Patent Publication Number: US-2022217947-A1

Title: Robust leash marking systems and methods

Description:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a leash configuration system as a completed leash made of a plurality of straps in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a facility in which straps have been placed on a platen of a commercial heat press in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an augmented leash handle assembly in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates other leash handle structure in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates additional leash handle structure in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a manufacturing flow in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another leash configuration aspect in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates yet another leash configuration aspect in which one or more technologies may be implemented. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” and the like are used repeatedly. Such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. The terms “comprising,” “having,” and “including” are synonymous, unless the context dictates otherwise. 
     “About,” “across,” “additional,” “adjacent,” “adjusted,” “affixed,” “along,” “alternatively,” “another,” “arranged,” “augmented,” “before,” “between,” “between,” “big,” “both,” “by virtue of,” “central,” “comprising,” “configured,” “directly,” “distal,” “endmost,” “engaged,” “enough,” “exceeding,” “extending,” “first,” “for,” “formed,” “having,” “heated,” “indirectly,” “intermediate,” “longer,” “medium-sized,” “more,” “narrower,” “obtained,” “of,” “opposite,” “proximal,” “roughly,” “safely,” “second,” “shorter,” “strength-indicative,” “thereon,” “thinner,” “third,” “through,” “unsuitable,” “using,” “via,” “weak,” “wherein,” “wide,” “within,” “without,” or other such descriptors herein are used in their normal yes-or-no sense, not merely as terms of degree, unless context dictates otherwise. In light of the present disclosure those skilled in the art will understand from context what is meant by “configured” or “enough” and by other such relational descriptors used herein. As used herein two quantities are “about” equal if they differ by a factor of less than two and they are “roughly” equal if they differ by a factor of less than five. Other descriptors as used but not explicitly defined herein will all be adequately clear and definite from context, in light of teachings herein. 
     Reference is now made in detail to the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the drawings. While embodiments are described in connection with the drawings and related descriptions, there is no intent to limit the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents. In alternate embodiments, additional devices, or combinations of illustrated devices, may be added to, or combined, without limiting the scope to the embodiments disclosed herein. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a leash configuration system  100  as a completed dog leash comprising a plurality of straps  141 ,  142  at least one of which has been robustly customized with a commercial heat press (e.g. see  FIG. 2 ). The assembled leash has an intermediate handle  152  that a user  10  may prefer for greater control in crowded spaces. The assembled leash is longer than the heat press platens used for such customization, but the component straps  141 ,  142  thereof each have a length  132  that is shorter than the platens. The straps form a D-shaped assembly such that a (proximal) longer portion of the first strap  141  comprises a handle  152  and a (distal) shorter portion of the second strap  142  comprises a corresponding handle support  162 . Stitched joints  174 ,  175  are formed at opposite ends of the handle  152  and support  162  such that the length  183  of the handle  152  exceeds that of the support  162  by about 2 cm. As shown each strap has a width  131  of about 2 cm and a length  132  of about 80 cm. Even for a lightweight leash (e.g. having a nominal strap thickness of 1.2 mm or less) an especially secure connection is formed by providing a single strap  141  extending all the way from a distal end portion  191  and also through the first handle  152 . The straps may be a woven material in which a substantial component  135  is polyester (i.e. more than 40% by weight). 
       FIG. 2  depicts a factory or other facility  200  in which a worker  20  is preparing to heat at least first and second straps  241 ,  242  (e.g. to apply one or more images thereon) in a commercial heat press  218 . As shown each strap lies flat adjacent a heat press platen  219  or between platens. Commercial-grade platen lengths  289  are shorter than almost any dog leash, previously making this application untenable because inadequately uniform heating would cause a simple leash to undergo substantial enough heat-discoloration gradients to become noticeable along the leash. This can occur, for example, in a context in which no unheated image application technologies would create adequately cost-effective image placement that is both sharp and durable. A replicated occasion-specific image or novelty image, for example, may be deposited via a printer in sublimation ink onto transfer paper  215  above or below (or both) one or more straps to be marked. 
     As used herein a “length” of a strap refers to its longest dimension unless context dictates otherwise. The “length” of a platen or other item, however, refers to its dimension (nominally) along a strap unless context dictates otherwise. In some contexts, for example, a platen may have a width that is greater than its length. Also as used herein items may be “adjacent” if they are within 2 centimeters even if paper, fabric, or other thin layers of material are situated between them. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a handle assembly  300  in which the first strap  241  or the second strap  242  (or both) of  FIG. 2  has been marked with lettering or other images with a heat treatment, making it much easier and more natural for a user  10  to grip. As shown the handle assembly  300  has joints  374 ,  375  at each end thereof so that the handle  352  has a length  383  that is greater than a length  384  of the corresponding support  362  by roughly 2 centimeters. This can occur, for example, in a context in which the straps  241 ,  242  each have a respective (nominal) thickness  303  of 0.6 to 1.1 millimeters and a width  131  of 1.8 to 2.6 centimeters; and in which such a lightweight first strap  241  would not be suitable for managing a big dog without an augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  as described herein. This can occur, for example, in a context in which a less-augmented design would otherwise allow the more-distal joint  174 ,  374  to suffer damage or fail when in use with a strong dog trying to chase a squirrel. Alternatively or additionally, in some contexts, handle assembly  300  may be configured so that an (instance of) image  133  is placed and (at least part of) the second strap  242  are affixed to opposite surfaces  301 ,  302  of the first strap  241 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts another view of the handle assembly  300  of  FIG. 3 , on in which a vicinity of the first joint  374  (comprising one or more instances of adhesives  411 , rows  412  of stitches, or rivets  413 ) is magnified. Joint  374  is where an end portion  491 A of the second strap  242  is directly or otherwise coupled adjacent a midsection  492 A of the first strap  241  (near a proximal end thereof). In this configuration numerous fibers  471  (i.e. hundreds or more) of said first strap  241  each extend between a distal end portion (i.e. farthest from a human leash user  10 ) of said first strap  241  continuously and through the first handle  352  thereof but no single fiber  472  extends between (any part of) the corresponding support  362  and the opposite (distal) end portion of said first strap  241 . Moreover an image  433  as shown has been durably affixed (e.g. by a heat press  218  like that of  FIG. 2 ) onto an outward-facing surface  302  (i.e. opposite an interior) of the handle assembly  300 . 
       FIG. 5  depicts another view of the handle assembly  300  of  FIG. 3 , focusing on a vicinity of the second joint  375 . Joint  375  is where an end portion  491 B of the first strap  241  is directly or otherwise coupled adjacent a midsection  492 B of the second strap  242  (several centimeters away from a distal end thereof). Moreover a proximal end of image  433  has been durably affixed (e.g. by a heat press  218  like that of  FIG. 2 ) onto an outward-facing surface  302  of the handle assembly  300 . 
       FIG. 600  illustrates an operational flow  600  (e.g. performed by one or more workers  20 ) suitable for use with at least one embodiment. As will be recognized by those having ordinary skill in the art, not all events of sourcing, manufacture, distribution, or use are illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Rather, for clarity, only those steps reasonably relevant to durable labeling and handle assemblies are shown and described. Those having ordinary skill in the art will also recognize the present embodiment is merely one exemplary embodiment and that variations on the present embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the broader inventive concept set forth in the clauses and claims below. 
     Operation  610  describes obtaining two or more straps for use in a leash assembly. This can occur, for example, in a context in which all of the component straps for a given assembly  300  are cut from a single roll (e.g. with a hot knife). 
     Operation  620  describes marking at least the first strap with a first image via a heat press having one or more heated platens adjacent an entire length of the first strap. This can occur, for example, in a context in which at least one of the straps was cut short enough to fit entirely within a commercial heat press  218 ; in which transfer paper  215  is used for placing one or more images  133 ,  433  (e.g. on both surfaces  301 ,  302  of a given strap  241 ,  242 ) including the first image simultaneously. Alternatively or additionally, the first image  133  may comprise a strength-indicative rating or other design specification (e.g. a maximum dog weight for which the leash is deemed safe), a composition identifier, or a source identifier. 
     Operation  630  describes constructing a D-shaped handle assembly to include a first joint, a second joint, part of the first strap forming a handle extending between the first joint and the second joint, and part of the second strap forming a corresponding handle support also extending between the first joint and the second joint. This can occur, for example, in a context in which a length of a leash-midsection handle exceeds a length of the corresponding handle support by about 2 centimeters or in which the first image and the second strap are on opposite surfaces of the first strap (or both). 
     Operation  640  describes using the D-shaped handle assembly as a central component of a leash that is longer than the one or more heated platens. This can occur, for example, in a context in which such a strong connection between the handle and the distal end could not otherwise be achieved with such cost-effective slender and thin straps and in which the distal end is configured generally as shown in  FIG. 7 . Alternatively or additionally, a proximal end of the resulting leash may be configured generally as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a leash configuration system  700  that can include an intermediate handle assembly  300  (as described above) or can implement a distal end of system  100  (or both). Strap  741  as shown in  FIG. 7  is a (distal) “first” strap  141 ,  241  like those described above and can include some or all features of strap  141  as shown in  FIG. 1  or of strap  241  as shown in  FIGS. 2-5  (or both). As shown an endmost portion of the “first” strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  has passed through a ring  787  of a swivel snap hook with a hook  728  and jaw  729  as shown. The jaw  729  is spring-biased outward so that no fine manipulation is needed when engaging a ring (e.g. of a leash or harness) worn by a dog. A (distal) second handle assembly is shown in which an endmost strap portion serves as a distal second handle  752  and in which a strap midsection serves as a corresponding support  762 . As shown the second handle assembly has joints  774 ,  775  at each end thereof so that the handle  752  has a length  383  that is greater than a length  384  of the corresponding support  762  by roughly 2 centimeters. This can occur, for example, in a context in which strap  741  has a (nominal) thickness of 0.6 to 1.1 millimeters or a width of 1.8 to 2.6 centimeters (or both). A distal D-type handle  752  of this general type typically will not be as vulnerable and failure-prone as an intermediate D-type handle of similar design in actual use. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a leash configuration system  800  that can likewise include an intermediate/central handle assembly  300  (as described above) or can implement a distal end of system  100  (or both). Strap  842  as shown in  FIG. 8  is a more-proximal “second” strap  142 ,  242  like those described above and can include some or all features of strap  142  as shown in  FIG. 1  or of strap  242  as shown in  FIGS. 2-5  (or both). As shown a proximal endmost portion  892  of the “second” strap  142 ,  242 ,  842  extends through a ring  887  and a (male) first snap-clip component  881 . The ring  887  is secured to the “second” strap  142 ,  242 ,  842  by a pair of joints  874 ,  875  one of which joints  874  also secures the first snap-clip component  881  to the intermediate/central handle assembly  300 . A third strap  843  is affixed to the “second” strap  142 ,  242 ,  842  with another joint  876  as shown. Yet another joint  877  affixes an opposite end of the third strap  843  with a (female) second snap-clip component  882 , making the resulting system  800  ideal for hitching a dog to a stationary post, loop, or other suitable docking fixture around which the snap-clip components  881 ,  882  can engage. When departing, the snap-clip components  881 ,  882  can then be separated, removed from the docking fixture, and re-engaged to form a proximal looped handle. Alternatively or additionally, one or more straps  741 ,  842 ,  843  of a 3-strap leash may have been customized or otherwise durably marked before assembly as described above with reference to a commercial heat press  218  like that of  FIG. 2 . 
     In light of teachings herein, numerous existing techniques may be applied for configuring structures and materials as described herein without undue experimentation. See, e.g., U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/624,314 (“Animal harness with attachable garment”); U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/589,517 (“Metal photographic plate with carrier and method of use”); U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/028,856 (“Protective shields for protecting the limbs of injured animals”); U.S. Pat. No. 9,861,183 (“Equipment carrier with extensible tether”); U.S. Pat. No. 9,617,726 (“Butt joint flashing system”); U.S. Pat. No. 9,609,845 (“Portable pet carrier restraint system”); U.S. Pat. No. 9,247,717 (“Retractable flat belt reflective pet leash”); U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,560 (“Surf leash and method of making surf leash”); U.S. Pub. No. 2017/0068270 (“Improved support for a portable computer”); and U.S. Pub. No. 2015/0296743 (“Pet treat dispensing container with cap fastener”). These documents are incorporated herein by reference to the extent not inconsistent herewith. 
     With respect to the numbered clauses and claims expressed below, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise. Also in the numbered clauses below, specific combinations of aspects and embodiments are articulated in a shorthand form such that (1) according to respective embodiments, for each instance in which a “component” or other such identifiers appear to be introduced (with “a” or “an,” e.g.) more than once in a given chain of clauses, such designations may either identify the same entity or distinct entities; and (2) what might be called “dependent” clauses below may or may not incorporate, in respective embodiments, the features of “independent” clauses to which they refer or other features described above. 
     CLAUSES 
     1. (Independent) A handle assembly  300  or other leash configuration method (e.g. implemented in flow  600 ) using a heat press  218  having one or more heat press platens  219  with a (nominal) length  289  (“L”), the method comprising: 
     obtaining a plurality of straps including a first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  and a second strap  142 ,  242 ,  842  at least one of which comprises a particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  with (at least) a first image  133 ,  433  affixed thereon via a heat press  218  with an entire length  132  thereof placed (nominally) along/adjacent a length  289  of (at least one of) the one or more heat press platens  219 ; and 
     constructing a first handle assembly  300  to include a first joint  174 ,  374  and a second joint  175 ,  375  and part of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  forming a first handle  152 ,  352  extending between the first joint  174 ,  374  and the second joint  175 ,  375  and part of the second strap  142 ,  242 ,  842  forming a corresponding first handle support  162 ,  362  also extending between the first joint  174 ,  374  and the second joint  175 ,  375  so that a length  183 ,  383  of the first handle  152 ,  352  exceeds a length  384  of the first handle support  162 ,  362 . 
     2. The method of any of the above CLAUSES wherein the constructing the first handle assembly  300  comprises: 
     causing a length  183 ,  383  of the first handle  152 ,  352  to exceeds a length  384  of the first handle support  162 ,  362  by roughly 2 centimeters (i.e. by more than 4 mm and by less than 10 centimeters). 
     3. The method of any of the above CLAUSES wherein the constructing the first handle assembly  300  comprises: 
     causing a length  183 ,  383  of the first handle  152 ,  352  to exceeds a length  384  of the first handle support  162 ,  362  by about 2 centimeters (i.e. by more than 1 centimeter and by less than 4 centimeters). 
     4. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     using the first handle assembly  300  as a central component of a one-off leash (e.g. as a completed leash configuration system  100 ,  700 ,  800  having a total length T&gt;L) that is longer than the one or more heat press platens  219 . 
     5. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     using the first handle assembly  300  as a central component of a small-run leash (i.e. in a manufacturing project in which fewer than 500 leashes with nominally identical labeling are made in a single batch). 
     6. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     using the first handle assembly  300  as a central component of a small-run leash (i.e. in a manufacturing project) in which fewer than 50 leashes with nominally identical labeling are made in a single batch. 
     7. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     configuring the first handle assembly  300  so that the length  183 ,  383  of the first handle  152 ,  352  exceeds the length  384  of the first handle support  162 ,  362  by more than 1.5 cm and less than 4 cm. 
     8. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     configuring the first handle assembly  300  so that the length  183 ,  383  of the first handle  152 ,  352  exceeds the length  384  of the first handle support  162 ,  362  by more than 1 cm and less than 5 cm. 
     9. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material that is primarily a synthetic resin (i.e. more than 50% by weight). 
     10. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material that is primarily a synthetic resin (i.e. more than 50% by weight). 
     11. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material that is more than 60% polyester by weight. 
     12. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material that is more than 60% polyester by weight. 
     13. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material that comprises more than 80% by weight of at least one of polyester or nylon. 
     14. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material that comprises more than 80% by weight of at least one of polyester or nylon. 
     15. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material having a (nominal) thickness  303  of about 0.9 millimeters. 
     16. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material having a (nominal) thickness  303  of about 0.9 millimeters. 
     17. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material that is (thin, narrow, or otherwise) weak enough as to be unsuitable for managing a big dog (i.e. more than 60 lbs.) without an augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  as described herein but in which a strength-indicative rating (e.g. “okay for dogs up to 70 lbs.”) of a leash that includes the augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  signals that some such dogs may nevertheless be managed. 
     18. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material that is (thin, narrow, or otherwise) weak enough as to be unsuitable for managing a big dog (i.e. more than 60 lbs.) without an augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  as described herein but in which a strength-indicative rating (e.g. “okay for dogs up to 70 lbs.”) of a leash that includes the augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  signals that some such dogs may nevertheless be managed. 
     19. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising:
         making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material that is (thin, narrow, or otherwise) weak enough as to be (nominally or effectively) unsuitable for managing a medium-size dog (i.e. more than 30 lbs.) without an augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  as described herein but in which a strength-indicative rating (e.g. “not for use with dogs more than 40 lbs.”) of a leash that includes the augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  signals that some such dogs may nevertheless be managed.       

     20. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material that is (thin, narrow, or otherwise) weak enough as to be (nominally or effectively) unsuitable for managing a medium-size dog (i.e. more than 30 lbs.) without an augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  as described herein but in which a strength-indicative rating (e.g. “not for use with dogs more than 40 lbs.”) of a leash that includes the augmented intermediate handle assembly  300  signals that some such dogs may nevertheless be managed. 
     21. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material (nominally) at most 1.1 mm thick. 
     22. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material (nominally) at most 1.1 mm thick. 
     23. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material (nominally) at most 1.0 mm thick. 
     24. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material (nominally) at most 1.0 mm thick. 
     25. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material at least 0.6 mm thick. 
     26. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material at least 0.6 mm thick. 
     27. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material at least 0.8 mm thick. 
     28. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material at least 0.8 mm thick. 
     29. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  wider than 1.3 cm. 
     30. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  wider than 1.3 cm. 
     31. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  wider than 1.8 cm. 
     32. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  wider than 1.8 cm. 
     33. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  from a material having a width  131  of about 2 cm. 
     34. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  from a material having a width  131  of about 2 cm. 
     35. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  narrower than 2.6 cm. 
     36. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     making the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  narrower than 2.6 cm. 
     37. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     using the first handle assembly  300  as a central component (i.e. spanning a midsection) of a leash (e.g. as a completed leash configuration system  100 ,  700 ,  800  having a total length T&gt;L) that is longer than the one or more heat press platens  219 , comprising:
         allowing a distal end portion  191  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  to (pass or otherwise) extend through a swivel snap jaw ring  787 ; and   coupling the swivel snap jaw ring  787  to the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  by forming a joint  774  across the distal end portion within 5 centimeters of the swivel snap jaw ring  787 .       

     38. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     using the first handle assembly  300  as a central component of a leash (e.g. as a completed leash configuration system  100 ,  700 ,  800  having a total length T&gt;L) that is longer than the one or more heat press platens  219 , comprising:
         allowing a distal end portion  191  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  to (pass or otherwise) extend through a swivel snap jaw ring  787 ; and   coupling the swivel snap jaw ring  787  to the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  by forming a joint  774  across the distal end portion within 5 centimeters of the swivel snap jaw ring  787 .       

     39. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     using the first handle assembly  300  as a central component of a leash (e.g. as a completed leash configuration system  100 ,  700 ,  800  having a total length T&gt;L) that is longer than the one or more heat press platens  219 , comprising:
         allowing a distal end portion  191  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  to (pass or otherwise) extend through a swivel snap jaw ring  787 ;   coupling the swivel snap jaw ring  787  to the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  by forming a joint  774  across the distal end portion within 5 centimeters of the swivel snap jaw ring  787 ; and   constructing a second handle assembly  300  to include a first joint  774  and a second joint  775  and part of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  forming a second handle  752  and part of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  forming a second handle support  762 , wherein the second handle  752  and the second handle support  762  each extend between the first and second joints  774 ,  775  of the second handle assembly  300 .       

     40. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     using the first handle assembly  300  as a central component of a leash (e.g. as a completed leash configuration system  100 ,  700 ,  800  having a total length T&gt;L with no components  881 ,  882  disengaged) that is longer than the one or more heat press platens  219 , comprising:
         allowing a proximal end portion  892  of the second strap  842  to (pass through or otherwise) extend through a first snap clip component  881 ,  882 ; and   allowing a first end portion of a third strap  843  to (pass through or otherwise) extend through a second snap clip component (e.g. as shown or reversing the components  881 - 882  as shown) configured to click together with the first snap clip component  881 ,  882 .       

     41. The method of any of the above CLAUSES comprising: 
     using the first handle assembly  300  as a central component of a leash that is longer than the one or more heat press platens  219 , comprising:
         allowing a proximal end portion  892  of the second strap  842  to (pass through or otherwise) extend through a first snap clip component  881 ,  882 ;   allowing a first end portion of a third strap  843  to (pass through or otherwise) extend through a second snap clip component (e.g. as shown or reversing the components  881 - 882  as shown) configured to click together with the first snap clip component  881 ,  882 ; and   forming a more-proximal additional handle by constructing a joint  876  that affixes a proximal portion  892  (e.g. as shown in  FIG. 8 ) of the second strap with a second end portion of the third strap  843  that is opposite to the first end portion of the third strap  843 .       

     42. (Independent) A handle assembly  300  or other leash configuration system  100 ,  700 ,  800  made using a heat press  218  having one or more heat press platens  219  with a (nominal) length  289 , the system  100 ,  700 ,  800  comprising: 
     a plurality of straps including a first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  and a second strap  142 ,  242 ,  842 , at least one of which comprises a particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843  with at least a first image  133 ,  433  affixed thereon via the heat press  218  with an entire length  132  thereof placed (nominally) along/adjacent a length  289  of (at least one of) the one or more heat press platens  219 ; and 
     a first handle assembly  300  configured to include a first joint  174 ,  374  and a second joint  175 ,  375  and part of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  forming a first handle  152 ,  352  extending between the first joint  174 ,  374  and the second joint  175 ,  375  and part of the second strap  142 ,  242 ,  842  forming a corresponding first handle support  162 ,  362  also extending between the first joint  174 ,  374  and the second joint  175 ,  375  so that a length  183 ,  383  of the first handle  152 ,  352  exceeds a length  384  of the first handle support  162 ,  362  by roughly 2 centimeters (i.e. by more than 4 millimeters and less than 10 centimeters). 
     43. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first and second joints  174 ,  175  of the first handle assembly  300  each comprise one or more adhesives  411 . 
     44. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first and second joints  374 ,  375  of the first handle assembly  300  each comprise one or more rows  412  of stitches. 
     45. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first and second joints  174 ,  175 ,  374 ,  375  of the first handle assembly  300  each comprise one or more rivets  413 . 
     46. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first and second joints  174 ,  175 ,  374 ,  375  of the first handle assembly  300  each comprise one or more staples. 
     47. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first and second joints  174 ,  175 ,  374 ,  375  of the first handle assembly  300  each comprise one or more clasps. 
     48. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first image  133 ,  433  comprises a strength-indicative rating (e.g. marked with “up to 50 lb. dogs” or the like) pertaining to some or all of the leash configuration system. 
     49. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first image  133 ,  433  comprises a source identifier (e.g. a trademark identifying a maker or distributor of the leash). 
     50. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first image  133 ,  433  comprises a composition identifier (e.g. marked with “100% polyester” or the like) or other design specification pertaining to some or all of the leash configuration system. 
     51. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein (at least part of) the first image  133 ,  433  and (at least part of) the second strap  142 ,  242 ,  842  are on opposite surfaces  301 ,  302  of the first strap  141 ,  241 . 
     52. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first (contiguous or other) image  133 ,  433  is longer than 10 cm along the particular strap  141 ,  142 ,  241 ,  242 ,  741 ,  842 ,  843 . 
     53. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES whereby a more durable tethering (in terms of tension before failure) is maintained from a distal end portion  191  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  to the first handle  152 ,  352  than to the first handle support  162  by virtue of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  extending all the way from the distal end portion  191  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  through the first handle  152 ,  352 . 
     54. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein many fibers  471  (i.e. dozens or more) of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  each extend from a distal end portion  191  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  continuously through the first handle  152 ,  352 . 
     55. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein many fibers  471  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  each extend from a distal end portion  191  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  continuously through the first handle  152 ,  352  but in which no fiber extends from the distal end portion  191  of the first strap  141 ,  241 ,  741  continuously through (any part of) the first handle support  162 ,  362 . 
     56. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES comprising: 
     a third strap  843  directly or otherwise coupled to the second strap  142 ,  742 ,  842 ; wherein a second image heat-pressed upon one of the straps comprises at least one of a strength-indicative rating or a source identifier. 
     57. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES comprising: 
     a third strap  843  directly or otherwise coupled to the second strap  142 ,  742 ,  842 ; wherein a second image heat-pressed upon one of the straps comprises a strength-indicative rating. 
     58. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein another image heat-pressed upon one of the straps comprises a composition identifier (e.g. “100% polyester”). 
     59. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first strap is more than 40% polyester by weight. 
     60. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the first strap is more than 80% polyester by weight. 
     61. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the system comprises a completed leash longer than 1.25 meters. 
     62. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the system includes a swivel snap hook  728  at a distal end thereof (i.e. farthest from a user of the system  100 ,  700 ,  800 ). 
     63. The system  100 ,  700 ,  800  of any of the above SYSTEM CLAUSES wherein the second strap  142 ,  242 ,  842 ,  842  directly engages a first snap-clip component  881 , wherein a third strap  843  directly engages a second snap-clip component  882 , and wherein the first snap-clip component  881  directly engages the second snap-clip component  882  (generally) at a proximal end of a leash comprising the system  100 ,  700 ,  800 . 
     While various system, method, article of manufacture, or other embodiments or aspects have been disclosed above, also, other combinations of embodiments or aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the above disclosure. The various embodiments and aspects disclosed above are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the final claim set that follows.