Patent Application
20220369596
The present invention relates generally to pet leash assemblies. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-pet leash assembly that is designed to have at least two attachment points for multiple animals. The leash allows one animal to control the movement and speed of the other, enabling the first animal to function as a ‘pack leader’ and teach the second animal how to properly walk on a leash. The leash includes an adjustable loop for handling the leash and clasps for attaching to collars of the animals or dogs. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, leashes are utilized by pet owners, kennel employees, and many others for the safety, convenience and the health of their pets. Dog leashes are primarily designed to control the mobility of dogs while being walked, to prevent them from straying off, and to direct the path in which they walk. The obvious benefits of walking dogs also include giving them an opportunity to exercise, interact with other dogs and the environment, and enable dogs to engage in the necessary act of relieving themselves. Traditional dog leashes can be effective; however, a dog can start to run out of control or get excited and jump on a pet owner. Traditional leashes also can allow a dog to cut corners, jump on others, etc. which may lead to injury to the pet or others. Some dogs initially are not accustomed to walking with leashes, and thus can become restless and uncontrollable. Some of these pets may require additional training and this can prevent pet owners from using leashes until their pets receive particular training. A convenient way of teaching dogs and other pets to walk with leashes is to allow them to walk with a trained dog, however, traditional leashes do not allow dogs to operate like this.
Also, most heretofore known dog leashes are designed for the operation and control of one dog. Those leashes are disadvantageous for those owners/operators or facilities that own, or have in their custody, more than one dog that needs to be controlled while being walked with another dog. Thus, such owners are required to buy more than one leash and walk with separate leashes using two hands, or hold all of the leashes with one hand. In such cases, all the dogs are independent and movement of one dog cannot be controlled by another dog. Dogs who are trained cannot control the movement of the untrained dogs and this can cause problems for the pet owner as dogs may lag or not remain proximate to each other.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for an improved animal leash that can be used for at least two animals, especially dogs, simultaneously. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved dog leash that includes multiple attachment points for dogs. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dog leash that allows one dog to control the movement and speed of the other dog. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved animal leash that allows multiple attached pets to remain proximate to each other. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dog leash that prevents dogs from running off and jumping on the owner or others, ultimately keeping people and pets safe. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved animal leash that offers a way for pet owners and others to keep optimal control over multiple dogs on the leash without excessive pulling on the leash.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a multiple dog leash for attaching and controlling multiple dogs simultaneously. The dog leash is designed to have multiple attachment points for dogs. The dog leash includes a primary flexible strap having a first end and a second end. The first end includes an adjustable loop formed by the flexible strap slidably connected onto itself and is grasped by a user, the second end includes a plurality of fastened flexible leash straps wherein each flexible leash strap includes a first end and a second end. The first end of each flexible leash strap is fastened to the second end of the primary flexible strap and the second end includes a clasp for attaching to a dog's collar. One flexible leash strap of the plurality of flexible leash straps is longer than the other leash straps, and allows the dog attached to the longer flexible leash strap to act as a pack leader and control the movements of the other dogs attached to the other flexible leash straps.
In this manner, the multiple dog leash assembly of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a multiple dog leash that can be used for controlling multiple dogs simultaneously. The leash eliminates the need for a pet owner to carry a plurality of leashes to control multiple dogs or animals. The leash enables the attached dogs to remain in close proximity and thus prevents the dogs from running off and jumping on the owner or others. The leash allows the owner to maintain full control while minimizing movements of the pets, and can be useful for pet owners, kennel clubs, service dogs, military and police dogs and more
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a dog leash for controlling multiple dogs. The dog leash is designed to have multiple attachment points for multiple dogs. The dog leash further comprises a primary flexible strap having a first end and a second end, the first end includes an adjustable loop formed by the flexible strap slidably connected onto itself, the second end includes a plurality of fastened flexible leash straps wherein each flexible leash strap includes a first end and a second end. The first end of each flexible leash strap is fastened to the second end of the primary flexible strap, and the second end of each flexible strap includes a clasp for attaching to a dog's collar. One flexible leash strap of the plurality of flexible leash straps is longer than the other leash straps and allows the dog attached to the longer flexible leash strap to act as a pack leader and assist with controlling movements of the other dogs attached to the other flexible leash straps.
In yet another embodiment, three flexible leash straps are removably-fastened to the primary flexible strap. In yet another embodiment, the primary strap and the flexible straps are made from one or more material of a leather, a nylon or any other fabric known in the art.
In yet another embodiment, a length of the primary strap can be in the range from about 5 feet to about 8 feet, the length of the longer flexible leash strap can be in the range from about 3 feet to about 5 feet, and the length of other flexible leash straps can be in the range from about 2 feet to about 4 feet. In yet another embodiment, a length of all flexible leash straps can be different, and thus prevents tangling of the leash straps.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in another embodiment thereof, comprises a dog leash for multiple dogs. The dog leash further comprises a primary flexible handle having a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is opposite to the first end. The first end of the primary handle can include an adjustable loop formed by the handle slidably-connected onto itself for holding and gripping the leash by a user. The second end of the primary handle can include a clasp receiving loop for receiving clasps. Further, the dog leash includes a first dog leash attachment strap having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first dog leash includes a first clasp for attaching to the clasp receiving loop of the primary flexible handle, and the second end of the first dog leash includes a second clasp for attaching to a first dog's collar. Similarly, the dog leash includes a second dog leash attachment strap having a first end and a second end. The first end of the second dog leash includes a first clasp for attaching to the clasp receiving loop of the primary flexible handle, and the second end of the second dog leash includes a second clasp for attaching to a second dog's collar, wherein the first dog leash attachment strap is longer than the second dog leash attachment strap, and both the straps are simultaneously attached to the primary flexible handle. The first dog attached to the first dog leash attachment strap acts as a ‘pack leader’ or primary dog, and teaches or leads a following dog or secondary dog attached to the second dog leash attachment strap how to properly walk on a leash while maintaining proximity between the two dogs.
In yet another embodiment, the dog leash maintains proximity between the dogs attached to the leash attachment straps and allows the first (primary) dog to assist with controlling the movements of the second (secondary) dog in which both dogs must move together with one associated to the other.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of coupling multiple dogs to a leash is described. The method includes the steps of: providing a primary flexible strap having a first end and a second end, the first end includes an adjustable loop formed by the flexible strap slidably-connected onto itself; providing a pack leader leash strap having a first end removably-fastened to the second end of the primary flexible strap, and a second end having a clasp; providing another dog leash strap having a first end removably-fastened to the second end of the primary flexible strap and a second end having a clasp; connecting the clasp of the pack leader leash strap to the pack leader dog's collar; connecting the clasp of the another dog leash strap to the another dog's collar; and, controlling the movements of both the dogs by pulling the primary flexible strap enabling the dogs to be move in close proximity and enabling the pack leader to teach or guide another dog how to properly walk on a leash.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved animal leash that can be used for at least two animals, especially dogs, simultaneously. There is also a long felt need in the art for an improved dog leash that includes multiple attachment points for dogs. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dog leash that allows one dog to control the movement and speed of the other dog. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved animal leash that allows multiple attached pets to remain proximate to each other. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved dog leash that prevents dogs from running off and jumping on the owner or others, ultimately keeping people and the pets safe. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for an improved animal leash that offers a way for pet owners and others to keep optimal control over multiple dogs on the leash without excessive pulling on the leash.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a novel leash for multiple dogs or animals. The leash features a primary flexible handle having a first end and a second end, the first end having an adjustable loop for gripping the leash by a user, the second end including a clasp receiving loop for receiving clasps. Furthermore, the leash includes a first dog leash attachment strap having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a first clasp for attaching to the clasp receiving loop of the primary flexible handle and the second end includes a second clasp for attaching to a first dog's collar. Similarly, the leash includes a second dog leash attachment strap having a first end and a second end, the first end includes a first clasp for attaching to the clasp receiving loop of the primary flexible handle, and the second end includes a second clasp for attaching to a second dog's collar wherein the first dog leash attachment strap is longer than the second dog leash attachment strap and both the straps are simultaneously attached to the primary flexible handle.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The second flexible leash strap 112 includes a first end 1120 and a second end 1122. The first end 1120 is fastened to the primary flexible strap's second end 106 using a fastening means such as a knot, a clasp receiving snap hook or any other fastening means known in the art. The second end 1122 includes a clasp or snap hook 118 that is used for securing the second flexible leash strap 112 to a collar of a second pet or dog as best shown in
It should be noted that the flexible leash straps 110, 112, 114 are removably-attached to the primary flexible strap 102 and can be removed or attached as per the desires and requirements of a pet owner. The lengths of the flexible leash straps 110, 112, 114 can be of the same length or can be of different lengths. In one potential embodiment, one of the flexible leash straps 110, 112, 114 is longer than the other leash straps allowing a pet owner to use the longer strap for a trained pet or ‘lead’ dog. The trained pet or ‘lead’ dog can then control the movements and speed of the other dogs or pets attached to the leash 100, enabling the trained pet or ‘lead’ dog to function as a ‘pack leader’, and teach or guide other pets to properly walk on a leash.
For providing additional support to the leash and especially to the primary flexible strap 102, a lightweight handle 122 covers the primary flexible strap 102. The lightweight handle 122 is hollow, and can be made from a light-weight resilient material, such as hardened plastic, aluminum, or the like. It should be appreciated that the multi-pet leash 100 of the present invention eliminates the use of carrying multiple leashes by a pet owner and allows the pets to be walked in close proximity to each other. The leash assembly 100 allows the user to control one or more dogs or pets connected thereto.
The primary flexible strap 102 and the flexible leash straps 110, 112, 114 are machine washable and can be made from one or more materials selected from a plastic, a nylon, a leather or other flexible materials. The material can be chosen based on the strength or weight of the pet or dog to be attached with the leash 100 of the present invention.
For those users that have more than one dog and, in particular, users wishing to simultaneously control and walk the dogs, the two dogs can be coupled to the leash assembly 100. One of the dogs, the first dog 204 in the present embodiment, can function as a ‘pack leader’ and assist in teaching, guiding or controlling the second dog 208 on how to properly walk or heel on a leash and can also control the movement and speed of the second dog 208. The dogs can remain in close proximity to each other, and thus preventing them from running off and/or jumping on the owner or others, ultimately keeping people and the animals safe.
When the owner walks the dogs 204, 208 in areas where a wide distance range of motion would pose a hazard to the animals or others, the owner can pull the primary strap 102, thereby restricting the range of motion of the dogs. The dogs 204, 208, irrespective of their size, strength, weight or activity levels can roam in different directions. As the dogs 204, 208 begin to exert tension on their respective flexible leash straps, the pack leader or guide dog can control or exert resistance to the other dog, thereby obviating excessive pulling on the leash by the user that can cause callouses and blisters.
The clasps or swivel eye snap hooks used in the leash assembly 300 can be heavy-duty and are anti-rust. The straps can be made from soft leather or nylon, and can be soft for both pet and user comfort. The leash assembly 400 can come in various colors and is suitable for all ages of pets and dogs.
The leash assembly of various embodiments of the present invention reduces stress on the pet owner when walking two or more dogs and provides greater control for the owner while allowing one dog to control or guide movements of the other dog. The two or more dogs having different strengths, sizes, weights, or activity levels can roam more freely without interference by the other dog or dogs.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “multi-pet leash assembly”, “multi-dog leash assembly”, “leash assembly”, “leash”, and “improved animal leash” are interchangeable and refer to the multi-pet leash assembly 100, 400 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the multi-pet leash assembly 100, 400 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the multi-pet leash assembly 100, 400 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the multi-pet leash assembly 100, 400 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the multi-pet leash assembly 100, 400 are important design parameters for user convenience, the multi-pet leash assembly 100, 400 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/189,889, which was filed on May 18, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63189889 | May 2021 | US |
