Dog control apparatus

• US 6,796,274 B1
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 09/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John L. Moynihan III
• Original Assignee: John L. Moynihan III
• Inventors: Moynihan, John L. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): OLSZEWSKI, JOAN
• Application Number:
  US10/406,508
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 119/831, 119/832, 119/858, 119/856, 119/857, 54/24, 54/85, 54/62, 54/61
• US Class Current: 119/831
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 25/00 Muzzles
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/00 Leads or collars, e.g. for dogs
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/002 Harnesses

Abstract

A combination dog collar and control halter has a muzzle assembly with a cinching muzzle loop that can be operated by tension on the leash to lower the dog'"'"'s head. The muzzle assembly is removably attached to the dog collar by two side members on the muzzle assembly that connect to two rings on the collar that are disposed on opposite sides of the dog'"'"'s head. The collar can be worn as a conventional collar. The muzzle assembly is easily attached to the two rings when needed by simple connectors.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for a dog comprising:

a) a collar member for encircling the dog'"'"'s neck;

b) a pair of rings affixed to the collar member, the rings disposed so as to be on opposite sides of the dog'"'"'s neck, the rings being the sole means of attaching components that convert the collar member to a control halter;

c) means for holding a license tag on the collar member so that the collar member may remain on the dog for use as an ordinary dog collar when a halter is not required;

d) a muzzle assembly including;

i) a muzzle loop having a padded upper portion for engaging the upper surface of the dog'"'"'s muzzle and two end portions;

ii) a pair of side members, each side member having a first end affixed to the muzzle loop, one side member on each side of the muzzle loop below the upper portion of the muzzle loop;

iii) a releasable connector at a second end of each side member, the releasable connector constructed for removably engaging the two rings on the collar member when the apparatus is to be used as a halter;

iv) the end portions passing through a cinch ring and terminating past the cinch ring in a common connector adapted for engaging a leash;

v) a joining member having an end affixed to each side member, so as to pass under the dog'"'"'s head; and

vi) a coupling member affixed at a first end to the joining member substantially intermediate the two ends of the joining member, the coupling member being affixed to the cinch ring at a second end, the coupling member being arranged so as to be beneath the dog'"'"'s head.

2. The control apparatus according to claim 1, in which the releasable connectors include swivels.

3. The control apparatus according to claim 1, in which the collar member includes adjustment means for adapting to necks of different sizes.

4. A control apparatus for a dog comprising:

a) a collar member for encircling the dog'"'"'s neck;

b) a pair of rings affixed to the collar member, the rings disposed so as to be on opposite sides of the dog'"'"'s neck, the rings being the sole means of attaching components that convert the collar member to a control halter;

c) means for holding a license tag on the collar member so that the collar member may remain on the dog for use as an ordinary dog collar when a halter is not required;

d) a muzzle assembly including;

i) a muzzle loop having a padded upper portion for engaging the upper surface of the dog'"'"'s muzzle and two end portions;

ii) a pair of side members, each side member having a first end affixed to the muzzle loop, one side member on each side of the muzzle loop below the upper portion of the muzzle loop;

iii) a releasable connector at a second end of each side member, the releasable connector constructed for removably engaging the two rings on the collar member when the apparatus is to be used as a halter;

iv) the end portions passing through a cinch ring and terminating past the cinch ring in a common connector adapted for engaging a leash;

v) a joining member having an end affixed to each side member, so as to pass under the dog'"'"'s head; and

vi) a coupling member affixed at a first end to the joining member substantially intermediate the two ends of the joining member, the coupling member being affixed to the cinch ring at a second end, the cinch ring and coupling member being arranged so as to be beneath the dog'"'"'s head such that tension on a leash engaging the common connector will pull the dog'"'"'s head down for enhanced control.

5. The control apparatus according to claim 4, in which the releasable connectors include swivels.

6. The control apparatus according to claim 5, in which the collar member includes adjustment means for adapting to necks of different sizes.

7. A control apparatus for a dog comprising:

a) a collar member for encircling the dog'"'"'s neck;

b) a pair of rings affixed to the collar member, the rings disposed so as to be on opposite sides of the dog'"'"'s neck, the pair of rings being the sole means of removably attaching components that reversibly convert the collar member to a control halter;

c) means for holding a license tag on the collar member so that the collar member may remain on the dog for use as an ordinary dog collar when a halter is not required;

d) a muzzle assembly including;

i) a muzzle loop having a padded upper portion for engaging the upper surface of the dog'"'"'s muzzle and two end portions;

ii) a pair of side members, each side member having a first end affixed to the muzzle loop, one side member on each side of the muzzle loop below the upper portion of the muzzle loop;

iii) a releasable connector at a second end of each side member, the releasable connector constructed for removably engaging the two rings on the collar member when the apparatus is to be used as a halter and so that removal of said releasable connectors will be all that is necessary to return the collar to its original function as a collar; and

iv) the end portions passing through a cinch ring and terminating past the cinch ring in a common connector adapted for engaging a leash.

8. The control apparatus according to claim 7, in which the releasable connectors include swivels.

9. The control apparatus according to claim 8, in which the collar member includes adjustment means for adapting to necks of different sizes.