Abstract:
An animal tie-out device including a hoop consisting of two or more sections that can he assembled and disassembled from each other, and attached to a vertical, object, and a secondary ring attached at one end to the circular hoop, and at the other end to an animal restraint.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to animal tie-out devices. 
         [0002]    Dog owners in particular have likely had occasion to tie dogs out for exercise, fresh air, potty privileges, and general handling. Dog-loving families often attempt to safely restrain their pets while providing them with mobility during their time outside, only to find upon their return a pet who is tangled, twisted, and whose movements arc restricted sometimes to the point of little or no mobility due to a fouled tether or tie-out. 
         [0003]    Concern over finding an animal tormented by being wrapped tightly against a tree, post, or stake tie-out because of a fouled condition led to the present invention. It was also important that any solution be cost-effective and affordable to pet lovers regardless of means. 
         [0004]    Internet searches and discussions with other pet owners, as well as past observations and experience, have revealed various problems with prior animal tie-outs. For example, screw-in stakes with a handle on top have been used in the past, and these have a tendency to foul. Driven-in stakes using a swivel have also been employed, and these tend to pull out from the ground over time, particularly with larger or more powerful animals. Tether cables tied around a tree or pole have also been used, but the cable folds over and/or binds against the tree or pole, wrapping around the tree or pole until the animal is confined or immobilized. Some dogs have even been known to chew on the cable, separating the strands and eventually breaking free. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, it would be highly desirable to provide an animal tie-out which is functional, animal-friendly, and relatively inexpensive, and overcomes the disadvantages of prior animal tie-outs, as described above. 
         [0006]    Definition Of Claim Terms 
         [0007]    The following terms are used in the claims of the patent as filed and are intended to have their broadest meaning consistent with the requirements of law. Where alternative meanings are possible, the broadest meaning is intended. All words used in the claims are intended to be used in the normal, customary usage of grammar and the English language. 
         [0008]    “Hoop” means a circular, generally circular or elliptical shaped support for an animal restraint, which may be made of any suitable strong and rigid or semi-rigid material useful for tethering an animal, and whose strength and design is chosen with the animal to be tethered in mind. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The objects mentioned above, as well as other objects, are solved by the present invention, which overcomes disadvantages of prior animal tie-outs, while providing new advantages not previously obtainable with such tie-outs. 
         [0010]    In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, an animal tie-out device includes a hoop including two or more sections that can he assembled and disassembled from each other, the hoop attachable to a vertical object (such as a tree, shrub, pole or post), and a secondary ring attached at one end to the hoop, and at the other end to an animal restraint (such as a chain, rope or cable). In one embodiment, the hoop may be circular or generally circular in cross-section, and may be hollow metal tubing. Fasteners, such as screws, pop rivets, etc., may be used to enable assembly and disassembly of the two or more hoop sections. 
         [0011]    In another preferred embodiment, the hoop diameter may be selectively enlarged or shrunk, but still retains a generally circular or elliptical in cross-sectional shape. The hoop may be made of any suitable material, preferably which allows the inner portion contacting the vertical object to have a smooth surface, such as tubular metal, PVC, rubber or a rubber-like material. 
         [0012]    In various hoop embodiments, one or more hoop sections may include a female portion, and another of the hoop sections may include a male portion designed to fit within and interconnect with the female portion. Fasteners may be used to secure, or further secure, the male and female sections to each other. In various embodiments, the male portion may be crimped or swagged, or have a tapered or conically-shaped end. Slits may also be formed in an outer portion of the hoop, enhancing flexibility of the hoop. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The novel features which are characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and attendant advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the animal tie-out device of the present invention, including a hoop, a secondary ring and an animal restraint; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of sections of a preferred hoop embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 3-4  are partial perspective views of another hoop embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of yet another hoop embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 6-7  are partial perspective views of hoop sections used in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8-9  and  10  are partial perspective views of still further hoop embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the hoop section embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0021]      FIGS. 12-13  are a perspective view, and a. cross-sectional view, respectively, of yet another hoop embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Set forth below is a description of what are believed to be the preferred embodiments and/or best examples of the invention claimed. Future and present alternatives and modifications to this preferred embodiment are contemplated. Any alternatives or modifications which make insubstantial changes in function, in purpose, in structure, or in result are intended to be covered by the claims of this patent. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , in one preferred embodiment of animal tie-out device  10  of the present invention, a rigid or semi-rigid tether hoop  20  is used, which can be placed around a tree, pole, or post  22 . A secondary ring  30  may be attached to tether hoop  20  and, in turn, an animal restraint  32  such as a chain, cable or rope may be attached to the secondary ring using any desirable connection  41 , such as a releasable detent mechanism, a rope or cable tie, etc. Tether hoop  20  is preferably constructed of durable hollow piping or tubing, while secondary ring  30  preferably consists of a smaller solid ring, which may be made of metal or another strong material. Hoop  20  may be solid metal but, due to its size, which may be 1-foot in diameter or larger, for economic reasons it may be preferable to use a sturdy hollow tubular hoop. 
         [0025]    Various embodiments and mechanisms may be used to allow hoop  20  to be disassembled and assembled into sections. Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , for example, hoop  20  may include a male section  24  whose opposing ends each fit adjacent female sections  26 . Fasteners  28  such as screws or bolts  28   a  or pop rivets  28   b,  may be used to secure the sections and form the assembled hoop  20 . Male hoop section  24  could also be permanently attached, such as integrally made or with adhesive, to female hoop section  26 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , such that fewer fasteners  28  may be necessary. Preferably, fasteners are used in a manner that keeps the inner surface of hoop  20  smooth, so that it can easily slide about post  22  without binding, and so that ring  30  can freely move about hoop  20  as necessary. This construction also allows hoop  20  to be enlarged, to fit around larger diameter poles, for example. 
         [0026]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 5-7 , slits may be formed on the outer surface of hoop  20 , providing hoop  20  with more flexibility, particularly as it is enlarged such that it may be less circular and more elliptical in overall circumferential shape. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-11 , other hoop section embodiments may be used. For example, male hoop section  24  could be designed to fit tightly with a female hoop section  26  with an enlarged opening  26   a,  as in  FIG. 8 . As another example, male section  24  could have a swagged end  24   a  tightly fitting within female section  26 , as shown in  FIG. 9  In still another embodiment, male hoop section  24  could include a conically tapered end  35  tightly fitting within a correspond conically tapered opening  36  within female hoop section  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 10-11 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 12-13 , in still another embodiment, hoop ends may be crimped such that “male” crimped end  26  may fit within “female” crimped end  24 , as shown. 
         [0029]    Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various fasteners  28  may be used, such as screws, pop rivets, detents, etc. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the hoop and ring are constructed such that they are easy to put in place and easy to remove. A circular or generally circular cross-section for each of the hoop and ring is preferred, as then they will tend not to bind, bend, fray or kink around pole  22  or on each other. Unlike conventional cable tie-outs, preferably no sharp metal strands are involved, which may unravel, loosen, break or stick hands or fingers, or the mouth and paws of pets. 
         [0031]    In a particularly preferred embodiment, hoop  20  and secondary ring  30  are made of metal with a smooth, glossy finish, or at least a smooth inner surface, to provide a low coefficient of friction when they rub against each other, providing greater ease of movement of secondary ring  30  as it moves around tether hoop  20 , and tether hoop  20  as it moves about pole  22 . A secondary benefit of using a metallic hoop with a smooth surface finish is less damage to the bark on trees, and thus less harmful to trees and shrubs. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-7 , hoop  20  could also be constructed of a rugged rubber, braided or hybrid material, such as but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-like materials or garden hose. The above-referenced hoop section embodiments will allow rapid disassembly and assembly of the hoop around poles or trees, and also allow the selective enlarging or shrinking of the hoop diameter, to better fit the diameter of the desired tree or pole used to secure the hoop in place. 
         [0033]    The above description is not intended to limit the meaning of the words used in the following claims that define the invention. For example, while various preferred and less preferred embodiments have been described above, persons of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of other designs still falling within the scope of the following claims may be envisioned and used. It is contemplated that future modifications in structure, function or result will exist that are not substantial changes and that all such insubstantial changes in what is claimed are intended to be covered by the claims.