Pet Training Equipment

Abstract

The correction device comprises a collar segment for extending in a circumferential direction around the neck of the animal. A lever arm is attached to the collar segment. The lever arm has an extension transverse to the circumferential direction. The lever arm has a first end extending beyond the circumferential edge of the collar segment, and the lever arm is rotatably displaceable about the circumferential direction to contact the back of the animal's neck when the animal pulls on a strap connected to the lever arm. The lever arm has a connection position for attaching the strap opposite the first end.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 290,159, filed on December 16, 2021, and entitled “Pet Restraining Apparatus,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a pet restraint device, and more particularly to a contact bar attachment for a dog collar or harness, which, under harness tension, applies pressure from the tipping point of the bar to the dog's body as the harness tension increases, and which a dog, for example, taught from birth by a dam (canine mother), can recognize as a more natural and gentler corrective behavior. The subsequent result is a timely correction of the restraint behavior, particularly with respect to the dog's constant pulling when leashed, wherein the dog stops pulling in a certain direction when walking. Background Art

[0004] Ritzdorf, U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,489, discloses a training device that provides different correction mechanisms applied under a collar around the circumference of the collar. In one embodiment, a metal component has a slit through which the collar passes. The plates are further connected to each other by a ring that serves as a connection point for a strap. Opposite sides of the metal component have jaws that pivot toward each other when the strap pulls the ring to clamp the neck of the animal. In this configuration, the jaws are between the collar and the animal, and when tension is applied and a gap is created, it is possible for the jaws to contact fur, hair, or simply air when the jaws pivot toward each other. Therefore, in order to avoid the jaws not grabbing the neck, the collar must be tight enough, which causes the jaws to contact the animal without requiring correction (i.e., when the animal is not pulling at all).

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 2,394,144 discloses a force collar in which the prong tips engage around the circumference of the neck when tension is applied to a strap connected to the collar. The prongs are applied axially inwardly toward the neck around the circumference in an area where another animal would attack with teeth and therefore would not result in an appropriate gentle correction of the animal. Summary of the invention

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a correction collar with a lever arm which overcomes the various disadvantages of devices and methods of this general type known heretofore, including those described above, and which provides a more comfortable, gentler collar correction and which applies correction to the dog in a non-injurious area of ​​the neck used by the "mother dog" to control the dog's behavior. Furthermore, since the movement is by rotation and directly through the animal's pulling, no springs or complex mechanical linkages are required to produce a spring force to effect correction.

[0007] The primary purpose of the present invention is to properly address harness tension issues by reinforcing animal behavior that the dog recognizes as correct through contact projections on the body part of the bar that contact the back of the dog's neck, rather than correcting restraint issues by the dog collar applying "choking" pressure on the neck or against sensitive areas of the neck, thereby causing aggressive / defensive behavioral responses in the animal.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a collar, harness and collar attachment that are safe for the animal and an effective means of correcting harness restraint problems. The body contact projections may be covered with a soft, safe material such as foam, rubber or elastomer, which allows the dog to feel the necessary pressure on the body such as the back of its neck, recognizing this as a signal to correct behavior, all while keeping the skin free of injury.

[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide interchangeable contact tab attachments that vary the pressure of the contact point on the body (such as the back of the neck of a larger dog) and can be used as desired by the dog owner.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an attachment option to existing dog collars that secure to the collar or harness using the same mechanism by which the collar and harness are secured by, for example, side release buckles, or straps and buckles, and body contacting lever arms that are an integral part of the collar or harness.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide multiple harness attachment points on the body contact bar that allow the degree of contact pressure felt by the dog at the same harness tension to be adjusted, and the degree of contact pressure can be increased by attaching the harness to the most cranial (closest to the dog's head) attachment point and decreased by attaching to the most caudal (towards the dog's tail) attachment point.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a body contact lever arm having a length sufficient to keep the contact protrusion in place under strap tension, which increases the gap between the collar and the body and prevents the lever from rotating inwardly into the space created when the collar is pulled back and away from the body.

[0013] In view of the foregoing and other purposes, a correction device is provided, the correction device comprising a collar segment extending in a circumferential direction around the neck of an animal. A lever arm is attached to the collar segment. The lever arm has an extension transverse to the circumferential direction. The lever arm has a first end extending beyond the circumferential edge of the collar segment, and when the animal pulls on a strap connected to the lever arm, the lever arm can be rotatably displaced about the circumferential direction to contact the back of the animal's neck. The lever arm has a connection position opposite the first end for attaching the strap.

[0014] Therefore, another feature of the invention is that the connection point is arranged beyond a second circumferential edge of the collar segment opposite the circumferential edge.

[0015] According to an additional feature of the invention, the connection location is a plurality of connection locations spaced apart along the extension.

[0016] According to an additional feature of the invention, the connection location is an aperture formed in the lever arm.

[0017] According to yet another additional feature of the invention, the collar section is provided with a female buckle mechanism at a first end thereof and a male buckle mechanism at a second end for connection to a collar using a mating male / female buckle mechanism.

[0018] According to yet another additional feature of the invention, the collar section has a hole formed therein at a first end thereof and a prong-type buckle mechanism at a second end for connection to a collar having a prong-type buckle mechanism.

[0019] According to yet another additional feature of the invention, the lever arm is attached to the collar section by rivets.

[0020] According to yet another additional feature of the present invention, the first end portion is defined as a contact projection.

[0021] According to yet another feature of the invention, a soft shield is provided, which is arranged on the contact projection for making the contact on the neck gentler.

[0022] According to still another feature of the present invention, the contact protrusion is a plurality of protrusions spaced side by side.

[0023] According to a further feature of the invention, there is provided an attachment arranged on the lever arm, the attachment having an attachment projection which is larger than the projection spacing.

[0024] According to yet another additional feature of the invention, there is a forward contact projection at a second end of the lever arm opposite the first end.

[0025] According to yet another additional feature of the invention, the lever arm is a substantially flat plate, the plate face of which rests against the face of the collar section extending between the first circumferential edge and the second circumferential edge.

[0026] According to yet another additional feature of the invention, the lever arm has a rearward connection point opposite the connection point.

[0027] According to yet another additional feature of the invention, there is a bridge connected to the rear connection point and the connection point.

[0028] Can be realized as a solid unit or flexible.

[0029] Additional front contact tabs if desired.

[0030] Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

[0031] While the invention is herein shown and described as being embodied as a contact lever arm for a dog collar, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.

[0032] The invention, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a body contact bar attachment and a collar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 1A is a plan view of a body contact bar attachment and a buckle-type collar;

[0035] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a dog collar having a lever arm;

[0036] Figure 3 is a depiction of the back neck contacting the bar arm under band tension;

[0037] Figure 4 is a front view of a neck contacting rod collar attachment attached to a dog collar from a dog-facing perspective;

[0038] Figure 5 Is it like having a safety shield Figure 4 The front view shown;

[0039] Figure 6 is a front perspective view of a collar and body contact bar attachment with a safety foam shield;

[0040] Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a collar and body contact bar attachment with interchangeable contact tab attachments;

[0041] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an additional forward-leaning projection;

[0042] Fig. 9 is a depiction of a second embodiment wherein the rear neck contacts the lever arm under tension of the strap;

[0043] Fig.10 Under the tension of the strap Fig. 9 The back of the neck contacts the pole arm;

[0044] Fig.11 is a depiction of a second embodiment wherein, when the dog backs up, the rear neck contacts the lever arm under the tension of the harness; and

[0045] Fig.12 is Fig.11 Under the action of the belt tension applied Fig. 9 Depiction of the back of the neck contacting the lever arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Reference will now be made in detail to the figures of the accompanying drawings and first in particular to the Figure 1 , shows a front view of a body contact lever arm 5 configured to attach to an existing dog collar 9 via a male 1, 7 and female 2, 8 side release buckle system as is known in the art. The body contact lever arm 5 has at least one nape contact projection 12 for contacting the dog 17 at a point behind the circumferential edge of the collar section 6 on the nape of the dog's 17 neck (towards the tail of the dog 17), the contact projection 12 tapering to a blunt tip. The lever arm 5 has strap connection locations 3, 4 on opposite sides (opposite circumferential edges) of the collar section 6 opposite the contact projection 12, towards the head of the dog 17. The lever arm 5 may be attached to the collar section 6 by rivets or other suitable mechanical fasteners. The connection locations 3, 4 may be provided as apertures formed in the lever arm 5 and engaged by a strap buckle 10 to connect the strap 13 to the lever arm 5 and thereby to the collar 9. The lever arm 5 is rigidly attached to Figure 1 The collar section 6 is arranged to have a plane substantially parallel to the circumferential surface of the collar. Figure 11 , a collar section 6 is defined by a male / female side release buckle system 2, 7 for connection to a collar 9 having a corresponding male / female side release buckle system 1, 8. The contact lever arm 5 has a longitudinal extension extending transversely to the wrapping direction (circumferential direction) of the collar 9 and therefore also transversely to the collar section 6 extending around the neck of the dog 17. This results in the contact projection 12 extending from the collar 9 in a direction towards the tail of the dog 17 when in position on the dog 17. Preferably, the transverse relationship between the longitudinal extensions of the lever arm 5 is substantially perpendicular to the wrapping direction of the collar 9. This configuration results in the lever arm being neutral when there is no tension on the harness 13 (no correction) and the end of the contact projection 12 contacts the neck in a non-aggressive neck position (neck).

[0047] Figure 1A A front view of a body contacting lever arm 5 is shown rigidly secured to a collar section 6 having a first strap 30 and buckle 32 to attach and close an existing buckle type dog collar 9 having a second strap 27 and buckle connector 29. The fastening of the lever arm 5 to the collar section 6 and the relationship of the lever arm 5 to Figure 1 The same as in.

[0048] The different attachment mechanisms provide for attachment of existing collars that the dog owner already has and make it straightforward to implement with existing collars and affordable. In addition, the harness connection loop of the collar 9 remains available as an option for connecting the harness 13 so that the dog owner / trainer can choose when to implement the lever arm 5 for training purposes. For example, allowing use in areas or situations where the owner desires a pulling response from the dog 17.

[0049] Figure 2 A front view of a dog collar 9 is shown, wherein a lever arm 5 is disposed on a collar section 6 of the collar 9, wherein the collar 9 has a second strap 27 and a prong buckle 29 having a frame, latch and prongs as known in the art. The relationship of the lever arm 5 to the collar 9 is similar to Figure 1 and Figure 1A Same as in.

[0050] Figure 3 A depiction of the back neck contact lever arm 5 under a strap tension T of the strap 13 is shown, wherein as the strap tension T increases, the back neck contact projection 12 of the contact lever arm 5 exerts downward pressure on the neck of the dog 17, which causes the collar 9 to twist at section 6. The tension T causes the lever arm 5 to rotate about the circumference of the collar 9, which causes the contact projection 12 to shift toward the neck of the dog 17. Once the dog 17 stops pulling, the lever arm 5 returns to the neutral position and the contact projection 12 rotates away from the neck, so that the contact and thus the correction ends.

[0051] Figure 4 A front view of the contact lever arm 5 attached to the dog collar 9 is shown from a perspective facing the dog 17. In the left side view (center position), without any harness tension T, the contact lever arm 5 remains flat at the back of the dog's 17 neck, and thus the contact tab 12 does not apply any pressure to the back of the neck. However, in the right side view, when harness tension T is created by the dog 17 pulling, the contact lever arm 5 is rotated by the tension T and the connection of the harness 13 to one of the connection locations 3, 4, so that the lever arm 5 rotates toward the neck and the contact tab 12 points downward onto the back of the dog's 17 neck. This configuration avoids the additional mechanical mechanisms and kinematic elements that are usually required for corrective collars known in the prior art.

[0052] Figure 5 Shows Figure 4 The two front views mentioned above, wherein a soft shield 25 is positioned on the contact projection 12. The shield 25 is made of foam, rubber or elastomer and defines a protective barrier between the contact projection 12 of the lever arm 5 and the neck of the dog 17 to make corrections on the dog 17 even gentler.

[0053] Figure 6 A front view of a lever arm 5 is shown, which is equipped with a soft safety foam shield 25 attached to the contact projection 12 of the lever arm 5 .

[0054] Figure 7 Shown is a front view of a body contact bar attachment equipped with an interchangeable contact tab attachment 26 which increases the width of the body contact tab 12 for use on the scruff of a larger dog and can be used by the dog owner as desired.

[0055] Figure 8 An additional front neck contact projection 112 is shown opposite the rear neck contact projection 12 , which may also be provided on the lever arm 5 .

[0056] Fig. 9 The rear connection position 3R of the contact lever arm 5 at the end near the rear neck contact projection 12 is shown, wherein the contact lever arm 5 has a Figure 8 The front neck contact protrusion 112 is opposite to the back neck contact protrusion 12. Figures 9 to 12As shown, the strap 13 is connected to one of the connection locations 3, 4 and the rearward connection location 3R. The connection to one of the connection locations 3, 4 and the rearward connection location 3R can be achieved by a strap connection bridge 13B attached to the strap 13. The bridge 13B has a loop to one of the connection locations 3, 4 and a second loop to the rearward connection location 3R. In the absence of any strap tension T, the contact lever arm 5 remains flat at the back of the dog 17's neck, and therefore the contact projections 12 and 112 do not apply any pressure to the back of the neck. However, as Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, when the harness tension T is generated by the dog 17 pulling its face away (in a forward walking manner), the contact lever arm 5 is rotated by the tension T and the connection of the harness 13 to one of the connection locations 3, 4, so that the lever arm 5 is rotated toward the neck and the contact protrusion 12 is directed downwardly onto the back neck of the dog 17. In this case, the harness connection becomes loose to the rear connection location 3R. Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown in , when the harness tension T is generated by the dog 17 pulling in the backward direction (the dog faces the user), the contact lever arm 5 is rotated by the tension T and the connection of the harness 13 to one of the connection locations 3R, so that the lever arm 5 is rotated toward the neck, and the front neck contact projection 112 points downwardly onto the back neck of the dog 17. In this case, the harness connection becomes loose to the connection location 3 or 4.

[0057] This configuration avoids the additional mechanical mechanisms and kinematic elements typically required for corrective collars known in the art.

Claims

1. A correction device, comprising: a collar section adapted to extend in a circumferential direction around the neck of an animal; A lever arm is attached to the collar section and has an extension, the extension is at an angle with the circumferential direction, the lever arm has a first end, the first end extends beyond a first circumferential edge of the collar section, and the lever arm is rotatably displaceable about the circumferential direction so that the first end contacts the rear portion of the neck of the animal near the back when the animal pulls a strap connected to the lever arm, and the lever arm has a connection position opposite to the first end for attaching the strap.

2. The correction device according to claim 1, wherein: The connection location is arranged beyond a second circumferential edge of the collar segment opposite the first circumferential edge.

3. The correction device according to claim 2, wherein: The connection locations are a plurality of connection locations spaced apart along the extension.

4. The correction device according to claim 3, wherein: The connection location is an aperture formed in the lever arm.

5. The correction device according to claim 2, wherein: The lever arm is a flat plate, the plate face of which rests against a face of the collar section extending between the first circumferential edge and the second circumferential edge.

6. The correction device according to claim 1, wherein: The collar section is provided with a female buckle mechanism at a first end thereof and a male buckle mechanism at a second end thereof for connection into a collar using a mating male / female buckle mechanism.

7. The correction device according to claim 1, wherein: The collar section has a hole formed therein at a first end thereof, and the collar section has a prong-type buckle mechanism at a second end thereof for connecting to a collar having a prong-type buckle mechanism.

8. The correction device according to claim 1, wherein: The lever arm is attached to the collar section by rivets.

9. The correction device according to claim 1, wherein: The first end portion is defined as a contact projection.

10. The correction device of claim 9, further comprising a soft shield disposed over the contact protrusion for making contact on the neck gentler.

11. The correction device according to claim 9, wherein: The contact protrusions are a plurality of protrusions spaced side by side.

12. The correction device of claim 11, further comprising an attachment member disposed on the lever arm, the attachment member having an attachment protrusion that is larger than the spacing of the protrusions.

13. The correction device of claim 1, further comprising a forward contact projection at a second end of the lever arm opposite the first end of the lever arm.

14. The correction device according to claim 13, wherein: The lever arm has a rearward connection position opposite the connection position.

15. The correction device of claim 14, further comprising a bridge member connected to the rearward connection location and the connection location.

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