Patent Publication Number: US-2017360008-A1

Title: Self-contained, retractable leash and collar or harness assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates, generally, to animal leashes. More particularly, it relates to a self-contained assembly containing a collar or harness with a handle haying a built-in retractable animal leash. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Pet collars and harnesses for use with dogs and/or cats having integral leashes are well-known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2008/0163830 describes a retractable leash and collar assembly, wherein the leash is contained within a housing integrated into the surface of the collar. The housing feeds into an aperture that allows the leash to enter and exit the collar. 
     U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2009/0255486 describes a combination pet collar and leash. The collar assembly communicates with the leash and handle assembly. The collar assembly has a circular housing thereon which contains a retraction mechanism that biases a spool to rotatably receive the leash. The handle can be fastened to the collar and Eos in over relation to the collar and spool when in a retracted position. 
     U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2010/0251970 describes a retractable leash and collar assembly, wherein the leash is contained within a housing integrated into the surface of the collar. The housing feeds into the aperture on the collar that allow s the leash to enter and exit the collar. 
     U.S. Patent App. Pub. No 2011/0023794 describes an assembly comprising an adjustable collar and retractable leash. The leash is located within a housing on the collar and is wound about a spring-actuated spool. At the other end, the leash is attached to a handle that aesthetically forms a side of the housing when in a retracted position. 
     U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2041/0174238 describes a collar and retractable leash assembly. The collar has a pouch coupled thereto with a retraction assembly contained therein. A cord is connected to the retraction assembly and is wound within the pouch when the apparatus is in a retracted position. A handle is coupled to the end of the cord opposite from the retraction assembly. In the retracted position, the handle is substantially contained within the pouch as well. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,477,410 describes a collar and retractable leash wherein the spring loaded spool portion of the retractable leash is clipped to the collar with a snap lock. The handle and leash are then pulled from the spool which is attached to the collar. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,018,189 describes a retractable dog leash wherein a spring actuated casing includes the retractable leash therein and the handle of the leash extends from the casing and may be pulled to the extended position of the leash. The casing is described as being attached to the collar by a split ring or similar member. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,382 describes a collar and self-retracting leash assembly. In a retracted position, the leash is disposed within the collar along the collar&#39;s longitudinal axis. A pulley is also disposed within the collar to facilitate expansion of the leash. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,581,547 describes a pet collar with integrated retractable leash. One end of the leash is attached to a coiled spring, and the other end is attached to the handle. In a retracted position, the leash has a portion fastened to the surface of the collar, and the handle is coupled to the collar as well. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,461,615 describes a pet harness with retractable leash secured to the harness, so that the retractable leash is readily accessible on the pet&#39;s back. The leash is disposed within a housing, within which the leash is wound around a spool. The handle of the leash is disposed outside of the housing in the retracted position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,880 describes a retractable leash assembly mounted to a collar or harness, wherein the leash is wound about a spool in a housing in the retracted position and is extendable from the spool in an extended position. The handle remains along the exterior of the housing when retracted. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,919,293 describes a retractable leash assembly that forms an integral part of the dog collar wherein the leash extends through a portion of the collar and is wound around a spool in the collar. In one form, the handle of the leash is mountable onto the harness or collar. 
     The conventional art presents a variety of problems, in particular the conventional leash and collar assembly is cumbersome and inconvenient to be carried by the animal. Accordingly, what is needed is a user-friendly and efficient leash and collar or harness assembly that is compact and does not need to be carried by the animal. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention. Applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein. 
     In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for an inclusive, accessible animal leash and collar or harness assembly is now met by a new, useful and nonobvious invention. 
     The novel structure includes a retractable leash and collar or harness assembly. The leash and handle assembly includes a hub member preferably fully contained therein. The hub assembly preferably has a hollow interior, and a spring (e.g., power spring) with a leash line coiled and enclosed within the hub assembly. The spring and leash line remain in communication with each other. The handle preferably surrounds and includes the hub assembly sewn or otherwise enclosed therein. The leash line extends from the forward end of the handle and is preferably interconnected to the collar assembly. In the preferred form of the collar assembly, at least one snap buckle, parachute buckle or similar connector allows the collar to be attached around the neck or body of the animal. Similarly, a harness assembly may be used to maintain control of the animal and is similarly connected to the leash line. 
     More particularly, the novel retractable leash and handle assembly includes a hub assembly enclosed within the forward end of the handle. The hub assembly has a substantially hollow interior and an aperture formed in the hub. A coiled spring is enclosed within the hollow interior of the hub assembly. The coiled spring has a first end secured to the hub assembly and is biased to be retracted around the hub assembly. The coiled leash line is enclosed within the hollow interior of the hub assembly in the retracted position. The coiled spring has a second end secured to a first, inner end of the coiled leash line. A second, outer end of the coiled leash line extends through the aperture formed in the hub assembly and is disposed externally of the hollow interior of the hub assembly and through the forward end of the handle. 
     In a further embodiment, the hub assembly may have a notched channel along its circumference, and the leash line would be coiled around the hub assembly within the notched channel. The hub assembly may also include a push button or similar actuation mechanism to allow the user to stop the extension of the leash from the hub assembly at any desired length. 
     The collar assembly or harness assembly include one or more connectors to allow the respective component to be securely connected around the neck or body of the animal. The collar or harness assembly also includes a further connector to connect the handle and hub assembly component to the collar or harness when the novel assembly is not in use. In a preferred form of this invention, the connection may be a magnetic connection such that the handle is easily attached or removed from the outer surface of the collar. Another snap type connector may be provided on the exterior of the collar to allow the user to connect certain swag type items such as bows, sparkles or other distinctive items. In a preferred form of the present invention, the leash line extends from the handle to a leash connector that is sewn into the collar assembly such that the leash line is integrally connected to the collar assembly. In a preferred form of the harness assembly, the harness include the hub assembly therein and the leash line is integrally connected to the handle. 
     The novel retractable leash and collar assembly is preferably constructed of a flexible and lightweight material to allow the handle with the hub assembly therein to be folded and releasably attached to the flexible and foldable collar or harness to allow the overall assembly to be compactly and easily carried by the user in a pocket or purse. Alternately, the handle and hub assembly is sufficiently small and lightweight so that it may be releasably attached to the collar or harness by a connector such as a magnet, button, snap or hook and loop connector without interfering with the movement of the animal. Preferred materials include durable fabrics, woven canvas or Kevlar type materials. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the current invention comprises a retractable leash and harness assembly for a pet. The leash and harness assembly includes a hub with hollow interior, and a spring (e g., power spring) and leash line coiled and enclosed within the hub. The spring and leash line remain in communication with each other in the interior of the harness and the leash line extends to the handle. The harness is of a conventional configuration that fits around the body of the animal and is connected with one or more snap or parachute type connectors. The leash is preferably integrally connected to the harness and includes a connector that is integrally located in the forward end of the handle. 
     A hollow tubing or channel may be disposed within and longitudinally along the forward end of the handle. This channel allows the user to hold the handle while also controlling the release of the leash from the hub assembly through the forward end of the handle. The spring and leash line may be positioned in the hub assembly such that the spring and leash line are coiled around the housing assembly, and the spring is in communication with the interior of the housing assembly. In a further embodiment, the hub assembly may have a notched channel along its circumference, and the leash line would be coiled around the hub assembly within the notched channel. In yet another embodiment, the hub assembly may include a push button or compressible configuration to allow the user to stop the release of the leash from the hub assembly at a desired length. In one form, depression of the button causes the leash to be pinched in the hub assembly such that movement of the leash from the hub assembly is stopped. 
     These and other important objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds. The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will be exemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed disclosure, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the retractable leash assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the retractable leash assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the handle of the retractable leash assembly according to an embodiment of the current invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the collar of the retractable leash assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a further perspective view of the collar of the retractable leash assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the retractable leash assembly showing the leash extended. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the folded collar of the retractable leash assembly. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the folded handle and collar of the retractable leash assembly. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the retractable leash assembly with a harness. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the hub assembly shown partially in the forward end of the handle of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In an embodiment, the current invention includes a retractable leash and collar assembly  10  consisting generally of a handle  20 , leash  30  and collar  40 . The handle  20  includes the hub assembly  32  contained in the forward end  24  thereof. The hub assembly is generally denoted as a whole component in the Figures by the reference numeral  32 . The handle  20  is preferably configured with a loop portion  22  and a forward end  24 . The loop portion may include a hook and loop material or similar type of connecting configuration to form an interior connector  26  to allow the user to fold the loop portion  22  of the handle  20  on itself as shown In  FIG. 7 . The exterior of the handle also preferably includes an exterior connector  28  such as a magnet, button, snap or hook and loop material to allow the handle  20  to be releasably attached to a complementary connector on the exterior of the collar as shown in  FIG. 8 . In a preferred form of the present invention, the handle extends around at least three fourths of the exterior of the collar to provide a compact leash and collar assembly  10 . Additionally, because of the flexibility of the materials used for construction, the entire retractable leash and collar assembly  10  may be folded over itself again to provide a compact assembly which is readily transportable in the pocket or purse of the user. 
     The forward end  24  of the handle  20  fully encloses and retains the hub assembly  32  therein. A passageway  38  extends from the hub assembly  32  to the front of the forward end  24  of the handle  20  to allow the leash  30  to movably pass there through. The leash  30  extends from the lead connector  36  adjacent to the handle  20  to the lead end  34  which is adjacent to the collar  40 . In a preferred form of the present invention, the handle is formed of a flexible material that is lightweight and foldable. It is anticipated that the handle may be made of a fabric material and may potentially also include a reinforcing material therein to increase the durability of the handle while not limiting the flexibility and foldability of the handle  20 . 
     The hub assembly  32  can be formed of any suitable material, for example metal, plastic, carbon fiber, etc. Examples of commercially availability components that are suitable for use as a hub assembly include Carabiner retractable reels manufactured by Universal Mercantile Exchange, Inc. of Walnut, Calif. or retractable lifelines manufactured by Global Equipment Co., Inc. of Buford, Ga. The hub assembly  32  includes capsule section, which encloses a reel/spring housing assembly. The hub assembly  32  not only houses the capsule but also encloses the spring member and the leash line when the leash is retracted. The spring is a conventional spring that is wound or coiled around the capsule to bias the leash line to a retracted position. The spring may have an inner end connection attached to the interior of the capsule. The opposite end of the spring terminates in the leash line  30 , which in turn leads to and is interconnected to the lead end  34  that is preferably integrally attached to the collar  40  at the leash connector  44 . The leash line  30  may alternately be wound around an outer groove on the capsule in outer relation to a spring. 
     One ordinary skill in the art would be capable of optimizing size/diameter of the size/diameter of hub assembly  32 , width of hub assembly, turns of the spring required, torque required within hub assembly  32 , among other optimizing factors when considering the life cycle required of the apparatus, environment in which the spring is used (e.g., frequent winding and unwinding due to leash  30 , retracting in and out of the capsule), etc. The exterior of the hub assembly  32  may also have a sloped plane to facilitate the spooling of leash line  30 . The hub assembly may also be formed of a pair of nesting components such that when the components are squeezed together by the user, the leash line  30  may be pinched there between to prevent an additional length of the leash line from being drawn from the hub assembly  32 . 
     The collar is generally illustrated  FIGS. 4 and 5  and is designated generally by the reference number  40 . The collar  40  includes a clasp  42 , leash connection  44 , an adjustable connector  45 , a handle connector  46  and a swag connector  48 . The collar  40  is preferably made of a flexible material that may include additional reinforcing materials to increase the durability while not adversely affecting the flexibility. In one form of the invention, the clasp  42  and leash connection  44  are located general adjacent to each other, although they may be further spaced apart without affecting the functionality of the present invention. The leash connection  44  is preferably integrally connected or sewn into the collar  40  so that the user need not clip or otherwise attach the leash to the collar. The handle connector  46  is preferably a magnet or similar member that is located on the exterior surface of the collar  40  to provide a convenient location to attach the exterior connector  28  of the handle  20  thereto. The collar  40  may also contain an additional swag connector  48  that consists of a snap type connector to allow bows, sparkles or other distinctive materials to the collar. The collar  40  may also include an adjustable connector  45  to allow the collar to be adjusted to a pet&#39;s size via an adjustable slide mechanism. In general function (e g., installation onto the pet and adjustability), the collar  40  can be utilized similar to conventional pet collars, and as such includes the appropriate straps and configuration for adjustability. Additionally, the leash connection  44  of the collar  40  and the lead connector  34  of the handle  20  are preferably integrally connected to provide an overall leash and collar assembly that is a unitary integral component that is easily folded for compact carrying by the user as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     The retractable leash and collar assembly is generally denoted in the Figures as reference numeral  10 . The collar  40  is attached to the animal by wrapping the collar around the animal and using the clasp  42  to retain the collar around the animal. The leash line  30  is then removed from the collar  40  by grasping the handle and removing the handle connector  46  from the exterior connector  28 . The user can then allow the leash to be withdrawn from the hub assembly  32  by holding the handle and allowing the animal to walk away from the user. An advantage of the present invention is that as the leash is withdrawn from the hub assembly  32 , the pet does not feel the vibration of the leash being withdrawn from the hub assembly on their back or around their neck. In the alternate form of the present invention, if the user wants to stop the extension of the leash, they may compress the hub assembly to stop the leash. 
     The harness form of the present invention is generally illustrated in  FIG. 9 . The harness is designated generally by the reference number  50 . The harness  50  includes a pair of clasps  52  and a handle connector  56 . The harness  50  is preferably made of a flexible material that may include additional reinforcing materials to increase the durability while not adversely affecting the flexibility. In one form of the invention, the clasps  52  are located generally spaced apart from a hub assembly  62  that is preferably integrally sewn into the harness  50 , although the clasps  52  and hub assembly  62  may be located generally adjacent to each other without affecting the functionality of the present invention. The handle connector  56  is complementary to an exterior connector  28  on the handle  20  and is located on the exterior surface of the harness  50  at a convenient location to attach the exterior connector  28  of the handle  20  thereto. When attached to the pet, the clasps  52 , handle connector  56  and hill assembly are  62  are preferably located along the back of the animal. The harness  50  may also include an adjustable feature to allow the harness to be adjusted to a pet&#39;s size via an adjustable slide mechanism. In general function (e.g., installation onto the pet, adjustability), harness  50  can be utilized similar to conventional pet harnesses, and as such includes the appropriate straps and configuration for adjustability. Although the preferred form of the harness shown as including the hub assembly  62  integrally connected to the forward end  24  of the handle  20 , an alternate form of the harness  50  may be interchangeable for customization and include an additional connector for personalization.