similar casting methods. Open space  26  is located at the center of the distal end of casing  20 . An object, such as a pet retrieval toy, may be accommodated within open space  26 . Attached to inner perimeter surface  28  of casing  20  is resilient component  30 , which, in this embodiment, extends completely around inner perimeter surface  28  in a corrugated pattern (seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). While this embodiment shows resilient component  30  extending completely around inner perimeter surface  28 , the leash is not limited to such a configuration. Resilient component  30  is configured to firmly hold an object so as to keep it from ejecting from retractable leash  100  during sudden and/or extreme movement. 
         [0023]    Housed within casing  20  is line  24  (described in further detail in  FIG. 11 ), which extends through line opening  38 . Line opening  38  may be located anywhere on casing  20 , but is on the distal end of casing  20  on retractable leash  100 . Line  24  is a lead made from a cable of natural or synthetic fibers or a similar rope like structure. Located on the proximal end of casing  20  is handle  32 , which may be attached to casing  20  at two points. Brake mechanism  34  is located on the top of casing  20  towards the proximal end, with brake mechanism lock  36  located on the side of casing  20  below brake mechanism  34 . Brake mechanism lock  36  extends horizontally through casing  20 . 
         [0024]    Retractable leash  100  is usually held on the proximal end by handle  32 . This allows line  24 , which in use is attached to an animal, to extend and retract through line opening  38  at the distal end of casing  20 . Brake mechanism  34 , most commonly a trigger, and brake mechanism lock  36  are located such that the user can access and operate them with a thumb or other finger. Brake mechanism  34  can be pressed towards casing  20 , which prevents line  24  from extending or retracting. Brake mechanism  34  can be held in the “down” position by pressing brake mechanism lock  36  in towards casing  20 . Brake mechanism lock  36  extends through casing  20  so that brake mechanism lock  36  can be toggled on or off from each side of casing  20 . 
         [0025]    Open space  26  at the center of the distal end of casing  20  has the ability to firmly hold an object, such as a pet retrieval toy including a spherical ball, cylindrical chew toy, or similar apparatus, through the use of resilient component  30 . Open space  26  has the ability to hold a number of differently shaped and sized objects because of resilient component  30 , which may be configured in a corrugated pattern and made of rubber or another similar resilient material. Resilient component  30  allows the user to easily slide an object into open space  26  and remove the object when desired. Resilient component  30  is configured to hold an object so that the object will not be ejected from open space  26  upon sudden and/or extreme movement. 
         [0026]    Often, a pet will be required to be on a leash when not within an enclosed space. Once within an enclosed space, such as a dog park, the owner of the pet will detach the pet from the leash and desire to play with or train the pet by utilizing an object, such as a pet retrieval toy. Thus, the two items, a leash and pet retrieval toy, are closely related and often carried by the owner of the pet simultaneously. The above mentioned embodiment allows the retractable leash user to have an object, such as a pet retrieval toy, on hand anytime the retractable leash is present. The disclosed leash allows this without forcing the user to hold the object in his or her hands or find other means, such as a cumbersome bag, to hold the object. The availability of the other hand of the user and the alleviation of the need to carry the object by other means increases the comfort of the user while ensuring the user and pet will have a retrieval toy or other appropriate object available when desired. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are distal and proximal elevation views, respectively, of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1 . Retractable leash  100  includes all of the features present in  FIG. 1 , along with object  40 , which may be a pet retrieval toy such as a ball.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show that the object is able to protrude out the sides of casing  20  and handle  32 .  FIG. 4  also shows line opening  38 . While this embodiment shows line opening  38  on the upper portion of casing  20 , the leash is not limited to such a configuration. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are top and bottom plan views, respectively, of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1 . Retractable leash  100  includes all of the features present in  FIG. 1 , along with object  40 , which may be a pet retrieval toy such as a ball.  FIG. 6  shows the brake mechanism  34  and brake mechanism lock  36 , which are located on the upper portion of casing  20 . While this embodiment shows brake mechanism  34  and brake mechanism lock  36  located on the upper portion of casing  20 , the leash is not limited to such a configuration. 
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of the leash. Retractable leash  200  includes casing  220  having outer perimeter surface  222  of casing  220 , open space  226  in inner perimeter surface  228 , line  224 , resilient component  230 , handle  232 , brake mechanism  234 , brake mechanism lock  236 , and line opening  238 . 
         [0030]    In this alternative embodiment of the leash, resilient component  230  includes resilient flaps attached to inner perimeter surface  228  around open space  226 . The resilient flaps can be made from various resilient materials, such as rubber or plastic. These resilient flaps, arranged around open space  226 , are in two rows around inner perimeter surface  228  and are flexible enough to allow an object to be contained within the flaps but resilient enough to firmly hold the object by pushing the object towards the open space  226  at the center of the distal end of casing  220 . The resilient flaps may also be such things as nodes, strings, or other apparatus. 
         [0031]    This alternative embodiment of the leash also includes brake mechanism  234  attached on the inner surface of handle  232 . Brake mechanism lock  236  is located on handle  232  and extends through handle  232  so as to be viewable and toggled on or off from each side elevation view of handle  232 . Retractable leash  200  also includes line opening  238  on outer perimeter surface  222  located near the bottom portion of the distal end of casing  220 , but line opening  238  is not limited to the location in  FIG. 8  and can be located anywhere on casing  220 . 
         [0032]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are distal and proximal elevation views, respectively, of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 8 . Retractable leash  200  includes all of the features present in  FIG. 8 , along with object  240 , which may be a pet retrieval toy such as a ball.  FIGS. 9 and 10  show the resilient component  230 , shown in this embodiment as resilient flaps, firmly holding object  240 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the leash shown in  FIG. 1 . Retractable leash  100  includes casing  20  having outer perimeter surface  22 , open space  26  in inner perimeter surface  28 , line  24 , handle  32 , resilient component  30 , brake mechanism  34 , brake mechanism lock  36 , line opening  38 , brake mechanism opening  52 , and brake mechanism lock opening  54 . Within casing  20  are gear housing  42 , spring axle  44 , spur gear  46 , spring  48 , spring cover  50 , and engaging device  60 . 
         [0034]    Casing  20  with outer perimeter surface  22  and inner perimeter surface  28  provide the main structural support for retractable leash  100 . Most components of retractable leash  100  are attached to or encompassed within casing  20 . Attached to the proximal end of casing  20  is handle  32 , which is attached to casing  20  at two points on outer perimeter surface  22 . Within inner perimeter surface  28  is open space  26 , located at the center of the distal end of casing  20 . Open space  26  may house object  40  firmly through the use of resilient component  30 , which is attached to inner perimeter surface  28 . Resilient component  30  may be in a corrugated pattern to allow the user to slide object  40 , which may be a pet retrieval toy, into open space  26  and remove object  40  when desired while also holding the object so that the object will not be ejected from open space  26  upon sudden and/or extreme movement.  FIG. 11  shows object  40  as a spherical ball, but the object held by this embodiment can be a number of other apparatus. 
         [0035]    Attached to the inside of casing  20  is gear housing  42  and spring axle  44 , with spring axle  44  located at the center of circular gear housing  42 . On spring axle  44  and adjacent to gear housing  42  is spur gear  46 . Wrapped around spur gear  46  is line  24 , contained within spur gear  46  is spring  48 , and attached to spur gear  46  is spring cover  50 . Spring  48  is contained within spur gear  46  such that spring  48  is completely enclosed when spring cover  50  is fastened to spur gear  46 . Spring cover  50  is attached to spur gear  46  on the side opposite the side in which gear housing  42  and spring axle  44  contact spur gear  46 . Brake mechanism  34  is attached to casing  20  and is located within brake mechanism opening  52  in outer perimeter surface  22 . Brake mechanism lock  36  is attached to casing  20  and is located within brake mechanism lock opening  54  in outer perimeter surface  22 . 
         [0036]    Retractable leash  100  is usually held by handle  32  located on the proximal end of casing  20  with line  24  extending out the distal end of casing  20  through line opening  38 . Line  24  is a lead made from a cable of natural or synthetic fibers or a similar rope like structure. The end of line  24  that extends away from retractable leash  100  is able to be attached to an animal. Spring  48 , housed within spur gear  46  and spring cover  50 , is attached to spur gear  46  and spring axle  44  and aids line  24  when retracting into casing  20 . When in the retracted position, line  24  is wrapped around spur gear  46 . When line  24  is extending out through line opening  38 , spur gear  46  will rotate about spring axle  44 , causing spring  48  to coil such that spring  48  will resist the extension of line  24  away from retractable leash  100 . When less force is applied to the end of line  24  than that stored by spring  48 , spring  48  will release its spring energy and line  24  will retract into casing  20  through line opinion  38  and wrap around spur gear  46 . While the present embodiment shows spring axle  44  as a cylindrical component with spur gear  46 , spring  48 , and spring cover  50  located radially outward from spring axle  44 , other embodiments of the leash allow a spring axle to be located circumferentially around inner perimeter surface  28  with spur gear  46  and spring  48  circumferentially around the spring axle, as will be explained in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0037]    Resilient component  30 , located on inner perimeter surface  28  around open space  26 , is configured to hold object  40 , which may be a pet retrieval toy, such that object  40  will not be ejected from retractable leash  100  upon sudden and/or extreme movement. Brake mechanism  34 , shown in  FIG. 11  as a trigger, prevents line  24  from extending or retracting when pressed towards outer perimeter surface  22 . When pressed towards outer perimeter surface  22 , brake mechanism  34  contacts engaging device  60 , forcing engaging device  60  to engage the teeth on spur gear  46  and preventing spur gear  46  from rotating. When spur gear  46  is prevented from rotating by engaging device  60 , line  24 , which is wrapped around spur gear  46  in the retracted position, is prevented from extending away from or retracting into retractable leash  100 . Brake mechanism  34  is located on the top of casing  20  to allow easy access by the user who could use a thumb or other finger to engage brake mechanism  34 . Brake mechanism  34  can be held in the “down” position by pressing brake mechanism lock  36  horizontally towards casing  20 . Brake mechanism lock  36  extends through casing  20  so that brake mechanism lock  36  can be toggled on or off from each side of casing  20 . 
         [0038]    As discussed above, the leash shown in  FIG. 11  is configured to allow the user of the retractable leash to have an object, including a pet retrieval toy, such as a ball, chew toy, or other apparatus, easily accessible without having to carry the object in the hands of the user or by other means. 
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the leash. Retractable leash  300  includes casing  320  having outer perimeter surface  322 , open space  326  in inner perimeter surface  328 , line  324 , resilient component  330 , handle  332 , brake mechanism  334 , brake mechanism lock  336 , and line opening  338 . 
         [0040]    Casing  320  with outer perimeter surface  322  and inner perimeter surface  328  is the main structural component of retractable leash  300 , with all components of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  being attached to or encompassed within casing  320 . Casing  320  is rigid and can be made from various materials, such as plastic, fiberglass, or other polymers with similar properties, and by various methods, such as injection molding or similar casting methods. In the middle of casing  320  is open space  326 , which is circular and lined by resilient component  330  located on inner perimeter surface  328 . Open space  326  and resilient component  330  are configured to be able to firmly hold an object, such as a pet retrieval toy. The object may be a spherical ball, cylindrical toy, or other apparatus. Attached to the proximal end of casing  320  is handle  332 , which in this embodiment is attached to casing  320  at one point, but in other embodiments may have a different configuration. 
         [0041]    In this embodiment, resilient component  330  extends completely around inner perimeter surface  328  (seen in  FIG. 13 ). While this embodiment shows resilient component  330  extending completely around inner perimeter surface  328 , the leash is not limited to such a configuration. Resilient component  330 , which may be in a corrugated pattern and made of rubber or another similar resilient material, is configured to firmly hold an object, such as a pet retrieval toy, so as to keep the object from ejecting from retractable leash  300  during sudden and/or extreme movement. 
         [0042]    Housed within casing  320  is line  324  (described in further detail in  FIG. 14 ), which extends through line opening  338  located on the distal end of casing  320 . Line opening  338  is not limited to the location shown in  FIG. 12 . Line  324  is a lead made from a cable of natural or synthetic fibers or a similar rope like structure. Brake mechanism  334  is located on the top of casing  320  with brake mechanism lock  336  located on the side of casing  320  below brake mechanism  334 . Brake mechanism lock  336  extends horizontally through casing  320  so as to be viewable and toggled on or off from each side of casing  320 . 
         [0043]    The leash embodied by retractable leash  300  is usually held at the proximal end by handle  332 , which is opposite the end on which line opening  338  appears. While handle  332  is opposite the end on which line opening  338  appears in this embodiment, the leash is not limited to such configuration. The exterior end of line  324  is then attached to an animal with the interior end of line  324  connected to a component within casing  320  (described in further detail in  FIG. 14 ). This allows the user to control the animal through the use of retractable leash  300 . Open space  326  at center of casing  320  is circular, as shown in  FIG. 13 , and is configured to firmly hold an object, such as a pet retrieval toy, making the object easily accessible. Since an object may be carried in retractable leash  300 , the user of the leash is free from having to carry the object either in his or her hands or by other means while still having the object easily accessible. 
         [0044]      FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 . Retractable leash  300  includes casing  320  having outer perimeter surface  322  and open space  326  in inner perimeter surface  328 . Retractable leash  300  also includes resilient component  330 , handle  332 , brake mechanism  334 , and brake mechanism lock  336 . Line opening  338 , brake mechanism opening  352 , and brake mechanism lock opening  336  are in outer perimeter surface  322 . Within casing  320  are spring  356 , spur gear  358 , and line  324 . 
         [0045]    Most of the components of retractable leash  300  are attached to or encompassed within casing  320 . At the center of casing  320  is open space  326 , which is lined by resilient component  330  attached to inner perimeter surface  328 . Resilient component  330  may be in a corrugated pattern and is configured to firmly hold object  340 , which may be a pet retrieval toy, during sudden and/or extreme movement of retractable leash  300  while also allowing the user to remove object  340  when desired. Resilient component  330  is shown in  FIG. 14  as rubber bumpers in a corrugated pattern, but can be any resilient component suited to hold a pet retrieval toy while also allowing such retrieval toy to be easily removed from open space  326 . Handle  332  is located on the proximal end of casing  320  and is attached to casing  320  at one point in this embodiment, but the leash is not limited to such a configuration of handle  332 . 
         [0046]    Located within casing  320  extending circumferentially around ring-shaped inner perimeter surface  328  is spring  356 , which is attached to casing  320 . Attached to spring  356  on the radially outer side is spur gear  358 . Wrapped around spur gear  358 , when in the retracted position, is line  324 . Line  324  is a lead made from a cable of natural or synthetic fibers or a similar structure. When line  324  is extending away from retractable leash  300  through line opening  338 , spur gear  358  rotates, causing spring  356  to coil such that spring  356  will resist the extension of line  324 . When less force is applied to the exterior end of line  324  than is stored by spring  356 , spring  356  will be allowed to release its spring energy and line  324  will retract into casing  320  and wrap around spur gear  358 . 
         [0047]    Brake mechanism  334 , shown in  FIG. 14  as a trigger, prevents line  324  from extending or retracting when pressed towards outer perimeter surface  322 . Brake mechanism  334  is located on the top of casing  320  to allow easy access by the user. Brake mechanism  334  can be held in the “down” position by pressing brake mechanism lock  336  horizontally towards outer perimeter surface  322 . When pressed towards outer perimeter surface  322 , brake mechanism  334  engages the teeth located around spur gear  358 , which prevents spur gear  358  from rotating. When spur gear  358  is prevented from rotating by brake mechanism  334 , line  324 , which is wrapped around spur gear  358  in the retracted position, is prevented from extending away from or retracting into retractable leash  300 . Brake mechanism lock  336  extends through casing  320  so that brake mechanism lock  336  can be toggled on or off from each side of casing  320 . When released, brake mechanism  334  returns to the “up” position, allowing line  324  to extend and retract freely. 
         [0048]    As mentioned above, the present embodiment allows the retractable leash user to have an object, such as a pet retrieval toy, easily accessible anytime the retractable leash is present without forcing the user to hold the object in his or her hands or find other means, such as a cumbersome bag, to hold the object. This, along with the decreased size and convenient shape, increases the comfort of the user while ensuring the availability of a pet retrieval toy. 
         [0049]    While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.