Collar and leash set with integrated retractor

Abstract

The invention relates to a collar and leash set with an integrated retractor for pets such as dogs. The leash of this collar and leash set can be extended by unwinding and then, after use, retracted by allowing it to wind itself. This collar and leash set with an integrated retractor for pets comprises: - a collar (1) intended to be wrapped around a part of the animal's body, - a housing (2) attached to the collar (1) and equipped with a leash retractor (22, 25), - a leash, one end of which is fixed in the leash retractor (22, 25), - a gripping loop (3) attached to the other end of the leash, and is distinguished in that the inside of the gripping loop (3) corresponds to the lateral circumference (13) of the housing (2). Figure 1 for the abstract

Description

Title of the invention: Collar-leash assembly with integrated retractor

[0001] The invention relates to a collar-leash assembly with integrated retractor for a pet such as a dog. The leash of this collar-leash assembly can be extracted by unwinding and then, after use, retracted by letting it rewind by itself. Background of the invention

[0002] Collars with integrated leash and retractor have been known for a long time, at least since the publication of French patent no. FR 975 823 in October 1950.

[0003] Since then, numerous patent applications have been filed to protect (or attempt to protect) variants of all kinds: leashes made up of two wires and two reels, reels designed to be held in the hand by the owner of the pet, systems for blocking the unwinding and / or winding of the leash, etc.

[0004] The most recent trend is to optimize the shapes of the collar-leash, so that the leash in the rolled up state takes up as little space as possible.

[0005] Thus, the US patent application published under No. US2011 / 0023794 proposes an adjustable collar with a retractable leash whose handle can be inserted into the side face of the reel housing.

[0006] The US patent application published under No. US2009 / 0255486 relates to a combined collar and leash whose handle covers the reel housing and is held in place by two magnets.

[0007] More recently, the US patent application published under No. US2011 / 0036304 disclosed a collar combined with a retractable leash, the end of which is provided with a loop intended to be fixed, in the wound state of the leash, in a space formed by between two protrusions projecting on an external face of the reel housing. Summary of the invention

[0008] The aim of the invention is to propose a collar-leash set with integrated retractor for pets, which is:

[0009] - simple to produce, - easy to use, - composed of a minimum of parts, - which optimizes the space occupied and the shapes in order to achieve miniaturization, while remaining functional, - which does not have any gripping surface that could hinder the animal or put it in danger, - which can be left permanently on the animal's body, - which is sufficiently resistant to traction from the pet, - easy to disassemble to change a part, in particular the leash or a part of the reel, - which is light and - aesthetic.

[0010] According to the invention, this aim is achieved by a collar-leash assembly with integrated retractor in accordance with the following point 1:

[0011] 1.- Collar-leash set with integrated retractable for pets, including:

[0012] - a collar intended to be wrapped around a part of the body (neck, chest, etc.) of the animal,

[0013] - a housing attached to the collar and fitted with a leash winder,

[0014] - a leash, one end of which is fixed in the leash reel,

[0015] - a loop (ring, rectangle, etc.) for gripping fixed to the other end of the leave alone,

[0016] this collar-leash assembly is distinguished in that the interior (dimensions and shape) of the grip loop corresponds to the side perimeter of the case, so as to present a complementary shape with it and to be able to be placed around it.

[0017] The loop offers the advantage of being easier to use than a handle such as that of the collar of the aforementioned US application No. US2011 / 0023794.

[0018] Advantageous features of the collar-leash assembly with integrated retractor of point 1 above are indicated in the following points 1 to 11:

[0019] 2.- Collar-leash assembly according to point 1, in which the housing comprises a base, a housing body, an elongated nut and an assembly screw adapted to cooperate with this elongated nut.

[0020] 3.- Collar-leash assembly according to point 2, in which the base comprises a part plane having a hole in its center and two branches each formed by a wall which rises from the plane part and extends at its upper end by a flange forming an angle.

[0021] 4.- Collar-leash assembly according to one of points 2 and 3, in which the elongated nut has a notch.

[0022] 5.- Collar-leash assembly according to one of points 2 to 4, in which the housing body is hollow and has a closed upper end with a hole in its center for the passage of the elongated nut, an open lower end and a side hole for the passage of the leash.

[0023] 6.- Collar-leash assembly according to one of the preceding points, in which the loop of grip includes a ring on its periphery.

[0024] 7.- Collar-leash assembly according to one of the preceding points, in which the collar is composed of two half-collars each having one end intended to be fixed to a flange of the base.

[0025] 8.- Collar-leash assembly according to one of the preceding points, in which the perimeter side of the case as well as the grip loop are circular.

[0026] 9.- Collar-leash assembly according to one of the preceding points, in which the perimeter side of the housing includes means for improving the retention of the grip loop on the housing.

[0027] 10.- Collar-leash assembly according to one of points 2 to 9, characterized in that the body of housing is free to rotate around the base of the housing.

[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be described in detail in the following description which is given with reference to the appended figures, which schematically represent:

[0029] [fig. 1]: part of the collar-leash assembly according to the invention, in perspective;

[0030] [fig.2]: the housing of the collar-leash assembly according to the invention, in perspective;

[0031] [fig.3]: the gripping loop of the collar-leash assembly according to the invention, in view from above in perspective;

[0032] [fig.4]: the base of the case of [fig.2], in perspective top view;

[0033] [fig.5]: the base of [fig.4], in perspective view from below;

[0034] [fig.6]: the body of the case of [fig.2], in perspective top view;

[0035] [fig.7]: the housing body of [fig.6], in perspective view from below;

[0036] [fig.8]: the coil of the winder of the collar-leash assembly according to the invention, in view from above in perspective;

[0037] [fig.9]: the coil of [fig.8], in perspective side view;

[0038] [fig. 10]: a nut of the housing in perspective side view;

[0039] [fig.l 1]: the nut of [fig.9], in perspective view from below; and

[0040] [fig. 12]: a spiral spring of the winder of the housing of the collar-lead assembly is according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0041] An embodiment of the collar-leash assembly with integrated retractor according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 12.

[0042] This collar-leash set firstly comprises a collar composed of two half-collars 1, only one of which is visible in [fig.l]. One of the ends of this half-collar 1 is fixed to a housing 2 surrounded by a gripping loop 3.

[0043] The housing 2 is shown overall in [fig.2]. It is composed of a base 4 visible in [fig.4], which comprises a flat part 5 which may be discoid and which comprises a hole 6 in its center as well as two branches 7 preferably symmetrically opposed and each formed of a wall 8 which rises from the periphery of the flat part 5 and extends at its upper end by a flange 9 forming an outward angle and to which a half-collar 1 is intended to be fixed in a known manner, for example by means of rivets.

[0044] When the flat part 5 is discoid, the walls 8 are cylinder arcs and the flanges 9 are ring arcs.

[0045] The central hole 6 of the base 4 is intended to receive a conventional assembly screw (not shown).

[0046] The walls 8 form a partial housing for another component of the housing 10 which is the housing body 10 shown in [fig.6].

[0047] This housing body 10 is hollow and perhaps cylindrical in shape. It has a closed upper end 11 and an open lower end 12.

[0048] The lower end 12 is designed to rest on the flat part 5 of the base 4. The lateral periphery 13 of the housing body 10, located between the lower end 12 and the upper end 11, is designed to be inserted partly between the walls 8 and it has a lateral hole 14 for the passage of the leash.

[0049] The closed upper end 11 of the housing body has in its center a hole 15 intended to receive another component element of the housing, namely, an elongated nut with a preferably flat head 16 visible in Figures 10 and 11. The interior of the nut 16 is threaded to be able to cooperate with the assembly screw of the housing. The longitudinal cylindrical part of the nut 16 is provided with a longitudinal notch 17.

[0050] The interior of the housing body 10 is provided to house a leash winder. This is composed of a coil 25 visible in figures 8 and 9 and a spiral spring 22 shown in [fig.12].

[0051] The coil 25 has a perforated axis 26, an upper part with an upper rim 18 and a lower part with a lower rim 19. In the upper part is provided a cylindrical central recess 20 intended to house the spiral spring 22 and whose peripheral wall has a groove 21 to receive one end 24 of this spring. The other end 23 of the spiral spring 22 is intended to be housed in the notch 17 of the nut 16. In order to be well retained and to grip respectively the groove 21 and the notch 17, the ends 24 and 23 form an angle with respect to the rest of the spiral spring 22.

[0052] Alternatively, it would be possible to envisage welding the ends 23 and 24, respectively to the nut 16, in particular on its longitudinal cylindrical part, and to the coil 25, in particular, inside the cylindrical central recess 20, in particular on its peripheral wall. However, this would make it more difficult to replace the spiral spring 22 in the event of breakage.

[0053] The lower part 19 of the spool 25 is designed to rest on the base 4 of the housing 2. The space formed between the upper rim 18 and the lower rim 19 is designed to accommodate the leash. One end of this leash is fixed to the spool 25, by example by means of a knot. The leash passes through the lateral hole 14 of the housing body 10 containing the coil 25 and its other end is fixed to the gripping loop 3. The latter preferably comprises on its periphery a ring 25 for fixing the other end of the leash, for example by means of a knot.

[0054] According to the invention, the shape and dimensions of the loop 3, in particular the interior of this loop, allow it to be placed around the housing 2, around the housing body 10. The gripping loop 3 is preferably of small thickness compared to the height of the housing body. It must allow the passage of at least one finger of a user (the mistress or master of the pet) and it can be annular, rectangular, ovoid, etc., its shape obviously corresponding to the shape of the housing body, more precisely to the shape of the lateral periphery thereof.

[0055] The fitting of the housing body 10 inside the gripping loop 3, made possible by the complementarity between the shapes of the loop 3 and the lateral periphery 13 of the body 10 of the housing 12, is preferably provided with a low-play adjustment, so that the loop 3 remains in place around the housing body 10.

[0056] Furthermore, the spiral spring 12 is preferably pre-stressed in the winder so that the rotational stress it exerts on the spool 25 results in a pull on the leash, which in turn pulls on the loop 3 and forces it to remain around the housing body 10.

[0057] Thus, once around the housing body 10, the gripping loop 3 only causes a very slight increase in the volume of the housing 2. It follows that the collar-leash assembly according to the invention optimizes the shapes and dimensions of its components, which allows it to remain discreet around the body of the pet, not to bother it and not to cause it any danger, while of course remaining functional.

[0058] Furthermore, the length of the leash is preferably chosen to be less than that of the spiral spring, so that when the leash is fully unwound the spiral spring is not fully stretched and thus cannot be damaged.

[0059] It is possible to provide on the lateral periphery of the housing body 10, near the upper end thereof, at least one small bump preventing unwanted detachment of the gripping loop 3. The user, after retracting the leash into the housing 2 by winding, then presses on the loop 3 to force it over the bump. The loop 3 will then normally no longer be able to release itself from the housing 2 without the user's intervention.

[0060] The figures show a housing 2 of cylindrical shape. However, the invention is not limited to this shape. Other shapes can, in fact, be envisaged, provided that the gripping loop is shaped and sized so that it can be placed around the lateral periphery of the housing. Thus, the housing can, for example, be of shape parallelepiped. However, such a shape would not be optimal in terms of space utilization.

[0061] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, provision is made for free rotation of the housing body 10 relative to the base 4.

Claims

Claims

1. - Collar-leash assembly with integrated retractor for a pet, comprising: - a collar (1) intended to be wound around a part of the animal's body, - a housing (2) integral with the collar (1) and provided with a leash retractor (22, 25), this housing (2) comprising a base (4), a housing body (10), an elongated nut (16) and an assembly screw capable of cooperating with this elongated nut (16), the base (4) comprising a flat part (5) having a hole (6) in its center and two branches (7) each formed by a wall (8) which rises from the flat part (5) and is extended at its upper end by a flange (9) forming an angle, and the housing body (10) being free to rotate around the base (4) of the housing (2), - a leash, one end of which is fixed in the leash retractor (22, 25),and - a gripping loop (3) fixed to the other end of the leash and the inside of the gripping loop (3) of which corresponds to the lateral periphery (13) of the housing (2).,

2. - A clamp-seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elongated nut (16) has a notch (17).

3. - Collar-leash assembly according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the housing body (10) is hollow and has a closed upper end (11) having in its center a hole (15) for the passage of the elongated nut (16), an open lower end (12) and a lateral hole (14) for the passage of the leash.

4. - Collar-leash assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the gripping loop (3) comprises on its periphery a ring (25).

5. - Collar-leash assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the collar is composed of two half-collars (1) each having one end intended to be fixed to a flange (9) of the base (4).

6. - Collar-leash assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the lateral periphery (13) of the housing (2) as well as the gripping loop (3) are circular.

7. - Collar-release assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the lateral periphery (13) of the housing (2) comprises means to improve the retention of the grip loop (3) on the housing (2).

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