GB2384680A

GB2384680A - A dog lead

Info

Publication number: GB2384680A
Application number: GB0202493A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence Raymond Benwell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-02
Filing date: 2002-02-02
Publication date: 2003-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-02
Also published as: GB0202493D0; GB2384680B

Abstract

A dog lead consisting of a length of elastic which may stretch under a load but which is limited to a finite amount of extension by a non-elastic material. The elastic component may pass trough the non-elastic component at right angles by way of a series of holes made in the non-elastic component. The elastic material, which is preferably either bungee cord or shock cord, may feature end stops which are attached to the non-elastic material at the limits of the elastic cord. The ends of the non-elastic component may be provided with either trigger hooks or metal or plastic rings and may be formed of webbing. The lead may be provided with luminescent or fluorescent material or some form of lights or led's.

Description

Dog Leash

This invention relates to a dog leash which stretches along it's own axis when in use to both balance and counteract the pulling and jerking forces invoked when the animal either pulls upon the lead or makes a sudden movement when the leading device is already under load.

At present most dog leads fall into two main popular categories, 1. Fixed length (non stretchable) leads.

2. Retractable length wound (sprung loaded, non stretchable) Neither of the above offer any degree of comfort to either the dog or the controller in conditions where there are forces acting in differing directions between the two ends of the lead i. e. the dog wants to go forward whilst the attendant wants to hold it back.

There have been patented in the past various methods and apparatus with which to introduce a third type of lead which is in essence a"stretchable"lead or a lead which incorporates some kind of"damper"or"shock reducing unit"but neither of these have ever become popular.

It is well known that a shock reducing element between two opposing forces will offer safety, comfort, and protection for those at both ends of a connected line, which is under load.

This invention is designed to introduce that shock reducing element to a dog lead by the provision of an elastic stretching component located between the dog and the handler, utilizing one or more elastic cords as the shock reducer.

It is known that the elastic component is going to be the weakest element in the lead system as almost all types of elasticized materials compare unfavorably in lateral strength when compared with conventional non elastic materials.

To this end the invention design incorporates a first stage extension (stretching) condition utilizing the elastic component, and a second stage (tension) condition utilizing a non elastic component which takes over the load from the elastic component before the elastic component is at full stretch and becomes in danger of failure.

In a simple design the unequal lengths of both elastic and nonelastic line could be run together in parallel but this causes a large "loop"to be formed in the non-elastic material, which is either out of control, or has to restrained separately.

The particular design of this invention divides the loop that is formed into a series of smaller ones which is then kept within a controlled space without further process, thereby presenting a simple, neat, and tightly controlled form whereby excess slack line does not drag along the ground or get caught up in the dog's back legs.

Another design feature is that the shock cord element by virtue of the provision of optionally available end fittings of hooks rather than Balls as end fittings to the shock cord would enable the handler to quickly, cheaply, and easily, either change or replace shock cords at will to either increase the resistance levels, reduce the resistance level, or to replace a worn out cord.

The paramount design feature has been to combine for the user the benefits brought about by using an elastic lead, which is inherently weak with the strength and security of a fixed lead system.

Possibly the lead system will be assembled from the following list of component parts.

1. A length of shock cord material.

(Often called"Bungee Cord") 2. A much longer length of standard dog lead type webbing (probably about 1.50 to 2.25 times the length of the shock cord)

3. A set of suitable shock cord end fittings.

(often found to be either a ball with a"stepped"or "Ridged"set of internal diameters. Or a hook with an elongated slot which"jams"the shock cord into position in a pinch 4. Suitable Dog lead type webbing end hardware fittings.

(choices to suit include trigger clips and rings and connectors) 5. The exact overall dimensions, of each and every component Is according to suit in relation to the size and weight of the intended animal to be restrained.

6. It has also been found that the manufacture of these leads will be suitable (according to build specification) for breeds of dogs of all sizes except the very smallest (toys) and the very largest as in St Bernard's.

7. Depending on the choice of the end fittings affixed to the non elastic component it has been found that the basic design can be configured for use as either a conventional dog lead used on its own or as a shock reducing unit for incorporation a lead component when using wound retractable leads

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : - FIGURE 1. shows a plan view of the invention at rest using shock cord end fittings located against the main lead webbing with a clip attached to one end and a loop of the webbing made to form a conventional dog lead handle at the other end.

FIGURE 2. shows a side view of the invention at rest with the shock cord end fittings located outside"D rings"attached directly to the main lead webbing and a dog lead clip attached to one end and a dog lead type ring to the other end.

FIGURE 3. shows a side view of the invention being stretched and coming under load using shock cord end fittings located against the main lead webbing with a dog lead type clip attached to one end and a loop of the webbing to fonn a conventional dog lead handle at the other end.

FIGURE 4. shows an isometric view of the main components of the invention, including the arrangement of two independent lengths of shock cord located through the main lead inelastic component.

As shown in figure 1. The dog leash consists of three main components and two secondary ones.

Main component (1) is a length of (elastic) shock cord material.

Main Component (2) is a length of (inelastic) dog lead type webbing.

Main Component (3) is a shock cord end fitting (ball) Secondary component (4) is a clip of some description Secondary component (5) is a loop formed from the dog lead type webbing.

In Figure 1 it can be seen that the comparative length of component (1) the (elastic) shock cord is shorter than component (2) the (inelastic) dog type webbing.

In the assembly of the invention a series of holes are made in the webbing (2) located halfway across the webbing width and then presented at a right angles to the shock cord (1) which is then passed through all the holes in the webbing wall.

The protruding shock cord ends (1) are then secured by way of an "end fitting" (3) so they cannot pass back through the outermost holes in the webbing (2).

The two free ends of the webbing (2) can then either have loops formed in the ends to act as"handles" (5) or can have clips (4) added to attached to either harness, collar, or another lead, or device.

From this arrangement it can now be seen that :- An increasing force applied along the main axis in opposing directions to both ends of the webbing (2) via any end fittings as described (for example a loop (5) or a clip (4) will result sequentially in :- a. Firstly the webbing (2) being drawn against the two shock cord end stops (3) b. Secondly the stretching of the (elastic) shock cord (1) by virtue of the fact that the two end stops are being moved apart in opposite directions and these are attached to and have an impact on the shock cord (1). c. Thirdly the"flattening out"of the"turns"in the webbing component (2) which increase its lateral length to a point at which :- d. An equalization of the lateral distance between the end fitting components (3) and the point at which they sit alongside the webbing at the point of the outermost holes in the webbing (2) takes place.

e. At this point the total load as applied is now passing to the webbing component (2) in total as all of it's slack has been taken up but the shock cord (1) which is now running parallel to the webbing (2) could continue to physically stretch as it's maximum stretched length has not yet been reached, but cannot do so because the maximum length of the inelastic webbing (2) has been reached instead.

The whole assembly is now working as a comparatively strong FIXED LEAD system.

As Shown in Figure 2.

All Three main components are shown and are as for figure 1 and reads the same Except that there is the addition of a"d ring" (7) and a metal ring (6) The"d ring" (7) is of a smaller inside diameter hole than the shock cord end fitting outer diameter (3) and can therefore the shock cord component (1) cannot pass through the"d ring" (7) The"d ring"is now attached to the webbing and now acts as the connection point between the webbing (2) and the shock cord (1) through the shock cord end fitting (3).

The provision of metal ring"6"is for a version of the device which is used"In Line"as on the end of another lead or on the end of a conventional retractable lead system, or other device such as a ground anchor or harness device.

As shown in figure 3 As for figure 1 except that the diagram now shows the lead system under load, as can be seen the slack has all but been taken out of the webbing line (2), the shock cord line (1) is now within about 2/3 rds (70% approx) of its maximum length and quite soon the webbing element (2) will be taking all of the load (strain).

As shown in figure 4.

This is an isometric diagram showing the three main components but with an additional length of shock cord (8) inserted in parallel with the first item of shock cord (1) through the webbing (2) The additional cord can be either end stopped individually or could use the same end stop (3) as the first elastic cord.

In this manner the relative resistant strength of the assembly has been doubled and could be trebled, quadrupled, etc upwards by duplication of the number of shock cords installed through the webbing.

Claims

Claims 1. A dog lead made from un-equal lengths of elastic and non-elastic materials which will stretch and retract when under load
2. A dog lead as in claim 1 where the elastic component passes through the non-elastic component at right angles by way of a series of holes made in the non elastic component
3. A dog lead as in claim 1 where the elastic cord is finished off using an end stop of some description laying directly against the actual non elastic component at the outermost part of its first and last turn
4. A dog lead as in claim I where the elastic cord is finished off using an end stop of some description laying directly against a securing device attached to the non elastic component immediately outside of its outermost first and last turn.
5. A dog lead as in any preceding claim which has an elastic component end stop fitting formed by loop made of itself and secured by clip or glueing or bonding or welding
6. A dog lead as in any preceding claim which has non- elastic component end fittings of dog type trigger hooks made of plastic or metal 7. A dog lead as in any preceding claim which has non- elastic component end fittings of metal or plastic rings

<Desc/Clms Page number 11>

8. A dog lead as in any preceding claim which includes the provision of fluorescent or luminescent colours in any of its components.

9. A dog lead as in any preceding claim that includes light emitting diodes or lights of any kind 10. A dog lead as in any preceding claim where the elastic component is actually made from man made products known as either bungee cord or shock cord 11. A dog lead as in any preceding claim where the non- elastic component is actually made from man made products called webbing 12. A dog lead as in any preceding claim that uses several differing strengths or lengths of shock cord to have the effect of sequentially adjusting the resistance levels of the device.

13. A dog lead as in any preceding claim that uses the main components in any size ratio in relation to length or width or thickness, or uses them in series.

14. A dog lead substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings

<Desc/Clms Page number 12>

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows Claims 1. A dog lead made from un-equal lengths of elastic and non- elastic materials which will stretch and retract when under load where the elastic component passes through the non- elastic component at right angles by way of a series of holes made in the non elastic component 2. A dog lead as in claim 1 where the elastic cord is finished off using an end stop of some description laying directly against the actual non elastic component at its last turn 3. A dog lead as in claim 1 where the elastic cord is finished off using an end stop of some description laying directly against a securing device attached to the non elastic component immediately after its last turn 4. A dog lead as in any preceding claim which has an elastic component end stop fitting formed by loop made of itself and secured by clip or glueing or bonding or welding 5. A dog lead as in any preceding claim which has non- elastic component end fittings of dog type trigger hooks made of plastic or metal 6. A dog lead as in any preceding claim which has non- elastic component end fittings of metal or plastic rings

<Desc/Clms Page number 13>
7. A dog lead as in any preceding claim where the elastic component is actually made from man made products known as either bungee cord or shock cord
8. A dog lead as in any preceding claim where the non- elastic component is actually made from man made products called webbing
9. A dog lead as in any preceding claim that uses one or more of the component parts in series
10. A dog lead as in any preceding claim that uses the main components in any size ratio in relation to length or width or thickness
11. A dog lead substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings