GB2413928A

GB2413928A - A lockable dog leash

Info

Publication number: GB2413928A
Application number: GB0410598A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Margot * David Yarah
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-05-12
Filing date: 2004-05-12
Publication date: 2005-11-16
Also published as: GB0410598D0

Abstract

A dog leash 1, made from a single length of chain, has a locking mechanism 2, 3 fixed at each of the free ends. The locking devices are combination lock types. One end 2 may be passed around a dog's neck and clipped back onto the chain at a chosen link 7 to form a collar 4. The other end 3 may be clipped onto the chain at the integrated ring shaped member 6 to form a handhold loop 5. Both the collar and the handhold areas of the chain have nylon webbing sleeves for the comfort of the dog and the handler. Should it be necessary to tether the animal, the hand loop is unclipped, passed around an appropriate stationary object and the lock clipped back onto the chain at a link which forms a loop most suited to the circumference of the tethering post.

Description

1 2413928

LOCKABLE DOG LEASH

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to leading and restraining devices.

More specifically it relates to a dog leash, which may be locked at both the collar and the handhold, allowing the dog to be securely tethered to a stationary object without fear of unauthorized removal.

BACKGROUND ART

Dog leads themselves are commonplace and many dog leash configurations proposed in prior art have been devised and utilised for the purpose of increasing dog safety, control and convenience.

Examples are US Pat. No. 6,367,428 (Forte) Combination collar and leash system which is convenient and has features to improve safety and handling, but in which there appears to be no contemplation for also combining a secure locking system or using a chain for strength, durability and security.

GB Pat No. 2,376,864 (Silvester) Dog lead and Tethering device, allows the leash to be hitched without removing the collar, but has no secure locking feature.

US Pat No. 5,174,246 (Driver) discloses a tethering device which allows a conventional leash to be hitched to a secure upright quickly and conveniently but not thereafter to be locked or other wise secured against removal.

Further to these, US Pat. No. 3,953,990 (Nagel) discloses an anti-theft locking device, comprising chaining means and steel collar member for secure tethering. In this way the device fulfils a need for security, but it is not convenient, using key operated locking means and being too heavy for easy use outside of your own property.

US Pat No. 3,867,905(Vail Jr.) Canine Security Leash discloses a chain leash, which again may be secured with a lock and key.

While these devices fulfill their respective criteria, the aforementioned patents do not describe a dog leash that combines all of these features in a convenient, simple and practical design. A leash which not only serves the purpose of leading/restraining the dog safely and providing a means to hitch the dog quickly without the need to remove the collar, but that may be securely locked by the owner when leaving the dog unattended, (outside a shop for instance) without the need for additional locking devices or keys.

In short, a leash that can be used everyday like a conventional dog lead with a simple locking device that protects the animal against theft.

The object of the invention is to provide some protection against the alarming rise in pet theft. Particularly the type of opportunistic theft that occurs when a pet is left tethered momentarily and often not very securely, outside a shop or other vicinity where a dog may not be permitted to accompany it's handler.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly the invention provides a link chain dog leash that may be securely locked at either end. The locking mechanism has a main body, a spring-loaded fastening lock rod and a number of rotatable independent dials, each of which comprises a plurality of indicia, (numbers/letters) which define the combination for releasing the lock. No key is needed, only a predetermined code must be remembered. One lock snaps onto the chain forming a secure "collar", the other is looped around a stationary upright and clips back onto the chain, when tethering the pet. When used as a conventional walking lead the latter lock clips back on to the chain at a ring fitted to the leash, forming a loop or handhold.

The dog leash is made of one piece of smooth link chain of 5ft length (link size dependent on the weight and breed of dog) with two cushioning sleeves (nylon webbing, or possibly leather) around the chain in the collar and handhold areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Like reference characters identify like parts throughout the various views of the drawings for facilitating comparison. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a sketch of a lockable dog leash system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, shown in the walking / lead configuration.

FIG. 2 is a sketch of the lockable dog leash system shown in the tethering configuration.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevation view of a preferred design for the combination lock device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged 3/4 view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM130DIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the secure combination locking leash system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral l will be described.

A length of smooth link chain is first provided. The chain has an approximate length in total of Set. The leading length, when collar and handhold are assembled, is approximately 2ft. 6".

Locking means 2 & 3 are provided and attached at opposite ends of the chain. A metal eyelet 8 is provided at the base of the locking means to which the last link, at either end of the chain, is welded ensuring that the locking means are attached to the leash securely.

A metal ring shaped element is secured to the chain at a length of 18" from the locking means 3. When engaged by locking means 3 a loop is formed in the chain, which may be used as a handhold.

The entire leash is made from metal chain so as to prevent the severance thereof through ordinary cutting devices. For the comfort of both the animal and the handler the chain may be covered with material or leather in the collar and handhold areas 4,5.

Locking means 2 & 3 are adapted to engage either an incorporated ring element 6, as shown in FIG. 1 or individual links 7 of the chain. In this way the collar area may be individually sized allowing for differences in breed of dog and when hitching to a tethering post (as shown in FIG. 2) a plurality of circumference may be accommodated.

In particular reference to the locking means 2 & 3, shown more explicitly in FIGs 3 and 4, the separation of the fastening lock rod 9, from the main body of the lock l O. may be accomplished by depressing the integrated lever 13, set into the main body, after the predetermined combination of numbers on the rotatable dials 12 are selected in the viewing windows 11.

To lock the fastening rod arm 9 one, or more, of the numbered dials 12 must be rotated (losing the required combination) so that the predetermined code is scrambled.

The fastening lock rod 9 is spring loaded and when the dials 12 are left in the correct combination the lock may act as a conventional snap fastener which will retain engagement of a ring shaped member 6 or link 7, without being locked. When the lever 13 is depressed, the lock rod separates and may be disengaged from aforesaid link or ring.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to a certain preferred example, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, after the understanding of the invention, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. 4 5

Claims

What I claim is: 1. A lockable dog leash for secure hitching to a tethering post, comprising, in combination, chaining means formed of a plurality of links, including at least one ring shaped member, and locking means having numbered combination dial operated means moveable by positioning of said dials in a predetermined combination, between locked and unlocked positions.
2. A dog leash according to claim 1 wherein said ring shaped member is at least one link of the chaining member.

3. A dog leash according to claim 1 wherein, a pair of said locking means are secured to the chaining means one at each end thereof.
3. A dog leash as in the preceding claim where the said locking means have spring loaded fastening rods capable of engaging the individual links of the chaining member.
4. A dog leash as in the preceding claim where one of the said locking means engages the chaining member at various positions to form a collar of selectable size at one end.
5. A dog leash as in claim 1 where a handhold is formed at one end when the second locking device (3) engages the chaining means at the incorporated ring shaped member (6).
6. A dog leash as in the preceding claim where the locking device (3) may engage the chaining means at various positions, other than the ring shaped member, to form a hitching loop in the chain of selectable size for locking around a stationary upright.
7. A dog leash according to claim 1, which has cushioning provided around the chain in the collar (4) and hand hold (5) areas.
8. A leash substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

8. A dog leash as in the preceding claim where the cushioning means are made from leather or man made products known as nylon webbing.

9. A dog leash substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been Bled as follows

1. A lockable dog leash for secure hitching at one end to a tethering post and terminating in a collar at the other end; and comprising, in combination, chaining means formed of a plurality of links, including at least one ring shaped member, and locking means selectively engageable with and disengageable from the chaining means to form and unform the hitch; the locking means having numbered combination dial operated means moveable by positioning of said dials in a predetermined combination, between locked and unlocked positions.

2. A leash according to claim 1 wherein said ring shaped member is at least one link of the chaining means.

3. A leash according to either preceding claim wherein a pair of said locking means s is secured to the chaining means, one at each end thereof, to form respectively the hitch and the collar in use.

4. A leash as in any preceding claim in which said locking means engages the chaining means at various positions to form a collar of selectable size at one end.

5. A leash as in claim 1 where a handhold is formed at one end when the locking means engages the chaining means at the end opposite the collar end.

6. A leash according to any preceding claim and characterized by the feature that s the chaining means does not pass through the body of the locking mechanism to form the hitch.

7. A leash according to claim 6 in which locking means exerts a nongripping action on the chaining means.