Patent Application
20060213455
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a quick connect coupling assembly including a plurality of locking elements each having a locking member structured and disposed to be maintained in an outwardly extending orientation by a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may comprise magnetic biasing elements attached to each oppositely disposed locking element, the magnetic biasing elements structured to create a repulsive magnetic force between one another, thereby forcing the corresponding locking member into the outwardly extending orientation.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is widely known that there are millions of dog owners in this country as well as other countries throughout the world. Dogs comprise one of the most popular types of animals for household pets. Of course, dogs are extremely popular animals for other than simple companionship. Other uses of dogs include working dogs and show dogs. In turn, working dogs may be classified as dogs utilized for police enforcement purposes, military activities, dogs trained for hunting and also dogs specifically trained to aid those individuals who are visually impaired.
Regardless of the above classifications, the care and maintenance of dogs require the use of numerous auxiliary or supplementary items. Among the most popular is the dog leash or tethering assembly wherein dogs are retained and/or restricted for purposes of control when not contained by fences in a yard or like area. Moreover, similar type leash assemblies are also useful on a variety of different animals including pets and farm animals, such as horses.
It is also well recognized that leash structures, collars, harnesses, etc., are available in numerous and varying designs intended to control an animal for different purposes. Prior art structures exist which comprise leash and collar combinations specifically structured such that the length of a lead of the leash assembly is selectively variable so that the dog or animal being tethered may enjoy a greater range of movement and freedom when the surrounding area allows. Alternately, the tethered animal may be restrained, by shortening the length of the extendable lead in areas which do not allow the free roaming of the dog. Other prior art leash or tethering assemblies are specifically designed to allow control and retention of the dog or other animal while significantly reducing or eliminating the tangling of the dog in the retaining harness and/or about an anchoring structure to which the animal is tethered.
An area which is not currently addressed by leash and retaining harness assemblies is the ability to quickly and easily connect an animal to the leash assembly and to permit release of the animal from a spaced distance from the animal, such as a remote location. In the majority of conventional or known leash assemblies, it is necessary for a handler to manipulate a coupling structure utilizing both hands, wherein the coupling structure serves to connect the distal end of the lead to the collar or retaining harness mounted on the animal. This generally involves direct handling or manipulation of any one of a large variety of such coupling structures. Attachment of the animal can be extremely difficult, particularly when the dog or animal being tethered is overly frisky or otherwise in an excited state. Also, in accomplishing either attachment or detachment of the lead from the collar or like harness particular problems are encountered by the elderly or by those who are visually or otherwise physically challenged.
In addition to the above, the handling of larger animals, such as horses and/or working dogs of the type trained to conduct police enforcement and/or military activities, requires that the animal be kept under control by the handler. However, in cases of emergency, it is equally important that the animal be released or detached from his controlling lead as quickly as possible as it could be dangerous for the animal to begin running while dragging the lead or any part of the leash assembly. Conversely, if the animal is loose, it may be necessary to quickly re-harness the animal in order to restrain its movement in a hazardous situation.
A further problem is encountered in the handling, and in particular, the transportation, of horses. Specifically, when a horse is being confined in a trailer they often become anxious and/or excited. Combined with the tight space limitations of most trailers, the excited condition of the animal presents a dangerous situation for the handler who must enter the trailer to either attach or release the animal from the trailer. Thus, it would be advantageous and potentially life saving for both the animal and the handler to provide a means to remotely release a horse that is attached to a trailer. At a minimum, it would be advantageous to provide a remote, emergency release activation mechanism on an exterior portion of the trailer, such that the animal could be released without requiring the handler to enter the trailer, which may cause the animal to become even more anxious or excited.
Another area which the prior or related art does not address is related to facilitating adjustment of the length of the lead by the handler utilizing a retractable leash assembly. In particular, although the prior art devices allow the length of the lead, and thus, the distance between the animal and the handler, or a fixed tethering location, to be adjusted, they do not provide a means to align the lead for smooth and easy retraction or release of the lead regardless of the relative position of the animal to the handler or the tethering location. More specifically, when the lead is extended a long distance, the angle formed between the lead to the handler is quite different than the angle formed when the animal is in close proximity. Thus, the handler is forced to constantly adjust the position of the device relative to the animal to prevent binding of the lead with the housing of the device during retraction or release of the lead to or from the handle, respectively. Additionally, movement of the animal to the left or right of the handler or tethering location may also increase the potential for binding of the lead upon retraction or release of the lead into or from the housing of the assembly. Nor does the prior leash and/or tethering assembly art provide a means to lock the lead in position relative to the assembly upon detection of a specific release velocity or sudden acceleration of the lead from the housing, as may occur when an animal becomes excited or angry and bolts from the handler or the tethering location.
Accordingly, there is a recognized need in this area for a leash or tethering assembly including a quick connect coupling assembly having coupling components structured to easily align into position for connection by a handler with a single hand. It would also be preferable for such an assembly to allow connection and release from an animal by the handler while in an upright position, thereby eliminating the need for the handler to bend over, such as may be inconvenient for elderly or infirm handlers. Further, such a preferred leash or tethering assembly should be structured to permit quick and effective detachment or release of the animal via an activation assembly located a spaced distance from the animal and the coupling component serving to connect the animal harness to the lead. Preferably, such an activation assembly may utilize mechanical, electrical, and/or magnetic forces to facilitate the alignment and interconnection of the coupling components. Further, it would be beneficial for the activation assembly to utilize mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fiber optic, computer generated, and/or remote voice activated signals to effect the release of the coupling components of the leash assembly from one another.
It would further be beneficial to provide a leash assembly including wherein the activation assembly includes a lead aligning mechanism structured to maintain the lead in position relative to the housing of the activation assembly as the lead is retracted and/or released into or from the housing, respectively, to minimize binding of the lead with the housing. Yet another desirable feature for such a leash assembly is a release control mechanism to prevent unwanted release of a lead upon sudden acceleration of the animal away from the handler or tethering location, as may occur when an animal becomes excited or angry.
Another disadvantage of the retractable leash assemblies of the type commercially available is that they are typically spring biased to the extent that a release mechanism allows a free extension of the lead as the tethered animal travels a greater distance from the handler. As such, in these known devices, the lead cannot normally be retracted or rewound without the handler first providing slack in the lead by following or chasing the animal and thereby shortening the distance between the handler and the animal prior to rewinding the lead for storage. Therefore, it would also be desirable to provide a leash or tethering assembly having a drive mechanism, to facilitate the retrieval of an animal attached to the leash assembly to the proximity of the handler or tethering location without requiring the handler to traverse the distance between themselves and the animal.
Further, while the foregoing discussion is directed to the leash and tethering assembly art, it is envisioned that such a quick connect coupling assembly as described herein will have numerous other practical applications including, but not limited to, tie downs for tools and equipment, securing luggage and/or sporting equipment, temporary barrier devices, body harnesses, and key chains, as well as in the area of robotics, including integration into automated factory assembly line operations, and remotely controlled devices utilized by military, law enforcement, emergency, and rescue personnel, just to name a few.
The present invention relates to a leash assembly designed to allow control of a dog or other animal by a handler and which is structured to accomplish a quick detachment of the animal from a remote position without requiring the direct handling or manipulation of the quick connect coupling assembly serving to interconnect the collar, harness, or similar attachment assembly to the distal end of the lead. The present invention is also designed and structured to provide a quick and efficient attachment of a lead to an attachment assembly utilizing only a single hand of the user or handler. More specifically, the present invention comprises a flexible material lead being of any appropriate or preferred length and terminating at a distal end and an oppositely disposed proximal end. A preferably rotating coupling component is connected, at least in part, to the distal end of the lead and is specifically structured to accomplish a quick and easy attachment of the lead to the attachment assembly, as well as a quick release or detachment of the lead from an attachment assembly mounted directly on the animal being tethered.
In order to accomplish such quick release of the coupling assembly, the present invention further comprises a release structure preferably in the form of a release or positioning cable formed of metallic or other applicable material having sufficient structural integrity to be movable axially along its own length and to exert an axially directed force on a coupling assembly to be described in greater detail hereinafter. The term “structural integrity” refers to the structural features of the release cable being of a material with sufficient rigidity, while still being flexible, to exert the aforementioned axially directed force on the coupling assembly or otherwise structured to be axially moveable along the length of the lead so as to exert the aforementioned force on the coupling assembly and thereby orient the coupling assembly in a disconnect position, as will be explained in greater detail hereinafter.
The release structure or cable is mounted on and preferably within the interior of the lead and extends along the length thereof between the aforementioned distal end and proximal end. One end of the release cable is disposed adjacent the distal end of the lead and is connected directly to the preferably rotating coupling component. Selective axial movement of the release cable causes a disconnection of the coupling components defining the subject coupling assembly. The aforementioned quick release is thereby accomplished from a location remote from the animal without the necessity of directly handling or manipulating the coupling assembly. Alternate embodiments of the present invention include a coupling assembly comprising magnetically attractive components, and a release structure comprising an electromagnet whose polarity may be reversed to alternately facilitate automatic attachment and detachment of the components.
To accomplish the desired quick release, the present invention also includes an activation assembly mounted adjacent the proximal end of the lead and includes an activation member connected directly to the correspondingly positioned end of the release cable. Depending upon the various embodiments, to be described in greater detail hereinafter, the activation member may be disposed and configured for direct manipulation by a thumb or finger of a single hand of a person gripping a handle portion of the activation assembly which is connected to the proximal end of the lead. By depressing or otherwise manipulating the activation member, the release cable is forced to move axially along its length relative to the lead on which it is mounted. This movement will cause an axially directed force to be exerted directly on at least one of the coupling components of the coupling assembly and a disconnection of the coupling assembly. A quick release and/or detachment of the attachment assembly will thereby be effected. Additional embodiments of the present invention include an electronically operated activation assembly, which may or may not be radio activated.
Another feature of one preferred embodiment of the leash assembly of the present invention further includes an activation assembly comprising a drive motor to be actuated by a user. The drive motor is configured, such as by attachment to a storage or take-up spool, to effectuate storage of the lead itself and/or activation of the quick release structure.
An additional embodiment of the present invention includes the coupling assembly structured to provide a quick attachment and detachment of the distal, free end of the lead to the attachment assembly mounted on the animal. In addition, a similarly structured coupling assembly may be used to connect opposite free ends of the attachment assembly to one another around the animal in an intended fashion. In the aforementioned coupling assembly, first and second components are structured so as to be attached to one another in a manner which only requires a single hand of the handler or user of the leash assembly of the present invention. Quick and easy release of the two components of the coupling assembly from one another is accomplished by manipulation of the activation assembly and movement of the release structure mounted within the lead, as set forth above. More specifically, each of the components of the present invention may be positioned into a predetermined aligned engagement with one another such that a pushing force exerted on the first and second components of the coupling assembly will cause a quick and efficient attachment of the two components to one another. Such quick attachment can be accomplished without manipulation of a spring biased plunger normally associated with generally known, swivel type coupling assemblies. Further, the coupling assembly may include an alignment assembly structured and disposed to facilitate the aforementioned predetermined aligned engagement of the components with one another. The alignment assembly preferably comprises magnetic surfaces on each component of the coupling assembly cooperatively disposed in engageable relation with one another when the components are aligned.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a leash assembly which is strong and secure, yet which also provides for the quick and easy release of the animal restrained thereby.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a leash assembly which is substantially easy to operate and does not require direct user manipulation of a coupling assembly when connecting the attachment assembly on the animal to a lead associated with the leash assembly.
It is also an important object of the present invention to provide a leash assembly structured to facilitate rapid and efficient connection of an attachment assembly, mounted on the animal, to a lead in a manner which requires minimal manipulation and the use of only one hand of the animal handler.
Yet another object to the present invention is to provide a leash assembly including a lead which may be retracted or extended in a controlled manner whether or not the free end of the lead is secured to the attachment assembly. It is also an important object to the present invention to provide the leash assembly, including the various operative components associated therewith, which is formed from a light weight yet durable material so as to be operable over an extended period and which is structurally designed to be produced or manufactured relatively inexpensively so as to make the present invention available to a wide range of potential customers.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a quick connect coupling assembly which may be utilized in a variety of other connection applications. The need for a coupling assembly permitting quick release and/or attachment exists in many applications, for example, tie downs for equipment, tools, or machinery, securing luggage and/or sporting equipment, temporary barrier devices, body harnesses, and key chains. Thus, the present invention provides such a quick connect coupling assembly for the aforementioned applications, however, the present invention may be utilized in numerous other connection applications as may easily be envisioned.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more clear when the drawings as well as the detailed description are taken into consideration.
For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
As shown in the accompanying Figures, the present invention is directed towards a retractable leash assembly wherein a preferred embodiment is disclosed in
The lead 10 terminates at a distal end 12 and a proximal end 14, which are oppositely disposed relative to one another. Moreover, a coupling assembly 16 is secured, at least in part, adjacent the distal end 12 of the lead 10 and includes a first component as in 18 and a second component as in 22. The first component 18 may be secured to the distal end 12 of the lead 10 and is connected to a release structure which may be defined in one embodiment by a release or positioning cable 24. With further reference to the coupling assembly 16, the second component 22 may be mounted on or attached to a collar, harness, or similar attachment assembly as at 26 designed to be mounted directly on the animal's body in the conventional fashion. Alternatively, the second component 22 may be secured to a distal end of a second lead structure as in a tie down assembly, or it may be secured to a fixed structure. Opposite ends of the attachment assembly 26 may define connectable portions and if desired may be removably attached using a similar second coupling assembly generally indicated as 28 similar in operation to the coupling assembly 16 associated with the lead 10. Moreover, the attachment assembly 26 itself may be integrated as part of the present invention wherein the coupling assembly 28 incorporates specific structural improvements set forth in greater detail hereinafter which provides a quick and efficient attachment or coupling of opposite ends of the attachment assembly 26. The second coupling assembly 28 of the present invention also includes a first component 29 and a second component 30 designed to be removably and quickly attached and detached relative to one another so as to secure the attachment assembly 26 about the neck of the dog or other animal being tethered. Loop type connecting elements as at 32 may serve to movably mount or attach the components 29, 30 of the second coupling assembly 28 to the opposite ends of the attachment assembly 26.
A loop type connector 32 may also serve to movably mount the second component 22 of the coupling assembly 16 to the attachment assembly 26 such that the entire coupling assembly 16 is allowed to move freely along the length of the attachment assembly 26 in order to provide the animal more freedom when connected to the lead 10 and also to reduce the possibility of tangling of the attachment assembly 26 with the remainder of the lead 10.
With regard to
With reference to the embodiment of
As set forth above, the coupling assemblies 16 and/or 28 may be similarly structured and, as also set forth above, additional, more preferred embodiments of the coupling assemblies similar to 16 and 28 are shown in detail in
For purposes of clarity the structural details of the preferred embodiments of
More specifically, a feature of the embodiment of the coupling assembly 16′ of
Looking in greater detail, the coupling assembly 16′ comprises a first component 18′ and a second component 22′ which, as shown, are respectively configured to define a male coupling component and a female coupling component. At least one, preferably the male coupling component, is preferably structured to rotate or swivel, thereby allowing the entire coupling assembly 16′ to be rotatable and swivelable to prevent tangling and the like. As explained above, the first component 18′ may be connected to the distal or free end of the lead 10 and, more specifically, in direct operative attachment to the release structure, which in one preferred embodiment comprises an interior, axially moveable release cable 24. The release cable 24 may be connected directly to a plunger 60 so as to exert an axially directed force thereon which in turn permits the easy release of the first component 18′ from the second component 22′ by virtue of the fact that an axially directed pulling force will cause the plunger 60 to move outwardly against a force exerted thereon by a biasing spring (not shown). This outward movement of the plunger 60 will in turn cause the locking members 62 to be released from their normally biased outwardly extending locking orientation and pulled into a retracted orientation, thereby allowing the first component 18′ to be easily released from the second component 22′.
In an alternate embodiment of the coupling assembly 16″, as illustrated in
In yet another embodiment of the coupling assembly 16″, the locking members 62′ may in whole or in part comprise a magnetically charged material. Additionally, the release structure comprises an electromagnet which replaces the release cable 24 and plunger 60 and generates a stronger, similarly polarized magnetic field relative to the locking members 62′ such that the repulsive magnetic forces are sufficient to force the locking members 62′ into their normally biased outwardly extending locking orientation. To release the first component 18′ from the second component 22′ in this embodiment of the present invention, an electrical current may be applied to the electromagnet which reverses its polarity, thus causing the locking members 62′ to be pulled into a retracted orientation by magnetic attraction which permits the first component 18′ to be automatically detached from the second component 22′. In such an embodiment, an independent biasing force on the locking members 62 may not be necessary.
A further embodiment of the present invention incorporates an electromotive release mechanism 160 comprising an actuation member 162 and being disposed in an operative association with at least one, but preferably a plurality of locking members 62′, as shown in
More specifically, in at least one preferred embodiment, the actuation member 162 of the electromotive release mechanism 160 comprises a distal portion 163 structured to normally dispose the locking members 62′ in the outwardly extending locking orientation, such as, for example, via displacement of the locking members 62′, as illustrated in
In one further embodiment, the distal portion 163 is movably disposable between a non-displacement configuration such that the locking members 62′ are disposed in the retracted orientation, as illustrated in
In yet one other embodiment, the electromotive release mechanism 160 may comprise at least one interconnecting member 164 disposed between the actuation member 162 and each locking member 62′. As shown in
The electromotive release mechanism 160 may comprise any one of a number of electrically actuated devices including, by way of example only and in no manner limited to, solenoids, transformers, electromagnets, capacitors, electric motors, shape memory alloy components, magnetic propulsion devices, etc. Looking just at solenoids, the electromotive release mechanism 160 may comprise a plunger type solenoid, a hammer type solenoid, a swing solenoid, a rotary solenoid, a tubular type solenoid, etc., and these are only a few of the possible types of solenoids illustrative of those which may be comprised by the electromotive release mechanism 160 of the present invention. As such, it is understood that any electromotive device comprising an actuation member 162 which may effect the disposition of the locking members 62′ between the outwardly extending locking orientation and the retracted orientation upon application of an electrical current, may be utilized and are encompassed in the scope of the present invention.
To facilitate actuation of the electromotive release mechanism 160, an actuation interface 166 is provided and is structured to facilitate selective actuation of the electromotive release mechanism 160, via selective application of an electrical current to the electromotive release mechanism 160, as desired by the user. The actuation interface 166 may comprise a direct interconnection to the activation assembly 80 or 82 such as, for example, an electrical wire extending along the lead 10 between the rechargeable power supply 81′ of the activation assembly 80 or 82 and the electromotive release mechanism 160. As such, a selective activation member 44′, as described herein, may be utilized to selectively actuate the electromotive release mechanism 160 via selective application of an electrical current from the rechargeable power supply 81′.
In at least one embodiment, the actuation interface 166 is disposed in a communicative relationship with a voice activated control module 110, also as described herein, thereby allowing the electromotive release mechanism 160 to be remotely actuated. One further embodiment of the present invention comprises a manual release mechanism 167 interconnected to the actuation interface 166, as illustrated in
Also as indicated, a further feature of the present invention is its ability to achieve easy and effective engagement or attachment between the first component 18′ and the second component 22′. This attachment is preferably facilitated by virtue of the fact that the leading surface portion 65 of each of the locking members 62 has a substantially convergent configuration which extends outwardly in either a curvilinear or sloped shape. Accordingly, engagement of the leading surface portion 65 with the periphery of the receiving aperture 69 will cause a sliding engagement of the respective locking members 62 relative to the periphery of the receiving aperture 69 and thereby cause a forced, inward retraction of the locking members 62 to counter their normally biased outwardly extending locking orientation. The leading end 64 of the first component 18′ will thereby be allowed to pass through the receiving aperture 69 into the engaged and attached position as shown in
In order to accomplish such quick and easy attachment of the components 18′ and 22′ together into the attached position of
As set forth above in order to accomplish a quick and easy attachment of the components 18′ and 22′ to one another in the locked position of
In the embodiment of
In addition, the attraction assembly 75 of the embodiment of
In addition to the ability to achieve easy and effective engagement or attachment of the components of the coupling assembly 16′, at least one embodiment of present invention comprises an electromotive propulsion mechanism 170, as illustrated in
The electromotive propulsion mechanism 170 of the present invention is specifically structured to dispose the propulsion members 172 between a secured configuration and a separated configuration. Specifically, the secured configuration is at least partially defined by the propulsion members 172 being disposed in an inwardly retracted position by the electromotive propulsion mechanism 170, as illustrated in
Similar to the electromotive release mechanism 160 previously described, the electromotive propulsion mechanism 170 of the present invention may comprise any one of a number of electrically actuated devices including, by way of example only and in no manner limited to, solenoids, transformers, electromagnets, capacitors, electric motors, shape memory alloy components, magnetic propulsion devices, etc. As before, it is understood that any electromotive device which may effect the disposition of the propulsion members 172 between the secured configuration and the separated configuration upon application of an electrical current may be utilized and are encompassed in the scope of the present invention.
To assure that locking members 62′ are disposed in the retracted orientation prior to disposition of the propulsion members 172 into the separated configuration, so as to prevent jamming of the locking members 62′ in the interior of the second component 22′, at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises a time sequence module. The time sequence module is structured such that actuation of the electromotive release mechanism 160 effecting retraction of the locking members 62′ must occur a preselected period of time before the electromotive propulsion mechanism 170 is permitted to operate to dispose the propulsion members 172 into the separated configuration. The preselected period of time is determined by the amount of time required for the locking members 62′ to fully retract after actuation of the electromotive release mechanism 160.
In at least one embodiment, the electromotive propulsion mechanism 170 may comprise an attraction mechanism, such as, for example, an electromagnet, structured to be actuated by the time sequence module upon disposition of each of the propulsion members 172 from the outwardly extended position into an at least partially inwardly retracted position. Specifically, the disposition of each of the propulsion members 172 into an at least partially inwardly retracted position is indicative of the second component 22′ being disposed in proximity to the first component 16′ in predetermined aligned engagement, and the attraction mechanism is thus structured to facilitate quick and easy connection of the components of the coupling assembly 16′ by imparting an attraction force between the components.
A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
The quick connect coupling assembly 216 of the present invention may also be structured such that at least a portion is movable relative to an object attached thereto, such as via an attachment portion 229, so as to prevent or at least minimize tangles in a line, rope, wire, etc., attaching the assembly 216 to the object. As illustrated in the figures, in at least one embodiment, the first component 222 comprises a fixed portion 223 and a moveable portion 224, wherein the moveable portion 224 is movably interconnected to the fixed portion 223. In one preferred embodiment, the moveable portion 224 is rotatably attached to the fixed portion 223, for example, via a swivel member 225, and is structured to swivel relative thereto, as illustrated best in
The quick connect coupling assembly 216 also comprises a locking assembly 260 structured to retain the first component 222 and the second component 218 in an attached orientation, such as is illustrated, by way of example only, in
In at least one embodiment, the locking elements 261 of the present invention preferably comprise a locking arm 269 having a locking member 262 disposed at one end thereof. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the locking arms 269 comprise an elongated configuration having corresponding ones of the locking members 262 disposed at one end thereof. As will be appreciated from the various embodiments illustrated in the figures, however, the degree to which any particular locking arm 269 is elongated may vary considerably depending upon the internal configuration of the first component 222, and the manner in which the locking element 261 is disposed to engage the first component 222, such as, by way of example only, a sliding engagement or a pivoting engagement.
As in previously disclosed embodiments of a quick connect coupling assembly 216 in accordance with the present invention, the locking members 262 of the present embodiment are structured to be normally disposed and maintained in an outwardly extending locking orientation, as illustrated, by way of example, in
More specifically,
At least one embodiment of the quick connect coupling assembly 216 of the present invention comprises an attraction assembly 275 structured to facilitate disposition of the first component 222 and the second component 218 into a predetermined alignment with one another. The attraction assembly 275 of the present invention comprises at least one attraction element 276 mounted to a first component 222, or a second component 218, or, as illustrated herein, the attraction assembly 275 comprises an attraction element 276 mounted to each of a first component 222 and a second component 218.
The attraction assembly 275 in at least one embodiment comprises a plurality of magnetic attraction elements 277, such as are shown in
As is also illustrated in the figures, the magnetic attraction elements 277 are structured and disposed in a “free floating” configuration, that is to say, they are structured and disposed so as to prevent any physical contact with one another. This “free floating” feature provides several advantages over other magnetic attachment devices. First, by preventing physical contact, mechanical degradation of the magnets of the magnetic attraction elements 277 is essentially eliminated, thereby significantly increasing the useful life of the magnets. In addition, the “free floating” configuration facilitates detachment of the first component 222 and the second component 218, by eliminating the significant force required to separate magnetic elements which are physically contacting one another.
In at least one embodiment, the attractive magnetic force between the magnetic attraction members 277 is selectively adjustable. Specifically, in this embodiment, at least one of the magnetic attraction members 277 comprises an adjustable mount 278 structured to be moveable such that a distance between the elements 277 is selectively adjustable. In at least one embodiment, the adjustable mount 278 may comprise a threaded mount, as illustrated in
In one further embodiment, at least one magnetic attraction element 277 is removeably mounted to either the first component 222 or the second component 218 via an adjustable mount 278, such that a magnetic attraction member 277 exhibiting greater or lesser magnetic force may be quickly and easily installed, thereby allowing a user to select the magnetic force to be exhibited by the attraction assembly 275 over a wide range of magnetic forces, such as may be necessitated by the various coupling applications in which the present assembly may be utilized. Of course, it is within the intent and scope of the present invention to adjust a distance between the magnetic attraction members 277 other than via a threaded mount, and in at least one embodiment, each of a plurality of magnetic attraction members 277 may comprise an adjustable mount 278.
The quick connect coupling assembly 216 of the present invention may also comprise a shielding mechanism 290 having at least one shielding element 292 which is structured to direct the attractive magnetic force between the magnetic attractive elements 277. The shielding element 292 is further structured to prevent the attractive magnetic force from attracting an unintended object. The shielding mechanism 290 of the present invention may comprise a flux-entrapment shield, or a lossy shield, which are basic types of 60 Hz shields.
A flux-entrapment shield is typically constructed of a ferromagnetic, highly permeable nickel-iron alloy. In at least one embodiment, the shielding element 292 may comprise an alloy which is approximately 80% nickel and 20% iron, such as, Hipernom Alloy, CO-NETIC AA, Aumetal, AD-MU-80, etc. Further, the shielding element 292 may be structured to isolate an area from a magnetic source by either surrounding the area, such as a cylinder or rectangular box, or separating the area from the magnetic source, such as via a “U”-shaped or flat plate. In operation, the magnetic flux generated by a magnetic source preferentially enters and travels through the highly permeable material along a path of least magnetic reluctance, rather than passing through the highly permeable material to the area isolated by such a shielding element 292.
Alternatively, the shielding mechanism 290 of the present invention may employ a lossy magnetic shielding system which utilizes the eddy current losses occurring within highly conductive materials including, but not limited to, copper, aluminum, iron, steel, silicon-iron, etc. More in particular, when a highly conductive material is subject to a time varying, e.g., 60 Hz, magnetic field, magnetic currents are induced within the material which flow in closed circular paths, perpendicular to the inducing magnetic field. According to Lenz's Law, these eddy currents oppose the charges in the inducing field such that the magnetic fields produced by the circulating eddy currents act to cancel the larger, external inducing magnetic fields at or near the conductive surface of the shielding material, thereby imparting a shielding effect.
The figures illustrative of the present embodiment of a quick release coupling assembly 216 also show a biasing mechanism 270 comprising at least one biasing element 272 structured to normally dispose and maintain the locking members 262 of the locking assembly 260 in the outwardly extending locking orientation. As best illustrated in
In one further embodiment, the biasing mechanism 270 is structured such that a repulsive magnetic force between the magnetic biasing elements 273 is selectively adjustable. More in particular, at least one of the magnetic biasing elements 273 comprises an adjustable base structured to be moveable such that a distance between the magnetic biasing elements 273 mounted to oppositely disposed ones of the locking elements 261 is selectively adjustable, thereby affecting the magnitude of the repulsive force exerted by each magnetic biasing element 273 towards one another.
In yet one other embodiment of the quick connect coupling assembly 216 of the present invention, the biasing mechanism 270 comprises a spring 274 mounted between oppositely disposed ones of the plurality of locking elements 261 wherein the spring 274 is structured to maintain corresponding ones of the locking members 262 in the normally disposed outwardly extending orientation, once again, by forcing the locking elements 261 into opposite directions from one another. The spring 274 may be selected to provide greater or lesser amounts of force when disposed into an operative position, such as illustrated in
The quick connect coupling assembly 216 of the present invention also comprises a release mechanism 280 structured to permit the locking members 262 to be temporarily disposed into an inwardly retracted release orientation. More in particular, the release mechanism 280 comprises at least one release member 282 mounted to one of a plurality of locking elements 261, wherein the release member 282 is structured to be normally disposed in an outwardly extending orientation while the locking assembly 260 is disposed in a locking orientation, as is illustrated throughout the figures. Further, the release member 282 is disposable into a release orientation thereby temporarily disposing one or more locking member 262 into an inwardly retracted release orientation, as illustrated by way of example only in
To prevent unintentional disposition of one or more release member 282 into the release orientation, at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises a safety mechanism 284 structured to impede the application of a release force 283 to the release member 282. More in particular, the release mechanism 284 is structured and normally disposed in a safety on configuration which, in at least one embodiment, comprises a substantially overlying relation to the release member 282, as illustrated best in
To facilitate disposition between the safety on and safety off configurations, at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises a moveable safety member 285. More specifically, the moveable safety member 285 may comprise a slidable safety member 286 attached to the exterior of the first component 222 which is structured to be normally disposed in the overlying relation with the release mechanism 280, as in
Looking once again to
With reference to
The activation assembly 38′ of the embodiment of
An additional structural feature of the embodiment of
Yet another embodiment of the lead 10″ is illustrated in
One other embodiment of the retractable leash assembly of the present invention is illustrated in
Similar to the embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
Additionally, the embodiment of
Yet one further embodiment of the retractable leash assembly may comprise a housing 84′ constructed of a clear or otherwise light transmissive material and including an internal illumination source, such as one or more light emitting diodes 116′, which may be activated under low light conditions thus providing a safety advantage to the handler, so that they may be seen by others, for example, automobile drivers, while utilizing the device at night. This embodiment may also comprise one or more leads 10′ also being constructed of a clear or otherwise light transmissive material, such that the light emitting diode(s) 116′ may also act to illuminate at least a portion of the leads(s) 10′ thereby providing an additional safety feature to the handler, as well as to the animal attached thereto.
Additional preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in
In one preferred embodiment, the activation assembly 80 further comprises a release control mechanism structured to regulate the rate of release of the lead 10 from the housing 84 of the activation assembly 80, upon detection of a predetermined condition or control set point. More specifically, the release control mechanism is structured to either substantially stop the release of the lead 10 from the housing 84, or to attenuate the rate of release of the lead 10. The predetermined condition or set point may include a particular velocity of release of the lead 10 from the housing 84, or a particular acceleration of the release of the lead 10 from the housing 84. In at least one embodiment, the release control mechanism is structured to cooperatively associate with the drive mechanism 85 to either substantially stop or attenuate the release of the lead 10 from the housing 84. In order to facilitate attenuation of the release of the lead 10, the release control mechanism may incorporate a computerized time delay program which allows the handler to preselect a degree of attenuation for the rate of release of the lead 10 from the housing 84 as appropriate, based upon the size of the animal being controlled with the leash assembly. Additionally, the computer program also being structured to control the velocity of the drive motor 88, in accordance with the preselected degree of attenuation, upon detection of the predetermined condition.
Further with regard to the embodiment of
The activation assembly 80 or 82 further comprises a switching assembly, generally indicated as 90, wherein one or more switches as at 92 may be used to operate the drive motor 88 or 88′ and an additional one or two switches as at 94 are used to axially move the aforementioned release cable 24 so as to cause the release of components 18 and 22 of the coupling assembly 16. Alternatively, the activation assembly 80 or 82 may incorporate a voice activated control module 110 including an audio receiver 112 disposed in a communicative relationship with an integrated computerized circuit board 114 which controls the operation of the drive motor 88 or 88′, thereby controlling either the retraction or release the lead 10, based upon a verbal command from the handler to the voice activated control module 110, via the audio receiver 112. In addition, the voice activated control module 110 may also be utilized to control the release cable 24 or other release mechanism upon verbal command of the handler. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the coupling assembly 16 or 28 may comprise a voice activated control module 110, wherein the coupling assembly 16 or 28 is structured to release the first component 18 or 29 from the second component 22 or 30, respectively, based upon a verbal command from the handler to the audio receiver 112.
In at least one embodiment, the voice activated control module 110 further comprises an audio transmitter, for example, an audio speaker in combination with the audio receiver 112, such that the handler may remotely convey verbal or other audible signals to the animal or animals being restrained by the leash assembly. The audio transmitter may be mounted to the activation assembly 80 or 82, or, in at least one embodiment, the audio transmitter may be mounted directly to the coupling assembly 16. Additionally, the verbal or other audible signal may be preprogrammed such that the handler may convey the desired verbal or other audible signal to the animal by merely selecting the desired preprogrammed command, such as, via a keypad located on the activation assembly 80 or 82, or on a remote transmitter structured to communicate with the voice activated module 110.
With regard to the additional preferred embodiment of
Of course, however, in either of the embodiments comprising a drive mechanism 85, the drive motor 88 or 88′ may be configured to only manipulate the release cable 24, with the lead 10 itself being either of a fixed length or retractable. For example, in an embodiment with a long lead 10 or wherein the lead 10 is substantially wound in a stored orientation, a greater force may be required to actuate the release cable 24. As such, the drive motor could be used solely for the release cable 24. Additionally, whether the drive motor 88 provides for powered movement of the lead 10 and/or the release cable 24, a one way drive motor could also be effectively employed so long as an automatically or affirmatively releasing engagement with the retracted lead 10 is achieved. For example, if the lead 10 is retracted by the drive motor 88 or 88′ a similar release as to that which is normally provided to release an inward spring bias can be employed to allow the lead 10 to be released without causing or requiring a reversal of the drive motor 88 or 88′. Also, as to the release cable 24, only a momentary axial force applied to the release cable 24 is required to release the first component 18 from the second component 22. As such, the drive motor 88 or 88′ could be configured to pull on the release cable 24 a limited amount of time, after which it may automatically back out after which a normal bias on the release cable 24 can cause a clutch type release.
Another embodiment of the activation assembly 80 or 82 may include the electrical power supply operatively associated with the electromagnet of the alternative embodiment of the release structure 24 presented above. The activation assembly 80 or 82 operates by providing sufficient electrical current to the electromagnet to reverse its polarity such that it exhibits either attractive or repulsive magnetic forces relative to the locking members 62. The attractive or repulsive magnetic forces may cause the locking members 62 to be repositioned from their normally biased outwardly extending locking orientation into their retracted orientation, thereby permitting the first and second components 18′ and 22′ to be easily released from one another. Alternatively, the attractive or repulsive magnetic forces may cause the locking members 62 to be repositioned from their retracted orientation into their normally biased outwardly extending locking orientation, thereby securing the first and second components 18′ and 22′ to one another.
In yet another embodiment, the locking members 62 may comprise a shape memory alloy structured to deform from a normally biased outwardly extending locking orientation to a retracted orientation, upon application of an electrical current, thereby permitting the first and second components 18′ and 22′ to be easily released from one another. Alternatively, the release cable 24 or other release structure may comprise a shape memory alloy structured to deform, once again, upon application of an electrical current, thereby causing the locking members 62 to be repositioned from a normally biased outwardly extending locking orientation to a retracted orientation, thus allowing the first and second components 18′ and 22′ to be released from one another.
As previously described, the switching assembly 90 may be employed to activate the electrical current to the electromagnet when quick and easy release of the first and second components 18′ and 22′ is desired. In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the switching assembly 90 comprises part of an electrical circuit which directly applies the electrical current to the electromagnet, while in at least one other embodiment, the switching assembly 90 utilizes a fiber optic circuit which indirectly causes the electrical current to be applied to the electromagnet. The switching assembly 90 may further be structured so as to permit the handler to transmit a small electrical impulse to the attachment assembly 26 worn by the animal, thereby directing a small electrical shock, vibration, or other electrical stimulation to the animal, such as have been proven to be an effective training tool. In a preferred embodiment, the handler can selectively adjust the magnitude of the electrical impulse to suit the size and temperament of the animal being trained.
Each of the embodiments of the activation assembly 80 or 82 comprising the drive mechanism 85 as presented herein may additionally comprise a radio or other remote signal receiver structured to activate or deactivate the drive mechanism 85 and/or the release cable 24 or other release mechanism from a remote location via a radio transmitter. In this embodiment, a receiver may be operatively connected to the activation assembly 80 or 82, which is structured to receive predetermined signal(s) from a remotely located radio transmitter, or other remote signal transmitter. Once the transmitted signal is received, the receiver triggers the switch assembly 90 such that the activation assembly 80 or 82 causes the drive motor 88 or 88′ to operate and retract or release the lead 10, and/or such as to cause the release structure 24 to release the first and second components 18′ and 22′ from one another.
One other embodiment of the activation assembly 80 of the present invention comprises a lead aligning mechanism, generally shown as 120 in
In one embodiment, as illustrated in
Another embodiment of the lead aligning mechanism 120 is illustrated in
In yet another embodiment, the lead aligning mechanism 120 may comprise a guide member 150, as illustrated in
In the embodiment of the activation assembly 80 illustrated in
Yet another embodiment of an activation assembly 80 is illustrated in
Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiment of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Now that the invention has been described,
This is a continuation-in-part application of presently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/787,338 filed on Feb. 26, 2004, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/371,028 filed on Feb. 20, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,138, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/867,338 filed on May 29, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,511, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/195,965 filed on Nov. 19, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,427, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/958,111 filed on Oct. 27, 1997, now abandoned, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisional patent application having Ser. No. 60/029,573 having a filing date of Oct. 28, 1996, each of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60029573 | Oct 1996 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 10787338 | Feb 2004 | US |
| Child | 11441680 | May 2006 | US |
| Parent | 10371028 | Feb 2003 | US |
| Child | 10787338 | Feb 2004 | US |
| Parent | 09867338 | May 2001 | US |
| Child | 10371028 | Feb 2003 | US |
| Parent | 09195965 | Nov 1998 | US |
| Child | 09867338 | May 2001 | US |
| Parent | 08958111 | Oct 1997 | US |
| Child | 09195965 | Nov 1998 | US |
