Patent Publication Number: US-2017367301-A1

Title: Animal training and control devices

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM AND REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority under all applicable laws, treaties and regulations, to U.S. pending application Ser. No. 15/150,380 filed on May 9, 2016 titled “ANIMAL TRAINING AND CONTROL DEVICE” which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/795,260, filed on Mar. 12, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,733. The subject matter of these documents is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The disclosure relates to animal training and control devices. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Various types of animal training and control devices are known. Such devices are used to control and guide animals, such as dogs. The prior art is replete with collar devices or harnesses which are secured around the body and/or the neck of the dog. 
     The prior art suffers from a number of disadvantages, many relating to the physical impact of control devices on the animal For example, typical dog collar structures may cause physical discomfort to the animal by transferring control and pulling forces to the animal&#39;s trachea or other sensitive or vital parts of the animal&#39;s body. In addition, known collar and harness structures are often configured with the comfort and usefulness of the human owner in mind while ignoring comfort and beneficial effects on the animal. 
     There is thus a need for animal control and training devices which address the aforementioned shortcomings and others in the prior art including providing safety, comfort and therapeutic effects to the animal as well as improved control by those seeking to train and control the animal. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect, a dog collar includes a member for positioning on the front of a dog. The member includes first and second sections extending along the dog&#39;s neck on opposite sides thereof. The member further includes a first end for positioning beneath the dog&#39;s lower chin and a second end for positioning adjacent the dog&#39;s chest. The first and second ends connect the first and second sections to form a closed loop having a central opening overlying the dog&#39;s trachea. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the dog collar further includes a strap for positioning adjacent the back of the dog&#39;s neck. The strap has a first end connected to the first member and a second end connected to the first member. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second sections each include a first end and a second end. A third section extends at an angle from the first end of the first section and is connected to the first end of the member. A fourth section extends at an angle from the first end of the second section and is connected to the first end of the member. The angle in certain embodiments is between approximately 135 degrees to 140 degrees. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the collar further includes a fifth section extending from the second end of the first section at an angle thereto. The fifth section is connected to the second end of the member. A sixth section extends at an angle from the second end of the second section and is connected to the second end of the member. The angle in certain embodiments of the invention is between approximately 145 degrees to 150 degrees. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, an animal training and control device is provided which eliminates control and training forces from being applied to the animal&#39;s tracheal region. The device may form a loop or open area around the animal&#39;s tracheal region and have a shape that distributes control forces to strategic touch points on the animal&#39;s body. These touch points may include lateral areas of the animal&#39;s neck, where a snug fit of the device may put slight pressure on the muscles in the lateral neck area of the animal and bring a sense of comfort, soothing and calming. Touch points may also include the chest area of the animal, typically where the animal has the largest concentration of nerves and sensitivity. Touch points may include an area under the chin of the animal, where pressure may reduce the tendency of the animal to bite or bark. According to an aspect of the disclosure, the device provides a loop construction which may include a chest-engaging section, two lateral neck engaging sections and a chin engaging section extending between the two neck engaging sections. Curved transitions between these sections, combined with a flexible construction, which may be unitary and molded or formed, provides a unique combination of forces applied to the strategic touch points during control of the animal. In addition, a gripping pattern may be formed into an engaging surface on the device to enhance fit and reduce movement of the device relative to the animal. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, an example device for animal training and control may include stiffening elements in the form of inserts made of a material, such as nylon, with increased rigidity and stiffness compared to the material from which the neck engaging sections are formed. The stiffening elements may stabilize and stiffen the neck engaging sections and improve interaction of the device with the animal. According to a related aspect, the stiffening elements may include apertures for fastening a leash or attachment system to the device. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, side shields may be provided on the device, on the neck engaging sections or other sections, for enhancing comfort and fit. The side shields may be constructed of a cloth fabric and may include a gripping pattern formed on or added to an inner surface for engaging the animal. 
     According to another aspect, a leash attachment system may be provided on the device and may include a strap member which forms a sliding loop that receives a leash attachment ring for sliding movement therein. The sliding movement of the attachment ring eliminates or reduces rotation or twisting of the device relative to the animal when control forces are applied to the device. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other attendant advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. It will be understood that the description and embodiments are intended as illustrative examples and are not intended to be limiting to the scope of invention, which is set forth in the claims appended hereto. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a dog collar according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the dog collar of  FIG. 1  positioned on a dog. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the dog collar of  FIG. 1  positioned on a dog. 
         FIG. 4  is a right side view of the dog collar of  FIG. 1  positioned on a dog. 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom plan view of the dog collar of  FIG. 1  positioned on a dog. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a dog collar according to the present invention positioned on a dog. 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a dog collar according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view of the dog collar of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a right side perspective view of the dog collar of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a left side perspective view of the dog collar of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  shows the dog collar of  FIG. 7  positioned on a dog.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example grow system according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 12  is a left rear perspective view of an example animal training and control device according to another aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is a right rear perspective view of the example animal training and control device of  FIG. 12   
         FIG. 14  is a left rear perspective of the example animal training and control device of  FIG. 12  showing example side shields installed. 
         FIG. 15  is an exploded view showing details of an example insert according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view showing the example animal training and control device of  FIGS. 12-15  on a dog. 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  are side views showing the flexing of an example animal training and control device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the figures, a dog collar  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention generally includes an arched or curved substantially oval-shaped member  20 , a strap  30  and a leash loop  40 . 
     Member  20  includes a first end  21  and a second end  22 . In use, first end  21  is positioned under the dog&#39;s chin. Member  20  extends up along each side of the dog&#39;s neck in an arched manner and continues down between the dog&#39;s shoulders such that second end  22  rests on the dog&#39;s upper chest. In one embodiment of the invention, second end  22  includes a flattened area  23  where it engages the animal&#39;s chest. This is more comfortable for the animal and provides a visual indication as to the proper orientation of collar  10 . 
     The strap  30  has a first end  31  engaging one side of member  20  and a second end  32  engaging the opposite side. Ends  31  and  32  may be looped such that strap  30  is moveable along member  20 . Alternatively, ends  31  and  32  may be fixed with respect to member  20 . Ends  31  and  32  may be connected to member  20  by any suitable means, such as by stitching, adhesive or mechanical fasteners. Strap  30  further includes an adjustable buckle or clip  33  to allow for adjustment of collar  10  to comfortably fit animals of different sizes. Note also that the size of member  20  will vary depending on the size of the animal with which collar  10  will be used. A leash loop  40  is positioned on strap  30  as shown. 
     Collar  10  can be positioned on the dog either by loosening strap  30  sufficiently to permit strap  30  to be slid over the top of the dog&#39;s head and member  20  to be positioned beneath the dog as described above. Alternatively, buckle or clip  33  can be fully released, member  20  can be positioned beneath the dog and strap  30  can be wrapped around the dog&#39;s neck and secured with buckle or clip  33 . Note that as positioned on the animal, the collar of the present invention does not overlap the dog&#39;s throat or trachea. Thus, pulling on the leash to control the dog&#39;s movement does not cause the dog to choke. Note also that member  20  engages each side of the dog&#39;s chin. This assists in controlling the dog during walking because it allows the handler to use the leash to move the dog&#39;s head and thereby influence the direction that the dog walks. For example, pulling the leash to the right will cause the member  20  to put pressure on the left side of the dog&#39;s neck, thereby tending to orient the dog&#39;s head toward the right. This encourages the animal to turn to the right. The opposite result is achieved by pulling the leash to the left. 
       FIG. 6  shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention that utilizes an additional strap  50 . This embodiment is primarily intended for use with large, hard to control animals. 
       FIGS. 7-11  illustrate a dog collar according to another embodiment of the present invention. Dog collar  110  according to one embodiment of the present invention generally includes a first member  120  and a strap  130 . Like member  20  above, member  120  is a substantially closed loop with a central open area. 
     Member  120  includes first or central sections  120 A that are substantially curved or arched members. Second sections  120 B are disposed at an angle A with respect to central section  120 A. In the embodiment shown, angle A is approximately 135-40 degrees. First end  121  connects sections  120 B on opposite sides. Third sections  120 C are disposed at an angle B with respect to first sections  120 A. In the embodiment shown, angle B is approximately 145-150 degrees. Angles A and B can be varied based on the size and build of the dog to ensure proper placement as described below. Second end  122  connects sections  120 C on opposite sides. Member  120  includes a flat area  123  adjacent second end  122 . A pair of openings or holes  120 D are provided in sections  120 A for receiving the ends of strap  130 . A leash may be connected directly to strap  130 . Alternatively, a leash loop may be provided on strap  130 . Strap  130  may be adjustable and/or may include buckles or other connecting members to facilitate positioning the collar on the dog as described above. 
     In use, first end  121  is positioned under the dog&#39;s chin. Sections  120 A extend up along each side of the dog&#39;s neck in an arched manner and continue down between the dog&#39;s shoulders such that second end  122  rests on the dog&#39;s upper chest. 
     Note that like the other embodiments described above, as positioned on the animal, the central open area of the collar is positioned over the dog&#39;s throat and trachea and no portion of the collar overlaps the throat or trachea. Thus, pulling on the leash to control the dog&#39;s movement does not cause the dog to choke. Note also that sections  120 A engage each side of the dog&#39;s chin. This assists in controlling the dog during walking because it allows the handler to use the leash to move the dog&#39;s head and thereby influence the direction that the dog walks. For example, pulling the leash to the right will cause the member  20  to put pressure on the left side of the dog&#39;s neck, thereby tending to orient the dog&#39;s head toward the right. This encourages the animal to turn to the right. The opposite result is achieved by pulling the leash to the left. 
     The device of the present invention can be made from any materials suitable to permit the appropriate pressure to be applied to the animal for proper control. Members  20  and  120  are preferably relatively lightweight, substantially rigid members with only a moderate degree of flexibility. Members  20  and  120  may include a soft cloth or other covering to provide additional comfort to the animal Straps  30  and  130  can be produced from a wide variety of materials, including those presently used to produce commercially available dog collars. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an example animal training and control device according to another aspect of the disclosure. The example device is generally referenced at  200 . It may include an integrally molded or formed main body portion having a chest engaging section  222 , neck engaging sections  220 A and  220 B extending from opposite ends of the chest engaging section, and a chin engaging section  221  extending between the neck engaging sections  220 A and  220 B. These sections may generally have a substantially uniform thickness and may be provided with a rounded upper/outer edge  223  extending around the main body and a rounded inner/lower edge  224 . The rounded edges protect the animal and also result in a cross-section of the neck engaging section, chest engaging section and chin engaging section having desirable flexing qualities. 
     The neck engaging sections  220 A and  220 B, together with the chest engaging section  222  and chin engaging section  221  may define a continuous engaging surface  226  for engaging lateral areas of the animal&#39;s neck, chest and chin. The engaging surface  226  may be provided with a gripping pattern  229 , which may include a number of small projections, such as bumps, tabs, buttons, stippling or other patterns formed in the engaging surface  226  for providing a secure yet comfortable fit of the device on the animal The gripping pattern  229  may help eliminate movement, such as rotation, of the device relative to the animal and keep the device securely in place against pulling, rotating or twisting forces that may arise then the device is utilized with a leash to train and control an animal. 
     According to an aspect of the disclosure, curved transitions  227  may be provided between the chest engaging section  222  and the neck engaging sections  220 A and  220 B. In addition, curved transitions  228  may be provided between the chin engaging section  221  and the neck engaging sections  220 A and  220 B. The curved transition  227  provide a contoured fit for the animal and also, as applicants have discovered, in combination with the orientation of the chest engaging section  222  and chin engaging section  221 , provide for a pivoting movement of the neck engaging sections  220 A and  22 B relative to the chest engaging and chin engaging sections when a leash pulling force is applied to the main body. As will be described in more detail below, this pivoting action of the neck engaging sections provides a less dangerous and actually more therapeutic effect on the animal during control and training as the gentle clamping action of provided by the neck engaging sections  220 A and  22 B may have a calming effect on the animal as it mimics the interaction of mother animals in carrying their young by the neck. 
     The chest engaging section  222  may have a general plate shape and be provided with a chest engaging extension area  225  which increases the surface area applied to the animal&#39;s chest, where there is a high concentration of nerves, and also increases the relative stiffness of the chest engaging section  222 , which in turn results in not only a more secure and comfortable fit, but also more firm application of control forces to the animal&#39;s chest with little or no flexing of the chest engaging section  222 . The chest engaging section is generally larger than the chin engaging section in terms of the area contacting the animal and may be sized for an optimal fit and engagement with a given size dog. Moreover, the chest-engaging section  222  may have more rigidity relative to the chin engaging section, owing to geometry (width, thickness, length) as well as the material from which the chest engaging section is made. For example, the chin engaging section may have a reduced thickness compared to the chest engaging section to provide for comfort to and conformance with the animal in the chin area. The extra material and surface area of the chest engaging section provides more surface contact with the animal&#39;s skin/hair to increase gripping and prevent relative movement. The increased surface area provides for better control of the animal as more nerve endings are stimulated when a pulling force and resulting pressure on the animal&#39;s chest occur. This generally has a tendency to calm the animal down. 
     The neck-engaging sections  220 A and  220 B may have a generally arcuate shape. In addition, the chin-engaging section plane and the chest engaging section plane form an angle of about 117 degrees. 
     The main body may be molded or otherwise formed from a plastic material with suitable elasticity and shore hardness to achieve, in combination with the geometry of the main body, optimal durability, control, comfort and safety of the animal That is, the materials should provide sufficient flexibility to permit the desired pivoting/clamping action of the neck-engaging sections without impacting the strength of the device or firmness of the chest engaging section and chin engaging section. 
     As will be recognized, the thickness of the device chin, neck and chest engaging portions may be varied to achieve a desired balance of flexibility, comfort and control of a given size animal In addition, the hardness and elastic modulus of the material from which the device is formed, cast or otherwise made, may be selected to achieve this balance. Applicants have discovered that materials with a Shore hardness in the range of 65+/−3 may provide suitable balance of these parameters. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, the device  200  may be provided with stiffening elements  300 A and  300 B disposed at particular locations on the neck engaging sections  220 A and  220 B. Stiffening elements  300 A and  300 B may be made from a material, such as nylon, that is different from the material used for the main body and which is generally more rigid or stiff. The stiffening elements  300 A and  300 B function to prevent undue bending or deformation of the neck engaging sections  220 A and  220 B in a direction that is generally transverse to the extent of the neck engaging sections under leash pulling forces and to ensure continued comfort and control of the animal According to another aspect of the disclosure, the stiffening elements  300 A and  300 B may also function to reinforce attachment of the strap to the device. 
       FIG. 15  is an exploded view of an example stiffening element  300  and attachment configuration. Neck engaging section  220 A may be provide with a central strap attachment slot or hole  250  and a pair of stiffening element attachment holes  260 . Stiffening element  300  may be assembled from two parts, a male section  320  and a female section  310  which are fastened in a clamped arrangement and secured to the neck engaging section  220 A. Female section  310  may include a pair of extensions  314  correspondingly sized to the attachment holes  260  and adapted to receive corresponding projections  324  on the male section  310 . Gripping or piercing projections  325  may be provided on one or both of the male and female sections to further secure the stiffening element  300  against movement. Slots  312  and  322  cooperate and extend into the hole  250  to reinforce the same for securing of a strap. Screws or other fasteners  316  may secure the male and female sections together in a clamping arrangement on the neck engaging section  220 .  FIG. 12  shows the stiffening inserts installed on both of the neck engaging sections  220 A and  220 B. Stiffening inserts  300 A and  300 B may receive and secure respective fastening straps  240 A and  240 B, which in turn, secure a main strap  230  to the device as will be explained. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, the stiffening elements  300 A and  300 B also provide for improved flexing in the neck engaging sections generally within the plane of the neck engaging sections to permit movement of the animal&#39;s head relative to its body, while still exerting a firm force under the chin or jaw of the animal and maintaining lateral stability, i.e. no buckling at the center, of the neck engaging sections when the animal moves its head downward (see  FIGS. 17A and 17B ). As shown in  FIG. 15 , the stiffening elements  300 A and  300 B, and the slots or holes  250  and  260  divide the neck engaging sections into top portions  270  and bottom portions  280 . These portions interact with the stiffening elements  300 A and  300 B to permit bending of the collar in a front-to-back direction and full range of motion of the animal, i.e., with top portions  270  stretching and bottom portions  280  compressing, enabling the device to flex as the head of the animal moves (as in  FIGS. 17A and 17B ), without buckling inward, i.e., squeezing the neck of the animal 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 14 , according to another aspect of the disclosure, side shields  400  are provided around the stiffening elements  300 A and  300 B to protect the animal and enhance comfort.  FIG. 12  shows the side shields in an unassembled (unstitched) position and detached from the device  200 . Side shields  400  may be made from a fabric material and may include a gripping pattern of plastic bumps or tabs  410  provided on an interior surface  412  to further ensure a secure fit on the animal An edge cover  414  may be provided for sealing and for further comfort.  FIG. 14  illustrates the side shields  400  in an installed position after fastening the edges by sewing or other fastening techniques. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, the device may include a leash attachment system generally referenced as  500 , which may be constructed of a flexible high strength material such as nylon fabric. One or more straps may be configured with stitching and releasable fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners and quick release buckles or clasps to provide for adjustment as well as fastening of a leash to the device in a manner that eliminates or reduces movement of the device on the animal during control or training. More particularly, for example, the leash attachment system  500  may utilize a strap member  510  that is fed through one of the attachment apertures in the stiffening element and secured with a first fastener—in this example case stitching  510 —to form a first attachment loop  512 . Two strap sections  514  and  516  of the strap may extend to form a loop  520  which retains a leash attachment ring  530  for sliding movement therein. The two strap sections  514  and  516  may be fastened at ends opposite stitching  510  to form the loop  520 . As shown in  FIG. 13  fastening may be provided by feeding the sections  514  and  516  through a buckle  551  provided as part of a male portion  552  of a quick release fastener  550 , the female portion  554  of which may be secured to the main body through a second fabric loop  562 . Alternatively, the sections may be fastened by stitching at the opposite ends, such as stitching  510 , to form the loop  520 . The two sections  514  and  516  may extend together to form a doubled section  518 , i.e. having a double thickness. The doubled section  518  may extend back over strap section  516  and secured thereto with hook-and-loop fastening fabric  540  to provide for adjustment of the strap. 
     As will be recognized, the attachment system provides for leash attachment using the attachment ring  530 . The sliding movement of the attachment ring  530  within the loop  520  permits leash force to be applied to the device while minimizing the tendency of the device to rotate or move relative to the animal More particularly, for example, when the animal moves to an extreme sideways or lateral position relative to the owner, the ring  530  will be in a laterally disposed position within loop  520 , for example, adjacent stitching  510  ( FIG. 13 ) rather than remaining stationary at a central position relative to the strap. The leash force applied when the ring  530  is in this position will result in a lateral movement of the neck engaging section  220 B against a lateral area (muscles) of the animal&#39;s neck, thus the device will exert lateral force on the animal rather than tending to rotate relative to the animal. 
     As will also be recognized, the attachment system  500  described above provides for a one-time adjustment of the device using the hook-and-loop fasteners for optimum fit on the animal and also permits rapid attachment and detachment of the device using the quick release fastener  550 . 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate the flexing qualities of an example training and control device according to an aspect of the disclosure. The device may be fashioned such that in an undeformed or unflexed state on the animal, shown in  FIG. 17A , there is an angle “A” of about 117 degrees formed by a plane extending thru the chin engaging section  221  and a plane extending thru the chest engaging section  222 . However, the undeformed or unflexed angle may vary depending on the size and type of animal with which the device is used. This provides a firm but comfortable fit near the animal&#39;s chin and tends to encourage proper posture for the animal Referring additionally to  FIG. 17B , the flexing qualities of the device may permit the animal to move its head to a downward (looking down) orientation with only slight resistance and with the neck engaging sections deforming, but retaining a generally arcuate or “C” shape, without buckling and permitting reduction of the angle “A” in  FIG. 17A  to the angle “B” in  FIG. 17B . The proper flexibility of the device may be achieved by a variations of material thickness, plastic durometer and the geometry and material of the stiffening elements in the neck engaging sections. 
     Although the present invention has been shown and described in detail the same is to be taken by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Numerous changes can be made to the embodiments shown without departing from the scope of the invention. The present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. The application is, therefore, intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.