Detachable Cover for a Retractable Dog Leash

Abstract

A hand and animal leash cover that includes a reversibly attachable, flexible, shape-retaining shell configured to surround an individual's hand while holding a leash retracting device. The shell includes a first opening for a human hand, dimensioned so that a user can grip the handle of a retractable leash and operate its features, such as a leash lock, a toggle leash-locking feature, etc. The shell has a second end opening with a diameter slightly larger than the width of the housing of the leash retracting device, and that extends preferably only to the aperture through which the leash enters the housing. The shell is at least semi-rigid so that it maintains its shape and does not collapse upon itself when a human hand is not inserted therein. No straps, elastic bands or other types of closure members are employed to close off the first opening, as the shell extends to cover a user's wrist and to contact the sleeve of a coat worn by the user so as to reduce heat loss. The shell facilitates easy engagement and disengagement of a person's hand when grasping the retractable leash device when the leash cover is in place.

Claims

1. A leash cover for a retractable leash, comprising: a tubular member having a first and second end, the first end configured to facilitate a human hand entering the first end, said first end retaining an open configuration even when a human hand is not inserted in said first end; and the second end having an elastomeric material configured to stretch over a girth of the retractable leash at a mid-portion of the retractable leash and to hold the tubular member in a static position at said mid-point on the retractable leash, wherein when the second end is positioned at the mid-point of the retractable leash, the first end of the tubular member extends beyond a gripping portion of the retractable leash by at least 3 inches; and said first end of the tubular member being devoid of any constricting element designed to constrict the first end around a wrist of a user.

2. The cover as recited in claim 1, further including an insulation layer inside the tubular member.

3. The cover as recited in claim 2, wherein the insulation layer inside the tubular member is reversibly removable to enable the washing of the insulation material.

4. The cover as recited in claim 2, wherein the insulation material comprises fur.

5. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover comprises one of head liner material or neoprene material.

6. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubular member has at least one rigid or semi-rigid member extending along one of a longitudinal axis of the tubular member and a lateral axis of said tubular member, said rigid or semi-rigid member configured to retain the open configuration of the second end of the tubular member.

7. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the leash cover includes a waste-bag receptacle.

8. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the tubular member has a pre-formed region at a top-most portion of the tubular member to facilitate the ability of a person to operate a leash-locking feature of the retractable leash with their thumb without interference by the tubular member.

9. The cover as recited in claim 1, further comprising hook and loop attachments between the leash cover and a retractable leash housing to secure the leash cover to the retractable leash housing.

10. The cover as recited in claim 2, where the insulating material comprises strips of fur that have a width of between 1 and 2 inches and that encircles the interior of the first and second ends.

11. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the leash cover comprises a plastic molded pre-formed cover sized for a particular leash size.

12. The cover as recited in claim 1, further comprising one of a reflector, glow in the dark material, and a lighted element.

13. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the leash cover further comprises at least one side pocket configured to store waste bags or pet treats.

14. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the cover comprises head liner material.

15. The cover as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pocket within an interior of the leash cover to hold at least one heating element comprising a chemical hand warmer.

16. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the leash cover is secured to a leash housing body by an elastic band extending around the inner circumference of the second end to reversibly secure the leash cover to the retractable leash housing body.

17. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the first end of the leash cover extends about 3 inches from an end portion of a pistol grip of a retractable leash.

18. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the second end includes at least one strap that is configured to wrap around a distal portion of a retractable leash.

19. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein fur encircles the interior circumference of both the first and second ends and does not extend to a region between the first and second ends.

20. The cover as recited in claim 1, wherein the leash cover comprises head liner material that is adhesively connected to form a slight funnel shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0053] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiments of the hand/ leash cover on a retractable leash with the leash extending forward through a front leash opening.

[0054] FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of a leash cover that encompasses a waste bag feature attached to a retractable leash and that also depicts the tubular member having a pre-formed region at a top-most portion of the tubular member to facilitate the ability of a person to operate a leash-locking feature of the retractable leash with their thumb without interference by the tubular member.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0055] FIGS. 1-2 show a hand and animal leash cover 10 that includes an outer shell 12 configured to surround an individual's hand while holding a leash retracting device 20 with a forward extending leash that includes a clip connector at its distal end that attaches to the neck collar or harness on a dog or pet.

[0056] The outer shell of a retractable leash device includes a leash opening/aperture through which the leash enters and exits. One objective of the present invention is to avoid having a leash cover that extends over such aperture in a manner that might interfere with its function.

[0057] Unlike certain prior art devices, embodiments of the present invention do not include the use of a separate hand strap that other devices employ to prevent cold air from contacting a user's hand once in a leash cover, nor does the present invention use a separate strap on the leash cover that a user may employ with their non-leash holding hand to temporarily grasp and hold the retractable leash when a dominant hand is removed from the constrictive gloves or mitts used with such prior art devices. Instead, due to the ability to simply grasp the retractable leash through the open end of the various embodiments disclosed herein, the ability to transfer the retractable leash between hands is far simpler. In short, the open end of the leash cover as described is preferably configured with adequate space so that the transfer of the retractable leash between hands is as easy as if the leash cover were not in place.

[0058] The outer shell 12 is preferably not made of non-rigid materials that have no ability to be firm enough to retain the shape of a tunnel or cave-like tubular structure that enables a user's hand to enter and exit with ease without the need to separately open the material to facilitate the same. Instead, the outer shell is at least semi-rigid and or constructed of firm enough material such that the shape of the outer shell always remains in a configuration that facilitates easy entry of a pet owner's hand, whether a human hand is inserted therein or not. The at least semi-rigid outer shell can be made of various suitable materials, including relatively stiff fabric (e.g. a canvas material) fabric, such as cotton or wool, or synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, polyethylene, polyurethane coated nylon, neoprene, head liner material, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the interior of the tubular leash cover includes an insulation inner layer 14 to provide comfort for the human user, preferably a strip of about 1-2 inches that encircles both ends of the cover.

[0059] Unlike prior art covers, certain embodiments of the present invention employ elastic elements to secure the cover to the leash housing—preferably right before the leash exit portion of the housing, thus avoiding the encircling of the entire leash housing, and instead, limiting the cover's extent of coverage to about half of the leash housing.

[0060] The following character numbers depict features of the present invention that are shown in the figures. leash cover 10; outer shell 12; leash retracting device 20; and insulation inner layer 14; and retractable leash locking features 16.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiments of the hand/ leash cover on a retractable leash with the leash extending forward through a front leash opening.

[0062] FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of a leash cover that encompasses a waste bag feature attached to a retractable leash and that also depicts the tubular member having a pre-formed region at a top-most portion of the tubular member to facilitate the ability of a person to operate a leash-locking feature of the retractable leash with their thumb without interference by the tubular member.

[0063] In preferred embodiments, the tubular shape of the leash cover 10 is further characterized by a certain rigidity within the leash cover, thereby permitting space around the retractable leash locking features 16 in a manner so that a person's fingers can manipulate such locking features 16 without hindrance. In other words, there is typically a slight bump on the top most portion of the leash cover 10 that accommodates a person's thumb, while their hand is within the tubular construct of the leash cover 10, to press on the leash locking features 16 of the retractable leash 20 with one's bare hand. This facilitates the easy manipulation of such features 16 despite the pet owner's hand being kept warm and dry from the elements but does not sacrifice the tactile feel experienced with one's bare hands. This unique shape characteristic of various embodiments of the invention 10 typically requires that more than a wrap around tubular structure be employed to make the lease cover 10. Rather, the lease cover 10 in various embodiments is provided with a topmost section that has an elevated region that is above and not in contact with the locking features 16 of the retractable leash 20. This region is sized to permit a person's thumb to manipulate the locking feature 16.

[0064] In various embodiments, at least a portion of the leash cover 10 comprises reflective and/or glow in the dark material (e.g. on the exterior of the leash cover 10) so that a pet owner can more readily be seen at night when walking a pet. During use, the user's hand grips the pistol grip handle of the retracting device 20. Unlike prior art products, where the retractable leash device is located completely inside an outer flexible shell and where a wrist strap is employed to attach to a user's arm, the present invention employs a leash cover 10 that only partially covers the retractable leash 20, such that the leash opening of the retractable leash 20 is unobstructed, thus lessening the chances for interference with the retractable leash 20 operation and facilitating quick entrance and exit from the cover.

[0065] To comply with written description and enablement requirements, all references cited herein, including but not limited to published and unpublished applications, patents, and literature references, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and are hereby made a part of this specification. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material. Incorporated herein by this reference are the following US patent publications: 20160058082 to Stone; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,678,249 to Smith; 5,699,632 to Stout et. al.; 5,375,263 to Cuccia; 5,740,700 to Redmond; 5,345,610 to Belanger; 2018/0338474 to Bogdahn et. al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,826,865 to Bogdahn, et. al.; 2011/0155076 to Charette; 20160302499 to McMahon; and 20120186539 to Johnston.

[0066] One of skill in the art of life must strike a balance of caution and of exercising a free spirit in all aspects of making the journey to the end. Many inventions arise from a later appreciation that what was seen at the time to be a mistake, was actually a solution to a problem that may not yet have even been pondered. But in other situations, what may appear to be accidents may instead be purposeful acts. One should carefully consider how competitors may have spun their stories to arrive at the truth. And remember, a dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. Cautious of disrespecting the Fates that inhabit Meade Lane, a preferred moniker for the product described herein is “leash pocket”—which comports with the names used on the lane in the past to generate fortunes, e.g. Hot Pockets and Popsocket.

[0067] While specific embodiments and applications of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise configuration and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and systems of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing of other methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including any such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.