阅读说明：本技术 一种宠物配件 (Pet accessory ) 是由 M·K·阿什林 J·伊迪 于 2019-09-25 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了一种宠物配件(10),包括绳带(12),绳带(12)具有远侧端部(14)和近侧端部(18),远侧端部(14)可配置成接合动物并且还限定指环(16),近侧端部(18)限定柄部(20)。还包括弹性回弹可变形吊篮(22),吊篮(22)成形并配置成将球(24)操作地接纳其中,所述吊篮(22)配置成使得绳带(12)可滑动地穿过其外周边(26)的至少一部分被接纳,使得将绳带(12)绕着所述周边(26)折叠,则接合吊篮中的球(24),其中配件(10)可用于引导动物并且可用作吊带以投掷球(24)。(A pet accessory (10) is provided, including a leash (12), the leash (12) having a distal end (14) and a proximal end (18), the distal end (14) configurable to engage an animal and further defining a finger loop (16), the proximal end (18) defining a handle (20). Also included is a resiliently deformable basket (22), the basket (22) shaped and configured to operatively receive a ball (24) therein, the basket (22) configured such that the cord (12) is slidably received through at least a portion of an outer perimeter (26) thereof such that folding the cord (12) about the perimeter (26) engages the ball (24) in the basket, wherein the accessory (10) is usable for guiding an animal and as a harness for throwing the ball (24).)

1. A pet accessory, comprising:

a cord having a distal end configurable to engage an animal and further defining a finger loop and a proximal end defining a handle; and

a resiliently deformable basket shaped and configured to operatively receive a ball therein, the basket configured such that the cord is slidably received through at least a portion of its outer periphery such that folding the cord around the periphery engages the ball in the basket, wherein the accessory is usable to guide an animal and is usable as a sling to throw the ball.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the distal end is configurable to engage an animal by including a leash clamp.

3. The fitment of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the distal end is configurable to engage an animal by defining an aperture for fitting around the neck of the animal.

4. The accessory of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the finger ring is shaped and sized to operatively receive a user's finger therein to secure the accessory to a user's hand to facilitate throwing the ball as a sling.

5. The accessory of any of claims 1-4, wherein the finger ring is located on the strap such that when the fingers of a user's hand are received by the finger ring, the strap clamp rests and can be comfortably held in the palm of the user's hand.

6. The accessory of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the handle comprises a wrist loop through which a user's wrist is operatively passable.

7. The accessory of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the handle is shaped and dimensioned such that when the cord gripper is resting and can be comfortably held in the palm of a user's hand, the user's thumb can be comfortably held while the index finger of the hand is received by the finger ring to facilitate usability as a sling.

8. An accessory according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the basket is manufactured from a polymeric and/or rubber material.

9. An accessory according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the basket is shaped and dimensioned to provide an interference fit to a conventional ball, such as a tennis ball, squash ball or the like.

10. An accessory according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the basket is shaped and dimensioned to provide an interference fit to a plurality of types of conventional balls, such as tennis balls, squash balls, golf balls and the like.

11. An accessory as claimed in any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the outer periphery of the basket defines at least two slits such that the strap is slidably received through the slits.

12. An accessory as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cord comprises a brake configured to hold the basket at a particular position along the length of the cord.

13. The accessory of claim 12, wherein the brake is adjustable.

14. An accessory as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the tether comprises a securing means, such as a suitable strap, configured to secure the ball in the basket.

15. The accessory of claim 14, wherein the securing means comprises an interference fit fastener, whereby when the string is used as a harness, the securing means can be secured to the string, to retain the ball in the basket, or to secure the securing means in place.

16. A pet accessory comprising an elastically resilient deformable basket shaped and configured to operatively receive a ball therein, the basket configured such that a cord is slidably received through at least a portion of an outer periphery of the basket such that folding the cord around the periphery engages the ball in the basket, wherein the accessory is usable to guide an animal and is usable as a sling to throw the ball.

17. A pet accessory comprising an elastically resilient deformable basket according to claims 1 to 15.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of raising pets, and more particularly to pet accessories, typically dog accessories, and toys.

Background

The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

Pets or companion animals are animals raised primarily for companion, protection or recreation, rather than as working, livestock, or laboratory animals. Pets provide both physical and emotional benefits to their owners. For example, walking a dog may provide exercise, fresh air, and social interaction to people and pets.

Pets may accompany elderly people and other solitary people who do not have sufficient social interaction with others. There is a class of medically approved treatment animals, mostly dogs or cats, that are carried to persons with restricted visibilities, such as children in hospital or elderly people in nursing homes. Pet therapy utilizes trained animals and domesticators to achieve specific physical, social, cognitive, and emotional goals with the patient. Some of the most popular pets may be dogs and cats, but other animals are also kept as pets, such as birds, reptiles, and the like. Archaeological records indicate that the time for the first controversial dog remains buried around humans was about 1.47 ten thousand years ago, with controversial remains occurring about 3.6 ten thousand years ago. Therefore, many people around the world raise dogs as pets.

Studies have shown that raising pets has health benefits. For example, when a pet dog is present, a person's psychological indicators of cardiovascular, behavioral, and anxiety are reduced. Other health benefits result from exposure to immunostimulatory microorganisms, which according to the so-called hygiene hypothesis can prevent allergies and autoimmune diseases. Benefits of contacting, for example, a dog also include social support, as a dog is not only able to provide a companion and social support itself, but also acts as a facilitator of social interaction between people.

The practice of using dogs and other animals as part of treatment dates back to the end of the 18 th century when animals were introduced into psychiatric hospitals to assist socialization of psychotic disorder patients. Animal-assisted intervention studies have shown that animal-assisted treatment with dogs can increase social behaviors, such as smiling and laughing, in patients with alzheimer's disease. One study showed that children with hyperactivity and behavioral disorders who participated in educational programs using dogs and other animals exhibited increased attendance, increased knowledge and skill goals, and decreased antisocial and violent behavior compared to children who did not incorporate animal assistance programs.

Thus, an important aspect of feeding pets, such as dogs or cats, is the beneficial interaction therewith. In human history, many games or means of interaction and entertainment have been developed for both pets and owners.

For example, many dogs are natural retrievers who prefer to retrieve objects such as sticks or balls. Unfortunately, the stick or ball is usually thrown long to a long distance, which often leaves the person's back and arms tired before the animal is ready to rest. To address this problem, ball throwing devices have been developed, such as that disclosed in U.S. patent No.6,076,829. One disadvantage of such prior art devices is that they are bulky, heavy, and have no other use than throwing a ball, requiring the pet owner to carry such devices with them when needed.

The applicant has devised an invention that facilitates the interaction, exercise and entertainment of pets, in particular dogs, in a manner that is both beneficial to both the pet and the owner and that ameliorates the disadvantages of the tossing device technology.

Disclosure of Invention

The skilled person will appreciate that whilst reference herein to a "pet" generally includes reference to a dog, the invention is not limited to dogs only and is useful with other pet animals (e.g. cats, ferrets or any other animal) where there is a need or a demand for throwing objects for entertainment and/or exercise of such animals.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a pet accessory comprising:

a leash having a distal end configurable to engage an animal and further defining a finger loop and a proximal end defining a handle; and

an elastically resilient deformable basket (elastic resiliently deformable basket) shaped and configured for operatively receiving a ball therein, said basket being configured such that a cord is slidably received through at least a portion of its outer periphery such that folding the cord around said periphery engages the ball in the basket, wherein the accessory is operable for guiding an animal and is operable as a sling to throw the ball.

The skilled person will understand that by means of a basket slidably arranged on the string, the basket is allowed to move to the proximal or distal end of the string to act as a ball carrier when the fitting is used as a string. When the string is used as a harness, the basket can similarly be moved to the center portion of the string as desired.

Generally, the distal end may be configured to engage the animal by including a leash clamp.

In one embodiment, the distal end can be configured to engage the animal by defining an aperture for fitting around the animal's neck.

Typically, the finger ring is shaped and sized to operatively receive a user's fingers therein to secure an accessory to the user's hand to facilitate throwing the ball as a sling.

Typically, the finger loop is located on the leash such that when the fingers of the hand are received by the finger loop, the leash clamp rests and can be comfortably held in the palm of the user's hand.

Typically, the handle comprises a wrist loop through which the user's wrist is operatively passable.

Typically, the handle is shaped and sized so that the index finger of the hand is received by the finger ring, the lace clamp rests and can be comfortably held in the palm of the user's hand while the user's thumb can be comfortably held to facilitate usability as a sling.

Typically, the baskets are made of polymeric and/or rubber material.

Typically, the gondola is shaped and dimensioned to provide an interference fit to a conventional ball, such as a tennis ball, squash ball or the like.

Typically, the gondola is shaped and dimensioned to provide an interference fit for a variety of conventional balls, such as tennis balls, squash balls, golf balls, and the like.

Typically, the outer periphery of the basket defines at least two slits such that the lace is slidably received through the slits.

Typically, the rope belt comprises a brake configured to hold the gondola at a specific position along the length of the rope belt. The brake may be adjustable.

Typically, the string comprises a fixing means, such as a suitable strap, configured to fix the ball in the basket.

In one embodiment, the securing means comprises an interference fit fastener, whereby when the string is used as a harness, the securing means can be secured to the string to retain the ball in the basket, or to secure the securing means in place. Such interference fit fasteners may include snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.

The invention also extends in another of its aspects to a pet accessory comprising a resiliently resilient deformable basket shaped and configured to operatively receive a ball therein, said basket being configured such that a cord is slidably received through at least a portion of its outer periphery such that folding the cord around said periphery engages the ball in the basket, wherein the accessory is usable to guide an animal and as a harness to throw the ball.

The skilled person will understand that such a basket may be added to an existing rope belt, as described herein.

Drawings

The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of one embodiment of a pet accessory in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic view of the pet accessory of FIG. 1, showing a cord folded around the perimeter of the basket to engage the ball;

FIG. 3 is a close-up side cross-sectional view of the basket showing the cord slidably received through its outer periphery;

FIG. 4 is a perspective schematic view of a user's hand showing a cord gripper resting in the user's palm with a finger received by a finger ring;

FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of another embodiment of a pet accessory having a fastening device and a detent in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic view of the pet accessory of FIG. 5, showing the securing device and brake in use;

FIG. 7 is a close-up side cross-sectional schematic view of the basket of the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing the cord webbing slidably received through its outer periphery;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective schematic views of another embodiment of a pet accessory having a securing device in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and

fig. 9A and 9B are perspective schematic views of a brake of the pet accessory.

Detailed Description

Other features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of several non-limiting embodiments. This description is included solely for the purpose of explaining the invention to the skilled person. This description is not to be construed as limiting the summary, disclosure or particular embodiments of the invention explained above. In all figures incorporated to illustrate features of one or more example embodiments, the same reference numerals are used to identify similar parts.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown one possible embodiment of a pet accessory 10, the pet accessory 10 generally comprising a string 12 and a basket 22. The leash 12 generally has a distal end 14, the distal end 14 being configurable to engage an animal (e.g., a dog) and further defining a finger loop 16, as shown. The lace 12 also has a proximal end 18 defining a handle 20.

The fitting 10 includes a resiliently deformable basket 22, the basket 22 being generally shaped and configured to operatively receive balls 24 therein. The basket 22 is further configured such that the cord 12 is slidably received through at least a portion of its outer periphery 26 such that folding the cord 12 about the periphery 26 engages the ball 24 in the basket 22, wherein the accessory 10 may be used generally for guiding an animal and may be used as a harness to throw the ball 24, as described below.

The skilled person will appreciate that by the basket 22 being slidably arranged on the cord 12, the basket 22 is allowed to move to the proximal end 18 or the distal end 14 of the cord 12 to act as a ball carrier when the fitting 10 is used as a cord. When the rope is used as a harness, the basket 22 is similarly movable to a central portion of the rope 12, as desired.

The distal end 14 may generally be configured to include a leash clamp 28 to engage the animal. In another embodiment, the distal end 14 can be configured to engage an animal by defining an aperture or the like for fitting around the animal's neck.

The finger ring 16 is generally shaped and sized to operatively receive a user's finger therein to secure the accessory 10 to the user's hand 30 to facilitate throwing the ball 24 as a sling. The finger ring 16 is generally positioned on the lace 12 such that when a finger of the hand 30, typically an index finger 32, is received by the finger ring 16, the lace clamps 28 rest and can be comfortably held in the palm of the user's hand 30.

In the exemplified embodiment, the handle 20 comprises a wrist loop 34, the wrist of the user being operatively passable through the wrist loop 34. The handle 20 is generally shaped and dimensioned such that the index finger 32 of the hand 30 is received by the finger loop 16, the cord gripper 28 rests and can be comfortably held in the palm of the user's hand 30 while the user's thumb 33 can be comfortably held to facilitate usability as a sling.

The baskets 22 are generally made of polymeric and/or rubber material. The basket 22 is shaped and dimensioned to provide an interference fit with a conventional ball, such as a tennis ball, squash ball, or the like. The skilled person will appreciate that the gondola 22 may be shaped and dimensioned to provide an interference fit to a variety of conventional balls, such as tennis balls, squash balls, golf balls, and the like.

The outer periphery 26 of the basket 22 generally defines at least two slits such that the lace 12 is slidably received therethrough. However, other versions and configurations are possible and fall within the scope of the invention.

In general use, the fitting 10 can be used as a conventional lead or leash to guide an animal. When used as a harness, the basket 22 moves to the middle of both lengths of the rope 12, as shown in figure 2. The index finger 32 is placed through the finger ring 16 on the distal end 14, and the handle 20 at the proximal end 18 is held between the thumb 33 and the index finger 32. In this arrangement, the fitting 10 oscillates in an arc and the handle 20 is released at a precise moment. This frees the ball to fly off and be thrown to the target area, and so on. The harness essentially acts to extend the length of the person's arm, allowing the ball 24 to be thrown further than by hand 30 alone.

Referring now to fig. 5-9 of the drawings, there is shown another embodiment of the fitting 10 in which the rope 12 includes a brake 38, the brake 38 being configured to hold the basket 22 at a particular location along the length of the rope 12. The brake 38 is generally adjustable and serves to hold the basket at the mid-point of the cord to facilitate use as a harness when the basket is not stored near the handle 20 or distal end 14 of the cord 12.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 9, the brake 38 comprises a clamp to prevent the basket 22 from travelling both upwards and downwards on the rope 12 when used as a sling. The clamp 38 is typically sewn or otherwise securable along the string 12 and is attachable to the outside of the basket from the ring side. When used as a leash for walking a dog, the clamp 38 may be released from the basket 22, allowing the basket 22 to slide toward the handle, and so on.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the string 12 comprises a fixing means 40, such as a suitable strap, the fixing means 40 being configured to fix the ball 24 in the basket 22, as shown. In one embodiment, the securing device 40 includes an interference fit fastener 42, whereby when the cord 12 is used as a harness (as described above), the securing device 40 may be secured to the cord 12 to retain the ball 24 in the basket 22, or to secure the securing device 40 in place. Such interference fit fasteners 42 may include snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, and the like. Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of such a fixture 40, and the skilled person will understand that variations thereof are possible and fall within the scope of the invention.

The applicant believes that it is particularly advantageous that the invention provides an accessory 10 which allows for use as a string and ball carrier, whilst also serving as a ball harness for entertaining and playing with animals such as dogs.

Alternative embodiments of the invention may also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated herein, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the invention pertains, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies that should be readily understood by a skilled artisan are not described in detail.

The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject matter) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.

Spatially relative terms (such as "inner," "outer," "below," "beneath," "lower," "over," "upper," and the like) may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

It should be understood that reference to "one example" or "an example" of the invention or similar exemplary language (e.g., "such as") herein is not intended in an exclusive sense. Various substantially and particularly practical and useful example embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, either literally and/or graphically, for performing the claimed subject matter.

Thus, one example may illustrate certain aspects of the invention, while other aspects are illustrated in different examples. These examples are intended to assist the skilled person in carrying out the invention and are not intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any way, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations (e.g., alterations and/or improvements) of one or more embodiments described herein may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present application. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the claimed subject matter to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Any method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.