Patent Abstract:
An animal control device for prohibiting animal access to or egress from a desired area. The transmitter comprises a flexible transmitter strip and strip extensions that are designed to be physically unobtrusive. The strip further comprises on/off switch, frequency control, AC power plug and a battery backup. The receiver and emission component of the device comprises a removable and adjustable animal collar, or plurality of animal collars which emit audible sound, ultrasound, vibration, or mild electric shock.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to animal control devices and more specifically to a device for restraining an animal from entering or exiting an area. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Animal control devices are not new in the prior art. By way of example: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,242 to Davis et al. discloses an animal constraint device. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,392 to Andre et al. discloses a device for preventing an animal from crossing a zone. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,151,276 to Peinetti discloses an echo-ranging boundary system for animals. 
   While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe an animal control device that provides for the advantages of the present invention. Therefore, a need exists for an improved animal control device. In this respect, the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of animal control devices now present in the prior art, the new animal control device overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks or the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the animal control device, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an animal control device which has all of the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in an improved animal control device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
   To accomplish this, the present animal control device comprises a transmission strip and a receiver and emission collar unit for attaching to animals. The device is used for one animal or even several animals simultaneously. Additional collars are available for simultaneous, multiple animal usage. The transmission strip is comprised of transmission wires embedded within a flexible rubber strip of thin and substantially flat profile, with preferably slightly rounded outer edges. The strip is thin so that it is not likely to cause tripping and also so that it may be placed underneath a rug, carpet, or cushions or the like and not be visually intrusive. 
   Further, the strip is component extendable and flexible so that it can be arranged to accommodate either large or small areas and also be formed into various gentle curves. Strips plug into each other for extension of the animal control device, with an end cap for terminating the strip at the desired length. Plug design is basic with a male/female construction. Preferably, the first strip, with incorporated controls, is equipped with the female plug disposed at the end opposite the controls, with additional strips featuring male and female ends, and the end cap therefore being male. Another embodiment reverses that male female relationship, as shown in the following  FIGS. 1–5 . Controls for on/off operation and for transmission frequency are conveniently mounted on the strip. 
   The collar receiver/emitter resembles a typical collar with the addition of a small receiver/emitter. The receiver/emitter is a thin hexahedron with rounded corners and edges. The emitter projects a warning to the animal. Warnings are either audible to human ears or ultrasonic. Additional embodiments of the receiver/emitter replace the sound chip with mechanisms for delivering warnings in the form of mild electrical shock or vibration. The collar is fitted to the animal needing control. The transmitter strip is placed where a boundary is to be established, one which is not to be crossed. The transmitter is then plugged in and turned on and adjusted by the frequency control. An animal proximal to the strip is thereby discouraged from crossing that boundary. 
   The transmitter strip houses a battery backup to allow for conditions when standard AC current is not provided or convenient. An internal modulator automatically switches between battery or AC current power. The animal control device is basic, durable, inexpensively produced and portable. 
   Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the animal control device so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Numerous objects, features and advantages of the animal control device will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the animal control device when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the animal control device in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the animal control device. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   A primary object, then, of animal control device is to control animal access to or from desired areas. 
   Another object of the animal control device is to provide for flexibly shaped and desired length installations. 
   It is an additional object of the animal control device to provide control for several animals with one transmitter strip. 
   Yet another object of the animal control device is to provide for battery backup power. 
   These together with additional objects of the animal control device, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the animal control device, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the transmitter strip of the animal control device. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the animal collar with receiver/emitter. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the transmitter strip. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the transmitter strip with extension and end cap. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of the electronic components of the animal control device. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 through 5  thereof, the preferred embodiment of the animal control device employing the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. Referring  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the animal control device  10  comprises transmitter strip  11  and collar unit  22 . Strip  11  ( FIG. 1 ) is about 48 inches long and a substantially parallelepiped flexible strip. Strip  11  further comprises, at distal end, end cap  12 . The shape of end cap  12  matches and fits to strip  11  by way of female receptacle  20  and female receptacle  21 . End cap  12  plugs onto distal end of strip  11  by way of male extension plug  18 , which fits into receptacle  20  of cap  12 , and male extension plug  19 , which fits into receptacle  21  of cap  12 . Cap  12  thereby securely and safely terminates transmitter wire  34  and transmitter wire  35  ( FIG. 3 ) within plugs  18  and  19 . Cap  12  contains a loop (not shown) for transmitter wires  34  and  35 . 
   Strip  11  further comprises, at proximal end, switch/battery housing  26 , also identically shaped to the remainder of strip  11 . Frequency control housing  27 , also of matching shaped comprises the distal end of strip  11 . On/off switch  14  is disposed upwardly within housing  26 . Housing  26  further houses back up battery (not shown) for utilizing invention  10  without standard outlet AC power (not shown). Electrical cord  16  provides power via AC plug  17  when standard outlet power is utilized. Round knob frequency control  15 , oriented vertically within housing  27 , provides for adjustment of transmitter strip  11  signal strength. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , flexible strip  11  cross section further defines transmitter wire  34  and transmitter wire  35 . Wires  34  and  35  continue throughout the longitudinal distance of strip  11  and strip  13  extension ( FIG. 4 ). Referring to  FIG. 4 , strip  11  is provided with strip extension  13 . Cap  12  fits to extension  13  exactly as on strip  11 . Extension  13  plugs into strip  11  as did cap  12  in  FIG. 1 . Invention  10  is thereby extended. Each strip  11  and strip  13  is about 48 inches in length. Strips  11  and  13  are rubberized and flexible and may be shaped into various configurations (not shown) other than straight positioning shown. 
   Receiving and emission of animal control device  10  comprises collar unit  22 . Unit  22  comprises collar strap  33  for encircling an animal&#39;s neck (not shown). Strap  33  further comprises buckle  31  and typical male and female ends, each on an opposite end of strap  33 . Receiver/emitter  23  is disposed centrally along strap  33  and fixedly surrounds a relatively small portion thereof. Receiver/emitter  23  internally comprises collar receiver  42  and sound chip  43 , joined by receiver/sound chip electrical connect  53  ( FIG. 5 ). 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , strip  11  further comprises AC power supply  40 , electrical controls  41 , battery backup  55  and strip  11  transmitter wire  34  and transmitter wire  35  ( FIG. 3 ). Supply/controls electrical connect  50  connects supply  40  to controls  41 . Controls/battery electrical connect  51  connects controls  41  to battery backup  55 . Controls/transmitter electrical connect  52  connects controls  41  to wire  34  and wire  35 . 
   In use, strip  11 , with or without strip/s  13 , is positioned across any area (not shown) from which an animal (not shown) is to be bounded either within or without. The area may prohibit access to a doorway (not shown), a couch (not shown), or any imaginable area distinction (not shown). Invention  10  prohibits entrance or exit of an animal by emitting sound unpleasant to the animal. End cap  12  is installed to terminate strip  11  or strip/s  13 . Collar unit  22  is fitted to the animal to be controlled and is secured by typical buckle  31 . Buckle adjustment  32  is adjusted such that unit  22  correctly fits. 
   Available power either from either standard AC via plug  17  or from internal battery backup  55  is utilized. Switch  14  is turned to on position. Frequency control  15  is set at mid level. The animal is then placed within the area to which it is to be contained, or without the area to which it is to be denied admission. If the animal approaches to within proximity of strip  11 , airwave transmission  54  from transmitter wires  34  and  35  is received by collar receiver  42  of collar unit  22 . Upon receipt of transmission  54  from wires  34  and  35 , collar receiver  42  signals sound chip  43 , via receiver/sound chip electrical connect  53 . If the animal is not repulsed, frequency control  15  is adjusted further until the animal is. A replaceable battery (not shown) is also housed within receiver/emitter  23 . The battery powers receiver  42  and sound chip  43 . Chip  43  emits sound to alarm the animal and prevent animal access to denied areas. Invention  10  is inoperative when switch  14  is in off position. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the animal control device, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0