Patent Publication Number: US-2005126510-A1

Title: Animal restraint system and universal seat buckle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This continuation application claims priority to and the full benefit of co-pending U.S. non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 10/277,443 filed Oct. 22, 2002 and entitled “Animal Restraint System and Universal Seat Buckle”, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/336,091 filed Oct. 23, 2001 entitled “Animal Restraint for a Vehicle”, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/340,115 filed Nov. 2, 2001 entitled “Improved Restraint Buckle for use in Multiple Vehicles”, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Applicant wishes to make reference to Disclosure Document No. 499,364 entitled “Animal (Dog/Cat) Restraint for Automobiles” dated Sep. 4, 2001 and requests the Disclosure Document be retained beyond the two-year time period. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to automotive restraint systems and more particularly to a pet leash with a buckle for securing to a variety of automotive seat belt keepers.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      In transporting animals or pets such as dogs and cats, it is necessary to safely restrain the animal while the vehicle is in motion to prevent harm that may occur upon a sudden stop or accident. It is also desirable to give the animal a certain degree of freedom in moving about the vehicle. The degree of freedom, however, must be limited so that the animal cannot exit the vehicle through a window or other opening while the vehicle is in motion. It is also desirable to prevent the animal from escaping when the vehicle door is opened by the user. While various harnesses have been developed for restraining animals in a vehicle, they either restrain the animal too closely to the vehicle seat with a very limited degree of freedom, or require elaborate fastening systems for fixing the harness to the vehicle.  
      A tethering arrangement for animals is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,909,154. This arrangement requires a base strap that is slipped over the back of an automobile seat. The base strap supports a ring shaped attaching member that is connected to a tethering strap. The tethering strap includes a short leash that is fixed to the ring shaped attaching member on the base strap. Snap hooks are included at both ends of the tethering strap for attaching to the ring shaped attaching member and a dog collar.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 3,310,034 discloses a pair of elongated flexible straps for fastening a harness to a pair of eyebolts anchored in the back seat of an automobile. A loop formed at one end of the harness secures the harness to the eyebolt. The other end of the strap is provided with the keeper member of a locking mechanism while the dog harness is provided with a hooked plate adapted to interlock with the keeper member. The straps also pass loosely through rings in the harness.  
      These arrangements require straps to be fixed to either the vehicle body or the vehicle seat. These assemblies include a retrofit portion for fixing to the vehicle as well as a separate portion for securing to the animal. A problem exists with these arrangements in that it may be difficult to install the elaborate fastening systems required to be fixed or retrofitted to the vehicle.  
      In the United States, there are over thirty makes of passenger vehicles available to consumers. Among these makes of passenger vehicles, each offers several models. Each of these vehicles are required to contain a passenger restraint system currently consisting of a seat belt having a buckle on one end which is securable to a keeper which is connected to the vehicle usually at a location on the floor. The buckle is designed to latch into the keeper. The keeper typically contains a release mechanism consisting of a button that may be depressed by the passenger to separate the buckle from the keeper. Since each keeper is uniquely mateable with the buckles within a vehicle and in particular a certain buckle within the vehicle, the keeper and the buckle may be a unique mateable set having dimensions for being only mated with a keeper for a particular make and model.  
      In some situations, it is desirable to utilize the keeper within a vehicle for connection to a device other than the passenger restraint device (seat belt). For example, a buckle may be attached to a tether which in turn is attached to an animal, a package, or any other object in order to secure the animal, package or object within the vehicle. In these situations, a problem exists in that a separate unique buckle must be designed and attached to such a tether in order to fit each make and model. Since there are at least thirty makes, each having multiple models currently available, manufacturing and stocking unique buckles for each make and model becomes difficult and expensive.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is therefore desirable to provide an animal restraint system that safely restrains the animal to an existing seat belt keeper.  
      In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a novel animal restraint system for securing an animal in a vehicle is provided having a length of tether with a first end with a clasp for connecting to a pet collar or harness and a second end with a first releasably connector. The first releasably connector coupleable to a mating connector, the mating connector being part of a length adjustor. The length adjustor having an opening through which a portion of tether is inserted. The tether coupled to the length adjustor and the first connector to form a loop upon which a buckle may be carried, the buckle coupleable to an automotive seat belt keeper.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a novel animal restraint system for securing an animal in a vehicle is provided having a length of tether having a first end and a second end with a clasp for connecting to a pet collar or harness being coupled about the first end. The system further having a length adjustor with a first opening through which a portion of the tether is inserted. The length adjustor coupled to the second end of the tether to form a loop for carrying a buckle, the buckle coupleable to an automotive seat belt keeper.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a novel animal restraint system for securing an animal in a vehicle is provided having a length of tether with a clasp at a first end for connecting to a pet collar or harness. The system further having a buckle with a tongue section for coupling to an automotive seat belt keeper and a length adjustor with an opening through which a portion of the tether is inserted, the length adjustor forming a second loop for restraining the buckle.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a buckle mateable with a plurality of vehicle restraint system keepers is provided having a tether restraint section and a tongue section extending from the tether restraint section, the tongue section having a slot formed therein. The tongue having an overall width of less than approximately 0.8″, a thickness of less than approximately 0.13″ and a front wall portion having a width of less than approximately 0.23″; the slot having an overall width of greater than approximately 0.52″ and a length of greater than approximately 0.99″.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a buckle is provided having a tongue section and a tether retaining section coupled to the tongue section. The tether retaining section having generally parallel first and second openings through which a tether may be inserted. The tongue section having a slot formed therein, the tongue section having a thickness of less than 0.13″, an overall width of less than approximately 0.8″, and a front wall portion having a width of less than approximately 0.23″, the slot having an overall width of greater than approximately 0.53″ and a length of greater than approximately 0.9″.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a buckle is provided having a tongue section and a tether retaining section coupled to the tongue section. The tether retaining section having generally parallel first and second openings through which a tether may be inserted, the longitudinal axis of the openings being oriented at an angle other than generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the buckle.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a novel animal restraint system for securing an animal in a vehicle is provided having a length of tether with a clasp for connecting to a pet collar or harness coupled about a first end and a buckle having a tongue section and a tether restraint section, the tongue section for coupling to an automotive seat belt keeper. The tether retaining section having generally parallel first and second openings through which a tether may be inserted.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of converting a pet leash with a clasp at a first end and a loop at a second end into a pet restraint system is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of providing a buckle having a tether restraint section with generally parallel first and second openings and a tongue section coupled to the tether restraining section and then threading a selected one of the first end and the second end of the pet leash serially through the first and second openings.  
      The above and other objects, feature, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following detailed description thereof when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first exemplary animal restraint system consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second exemplary animal restraint system consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a first buckle and a keeper consistent with the present invention;  
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are top views of the buckle of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third exemplary animal restraint system consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a length adjustor consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 7A  is a section view of a first method consistent with the present invention for coupling the length adjustor of  FIG. 6  to a length of tether;  
       FIG. 7B  is a section view of a second method consistent with the present invention for coupling the length adjustor of  FIG. 6  to a length of tether;  
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a fourth exemplary animal restraint system consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fifth exemplary animal restraint system consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 10  is a side view of a second buckle consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 10A  is a partial side view of a third buckle consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a sixth exemplary animal restraint system consistent with the present invention;  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a seventh exemplary animal restraint system consistent with the present invention; and  
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an eighth exemplary animal restraint system consistent with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  shows an animal restraint system  100  having a length of tether  102 , a length adjustor  104 , a clasp  106 , a buckle  108  and a first connector  110 . The tether material may be made of cotton, polyester, polypropylene, leather or other suitable flexible materials. The dimensions of the tether may be adjusted to accommodate larger or smaller animals.  
      The clasp  106  is preferably a snap hook and may be coupled to a first end of the tether  102  by a loop  112 . The loop  112  may be formed by inserting the tether  102  through an opening  114  in the clasp and then folding the tether back upon itself and either stitching the two pieces of tether material together or coupling them together using a mechanical fastener or adhesive. Alternatively, the tether may be mechanical or adhesively coupled to the clasp  106  without a loop. The clasp  106  may also include a swivel portion  116  that allows the clasp to rotate relative to the tether. Clasps include, but are not limited to snap hooks, quick links, screwgate and snapgate carabiner  106 ′ and  106 ′″, and mateable quick release buckles.  
      The length adjustor  104  may have an opening/s  118  through which the tether  102  may be inserted and a second connector  120 . The length adjustor  104  may be moved along the tether  102  to change the overall length of the system from the clasp  106  to the buckle  108 . The second connector  120  may be a mateable quick release buckle.  
      The first connector  110  may be coupled to a second end of the tether  102  by a loop  122 . The loop  122  may be formed by inserting the tether  102  through an opening  124  in the connector and then folding the tether back upon itself and either stitching the two pieces of tether material together or coupling them together using a mechanical fastener or adhesive. Alternatively, the tether may be mechanical or adhesively coupled to the connector  110  without a loop. The first connector  110  may be releaseably coupleable to the second connector  120  to allow a pet owner to secure the system  100  to a structure, such as a tree or fence. A loop  134  may be formed between the length adjustor  104  and the first connector  110  when the first and second connectors are coupled together. The loop  134  may provide a convenient grasping location, spaced from the clasp  106 , to allow a user to restrain his pet when the buckle  128  is separated from the keeper  126 .  
      The buckle  108  is preferably sized to fit in a variety of seat belt keepers  126 . The buckle has an opening  128  through which the tether  102  may be inserted. The buckle  108  may be carried by the loop  134 . The keeper  126  (see  FIG. 3 ) may be coupled to the vehicle by a tether  132 . The keeper may have a release mechanism  130  to separate the buckle  108  from the keeper  126 .  
       FIG. 2  shows an animal restraint system  200  having a length of tether  202 , a length adjustor  204 , a clasp  206 , and a buckle  208 . The tether  202 , the clasp  206  and the buckle  208  may be identical to those shown in  FIG. 1 .  
      The length adjustor  204 , as shown in  FIG. 6  may have a plurality of web portions  204 C,  204 D, and  204 E separated by a first opening  204 A and a second opening  204 B. The openings are sized to allow the tether  202  to be inserted there through. The length adjustor  204  may be moved along the tether  202  to change the overall length of the system from the clasp  206  to the buckle  208 . The middle web portion  204 D may be moveable relative to web portions  204 C and  204 E.  
      A loop  222  formed about the second end of the tether  202  may be coupled to one or more of the web portions.  FIG. 7A  shows the loop  222  coupled to the center web portion  204 D and  FIG. 7B  shows the loop  222  coupled to one of the outside web portions  204 C/ 204 E. The loop  222  may be formed by inserting the tether  202  through one of the openings  204 A/ 204 B in the length adjustor and then folding the tether back upon itself and either stitching the two pieces of tether material together or coupling them together using a mechanical fastener or adhesive. Alternatively, the tether may be mechanical or adhesively coupled to the length adjustor without a loop.  
      A loop  234  may be formed between the length adjustor  204  and the loop  222 . The loop  234  may provide a convenient grasping location, spaced from the clasp  206 , to allow a user to walk his pet.  
      The buckle  208  is preferably sized to fit in a variety of seat belt keepers. The buckle has an opening  228  through which the tether  202  may be inserted. The buckle  208  may be carried by the loop  234 .  
      As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the buckle portion  108 / 208  is coupleable to the seat belt keeper  126  of an automobile or other vehicle. The keeper  126  is in turn coupled to the vehicle through a tether  132 . A release mechanism  130  may be provided for releasing the buckle portion  108 / 208  from the seat belt keeper  126 .  
      As shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  the buckle  108 / 208  may include a tether retaining section  140  and a tongue section  142 . Both of these sections preferably formed of a generally planar material having a uniform thickness. The tongue section preferably having a maximum thickness of about 0.13″, and more preferably a maximum thickness of about 0.09″. The planar material is preferably metallic material, preferably steel or aluminum, or other suitably sturdy material that may be selected depending upon the weight of the object being restrained. The tether restraining section  140  may be wider (as shown in  FIG. 4A ), narrower, or the same width as the tongue section  142 . The tether retaining section  140  may have an opening  144  through which the tether  102  may be inserted. The tongue section  142  may have a slot  152  formed therein. Disposed along side the slot may be a pair of preferably parallel legs  148 . A front wall  150  may be coupled to the parallel legs  148 . The front wall  150  may optionally include lead in sections  154 . The dimensional and structural modifications are preferably selected to universally fit a variety of different vehicle makes and models. The slot  152  may extend into the opening  144 .  
      The preferred dimensions of the buckle  108 / 208  will now be described in greater detail. First, referring to  FIG. 4A , the tongue section preferably having an overall width “A” selected to be less than about 0.8″, an overall length “F” selected to be less than about 1.65″ and a material thickness selected to be less than about 0.13″, more preferably less than about 09″. The slot preferably having a width “B” selected to be greater than about 0.53″ and length “D” selected to be greater than about 0.99″. The front wall preferably having a width “C” selected to be less than about 0.23″. The front wall preferably having a lead in section width “E” selected to be less than approximately 0.17″.  
      These dimensions have been selected to allow a latch mechanism in the keepers  126  of a plurality of manufacturers&#39; vehicles to latch within the slot  152 . Although the keepers  126  are not shown here in detail, it should be understood that they comprise a slot into which the tongue section  142  fits and a latch mechanism inside the keeper for engaging the slot  152 . Also, the outer dimensions of the tongue  142  as described above are selected to fit within the plurality of vehicles make and models keeper retention slot. The angled lead in portions  154  are also angled and dimensionally selected to fit within several manufacturers&#39; vehicles&#39; keepers. It should also be understood while the improved buckle  108 / 208  are profiled to fit within a plurality of manufacturers&#39; vehicle restraint system keepers, it may lock and secure to several of these keepers while having a certain degree of play due to the dimensional tolerance of the slot  152  and its ability to fit both narrow and wide keeper latching mechanisms.  
      It should be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art that this buckle  108 / 208  may be utilized in connection with any device which is to be used as a universal vehicle accessory sold either together with or separately from the vehicle and adapted to fit multiple vehicle manufacturers&#39; makes and models.  
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment pet restraint system having organizers  260 .  
      In use, the animal restraint  100  may be adjusted to a desired length utilizing the length adjustor  104 / 204  as described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The length is adjusted to allow the animal adequate freedom of movement while preventing the animal&#39;s exit from any opening of the vehicle. The tether  102 / 202  is secured to a collar or harness on the animal by connecting the clasp  106 / 206  to a ring or other securing device on a harness or collar. The buckle portion  108 / 208  may then be coupled to the seat belt keeper  126  of an automobile in conventional fashion. It should be understood that the buckle  108 / 208  may be coupled to the seat belt keeper  126  before or after securing the clasp  106 / 206  to a collar or harness on the animal. If the buckle  108 / 208  does not securely couple to the keeper  126  in a particular vehicle, the user can simply thread the existing vehicle seat belt buckle through the loop  134 / 234  and then couple the vehicle seat belt buckle to the keeper  126 .  
       FIG. 8  shows an alternative embodiment pet restraint system  300  having a length of tether  302 , a clasp  306 , a buckle  108 / 208 . The clasp  306  may be coupled to a first end of the tether  302  by a loop  312 . Alternatively, the tether may be mechanical or adhesively coupled to the clasp  106  without a loop. The buckle  108 / 208  is preferably sized to fit in a variety of seat belt keepers  126 . The buckle  108 / 208  may be coupled to a second end of the tether  302  by a loop  322 . In this version, the overall length of the pet restraint system is nonadjustable.  
       FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment pet restraint system  400  having a length of tether  402 , a clasp  406 , a length adjustor buckle  500 , and an organizer  414 . The clasp  406  may be coupled to a first end of the tether  402  by a loop  412 . Alternatively, the tether may be mechanical or adhesively coupled to the clasp  106  without a loop. The length adjustor buckle  500  (see  FIG. 10 ) is preferably sized to fit in a variety of seat belt keepers  126 . A second end of the tether  402  may be treaded through a first opening  506  and a second opening  508  in the tether restraint section  502  of the length adjustor buckle  500 . The organizer  414  may be a ring, preferably “D” shaped. The organizer  414  may be coupled to the second end of the tether  402 . In this version, the length of the pet restraint system from the clasp  406  to the length adjustor buckle  500  is adjustable.  FIG. 11  shows an alternative embodiment pet restraint system without an organizer.  
       FIG. 10  shows a length adjustor buckle  500  having a tether retaining section  502  and a tongue section  504 . Both of these sections may be formed of a generally planar material having a uniform thickness. The tongue section preferably having a maximum thickness of about 0.13 and more preferably a maximum thickness less than about 0.09″. The planar material is preferably metallic material, preferably steel or aluminum, or other suitably sturdy material that may be selected depending upon the weight of the object being restrained. The tether restraining section  502  may be wider (as shown in  FIG. 10 ), narrower, or the same width as the tongue section  504 . The tether retaining section  502  may have a first opening  506  and a second opening  508  through which a tether may be inserted (see  FIGS. 9, 11 , and  12 ). The openings  506  and  508  may be elongated slots. The longitudinal axis of the slots may be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the buckle as shown in  FIG. 10  or the longitudinal axis of the slots may be generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the buckle as shown in  FIG. 10A . In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the slots may be at any angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the buckle. The tongue section  504  may have a slot  520  formed therein. Disposed along side the slot may be a pair of preferably parallel legs  512 . A front wall  514  may be coupled to the parallel legs  512 . The front wall  514  may optionally include lead in sections  516 . The preferred dimensions of the tongue section of the buckle  500  may be similar to those disclosed in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . The slot  520  may extend into the opening  508 . In an alternative embodiment, additional openings may be provided.  
       FIG. 12  shows an alternative embodiment pet restraint system  600  having a length of tether  602 , a clasp  606 , and a length adjustor buckle  500 . The clasp  606  may be coupled to a first end of the tether  602  by a loop  612 . Alternatively, the tether may be mechanical or adhesively coupled to the clasp  606  without a loop. The length adjustor buckle  500  is preferably sized to fit in a variety of seat belt keepers  126 . A loop  634  may be formed at the second end of the tether  602 . The loop  634  is preferably sized to allow the user&#39;s hand to extend therein. The tether  602  may be treaded through the first opening  506  and the second opening  508  in the tether restraint section  502  of the length adjustor buckle  500 . In this embodiment, the distance from the clasp  606  to the length adjustor buckle  500  is adjustable. The first and second openings  506  and  508  respectively in the length adjustor buckle  500  may be sized to allow the loop portion  634  or clasp  606  to be threaded there through. The length adjustor buckle  500  may be sold separately and may be added to an existing pet leash. In this embodiment, the user can walk a pet by connecting the pet to the pet restraining system  600  using the clasp  606  and holding the loop portion  634 . When the user gets to the vehicle for transporting the pet, the user simply inserts the length adjustor buckle  500  in the keeper  126 .  
       FIG. 13  shows an animal restraint system  700  having a length of tether  702 , a length adjustor  704 , a first clasp  706 , a buckle  208 , and a second clasp  706 ′. The first and second clasp may be the same or different. The tether  702 , the length adjustor  704 , the claps  706  and  706 ′ and the buckle  708  may be identical to those described in  FIG. 2 .  
      A loop  734  may be formed between the length adjustor  704  and a loop  722 . The loop  734  may provide a convenient grasping location, spaced from the clasp  706 , to allow a user to walk his pet. The loop  734  may carry just a buckle  708 , just a clasp  706 ′, or both a buckle  708  and a clasp  706 ′. The clasp  706 ′ may be used to secure the pet to a feature in the vehicle, such as a car seat bar.  
      It should further be understood that, while the present invention has been described in detail herein, the invention can be embodied otherwise without departing from the principles thereof, and such other embodiments are meant to come within the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.