LCD EQUIPPED AND GLOW-IN-THE-DARK DOG LEASH

Abstract

A retractable animal leash comprises an illuminated LCD display associated with the housing. The LCD is in addition to the handle, handle controls and leash port on the housing. The LCD is illuminated and covered by a damage-resistant coating to prevent scratches and damage from impacts and environmental factors. The LCD display is associated with an onboard computer with a pedometer function that detects the distance walked and rate, and transmits this data to the LCD screen.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the priority date of provisional application No. 61/022,409, filed on Nov. 7, 2007.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND

Animal tethers and leashes are known in the art. Additional mechanical leashes and mechanical leashes that alter the length of tether are known. However, these devices are purely mechanical, and serve no other purpose than to regulate the proximity of an animal to its owner.

There is therefore a need for a device that is capable of providing a retractable leash mechanism in a single housing, while also providing a display of data regarding the movements of a user while the leash is employed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a retractable leash with an onboard computing pedometer and liquid crystal display for displaying distance information relating to the use of the leash. Another object is to provide an illuminated display, enabling the device to be effectively used at night. Yet another object is to provide a retractable leash that displays multiple data from a variety of inputs, including time, temperature, date, compass, pedometric data and speed data through the use of an illuminated display. These and other objects will become apparent through the appended summary, description and claims.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises a retractable leash device, wherein a leash of predetermined length is extendable from and retractable to a hand-held housing. The housing comprises a handle means for allowing a user to carry the leash device in one hand, and further comprises an opening through which the leash extends and retracts. Associated with the handle in a manner that permits activation while holding the leash device is a series of controls for causing the leash to lock in place and allowing the leash to extend or retract.

Also associated with the housing is a liquid crystal display that functions as a read-out for displaying pedometric data in addition to a time, temperature, date, compass, and distance function. In alternate embodiments, the LCD display provides additional information, including a speed calculating function.

The LCD display is associated with a computing means contained within the housing. Power for the computing means and LCD display is derived by either a permanent or interchangeable batteries. It is contemplated that the retracting of the leash can be associated with a generator to create on-board power. The powered computing means may also be associated with a spring-biased reel around which the leash is disposed when retracted into the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an LCD equipped retractable leash device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an LCD equipped retractable leash device in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the LCD of the present invention screen displaying information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention comprises an electronic retractable leash for animals. The retractable leash 10 comprises a housing 12 with a handle 14 and an opening 16 for extension and retraction of a length of tether 18 for connection to an animal collar. In addition to the handle 14 and opening 16, the leash 10 comprises a first control 20 for allowing the tether 18 to extend from the housing 12, and a second control 22 for stopping the tether 18 from moving relative to the housing 12.

Referring to FIG. 2, a spring-biased reel is disposed in the housing 12 for accommodating a length of tether 18 or leash in a manner in which the leash is wound around the reel against the direction of bias. An actuating mechanism is associated with the first and second controls 20 and 22 respectively for arresting and releasing the spring-biased reel. The control mechanism also comprises means for selectively adjusting a desired maximum extension of the leash. After the desired maximum extension has been set, any slack in the leash up to the maximum extension can be taken up automatically by the reel, while still allowing unwinding of the retractable leash 10 to the desired maximum extension.

Referring to FIG. 1, an illuminated liquid crystal display (“LCD”) 30 is incorporated into the housing 12. In one preferred embodiment, the LCD 30 is disposed on the side of the leash facing the body of the user. The LCD 30 is covered by a protective coating that allows the indicia on the display to be seen, but protects the display from damage due to impact or environmental factors.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the LCD 30 is mounted onto the housing 12 in a manner that allows controls for the LCD 30 to be associated with the interior of the housing (not shown). The means for powering the LCD 30 and the computing means for generating the data displayed on the LCD 30 are contained in the housing 12 adjacent the reel. The means for powering the LCD 30, in one embodiment, comprises batteries disposed in a recessed housing that can be opened and closed allowing batter replacement. The computing means comprises a microprocessor associated with an accelerometer and timer, allowing the LCD 30 to display time, date, temperature, compass, distance traveled, number of steps walked, and calculate speed.

Referring to FIG. 3, the LCD 30 controls are located adjacent to the LCD 30 screen, and are also incorporated into the housing 12 (shown in FIG. 1). The LCD 30 screen includes an illuminating function. In one preferred embodiment, the LCD 30 screen comprises an electroluminescent panel, capable of generating a uniform level of illumination across the entire LCD 30 screen.

In various other embodiments of the invention, additional means are provided associated with the spring biased reel with which further retraction of the leash is prevented once a certain retraction speed is reached. In addition, in another embodiment, means are provided with which retraction of the leash is prevented once tension in the leash falls below a predetermined level. In yet another embodiment, further retraction of the leash is prevented once a predefined retraction acceleration is reached, and when a sudden jerk-like motion is applied to the leash.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Claims

1. An electronic retractable leash for animals, comprising:

a. a housing containing a spring-biased reel for taking up a remaining length of the leash; an actuating mechanism for arresting and releasing the spring-biased reel; a control mechanism for selectively adjusting a desired maximum extension of the leash; wherein after the desired maximum extension has been set, any slack in the leash up to the maximum extension can be taken up automatically by the reel, while still allowing unwinding of the leash to the desired maximum extension; and

b. an illuminated LCD display incorporated into the housing, wherein the LCD display features means for displaying data in real time;

c. a power source contained in the housing, and associated with the LCD display; and

d. a step counter or pedometer means for counting the number of steps traveled by a user and calculating the distance traveled, connected to the power source and LCD display.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein means are provided with which further retraction of the leash is prevented once a certain retraction speed is reached.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein means are provided with which retraction of the leash is prevented once tension in the leash falls below a predetermined level.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein further retraction of the leash is prevented once a predefined retraction acceleration is reached.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a means is provided with which a sudden, jerk-like increase in the external pulling force in the leash is prevented.

6. An electronic leash for animals, comprising a housing containing a spring-biased reel for taking up a length of the leash once the length is extended from the housing, and which is comprises an actuating mechanism for stopping the retraction of the leash or the extension of the leash, and wherein an electronically powered LCD device displaying the current time, date, temperature, compass, and a pedometer capable of displaying distance walked, number of steps walked, and calories burned is disposed on one side of the housing.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein means are provided with which further retraction of the leash is prevented once a certain retraction speed is reached.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein means are provided with which retraction of the leash is prevented once tension in the leash falls below a predetermined level.

9. The device of claim 6, wherein further retraction of the leash is prevented once a predefined retraction acceleration is reached.

10. The device of claim 6, wherein a means is provided with which a sudden, jerk-like increase in the external pulling force in the leash is prevented.