Animal lead

Abstract

A retractable animal lead assembly 2 with a housing 10 including a biased retractable mechanism 12 attached to one end of a lead 4, and an animal attachment mechanism 6, at the other end of the lead.

Description

The present invention relates to an animal lead, particularly but not exclusively a dog lead. Extendible and retractable dog leads are well known in the art, generally comprising an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment catch or clasp, and the other lead end in a housing and attached to a spring-biased retractable mechanism, which is able to let out and retract the lead depending the ‘pull’ of the dog. Such dog leads can have a ‘brake’ mechanism for hand control over the retractable mechanism to maintain a constant lead length when desired. The ‘pull’ of the dog is therefore transmitted through the retractable mechanism. However, retractable mechanisms can break, or let ‘slip’ the brake, especially when the pull of the dog is sudden or exceptional. The present invention seeks to provide an improved animal lead to avoid at least the above problem. Summary According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand-holdable animal lead assembly comprising; - an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at the other end a housing end; - a housing body for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out the lead into and out of the housing body; wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a locking piece, and the housing body includes a locking piece housing selectively engageable with the locking piece, to directly abut and engage the animal attachment mechanism to the housing body. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand-holdable animal lead assembly comprising; - an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at the other end a housing end; - a housing body for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body; wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a lockable assembly between the housing body and an end of the animal attachment mechanism to prevent extension of the lead out of the housing body. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of locking a hand-holdable animal lead assembly comprising an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at the other end a housing end; a housing body for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body; and wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a locking piece, and the housing body includes a locking piece housing selectively engageable with the locking piece, to directly engage the animal attachment mechanism to the housing body: comprising at least the step of: - locating the locking piece into the locking piece housing. Detailed Description Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1a and 1b are side and top cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention is a locked position: Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention is an unlocked position: Figures 3a and 3b are side perspective views of the embodiment of Figure 1; and Figures 4a, 4b and 4c are perspective views of a second embodiment of the present invention, wholly and in part. The present invention relates to a hand-holdable animal lead assembly. One suitable animal is a dog, but the invention is not limited thereto. The present invention is hand-holdable in the manner of any animal lead, typically having a handle which a human hand can use to grip the lead assembly. As mentioned above, conventional dog leads having a housing for an extendible and retractable lead are well known in the art, generally comprising an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment catch or clasp, and the other lead end in a housing and attached to a spring-biased retractable mechanism, which is able to let out and retract the lead depending the ‘pull’ of the dog which create the load or tension on the lead against the biasing force of the retractable mechanism. Such dog leads can have a ‘brake’ mechanism for user control over the retractable mechanism, to maintain a constant lead length when desired. The ‘pull’ of the dog is transmitted through the retractable mechanism. The retractable mechanism is typically a helical spring mounted within the centre of a circular cassette for the lead, which is designed to be compressed as the lead extends, and therefore provide an ‘automatic’ tension on the lead, to return the lead back into the lead housing when less pull comes from the dog. Such conventional leads work well in many circumstances and allow the lead to be maintained with a relatively constant tension in relation to the dog, despite variation in the distance of the dog from the user. However, there are times when the pull of the dog is sudden or exceptional, and a dramatic change in tension on the lead can overcome the retractable mechanism, either by breaking a part of it, or by overcoming any user-applied brake mechanism. The user then loses control over the dog, typically in dramatic and very undesired circumstances. The breaking of the lead is often catastrophic. The present invention provides a hand-holdable animal lead assembly comprising; - an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at the other end a housing end; - a housing body for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body; wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a locking piece, and the housing body includes a locking piece housing selectively engageable with the locking piece, to directly engage the animal attachment mechanism to the housing body. In this way, force or tension directed along an animal lead and through the animal attachment mechanism now passes directly to the housing body, and therefore directly to the lead assembly holder, generally termed the “user” herein, rather than through the biased retractable mechanism. Typically, the housing body is within the grip of the user, who is able to deal with the change in tension from the animal, and is not reliant on the strength of conventional retractable mechanisms or any brake mechanism. The lead may have any size, shape and design, generally being of a flexible but tough material, which allows the animal to have freedom to travel in their own direction and direction relative to the holder of the lead assembly, the user. The lead can be elongate in a conventional manner, and has at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at another end a housing end intended to be attached to the biased retractable mechanism within the housing body. The housing body may have any suitable size, shape and dimension, generally including a handle either within or through or otherwise secured to the housing body. The handle can comprise an outer portion of the housing body having an aperture therebelow, for the passage of part of a user’s hand in a manner known in the art, and not further described herewith. The housing body is typically formed of two or more portions, such as two half-shells, able to be secured together and having the biased retractable mechanism therein. The biased retractable mechanism may comprise any suitable mechanism able to let out a length of the lead from a suitable internal supply, such as a circular cassette, and which is biased against the tension or force supplied by the animal at the other end of the lead. As the animal varies the distance from the user of the assembly, the biased retractable mechanism is able to maintain a length of lead suitable between the animal and the user that maintains the lead in a direct and typically slightly tensioned form, in a manner known in the art and not further described herein. Typically, the biasing of a biased retractable mechanism is a spring, most typically a helical spring, that could be located in, within or about the holder of the lead, such as a circular cassette, and which spring is tensioned by the withdrawal of the lead out of the housing by the animal in a manner known in the art. One end of the lead has an animal attachment mechanism. The animal attachment mechanism may be for direct attachment to the collar or harness or similar, on or otherwise around the animal, such as a dog or cat collar or walking harness, or it may be for attachment to a separate lead or similar, providing a length between the animal and the user during use of the present invention. As such, the present invention is for use both directly and indirectly with a collar or harness on the animal. Optionally, the animal attachment mechanism comprises an animal attachment portion and a locking piece attachment portion. The animal attachment portion may be for direct or indirect attachment to a collar or harness on the animal in a manner described herein above. The locking piece attachment portion is for attachment of the animal attachment mechanism to the locking piece as described hereinafter. Optionally, the animal attachment portion and the locking piece attachment portion are moveable relative to each other. Optionally, the movement is at least rotational, to allow flexibility of direction between the animal attachment portion and the locking piece attachment portion. Thus, in one embodiment, the animal attachment portion and the locking piece attachment portion are rotatably connected together by a connecting bolt. Optionally, the locking piece attachment portion are secured together by a locking pin. A locking pin may be directly connectable to each or both of the locking piece and the locking piece attachment portion, or may be locatable through suitable apertures to allow freedom of movement thereinbetween. The locking piece of the animal attachment mechanism may have any suitable size, shape or design, generally having at least a head and neck, wherein the head allows engagement with a locking piece housing, and the neck provides a suitable reduced shape relative to the head, able to pass out of the housing towards the remainder of the animal attachment mechanism. In one embodiment, the locking piece comprises a transverse bar relative to the direction of the lead. That is, the locking piece comprises a “T” shape, the head of the T being transverse to the remainder of the locking piece and the direction of the lead in use. The locking piece housing may have any suitable size, shape and design able to selectively engage with the locking piece, i.e. to achieve secure engagement and secure disengagement with the locking piece, that allows a load to directly transfer between the locking piece and the locking piece housing. Said load is provided by the pull or tension of the animal through the animal attachment mechanism, and therefore directly through the locking piece and locking piece housing to the housing body. Thus, the present invention does not rely on the elongate lead or the biased retractable mechanism to transfer load between the pull or tension of the animal and the hand of the user holding the animal lead assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, an animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the locking piece housing comprises a locking piece entry portal, and a connected locking piece engagement portion. The locking piece entry portal may have any suitable size, shape and design, and optionally is located at or near an outer surface of the housing body. The connected locking piece engagement portion comprises or includes the locking piece housing. Optionally, the locking piece engagement portion comprises one or more reinforced mounts, able to transfer load from the animal attachment mechanism directly on to the housing body. Thus, as discussed above, the load, provided by the pull or tension of the animal, passes directly onto the housing body and to the hand of the user holding the animal lead assembly, and does not rely on transfer through the elongate lead or the biased retractable mechanism. Optionally, one or more of the reinforced mounts of the locking piece engagement portion comprises a metal locking piece retaining housing. Metal is a relatively sturdy material, and easily able to transfer a significant load from an animal. Optionally, the metal locking piece retaining housing extends across the locking piece housing sufficiently to engage with the locking piece, and to also extend into or under or against an inner portion of surface of the housing body, to provide direct load transfer between the animal attachment mechanism and the housing body itself. Optionally, the locking piece housing comprises an arcuate passageway between the locking piece entry portal, and the connected locking piece portion. The arcuate passageway is optionally within the housing body, providing a passage for the locking piece from through the locking piece entry portal on or near an outer surface of the housing body, and guidance towards the locking piece portion being or comprising the locking piece housing. Optionally, the arcuate passageway traverses more than 150°. Optionally, the biased retractable mechanism comprises a rotatable lead-cassette having a biasing means to bias movement of the lead onto the lead-cassette. The biasing means may be any suitable biaser such as a spring, in particular a helical spring. Optionally, the animal lead assembly further comprises a ratchet and pawl brake mechanism able to hold the position of the biased retractable mechanism within the housing body when the lead is extended therefrom. Brake mechanisms useable in extendable animal leads are well known in the art, and include ratchet and pawl mechanisms, typically having a biased pawl able to be engaged by a switch or button or similar on the outer surface of the housing body, to allow the user to achieve a lock or hold on the biased retractable mechanism, and a constant length of lead extending out of the housing body. Such a constant length can include a zero length when desired. Optionally, the present invention further includes an animal unused poop bag holder, and an animal used poop bag holder. Each of the bag holders may comprise a container or other closeable enclosure, typically able to be accessed by the user when desired. Optionally, the animal unused poop bag holder and the animal used poop bag holder comprise a singular moulding. A singular moulding can be attached to or otherwise applied to one surface or side of the animal lead assembly. Optionally, the animal unused poop bag holder and the animal used poop bag holder extends transversely from one side of the housing body when in a hand-holdable position. Optionally, the housing body comprises a transverse aperture to provide an access portal to the animal unused poop bag holder. Thus, a user may be able to access the unused poop bag holder through the traverse aperture and the access portal, to allow ease of removal of a poop bag from the holder for use. The animal unused poop bag holder and the animal used poop bag holder provide significant convenience to the user, in that separate poop bags do not need to be sourced and awkwardly retrieved when required, and that a used poop bag holder has a convenient location that can be within a secure location, and not otherwise needing to be separately held by the user. In another aspect, the present invention provides a hand-holdable animal lead assembly comprising; - an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at the other end a housing end; - a housing body for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body; wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a lockable assembly between the housing body and an end of the animal attachment mechanism to prevent extension of the lead out of the housing body. In a further aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method of locking a hand-holdable animal lead assembly comprising an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at the other end a housing end; a housing body for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body; and wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a locking piece, and the housing body includes a locking piece housing selectively engageable with the locking piece, to directly engage the animal attachment mechanism to the housing body: comprising at least the step of: - locating the locking piece into the locking piece housing. Optionally, the further aspects of this invention, including the animal lead assembly and method of locking described hereinabove, can include one or more of the features herein before defined, in particular using the step of one or more of the features to assist locking and locating the locking piece into the locking piece housing. In this regard, the method of the present invention may further comprise the step of releasing the locking piece out of the locking piece housing to allow extension of the lead out of the housing body. Turning to the figures, Figures 1a and 1b show an example of a hand-holdable animal lead assembly 2 comprising an elongate lead 4 having at one end an animal attachment mechanism 6, and at the other end a housing end, a housing body 10 for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism 12 attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body; wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a locking piece 16, and the housing body includes a locking piece housing 20 selectively engageable with the locking piece, to directly engage the animal attachment mechanism to the housing body. The elongate lead 4 may be made of a tough but flexible material having at one end a housing end (not shown) fixed to and designed to spiral around the central drum or core of a rotatable lead-cassette 42. Within the centre of the lead-cassette is a spring 44 acting as a biasing means, to bias movement of the lead onto the lead- cassette, and typically to provide a counterforce to the force or pull or tension of an animal attached to the lead 4. Figures 1a and 1b also show a ratchet and pawl brake mechanism 46, generally being a biased pawl able to engage against angled ratchets around the outer part of the lead-cassette 42, and engageable using a suitable handle or trigger 50, useable by the user to engage the brake mechanism 46 to stop further movement of the lead-cassette 42 when desired. Figure 1a and 1b show an animal attachment mechanism 6 having an animal attachment portion 8 and a locking piece attachment portion 9. The animal attachment portion 8 comprises a hollow ring or frame, able to be attached and secured to another lead 11 (shown in Figure 2) or part of a harness or otherwise of the animal. Such engagement may be direct or indirect as discussed herein above. The locking piece attachment portion 9 comprises a ring or frame. Between the animal attachment portion 8 and the locking piece attachment portion 9 is a connecting bolt 22, that allows rotational movement therebetween, to allow flexibility of the direction of the animal attachment portion 8 and the locking piece attachment portion 9. The locking piece attachment portion 9 includes one end of a locking pin 24, which locking pin extends to the end of the locking piece 16. The locking piece 16 is shown having a traverse bar, to form the shape of a “T” head with the shaft of the locking pin 24. The locking pin 24 is able to directly transfer load from the locking piece attachment portion. The locking piece housing 20 comprises a locking piece engagement portion 32, and an arcuate passageway 40 leading to a locking piece entry portal 30. In use, a user can move the locking piece 16 from within the locking piece engagement 32 shown in Figure 1a, through the arcuate passageway 40 and out of the locking piece entry portal 30, so as to disengage or unsecure the animal attachment mechanism 6 from the housing body 10 as shown in Figure 2. The lead 4 is then extendable out of the housing body 10, in a manner known in the art to allow length required for the distance of the animal away from the user, typically involving sufficient tension to maintain a relatively straight length of lead based on the pull or force of the animal against the biased retractor pull mechanism force. When the user wishes to secure the animal attachment mechanism directly to the housing body, the locking piece 16, being in this example the end of the locking pin 24, is directed through the locking piece entry portal 30, around the arcuate passageway 40 and into the locking piece engagement portion 32. The example shown in Figures 1a and 1b includes a metal locking piece retainer 36, shaped to cover the shoulders of the locking piece 16, and thus transfer load directed through the animal attachment mechanism 6 directly through the retainer 36 and against the inner surface of the housing body 10. Thus, there is no reliance on the strength of the biased retractable mechanism 12, or the brake mechanism 46, should there be any dramatic pull or tension through the animal attachment mechanism by the animal directly or indirectly attached thereto. Figure 2 shows the example of Figures 1a and 1b wherein the locking piece 16 is disengaged from the locking piece housing 20, to allow free movement of the lead 4 into and out of the housing body 10. Figures 3A and 3B show two different side perspective views of the example of the present invention shown in Figures 1A and 1B, having a side panel 46 covering some of one side of the housing body 10. Figures 4A and 4B show a second example of the present invention, wherein an animal unused poop bag holder 50 and an animal used poop bag holder 52 are attached as a single moulding 54 onto the side 46 of the housing body 10. The singular moulding 54 could be applied by a suitable attachment mechanisms such as clips or biased flaps, against the side panel 46 of the housing mechanism. Optionally, the housing body 10 includes a transverse aperture 58 different to the handle, but through which a user can have an access portal to the animal unused poop bag holder 50. Thus, in use, an unused poop bag is easily available to be brought out of the unused poop bag holder 50 through the transverse aperture 58, and once the poop bag has achieved its use and purpose, it can be located within the animal used poop bag holder 52 by opening of a suitable lid 58 as shown in Figure 4C. Supply of unused poop bags can be provided into the unused poop bag holder 50 through movement of a suitable lid 56, optionally in a similar manner to the other lid 58. The animal used poop bag holder 52 provides a sealed area within which a used poop bag can be held during the walk or other holding of the animal on the animal lead assembly, without the user requiring to separately hold the used poop bag in a conventional manner. The present invention provides a number of improvements over conventional retractable animal leads, in particular to allow the pull or tension of the animal through the animal attachment mechanism, and therefore directly through the locking piece and locking piece housing to the housing body. Thus, the present invention does not rely on the elongate lead or the biased retractable mechanism to transfer load between the pull or tension of the animal and the hand of the user holding the animal lead assembly.

Claims

1. A hand-holdable animal lead assembly (2) comprising;- an elongate lead (4) having at one end an animal attachment mechanism (6), and at the other end a housing end;- a housing body (10) for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism (12) attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body;wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a locking piece (16), and the housing body includes a locking piece housing (20) selectively engageable with the locking piece, to directly engage the animal attachment mechanism to the housing body.

2. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a handle (7) through the housing body.

3. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking piece comprises a transverse bar relative to the direction of the lead.

4. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the animal attachment mechanism comprises an animal attachment portion (8) and a locking piece attachment portion (9).

5. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the animal attachment portion and the locking piece attachment portion are moveable relative to each other.

6. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the animal attachment portion and the locking piece attachment portion are rotatably connected together by a connecting bolt (22).

7. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the locking piece and the locking piece attachment portion are secured together by a locking pin (24).

8. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the locking piece housing comprises a locking piece entry portal (30), and a connected locking piece engagement portion (32).

9. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the locking piece engagement portion comprises one or more reinforced mounts able to transfer load from the animal attachment mechanism directly onto the housing body.

10. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the one or more reinforced mounts comprise a metal locking piece retainer (36).

11. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the locking piece housing comprises an arcuate passageway (40) between the locking piece entry portal, and the connected locking piece portion.

12. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the arcuate passageway is within the housing body.

13. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 11 or claim 13 wherein the arcuate passageway traverses more than 150°.

14. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims wherein biased retractable mechanism comprises a rotatable lead-cassette (42) having a biasing means (44) to bias movement of the lead onto the lead-cassette.

15. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims further comprising a ratchet and pawl brake mechanism (46) able to hold the position of the biased retractable mechanism within the housing body when the lead is extended therefrom.

16. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims further comprising an animal unused poop bag holder (50), and an animal used poop bag holder (52).

17. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein the animal unused poop bag holder and the animal used poop bag holder comprise a singular moulding (54).

18. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17 wherein the animal unused poop bag holder and the animal used poop bag holder extends transversely from one side of the housing body when in a hand-holdable position.

19. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18 wherein the housing body comprises a transverse aperture (58) to provide an access portal to the animal unused poop bag holder.

20. A hand-holdable animal lead assembly comprising;- an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at the other end a housing end;- a housing body for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body;wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a lockable assembly between the housing body and an end of the animal attachment mechanism to prevent extension of the lead out of the housing body.

21. A method of locking a hand-holdable animal lead assembly comprising an elongate lead having at one end an animal attachment mechanism, and at the other end a housing end; a housing body for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body; and wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a locking piece, and the housing body includes a locking piece housing selectively engageable with the locking piece, to directly engage the animal attachment mechanism to the housing body: comprising at least the step of:locating the locking piece into the locking piece housing.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 further comprising one or more of the features defined in any one of claims 2 to 20, and further comprising the step ofusing one or more of the features defined in any one of claims 2 to 20 to assist locating the locking piece into the locking piece housing.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 further comprising the step of 5 releasing the locking piece out of the locking piece housing to allow extension of the lead out of the housing body.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-CLAIMS1. A hand-holdable animal lead assembly (2) comprising;- an elongate lead (4) having at one end an animal attachment mechanism 5 (6), and at the other end a housing end;- a housing body (10) for the lead including a biased retractable mechanism (12) attached to the housing end of the lead, and able to let out and retract the lead into and out of the housing body;wherein the animal attachment mechanism includes a locking piece (16), and 10 the housing body includes a locking piece housing (20) selectively engageable with the locking piece, to directly engage the animal attachment mechanism to the housing body; and wherein the assembly further comprises:an animal unused poop bag holder (50), and an animal used poop bag holder (52);said animal unused poop bag holder (50) and said animal used poop bag15 holder (52) being integrated into said housing body (10) and extending transverselyLO from one side of said housing body (10) when in a hand-holdable position, andCM wherein the used poop bag holder (52) provides a sealed area within which a usedLO poop bag can be held during the walk or other holding of the animal on the animallead assembly; and20 said housing body (10) comprising a transverse aperture (58) providing an access portal to said animal unused poop bag holder (50), such that an unused poop bag is easily available for removal while maintaining a secure location within said assembly.

2. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a handle 25 (7) through the housing body.

3. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the locking piece comprises a transverse bar relative to the direction of the lead.30 4. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims wherein theanimal attachment mechanism comprises an animal attachment portion (8) and a locking piece attachment portion (9).

5. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the animal attachment portion and the locking piece attachment portion are moveable relative to each other.5 6. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 5 wherein the animalattachment portion and the locking piece attachment portion are rotatably connected together by a connecting bolt (22).

7. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the10 locking piece and the locking piece attachment portion are secured together by a locking pin (24).

158. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims wherein the locking piece housing comprises a locking piece entry portal (30), and a connected locking piece engagement portion (32).

9. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein the locking piece engagement portion comprises one or more reinforced mounts able to transfer load from the animal attachment mechanism directly onto the housing body.

10. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the one or more reinforced mounts comprise a metal locking piece retainer (36).

11. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the 25 locking piece housing comprises an arcuate passageway (40) between the locking piece entry portal, and the connected locking piece portion.

12. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 11 wherein the arcuate passageway is within the housing body.3013. An animal lead assembly as claimed in claim 11 or claim 13 wherein thearcuate passageway traverses more than 150°.

14. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims wherein biased retractable mechanism comprises a rotatable lead-cassette (42) having a biasing means (44) to bias movement of the lead onto the lead-cassette.5 15. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claims furthercomprising a ratchet and pawl brake mechanism (46) able to hold the position of the biased retractable mechanism within the housing body when the lead is extended therefrom.10 ]16. An animal lead assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein theanimal unused poop bag holder and the animal used poop bag holder comprise a singular moulding (54).LDCM

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