Animal training electrode structure including integral resistive element
AssigneeTri-Tronics, Inc.
InventorsGerald J. Gonda, Gregory J. Farkas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A resistive electrode structure for an electronic stimulus collar includes a base attached to a connecting element of the electronic stimulus collar. An electrode of the resistive electrode structure includes a tip adapted to supply electrical stimulus to the skin of an animal. A resistive material is electrically connected between a conductor for electrical connection to an output of the electronic stimulus collar and the electrode. An insulative housing encloses the resistive material and supports the electrode and the conductor. Various such resistive electrode structures having various resistances can be interchangeably connected to the electronic stimulus collar to vary the level of stimulus applied to the skin of the animal.
Claims21
A resistive electrode structure adapted for connection to an electronic stimulus device adapted to be mounted on a portion of an animal's body, comprising in combination:
- (a) a conductive base having a portion adapted for attachment to a conductive mounting element of the electronic stimulus device;
- (b) a conductive electrode having a tip adapted to supply electrical stimulus to skin of an animal;
- (c) a resistive element electrically connected between the conductive base and the conductive electrode;
- and
- (d) an insulative housing enclosing the resistive element and rigidly supporting the conductive electrode and the conductive base.
A resistive electrode structure, adapted for connection to an electronic stimulus device, and adapted to be held against a portion of an animal's body, comprising in combination:
- (a) a base having a portion adapted for removable attachment of the resistive electrode structure to a mounting element associated with the electronic stimulus device;
- (b) an electrode having a tip adapted to supply electrical stimulus to skin of the animal;
- (c) a conducting element adapted to be electrically connected to an output terminal of the electronic stimulus device;
- (d) resistive material electrically connected between the conducting element and the electrode;
- and
- (e) an insulative housing containing the resistive material and supporting the electrode and the conducting element.
A method of changing the stimulus level supplied by an electronic stimulus device to the skin of an animal and maintaining a resulting changed stimulus level at a constant value, comprising the steps of:
- (a) simultaneously electrically and mechanically disconnecting a first integral resistive electrode structure having a first resistance from a connecting element associated with the electronic stimulus device;
- (b) simultaneously electrically and mechanically connecting a second integral resistive electrode structure to the connecting element;
- and
- (c) maintaining the resulting changed stimulus level at the constant value by providing an insulative housing that surrounds resistive material within the second integral resistive electrode structure to prevent moisture from shunting current around the resistive material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.