FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to retractable leashes for dogs or pets and in specific to controlling a domesticated pet while walking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Leashes for dogs and other pets typically have a hand-held housing containing a reel rotatable mounted in the housing and include a reel and a brake system for controlling unwinding of the reel. Typically, one end of the leash attaches to the collar worn by the pet, and its other end extends through an opening in the housing to connect to the reel, which can rotate in one direction to wind the leash. If the pet pulls the leash, the reel rotates in the other direction to unwind the leash, which builds a tension in a spring inside the reel. The amount of tension on the spring depends on the distance from the reel to the pet. The tension in the spring reduces as this distance reduces, which again winds the leash onto the reel.

Many retractable leashes have a mechanism that locks the leash cord from being let out and/or taken in by push of a button. One issue with such systems is that there may be a slack in the cord, if the pet moves closer than the locked in cord distance. The slack cord can get tangled around obstacles on the ground, or wrapped around the pet or the user. In addition, such stop mechanisms may cause a jerking force on the pet if it is applied as the pet is moving away. In addition, a rapid stop may suddenly pull the user forward, causing injuries to user's back, shoulders and arms. The force may pull the housing from the hand of the user and may cause discomfort and/or injury to the user.

To address the above problems, some retractable leashes have attempted to provide brake actuating designs. For example, in one system, a maximum length can be selected and set by the user for less than the full leash extension to set for a desired retraction length. Other retractable leash designs can prevent slack in the leash cord, by using an on/off stopping system, which still allows the pet to build up momentum before reaching the end of the leash.

There is a need for a leash mechanism to overcome the above issues and improve the safety of the pet and user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a retractable pet leash with a variable braking system. It comprises a one touch brake system and a novel length control system to improve the safety of the pet and the user.

The retractable leash of the present invention consists of a leash cord retraction reel, a hub brake assembly, a one touch brake system, and a length control system to provide a leash with a variable braking mechanism. The length of the leash can be set, and a variable braking is applied in a steady manner when the set length is reached.

The variable braking system controls the amount of force needed to let out (unreel) the leash cord. It ensures that the leash is kept taught between the user and the pet and allows the leash cord to be let out (unreeled) and taken in (reeled) and storing the unused leash cord within the reel. The braking system of the present invention provides a variable braking system that can slow down the pet over a distance instead of just a dead stop.

The variable braking system can be engaged or disengaged by the user via a handle that is directly connected to the brake, or by one touch brake system also actuated by the user that uses the rotation of the reel to slowly apply the variable brake over several rotations of the reel, or allow the user to set the length of the leash cord and when the set length of the leash cord is met, engage the one touch brake system. The one touch braking system allows the user to automatically apply the variable brake in a steady and predictable manner and set the length of the leash being let out. This system still ensures that the leash cord is kept taught between the user and the pet, it notifies the user when the set length has been reached and applies brake.

The variable braking system of the present invention allows for better and safer control of the pet connected to the leash than the currently available leashes with “a stop system”. The variable braking system allows for the pet to be stopped at any speed of the cord being let out and smoothly applies the brake force. This removes the jerking motion and thus removes the strain on the pet's collar and the user's wrist. The brake is applied from no braking force to a full stop as the leash cord is let out.

For safety reasons, especially when users are walking a pet, they need to be able to concentrate on their surroundings to ensure they and their pet are safe. The one touch brake of the present invention removes the need to practice using the variable braking system, allowing the variable braking system to be fully utilized by the first time users. The one touch brake removes the need to concentrate on modulating the brake as the brake is applied just by a simple button press.

The present invention contains a length control mechanism which allows the length of the leash to be selected, while still allowing the retraction system to function, and emits an audible “click” when the set length is reached. Depending on the surroundings and conditions where the pet is being walked, the users may want to safely limit the distance between them and their pet to ensure that the pet is under control and is kept safe.

Current retractable leashes control the cord length by either stopping both the let out and take in features of the retract mechanism digitally which creates slack in the leash cord when the set cord length is not fully taken out. Or, by stopping the let-out feature of the retract mechanism creating an immediate stop to the leash cord being let out. In both cases the leash cord allows the pet to build up momentum, if they begin to run away from the user. The momentum of the pet moving at speed will create a large force that will need to be counteracted when the set length of the leash cord is reached. This large force is hard if not impossible to control in the case of heavier or faster pets and can be a surprise if the users are not watching their pet at all times.

Stopping both the let out and take in features, the slack created when the pet is not at the set length of the leash cord can lead to the following;The tangling of the leash cord around obstacles which can prevent the retraction function of the leash as the cord will not be able to be fully retract;A tripping hazard for either the user, other by standards or the pet; orThe slack cord can wrap around the pet or the user which is a major safety concern.

The length control mechanism of the present invention allows the retraction of the leash to be fully functional until the pet reaches the length set by the user. At which time the brake will be applied stopping the cord from being let out. This allows the leash to always be taught between the user and the pet.

The length control mechanism smoothly applies a stopping force that gradually increases as the pet reaches the end of the controlled leash length. This gradual increase in force removes the sudden large force experienced with other retractable leashes. Additionally, the mechanism emits an audible “click” to notify the user that the pet is reaching the end of the controlled length of the leash.

In one embodiment the retractable leash of the present invention is able to signal to a pet to slow down or stop just with a light application of the brake. The one touch braking can be optimized for different models of the design thus accommodating a range of pet types, weights and sizes. Therefore, the design delivers control, safety and comfort with its setting ability to rapidly and easily accommodate specific or changing situations related to the size and temperament of the pet, the size and strength of the user, and the safety conditions of the environment.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a variable brake which allows for the user to apply a low force that just adds tension to the leash cord. This, when a pet is properly trained, can signal to the pet to slow down or stop. Secondly, a pets speed away from the user can be slowed at a rate completely controlled by the user. Thirdly the variable brake allows a pet to be stopped at any speed of the cord being let out.

It is another object of the present invention that allows the retraction mechanism to still function when the leash length has been set. It also notifies the user before the brake is applied at the end of the set length and it gradually applies the stopping force needed, eliminating the sudden jerking of any momentum build up by the pet.

It is another object of the present invention that allows for the pet to be slowed by the user over a set distance. This improves on current retractable leashes, which only allow the reel to rotate or to be stopped. The advantage of slowing the pet over a distance is that it removes the jerking motion and thus the strain on the pet's collar and the user's wrist.

It is further another object of the present invention that, with proper training, a slight application of the brake can signal to the pet to stop moving away from the owner. Braking systems always take some practice to master. The automated brake mechanism of the present invention removes the need for this practice and concentration. Thus, allowing the variable brake to be fully utilized by first time users and for it not to distract the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a length setting mechanism that utilizes all the features of the variable braking system. The length control allows the leash to not only keep the cord taught between the user and the pet up to a set distance, but also notifies the user that the set length has been reached and brings the pet to a gradual, controlled stop.

