Coupling device between animal halter and lead rope

Description

Introduction

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling device for creating a force-transmitting connection between an animal halter and a lead rope, the coupling device comprising a first coupling section for connection to a coupling element of the animal halter and a second coupling section for connection to a coupling element of the lead rope, wherein the first coupling section has an eyelet, wherein the second coupling section has a permanently closed eyelet that can be coupled to the openable and closable coupling element of the lead rope, wherein the coupling device has a predetermined breaking point that fails when a predefined tensile force is exceeded. State of the art

[0002] It is known from the prior art to place a halter over the head of animals such as horses, ponies, donkeys, cows, llamas, or others, to which a lead rope can be attached for leading or tying. Such a headstall can be made of nylon, leather, or rope, and the halter classically has a ring in the area of ​​the chin groove and / or on the side of the head, to which the lead rope can be attached with a suitable releasable hook or panic snap.

[0003] Especially when handling horses or ponies, situations can arise where the animal gets startled and wants to bolt. If the animal is startled while being led, holding the lead rope is not advisable, so the horse (or pony) will wander freely until it is caught. In this situation, the animal may step on the loose rope and consequently receive a jolt to its head, particularly its neck. This can lead to injuries and / or dislocations that may require a lengthy recovery process. Such injuries and dislocations can also occur in tied-up horses that get startled and try to run away.

[0004] To minimize the risk of injury, lead ropes equipped with a so-called panic snap are known from the prior art. The panic snap is characterized by the fact that the openable and closeable hook, when closed, is held by a sliding central section, which can be easily grasped and moved by a person in a panic situation. However, the person must be able to grasp the horse in the area of ​​the panic snap, which is located in the chin groove and / or to the side of the head. This is difficult if the animal throws its head up. These panic snaps are also prone to rapid wear, meaning that they can open over time even with the slightest jerk.

[0005] From DE 10 2007 036 291 B4, a lead rope with a panic snap is known in which a release device is arranged between the panic snap and the actual rope. This release device is designed as a strap and is firmly attached to the lead rope with an eyelet. When in use, the strap is threaded into an eyelet on the panic snap, and the two ends of the strap are joined together. The release device is set to trigger when a dangerous tensile force occurs.

[0006] Furthermore, US Patent 5,548,875 B1 discloses a lead rope with a safety hook for the secure restraint of livestock, particularly horses. The safety hook has an opening eyelet at one end, corresponding to the lead rope, to which the lead rope is attached. The opening eyelet has a replaceable shear pin that breaks when a predefined tensile force is reached or exceeded.

[0007] German patent DE 10 2007 034 068 A1 describes a lungeing girth which is characterized, among other things, by the fact that the attachment of training aids to the girth can be quickly and easily released in case of an emergency. For this purpose, the lungeing girth has fastening elements that in turn have a permanently closed eyelet and an eyelet that can be closed with a cotter pin. However, to release the connection, it is necessary to remove the cotter pin by hand.

[0008] German patent DE 102 41 757 A1 deals with a safety device for kitesurfing, which is intended to include a type of panic release device and an emergency line. This is designed to ensure that a surfer is not pulled along by an uncontrolled kite and that the kite cannot be lost.

[0009] DE 18 80 174 U describes a snap shackle intended primarily for use in shipping. To counteract the problem that, due to the shackle's geometry, the attached object, such as a line, does not reliably exit the shackle upon opening, a shackle is proposed whose opening tab has a pivot point located on the fixed part of the shackle at the front in the direction of pull. This ensures that, upon opening, the movable tab automatically aligns itself with the direction of pull and thus with the fixed shackle, fully releasing the shackle opening. The previously attached object must therefore slide out of the open shackle, reliably releasing the connection. The shackle has a permanently closed eye and an opening eye, which can be opened and closed via a snap pin.When closed, the snap bolt engages in a hole in the openable tab. To open the closed eyelet, the snap bolt must be pulled so that it slides out of the hole in the tab and the eyelet opens.

[0010] Furthermore, an excerpt from the 2024 catalog of Hermann Sprenger Metallwarenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, pp. 117-119, shows various shackles made of stainless steel or brass. The product data sheets specify a breaking load for each shackle, ranging from 600 kg to 5000 kg, corresponding to a tensile force of 6000 N to 50000 N. The snap shackles shown are designed so that a cotter pin must be removed to open them.

[0011] Finally, document US 3,995,598 A discloses a collar with a coupling device having two round coupling sections, one of which is connected to the collar and the other to the hook of a leash. The known coupling device is designed to fail when a maximum tensile force is exceeded. Task

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative coupling device for creating a force-transmitting connection between an animal halter and a lead rope. Solution

[0013] Starting from the coupling device mentioned at the outset, the aforementioned problem is solved by a locking element, wherein the eyelet of the first coupling section can be closed and opened by means of the locking element, so that the coupling element of the animal halter can be inserted into the eyelet in an open state and held in the eyelet in a closed state, wherein the locking element of the eyelet of the first coupling section is a screw that can be screwed into corresponding, opposing bores of the first coupling section, wherein at least one of the bores, preferably both bores, has a corresponding internal thread, wherein the first coupling section and the second coupling section are formed as an injection-molded part made of a thermoplastic polymer.

[0014] The production of injection-molded parts is cost-effective, and any geometric shape can be created. Injection-molded parts can also be adapted to various requirements in terms of stability. The locking element is a separate component that is actuated when the eyelet of the first coupling section is opened or closed. It can be made of various materials, such as metal or plastic. Advantageously, however, it can also be produced as a second injection-molded part made of a thermoplastic polymer.

[0015] A force-transmitting connection between the animal halter and the lead rope or tether, as defined in the present application, is a connection that allows a person to lead the animal without the coupling device coming loose. Accordingly, force is transmitted from the rope via the coupling device to the halter, or vice versa, so that handling the animal in the usual manner is possible.

[0016] A typical animal halter has a coupling element, for example in the form of a ring, which is positioned in the area of ​​the chin groove and / or to the side of the animal's head. According to the invention, the first coupling section is attached to this ring by first removing the closure element for the eyelet, inserting the halter ring into the eyelet, and then reinserting the closure element onto the first coupling section to close the eyelet. The eyelet of the first coupling section can thus be opened and closed using the closure element. However, the coupling device can remain on the halter after initial installation to avoid the need for constant attachment and detachment. For this reason, the coupling device should have dimensions that are not perceived as bothersome when handling the halter.For example, the length of the coupling device can be in a range between 5 cm and 7 cm.

[0017] Once the coupling device is attached to the halter, the second coupling section with its permanently closed loop is exposed. This permanently closed loop can be ring-shaped, for example, although other geometries are also possible. The loop serves to connect to a coupling element of the lead rope, such as a snap hook or a panic snap, with the corresponding hooks being threaded through the loop and thus secured.

[0018] The coupling device according to the invention has a predetermined breaking point that breaks when a predefined tensile force is exceeded. In this way, not only the force at which the coupling device breaks, but also the point at which the breakage occurs, is predetermined. The predetermined breaking point can be formed, for example, by providing a reduced material thickness.

[0019] In other words, the coupling device is designed to tear or break under excessive stress, thus severing the connection between the lead rope and the halter. The lead rope then remains attached to the animal's tie-up point or—if the animal has previously stepped on it—on the ground, allowing the animal to move freely without a dangling rope. This eliminates the risk that a horse would face if it stepped on the rope.

[0020] Furthermore, a major advantage of the coupling device according to the invention compared to coupling devices known from the prior art is that no manual manipulation of the coupling device is necessary to "trigger" the predetermined breaking point, i.e., to trigger the panic function. The panic function thus occurs automatically.

[0021] A further advantage of the coupling device according to the invention is that it can be easily replaced after a breakage. This is particularly possible because the first coupling section can be opened and closed, and a coupling element of the lead rope can also be opened and closed. The coupling device can therefore be easily detached from the animal halter and the lead rope and, if necessary, replaced by a new coupling device.

[0022] According to the invention, the locking element of the eyelet of the first coupling section is a screw that can be screwed into corresponding, opposing bores in the first coupling section, wherein at least one of the bores, preferably both bores, has a corresponding internal thread. Ideally, the locking element can be inserted into the first coupling section without a tool. However, it would also be conceivable to screw in the locking element using a tool, for example, a screwdriver. Subsequent removal of the locking element from the first coupling section is particularly advantageous if the coupling device has failed and is therefore defective, because then the first coupling section can be removed from the animal halter and the second coupling section from the lead rope and replaced.

[0023] Advantageously, the coupling device is designed to fail when a tensile force in the range of 1000 N to 3000 N is exceeded, and more preferably when a tensile force in the range of 1500 N to 2500 N is exceeded. Thus, if a jerk of the aforementioned magnitude acts on the lead rope, the coupling device breaks. A person leading the animal therefore does not need to first reach for the halter in such a situation to release the lead rope. If the animal bolts without the lead rope, the lead rope can release itself in a dangerous situation due to the coupling device according to the invention. This prevents the animal from sustaining injuries and / or dislocations.

[0024] The predetermined breaking point can be located at various points. It is possible that the locking element of the eyelet of the first coupling section breaks, or that the eyelet of the second coupling section breaks under high stress. Alternatively, it can also be designed that the coupling device breaks apart in an area between the first and second coupling sections.

[0025] In contrast to the known prior art, the coupling device is designed to fail without human intervention; therefore, it is not necessary to first remove a cotter pin or similar device to release the coupling. The inclusion of a predetermined breaking point is particularly advantageous when handling horses, as access to the coupling device is difficult or impossible in a panicked horse. The predetermined breaking point allows for a controlled and intentional failure of the coupling device.

[0026] It is particularly advantageous if the first coupling section has two parallel legs spaced apart, through which the bores pass. The locking element, the two legs, and a leg base connecting them thus form the closed eyelet of the first coupling section. In a side view, the two legs result in a Y-shaped cross-section of the coupling device.

[0027] Thus, an advantageous further development of the coupling device provides that the locking element can be inserted into the bore with a tool or without tools.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the inner diameter of the eyelet of the second coupling section is between 12 mm and 25 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 20 mm, and the outer diameter of the eyelet of the second coupling section is between 20 mm and 40 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm. The inner diameter should be selected such that a coupling element of the guide rope can be inserted into the eyelet of the second coupling section as easily as possible. The outer diameter should, in turn, be selected such that the coupling device is not obtrusive. Likewise, the inner and outer diameters must be matched to each other in such a way that the second coupling section can withstand strong tensile forces.

[0029] Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the overall length of the coupling device is between 50 mm and 70 mm. The overall length of the coupling device should also be chosen so that it is not perceived as bothersome during use. Nevertheless, sufficient space should be available to attach the coupling element of the lead rope and the coupling element of the animal halter.

[0030] Advantageously, the coupling device has exclusively rounded corners and edges. This prevents the coupling device from getting caught on anything.

[0031] Advantageously, the invention is designed so that the central axis of the eyelet of the second coupling section runs parallel to the central axes of the bores of the first coupling section. This results in a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the eyelet of the second coupling section being rotated 90° relative to the plane in which the eyelet of the first coupling section is located. The opening cross-sections of the two eyelets are thus offset from each other by 90°.

[0032] The first and second coupling sections of the coupling device can have different thicknesses in a side view, with a kind of transition section being located between the first and second coupling sections, in which the thicknesses of the coupling sections merge into each other.

[0033] Finally, it should be noted that the various features of the dependent claims relating to the device according to the invention can each be implemented individually or in combination in any variants of the invention. Examples of implementation

[0034] The invention described above will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures. These show: Figure 1: a top view of a first coupling device according to the invention, Figure 2: a bottom view of the coupling device made of Figure 1 Figure 3: a top view of the coupling device according to Figure 1 with locking element, Figures 4 and 5: each a side view of the coupling device made of Figure 1 and Figure 6: a three-dimensional view of a halter with coupling device and lead rope.

[0035] In the embodiment shown below, structurally identical components and components with the same function are provided with the same reference numerals. For the sake of clarity, not every component that is repeated in the figures is labelled again in each figure.

[0036] In the Figures 1 to 6 A coupling device 1 according to the invention for creating a force-transmitting connection between an animal halter 2 and a lead rope 3 is shown from different sides.

[0037] In the Figure 1 The coupling device 1 is shown in a top view, so that a top surface 4 is visible. The coupling device 1 has a first coupling section 5, which is intended for connection with a coupling element 6 of the animal halter 2. In the Figure 1 In the first coupling section 5, a bore 7 with a countersink for a locking element 8 can be seen, which will be discussed further below.

[0038] Furthermore, the coupling device 1 according to the invention has a second coupling section 9, which is designed as an annular end 10 of the coupling device 1 and is provided for connection with a coupling element 11 of the guide rope 3. The annular end 10 can also be considered a permanently closed eyelet 12. The inner diameter of the eyelet 12 is approximately 12 mm to 20 mm and the outer diameter is approximately 20 mm to 35 mm.

[0039] Overall, the coupling device 1 is elongated and, in top view, resembles a peanut shell due to its rounded ends and a bulbous second coupling section 9.

[0040] The coupling device 1 is manufactured as an injection-molded part from a thermoplastic polymer.

[0041] The Figure 2Figure 1 shows a bottom view of the coupling device 1 according to the invention, wherein the bottom view differs from the top view only with regard to the bore 7' in the first coupling section 5, which can be seen in the bottom view as a simple bore 7' without countersinking.

[0042] In the Figure 3 Figure 1 shows another top view of the coupling device 1 according to the invention in its closed state 15, wherein the locking element 8 in the form of a screw 13 is arranged in the bore 7. The screw 13 can be made of various materials, but in the present case it is also injection-molded from a thermoplastic polymer. The locking element 8 in the form of the screw 13 is passed through the first bore 7 and screwed into the internal thread of the second bore 7'. Only the screw head of the locking element 8 is visible, which is in a plane with the surface of a Figure 3visible side of the first coupling section 5 lies.

[0043] How especially the Figures 4 and 5 As can be seen from the figures, each showing a side view of the coupling device 1, the first coupling section 5 consists of two parallel legs 14, 14' spaced apart from each other, which together with the locking element 8 form an eyelet 16 in a closed state 15 in which the locking element 8 is inserted ( Figure 5In contrast to the eyelet 12 of the second coupling section 9, the eyelet 16 of the first coupling section 5 can be converted into an open state 17, in which no locking element 8 is inserted, or into a closed state 15 with the locking element 8. In this embodiment, the locking element 8 is formed by the screw 13, which is also made of a thermoplastic polymer. Opening and closing can be done without tools or with a tool, for example, a screwdriver.

[0044] To bring the first coupling section 5 into the closed state 15, the locking element 8 is first inserted through a first bore 7 ( Figure 1 ) of the first leg 14 through and then through a second bore 7' ( Figure 2) into the second leg 14'. The first bore 7 has a chamfer 18 which allows a top surface, in this example a screw head, to sink into the bore 7' in such a way that a surface of the screw head is flush with a surface of the leg 14. As in particular the Figure 5 When the screw head can be removed, it does not protrude above the surface of the first coupling section 5 in the closed position 15. The second bore 7' has an internal thread into which an external thread 19 of the locking element 8 is screwed. This creates the closed eyelet 16 of the first coupling section 5. The internal thread is not shown in the figures.

[0045] In the Figures 4 and 5It is clearly visible that the coupling device 1 according to the invention is Y-shaped in the side view, which is due to the design of the legs 14, 14'. The thickness 20 of the first coupling section 5 is more than twice the thickness 21 of the second coupling section 9. The thickness 21 of the second coupling section 9 is 5 mm, while the thickness 20 of the first coupling section 5 is 15 mm. The thickness 22 of a leg 14, 14' is 5 mm. The distance 23 between the legs 14, 14' is 5 mm. The length 24 of the two legs is 20 cm. The overall length 25 of the coupling device 1 is 60 mm. Starting from a leg base 26, the thickness of the coupling device 1 decreases continuously to the thickness 21 of the second coupling section 9.The dimensions can vary as follows: The thickness 21 of the second coupling section 9 can be between 4 mm and 7 mm, the thickness 20 of the first coupling section 5 between 15 and 25 mm, the thickness 22 of a leg 14, 14' between 4 mm and 7 mm. The spacing 23 can be between 7 mm and 10 mm. The length 24 can be between 20 mm and 30 mm, and the overall length 25 between 50 and 70 mm.

[0046] The first and second coupling sections 5, 9 of the coupling device 1 are manufactured in one piece, with a kind of transition section 27 being located between the first and second coupling sections 5, 9, in which - as explained above - the thicknesses 20, 21 of the coupling sections 5, 9 merge into one another.

[0047] Furthermore, in the Figure 5A common central axis 29 of the bores 7, 7' of the legs 14, 14' is shown, as well as a central axis 30 of the permanently closed eyelet 12, making it clear that the central axes 29, 30 run parallel and at a distance from each other. While the eyelet 16 of the first coupling section 5 in the Figure 5 where an opening cross-section 31 of the eyelet 16 is visible and runs perpendicular to the drawing plane, an opening cross-section 32 of the permanently closed eyelet 12 of the second coupling section 9 is visible in the Figure 5 not visible, but runs along the central axis 30 of the eyelet 12. It becomes clear that the opening cross-section 31 of the eyelet 16 runs perpendicular to the central axis 29 of the bores 7, 7' and also perpendicular to the opening cross-section 32 of the eyelet 12. The two opening cross-sections 31, 32 are thus offset from each other by 90°.

[0048] In the Figure 6The animal halter 2 is shown, which has the coupling element 6 in the form of a ring 28. To attach the coupling device 1 according to the invention, the ring 28 was inserted between the two legs 14, 14' and then the eyelet 16 was closed by means of the locking element 8. Thus, the ring 28 is located in the closed eyelet 16 and the coupling device 1 is firmly connected to the animal halter 2.

[0049] The coupling element 11 of the lead rope 3, in the form of a carabiner hook, is hooked into the permanently closed eyelet 12 of the second coupling section 9. The coupling device 1 according to the invention thus connects the animal halter 2 and the lead rope 3. For visual purposes, the lead rope 3 is shown as a coiled rope.

[0050] In an area between the first coupling section 5 and the second coupling section 9, i.e., the transition section 27, there is a predetermined breaking point, not visible here, which fails when a tensile force of 2000 N is exceeded. This means that the two coupling sections 5 and 9 will break apart during a sudden, forceful movement by an animal, and thus the lead rope 3 will no longer be connected to the halter 2.

[0051] Alternatively, the predetermined breaking point can also be provided at the permanently closed eyelet 12 of the second coupling section 9. It would also be possible to provide the screw 13 in the area of ​​the first coupling section 5 with a predetermined breaking point, or to design the entire screw as a predetermined breaking point, in particular through appropriate dimensioning and / or material selection, so that it fails when the intended tensile force is exceeded. Reference symbol list:

[0052] 1 Coupling device 2 Animal halter 3 Lead rope 4 Top 5 First coupling section 6 Coupling element of the animal halter 7, 7' Bore 8 Closure element 9 Second coupling section 10 Ring-shaped end 11 Coupling element of the lead rope 12 Permanently closed eyelet 13 Screw 14, 14' Leg 15 Closed state 16 Eyelet 17 Open state 18 Chamfer 19 External thread 20 Thickness 21 Thickness 22 Leg thickness 23 Spacing 24 Length 25 Overall length 26 Leg base 27 Transition section 28 Ring 29 Center axis of bore 30 Center axis of eyelet 31 Opening cross-section 32 Opening cross-section

Claims

1. A coupling device (1) for creating a force-transmitting connection between an animal halter (2) and a lead rope (3), the coupling device (1) comprising - a first coupling portion (5) for connection to a coupling element (6) of the animal halter (2) and - a second coupling portion (9) for connection to a coupling element (11) of the lead rope (3), wherein the first coupling portion (5) comprises an eyelet (16), - wherein the second coupling portion (9) has a permanently closed eyelet (12) which can be coupled to the openable and closable coupling element (11) of the lead rope (3), - wherein the coupling device (1) has a predetermined breaking point which fails when a predefined tractive force is exceeded, characterised by a closure element (8), wherein the eyelet (16) of the first coupling portion (5) can be closed and opened by means of the closure element (8), so that the coupling element (6) of the animal halter (2) can be inserted into the eyelet (16) in an open state (17) thereof and is held therein in a closed state (15) of the eyelet (16), wherein the closing element (8) of the eyelet (16) of the first coupling portion (5) is a screw (13), which can be screwed into corresponding bores (7, 7') of the first coupling portion (5) which lie opposite one another, wherein at least one of the bores (7'), preferably in the each case both bores, have a corresponding internal thread, wherein the first coupling portion (5) and the second coupling portion (9) are formed as an injection-molded part made of a thermoplastic polymer.

2. The coupling device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the coupling device (1) breaks when a tractive force is exceeded in a range between 1000 N and 3000 N, more preferably when a tractive force is exceeded in a range from 1500 N to 2500 N.

3. The coupling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first coupling portion (5) has two legs (14, 14') which run parallel and at a distance (23) from one another, through which the bores (7, 7') run.

4. The coupling device (1) according to at least one of claim 1 to 3, characterised in that closure element (8) is designed to be inserted into bores (7, 7') with or without a tool.

5. The coupling device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an inner diameter of the eyelet (12) of the second coupling portion (9) is between 12 mm and 25 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 20 mm, and an outer diameter of the eyelet (12) of the second coupling portion (9) is between 20 mm and 40 mm, more preferably between 25 mm and 35 mm.

6. The coupling device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a total length (25) of the coupling device (1) is between 50 mm and 70 mm.

7. The coupling device (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterised in that a central axis (30) of the eyelet (12) of the second coupling portion (9) runs parallel to the central axes (29) of the bores (7, 7') of the first coupling portion (5).