Patent Application
20120247397
This is a mechanical device for the remote control and training of a canine. The device simulates the rapid jerking motion of the leash to give the user remote control of the collar. The device is universal and can be used for training other animal species.
It is well known that one of the cornerstones of dog training is the jerking movement of the leash, conveying to the dog (animal) a signal of an undesired behavior as well stimulating (guiding) the animal toward the desired action. This technique is an imitation of the natural behavior of a dominant dog controlling a submissive pack member or teaching a pup. As a result, dog trainers often have difficulty in establishing the same level of control via only verbal or sign communication without the implementation of the leash. To overcome this problem multiple remote control devices have been invented. Contemporary remote collars are based on delivering an electric shock or signal by way of electric current. These devices can be effective but are unnatural and manifest negative side effects.
The device proposed and described below circumvents the issues with current remote control training systems. This device gives the trainer control of an unleashed animal, while retaining a mechanism that is safe, humane, and mimics a natural setting as would the rapid jerking of the leash. This will attain the same type of development of reflexes in the animal that are achieved by implementing a leash.
One of the alternative devices used for training dogs is the electric shock collar, which subjects the dog to pulses of electrical current. Examples of such devices are US patents: U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,570, U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,291 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,685,971 can be cited as examples. Principal of operation for the devices mentioned is identical but they have different design and functional capabilities. Each of them includes one or another power supply, current transformer, receiving antenna, amplifier of radio signal. In addition, they contain separated electrodes of different configurations and electronic chip that provides connection of electrodes to a power source. The shock inducing elements are installed in the case fixed on the collar. While the collar is fastened on the dog, the electrodes are in contact with its body. When the electric pulse is applied to the electrodes the dog feels a shock or an unpleasant feeling and as a result it is forced to desired actions.
The described technique and apparatus mentioned in paragraph [0004] have several essential drawbacks:
Other methods and devices have been made in an attempt to influence canine barking behavior. One such method and device is described in patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,453. The do sated fluid is injected automatically on the surface of the fur if the dog begins to bark. Due to evaporation of the fluid the affected area is sharply cooled. As a result the dog feels discomfort and ceases to bark. Apart from the device's complexity such method of influence has nothing in common with the influence the dog gets under the leash. Therefore, none of the known and described methods and devices are able to provide the same level of control and safety as the proposed mechanical collar.
The device offered and described further is able to ensure maximum adequacy of control while the dog is on the leash or in case the collar is disconnected from the leash.
The proposed device gives an animal trainer remote control of an animal subject. The remote control for the device sends radio signal coded pulses to a receiver located on the specifically designed collar that applies mechanical forces on the animal's neck.
The method of remote control by use of the proposed devised is based on the application of an electromagnet fixed on the specifically designed collar and containing solenoid and core. On the core face plane directed to the dog's neck the tip is fixed that is made of flexible material. When solenoid is activated by current pulses the core is sharply shifted so that the tip will press on the lower part of the dog's neck for a brief moment. At the same time, the collar constricts creating additional pressure then immediately springs back. In order to adjust for various sizes and characteristics of animals the device is able to produce different levels of force on the animal subject.
To perform the simulation of a rapid leash jerking motion remotely, i.e. without a direct connection between the trainer and animal via a leash attached to a collar. The proposed device including solenoid and core is supplemented with power source in form of storage batteries, receiving antenna, radio signal amplifier, controller and electronic relay that are installed in single case, fixed on the specifically designed collar. The radio signal pulses sensor is also included into device that is in the dog owner's or trainer's hand and carried out with some number of control elements that makes it possible to perform signals of various duration and force on the dog's neck in case an undesired behavior takes place. Using digital coding software it is possible to change the range of force applied on the collar depending on specific the features of the animal subject.
A detailed description of the device is followed by references to the accompanying drawings in which like elements are indicated by like references and numerals.
The proposed control unit that is fixed on the collar is shown on
The device consists of two autonomous parts that are fixed on the collar control unit providing force influence on the dog's neck and radio signal pulse sensor held in the hand of the trainer.
At the off position (see
The modes coding for force influence on dog's neck are carried out in radio signal pulses transmitter 19 by means of binary code that is modulating the wave carrier generated by the sensor at selected button pressing. The decoding is carried out by controller 16 including the decoder and reprogrammable memory with different modes of current pulses generation kept in it. In accordance with selected mode the controller generates the required number of output electric pulses with necessary duration by means of that the electronic relay 17 is connecting the storage batteries 5, 6 to solenoid 7. Under the current pulse the solenoid core 8 is sharply shifted so that the tip 13 performs the force influence on dog's neck over a period of time that is equal to the electric pulse duration. It should be noted that the list of force influence modes under consideration is one of the options. If necessary other options for force influence modes could be implemented with different numbers and durations of electric pulses generated by a controller supplementing the transmitter 19 by additional operating control means and appropriate software inserted into the controller's 16 reprogrammable memory.
The application of a single power pulse or a pack of similar pulses of the same amplitude makes it possible to simplify the device and save the storage batteries.
The proposed device circumvents the issues with current remote control training systems. This device gives the trainer control of the animal in the event that it is off the leash. While, retaining a mechanism that is safe, humane, and mimics a natural setting as would the rapid jerking of a leash. The device maintains the continuity of developed reflexes on the leash even when the animal is released from the leash. Due to this significant advantage it is possible to provide upgraded security for training, the animal subject, and it the surrounding environment. The device can facilitate training and increase the safety of guard dogs and official working dogs.
Additional advantages of the proposed device are its simplicity and consequently high reliability. Due to the device's efficiency it is operative for a long time with a single charging of storage batteries. This can be significant in cases where the animal is employed for an official function.
The proposed device has a “reprogramming” feature varying the set of remote commands. Thus, this device can be customized to the animal subject.
