WO2008128336A1

WO2008128336A1 - Combined retractable pet leash and power generator

Info

Publication number: WO2008128336A1
Application number: PCT/CA2008/000723
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernardo Nicolas Sanchez
Original assignee: Bernardo Nicolas Sanchez
Priority date: 2007-04-18
Filing date: 2008-04-16
Publication date: 2008-10-30

Abstract

A combined retractable pet leash and power generator is provided wherein a retractable pet leash assembly is operatively connected to a power generator such that extension and/or retraction of the leash cord effects movement of the power generator and thus produces electrical energy. A convenient method for providing electrical energy is provided which can be used to power or recharge electrical devices.

Description

Combined Retractable Pet Leash and Power Generator

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of pet leashes, and in particular, relates to a pet leash that has been modified to include a power generation device.

Background of the Invention

Retractable leashes for pets have been known for several years, and typically comprise a retractable leash cord having a snap hook, or the like, for attachment to a pet collar at one end, and a coil of leash cord material contained within a housing that also acts as a handle. The leash cord coil is typically spring-loaded so that the leash cord will automatically retract unless it is locked into an extended position. However, in the unlocked position, the leash cord can extend or retract as the pet, which is typically a dog, moves away from or towards the leash holder. By automatically retracting, the presence of an excess amount of leash cord, which can be caught on various items, is minimized.

These types are devices are commonly available, and an early example of this type of device is described in, for example, US Patent No. 2314504 (Lifchultz).

Numerous variations of the standard retractable pet leash are known, and recently, a number of these variations include the feature of providing an attached or integral light which is provided for safety or other reasons. These lighted device are exemplified in, for example, US Patent Nos. 5558044 (Nasser et al.), 5887550 (Levine et al.), 6024054 (Matt et al.), 6289849 (Macedo et al.) and 6886499 (Meissner).

In an unrelated matter, recent developments have provided a series of patents which describe small scale, rechargeable power generation systems. These devices typically comprise an electrical power generator which is connected to a hand crank that is turned to rotate the generator, and thus provide an electrical current. Other types of these products rely on pulling a cord connected to the generator.

Commonly, these devices are used to power flashlights, radios or the like, and examples of these devices can be found in US Patent Nos. 4315301 (Jimena), 4360860 (Johnson et al.), 4701835 (Campagnulol et al.), 5998975 (Tada et al.), 6034492 (Saito et al.), 6288463 (Tada et al.), 6664759 (Goris) and 6914340 (Becker et al.). While these products provide the desired effect, all of these devices are powered by the energy of the person using the device. However, cranking of the handle, or pulling the cord can be repetitive, time-consuming and tiring to the user. Also, because of the mechanical disadvantage of using a hand crank, the amount of power that can be reasonably generated is limited. To overcome these difficulties, it would be advantageous to provide a power generation system which would avoid the prior art power generation mechanisms. Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, it is a principal advantage of the present invention to provide a power generation system which is powered using energy which is not derived from a person. It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a more energy efficient power generation unit which is powered by a less mechanically disadvantaged system than a hand crank.

It is still a further advantage of the present invention to utilize the natural energy expended by a pet to produce electrical energy which can be used or stored by a user. The advantages set out hereinabove, as well as other objects and goals inherent thereto, are at least partially or fully provided by the combined retractable pet leash and power generator of the present invention, as set out herein below.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a combined retractable pet leash and power generator comprising: a retractable pet leash assembly preferably having a leash cord, a pet attachment device attached to one end of said cord, a housing having a leash cord storage coil section and a handle section, a leash storage coil located within said housing and connected to a second end of said leash cord, an automatic leash cord retraction device located within said housing and connected to a said leash storage coil whereby said leash cord can be automatically extended from or retracted to, said leash storage coil; and a power generation assembly operatively connected to said leash assembly such that extension and/or retraction of said leash cord effects movement of said power generation device to create electrical energy.

By "extension" or "retraction" of the leash cord is meant that the cord moves out of, or returns back into, the retractable leash housing. As a consequence, the leash cord also moves off of, or returns back on to, the leash storage coil, as the storage coil rotates within the housing.

The power generation device can be directly attached to a leash storage coil which is used to hold the stored leash material. This might be done, for example, by connecting the axle or spindle of the retractable leash coil to an input shaft of the power generator.

Alternatively, the power input shaft of the electrical generator might be indirectly held in contact with the pet leash cord or coil, by friction created by biasing means such as a spring, so that movement of the cord or coil will result in operative movement of the electrical generator.

The generator can be any suitable device capable of generating electrical power. This can include dynamos, generators, alternators, or the like, and the electrical output can be either AC or more preferably, DC current. The output voltage, current, and power, will be dependent on the electrical generator used, but preferably the output voltage is between 0.1 and 50 volts, and more preferably, is between 0.5 and 12 volts DC. Further, appropriate circuitry can be provided to convert the electrical energy from the electrical generator to a voltage and current suitable for use in the attached device. The energy generated can be used to power an attached or integral flashlight, or the like, or can be used to power or recharge the electrical batteries of any suitable electrical device such as, for example, a radio, a cell phone, a PDA, a flashlight, a personal alarm, or any other suitable device. Suitable connectors can be provided for attachment of any of these devices to the electrical generator. Further, the device of the present invention can be used simply to re-charge batteries which are removed from their normal device, and placed within a recharging unit on the retractable pet leash.

In operation, as the pet moves back and forth, the cord from the retractable leash is extended or retracted. This movement of the cord causes the electrical generator to spin, and thus produce a power output. The pet will typically not notice the increased tension on the cord resulting from the leash being attached to the electrical generator, and in most cases, will simply considered the increased tension as providing an additional exercise component. However, a large animal such as a 75 pound dog, for example, is typically much stronger than a 10 pound dog, and therefore, able to provide additional energy output. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the power generation assembly includes, and is operatively connected to the leash assembly, using one or more gears. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention also comprises a transmission assembly, preferably comprised of one or more gears assemblies, that can be changed so as to allow different amounts of tension to be applied to the retractable leash assembly, and thus, provide different electrical generator spin rates for a given cord movement. As such, a large animal would be able to generate more power than a smaller animal, and the user would be able to select the appropriate gear ratio for the particular animal.

Alternatively, different sized retractable leashes could be provided with different sized electrical generators to provide a pre-set suitable tension appropriate for a particular animal size.

Also, the gears, and in particular, the gears of the transmission, can include a "one-way" gear that permits the power generation device to rotate only on retraction, or more preferably extension of the leash cord. This allows the power generation device to "free wheel" once the extension, for example, has been completed.

It should be noted that since most pet owners frequently walk their pets using a retractable leash, a convenient and easy method for recharging the user's electrical equipment is provided.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In the present application, the term "pet" typically refers to a dog. However, the skilled artisan will be aware that generally any pet or animal that can be walked on a leash or leash type assembly, such as cats, horses, monkeys, or the like, can be used in the practise of the present invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective drawing of a combined retractable pet leash and integral power generation device, with flashlight, of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional top view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional top view of a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 4 is a further cross-sectional top view of a still further embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example only. In the drawings, like reference numerals depict like elements.

It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Further, unless otherwise noted, all of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a combined retractable pet leash and electrical power generator 10 is shown having, as a major component, a retractable pet leash 20 having a retractable cord 22 with a snap-hook (not shown) located at a distant end. Leash assembly 20 is provided with a handle 26, and excess cord 22 is stored on a coil assembly 30, located within housing 28 of leash 20, in a known manner. Coil assembly

30 rotates around spindle 32 which extends from leash assembly 20 into electrical power generator area 40, and is connected to an input shaft of power generator 42 through a series of gears 44. In this example, the power generated by power generator 42 is temporarily stored within battery storage 46, and/or is used to power lights 50.

It can clearly be seen that retraction and/or extension of cord 22 effects rotation of the input shaft of power generator 42, and thus electrical energy is produced that can be stored within internal battery storage 46, and/or can be used to power light 50.

In Figure 3, an alterative design is provided in which gears 44 are replaced by a transmission device 60 which has a selectable series of gear assemblies (transmission details not shown), which are operated using switch 62. In use, the user would use switch 62 to select an appropriate gear assembly suitable for the pet which was attached to the leash.

In Figure 3, light 50 has also been replaced by external battery charger unit 52 in which two batteries 54 can be recharged. These can be inserted prior to walking the pet, and removed afterwards. However, in place of battery charger unit 52, the skilled artisan will be aware that a holder and electrical connector can be provided for any of a number of different devices. For example, battery charger unit 52, could be replaced with a holder and connector for a cell phone, or the like, which would allow a user to recharge a cell phone while walking their pet.

In Figure 4, a further modification is shown wherein a power generator 70 is positioned at the rear of stored leash 22 and of the leash storage coil assembly 30, and is held in an operatively connected position, against the excess cord 22 and coil assembly 30, by spring 72. As such, spring 72 holds the input shaft 74 of power generator 70 in operative connection with coil assembly 30, by friction.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), power generator 70 can be held in operative connection against cord 22, again using a spring biasing means, in order to hold the power generator input shaft in place against a moving section of cord 22. Still further, the cord storage coil could also modified to include gear teeth so as to be used to act as a gear. In this manner, the power generation device can be connected directly to the cord storage coil. Figure 4 includes gears 80 on storage coil 30

Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a combination retractable pet leash and electrical generator, which fully satisfies the goals, objects, and advantages set forth hereinbefore. Therefore, having described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that alternatives, modifications and variations thereof may be suggested to those skilled in the art, and that it is intended that the present specification embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Additionally, for clarity and unless otherwise stated, the word "comprise" and variations of the word such as "comprising" and "comprises", when used in the description and claims of the present specification, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Moreover, the words "substantially" or "essentially", when used with an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic; e.g., substantially planar is intended to mean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associated with a planar element.

Further, use of the terms "he", "him", or "his", is not intended to be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, and could easily be read as "she", "her", or "hers", respectively. Also, while this discussion has addressed prior art known to the inventor, it is not an admission that all art discussed is citable against the present application.

Claims

We claim:

1. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator comprising: a retractable pet leash assembly whereby a leash cord can be automatically extended from or retracted to, a leash storage coil; and a power generation assembly operatively connected to said leash assembly such that extension and/or retraction of said leash cord effects movement of said power generation device in order to create electrical energy.

2. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said pet leash assembly comprises a leash cord, a pet attachment device attached to one end of said cord, a housing having a leash cord storage coil section and a handle section, a leash storage coil located within said housing and connected to a second end of said leash cord, an automatic leash cord retraction device located within said housing and connected to a said leash storage coil.

3. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein extension and/or retraction of said leash cord is effected by moving a portion of said cord out of, or back into, the retractable leash housing.

4. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said power generation assembly is directly attached to a leash storage coil which is used to hold the stored leash material.

5. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 4 wherein an axle or spindle of the retractable leash coil is connected to an input shaft of the power generator.

6. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said power generation assembly is indirectly held in contact with the pet leash cord or leash storage coil, by the friction created by biasing means, so that movement of the cord or coil will result in operative movement of the electrical generator.

7. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 6 wherein said biasing means is a spring.

8. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said power generator is a dynamo, a generator, or an alternator providing either AC or DC current.

9. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said power generator produces a voltage of between 0.1 and 50 volts.

10. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the power from said power generator is used to power an attached or integral flashlight, or is used to power or recharge the electrical batteries of an electrical device.

1 1. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 10 wherein said electrical devices is a radio, a cell phone, a PDA, a flashlight, a personal alarm, or a battery charger.

12. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said power generation assembly includes, and is operatively connected to said leash assembly, using one or more gears.

13. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator as claimed in Claim 1 wherein said power generation assembly include, and is operatively connected to said leash assembly, using a transmission assembly which is comprised of one or more gears assemblies, that can be changed so as to allow different amounts of tension to be applied to the retractable leash assembly.

14. A combined retractable pet leash and power generator εis claimed in Claim 13 wherein said transmission assembly additionally comprises a one-way gear, and said power generator is operatively connected to said transmission only on extension of said cord.