Abstract: A combination leash and pet toy includes a hollow casing having an exterior surface formed of an FDA-approved rubber similar to that of conventional chew toys. Extending from the casing interior is a spring-biased cord having a swiveling bolt-snap connector at a distal end for coupling with a pet collar. The connector can removably seat within a cavity that is enclosed with a locking lid when the device is being used as a toy. Accordingly, the device may be used as a conventional dog leash by coupling the snap connector to a pet leash. To convert the device to a toy, a user places the snap connector within the cavity and secures the lid to the casing. The casing can then be safely chewed or carried by a pet or tossed by the pet's owner as with a conventional pet toy.

Abstract: A portable pet tether apparatus readily attaches onto a retractable pet leash. The portable pet tether allows a user to tether a pet anywhere. The portable pet tether consists of a corkscrew ground anchor that is rotatably connected to a leash receiver. The ground anchor is secured to the ground. The retractable pet leash can then be removably connected to the leash receiver through an attachment mechanism. The removably connected retractable pet leash may be detached from the leash receiver through the actuation of a release button.

Abstract: A leash-with-variable-anchor may have two opposing fastener structures, one for removable attachment to a collar or to a harness; and another for fastening back onto a portion of leash-with-variable-anchor, forming a closed looped structure, an anchor. The anchor may function as a handle. The anchor may also be quickly, easily, and safely attached to various articles, such as, but not limited to, posts; and without a need of detaching from the collar or from the harness. In some embodiments, the loop structure of the anchor may be variable (i.e., adjustable) in size. In some embodiments, at least portions of loop structure of the anchor may elastic.

Abstract: An animal restraint system which involves variable adjustability of maximum extension. A braking device with a pivoting tip which can move from a neutral position to a locked engaged position, a disengaged position, and a semi-engaged position. The semi-engaged position allows for spool rotation in the direction of retraction, while preventing spool rotation in the direction of extension. A brake lock with multiple settings including engaged position, disengaged position, and a semi-engaged position. A spool with teeth where one or more of the teeth is different from the others in shape, size or relative position to promote brake engagement efficiency. A leash maximum settings display. A moving “leash” guide which reduces tangling during extension and retraction. An adjustable handle grip to accommodate different hand sizes. A snap-on accessory attachment system. A leash dispenser system which limits full extension to reduce system failure.

Abstract: An improved leash device for pets that includes a tongue for insertion into a seat belt is described. The tongue may be designed to fit any vehicle safety belt buckle to allow a user to secure their pet to their vehicle for travel. The user may operate the device by moving a safety belt tongue from inside the housing of the leash device. When the tongue is moved outside the housing, it may be inserted into the buckle attached inside the vehicle to keep the pet safe during vehicle movement. The leash device may also include a retractable leash mechanism with a lock button for alternatively allowing or preventing the extension/retraction of the leash. A button hood may be provided to prevent accidental toggling of the lock button.

Abstract: A tether device allows a pet to roam freely within a pre-defined area of space while restricting the pet from moving beyond the perimeter of a pre-defined area. The location of the perimeter is programmed into the tether device by providing distance and angular coordinates of the distal end of the tether from the tether device. The location of the pet, once attached to the tether device is likewise determined by the combination of coordinates. When the microcontroller senses the pet is nearing the perimeter of the pre-defined area, a lock mechanism is activated which prevents further movement in a direction that will exceed the perimeter, and only allows movement of the pet away from the perimeter. The lock mechanism may have a cushioning mechanism to prevent a hard stop. The tether device can also generate alarm tones to alert the user and/or train the pet.

Abstract: The retractable leash support includes a bracket mounted on a rotatable platform the rotatable platform being mountable to any fixed structure. The bracket has two extension tubes spaced for receiving the grip portion of a typical retractable pet leash, the extension tubes also being adapted to accommodate a plate having complementary tubes that fit over the extension tubes to secure the pet leash between the bracket and plate. The extension tubes and complementary tubes of the plate have holes that can be aligned. Pins are inserted into the aligned holes to lock the pet leash grip securely in the leash support.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for restraining an animal involves urging a spool containing a flexible tension link connectable to the animal, to retract the flexible tension link into a housing to which the spool is mounted. Movement of the spool in a direction associated with retraction of the flexible tension link disengages a brake urged into braking engagement with the spool, and causes the brake to engage with a lock operably configured to lock the brake in an disengaged position. The flexible tension link is permitted to be dispensed from the spool while the brake is in the disengaged position. A spool-operated actuator is operably configured to release the lock to permit the brake to engage the spool to stop dispensing the flexible tension link when a selected one of a plurality of discrete pre-determined lengths of flexible tension link has been dispensed from the spool.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for restraining an animal involves urging a spool containing a flexible tension link connectable to the animal, to retract the flexible tension link into a housing to which the spool is mounted. Movement of the spool in a direction associated with retraction of the flexible tension link disengages a brake urged into braking engagement with the spool, and causes the brake to engage with a lock operably configured to lock the brake in an unengaged position. The flexible tension link is permitted to be dispensed from the spool when the brake is in the unengaged position, and a hand operated actuator on the housing can release the lock to permit the brake to engage the spool to stop dispensing the flexible tension link in response to actuation of the hand operated actuator. The process further involves enabling a spool-operated actuator to release the lock to permit the brake to engage the spool to stop dispensing the flexible tension link.

Abstract: An apparatus for tethering an animal to a selected area or retaining the animal while exercising includes an anchor having a bottom portion for positioning into the ground and a top portion for positioning above the ground. The apparatus also includes a restraint having a housing with a receptacle and a lead. A proximal end of the lead is secured within the housing and a distal end is attached to the animal. The housing is positioned onto the top portion by lowering the housing such that the top portion positions within the receptacle. The apparatus includes a retaining mechanism that removably secures the housing to the top portion of the anchor such that the housing rotates about an axis of the top portion of the anchor to tether the animal in a selected area. The retaining mechanism is disengaged from the anchor such that the restraint can be utilized to exercise the animal.

Abstract: The extensible leash system comprises a rope and a leash extending from the rope. A weight system including an incremental weight device is suspended to the rope and has a first, second, third and fourth weights mounted therein. There is also provided a mechanism for raising the first, second, third and fourth weights with the rope in sequence according to a first distance interval along the rope between the first and second weights, according to a second distance interval along the rope between the second and third weights, and according to a third distance interval along the rope between the third and fourth weights, wherein a relation between the weight extents of the first, second, third and fourth weights, and the first, second and third distance intervals represents an exponential increase in a restraining action on the rope and the leash.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotatable and retractable pet tether. The pet tether has a spiral stake. A handle is attached to the spiral stake. A tether housing is rotatably mounted on the spiral stake. The tether housing has an opening therein. A tether line is disposed in the housing and adapted for deployment from the opening in the housing. Retraction means are arranged in the housing for retracting the tether line after deployment. Attachment means are connected to the tether line for attaching the tether line to a pet collar.

Abstract: An anchoring device positionable within the ground for tethering an object to the ground includes a base portion having a first diameter, and an access aperture having a second diameter. The first diameter of the base portion is greater than the second diameter of the access aperture. At least one wall connects the base portion to the access aperture. The device further includes a tether having a first end secured proximate the base portion and a second end positionable through the access aperture and connectable to the object to be secured. The tether is fully disposable within the anchoring device and is longer than the distance between the base portion and the access aperture.

Abstract: The illuminated retractable leash is an animal tethering device which uses electroluminescent wire and a DC to AC inverter to illuminate not only the extendable and retractable physical tether to the animal, but also to illuminate the leash housing. Electroluminescent wire wound on a rotating spool is supplied power by an inverter circuit powered by an on board battery. A transparent spool and an at least partially transparent housing provides the capability for illuminating the housing, as well as the electroluminescent wire leash.

Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable leash for animals, having a housing containing a spring-biased reel in which the remaining length of leash can be taken up and which is stoppable by an actuating mechanism for adjustment of the maximum extension length of the leash as required, and by providing for the slack section of the leash to be taken up automatically by the reel when this maximum extension length is not being used, thus ensuring that the leash is always taut without restricting the animal's freedom of movement unnecessarily.

Abstract: Provided is an animal tethering device for confining an animal to a location and allowing it to move freely within a prescribed area, while preventing entanglement. The device includes a central shaft through which a spool is rotatably and retractably attached. The device also includes a housing which may resemble a sports ball or other desired ornamental design. The device provides optimum rotation by allowing forces in the horizontal plane, and also offers maximum strength in the entire spool assembly.

Abstract: A retractable leash for animals includes a housing in which the remaining length of a leash exiting the housing can be taken up, and can be arrested by an actuating mechanism and that the housing is configured for the attachment of additional elements for practical functions such as a flashlight and/or for connecting it to additional retractable leashes and similar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for tethering an animal such that it has freedom to roam, yet is confined in an area that is devoid of fencing. A common problem with tethering is that the animal wanders, dragging a rope behind him, becoming entangled in the rope himself or the rope becoming entangled in objects within the animal's range. A common remedy of this problem is a retractable leash attaching to a tethering post. While prior retractors have solved the problem of entanglement, they had done little to resolve a second problem with tethering, that of an animal running to the limit of his tether only to be jerked by the neck when the tether suddenly becomes taut. The present invention offers a solution to both the entanglement and the jerk stop problems. To alleviate these two problems, the present invention is equipped with a recoil spring retractor in combination with a braking shoe which engages the retractor reel to gradually slow the play out of the line as it reaches its limit.