Patent Publication Number: US-2017360007-A1

Title: Pet Lease Device with a Buffering Function

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a pet lease device with a buffering function and, more particularly, to a pet leash detachably coupled to an accessory worn on a peg, such as a dog, to control the behavior of the pet while giving the pet certain freedom. 
     Many people have dogs as pets. When it is desired to take a dog outside, a lease is attached to an accessory, such as a collar or a vest, worn on the dog to control the movement of the dog. Thus, the pet owner can control the movement of the dog by the leash while the dog moves with limited freedom. 
     Conventional leashes include rigid type and stretchable type. A rigid type leash is not elastic and provides a better control on the pet. However, the rigid leash does not provide any buffering effect, such that the hand of the pet owner could be injured by the pulling force imparted to the rigid leash by the pet during movement. 
     A stretchable leash is an elastic cord or a cord that can be coiled by a coiling device. Thus, the stretchable leash can elastically deform or change the length to provide a buffering effect, avoiding injury to the hand of the pet owner. However, the control on the pet is compromised due to elongation of the leash. 
     Thus, a need exists for a novel leash device that mitigates and/or obviates the above disadvantages. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an aspect, a pet lease device includes a first resilient section having a first portion and a second portion. A handle section includes a connecting end engaged with the first portion of the first resilient section and a handgrip. A tail section includes a first engaging end engaged with the second portion of the first resilient section and a connecting member. An optional coupling ring is fixed to the tail section. An optional restraining section includes a fixing end engaged with the handle section and an engaging end. When the engaging end of the restraining section is not engaged with the coupling ring, the first resilient section is permitted to stretch. When the engaging end of the restraining section engages with the coupling ring, the first resilient section is not permitted to stretch. 
     The engaging end of the restraining section can include a coupling member selectively and detachably engaged with the coupling ring. 
     The first resilient section can further include a first elastic cord having first and second ends and two first engaging members. Each of the two first engaging members includes a barrel and an annular portion extending from an end of the barrel. The first end of the first elastic cord engages with the barrel of one of the two first engaging members to form the first portion of the first resilient section. The annular portion of the one of the two first engaging members engages with the connecting end of the handle section. The second end of the first elastic cord engages with the barrel of the other of the two first engaging members to form the second portion of the first resilient section. The annular portion of the other of the two first engaging members engages with the first engaging end of the tail section. 
     The first resilient section can further include a first protective sheath mounted around the first elastic cord. The first protective sheath includes two ends respectively fixed to the connecting end of the handle section and the first engaging end of the tail section. The first protective sheath has a length larger than a maximum length of the first elastic cord which has been stretched, permitting the first resilient section to elastically elongate when pulled. 
     In an example, the tail section includes a fixing section and a second resilient section. The fixing section is not elastically stretchable. The first engaging end is located on an end of the fixing section. The fixing section further includes a second engaging end. The second resilient section includes first and second ends. The first end of the second resilient section engages with the second engaging end of the fixing section. A connecting device engages with the second end of the second resilient section. The connecting device includes a connecting member adapted to detachably couple with an accessory worn on a pet. 
     The second resilient section can include a second elastic cord having first and second ends and two second engaging members. Each of the two second engaging members includes a barrel and an annular portion extending from an end of the barrel. The first end of the second elastic cord engages with the barrel of one of the two second engaging members to form the first end of the second resilient section. The annular portion of the one of the two second engaging members engages with the second engaging end of the fixing section. The second end of the second elastic cord engages with the barrel of the other of the two second engaging members to form the second end of the second resilient section. The annular portion of the other of the two second engaging members engages with the connecting device. 
     The second resilient section can further include a second protective sheath mounted around the second elastic cord. The second protective sheath includes two ends respectively fixed to the second engaging end of the fixing section and the connecting device. The second protective sheath has a length larger than a maximum length of the second elastic cord after stretching, permitting the second resilient section to elastically elongate when pulled. 
     In an example, the tail section includes a fixing section that is not elastically stretchable. The first engaging end is located on an end of the fixing section. The fixing section further includes a second engaging end. A connecting member is fixed to the second engaging end of the fixing section and is adapted to detachably couple with an accessory worn on a pet. 
     In a second aspect, a pet lease device includes a first resilient section having first and second portions and a fixing section having first and second engaging ends. The second engaging end of the fixing section engages with the first portion of the first resilient section. A handle section is disposed on the first engaging end of the fixing section. A connecting device is mounted to the second portion of the first resilient section. The connecting device includes a connecting member adapted to detachably couple with an accessory worn on a pet. 
     The first resilient section can further include a first elastic cord having first and second ends and two first engaging members. Each of the two first engaging members includes a barrel and an annular portion extending from an end of the barrel. The first end of the first elastic cord engages with the barrel of one of the two first engaging members to form the first portion of the first resilient section. The annular portion of the one of the two first engaging members engages with the second engaging end of the fixing section. The second end of the first elastic cord engages with the barrel of the other of the two first engaging members to form the second portion of the first resilient section. The annular portion of the other of the two first engaging members engaged with the connecting device. 
     The first resilient section further can include a first protective sheath mounted around the first elastic cord. The first protective sheath includes two ends respectively fixed to the second engaging end of the fixing section and the connecting device. The first protective sheath has a length larger than a maximum length of the first elastic cord which has been stretched, permitting the first resilient section to elastically elongate when pulled. 
     In a third aspect, a pet leash device includes a first resilient section having first and second portions. A handle section includes a connecting end engaged with the first portion of the first resilient section and a handgrip. A tail section includes a first engaging end engaged with the second portion of the first resilient section and a connecting member. The connecting member is adapted to detachably couple with an accessory worn on a pet. 
     The first resilient section can include a first elastic cord having first and second ends and two first engaging members. Each of the two first engaging members includes a barrel and an annular portion extending from an end of the barrel. The first end of the first elastic cord engages with the barrel of one of the two first engaging members to form the first portion of the first resilient section. The annular portion of the one of the two first engaging members engages with the connecting end of the handle section. The second end of the first elastic cord engages with the barrel of the other of the two first engaging members to form the second portion of the first resilient section. The annular portion of the other of the two first engaging members engages with the first engaging end of the tail section. 
     The first resilient section can further include a first protective sheath mounted around the first elastic cord. The first protective sheath includes two ends respectively fixed to the connecting end of the handle section and the first engaging end of the tail section. The first protective sheath has a length larger than a maximum length of the first elastic cord after stretching, permitting the first resilient section to elastically elongate when pulled. 
     The tail section can include a fixing section and a second resilient section. The fixing section is not elastically stretchable. The first engaging end is located on an end of the fixing section. The fixing section further includes a second engaging end. The second resilient section includes first and second ends. The first end of the second resilient section engages with the second engaging end of the fixing section. A connecting device engages with the second end of the second resilient section. The connecting device includes a connecting member adapted to detachably couple with an accessory worn on a pet. 
     The second resilient section can include a second elastic cord having first and second ends and two second engaging members. Each of the two second engaging members includes a barrel and an annular portion extending from an end of the barrel. The first end of the second elastic cord engages with the barrel of one of the two second engaging members to form the first end of the second resilient section. The annular portion of the one of the two second engaging members engages with the second engaging end of the fixing section. The second end of the second elastic cord engages with the barrel of the other of the two second engaging members to form the second end of the second resilient section. The annular portion of the other of the two second engaging members engages with the connecting device. 
     The second resilient section can further include a second protective sheath mounted around the second elastic cord. The second protective sheath includes two ends respectively fixed to the second engaging end of the fixing section and the connecting device. The second protective sheath has a length larger than a maximum length of the second elastic cord after stretching, permitting the second resilient section to elastically elongate when pulled. 
     The pet lease device can further include a restraining section having a fixing end engaged with the handle section and an engaging end having a coupling member. A coupling ring is fixed to the fixing section. The coupling ring is detachably coupled with the coupling member. When the engaging end of the restraining section is not engaged with the coupling ring, the first resilient section is permitted to stretch. When the engaging end of the restraining section engages with the coupling ring, the first resilient section is not permitted to stretch. 
     The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The illustrative embodiments may best be described by reference to the accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pet leash device of a first embodiment according to the present invention with a restraining section not engaged. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken along section line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view taken along section line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the pet leash device of the first embodiment with the restraining section engaged. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic view illustrating two pet leash devices, with the restraining section of one of the pet leashes not engaged, and with the restraining section of the other pet leash engaged. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pet leash device of a second embodiment according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a pet leash device of a third embodiment according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the illustrative embodiments will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings have been read and understood. 
     Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, “end”, “portion”, “section”, “length”, and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrative embodiments. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , a pet lease device  10  of a first embodiment includes a first resilient section  20  that can elongate elastically. The first resilient section  20  includes a first portion  22  and a second portion  24 . The first resilient section  20  further includes a first elastic cord  26  that can elastically elongate when subjected to a pulling force. The first elastic cord  26  includes a first end  28  and a second end  30  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     The first resilient section  20  includes two first engaging members  34 . Each first engaging member  34  includes a barrel  36  that is conical and an annular portion  38  extending from an end of the barrel  36 . The first end  28  of the first elastic cord  26  engages with the barrel  36  of one of the two first engaging members  34  to form the first portion  22  of the first resilient section  20 . The second end  30  of the first elastic cord  26  engages with the barrel  36  of the other first engaging member  34  to form the second portion  24  of the first resilient section  20 . Two first plugs  32  are respectively mounted in the first and second ends  28  and  30 , such that the first and second ends  28  and  30  are stretched open to be slightly larger than an inner diameter of the barrel  36  of each first engaging member  34 . As a result, the first and second ends  28  and  30  of the first elastic cord  26  engage with the barrels  36  of the two first engaging members  34  ( FIG. 2 ). Thus, the first elastic cord  26  is stretched and elastically elongates when the two first engaging members  34  are moved away from each other. 
     The first resilient section  20  further includes a first protective sheath  40  mounted around the first elastic cord  26 . The two first engaging members  34  are located between two ends of the first protective sheath  40  (see  FIG. 2 ). A length of a portion of the first protective sheath  40  between the two first engaging members  34  is larger than the maximum length of the first elastic cord  26  after stretching. The maximum length of the first elastic cord  26  after stretching refers to a length of the first elastic cord  26  on the verge of breakage after the first elastic cord  26  is stretched by pulling the first and second ends  28  and  30  of the first elastic cord  26  in opposite directions. Thus, the first and second portions  22  and  24  of the first resilient section  20 , when subjected to pulling forces in opposite directions, can elastically elongate without limitation by the first protective sheath  40 . 
     The pet leash device  10  further includes a handle section  42 . The handle section  42  includes a connecting end  44  and a handgrip  46 . The connecting end  44  is coupled to the annular portion  38  of the first engaging member  34  of the first portion  22  of the first resilient section  20 . One of the two ends of the first protective sheath  40  is fixed to the connecting end  44  of the handle section  42 . In this embodiment, the handle section  42  is a stitched strap, and the handgrip  46  is a loop formed by a strap. Nevertheless, the handle section  42  can be in the form of a tube. 
     The pet leash device  10  further includes a restraining section  48 . The restraining section  48  includes a fixing end  50  and an engaging end  52 . The fixing end  50  is fixed to the connecting end  44  of the handle section  42 . The engaging end  52  includes a coupling member  54  that can be of any desired form as conventional including but not limited to of a commercially available type. 
     The pet leash device  10  further includes a tail section  55  engaged with the second portion  24  of the first resilient section  20 . The tail section  55  includes a fixing section  56 . The fixing section  56  is not elastically stretchable. The fixing section  56  includes a first engaging end  58  engaged with the annular portion  38  of the first engaging member  34  of the second portion  24  and a second engaging end  60 . The fixing section  56  further includes a coupling ring  62  fixed to a side thereof. 
     The tail section  55  includes a second resilient section  66  engaged with the fixing section  56 . The second resilient section  66  includes a first end  68  engaged with the second engaging end  60  of the fixing section  56  and a second end  70 . The second resilient section  66  further includes a second elastic cord  72  that elongates elastically when subjected to a pulling force. The second elastic cord  72  includes a first end  74  and a second end  76  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     The second resilient sections  66  further includes two second engaging members  78 . Each second engaging members  78  includes a barrel  80  that is conical and an annular portion  82  extending from an end of the barrel  80 . The first end  74  of the second elastic cord  72  engages with the barrel  80  of one of the two engaging members  78  to form the first end  68  of the second resilient section  66 . The second end  76  of the second elastic cord  72  engages with the barrel  80  of the other second engaging member  78  to form the second end  70  of the second resilient sections  66 . 
     Two second plugs  77  are respectively mounted in the first and second ends  74  and  76  of the second elastic cord  72 , such that the first and second ends  74  and  76  of the second elastic cord  72  are stretched open to be slightly larger than an inner diameter of the barrel  80  of each second engaging member  78 . As a result, the first and second ends  74  and  76  of the second elastic cord  72  engage with the barrels  80  of the two second engaging members  78  ( FIG. 3 ). Thus, the second elastic cord  72  is stretched and elastically elongates when the two second engaging members  78  are moved away from each other. 
     The second elastic section  66  further includes a second protective sheath  84  mounted around the second elastic cord  72 . The two second engaging members  78  are located between two ends of the second protective sheath  84  (see  FIG. 3 ). A length of a portion of the second protective sheath  84  between the two second engaging members  78  is larger than the maximum length of the second elastic cord  72  after stretching. The maximum length of the second elastic cord  72  after stretching refers to a length of the second elastic cord  72  on the verge of breakage after the second elastic cord  72  is stretched by pulling the first and second ends  74  and  76  of the second elastic cord  72  in opposite directions. Thus, the first and second ends  68  and  70  of the second resilient section  66 , when subjected to pulling forces in opposite directions, can elastically elongate without limitation by the second protective sheath  84 . 
     The tail section  55  further includes a connecting device  86  engaged with the second resilient section  66 . The connecting device  86  includes a connecting strap  88  and a connecting member  90 . The connecting strap  88  is not elastically stretchable and engages with the annular portion  82  of the second end  70  of the second resilient section  66 . The connecting member  90  is fixed to an end of the connecting strap  88  and can be of any desired form as conventional including but not limited to of a commercially available type. 
     The connecting member  90  of the pet leash device  10  of the first embodiment can be detachably engaged with an accessory  92  on a pet  91 , such as a dog. The accessory  92  can be a collar, a vest, etc. that is detachably engaged with a hook of the pet leash device  10 . With reference to  FIG. 5 , a pet owner uses two pet leash devices  10  to carry two pets (dogs in this example)  91  each wearing an accessory  92  in the form of a collar. The connecting members  90  of the two pet leash devices  10  are connected to the accessories  92  on the pets  91 . The coupling member  54  of the restraining section  48  on the left pet leash device  10  is not engaged with the coupling ring  62 . Thus, the first and second resilient sections  20  and  66  on the left pet leash device  10  can elongate elastically under pulling. As for the right pet leash device  10 , the coupling member  54  of the restraining section  48  engages with the coupling ring  62 , such that only the second elastic section  66  can be elongate elastically under pulling, because the first resilient section  20  of the right pet leash device  10  is fixed by the restraining section  48 . 
     The first and second resilient sections  20  and  66  of the pet leash device  10  of the first embodiment can elongate elastically when the pets  91  move, providing a buffering effect and reducing burden to the hand of the pet owner. 
     When desired, the coupling member  54  of the restraining section  48  on the right pet leash device  10  detachably engages with the coupling ring  62  to restrain elongation of the first resilient section  20 , such that only the second resilient section  66  can restrain movement of the pet  91  while reducing the burden to the hand of the pet owner. 
     Furthermore, by the provision of the restraining section  48  to selectively restrain elongation of the first resilient section  20 , the pet leash device  10  of the first embodiment can be used on dogs of different characteristics. For example, when the dog is tame (namely, a dog that would not run about), the restraining section  48  is not used, such that both of the first and second resilient sections  20  and  66  can elongate under pulling, providing the best buffering effect. On the other hand, if the dog is lively, the restraining section  48  is used to restrain elongation of the first resilient section  20 , restraining movement of the pet while providing a suitable buffering effect. 
       FIG. 6  shows a pet leash device  10  of a second embodiment. In comparison with the first embodiment, the tail section  55  of the pet leash device  10  of the second embodiment does not include the second resilient section  66 . Furthermore, the pet leash device  10  of the second embodiment does not include the restraining section  48  and the coupling ring  62 , and the connecting device  86  does not include the connecting strap  88 . Instead, the first engaging end  58  of the fixing section  56  directly engages with the second portion  24  of the first resilient section  20 . The connecting member  90  directly engages with the second engaging end  60  of the fixing section  56 . In this state, the first resilient section  20  elastically elongate when subjected to pulling. 
       FIG. 7  shows a pet leash device  10  of a third embodiment. In comparison with the first embodiment, the pet leash device  10  of the third embodiment does not include the second resilient section  66 , the restraining section  48 , and the coupling ring  62 . Furthermore, the second engaging end  60  of the fixing section  56  engages with the annular portion  38  of the first engaging member  34  of the first portion  22  of the first resilient section  20 . The handle section  42  is located on the first engaging end  58  of the fixing section  56 . The connecting device  86  engages with the annular portion  38  of the first engaging member  34  of the second portion  24 . In this state, the first resilient section  20  elastically elongate when subjected to pulling. 
     The pet leash device  10  can effectively use the first and second resilient sections  20  and  66  (the first embodiment) or the first resilient section  20  (the second and third embodiments) to elastically elongate when subjected to pulling, thereby providing a buffering effect while reducing burden to the hand of the pet owner. Furthermore, the first and second resilient sections  20  and  66  have suitable lengths to control the elongation while restraining movement of the pets. 
     Now that the basic teachings of the pet leash device  10  have been explained, many extensions and variations will be obvious to one having ordinary skill in the art. For example, the first resilient section  20  of the pet leash device  10  in each embodiment does not have to include two first plugs  32 . In this case, each of the first end  28  and the second end  30  of the first elastic cord  26  can be knotted to form a knot having a size lager than the inner diameter of the barrel  36  of the corresponding first engaging member  34  to fix the first and second ends  28  and  30  to the first engaging members  34 . Likewise, the second resilient section  66  of the pet leash device  10  in each embodiment does not have to include two second plugs  77 . In this case, each of the first end  74  and the second end  76  of the second elastic cord  72  can be knotted to form a knot having a size lager than the inner diameter of the barrel  80  of the corresponding second engaging member  78  to fix the first and second ends  74  and  76  to the second engaging members  78 . Furthermore, the connecting device  86  of the first embodiment does not have to include the connecting strap  88 , and the connecting member  90  directly engages with the annular portion  82  of the second engaging member  78  of the second resilient section  66 . Furthermore, the connecting device  86  of the pet leash device  10  of the third embodiment does not have to include the connecting strap  88 , and the connecting member  90  directly engages with the annular portion  38  of the second portion  24  of the first resilient section  20 . 
     Thus since the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.