US3722478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tether assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-09
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A tether assembly, for restraining an animal, child, or other object of restraint, formed of a plurality of rigid, elongated link members. The members are rod-stock components which may be sheathed in a protective covering of plastic, rubber, leather, nylon or the like. Each rod-stock member has linkage means for coupling an end thereof to another member, and each may be of the same length as another member of unique length. One of the linkage means at one end of one of the rod-stock members defines a handle loop for use in walking or otherwise exercising the child, animal, or whatever. At either ends of the assembly are couplings for attaching the assembly to a given anchor of some fixed structure - i.e., an elevated line, a hook extending from the wall of a dwelling, a ground stake, or other anchor means - at a given elevation, or at ground level, respectively. Due to the rigidity of the members and swivel functioning of the couplings, a portion of the tether is forced to move away from the tethered object when the latter moves into proximity with the anchor means.
Inventors
- 👤 R Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:28
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K1/00; A01K1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A tether assembly, for securing an object of restraint, such as an animal, a child, and the like, comprising: a plurality of rigid, elongate members; each of said members having means cooperative with another of said members for effecting a separable linking together of said members; one of said members further having means for coupling one end thereof to a fixed structure; and another of said members further having means for coupling one end thereof to said object; wherein said one member and said structure coupling means therefor together comprise not more than one pair of rigid and mutually articulatable coupled elements; said another member and said object coupling means therefor together comprise not more than one pair of rigid and mutually articulatable coupled elements; said cooperative means each comprise a pair of engaged loop elements; one loop element of each pair thereof being fixedly closed, and the other loop element of each pair thereof having means facilitating its being broached to engage said one loop element; and a given one loop element, of one pair of loop elements, defines a sheathed handle for use for walking and otherwise exercising said object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A tether assembly, for securing an object of restraint, such as an animal, a child, and the like, comprising: a plurality of rigid, elongate members; each of said members having means cooperative with another of said members for effecting a separable linking together of said members; one of said members further having means for coupling one end thereof to a fixed structure; and another of said members further having means for coupling one end thereof to said object; wherein said one member and said structure coupling means therefor together comprise not more than one pair of rigid and mutually articulatable coupled elements; said another member and said object coupling means therefor together comprise not more than one pair of rigid and mutually articulatable coupled elements; said cooperative means each comprise a pair of engaged loop elements; one loop element of each pair thereof being fixedly closed, and the other loop element of each pair thereof having means facilitating its being broached to engage said one loop element; and a given one loop element, of one pair of loop elements, defines a sheathed handle for use for walking and otherwise exercising said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A tether assembly, according to claim 1, wherein: said cooperative means further comprise means facilitating a swivelling rotation of at least one of said loop elements about the elongate axis of said members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A tether assembly, according to claim 1, wherein: said elongated members comprise rod stock; and said closed loops are formed from said rod stock, one end of given ones of said rod-stock members being bent, from the elongate axis of each of said one members, and wrapped about a portion of said one members, to define a circlet at said one end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A tether assembly, according to claim 1, wherein: said elongated members comprise rod stock; and said closed loops are formed from said rod stock, one end of given ones of said rod-stock members being bent, from the elongate axis of each of said one members, and disposed in juxtaposition with a portion of said one member adjacent to said one end; and further including means for arresting said one end fixedly in juxtaposition with said portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A tether assembly, according to claim 3, further including: protective sheathing enveloping said rod stock.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
A tether assembly, according to claim 4, wherein: said plurality comprises not less than three members; and at least one of said members is of shorTer length than the other members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A tether assembly, according to claim 4, wherein: said plurality comprises at least three members; and at least one of said members is of greater length than the other members, and at least one of said members is of shorter length than the other members.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |