Combination power pack retractable leash and collar having electronic charging, electronic animal keeper, and outdoor solar powered charging station

Abstract

A combination of a power pack electronic retractable leash, and a collar comprised of electronic components for tracking an animal wearing the collar; the retractable leash has a casing comprised of a spool located therein and which collects a leash line when the leash line is retracted; a power pack and related electronic PCB for power management; the leash line has its distal end terminated with a leash socket configured and sized for fitting into a socket connector; the leash socket is equipped with an emitting induction coil and the socket connector on the collar is equipped with a receiving induction coil; when the leash socket is connected to the socket connector, both the emitting and receiving induction coils are positioned proximal to one another so that electrical current can circulates between them so that electricity from the retractable leash battery can charge the battery located on the collar.

Claims

1. A connector line for a tether line using an induction coil to transmit electrical power from said tether onto an induction coil receiver located on a dog collar wherein said connector line has its distal end terminated with a socket configured and sized for fitting into a socket connector; said leash socket being equipped with an emitting induction coil and said socket connector on said collar being equipped with a receiving induction coil; when said socket is connected to said socket connector; both said emitting induction coil, and said receiving induction coil being positioned proximal to one another so that electrical current is induced between said emitting induction coil, and said receiving induction coil so that electricity from said tether line can charge a battery located on said collar.

2. The connector line of claim 1 wherein said tether line is a dog leash.

3. The connector line of claim 1 wherein said tether line is a tie down line for securing a dog.

4. The connector line of claim 1 wherein said leash socket has a socket base cover, emitting induction coil for providing charging current; socket emitter circuit for said emitting induction coil; a cavity for stowing said socket emitter circuit and passing said emitter circuit wires; core connector having a channel for receiving a push button which controls the movement of a socket locking pin; said core connector also allows for the passage of said emitter circuit wires which are soldered with leash line wires located just in front of a retaining bulge that is used for retaining the end of said leash line inside of a connector cap which threads onto said core connector; both said leash line wires and said emitter circuit wires are also located inside said connector cap; said push button has a push button spring which actuates said socket locking pin; said leash socket connects with said collar module by inserting its peripheral section through said slit member of said socket connector; said inside of said socket connector is shaped so that said peripheral section fits in perfectly inside; in order to prevent said leash socket from sliding out of said socket connector, said socket locking pin is automatically pushed into said pin cavity by way of said push button spring as soon as said leash socket and its peripheral section are inserted into said socket connector; pulling on said push button disengages said locking pin from said pin cavity and said leash socket can be released from said socket connector by sliding it out of said slit member.

5. The connector line of claim 4 wherein said leash socket connects to a dog leash.

6. The connector line of claim 4 wherein said leash socket connects to a tie down line for securing a dog.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 Bottom view of the collar module.

[0016] FIG. 2 Top view of the collar module.

[0017] FIG. 3 Rear view of the collar module.

[0018] FIG. 4 Front view of the collar module.

[0019] FIG. 5 Exploded view of the collar module.

[0020] FIG. 6 Isometric view of the retractable leash.

[0021] FIGS. 7-8 Views of both sides of the retractable leash.

[0022] FIGS. 9-10 Top and bottom views of the retractable leash.

[0023] FIG. 11 Exploded view of the retractable leash.

[0024] FIGS. 12-13 Exploded and isometric views of the socket.

[0025] FIGS. 14-15 Views of both sides of the solar powered charging station.

[0026] FIGS. 16-17 Front and rear views of the solar powered charging station.

[0027] FIG. 18 Explode view of the solar powered charging station.

[0028] FIG. 19 Isometric view of the invention in context of use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] A combination of a retractable leash (100) and a collar module (110) with an outdoor solar powered charging station (122) is comprised of the following components:

[0030] More specifically in FIGS. 1-5, the collar module (110): Microphone (1), phone call button (2), LCD display (3), built-in miniature speaker (4). On the underside of the collar is located a leash socket connector (5), wherein a leash socket (28) connects into a pin cavity (6) of the socket connector (5) by sliding into a slit member (7). The pin cavity (6) is where the socket locking pin (51) is inserted when securing the leash line (29) to the collar module (110).

[0031] The collar module (110) has a casing (8), and a cover member (9). A lid member (10) to cover a slot for a SIM card base (19). A pair of loops (11) are configured for passing a collar strap (not shown). Shoulder members (12) are designed for receiving the lid member (10).

[0032] A controller PCB (13), a memory chip (14) used for storing useful information concerning the pet as well as automated vocal commands aimed at the pet. Miniature vibrator (15) which receives remote actuating signal from a receiving antenna (16).

[0033] A sealing plug (17) for the phone call button (2). transparent LCD display cover (18); SIM card base (19) mounted on top of a cellular/GPS PCB (21). A GPS antenna (20). a receiving induction coil and circuit (23) Rechargeable battery (24).

[0034] The electronic module (21) integrates cellular calling and GPS positioning. Thus, the owner can check at any time the position of the animal by using the dedicated mobile application. The control PCB (13) controls the integrated; LCD (3), speaker (4), Microphone (1), dial button (2), and vibrator (15). Also a memory chip (14) for a pre-recorded voice message giving instructions to whoever finds the animal. This voice message can be recorded in the memory of the collar directly with the collar using the functions of the phone call button or by using the functions of the dedicated mobile application. Thus, if the animal comes out of its authorized area, the command control circuit GPS positioning system sends an alert on the mobile phone of the owner. The collar vibrates and the pre-recorded message is played so the animal is motivated to come back closer to home, which results in the message and collar vibration to stop. The control circuit ensures that messages are displayed on the LCD (3) such as the animal's name, phone number, address etc. . . . If the animal is lost, a written message can appear on the LCD (3) asking for anyone who finds the animal to press on the call button to talk directly to the owner via the phone functions.

[0035] More specifically in FIGS. 6, 8, 9, 11 the retractable leash: Casing (26), light source (27), leash line (29), leash line lock/release button (30), sealed light source ON/OFF switch button (31), sealed USB port cover (32), sealed vibrating signal button (33) for sending a remote signal to the vibrator (15).

[0036] LED lights (34), two color LED battery charge indicator (35), leash control and management PCB (36), leash line reel (37), tension spring (40) for reeling the reel (37), rechargeable battery (38), emitter chip (39) for sending signal to vibrator (15). Slip ring (41) to electrically connect components to eliminate the use of cable at this location since they would tangle. Cable pathway (42) moulded inside the casing (26) to allow passage of cables. Locking notch (43) cooperating with a toggle pin (44) so a s to lock the reel (37). The toggle pin (44) has a toggle spring (45) to control the toggling action from reel locking to reel unlocking.

[0037] More specifically in FIGS. 12-13, the leash socket (28): Socket base cover (46), emitting induction coil (47) for providing charging current. Socket emitter circuit (48) for the emitting induction coil (47). Cavity (49) for stowing the socket emitter circuit (48) and passing the emitter circuit wires (112). Core connector (50) having a channel (114) for receiving a push button (52) which controls the movement of a socket locking pin (51). The core connector (50) also allows for the passage of the emitter circuit wires (112) which are soldered with leash line wires (116) located just in front of a retaining bulge (120) that is used for retaining the end of the leash line (29 inside of a connector cap (54) which threads onto the core connector (50). Both the leash line wires (116) and the emitter circuit wires (112) are also located inside the connector cap (54). The push button (52) has a push button spring (53) which actuates the socket locking pin (51). The leash socket (28) connects with the collar module (110) by inserting its peripheral section (118) through the slit member (7) of the socket connector (5), The inside of the socket connector (5) is shaped so that the peripheral section (118) fits in perfectly inside. In order to prevent the leash socket (28) from sliding out of the socket connector (5), the socket locking pin (51) is automatically pushed into the pin cavity (6) by way of the push button spring (53) as soon as the leash socket (28) and its peripheral section (118) are inserted into the socket connector (5). Pulling on the push button (52) disengages the locking pin (51) from the pin cavity (6) and the leash socket can be released from the socket connector (5) by sliding it out of the slit member (7).

[0038] More specifically in FIG. 18, the solar powered charging station (122): Rear cover (55), seal (56), station rechargeable lithium battery (57), station charging management PCB (58). Combination anti shock spring (60) and metal ring (59) to retain a tether line (124). Charging station casing (61). Tying strap (62), butterfly screws (63) to tighten an articulated joint (64) used for aligning a pivoting head (65) onto which is placed a solar panel (66) and a retaining frame (67) to hold the solar panel (66) in place. A cable (68) connects the solar panel (66) to the station charging management PCB (58).

[0039] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0040] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.