Patent Publication Number: US-2012037092-A1

Title: Multiple pet leash

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/374,013, titled WALK ME-2 DOUBLE DOG LEASH, filed Aug. 16, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of pet restraints and more specifically to a leash for walking two pets with one hand. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Leashes have been used since the time man began to keep company with dogs and other pets. Throughout history, from sport to companion and protection, dogs have been leashed so man could control them. The type of collar or harness, and leash worn depended on the job the dog was expected to perform. Handlers using leashes with dogs have been depicted in ancient art dating back to 4400 B.C. Leashes were produced using a wide variety of materials, including: leather, rope, and chain. Coupling collars, attaching two dogs by a chain, were used before releasing dogs for the hunt. 
     Leash laws generally require owners to keep their dogs on a leash when not restricted to their owners&#39; property. In today&#39;s society, a growing number of States have or are developing leash laws, but not all States have State-wide leash laws; most laws affecting dog owners are drafted and approved by local governments. With today&#39;s advancements in technology, many pet owners are finding it harder and harder to juggle cell phones, and other hand held devices while spending enjoyable, relaxing time with their pets. 
     It is known in the art to use leashes for walking multiple pets. However, some of the prior art leashes have several disadvantages for the handler if one of the dogs tends to walk more slowly than the other or the leash is lax. 
     Therefore, what is needed are apparatus and methods that overcome one or more of the disadvantages in the prior art. Embodiments of the present invention overcome one or more of the disadvantages in the prior art. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The several embodiments of the leash assembly allow time with pets to be pleasurable, with the convenience of one hand being free, and the security of knowing that dogs will not break free from the leash. The leash assembly is a simple, durable, humane way of walking and training two pets at once with one hand free. According to some embodiments, the leash assembly includes welded or cast metal components with a nylon or leather strapping enabling a unique rotational design to prevent the entanglement of the two pets and maintain a visible separation of the animals. 
     Many pet owners have two or more large breed dogs that tend to be very strong. According to some embodiments, the leash assembly includes a welded or cast metal main element and a swivel member, which is constructed of heavy duty materials that will not fail when in use with large breed dogs. The unique design of the swivel member gives this invention its strength and durability. Because of the rotational design of the swivel member, the handler is able to guide an individual dog without much effort. The visible separation of leashes allows the handler to easily choose which dog they wish to direct. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, a leash assembly for multiple pets can include: a base member including a shaft and a first ring; a swivel member including a tube and second and third rings, the swivel member rotatably connected to the base member, wherein the shaft of the base member is at least partially located within the tube, and wherein the tube and second and third rings rotate about the shaft. The first ring can be positioned at one end of the shaft. The first ring can be fixedly positioned relative to the shaft. The first ring can be fixedly attached to the shaft. The second and third rings can be positioned on opposite sides of the tube. The second and third rings can be fixedly positioned relative to the tube. The second and third rings can be fixedly attached to the tube. The base member can further include a base plate located at or near where the ring and shaft meet or converge, and a bushing positioned between the base plate and the tube of the swivel member. The leash assembly can further include a strap operatively attached to the base member; and first and second leashes operatively attached to the swivel member. The leash assembly can further include: a handle assembly including a padding assembly and a strap, wherein the handle assembly is operatively attached to the first ring of the base member; a first leash operatively attached to the second ring of the swivel member; and a second leash operatively attached to the third ring of the swivel member. The shaft of the base member can extend through the tube, wherein a fastening device can attach to the shaft to rotatably connect the swivel member to the base member, and wherein a bushing can be positioned between the swivel member and the fastening device. 
     According to another embodiment, a leash assembly for multiple pets can include: a base member including a shaft, a first ring, a base plate, and a bushing, wherein the first ring is fixedly positioned relative to the shaft; a swivel member including a tube and second and third rings, wherein the second and third rings are fixedly positioned relative to the tube, wherein the swivel member is rotatably connected to the base member, and the shaft of the base member is at least partially located within the tube with the bushing positioned between the base plate and the tube, and wherein the tube and second and third rings rotate about the shaft; a handle assembly including a padding assembly and a strap, wherein the handle assembly is operatively attached to the first ring of the base member; a first leash operatively attached to the second ring of the swivel member; and a second leash operatively attached to the third ring of the swivel member. 
     According to another embodiment, a method can include the steps of: attaching a first ring to a shaft in a fixed relation; attaching second and third rings to a tube in a fixed relation; mounting the tube onto the shaft in a rotational relation; attaching a handle assembly to the first ring; attaching a first leash to the second ring; and attaching a second leash to the third ring. Prior to the step of mounting the tube, the method can further include the steps of positioning a bushing on the shaft. The method can further include the steps of: positioning a bushing on the shaft after mounting the tube onto the shaft; and attaching a fastening device to an end of the shaft maintaining the tube on the shaft in a rotational relation. Prior to attaching a handle assembly, the method can further include the steps of: enclosing a resilient pad within a fabric; and attaching the fabric to a strap to form a handle assembly. The step of enclosing a resilient pad can further include the steps of: placing the resilient pad on the fabric; folding a first edge of the fabric over the resilient pad; folding a second edge of the fabric over the resilient pad; forming a triangle at the top and bottom edges of the fabric; and folding the triangles inwardly substantially encapsulating the resilient pad with the fabric. 
     The several embodiments of the present invention have several benefits and advantages. The leash assembly with its unique swivel member, is strong, durable, and a simple, humane, tangle free way of walking two dogs at once with one hand free, while directing dogs without much effort from the handler. The leash assembly allows one dog to assist a second dog, which may be blind or otherwise handicap without much effort from the handler. This gives each dog the sense of walking on his or her own leash, but yet with the security of being with another dog. The leash assembly makes walk training easier because of this unique design. The leash assembly makes walking two dogs through multi-story apartment buildings less chaotic. The leash assembly is an effortlessly, strong and secure way to walk two dogs which can be mass produced simply and inexpensively. 
     Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the leash assembly with a handle and tether attachments demonstrating the rotational design of the swivel member, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of a base member, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a swivel member, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a partially assembled view of a leash assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an assembled view of a leash assembly showing the rotational design of the swivel member, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the leash assembly with a handle assembly and tether attachments demonstrating the rotational design of the swivel member, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates positioning a resilient pad on a piece of fabric for the padding assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates the position of a resilient pad on a piece of fabric for the padding assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates folding one side of the fabric over the resilient pad for the padding assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the folding the other side of the fabric over the resilient pad for the padding assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates folding the top and bottom of the fabric for the padding assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates further folding the top and bottom of the fabric for the padding assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates attaching a strap to the padding assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates the handle assembly, according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates attaching the handle assembly to the leash assembly, according to one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a perspective view of the leash assembly with a handle assembly and tether attachments demonstrating the rotational design of the swivel member, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating embodiments of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components,  FIG. 1  shows a leash assembly  100  according to some embodiments. The leash assembly  100  can include a swivel member  10  and a base member  20 . The leash assembly  100  can also include a handle or strap  14  and tethers or leashes  17 ,  18 . The swivel member  10  and the base member  20  can be made of a variety of different materials including, but not limited to, plastic, metal, or any other material chosen by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , the base member  20  can include a rod or shaft  50  and a ring or band  52 . The shaft  50  can be substantially cylindrical. The diameter of the shaft  50  can be approximately ¼″, ⅜″, ½″, ⅝″, ¾″, ⅞″, 1″, or any other size chosen by one with ordinary skill in the art. The diameter of the shaft  50  can be between approximately ¼″ and 2″, ¼″ and 1″, ¼″ and ¾″, ¼″ and ½″, or any other range chosen by one with ordinary skill in the art. The ring  52  can have a variety of different shapes including, but not limited to, circular, oval, elliptical, oblong, square, triangular, or any other shape chosen by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The opening in the ring  52  can be approximately ½″, ¾″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 1¾″, 2″, 2½″, 3″, 3½″, 4″, or any other size chosen by one with ordinary skill in the art. The opening in the ring  52  can be between approximately ½″ and 4″, 1″ and 4″, ½″ and 2½″, 1″ and 2″, or any other range chosen by one with ordinary skill in the art. The ring  52  can be fixed in relation to the shaft  50 . In one embodiment, the base member  20  is an eye bolt. The base member  20  can also include a base plate  2  and a bushing  3 . The base plate  2  can be positioned at or near where the shaft  50  and the ring  52  meet or converge. The base plate  2  can be in a fixed relation to the shaft  50 . In some embodiments, the base member  20  can include an eye bolt  1 , a base plate or nut  2 , and a bushing or washer  3 . In one non-limiting example, the base member  20  includes a ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1 , a ⅜″-16 hex nut  2 , and a ⅜″ flat washer  3 . Many other sizes and dimensions can be used for the base member  20 . To assemble the base member  20  according to one embodiment, screw the hex nut  2  onto the eye bolt  1  until it bottoms out; then, tack weld or otherwise secure the top of the hex nut  2  to the eye bolt  1  at or near reference  4 ; next, place the washer  3  onto eye bolt  1  below hex nut  2 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the swivel member  10  can include rings  5 ,  6  and a tube or pipe  7 . The swivel member  10  can either be a one-piece device or a multiple piece device. The swivel member  10  can be made out of plastic, metal, cast metal, welding steel, or any other material chosen by a person having ordinary skill in the art. The rings  5 ,  6  can be positioned on opposite sides of the tube  7  approximately 180° apart. The rings  5 ,  6  can be fixed in relation to the tube  7 . The rings  5 ,  6  can be attached to the tube  7 . The rings  5 ,  6  can have a variety of different shapes including, but not limited to, circular, oval, elliptical, oblong, square, triangular, or any other shape chosen by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The opening in the rings  5 ,  6  can be approximately 1½″, 3¼″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 1¾″, 2″, 2½″, 3″, 3½″, 4″, or any other size chosen by one with ordinary skill in the art. The opening in the rings  5 ,  6  can be between approximately ½″ and 4″, 1″ and 4″, 2½″ and 2½″, 1″ and 2″, or any other range chosen by one with ordinary skill in the art. The tube  7  can have a length of ½″, ¾″, 1″, 1¼″, 1½″, 1 ¾″, 2″, 2½″, 3″, 3½″, 4″, or any other size chosen by one with ordinary skill in the art. The tube  7  can have any length between approximately ½″ and 6″, 1″ and 6″, 1″ and 5″, 1″ and 4″, 1″ and 3″, ½″ and 2½″, 1″ and 2″, 1″ and 1½″, or any other range chosen by one with ordinary skill in the art. In one non-limiting example, the swivel member  10  can include two approximately 1½″ rings  5 ,  6  that are seam welded at locations  8  and  9  to an approximately 1¼″ long, ⅜″ schedule  80  pipe  7 . Many other sizes and dimensions can be used for the swivel member  10 . To assemble the swivel member  10  according to one embodiment, seam weld the rings  5  and  6  to the pipe  7  at or near references  8  and  9 ; after the swivel member  10  adequately cools, turn the swivel member  10  over and seam weld the reverse side at the same references  8  and  9 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the leash assembly  100  is shown partially assembled, according to one embodiment. The tube  7  of the swivel member  10  can be placed over the shaft  50  so that the bushing  3  is positioned between the base plate  2  and the tube  7 . A bushing or flat washer  11  can be placed on the shaft  50  next to the swivel member  10 . A nut or other fastener  12  can be used to secure the swivel member  10  to the base member  10  with the bushing  11  positioned between the fastener  12  and the swivel member  10 . The fastener  12  can also be any type of fastening device or mechanism. Once the base member  20  and the swivel member  10  are assembled, the bushings  3 ,  11  allow the swivel member  10  to freely rotate about the base member  10 . To assemble the leash assembly  10  according to one embodiment, slide the bushing  3  onto the shaft  50  of the base member  20 . Then, slide the swivel member  10  onto the shaft  50  of the base member  20 . Next, place the bushing  11  on shaft  50  below the swivel member  10 . Then, screw or otherwise attach the fastener  12  onto the shaft  50  below the bushing  11  leaving enough clearance so that swivel member  10  can freely rotate on the shaft  50 . Next, tack weld or otherwise secure the bottom of hex nut  12  where indicated by reference  13  leaving enough clearance so the swivel member  10  can rotate freely about the base member  20 , as shown by the arrows in  FIG. 5 . An appropriate amount of spray lubrication oil, or any other lubricant chosen by a person of ordinary skill in the art, may be applied to the swivel member  10  to maintain the assembly and allow the assembly to continue rotating freely. The preceding description is just one non-limiting example of assembling the leash assembly  100 . Many other devices, apparatus, mechanisms, and methods can be used to secure the swivel member  10  to the base member  20 , which are within the scope of this invention. 
     With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the leash assembly  100  is shown with the strap  14  and the leashes  17 ,  18  attached, according to one embodiment. To attach the strap  14  and the leashes  17 ,  18  to the leash assembly  100  according to one embodiment, feed a nylon or leather strapping  14  through the ring  52  and fold the strapping  14  over. Then, at the reference  15 , attach the strapping  14  to itself. Next, fold over the opposite end of nylon or leather strapping  14  contacting the first end at location  16 . Then, at reference  16 , attach the strapping  14  to itself This creates a handle  14  with an opening for a user&#39;s hand. Using any two leashes  17 ,  18 , loop each leash through each ring  5 ,  6  of the swivel member  10  and pull the leashes  17 ,  18  tight. Attach the other end of leashes  17  and  18  to two pets. In some embodiments, the leashes can be standard  2 ′,  4 ′, or  6 ′ leashes. The preceding description is just one non-limiting example of attaching the strap  14  and the leashes  17 ,  18  to the leash assembly  100 . Many other devices, apparatus, mechanisms, and methods can be used to attach the strap  14  and the leashes  17 ,  18  to the leash assembly  100 , which are within the scope of this invention. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 ,  15 , and  16 , a leash assembly  100  can include a swivel member  10  and a base member  20 . The leash assembly  100  can also include a handle assembly  200  and tethers or leashes  17 ,  18 . The handle assembly  200  can include a padding assembly  60  and a strap  32 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . The strap  32  can be nylon or leather strapping, or any other material chosen by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The padding assembly  60  can include a fabric  19  and a resilient pad  21 . The fabric  19  can be a rip stop nylon fabric or any other fabric chosen by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The resilient pad  21  can be foam padding or any other type of padding chosen by a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7-15 , a method of forming a handle assembly  200  will be described, according to one embodiment. A resilient pad  21  is placed on a fabric  19 , as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Then, one side of the fabric  19  is folded over the pad  21  at fold  24 , and then the other side  25  of the fabric  19  is folded over the pad  21  at fold  25 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Next, the top and bottom of the fabric  19  are folded inward forming a top center point  30  with top right and left corner folds  26 ,  27  and a bottom center point  31  with bottom right and left corner folds  28 ,  29 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . Then the top and bottom center points  30 ,  31  can be folded inward forming a cuboid or rectangular cuboid, as shown in  FIG. 12 . Next, the strap  32  can be positioned and attached to the padding assembly  60 , as shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Then, the strap  32  can be folded over forming a loop and attached to itself at reference  36  so that the reference marks  33  and  34  converge or meet, as shown in  FIG. 15 . The handle assembly  200  can then be attached to the leash assembly  100  by placing the end  62  of the strap  32  through the ring  50  and attaching the end  62  to reference  37 , which can overlap reference  36 . The attached handle assembly  200  is shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , according to some embodiments. The preceding description is just one non-limiting example of forming a handle assembly  200 . Many other devices, apparatus, mechanisms, and methods can be used to form a handle assembly  200 , which are within the scope of this invention. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  6 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 , and  16 , a logo  70  can be attached to the handle  14  or the handle assembly  200 , according to some embodiments. The logo  70  can be positioned anywhere on the handle  14  or handle assembly  200 . In some embodiments, the logo  70  can be positioned at the location where a user would grasp the handle  14  or handle assembly  200  during use. In other embodiments, the logo is centered at or near the top of the handle  14  or handle assembly  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the leash assembly  100  can include the listed elements or components according to the following non-limiting example: ⅜″-16×4″ eye bolt 1; ⅜″-16 national course hex nut  2 ; ⅜″ flat washer  3 ; tack weld or securement  4 ; an approximately 1½″ welded ring  5 ; an approximately 1½″ welded ring  6 ; an approximately 1¼″ long ⅜″ schedule  80  unthreaded pipe nipple  7 ; seam weld  8 ; seam weld  9 ; ⅜″ flat washer  11 ; ⅜″-16 national course hex nut  12 ; tack weld or securement  13 ; an approximately 1″×22″× 3/16″ nylon or leather strapping  14 ; machine sewn “square” and “x” pattern  15 ; machine sewn “square” and “x” pattern  16 ; leash  17 ; and leash  18 . The preceding description is just one non-limiting example of the leash assembly  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the leash assembly  100  can be assembled according to the following non-limiting example. Screw one ⅜″-16 national course hex nut  2  onto a ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1 . Tack weld or otherwise secure  4  one ⅜″-16 national course hex nut  2  to the ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1 . Slide one ⅜″ standard flat washer  3  onto the ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1  below the welded or secured ⅜″-16 national course hex nut  2 . Slide the swivel member  10  onto the ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1 . Slide a ⅜″ standard flat washer  11  onto the ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1  below the swivel member  10 . Screw a ⅜″-16 national course hex nut  12  onto the ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1 . Tack weld or otherwise secure  13  the bottom of the national course hex nut  12  to the ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1  leaving enough play in the swivel member  10  to rotate freely. Take one end of an approximately 1″×22″× 3/16″ nylon or leather strapping  14  and thread it through the eye on the ⅜″×4″ eye bolt  1  approximately 2″ and fold the strapping  14  over. Using a sewing machine, sew the short end of the approximately 1″×22″× 3/16″ nylon or leather strapping  14  to the long end of the strap by making an approximately 1″ square pattern and then an X pattern inside the newly sewn square pattern at reference  15 . Take the opposite end of the approximately 1″×22″× 3/16″ nylon or leather strapping  14  and fold it over meeting the first end. Using a sewing machine, sew an approximately 1″ square pattern, and then an X pattern inside the newly sewn square pattern at reference  16  to create a secure handle with an approximately  7 ″ opening. This creates an approximately  10 ″ long handle  14  with an approximately  7 ″ opening for a user&#39;s hand. Use any two leashes  17 ,  18  and loop the handle of the leashes  17 ,  18  through each approximately 1½″ welded metal rings  5 ,  6  on the swivel member  10  and pull tight. Attach the ends of the leashes  17 ,  18  to any two pets including, but not limited to, any small, medium, or large breed dogs. The preceding description is just one non-limiting example of assembling the leash assembly  100 . 
     In one embodiment, the handle assembly  200  can include the listed elements or components according to the following non-limiting example: approximately 4″×17″ rip stop nylon fabric  19 ; approximately 4-5 mm thick×1½″×15″ foam padding  21 ; approximately 1″ top fold  22  in fabric  19 ; approximately 1″ bottom fold  23  in fabric  19 ; right fold  24  in fabric  19 ; left fold  25  in fabric  19 ; top right corner fold  26  in fabric  19 ; top left corner fold  27  in fabric  19 ; bottom right corner fold  28  in fabric  19 ; bottom left corner fold  29  in fabric  19 ; top center point  30  of fabric  19 ; bottom center point  31  of fabric  19 ; approximately 1′×23″ nylon or leather strapping  32 ; approximately 1½″ top measure mark  33  of strapping  32 ; approximately 7″ bottom measure mark  34  on strapping  32 ; machine sewn “square” and “x” pattern  36  on strapping  32 ; machine sewn “square” and “x” pattern  37  on strapping  32 . The preceding description is just one non-limiting example of the handle assembly  200 . 
     In one embodiment, the handle assembly  200  can be assembled according to the following non-limiting example. Measure top fold line  22  approximately one inch in from the approximately 4″ edge of fabric  19 ; measure the bottom fold line  23  approximately one inch in from the opposite approximately 4″ edge of fabric  19 ; fold the top right corner  26  and the top left corner  27  to form the top center point  30  of the fabric  19 ; fold the bottom right corner  28  and the bottom left corner  29  to form the bottom center point  31  of fabric  19 ; fold the top center point  30  down at top fold line  22 ; fold the bottom center point  31  up at bottom fold line  23 ; measure approximately 1½″ on one end of strapping  32  for top mark  33 , and measure approximately 7″ on the opposite end of strapping  32  for bottom mark  34 ; sew a rectangle  35  attaching strapping  32  to fabric  19  containing foam padding  21 ; fold strapping  32  over joining reference  33  and reference  34  where the edges of the fabric  19  converge and sew a “square” and “x” pattern  36 ; feed the approximately 7″ end  62  of strapping  32  through the ring  52  on the leash assembly  100  overlapping reference  36  and sew a “square” and “x” pattern  37 ; loop leashes  17  and  18  through each ring  5 ,  6  in the swivel member and pull the leashes  17 ,  18  tight. Attach the other end of leashes  17  and  18  to two collared or harnessed pets, including, but not limited to, any small, medium, or large breed dogs. The preceding description is just one non-limiting example of forming the handle assembly  200 . 
     According to some embodiments, the leash assembly  100  is designed for large breed dogs. According to other embodiments, the leash assembly  100  can be used with either collared or harnessed dogs. According to other embodiments, the leash assembly  100  is strong enough for harnessed weight pulling dogs, and can be used for rescue or service dogs that need to be tethered. 
     According to some embodiments, the leash assembly  100  is used with two dogs. According to other embodiments, the leash assembly  100  is designed to accommodate two large breed dogs tethered together. According to other embodiments, when dogs of different sizes are tethered together, adjustment in length of leashes  17 ,  18  may be used in order to make it more comfortable for the dogs. According to other embodiments, the leash assembly  100  can include almost any length of leashes  17 ,  18  and the two leashes  17 ,  18  can be different lengths from each other. According to other embodiments, the leash assembly  100  can be made in various sizes. 
     Numerous embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and apparatuses may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 
     Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: