Patent Publication Number: US-2015075448-A1

Title: Hands free dog walking gear

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/846,707 filed on Jul. 16, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to an animal lead, and more particularly, to apparatus allowing a user to lead an animal, such as a dog or exotic animal, or even a child, without holding a leash. 
     Pet owners frequently walk or run with animals on a handheld leash. Such leashes have a loop at an upper end, which is held in a user&#39;s hand. The lower end of the leash is connected to the animal. Thus, a user must hold the leash when leading the animal. If the animal pulls, the user must grasp the leash tighter, causing strain on the hand, arm, shoulder, and back. Further, pet owners frequently carry animal waste recovery bags for cleaning up after their pets, as well as cell phones and other devices. There is a need for an apparatus that enables a pet owner to carry multiple articles and lead an animal without stressing the hand. Further, there is a need for such apparatus that enables a user to steer the animal, to adjust a length of the lead, and permits multiple leads to be used simultaneously. Still further, there is a need for such apparatus to permit the animal lead to be selectively separated from the user for temporarily attaching the animal to a stationary object when entering a store or the like. There is also a need for apparatus allowing the lead to be used separately as a leash, as well as, for apparatus that allow the lead to be selectively separated from the user in a panic or emergency situation. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one aspect, apparatus for leading an animal comprises a belt sized for encircling a user&#39;s hips. The belt has a closure for selectively joining longitudinally spaced portions of the belt to hold the belt in position around the user&#39;s hips with an upper edge facing upward. The apparatus includes an anchor connected to a pack adjacent the upper edge of the belt. The anchor spans a predetermined longitudinal distance along the pack. The apparatus has a connector slidably mounted on the anchor for connecting an animal lead to the belt such that an upper end of the lead is selectively positionable along the anchor for guiding the animal circumferentially relative to the user. 
     In another aspect, the apparatus comprises a belt sized for encircling a user&#39;s hips. The belt has a closure for selectively joining longitudinally spaced portions of the belt to hold the belt in position around the user&#39;s hips. Further, the apparatus includes a pack having a back attached to the belt and a top adjacent the upper edge of the belt. The apparatus also comprises an anchor having opposite ends connected to the pack. The anchor is positionable across the top of the pack. The anchor ends are spaced by a predetermined distance extending parallel to the back of the pack. In addition, the apparatus has a connector slidably mounted on the anchor for connecting an animal lead to the pack such that an upper end of the lead is selectively positionable along the anchor for guiding the animal circumferentially relative to the user. 
     In yet another aspect, apparatus for dispensing waste recovery bags from a strip of frangibly connected waste recovery bags rolled on a spool having a hole extending longitudinally through the spool is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pack having an interior sized and shaped for receiving the strip of frangibly connected waste recovery bags rolled on the spool and an entrance extending into the interior. The pack has an opening sized and shaped for passing the frangibly connected bags when unrolled from the spool to an exterior of the pack. In addition, the apparatus includes a mount having a base attached to the pack. The mount includes a spindle extending upward from the base into the interior of the pack. The spindle is sized and shaped for engaging the hole in the spool and allowing the spool to be selectively rotated on the spindle about a longitudinal axis of the spool to unroll the frangibly connected bags from the rolled strip. 
     Further, in another aspect the disclosure includes a lead system for leading an animal. The lead system comprises a plurality of tethers. Each tether includes an upper end and a lower end opposite said upper end, a female element having an opening adjacent the upper end, and a male element adapted for selective attachment to the female element adjacent the lower end. The tethers are selectively connectable in differing configurations by joining the male element of one of the tethers to the female element of another of the tethers. 
     In still another aspect, the disclosure includes a connector system for use with an elongate belt to provide one or more anchor points on the belt. The belt has a length sized for surrounding a user. The connector system comprises a mount having an outer opening providing the anchor point and an inner opening sized and shaped for slidably receiving the belt. The system also includes a keeper adapted for engaging an inner end of the mount. The keeper has a first receiver opening positioned on a first side of the mount when the mount engages the keeper and a second receiver opening positioned on a second side of the mount opposite the first side when the mount engages keeper. The first and second receiver openings are sized and shaped for slidably receiving the belt therein so the belt passes outward through the first receiver opening, across the mount through inner opening of the mount, and inward through the second receiver opening. When the belt is tensioned, friction between the belt and the keeper prevents the mount from sliding along the belt, and when tension is released, friction is reduced allowing the mount to slide along the belt. 
     Moreover, the apparatus comprises a belt sized for encircling a user&#39;s hips. The belt has a closure for selectively joining longitudinally spaced portions of the belt to hold the belt in position around the user&#39;s hips with an upper edge facing upward. The apparatus includes a pack having a back attached to the belt and a top adjacent the upper edge of the belt. Further, the apparatus comprises an anchor having opposite ends connected to the pack and extending across the top of the pack. The apparatus includes an animal lead having an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end adapted for connection to an animal. In addition, the apparatus includes a connector having an upper portion adapted for connection to the anchor and a lower portion including a selectively releasable link having a closed position in which the link retains the upper end of the animal lead and an open position in which the link releases the upper end of the animal lead. The link includes a release that when actuated permits the link to move from the closed position to the open position thereby releasing the lead to prevent the animal from pulling the user. 
     In a further aspect, the connector connects an element to an anchor. The connector comprises a clip for connection to the anchor and a selectively releasable link. The link has a retainer moveable between closed position in which the retainer retains the element and an open position in which the retainer releases the element. The link includes a release that when actuated permits the retainer to move from the closed position to the open position thereby releasing the element from the anchor. 
     Other aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the following description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective of apparatus for leading an animal. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective of apparatus of an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an outer elevation of a belt of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan of the belt. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective of a pack of the apparatus of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 5  is a left side elevation of the pack. 
         FIG. 6  is a section of the pack taken in the plane of line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective of a pack of an alternative embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a section similar to  FIG. 6  of the pack of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective of prior art animal waste recovery bags rolled on a spool. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective of apparatus for dispensing waste recovery bags from the pack of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the pack of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective of various animal leads or leashes. 
         FIG. 13  is a detail of a tether of a lead of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevation of a connector. 
         FIG. 15  is a top plan of the connector. 
         FIG. 16  is a section taken in the plane of line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a section similar to  FIG. 16  but showing a retainer in a released position. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , apparatus for leading an animal incorporating a first embodiment of the present invention is designated in its entirety by the reference number  20 . The apparatus  20  includes a belt (generally designated by  22 ), a pack (generally designated by  24 ) connected to the belt, and an anchor  26  connected adjacent an upper edge  28  of the belt. An animal lead, generally designated by  30 , is connected to the anchor  26  with a connector, generally designated by  32 , for leading an animal. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the belt  22  is sized for encircling a user&#39;s hips. The belt  22  has a closure  40  ( FIG. 1A ) including two clasps  42 ,  44  that are fixed at longitudinally spaced positions along the belt and selectively joinable to hold the belt in position around the user&#39;s hips with the upper edge  28  facing upward. Although fixed in position in use, at least one of the clasps (e.g., clasp  44 ) is movable along the belt  22  when not in use to change the length of the belt. In one embodiment, the belt is formed from 1½ inch wide webbing  46  having a female clasp  42  sewn onto one end and a complementary male clasp  44  having opposing hooks  48  adapted for insertion into the female clasp to selectively join the clasps and hold the webbing around the user&#39;s hips. The webbing  46  is looped through the male clasp  44  in a conventional manner so the clasp remains fixed in position on the webbing during use, but the clasp may be selectively repositioned for resizing the belt  22  for use by those having different hip dimensions. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, conventional extenders (not shown) may be used to increase the length of the belt beyond common sizes. Such extenders include a length of webbing with clasps  42 ,  44  at opposite ends. An exterior surface of the belt  22  may include reflectors or be reflective for increasing visibility of the user at night. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , the pack  24  includes generally rectangular fabric shell portions  60 ,  62  having a zipper closure  64 . In one embodiment, the zipper closure  64  comprises a double zipper. Further, the shell portions  60 ,  62  are joined along a bottom  66  of the pack of  24 , forming a hinge  68  that allows the forward shell portion  60  to pivot open relative to the rearward portion  62  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Gusset panels  70  adjacent the hinge  68  and extend up the opposite left and right sides  72 ,  74  of the pack  24  limit the amount the forward shell portion  60  pivots away from the rearward portion  62  to prevent loss of articles from an interior  76  of the pack  24 . The anchor  26  extends upward from a top of the rearward face  78  of the rearward portion  62  of the pack  24 . The anchor  26  extends over the top of the pack  24  in use. Loops  82  are formed on the rearward face  78  of the pack  24  adjacent its top  80  for receiving the belt  22 . Thus, when the belt  22  is threaded through the loops  82 , the anchor  26  extends from the pack  24  adjacent the upper edge  28  of the belt. Thus, the pack  24  is selectively removable from the belt  22  for use separate from the belt. In one embodiment, a length of one inch wide webbing  84  is stitched to the rearward face  78  of the pack  24 , forming the loops  82  and the anchor  26  as shown. Part of the webbing  84  is folded upon itself lengthwise and sewn together to improve the anchor  26  dimensions for accepting the animal lead  30 . 
     Interior faces of the pack  24  may be partitioned. For example, in an alternative embodiment shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , one face (e.g., a forward face) of the interior  76  is partitioned for credit cards  90  and/or for a general-purpose pouch or pocket  92 . In addition, the pocket  92  may include a closure such as a zipper (not shown) to retain articles (e.g., ear buds and phone) in the pocket. The pocket  92  may be made of any suitable material including netting, liner material, or clear plastic. Further, a key ring clip  96  extends downward from the top  80  of the pack  24  for holding a key ring (not shown). Although the pack  24  may be made of other materials without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the pack is made from flexible, water repellent fabric, such as nylon. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the pack  24  includes apparatus, generally designated by  100 , for dispensing waste recovery bags B ( FIG. 10 ), such as a conventional strip of frangibly connected bags rolled on a spool S. The spool S includes a hole H, extending longitudinally through the spool along its central axis. As further shown in  FIG. 10 , the apparatus  100  consists of a mount, generally designated by  102 , having a two-piece base  104   a,    104   b  attached to the bottom  66  of the pack  24 . The mount  102  includes a spindle  106  extending from the base  104   a.  The spindle  106  positioned in the pack  24  and sized for holding a roll of waste collection bags B. The spindle  106  is adapted for extending into the hole H in the spool S to hold the spool upright and allow it to be selectively rotated on the spindle to unroll the strip of bags B. The bases  104   a,    104   b  include an opening  108  adjacent the spindle  106 . A loose end of the strip of bags B passes through the opening  108  and out the bottom  66  of the pack  24  through a corresponding opening  110  in the pack shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , a serrated cutter  112  is positioned in the opening  110  to aid in tearing a bag B from the roll. The cutter  112  also retains the unused bags B in the pack. A user may pull downward and forward on the exposed bag B to separate the bag from the strip. The separated bag may be used to collect animal waste. The bases  104   a,    104   b  sandwich the bottom  66  of the pack  24  to join the mount  102  to the pack (e.g., with adhesives or mechanical fasteners) so the opening  108  in the base is aligned with the opening  110  ( FIG. 6 ) in the pack. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when fully opened as shown in  FIG. 4 , the pack  24  has a large entrance  114  extending upward from the bottom  66  of the pack along the left side  72  of the pack, across a top  80  of the pack, and downward the right side  74  of the pack to the bottom. Likewise, the interior  76  is sized and shaped for receiving the strip of frangibly connected waste recovery bags B rolled on the spool S. As shown in  FIG. 1A , an opening  118  is provided in the top of the pack  24 . The opening  118  is sized for passing ear bud wires connected to a phone or audio player in the interior  76  of the pack  24  so they may be used without opening the pack. 
     In an alternative embodiment, a separate waste bag holder may be used with the system. This alternative holder may be a container sized for holding bags B and having a clip for clipping the container on a leash or the like. The container will have an opening through which bags may be pulled, as well as, an opening aligned with the hole H. The spindle  106  will be inserted in the opening aligned with the hole H. A bag B pulled through the other opening may be threaded through the opening  110  in the pack  24 . 
     Although the anchor  26  may take other forms without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the anchor is an elongate band having opposite ends  120 ,  122  spaced along the pack  24  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The anchor  26  spans a predetermined longitudinal distance along the pack  24 . Although the predetermined longitudinal distance may have other lengths without departing from the present invention, in one embodiment the distance is no less than about four inches. In the illustrated embodiment (e.g.,  FIG. 1A ), the anchor  26  may be attached to the pack  24  and the pack attached to the belt  22  so the spaced ends  120 ,  122  are positioned adjacent the upper edge  28  of the belt so the anchor is indirectly connected to the belt by way of the pack. It is envisioned that the anchor  26  may be connected directly to the belt  22  adjacent its upper edge  28  in some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 1B . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , various animal leads  30  comprise tethers or leashes, generally designated by  130 , selectively joinable in series to adjust the length of the lead. As further shown in  FIG. 13 , each tether  130  has a ring  132  (broadly, a female element having an opening therein) at its upper end  134  and a conventional clasp  136  (broadly, a male element adapted for selective attachment to the female element) at its lower end  138 . Although the tethers  130  may be made of other materials without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment each tether is formed from paracord. In some embodiments, each ring  132  is a plastic or metal ring, and each clasp  136  is a plastic or metal clip having a spring-loaded latch that blocks a gap of the hook. The latch is moveable against the spring loading to unblock the gap, permitting a ring to pass through the gap. Although each tether  130  may have other lengths without departing from the scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the tethers are provided in two foot lengths. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, any suitable length may be used. Thus, the animal lead  30  may be as short as two feet for attaching an animal to the apparatus  20  when running or in traffic. Tethers  130  of various lengths may be connected end-to-end to form an animal lead  30  of desired length as shown in  FIG. 11 . For example, a two foot tether  130  may be joined to a second two foot tether, forming a four foot animal lead  30  for attaching an animal to the apparatus  20  when walking. Additional tethers may be added at the discretion of the user. Further, the rings  132  and clasps  136  are sized so that a clasp is simultaneously attachable to more than one ring, creating a Y-shaped lead for leading a second animal. As further illustrated in  FIG. 12 , a grip  140  having length of a tether and a clasp  136  at a lower end may be joined to the ring  132  of a tether  130  to form a leash when the tether is disconnected from the apparatus  20 . In one alternative, a handle  142  having a clasp  136  may be joined to the ring  132  of a tether  130  to form a leash when the tether is disconnected from the apparatus  20 . Thus, the tether may be used separately from the system  20  as a leash. 
     The connector  32  is slidably mounted on the anchor  26  for connecting the animal lead  30  to the pack  24 . The lead  30  is selectively positionable along the anchor for guiding the animal. For example, the user may move the connector  32  left on the anchor  26  to guide the animal toward the left. An upper end of the lead is selectively positionable along the anchor for guiding the animal laterally or circumferentially relative to the user. Although other connectors (e.g., carabiners) may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention, in an embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 14-16 , the connector  32  includes a clip  150  for connecting the connector to the anchor  26 . In one embodiment, the clip  150  includes an elastically deformable clasp  152  that retains the anchor  26  in the clip. The clasp  152  deforms to allow the anchor  26  to be inserted in the clip  150  and returns to its undeformed shape to prevent the anchor from separating from the clip. The connector  32  has a releasable link, generally designated by  154 , opposite the clip  150 . The link  154  includes main body  156  and a retainer  158  pivotally attached to the main body. The retainer  158  pivots between a closed position as shown in  FIG. 16  and an open position as shown in  FIG. 17 . When in the closed position, the link  154  holds the upper end of the animal lead to connect the lead to the anchor. When in the open position, the retainer  158  releases the upper end of the lead, allowing the lead to separate from the anchor. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the retainer  158  encompasses more than 180° to ensure the lead separates from the connector  32  when the retainer is open. A release  160  is slidably mounted on the connector. When in the position shown in  FIG. 16 , the release  160  holds the retainer  158  in the closed position. A spring  162  is provided in the release  160  to hold the release in the position shown in  FIG. 16 . When the release  160  is pulled against the force of the spring  162  toward the clip  150 , the release releases the retainer  158 , permitting it to move to the open position shown in  FIG. 17 . In the event an animal pulls too hard on a user, the user can pull the release  160 , allowing the lead to separate from the connector  32  to prevent the user from falling or being dragged. In some embodiments, a second connector (not shown) may be connected to the anchor  26  for leading two animals at once. 
     A supplemental or auxiliary connector system shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , generally designated by  170 , may be used to connect a lead or other accessory to the belt  22 . The connector system  170  includes a mount  172  having an outer opening  174  for receiving the lead or accessory. The mount  172  also has an inner opening or slot  176  sized and shaped for slidably receiving the belt  22 . The system  170  also includes a keeper  178  that engages an inner end of the mount. The keeper  178  has receiver openings  180  positioned on opposite sides of the mount  172  that slidably receive the belt as shown so the belt passes outward through the one receiver opening, through inner opening of the mount, and inward through the other receiver opening. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the belt  22  fastened around a user the belt is in tension. Friction between the belt  22  and the keeper  178  prevents the mount  172  from sliding along the belt. However, when the belt  22  is removed from the user, tension is released. Friction is reduced, allowing the mount  172  to slide along the belt  22 . 
     Various attachments may also be attached to the belt  22 . Examples of these attachments include a tether for extending the lead, a waste recovery bag dispenser, a dog toy, exercise equipment, a pre-moistened towel container, a dog treat dispenser, a wallet, eyeglasses holder, an audio player, a poncho, an umbrella, a treat holder, a bottle holder, a bowl, and a bag. 
     Although the apparatus is described as being used with a particular lead system, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus may be used with a conventional leash. 
     Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.