Back to results
US 10,893,660 B2Granted
Length control system and method
OwnerKevin A. Hillinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retractable leash device (e.g., for pets, children, or the like) having a length control system for limiting the extendable length of a main line is provided. The device includes a cover plate mounted on a wind-up spool and having at least one ridged channel that interacts with a length control switch during line extension to control the extendable length of the main line while simultaneously maintaining the retractability of the main line.
Claims15
A leash length control system comprising:
- (a) a spool comprising (i) two opposing surfaces, substantially parallel to each other and rotatable around an axis, and (ii) a center portion joining the two surfaces;
- (b) a main line coiled around the center portion of the spool and extendable and retractable;
- (c) a channel defined on one of the two surfaces, the channel comprising an entry portion and a spiral portion;
- (d) a spring having a first end attached to the center portion of the spool and a second end opposite the first end, the spring being disposed through a portion of the length of the channel such that the spring is stretched and tightened within the channel to control the length of extension of the mainline;
- (e) a perimeter path encompassing the space between the outermost edge of the spiral and the periphery of the spool and disposed concentrically within the spool;
- and
- (f) a pin movable to selectively engage and move within the perimeter path, causing the spring to stretch to a predetermined maximum length desired and set by the user.
4 more elements
A length control system comprising:
- (a) a spool comprising (i) two opposing surfaces, substantially parallel to each other and rotatable around an axis, and (ii) a center portion joining the two surfaces;
- (b) a cover plate mounted to one of the two surfaces of the spool;
- (c) a main line coiled around the center portion of the spool and extendable and retractable;
- (d) a channel defined on the cover plate, the channel comprising an entry portion and a spiral portion;
- (e) a spring having a first end attached to the center portion of the spool and a second end opposite the first end and disposed along a portion of the length of the channel;
- (f) a perimeter path encompassing the space between the outermost edge of the spiral and the periphery of the spool and disposed concentrically within the spool;
- and
- (g) a pin movable to selectively engage the perimeter path by contacting the second end of the spring at a point of contact and coming to a stop, thereby stretching the spring until the spring tightens to a maximum length, at which point the spring comes to a stop.
5 more elements
A retractable leash device, comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- a length control system enclosed within the housing, the length control system comprising:
- (a) a spool comprising (i) two surfaces, substantially parallel to each other and rotatable around an axis, and (ii) a center portion joining the two surfaces;
- (b) a main line coiled around the center portion of the spool and extendable and retractable;
- (c) a channel defined on one of the two surfaces or on a cover plate mounted on one of the two surfaces, the channel comprising an entry portion and a spiral portion;
- (d) a spring having a first end attached to the center portion of the spool and a second end opposite the first end of the spring, the spring being disposed through a portion of the length of the channel such that the spring is stretched and tightened within the channel to control the length of extension of the mainline;
- (e) a perimeter path encompassing the space between the outermost edge of the spiral and the periphery of the spool and disposed concentrically within the spool;
- and
- (f) a pin movable to selectively engage and move within the perimeter path, causing the spring to stretch to a predetermined maximum length desired and set by the user.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.