US 6,662,751 B1 · Tie-out system

Abstract

A flexible, rotatable, removably detachable tie-out system configured to mount easily for set-up, adjustment, storage, and the like on horse trailers or other structures. The tie-out system includes a base. Coupled to the base is a receiver configured to both receive a connector and allow rotation of the same therein. The connector is coupled to a tie-out that includes a flexible portion, the flexible portion configured to both allow substantially universal motion of the tie-out and dampen the pulls and tugs of an animal, while preventing damage to a trailer or other structure, the tie-out, and the animal. The tie-out may be rotated and stored attached to or removed from a trailer while traveling. Furthermore, by having additional bases and receivers mounted where convenient, a detached tie-out may be moved to multiple sites on the trailer or to a building or other structure as the need arises.

Claims27

Dependent claims

A tie-out system comprising:

a base configured to couple to a structure;
a receiver configured to removably and rotatingly receive a connector, the receiver coupled to the base;
the connector configured to rotate within the receiver and to removably couple the receiver to a tie-out, the connector comprising a lower portion and an upper portion, the lower portion removably and rotatingly coupled within the receiver;
and
the tie-out configured to restrain an animal attached thereto, the tie-out coupled to the upper portion of the connector and comprising a flexible portion.

2 more elements

A tie-out system for use with a trailer, the tie-out system comprising:

a channeled base configured to couple to the trailer, the channeled base comprising a base portion having opposing sides extending outwardly and substantially perpendicular therefrom;
an annularly cylindrical receiver configured to removably and rotatingly receive a connector, the receiver coupled to the channeled base;
the connector configured to rotate within the receiver and to removably couple the receiver to a tie-out, the connector comprising a cylindrical lower portion and an upper partially obround portion, the lower portion removably and rotatingly coupled within the receiver;
and
the tie-out configured to restrain an animal attached thereto, the tie-out comprising a flexible portion, the flexible portion having a quiescent state and a flexed state, whereby the application of a predetermined amount of pressure on the flexible portion will move the flexible portion from its quiescent state to its flexed state, the flexible portion configured to return to its quiescent state as the predetermined amount of pressure lessens to an amount below the predetermined amount of pressure, the flexible portion comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion coupled to the upper portion of the connector.

2 more elements

A tie-out system for use with a trailer, the tie-out system comprising:

a channeled base configured to couple to the trailer, the channeled base comprising a base portion having opposing sides extending outwardly and substantially perpendicular therefrom, the base portion comprising a pair of opposing apertures configured to receive therethrough a pair of bolts so as to couple the tie-out system to the trailer, the opposing sides each comprising beveled corner portions configured to provide clearance for the flexible portion as the connector rotates in the receiver;
an annularly cylindrical receiver configured to removably and rotatingly receive a connector, the receiver coupled to the opposing sides of the channeled base;
the connector configured to rotate within the receiver and to removably couple the receiver to a tie-out, the connector comprising a cylindrical lower portion and a partially obround upper portion comprising at least one face thereon, the lower portion removably and rotatingly coupled within the receiver, the receiver and the lower portion of the connector each comprising aligning apertures configured to removably receive a securing pin to removably couple the lower portion of the connector within the receiver;
and
the tie-out configured to restrain an animal attached thereto, the tie-out comprising:
a rigid portion with a first end portion and a second end portion;
and
a flexible portion having a quiescent state and a flexed state, whereby the application of a predetermined amount of pressure on the flexible portion will move the flexible portion from its quiescent state to its flexed state, the flexible portion configured to return to its quiescent state as the predetermined amount of pressure lessens to an amount below the predetermined amount of pressure, the flexible portion comprising a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion coupled to the at least one face of the upper portion of the connector and the second end portion coupled to the first end portion of the rigid portion.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tie-out system

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Tie-out system

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Abstract

Claims27