Leash Base Apparatus

Abstract

The pet leash base includes a suction cup assembly with a rubber suction cup to engage a flat smooth anchoring surface with suction. A rigid base over the suction cup defines a handle with an internal volume leading to an opening on the bottom cup surface. An exit valve through the handle wall to the internal handle volume. An air pump to the internal handle volume pumps air out of the internal volume. A release actuator is coupled to a release valve allows airflow into the internal handle volume. A releasable leash connector on the handle receives a portion of a leash to hold the leash. The cover completely surrounds the entire suction cup assembly such that a lower periphery of the cover is configured to rest against the flat smooth anchor surface when the suction cup is engaged with the flat anchoring smooth surface. The cover has an opening to access the leash connector.

Claims

1. A pet leash base, comprising: a suction cup assembly having: a rubber suction cup having a bottom surface configured to engage a flat smooth anchoring surface with suction; a rigid base disposed over a top of the suction cup; a handle on the rigid base that has an internal volume having opening to bottom surface of the suction cup; an exit valve provided through a wall of the handle from the internal volume to an outside of the handle; an air pump disposed in the internal volume of the handle that is configured to pump air out of the internal volume of the handle upon manual actuation of a pump actuator connected to the air pump and disposed on the outside of the handle; a release actuator disposed on the outside of the handle and coupled to a release valve that is configured to, upon actuation of the release actuator, allow air from outside the handle into the internal volume of the handle; a releasable leash connector disposed on the handle and configured to receive a portion of a leash to hold the leash; and a cover configured to attach to, and completely surround the entire suction cup assembly such that a lower periphery of the cover is configured to rest against the flat smooth anchor surface when the suction cup is engaged with the flat smooth surface, and has an opening configured to allow access to the releasable leash connector, release actuator, and pump actuator by a person.

2. The pet leash base of claim 1, wherein the cover is further configured so that the release actuator is sufficiently below an exterior surface of the cover such that an animal cannot bite the release actuator.

3. The pet leash base of claim 1, wherein the cover is a domed cover.

4. The pet leash base of claim 1, wherein the cover has engagement features on an inside of the cover proximate the lower periphery that correspond with and engage retaining features on a side of the rigid base.

5. The pet leash base of claim 4, wherein the engagement features and the retaining features comprise a detent.

6. An apparatus, comprising: a suction device having a suction cup made a compliant gas impermeable material, a suction activation mechanism configured to, upon activation by a user, create a vacuum between the suction cup and a smooth flat surface, a release mechanism configured to, upon activation by a user, eliminate the vacuum, the suction device including a rigid member for supporting the suction cup, suction activation mechanism and release mechanism; a cover configured to fit over the suction device, around the suction device on the smooth flat surface, and over the suction device; and a leash attachment member that is configured to attach to the rigid member through the cover, exposing an attachment portion of the leash attachment member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cover is a domed cover.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the leash attachment member has a threaded shank that engages a threaded hole on the rigid member and captures the cover over the suction device.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the suction activation mechanism comprises a pumps air out of the suction device to create the vacuum.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the release mechanism comprises a release valve with a release actuator.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the suction activation mechanism and the release mechanism are both implement as a lever that moves a center portion of the suction cup to create or release the vacuum.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a leash base, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a leash base, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 3 is a detail of a retaining feature on a side of a base of a leash base, in accordance with some embodiments; and

[0027] FIG. 4 is an assembly diagram of a leash base, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

[0029] The present invention provides a novel and efficient leash base that employs suction or a vacuum to affix the leash base to a smooth flat surface, while also preventing the leashed animal (or any other animal) from chewing on, or scratching at the leash base in a way that would release the lease base from the smooth flat surface. More precisely, the outer cover 104 is dimensionally larger than the suction cup member 106 (the suction cup 106 removably but securely attached to the flat anchor surface 208 (see FIG. 2)) such that the aggressive dog cannot chew on or otherwise destroy, alter, scratch or otherwise adversely effect the suction cup 106 attachment to the flat anchor surface 208.

[0030] FIG. 1 is an exploded side view of a leash base 100, in accordance with some embodiments. The leash base includes a suction cup assembly 102 and a cover 104. The suction cup assembly 102 includes a suction cup member 106, or more simply, suction cup, that is configured to affix to a flat smooth surface via suction/vacuum and is made of a gas impermeable material like, for example, rubber. To support the suction cup 106 is a rigid base 110 that further supports a hollow handle 108. The hollow handle has an internal space that is generally sealed, and houses a pump mechanism which can be operated by pump actuator 114 to pump air out of the internal volume of the handle through an exit valve in the handle. The exit valve can operate, in one configuration, as a one way valve while pumping air out of the handle. The internal as air is pumped out of the internal volume of the handle, a vacuum results. The internal volume is also in operative communication with the suction sup 106 to act on the suction cup 106. Either the vacuum created in the handle 108 can draw the center of the suction cup 106 up towards the handle 108, thereby indirectly creating a similar vacuum between the suction cup 106 and a flat smooth surface, or there can be an air channel through the suction cup 106 into the internal volume so that the vacuum is created directly between the bottom surface of the suction cup 106 and the flat smooth surface.

[0031] Thus, the leash base 100 can be placed on a flat, smooth anchor surface 208 (FIG. 2, surface 208), meaning the bottom of the suction cup 106 is on the flat smooth anchor surface, and the pump actuator 114 can be operated to create a vacuum between the suction cup 106 and the surface.

[0032] A leash attachment member 124 is coupled to or formed with the handle 108, and is configured so that a leash can be attached to it. The cover 104 is placed over the suction sup assembly 102, and has a lower periphery (edge) 122 that encircles the suction cup 106 and extends beyond the periphery of the suction cup 106 and can rest against the surface, so that there is no, or very little gap between the lower periphery 122 and the surface, and the suction cup 106 is not exposed, thereby preventing the dog or other animal from being able to chew on, or scratch the suction cup 106.

[0033] The cover 104 can have a domed body 118 that can be circular or elliptical, but lack corners, edges, or other features that a dog could bite or scratch against. At the top of the cover 104 is a narrow opening 125 through which the leash attachment member 124 extends, and through which a user can actuate the pump actuator 114. The cover 104 can attach to the suction cup assembly 102 by an engagement feature 120 formed in the inside of the cover 104 near the lower periphery 122 which corresponds to a mating retaining feature 112 formed on the base 110.

[0034] The retaining and engagement features 120, 112, can be an interference engagement including a detent aspect that requires to user to exert some moderate force to overcome, and then the force reduces, thereby retaining the cover 104 on the base 110. When the user is done and wishes to leave, a release actuator 116 can be operated by the user through opening 125 to allow air back into the handle, thereby eliminating the vacuum and releasing the suction cup 106 from the surface.

[0035] The release actuator can open a release valve, or open the normally one way valve that operates in conjunction with the pump mechanism to pump air out of the handle.

[0036] Although the suction cup assembly 102 is shown here as including a pump, it is contemplated that other mechanisms can be used to create the vacuum, including, for example, a cam lever that pulls the center of the suction cup 106 away from the surface to create a vacuum between the suction cup 106 and the surface. Likewise, such a lever can then release the vacuum by reversing the movement of the lever. The use of such a lever is well known in suction devices used for moving panes of glass and other similarly smooth objects.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view 200 of a leash base, in accordance with some embodiments. The leash base here can be substantially similar to that of FIG. 1, and so common reference numerals are used here. The suction cup assembly (e.g. 102) is hidden from view under the cover 104, but it can be assumed that the suction cup is affixed to surface 208 by a vacuum between the suction cup and the surface 208. Cup member 106 (FIG. 1) is removably secured to flat, smooth anchor surface 208. The leash attachment member 124 can be seen protruding through opening 125, through which the pump actuator 114 and release actuator 116 can be seen as well. The actuators 114, 116 can be reached and operated by a person, but the cover 104 is formed so that the opening 125 is narrow enough, and the actuators 114, 116 are deep enough below the top 202 of the cover 104 so at to prevent a dog or other animal from being able to operate the release actuator 116. A leash 206 can be attached to the leash attachment member 124 with a clip 204 or similar feature that can be disposed on the leash attachment member 124 or the leash 206.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a detail 300 of a retaining feature 302 on a side of a leash base 110, in accordance with some embodiments. Continuing to use the reference numerals of FIG. 1, and rigid base 110 supports a suction cup 106. On the side of the base 110 there can be a plurality of retaining features like retaining feature 302 that are configured to engage corresponding engagement features formed on the inside of the cover. Variations and alterative structures will occur to those skilled in the art that can be used to equivalently achieve the same result.

[0039] The retainer feature 302 protrudes from the side of the base, and include a ramped portion 304 and a capture portion 306. A similar round protrusion on the inside of the cover can be configured such that, when the cover is placed over the suction cup assembly, the protrusion on the inside of the cover meets the ramped portion 304 at bottom of the ramped portion 304. As the cover is turned, once the suction cup 106 is affixed to the surface, the protrusion on the inside of the cover is deflected downward, and the ramped portion 304 and base 110 can be lifted, but a substantial force will exist between the ramped portion and the protrusion on the inside of the cover.

[0040] The cover can be turned, increasing the force between the ramp portion 304 and the cover protrusion, until the protrusion on the inside of the cover is in the capture portion 306, which reduces the force between them, and retains the cover in position. During this process the bottom of the cover will be bearing against the surface. When the user wishes to remove the cover the suction cup can be released, or the cover can be rotated in the opposite direction to disengage the engagement feature of the cover from the retaining features 302.

[0041] FIG. 4 is an assembly diagram of a leash base, in accordance with some embodiments. In view 400 the leash base is unassembled, and in view 402 the leash base is assembled. The leash base includes a cover 404 and a suction cup assembly 406 which includes a suction cup 408 and a rigid base 410. A handle 412 is attached to, or integral with, the base 110. A pump actuator 414 is provided on the handle 412 to operate an air pump inside the handle 412. A release actuator 416 is provided to release the vacuum created by the air pump by allowing air into the handle. Unlike in FIG. 1, where opening 125 allowed access to the actuators 114, 116, in the embodiments represented by FIG. 4, the cover 404 does not allow access to the actuators 414, 416 when installed.

[0042] To install the cover 404 over the suction cup assembly 406, the suction cup assembly 406 can first be affixed to an anchor surface 428. The cover 404 can then be placed over the suction cup assembly 406. A leash attachment member 420 can have a threaded shank 422 that passes through a hole in the top of the cover 404 to engage a threaded hole 418 in the handle 412 of the suction cup assembly 406. A washer 426 can also be provided over the threaded shank 422 to bear against the outside surface of the cover 404 to urge the cover 404 against the surface 428 when the leash attachment member 420 is screwed into the threaded hole 418 sufficiently to cause the bottom of a leash loop portion 424 (or eye portion) to bear against the washer 426. A leash can be attached to the leash loop portion 424, securing the dog to the object to which the leash base is affixed.

[0043] The claims appended hereto are meant to cover modifications and changes within the scope of the invention.

[0044] What is claimed is: