Abstract:
An animal restraint device includes a rigid hub and a rigid handle rotatably connected to the hub. The hub includes at least one slot that each extends through the hub. Each slot is configured to receive a conventional leash for restraining an associated animal.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/782,815 filed on Mar. 17, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A variety of devices have been created to aid one in walking multiple dogs. These known devices, however, have certain shortcomings, such as, a hand grip that is not ergonomical. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0003]    In one example, an animal restraint device includes a rigid hub and a rigid handle rotatably connected to the hub. The hub includes a first slot and a second slot that each extend through the hub. Each slot is configured to receive a conventional leash for restraining an associated animal. 
         [0004]    In another example, an animal restraint device includes a handle and a hub. The handle includes a grip portion that is configured to be gripped by an associated person&#39;s hand so that the person&#39;s fingers generally encircle a first axis. The hub includes a slot extending through the hub. The slot is configured to receive a conventional leash for restraining an associated animal. The hub is connected to the handle for rotation about a second axis that is at an angle other than perpendicular to the first axis. 
         [0005]    In yet another example, a device for walking pets includes a rigid hub including two or more slots, a handle including a grip portion, and a fastening assembly connecting the rigid hub to the handle. Each slot is configured to accept an animal leash. The fastening assembly is configured to allow the rigid hub to rotate relative to the handle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side elevation of a multiple animal-walking device having leashes attached to the device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a pictorial view of the multiple animal-walking device as utilized by an individual to walk two pets simultaneously. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view from above the device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view from below the device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation cross-sectional view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5A  is a bottom perspective view of a rotating hub of the device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5B  is a top perspective view of the rotating hub as shown in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6A  is a side perspective view of a handle of the device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 6B  is a bottom perspective view of the handle shown in  FIG. 6A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  shows an example of a restraint device  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention. Two separate leashes  11 ,  12  of the common sewn loop construction, but not limited to, are used. If desired, multiple leashes can attach to the device  10 . The leash lines  11 ,  12  are generally made from a known nylon material. They include an upper end  13 ,  14  and a lower end  15 ,  16 . The loops, which are typically used as handles,  19 ,  20  are constructed by sewing the material to itself with an area of stitching  28 ,  29  on the upper end. The lower ends are sewn together with an area of stitching  30 ,  31  to secure the swivel pad eye  17 ,  18  and the snap hook  36 ,  37  combination. The snap hooks  36 ,  37  are connected to the pet&#39;s collars  32 ,  33 . In order to attach leashes  11 ,  12  to the device  10 , one inserts the loops  19 ,  20  through slots  21 ,  22  (more than two slots or fewer than two slots can be provided) located in the rotating hub  24 . One pulls the snap hook  36 ,  37  and swivel  17 ,  18  through the loop  19 ,  20  and pulls until the entire leash line  11 ,  12  is tightened up against the slot  21 ,  22  located on the rotating hub  24 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows the device  10  with two pets (dogs in the picture) P 1 , P 2  secured to the rotating hub  24 . The individual A holds the handle assembly  23  at the grip  35 . 
         [0017]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show the device  10  from two different viewpoints. The cavity  34  for the elastic stop nut  25  is better seen in  FIG. 3B . Slots  21 ,  22  are also more visible without the leashes being installed in the device  10 . The handle  23  is designed to be at an ergonomically friendly angle A ( FIG. 1 ) of, but not limited to, about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees off the horizontal axis H, and preferably about 20 degrees off the horizontal axis H. This offset angle A is to provide proper alignment with the handler&#39;s arm and wrist. 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional side view of the device of the present invention  10 . A fastening assembly connects the handle to the hub. The ball bearing  27  is pressed into the bearing cavity  38  in the hub. The elastic stop nut  25  is placed into the nut cavity  34  in the handle. The bolt  26  is sent through the center of the bearing  27  and rotating hub  24  and gets tightened to the elastic stop nut  25 . Other fastening assemblies that would allow the handle  23  to rotate with respect to the hub  24  can be employed. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are more detailed views of the rotating hub  24 . The rotating hub  24  is made of, but not limited to, a fiberglass reinforced resin for a lightweight and high strength combination. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are more detailed views of the handle  23  as part of the present invention  10 . The handle  23  is also made of, but not limited to, a fiberglass reinforced resin. 
         [0021]    With reference back to  FIG. 1 , the rotating hub  24  can be referred to as generally residing in a plane, which is depicted in  FIG. 1  as a vertical plane V. With reference to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the hub  24  is generally rectangular in plan view (having curved shorter sides), but it can take many other configurations. The slots  21  and  22  formed in the hub  24  are generally oblong having a major axis that is slightly larger than the height of a conventional pet leash. In the depicted embodiment, the slots  21  and  22  are disposed on opposite sides of the axis H ( FIG. 1 ) about which the handle rotates with respect to the hub, or vice versa. This can aid in keeping the leashes from getting tangled; however, the slots can be located on the same side of the rotational axis or even be aligned with the rotational axis, if desired. 
         [0022]    With reference back to  FIG. 1 , the handle  23  rotates with respect to the hub  24  in an axis H that is generally normal to the vertical plane V. The hand grip portion  35  of the handle  23  is a generally tubular elongated member as shown in  FIG. 1 . The hand grip portion  35  can take other configurations, for example, include depressions to receive the operator&#39;s fingers. The hand grip portion  35  is configured to be gripped by an associated person&#39;s hand so that the person&#39;s fingers generally encircle an axis X that is at an angle other than perpendicular with respect to the rotational axis H. In the depicted embodiment, the angle between the rotational axis H and the axis X is generally between about 60 degrees and about 80 degrees in a counterclockwise rotation, and preferably about 70 degrees. Accordingly, the axis X is also at an angle other than parallel to the plane V in which the rotating hub resides. The handle  23  includes a U-shaped member and the hand grip portion  35  interconnects opposite ends of the U-shaped portion. The handle  23  also includes an extension  61  that generally defines the nut cavity  34 . As more clearly seen in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the handle  23  connects to the hub  24  at the extension  61 , which is offset from a symmetrical axis of the U-shaped portion (this axis being generally perpendicular to axis X). 
         [0023]    The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Moreover, directional terms such as “horizontal” and “vertical” have been used in describing the drawings. These terms are used to aid the reader in understanding the drawings and are not intended to limit the invention to any exact orientation. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.