Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus for coupling a human operator to a subject. In particular, the operator is provided with a leash adapted to be secured about their torso, such as by a belt and a strap to extend over a shoulder. Coupling to the subject may be performed in a variety of ways, such as by an extension leash coupled to a collar on the subject. If the subject is a human, a leash may also be worn by the subject. Further embodiments of the invention provide for manual control of the extension leash by a loop and optional automatic disconnection of the extension leash from the leash worn by the operator upon application of large tensile forces applied to the extension leash.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims priority to a U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/299,738, filed Jun. 22, 2001, entitled Leash. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/299,738 is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a leash that can be used to tether an operator to a subject. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The tethering of a subject, such as a pet, to a human has typically required that the human operator hold on to a rope or strap in order to maintain control of the pet. For example, dog leashes are typically a rope having a hook on one end for attachment to a dog collar with a loop on an opposite end to be held by a person walking the dog. Such a dog leash is required to be held by the operator during use, and forces provided by the dog tugging and lurching are transmitted through the strap to the arm of the operator. Oftentimes, this results in a yanking of the operator&#39;s arm, with uneven forces applied to a torso of the operator, potentially causing a loss of balance or overexertion of muscles in order to prevent the dog from getting away. 
     Such tugging or lurching may occur at any time while using a typical leash. Therefore, particularly with larger subjects such as large dogs, a user must remain vigilant and maintain a strong grip on the leash. This can often result in muscle fatigue and prevent a relaxing experience while walking a pet. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is adapted to be mounted to the torso of a human operator, thereby allowing for hands-free operation and distribution of forces from a subject to the torso of the operator. 
     The present invention provides an apparatus for coupling a human operator to a subject. In particular, the operator is provided with a leash adapted to be secured about their torso. Coupling to the subject may be performed in a variety of ways, such as by an extension leash coupled to a collar on the subject. If the subject is a human, a leash may also be worn by the subject. Further embodiments of the invention provide for manual control of the extension leash by a loop and optional automatic disconnection of the extension leash from the leash worn by the operator upon application of large tensile forces applied to the extension leash. 
     According to one embodiment, a leash for coupling an operator to a subject is provided having a belt adapted to extend about a torso of the operator and a first strap, coupled to the belt at two locations and adapted to extend over a shoulder of the operator. An attachment device is also provided, mounted to the first strap and adapted to couple to the subject. 
     According to another embodiment, a leash for coupling an operator to a subject is provided having a belt sized to mount about a torso of the operator, a lower strap coupled to the belt near a front of the torso and an attachment device secured to the lower strap. A first upper strap, coupled to the attachment device and adapted to extend over a shoulder of the operator and coupled to the belt is also provided along with a second upper strap coupled to the attachment device and adapted to extend over a shoulder of the operator and coupled to the belt. 
     According to another embodiment, a leash for coupling an operator to a subject is provided having a belt adapted to extend about a torso of the operator. A first and second strap are coupled to the belt at two locations and adapted to extend over a shoulders of the operator. A third strap extends between the first strap and the second strap along a front of the operator&#39;s torso. An attachment device is mounted to the third strap. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be apparent from the description herein and the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not to scale. 
     FIG. 1A illustrates a leash according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 1B illustrates the leash of FIG. 1A mounted to a human; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a leash according to a further embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a further embodiment of a leash according to the invention; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an additional embodiment of a leash according to the invention; 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of a gel pack according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6A illustrates a leash coupled to an extension leash according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6B illustrates a leash coupled to multiple extension leashes according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6C illustrates a leash coupled to multiple extension leashes and having multiple attachment devices according to an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates two leashes worn by two humans and coupled by an extension leash according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIG. 8 illustrates an extension leash according to an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention can enable hands-free coupling of an operator to a subject, while enabling comfortable control of the subject by the operator. It is within the scope of the invention for the subject to be a pet or other animal, such as a dog, or a human, such a child. 
     The first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B. A belt  100  is provided such that it may extend around the torso of a human operator  20 . The belt may be formed of elastic material or other material that does not stretch. Examples of suitable belt materials include, but are not limited to, nylon webbing and elastic webbing, such as polyester webbing, or combinations thereof. The belt  100  may optionally be provided with a buckle  150  so as to facilitate locating the belt  100  about the torso of an operator  20 . The buckle  150  may be any type of buckle, such as a slip, clasp or side-squeeze-type of buckle. According to an alternative embodiment, the buckle may be reflective. The belt  100  may further be provided with a mechanism to adjust the length of the belt. Such a mechanism may optionally be incorporated with the buckle  150  or may be a separate component enabling the belt  100  to be shortened or lengthened. 
     A strap  200  is provided to extend over a shoulder of the operator  20 . The strap  200  is mounted to the belt  100  at two locations so as to facilitate the strap  200  extending over the shoulder of the operator  20 . The strap may be formed of materials similar to those used in forming the belt  100 . The use of a non-elastic material for the construction of the strap  200  can reduce discomfort to the operator  20  by inhibiting the strap  200  from snapping back upon the torso of the operator  20  upon release of a load upon the strap  200 . In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the belt  100  and strap  200  are formed of differing colors in order to distinguish the belt  100  from the strap  200  while mounting the leash  50  to the operator  20 . In a further embodiment, the strap  200  may be padded along all or a portion of its length. In another embodiment, a reflective surface or device may be provided on the strap  200  to enhance the visibility of the strap  200  at night. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, an attachment device  300  provides a secure mounting location for coupling to a subject. The attachment device  300 , such as a loop formed into a circular structure or a D-ring structure, is mounted to the strap  200  so as to be located near the front of the torso of the operator  20 . 
     An embodiment of the invention allows for relocation of the attachment device  300 . The attachment device  300  is formed of a material, such as a metal or plastic, to enable the attachment device  300  to withstand forces applied during use of the leash  50  with a subject. The attachment device  300  may be mounted to the strap  200  as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, or may be mounted between the two portions of a strap along the path of the straps as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 2, a leash  52  according to a further embodiment of the invention is provided having a first upper strap  210  and a second upper strap  220 . As shown by way of example, an attachment device  300  is provided in a location along the front of a torso of an operator. The attachment device  300  is formed so as to allow the first upper strap  210  to be coupled to the attachment device  300  and the second upper strap  220  to be coupled to the attachment device  300 . A first lower strap  222  and a second lower strap  212  are provided to couple the attachment device  300  relative to a front portion of the belt  100 . A buckle  150  is optionally provided as described in relation to the leash  50  of FIGS. 1A and 1B. 
     According to one embodiment, any straps of the invention, such as the upper straps  210 ,  220  and lower straps  222 ,  212  may optionally be provided with reflectors  250  to assist in ensuring the leash  52  is visible to others at night. 
     According to a further embodiment, any straps of the invention, such as the upper and lower straps  210 ,  220 ,  212 ,  222  may optionally be provided with length adjusters  260  to aid in configuring the leash  52  to the size of the operator. The length adjusters  260  may be a strap lock, a VELCRO® (a registered trademark of Velcro Industries) fastener or any other device providing a length-adjustment capability. 
     According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, one or more of the straps  210 ,  212 ,  220 ,  222  may be provided with a buckle  150  or other similar device to enable the strap to be separated, thereby aiding in putting the leash  52  on or taking the leash  52  off the operator. 
     Alternative embodiments of the present invention involving variations of the number and configuration of the straps  200  are also within the scope of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, a leash  54  is provided having a first and second upper strap  210 ,  220  similar to the upper straps of the leash  52  illustrated in FIG.  2 . However, a rear connection strap  230  and a front connection strap  240  may be provided alone or in combination to enable the coupling of the first upper strap  210  and/or second upper strap  220  to the belt  100 . In the present embodiment, an attachment device  300  is illustrated as having a D-ring shape to better configure the attachment device  300  for mating with the straps  210 ,  220 ,  240 . 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, shown by way of example in FIG. 4, a leash  56  is provided with a variation of the attachment device  300  location. A first strap  216  and second strap  218  are coupled to a belt  100 . A third strap  219  is coupled between the first strap  216  and second strap  218  so as to be located along a front portion of the torso of the operator. An attachment device  300  is mounted to the third strap. 
     The straps, according to the various embodiments of the present invention, may be securely fastened to the belt  100 . For example, stitching or braiding of the straps may be performed to couple the straps to the belt  100 . According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown by way of example in FIG. 4, the straps may be formed with a loop at one or both ends of the strap. The belt is slidably mounted within the loop to couple the strap to the belt so as to allow the strap to travel along the belt  100 , thereby increasing the adjustability of the coupling location of the straps to the belt  100 . 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example of a gel pack  105  for use in padding a portion of belt  100  in contact with the torso. The gel pack  105  may be slidably located with respect to the belt  100  or may be fixedly secured to a portion of the belt  100 . A gel pack housing  107  is provided with a hook and loop fastener  108 , such as a VELCRO® (a registered trademark of Velcro Industries) fastener, to secure the gel pack housing  107  about the belt  100 . Alternatively, snaps may be used in place of the hook and loop fastener  108 , or the gel pack housing  107  may be formed without an ability to open the gel pack housing  107 . In such a case, the belt  100  could be thread through the gel pack housing  107 , or the gel pack housing  107  could be assembled with the belt  100  located therein. Optionally, a strap  200  may be coupled to the gel pack housing  107 , either by the use of a loop formed in the strap  200  or by securely fastening the strap  200  to the gel pack housing  107 , such as, for example, by stitching or braiding. 
     As shown in FIG. 6A, an embodiment of the invention involves an extension leash  400  coupled to a leash  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  of the present invention. The extension leash  400  may be formed of materials such as those discussed above in relation to the straps or belt. The extension leash  400  is configured to couple to a subject, such as by way of a collar on the subject or by way of a leash  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  mounted to the subject. As shown in FIG. 6B, the leash  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  may be used with a plurality of extension leashes  400 . According to another embodiment of the invention, the leash  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  may be provided with a plurality of attachment devices  300 . As shown by way of example in FIG. 6C, one or more of the attachment devices  300  may be provided on a strap of the leash  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . The plurality of attachment devices  300  may be used with a plurality of extension leashes  400 , including multiple extension leashes  400  with each of the attachment devices  300 . 
     In an alternative configuration, one or more human subjects may also be provided with a leash  50 . In such a case, the attachment device  300  of the leash worn by the human subject may be located along the rear of the torso of the human subject, as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     As illustrated by way of example in FIG. 8, the extension leash  400  is provided with an attachment device  480 , such as a loop or a snap hook, on each end of extension leash. The extension leash  400  may optionally be provided with a first portion  420  and a second portion  440 . As shown in FIG. 8, a first portion  420  and second portion  440  may be configured so as to be releasable at a location proximate to the leash  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  by the use of a coupling device  410 , such as a buckle. The first portion  420  may be provided with a handle  425  so as to enable manual operation of the first portion  420  when separated from the second portion  440 . The handle  425  may be formed by a flexible loop or by use of a rigid material, such as plastic, wood or metal mounted to the first portion  420 . Optionally, the first portion  420  may be provided with a variable length as illustrated in FIG.  8 . The length of the first portion  420  may be adjusted by movement of the buckle  427  along the length of the first portion  420 , thereby adjusting the size of the loop  429 . As the buckle  427  travels away from the handle  425 , the length of the first portion  420  is increased by reducing the size of the loop  429 . The buckle  427  may be any type of buckle, such as a slip, clasp or side-squeeze-type of buckle. 
     The extension leash  400  may be configured according to an alternative embodiment of the invention so as to automatically separate a first portion  420  from a second portion  440  upon a tensile force exceeding a predetermined amount. Such a configuration could provide for additional safety by preventing the operator from being pulled by very high tensile forces. Such a separation feature may be provided at any point along the length of the extension leash  400 . 
     According to a further embodiment of the invention, a separation feature may be provided within the attachment device  480  at an end of the extension leash. Therefore, the extension leash  400  could be configured to separate from the subject and remain with the operator after releasing the subject. Alternatively, the extension leash  400  could be configured to separate from the operator and remain with the subject 
     According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the extension leash  400  may be provided with a portion of its length formed of an elastic material to provide for absorption of shock forces along the length of the extension leash  400 . Alternatively, the entire length of the extension leash may be formed of an elastic material. 
     According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, multiple extension leashes  400  may be coupled to an attachment device  300 , thereby allowing multiple subjects to be coupled to a single leash  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . 
     According to a further alternative embodiment of the invention, a pocket  500  may be provided on a strap so as to secure keys, money, or other small valuables to a strap of the leash of the present invention. According to another embodiment, a cinch strap  510  may be provided to secure a bag or other small item to the leash  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . Such a cinch strap can secure a bag for later use in cleaning up pet droppings. A sample location of the pocket  500  and cinch strap  510  are illustrated in FIG.  3 . However, the invention is not so limited and the pocket  500  or cinch strap  510  may be located at any point along a strap or the belt  100  of the present invention. 
     The present invention has been described by way of example, and modifications and variations of the described embodiments will suggest themselves to skilled artisans in this field without departing from the spirit of the invention. Aspects and characteristics of the above-described embodiments may be used in combination. The described embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is to be measured by the appended claims, rather than the preceding description, and all variations and equivalents that fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.