Abstract:
A pet leash accessory assembly may be utilized with a variety of off-the-shelf accessories including, but not limited to, flashlights, pet waste bags and personal attack deterrents. The pet leash accessory assembly allows an off-the-shelf accessory to be attached at different locations on the lease, for example attached to the leash handle or strap, and to be attached to many different types of leashes, for example, flat, thin leashes and round, rope-like leashes.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/983,000, entitled “Pet Leash Accessory Assembly,” filed Apr. 23, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to a pet leash accessory assembly, which may be utilized with a variety of off-the-shelf accessories including, but not limited to, flashlights, pet waste bags and personal attack deterrents. The pet leash accessory assembly allows an off-the-shelf accessory to be attached at different locations on a leash, for example attached to the leash handle or strap, and to be attached to many different types of leashes, for example, flat, thin leashes and round, rope-like leashes. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many pet owners live in areas which require them to keep their pets on a leash when they are being walked. For example, most dog owners living in urban areas are required by law to keep their dogs restrained by a leash, and additionally, to pick up their dog&#39;s waste. Dog owners who do not have yards of their own, often must walk their dogs in the early hours of the morning or at night when it is dark. Controlling a dog while carrying pet waste bags and/or flashlights along with other necessities such as pepper spray, cell phones, purses, wallets, keys and the like, may present a challenge. Moreover, it is easy to forget or misplace all of these items, which in some instances, means that the pet owner has return home to retrieve them. 
         [0004]    Various attempts have been made to address the aforementioned challenges. Some attempts utilize an all-in-one apparatus in which the flashlight and/or waste bag is integral with the leash or the leash handle. This attempted solution can be problematic. In addition to being costly, if the flashlight, waste bag, leash, and/or leash handle breaks, then the all-in-one apparatus is no longer fit for use and the entire thing must be replaced. Some attempts have utilized a specialized flashlight that interfaces with an adapter, which allows it to be hooked to a leash. This attempted solution may also be costly, particularly because it requires that a specialized, rather than a general purpose flashlight, be used. 
         [0005]    Thus there remains a need for an apparatus that is universal, i.e., can be used with any off-the-shelf accessory (e.g., flashlights, waste bag containers, attack deterrent sprays, etc.). It would be particularly advantageous if such an apparatus could be utilized with various configurations of leashes, such as ones that are either flat and thin, flat and thick, round and rope-like, etc. Moreover, it would be advantageous if the universal adapter could be placed on the handle or on the strap of the leash. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The unique solution that addresses the aforementioned need is a new leash accessory assembly as described herein. Advantageously, the leash accessory assembly may be used to removably attach an off-the-shelf accessory to various configurations of commercially available leashes. The leash accessory assembly eliminates the need to buy specialized accessories that may be used in only one context—walking an animal on a leash. 
         [0007]    The leash accessory assembly according to the disclosure comprises: a flexible strap having a first end, a second opposing end and an intermediate portion between the first end and the second opposing end; a strap fastener disposed on the second opposing end of the strap, which is configured to wrap around the leash accessory and fasten the second opposing end of the strap to the intermediate portion of the strap once the strap has been wrapped around the leash accessory. This and other embodiments of the leash accessory assembly are set forth in greater detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a leash accessory assembly in an open configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top plan exploded view of the leach accessory assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a schematic of a leash fastener of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a strap of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 1  being coupled with the leash fastener. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the strap of  FIG. 5  coupled with the leash fastener. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 1  being coupled with a leash, showing the leash inserted within the leash fastener. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7B  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 7A , showing the leash flipped to a vertical position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7C  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 7A , showing a leash accessory positioned within the leash accessory assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7D  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 7A , showing the leash accessory assembly coupled with the leash accessory. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 1  coupled with another leash accessory. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 1  coupled with another leash accessory. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a schematic of another embodiment of a leash fastener for use with the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a schematic of another embodiment of a leash fastener for use with the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a leash accessory assembly in an open configuration. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a top plan exploded view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of a leash fastener of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of a strap of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 12  being coupled with the leash fastener. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  is a bottom perspective view of the strap of  FIG. 15  coupled with the leash fastener. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17A  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 12  being coupled with a leash, showing the leash positioned adjacent to the leash fastener. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17B  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 17A , showing a leash accessory positioned within the leash accessory assembly. 
           [0030]      FIG. 17C  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 17A , showing the strap inserted within the leash fastener. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17D  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 17A , showing the leash accessory assembly coupled with the leash accessory. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is a top plan view of another embodiment of a leash accessory assembly in an open configuration. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is a top plan exploded view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 18 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 20A  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 18  being coupled with a leash, showing the leash coupled with a strap of the leash accessory assembly. 
           [0035]      FIG. 20B  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 20A , showing a leash accessory positioned within the leash accessory assembly. 
           [0036]      FIG. 20C  is a top perspective view of the leash accessory assembly of  FIG. 20A , showing the leash accessory assembly coupled with the leash accessory. 
       
    
    
       [0037]    The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the present disclosure may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure, and together with the descriptions serve to explain the principles and concepts of the present disclosure; it being understood, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements shown. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    The following description and embodiments of the present disclosure should not be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description. As will be realized, the present disclosure may contemplate alternate embodiments than those exemplary embodiments specifically discussed herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
         [0039]    “Leash” as used herein, means a line for leading and/or restraining an animal, for example, a dog. A leash may comprise a flexible strap that is flat or round, and has a first and second ends. The first end may comprise a handle portion, which may be formed for example, by looping the flexible strap back onto itself. The second end may comprise a clasp assembly for engaging a pet collar. 
         [0040]    “Accessory” as used herein, means any device that may be useful to an individual when his or her pet is restrained by a leash. Non-limiting examples of accessories may be selected from the group of: flashlights; waste bags; personal attack deterrents, for example pepper spray or mace; wallets; tissue dispensers; dog treat containers; cell phone holders; sunscreen holders; collapsible dog bowls; water bottles; and combinations thereof 
         [0041]    “Flexible strap” as used herein, means a piece of material that is used to wrap around and secure an accessory. In some embodiments, the material is elastic. Non-limiting examples of elastic securing means may be selected from the group of: rubber straps; Velstretch® straps (Velcro USA, Inc.; Manchester, N.H.); plastic straps; and combinations thereof. 
         [0042]    “Fasteners” as used herein, means at least a pair of members that are used to fasten a flexible strap to itself. Non-limiting examples of pairs of fastening members may be selected from the group of: hook and loop fasteners; hook and eye fasteners; snaps; frogs; clips; and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the fastening member is Velcro®, from Velcro USA, Inc. (Manchester, N.H.). 
         [0043]    “Wire fastener” as used herein refers to a fastener comprising flexible strand(s) or rod(s) of metal or plastic. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , embodiments of a leash accessory assembly  100  in an open configuration and a leash accessory assembly  100  that has been disassembled are shown. The leash accessory assembly  100  comprises: a flexible strap  10  having a first end  10   a,  a second opposing end  10   b,  and an intermediate portion  10   c  between the first end  10   a  and the second opposing end  10   b.  The leash accessory assembly  100  further comprises a strap fastener  20  disposed on the second opposing end  10   b  of strap  10 , which may fasten the second opposing end  10   b  of the strap  10  to the intermediate portion  10   c  of the strap  10  once the strap  10  has been wrapped around the leash accessory (not shown). The strap fastener  20  may comprise a separate unit that is attached to the second opposing end  10   b  of the flexible strap  10  or may be integral with the second opposing end  10   b  of the flexible strap  10 . Non-limiting examples of strap fasteners that are integral with the second opposing end  10   b  of the flexible strap  10  include one member of the fasteners as described above. The second member of fastening member pair may be disposed on the intermediate portion  10   c  of the flexible strap  10 . For example, hooks may be disposed on the second opposing end  10   b  of the flexible strap  10  and eyes may be disposed on the intermediate portion  10   c  of the flexible strap  10 . Fastener(s) may be affixed to portions of the flexible strap  10  using any suitable means. Non-limiting means may be selected from the group of being: sewn on; glued on; welded on, e.g. by plastic welding; and combinations thereof. 
         [0045]    The leash accessory assembly  100  further comprises a leash fastener  200  secured to the first end  10   a  of the flexible strap  10 .  FIG. 4  shows the leash fastener  200  in more detail. As illustrated, the leash fastener  200  has a substantially J-shape such that the leash fastener  200  comprises a wire having in a first plane, a first terminal portion  201  and two legs  210   a,    210   b  extending laterally therefrom, wherein the two legs  210   a,    210   b  are bent back upon themselves in a second plane disposed above the first plane and are joined together at opposite ends of a second terminal portion  202  of the wire. In the present example, the leash fastener  200  defines a first height h 1  from a top of the leash fastener  200  to the first plane at first terminal portion  201 . This first height h 1  may be about 0.680 inches. The leash fastener  200  further defines a second height h 2  from a top of the leash fastener  200  to the second plane at the second terminal portion  202 . This second height h 2  may be about 0.52 inches. While the illustrated embodiment shows first height h 1  as being longer than second height h 2 , the first height h 1  can be equal to or shorter than the second height h 2 . For instance, the height may vary to accommodate various types of leashes that are coupled with the leash accessory assembly. The leash fastener  200  also defines a width w of about 0.760 inches and a thickness t of about 0.275 inches. A wire diameter of about 0.062 inches may be used for the leash fastener  200 . Of course, other suitable dimensions or configurations for the leash fastener  200  will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. For instance, the leash fastener  200  can have other shapes, as will be discuss in more detail below. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-6 , the leash fastener  200  may be secured to the first end  10   a  of the flexible strap  10  by looping the first end  10   a  of the flexible strap  10  around the first terminal portion  201  of the leash fastener  200  ( FIG. 5 ) and fastening the first end  10   a  of the flexible strap  10  to an intermediate portion  10   c  of the flexible strap  10  ( FIG. 6 ). The first end  10   a  of the strap  10  may then be secured to the intermediate portion  10   c  of the strap  10  to maintain the position of the leash fastener  200  relative to the strap  10 . The first end  10   a  may be secured by any suitable means. Non-limiting means may be selected from the group of being: sewn on; glued on; welded on, e.g. by plastic welding; and combinations thereof 
         [0047]    With the leash fastener  200  coupled with the strap  10 , the leash accessory assembly  100  can be used to attach one or more accessories to a pet leash. In some embodiments, the accessory may be selected from the group of: flashlights; waste bags; personal attack deterrents, for example pepper spray or mace; wallets; tissue dispensers; dog treat containers; cell phone holders; sunscreen holders; collapsible dog bowls; water bottles; and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the accessory may be off-the-shelf, i.e., not specially adapted to be connected to a dog leash. 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7A-7D , deployment of the leash accessory assembly  100  to attach a leash accessory  500 , such as an off-the-shelf flashlight, to the handle  401  of a leash  400  is shown. Referencing  FIGS. 7A and 7B , first the handle  401  of the leash is inserted into the open end, between the first terminal portion  201  and the second terminal portion  202  of the leash fastener  200 , such that it is held fast between the first and second planes of the fastener. Referencing  FIG. 7C , the leash accessory  500  is placed on a first side of the intermediate portion  10   c  of the flexible strap  10 , adjacent to the leash fastener  200 . Referencing  FIG. 7D , the flexible strap  10  is wrapped around the leash accessory  500 , over the leash fastener  200 , and the second opposing end  10   b  of the strap is fastened to a second side of the intermediate portion  10   c  of the strap  10  with strap fastener  20 . As shown in  FIG. 7D , the leash accessory  500  is now secured to the handle  401  of the leash  400  such that its user may guide the light emitted from the flashlight  500  and maintain control of the pet attached to the other end of the leash using a single hand. As described above, other leash accessories  500  may be attached to the leash  400 , such as a water bottle ( FIG. 8 ) or a cell phone ( FIG. 9 ). Other suitable leash accessories  500  will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. 
         [0049]    Alternatively or in addition to, a leash accessory  500  may be coupled to the strap  402  of the leash  400  downstream of the handle  401 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Such a leash accessory  500  may be coupled with the same method as described above for coupling the leash accessory  500  with the handle  401  of the leash  400 . While the illustrated embodiment shows a single leash accessory  500  being coupled to a leash  400  with leash accessory assembly  100 , leash accessory assembly  100  may also be used to couple two or more leash accessories  500  to a leash  400 . Other configurations for leash accessory assembly  100  will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. 
         [0050]    For instance,  FIGS. 10 and 11  show alternative embodiments for the leash fastener  200 .  FIG. 10  shows a leash fastener  1200  that is substantially similar to leash fastener  200 , except that leash fastener  1200  has a U-shaped configuration such that the leash fastener  1200  comprises a wire having in a first plane, a first terminal portion  1201  and two legs  1210   a ,  1210   b  extending laterally therefrom, wherein the two legs  1210   a,    1210   b  are bent back upon themselves in a second plane substantially equal with the first plane and are joined together at opposite ends of a second terminal portion  1202  of the wire. In the present example, the leash fastener  1200  defines a first height h 1  from a top of the leash fastener  1200  to the first plane at first terminal portion  1201 . This first height h 1  may be about 0.680 inches. The leash fastener  1200  further defines a second height h 2  from a top of the leash fastener  1200  to the second plane at the second terminal portion  1202 . This second height h 2  may also be about 0.680 inches. The leash fastener  1200  also defines a width w of about 0.760 inches and a thickness t of about 0.275 inches. A wire diameter of about 0.062 inches may be used for the leash fastener  1200 . Of course, other suitable dimensions or configurations for the leash fastener  1200  will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  shows another leash fastener  2200  that is substantially similar to leash fastener  200 , except that leash fastener  2200  has a V-shaped configuration such that the leash fastener  2200  comprises a wire having in a first plane, a first terminal portion  2201  and two legs  2210   a,    2210   b  extending laterally therefrom, wherein the two legs  2210   a,    2210   b  are bent back upon themselves in a second plane substantially equal with the first plane and are joined together at opposite ends of a second terminal portion  2202  of the wire. In the present example, the leash fastener  2200  defines a first height h 1  from a top of the leash fastener  2200  to the first plane at first terminal portion  2201 . This first height h 1  may be about 0.680 inches. The leash fastener  2200  further defines a second height h 2  from a top of the leash fastener  2200  to the second plane at the second terminal portion  2202 . This second height h 2  may also be about 0.680 inches. While the illustrated embodiment shows the first height h 1  as being substantially equal to the second height h 2 , the first height h 1  can be longer or shorter than the second height h 2 . The leash fastener  2200  also defines a width w of about 0.760 inches and a thickness t of about 0.275 inches. A wire diameter of about 0.062 inches may be used for the leash fastener  2200 . Of course, other suitable dimensions or configurations for the leash fastener  2200  will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 12-13  show another alternative embodiment of a leash accessory assembly  100  that is similar to the leash accessory assembly described above, except that the leash accessory assembly shown in  FIGS. 12-13  comprises an alternative embodiment of a leash fastener  1300 . As best seen in  FIG. 14 , the leash fastener  1300  has a “figure  8 ” configuration such that the leash fastener  1300  comprises a wire having a first terminal portion  1301 , a second terminal portion  1302 , and an intermediate terminal portion  1303 . The leash fastener  1300  defines a first slot  1311  between the first terminal portion  1301  and the intermediate terminal portion  1303 . The leash fastener  1300  further defines a second slot  1312  between the second terminal portion  1302  and the intermediate terminal portion  1303 . Of course, other suitable dimensions or configurations for the leash fastener  1300  will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 15-16 , the leash fastener  1300  may be secured to the first end  10   a  of the flexible strap  10  by inserting the first end  10   a  of the flexible strap  10  through the first slot  1311  and looping the first end  10   a  of the flexible strap  10  around the first terminal portion  1301  of the leash fastener  1300  ( FIG. 15 ). The first end  10   a  of the flexible strap  10  is then fastened to an intermediate portion  10   c  of the flexible strap  10  ( FIG. 16 ). The first end  10   a  of the strap  10  may then be secured to the intermediate portion  10   c  of the strap  10  to maintain the position of the leash fastener  1300  relative to the strap  10 . The first end  10   a  may be secured by any suitable means. Non-limiting means may be selected from the group of being: sewn on; glued on; welded on, e.g. by plastic welding; and combinations thereof 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17A-17D , deployment of the leash accessory assembly  100  to attach a leash accessory  500 , such as an off-the-shelf flashlight, to the handle  401  of a leash  400  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 17A , the handle  401  of the leash  400  is positioned adjacent to the leash fastener  1300  on a first side of the intermediate portion  10   c  of the strap  10 . The leash accessory  500  is then placed adjacent to the handle  401  of the leash  400  on the first side of the intermediate portion  10   c  of the flexible strap  10 , as shown in  FIG. 17B . Referencing  FIG. 17D , the flexible strap  10  is wrapped around the leash accessory  500  and the second opposing end  10   b  of the strap  10  is inserted within the second slot  1312  of the leash fastener  1300 . The second opposing end  10   b  of the strap  10  is then looped around the second terminal portion  1302  and fastened to a second side of the intermediate portion  10   c  of the strap  10  with strap fastener  20 . As shown in  FIG. 17D , the leash accessory  500  is now secured to the handle  401  of the leash  400  such that its user may guide the light emitted from the flashlight  500  and maintain control of the pet attached to the other end of the leash using a single hand. As described above, other leash accessories  500  may be attached to the leash  400 . 
         [0055]    In some embodiments, the leash fastener  200 ,  1200 ,  2200 ,  1300  is integral with the strap  10 . For instance,  FIGS. 18-19  show another alternative embodiment of a leash accessory assembly  1000  that is similar to the leash accessory assembly  100 , except that the first end  1010   a  of the strap  1010  is used as the leash fastener. Referring now to  FIGS. 20A-20C , deployment of the leash accessory assembly  1000  to attach a leash accessory  500 , such as an off-the-shelf flashlight, to the handle  401  of a leash  400  is shown. As shown in  FIG. 20A , the first end  1010   a  of the strap  1010  is attached to the handle  401  of the leash. The first end  1010   a  of the strap  1010  may be affixed to portions of the leash  400  using any suitable means. Non-limiting means may be selected from the group of being: sewn on; glued on; welded on, e.g. by plastic welding; and combinations thereof. 
         [0056]    The leash accessory  500  is then placed adjacent to the handle  401  of the leash  400  on the first side of the intermediate portion  1010   c  of the flexible strap  1010 , as shown in  FIG. 20B . Referencing  FIG. 20C , the flexible strap  1010  is wrapped around the leash accessory  500 , over the first end  1010   a,  and the second opposing end  1010   b  of the strap is fastened to a second side of the intermediate portion  1010   c  of the strap  1010  with strap fastener  2000 . As shown in  FIG. 20C , the leash accessory  500  is now secured to the handle  401  of the leash  400  such that its user may guide the light emitted from the flashlight  500  and maintain control of the pet attached to the other end of the leash using a single hand. 
         [0057]    Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of any claims that may be presented and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.