Emergency self-locking pet retractor

[0001] This is a U.S. national stage application of PCT Application No. PCT/CN2011/079097 under 35 U.S.C. 371, filed Mar. 31, 2011 in Chinese, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a pet retractor, more particularly to an emergency self-locking pet retractor.

[0003] Generally, a manual device is applied in conventional retractable pet retractors to lock the leash spools so as to control the length of the leashes to further control the pet within a certain distance, e.g. retractable dog leashes. However, when people walk their pets, they might not pay full attention to their pets' activities. When the pets see their favorite things or when they are frightened or teased, they are likely to run around or rush into the street to hit vehicles. Some pets, such as dogs, that are likely to hurt people or damage things may rush to people or objects and cause injuries to people or damages to properties, causing economic loss to their owners or causing body harm and property loss to others.

[0004] In view of the above-described problems, it is one object of the present invention to provide an emergency self-locking pet retractor, which is used to lock pets when they suddenly break out or rises up. It is especially suitable for pets, such as dogs, that are likely to hurt people or damage properties.

[0005] To achieve the above object, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an emergency self-locking pet retractor, comprising a collar, a leash, a leash spool, a shell body and a grip handle, characterized in that it also comprises an emergency self-locking device. The emergency self-locking device comprises a switch sliding block disposed on an external surface of the shell body and inserted into the shell body, a self-locking sliding block and a return spring thereof disposed in the shell body and attached to the switch sliding block, a self-locking baffle and a return torsion spring thereof disposed on an external surface of the leash spool and whose one end is hinged on the leash spool, and a self-locking baffle block disposed at the corresponding part on the external surface of the leash spool.

[0006] The object of the present invention is achieved by the emergency self-locking device. When the pet suddenly breaks out or rises up, the emergency self-locking device can automatically lock the leash spool to prevent the leash from being pulled out, so that the pet cannot run around, attack people or damage properties. The pet is well protected from being hit by vehicles and it cannot rush to people or properties and hurt people or damage properties. Consequently, the pet's safety is ensured, others and properties will not be hurt or damaged and the owner's economic loss is avoided.

[0012] As shown in the drawings, an emergency self-locking pet retractor provided by the present invention comprises a switch sliding block 1, a return spring 2, a leash switch 3, a self-locking switch spacer 4, a self-locking sliding block 5, a self-locking baffle 6, a leash spool 7, a return torsion spring 8 (for the self-locking baffle), a rotating shaft 9 (for the self-locking baffle), a self-locking baffle block 10 (for the self-locking baffle), a shell body 11 and a grip handle 12.

[0013] The present invention is explained in further detail below with reference to an example and accompanying drawings.

[0014] As shown in the drawings, an emergency self-locking pet retractor, in accordance with the present invention, comprises a collar, a leash, a leash spool 7, a shell body 11 and a grip handle 12. It also comprises an emergency self-locking device, which includes a switch sliding block 1 disposed on the external surface of the shell body 11 and inserted into the shell body 11, a self-locking sliding block 5 and a return spring 2 thereof disposed in the shell body 11 and attached to the switch sliding block 1, a self-locking baffle 6, a return torsion spring 8 and a rotating shaft 9 for such self-locking baffle disposed on an external surface of the leash spool 7 and whose one end is hinged on the leash spool 7, and a self-locking baffle block 10 disposed at the corresponding part on the external surface of the leash spool 7.

[0015] When the switch sliding block 1 is pushed forward, the self-locking sliding block 5 disposed in the shell body 11 and attached to the switch sliding block 1 slides forward accordingly and its head extends into the corresponding space formed between the edge of the leash spool 7 and the shell body 11. As shown in FIG. 1, when the leash is normally pulled out, the self-locking baffle 6 rotates with the leash spool 7 under the effects of the return torsion spring 8. As shown in FIG. 4, when the acceleration speed reaches a certain degree, namely, when the leash is rapidly pulled out, the self-locking baffle 6, under the inertial force, overcomes the restriction of the return torsion spring 8 to rotate around the rotating shaft 9. When the self-locking baffle 6 rotates to be against the self-locking baffle block 10, it is completely open. After the leash spool 7 rotates to the position of the self-locking sliding block 5, the self-locking baffle is stopped by the head of the self-locking sliding block 5 extending into the corresponding space formed between the edge of the leash spool 7 and the shell body 11, the leash spool 7 is then stopped and the leash cannot be pulled out any longer. The emergency locking is achieved. In other words, when the pet suddenly breaks out or rises up, the leash is pulled out rapidly and the emergency self-locking device will function. As shown in FIG. 1, when the stretching force of the leash disappears, the self-locking baffle 6 restores its original conditions under the effects of the return torsion spring 8. As a result, when the emergency self-locking is required, the user can only push the switch sliding block 1 forward. When the emergency self-locking device is open, the leash can be normally pulled out.

[0016] In order to achieve compact and simple structure, the self-locking baffle block 10 is directly disposed on the leash spool 7, i.e. the self-locking baffle block 10 acts as a convex block projected from the leash spool 7 (as shown in the drawings). In order for the switch block 1, the self-locking sliding block 5 and the return spring 2 to be easily mounted, the emergency self-locking pet retractor is also disposed with a self-locking switch spacer 4 as shown in the drawings.