Patent ID: 12221799

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with the present invention as illustrated inFIGS.1-13, there is provided a device configured to be secured to a ground surface, and also configured to have an object, such as a pet leash and/or an umbrella, secured by the device. The device includes a clip such as a carabiner, configured to secure a pet leash thereto, and a central cylindrical base that is configured to receive an umbrella if desired. The clip is fastened to a rotatable center piece that rotates 360-degrees about the center cylindrical base, such that the pet leash is able to rotate about the entire cylindrical base without getting tangled. The umbrella may, for example, be a large beach-style umbrella that provides shade from sun or rain or other elements. The central cylindrical piece is able to accommodate umbrellas having various sized diameters so as to provide shade for the pet or another user, while allowing the pet to be securely tied to a surface via the device.

Reference is made toFIG.1a perspective view showing a dog110underneath an umbrella and out of the rain, attached to a device100configured to be secured to a ground surface, according to the present disclosure. The device100includes a clip117, such as a carabiner clip, configured to receive a lead115that a dog110or another animal, person, or object can be secured to. The device100is also configured to receive an umbrella pole120, which serves to provide shade or protection for the pet from rain, as shown. The lead115is shown as having one crimped end that is secured to the carabiner117, however any appropriate lead or leash can be secured to the clip117, as will be appreciated.

FIG.2is a perspective view of the device, according to the present disclosure. The device100includes a top cap210that can be open in the center so that an umbrella of smaller diameter can be inserted through a center thereof. In some embodiments, the top cap210may have a closed center to protect the hollow tubular member240from exterior contaminants such as dirt or sand. The sealed hollow tubular member in that instance may also be used to store items, such as dog waste bags. The knob220is shown, which is adjustable for securing an umbrella pole when inserted in the device100, which is shown for example inFIG.5as engaging with the umbrella pole. Returning toFIG.2, the device100includes a rotatable center piece230having the carabiner clip117secured thereto. The rotatable center piece230can be in the form of a disc that rotates 360-degrees about a center shaft240. Refer toFIG.12for a detailed illustration of the 360-degrees of rotation of the center piece230about the center shaft240. The center shaft240may be referred to herein as a hollow tubular piece or a hollow tubular member.

Referring back toFIG.2, the device100includes a spiral screw piece250that is used to secure or otherwise tie the device down to a ground surface. The device100further includes an elongated rod260that can be secured to the device100by a lead265. The elongated rod260is configured to be placed through the through-hole270and is used to tie the device100down into a ground surface. Refer, for example, toFIG.6illustrating the rotational movement of the elongated rod260to secure the device100to a ground surface610. Referring back toFIG.2, the through-hole270is on opposing sides of the cylindrical center shaft240so that, when engaged, the elongated rod260extends fully through the center shaft240.

FIG.3is a side view of the device, according to the present disclosure, with the pet and pet leash lead removed to show the device in greater detail. The device can include an upper support member or brace310and a lower support member or brace312. The upper brace310and lower brace312can form a track for the rotatable center piece230to rotate about the shaft240. The rotatable center piece230rotates about the center shaft240at the joining spot of the upper brace310and the lower brace312. The upper brace and lower brace can provide additional rigidity to the shaft240as well as a securing anchor point for the rotatable center shaft230.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view as taken along lines4-4ofFIG.3, showing the rotatable center piece having a space to rotate 360-degrees with respect to the center pole member of the device. In the cross-sectional view ofFIG.4, the hole410is visible, which is configured to receive a screw of the knob220. The through-hole270that receives the elongated rod260is visible in this cross-sectional view.

FIG.5is a cross-sectional view as taken along lines5-5ofFIG.4, illustrating the knob220and screw520that are configured to hold the umbrella (not shown) in place, as well as the rotatable center piece230and the hole for receiving the elongated pole (not shown) that assists in screwing the device into a ground surface. The inner cap210is shown as received within an outer cap portion510. The inner cap portion210has an outer diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the outer cap portion510such that there is a secure snap-fit of the inner cap portion210within the outer cap portion510. The inner cap portion210and the outer cap portion510may be referred to herein together as a two section cap construction. As shown, the inner cap210can be connected to the outer cap510by a securing loop512so that the inner cap210can be selectively engaged with the outer cap510. The securing loop512enables the inner cap210to be essentially attached to the outer cap portion510even in the position illustrated inFIG.10.

The knob220includes a screw portion520that is received through the hole410and is configured to engage with an umbrella pole (refer, for example, toFIGS.9and10showing, respectively, the screw engaged with a first and second size diameter umbrella pole). Referring back toFIG.5, the clip117can be secured to the rotatable center piece230by an appropriate fastener530, such as a D-clip, C-clip, carabiner style clip, or other appropriate fastener, as will be appreciated.

FIG.6is a perspective view of the device100showing the elongated rod260in place, with arrows600,602showing rotation of turn of the elongated rod260to screw the device into a ground surface610, according to the present disclosure. The device100is secured to the ground surface610by twisting the rod260clockwise in the direction of arrows600,602, to thereby secure the spiral screw piece into the ground surface610. After the device is screwed into the surface, the elongated rod260can be removed, so that it does not interfere with the rotatable center piece230, the clip117, or the lead or leash115. When desired to remove the device100from the ground surface610, the elongated pole260can be re-inserted and then turned counter-clockwise in the direction opposite to arrows600,602, to remove the device from the ground surface.

FIG.7is a cross-sectional view as taken along lines7-7ofFIG.6, showing the elongated rod260in place, extending through the opening270in the hollow tubular member, and the device fully anchored into the ground surface, according to the present disclosure. The hole410for receiving the screw520is also visible in this cross-sectional view.

FIG.8is a cross-sectional view as taken along lines8-8ofFIG.7, showing the elongated rod260as fully inserted through the opening270in the cylindrical base240. Note at810that the knob220has been turned sufficiently so as to partially tighten the screw520within the shaft240. This allows the screw to interface with an umbrella pole, for example as shown inFIGS.9-10.

FIG.9is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG.8, but with the elongated rod260removed, and showing the umbrella pole120inserted within the cylindrical shaft240, according to the present disclosure. Note that the screw520is tightened (i.e., drawn inward) to contact the pole120and secure the pole120within the hollow tubular member240of the device100.

FIG.10is a cross-sectional view similar toFIG.9, but showing a second, larger-sized diameter umbrella pole120binserted within the cylindrical base. Note that the inner top cap portion210has been removed, and the pole120bis received within the outer pole portion510. Note that the screw520has been backed out or loosened (as compared toFIG.9) to come into contact with the pole120b.FIG.10also illustrations at D1the smaller diameter aperture and at D2the larger diameter aperture for accommodating a larger diameter umbrella pole.

FIG.11is a side view showing the second side of the device, illustrating the opening270through which the elongated rod (260, not shown inFIG.11) extends, according to the present disclosure.

FIG.12is a cross-sectional view as taken along lines12-12ofFIG.11, showing the 360-degrees of rotation of the rotatable center piece, according to the present disclosure. The carabiner clip117has 360-degrees of movement with respect to the hollow tubular member240, by its attachment to the rotatable center piece230. As shown, the arrows1200,1202,1204show the 360-degrees of movement in either direction of the carabiner clip117. Three possible positions of the clip are illustrated at117,117a, and117b, however there are any number of infinite possible positions of the clip117at 360-degrees of rotation with respect to the shaft240, as will be appreciated in light of the present disclosure.

FIG.13is a top view of the device, according to the present disclosure. The top or inner cap portion210, the knob220, the clip117, the elongated rod260, and the lead265are visible in the top view.

It will be appreciated that although certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described, it will be appreciated that other modifications and enhancements can be made within ordinary skill, such as fastening other objects or individuals to the device for securing them thereto, such as other animals including but not limited to cats, ferrets, or any animal that can be put on a leash, or in some cases, if desired, a small child or toddler can be placed on the lead. Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.