PORTABLE PET RESTRAINT

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for restraining a pet are disclosed herein. A portable pet restraint apparatus includes a body with an end section having a cavity with a lower peripheral edge, a suction device mounted to the body with a vacuum-enabling suction component for placement upon an attachment surface, and a force-transmitting shaft attached to the vacuum-enabling suction component and movable to bring the vacuum-enabling suction component between vacuum-disabling and vacuum-enabling conditions relative to the attachment surface. An actuator lever can be pivotable between enabled and disabled positions to move the force-transmitting shaft and vacuum-enabling suction component therewith between the vacuum-disabling and vacuum-enabling conditions. The apparatus can also include a retractable leash device having a length of leash within a leash housing and extendable therefrom.

Claims

1. A portable pet restraint apparatus comprising: a body including a first end section, the first end section having an interior cavity with a lower peripheral edge surrounding a bottom recess; a first suction device mounted to the body, the first suction device having a first vacuum-enabling suction component for placement upon an attachment surface, a first force-transmitting shaft defining a first longitudinal axis and being attached to and extending upwardly from the first vacuum-enabling suction component, and a first biasing member carried on the first force-transmitting shaft, the first biasing member having a first end portion seated at the first vacuum-enabling suction component and extending therefrom to adjacent an interior wall portion of the body; a first actuator lever configured to pivot about a first axle that defines a first cross axis extending in a transverse relationship to the first longitudinal axis, the first actuator lever configured to pivot between a first enabled position and a first disabled position to thereby move the first force-transmitting shaft and first vacuum-enabling suction component between a vacuum-disabling condition and a vacuum-enabling condition, wherein in the vacuum-disabling condition the first vacuum-enabling suction component is displaced from the lower peripheral edge to vent the first vacuum-enabling suction component from the attachment surface, and wherein in the vacuum-enabling condition the first vacuum-enabling suction component is forced into the bottom recess and into contact with the lower peripheral edge to create a vacuum condition; and a retractable leash device comprising a leash housing at the body and a length of leash being retracted within the leash housing and extendable therefrom through an opening in the leash housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first biasing member is configured to be compressed against the interior wall portion of the body when the first actuator lever is pivoted from the first disabled position to the first enabled position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first biasing member is a coil spring.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first force-transmitting shaft is configured to move along the first longitudinal axis and through an upper opening defined in a ledge of the interior wall portion of the body when the first actuator lever is pivoted from the first disabled position to the first enabled position.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first force-transmitting shaft is further configured to move along the longitudinal axis and through the bottom recess when the first actuator lever is pivoted from the first disabled position to the first enabled position.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein an upper portion of the first force-transmitting shaft is configured to move out from the interior cavity when the first actuator lever is pivoted from the first disabled position to the first enabled position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first axle extends across a first recess formed in the first end section of the body and is spaced from the first longitudinal axis.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first actuator lever is disposed within the first recess formed in the first end section of the body.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first enabled position of the first actuator lever comprises the first actuator lever being in a lowered position and the first disabled position of the first actuator lever comprises the first actuator lever being in a raised position.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a second end section and a middle section, the first end section and the second end section being affixed to and extending outwardly and downwardly from opposite ends of the middle section.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second suction device mounted to the body, the second suction device having a second vacuum-enabling suction component for placement upon the attachment surface, a second force-transmitting shaft defining a second longitudinal axis and being attached to and extending upwardly from the second vacuum-enabling suction component, and a second biasing member carried on the second force-transmitting shaft, the second biasing member having a second end portion seated at the second vacuum-enabling suction component and extending therefrom to adjacent the interior wall portion of the body.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first suction device is mounted at the first end portion of the body and the second suction device is mounted at the second end portion of the body.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a second actuator lever configured to pivot about a second axle that defines a second cross axis extending in a transverse relationship to the second longitudinal axis, the second actuator lever configured to pivot between a second enabled position and a second disabled position to thereby move the second force-transmitting shaft and second vacuum-enabling suction component between the vacuum-disabling condition and the vacuum-enabling condition.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second axle extends across a second recess formed in the second end section of the body and is spaced from the second longitudinal axis.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the leash housing of the retractable leash device is attached to the body below the middle section.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the leash housing of the retractable leash device is formed by the body.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first vacuum-enabling suction component comprises a concave disc.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a lid configured to open a storage cavity defined within the body.

19. A method of restraining a pet, the method comprising the steps of: actuating an actuator lever to move a vacuum-enabling suction component from a vacuum-disabling condition to a vacuum-enabling condition, wherein in the vacuum-disabling condition the vacuum-enabling suction component is displaced from a lower peripheral edge of an end section of a body to thereby vent the vacuum-enabling suction component from an attachment surface, and wherein in the vacuum-enabling condition the vacuum-enabling suction component is forced into a bottom recess surrounded by the lower peripheral edge to create a vacuum condition between the vacuum-enabling suction component and the attachment surface; and coupling pet to a length of leash that is partially within a leash housing at the body, wherein the length of leash is configured to be drawn out from an opening in the leash housing when coupled to the pet.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein actuating the actuator lever to move the vacuum-enabling suction component from the vacuum-disabling condition to the vacuum-enabling condition further includes moving a force-transmitting shaft, attached to the vacuum-enabling suction component, to thereby compress a biasing member, carried by the force-transmitting shaft, against an interior wall portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided for illustrative, non-limiting purposes, in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 presents a top isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable pet restraint apparatus, showing actuator levers for suction devices of the apparatus disposed in released conditions.

[0024] FIG. 2 presents a bottom isometric view of the apparatus originally introduced in FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 3 presents a top isometric view of the apparatus originally introduced in FIG. 1, but now showing the apparatus installed on an elevated surface with its suction device actuator levers disposed in engaged conditions.

[0026] FIG. 4 presents a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 3, now showing the apparatus installed on the elevated surface with a pet coupled to the apparatus's retractable leash.

[0027] FIG. 5 presents an enlarged top isometric view of the apparatus of FIG. 3, now showing a lid of the apparatus open and uncovering a cavity for storing items, for instance pet treats or leash extension, within the apparatus.

[0028] FIG. 6 presents an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus showing the one suction device actuator lever at a respective one of the opposite end portions of the apparatus disposed in the released condition.

[0029] FIG. 7 presents an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus as in FIG. 6 but showing the one suction device actuator lever disposed in the engaged condition.

[0030] FIG. 8 presents a top isometric view of another exemplary embodiment of a portable pet restraint apparatus, showing an actuator lever for a suction device thereof moving from a released condition to an engaged condition.

[0031] FIG. 9 presents a bottom isometric view of the embodiment of the portable pet restraint apparatus in FIG. 8.

[0032] FIG. 10 presents an exploded, top isometric view of the embodiment of the portable pet restraint apparatus in FIG. 8.

[0033] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY IMPLEMENTATIONS

[0034] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and/or uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word exemplary or illustrative means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or illustrative is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, rear, right, front, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1 or 8, as indicated herein. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of a portable pet restraint apparatus, generally designated 100. The exemplary apparatus 100 includes a body 102, a pair of suction devices 104, a pair of actuator levers 106, and a retractable leash device 108.

[0036] The body 102 of the apparatus 100 is shown here as an arch-shaped hollow body, though it can be embodied in a number of geometries as suited for various applications of the apparatus 100. The body 102 includes a middle section 110 and a pair of opposite end sections 112 affixed to and extending outwardly and downwardly from opposite ends 114 of the middle portion 110. The opposite end sections 112 of the hollow body 102 are mirror images of one another at the opposite ends 114 of the middle portion 110. Also, each opposite end section 112 of the hollow body 102 can have a lower circular wall portion 116 and an upper semi-conical wall portion 118 which merges with and interconnects the lower circular wall portion 116 with the one of the opposite ends 114 of the middle section 110 and defines an interior cavity 120 in each opposite end section 112 and a side recess 122 open to the exterior of the hollow body 102 formed by an interior upper wall portion 124 countersunk into the interior cavity 120. The interior upper wall portion 124 of each respective one of the opposite end sections 112 of the hollow body 102 has an upper opening 126 defined through a ledge 128 of the interior upper wall portion 124. The upper opening 126 is spaced above a lower central opening 130 defined in an interior lower circular wall portion 132 having a downwardly protruding lower peripheral edge 134 forming a bottom recess 136 surrounding the lower central opening 130. The lower central opening 130 establishes communication between the bottom recess 136 and the interior cavity 120.

[0037] The suction devices 104 of the apparatus 100 are mounted to respective ones of the opposite end sections 112 of the hollow body 102. Each suction device 104 includes a vacuum-enabling suction component 138, shown here as a circular-shaped concave disc, for placement upon an attachment surface 140 (FIGS. 3 and 4). Each suction device 104 also includes an elongated force-transmitting shaft 142 attached to and extending upwardly from a central location on the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 and passing upwardly through the lower central opening 130 defined through the lower circular wall portion 132 and the upper opening 126 defined through the ledge 128 of the interior upper wall portion 124. The force-transmitting shaft 142 is movable along a longitudinal axis 144 extending lengthwise of the shaft 142. Each suction device 104 further includes a biasing member 146 (e.g., a coil spring) installed about the elongated shaft 142. The biasing member 146 has opposite lower and upper ends 148, 150 with the biasing member 146 being seated at its lower end 148 upon the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 at the central location (e.g., of a surface opposite that interfacing with the attachment surface) thereon and extending upwardly therefrom through the lower central opening 130 to proximate and below the ledge 128 of the interior upper wall portion 124 of the respective one opposite end section 112 of the hollow body 102. Also, a tab 152 is attached to and extends radially outward from each vacuum-enabling suction component 138 for the user to grip to assist in release of the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 from the vacuum condition with the attachment surface 140.

[0038] The pair of actuator levers 106 of the apparatus 100 are shown here as disposed within the respective side recesses 122 formed in the opposite end sections 112 of the body 102. Each actuator lever 106 may undergo pivotal movement about an axle 154 extending across the respective side recess 122 and between opposite sides 156 of the interior upper wall portion 124 of the respective one opposite end section 112 defining the respective side recess 122 open to the exterior of the hollow body 102. The axle 154 defines a cross axis 158 being spaced from and extending in a transverse relationship to the longitudinal axis 144 of the force-transmitting shaft 142 of a respective one of the suction devices 104. Each actuator lever 106 includes a middle segment 160 having an aperture 162 receiving the axle 154, a handle 164 affixed to and extending outwardly and rearward from the middle segment 160, a link 166 of arcuate shape affixed to and extending forwardly and downwardly from the middle segment 160 and pivotally coupled at the forward end 168 of the link 166 to an upper end 170 of the force-transmitting shaft 142 of the respective one of the suction devices 104, and a locking lobe 172 affixed to and extending downward from the middle segment 160. The handle 164 may be pivotally moved by a user between enabled (e.g., lowered) and disabled (e.g., raised) positions, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, to move the link 166 between such positions and thus move the force-transmitting shaft 142 and vacuum-enabling suction component 138 therewith between vacuum-disabling and vacuum-enabling conditions. This can include compressing the biasing member 146 as the force-transmitting shaft 142 and vacuum-enabling suction component 138 are moved due to the actuator lever 106 being moved between the disabled and enabled positions. The locking lobe 172 is disposed out of contact with the ledge 128 of the interior upper wall portion 124 of the respective one opposite end section 112 of the body 102 when the handle 164 is moved to its raised position, as seen in FIG. 6 in which it extends from the side recess 122, placing the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 at its vacuum-disabling condition which would vent a vacuum condition. In the vacuum-disabling condition, the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 is displaced downwardly from the downwardly protruding lower peripheral edge 134 surrounding the bottom recess 136 of the respective one opposite end section 112 of the body 102. Conversely, the locking lobe 172 is disposed in a condition of forced contact with the ledge 128 when the handle 164 is moved to its lowered position, as seen in FIG. 7 in which it extends within the side recess 122, placing the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 at its vacuum-enabling condition extending into the bottom recess 136 and into forced contact with the lower peripheral edge 134 on the respective one opposite end section 112 of the hollow body 102 to create the vacuum condition. When the actuator lever 106 is moved to its enabled position, as in FIG. 7, an upper portion of the force-transmitting shaft 142 is configured to move out from the cavity 120. When each handle 164 is at its lowered position, as seen in FIG. 7, it is substantially flush with the outer shape of the apparatus 100 and countersunk in the respective side recess 122.

[0039] The retractable leash device 108 of the apparatus 100 includes a leash housing 174 at the body 102, shown here as generally tubular in shape and as spaced below the middle section 110 of the body 102 and extending between and interconnecting the opposite end sections 112 of the body 102. The retractable leash device 108 further includes a length of leash 176, such as three to four feet in length, being retracted, at least in part, within the leash housing 174 and extendable therefrom through an opening of the housing. In this way, the retractable leash device 108 can be configured to output a length of leash 176 from the leash housing 174 as force is applied to the leash 176 (e.g., up to the maximum extent of the leash 176) while configured to retract a length of leash 176 into the leash housing 174 when force is removed from the leash 176. The leash 176 has a chew resistant tubular section 178 surrounding it adjacent to a clasp 180 affixed on the outer end of the leash where it can be hooked onto a pet's collar. Also, there is a plurality of finger notches 182 formed on the underside of the middle section 110 of the body 102 of the apparatus 100 and sufficient space provided between the middle section 110 and the leash housing 174 to allow insertion of the fingers of the user's hand through the space and within the finger notches 182 for gripping the middle section of the hollow body. In FIG. 5 an opened lid 184 to a cavity 186 in the middle section 110 is shown for storing a pet treat 188 or further leash extension within the apparatus 100.

[0040] The above-described portable pet restraint apparatus 100 with the pair of suction devices 104 and built-in retractable leash device 108 will allow the user to adjust the leash to an appropriate length dispensed from a secured base location at the attachment surface. An adequate distribution of weight dispersed by the apparatus 100 by the pair of suction devices 104 humanely restrains the dog and allows it to be contained without the sense of confinement. Also the retractable leash device 108 may be configured, such as by having an adjustable dial that may be set, to spool out a preselected number of feet in the length of leash, such as from three to seven feet, by the retractable leash device 108. Alternatively, the retractable leash device 108 may be linked to a secondary leash to further lengthen the length of the overall leash. Further, the overall configuration of the apparatus 100 may conform to a particular article, such as a dog bone or a pair of paws.

[0041] FIGS. 8-10 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a portable pet restraint apparatus 200. The apparatus 200 is similar to the apparatus 100 previously described except that the apparatus 200 includes a single suction device 104 and associated actuator lever 106. In this way, the apparatus 200 may be suited for application involving confinement of relatively smaller pets. Unless shown or described to be otherwise, the body 102, single suction device 104, and actuator lever 106 of the apparatus 200 can have the same components and operate in the same manner as that shown and described for the apparatus 100 with respect to FIGS. 1-7. For this reason, certain components previously shown and described for the apparatus 100, such as with respect to FIGS. 6 and 7, are not shown for the apparatus 200 but instead referenced to indicate that such components can be the same as that shown and described previously.

[0042] The apparatus 200 includes the body 102. The body 102 includes the end section 112. The end section 112 includes the interior cavity 120 with the lower peripheral edge 134 surrounding the bottom recess 136 (shown, e.g., in FIG. 6). The end section 112 of the apparatus 200 can be the same as that shown and described for the end section 112 of the apparatus 100 (e.g., in FIGS. 6 and 7).

[0043] The apparatus 200 further includes the suction device 104. The suction device 104 of the apparatus 200 can be the same as that shown as described for the suction device 104 of the apparatus 100 (e.g., FIGS. 6 and 7). Namely, the suction device 104 can be mounted to the body 102, for instance at the end section 112. The suction device 104 can have the vacuum-enabling suction component 138, such as a concave disc as described previously herein. The vacuum-enabling suction component 138 can be configured for placement upon an attachment surface as also described previously herein. The suction device 104 can further include the force-transmitting shaft 142 defining the longitudinal axis 144 and being attached to and extending upwardly from the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 (shown, e.g., in FIGS. 6 and 7). The suction device 104 can also include the biasing member 146 (e.g., a coil spring) carried on the force-transmitting shaft 142 (shown, e.g., in FIGS. 6 and 7). The biasing member 146 can have a first end portion seated at the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 and the biasing member 146 can extend therefrom to adjacent an interior wall portion 124 (shown, e.g., in FIGS. 6 and 7) of the body 102.

[0044] The apparatus 200 additionally includes the actuator lever 106 associated with the suction device 104. The actuator lever 106 can be configured to pivot about the axle 154 that defines the cross axis extending in the transverse relationship to the longitudinal axis 144 (shown, e.g., in FIGS. 6 and 7). The actuator lever 106 can be configured to pivot between an enabled position (shown, e.g., at 201) and a disabled position (shown, e.g., at 202) to thereby move the force-transmitting shaft 142 and the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 between the vacuum-disabling condition (shown, e.g., in FIG. 6) and a vacuum-enabling condition (shown e.g., in FIG. 7) similar to that described previously. In the vacuum-disabling condition the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 is displaced from the lower peripheral edge 134 to vent the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 from the attachment surface. In the vacuum-enabling condition the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 is forced into the bottom recess 136 and into contact with the lower peripheral edge 134 (shown, e.g., in FIG. 6) to create a vacuum condition between the vacuum-enabling suction component 138 and the attachment surface.

[0045] The apparatus 200 further includes the retractable leash device 108. The retractable leash device can include a length of leash 176 and a leash housing 174, which here is at (e.g., formed by) the body 102. The length of leash 176 can be retracted within the leash housing 174 and extendable therefrom through an opening 177 in the leash housing 174. In this way, the retractable leash device 108 can be configured to output a length of leash 176 from the leash housing 174 as force is applied to the leash 176 (e.g., up to the maximum extent of the leash 176) while configured to retract a length of leash 176 into the leash housing 174 when force is removed from the leash 176. The leash 176 can include the chew resistant section 178 adjacent to the clasp 180 which can be affixed to the pet's collar. As shown, the leash 176 can include a stop member 179 thereon which, for user convenience, can be configured to create an interference fit with the opening 177 to prevent an entire length of the leash 176 from being drawn within the leash housing 174. As also shown, the retractable leash device 108 includes a holding rotor 181. The holding rotor can rotate relative to the leash housing 174 so as to allow the leash 176 to be drawn out from the housing when force is applied to the leash 176 (e.g., when the pet on the leash 176 moves). Thus, the holding rotor 181 may be biased by a relatively small force to draw the leash 176 in to the leash housing 174, up to the stop member 197, and this force can be overcome by movement of the pet to draw the leash 176 out from the leash housing 174. A portion of the leash 176 within the leash housing 174 can wrap around a surface of the holding rotor 181 and thereby act to apply centrifugal force to the holding rotor 181 when the leash 176 is pulled by the pet's movement.

[0046] Method embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure. One exemplary embodiment includes a method of restraining a pet. The exemplary method includes actuating the actuator lever. Actuating the actuator lever can move the vacuum-enabling suction component from the vacuum-disabling condition to the vacuum-enabling condition. In the vacuum-disabling condition, the vacuum-enabling suction component can be displaced from the lower peripheral edge of an end section of the body to thereby vent the vacuum-enabling suction component from the attachment surface. When the actuator lever is moved to the vacuum-enabling condition, the vacuum-enabling suction component can be forced into the bottom recess surrounded by the lower peripheral edge to create the vacuum condition between the vacuum-enabling suction component and the attachment surface.

[0047] In some such method embodiments, actuating the actuator lever can further include moving the force-transmitting shaft, attached to vacuum-enabling suction component, through the opening of the interior wall portion of the end section and compressing the biasing member, carried by the force-transmitting shaft, against the interior wall portion upon moving the force-transmitting shaft.

[0048] Further exemplary method embodiments may additionally include, in certain instances, coupling the pet to the length of leash that is partially within the leash housing that is at the body. For instance, this length of leash may be configured to be drawn out from the opening in the leash housing when coupled to the pet.

[0049] The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.