Receiver/stimulus unit for an animal control system

• US 20020050250A1
• Filed: 10/12/2001
• Published: 05/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dogwatch Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Dogwatch Incorporated
• Inventors: Kelly, Robert M., Bannister, James, Peterson, Frederic T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,712,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 119/721
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/023 Anti-evasion devices

Abstract

A receiver/stimulus unit for an animal control system is mounted on an animal collar. The unit includes a power supply enclosure for a power source such as a battery separate from a receiver enclosure containing signal receiving circuitry. The power source is in electrical communication with the signal receiving circuitry via an electrical communication path passing on or through a portion of the strap of the collar.

Claims

1. A receiver/stimulus unit for an animal control system comprising:

a collar comprising a strap configured to fit around a neck of an animal;

a receiver enclosure containing signal receiving circuitry mounted to the collar;

a stimulus element in communication with the signal receiving circuitry and disposed to provide a stimulus to the animal; and

a power supply enclosure containing a power source mounted to the collar, the power source in electrical communication with the signal receiving circuitry via an electrical communication path passing along a portion of the strap of the collar.

2. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the communication path passes through a portion of the strap of the collar.

3. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the communication path passes over a surface of the strap of the collar.

4. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the communication path extends longitudinally along a portion of the strap.

5. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the communication path extends transversely across the strap.

6. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises at least one battery.

7. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 6, wherein the at least one battery is rechargeable by solar energy.

8. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the power supply enclosure includes electrical terminals therein.

9. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the collar includes a buckle, and the power supply enclosure is disposed within the buckle.

10. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 9, wherein the buckle comprises a first piece and a second piece, and the power supply enclosure is disposed within one of the first piece or the second piece.

11. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the receiver enclosure is disposed at a first location on the strap and the power supply enclosure is disposed at a second location on the strap remote from the first location of the receiver enclosure.

12. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 11, wherein the communication path is embedded within the strap and extends longitudinally along the strap between the receiver enclosure and the power supply enclosure.

13. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 11, wherein the communication path is laid on a surface of the strap and extends longitudinally along the strap between the receiver enclosure and the power supply enclosure.

14. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the power supply enclosure is cylindrical.

15. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 14, wherein the power supply enclosure includes a removable closure.

16. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the power supply enclosure includes electrical terminals therein.

17. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 16, wherein the power supply enclosure includes a removable closure and at least one of the electrical terminals is disposed on the removable closure.

18. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the power supply enclosure includes a removable closure.

19. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the power supply enclosure includes at least one recess configured to receive a battery, electrical terminals disposed within the power supply enclosure, and wiring extending between the battery recess and the electrical terminals.

20. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 19, wherein the recess is disc-shaped.

21. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 19, wherein the power supply enclosure includes openings therein to receive electrical conductors on the electrical communication path, and the electrical terminals are annular and surround the openings in the power supply enclosure.

22. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the receiver enclosure is disposed on a first longitudinally extending surface of the strap and the power supply enclosure is disposed on an opposite longitudinally extending surface of the strap.

23. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 22, wherein the electrical communication path extends transversely through the strap between the first surface and the opposite surface.

24. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 22, wherein the electrical communication path includes electrical conductors extending between the receiver enclosure and the power supply enclosure, the electrical conductors further comprising fasteners disposed to retain the power supply housing on the strap.

25. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 24, wherein the electrical conductors further comprise an externally threaded post and an internally threaded nut disposed on the post to retain the power supply housing on the strap.

26. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the stimulus element comprises a pair of electrodes in electrical communication with the receiver circuitry in the receiver enclosure and extending transversely from the strap.

27. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 26, wherein the electrodes extend through the strap and through the power supply enclosure.

28. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 26, wherein the electrodes are removably fastened to the receiver enclosure, whereby the electrodes retain the power supply enclosure on the strap.

29. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 26, further comprising an insulating covering disposed over at least a base portion of each electrode.

30. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 29, wherein each insulating covering is disposed on the power supply enclosure.

31. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 29, wherein each insulating covering is integrally formed with the power supply enclosure.

32. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the stimulus element comprises a pair of electrodes disposed to generate an electrical shock.

33. The receiver/stimulus unit of claim 1, wherein the stimulus element comprises an audible alarm generator.