Remote control system for controlling a remote animal collar

• US 8,336,245 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alpine Trust, Dogtra Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Alpine Trust
• Inventors: Lalor, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): HAYES, BRET C
• Application Number:
  US12/484,008
• Publication Number:
  US 20090249677A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,292 Days
• Field of Search: 42/90, 42/99, 119/720, 119/772, 119/776, 119/792, 119/795
• US Class Current: 42/90
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/021 Electronic training devices specially adapted for dogs or cats
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 27/00 Accessories; Details or attachments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A remote control system is disclosed for controlling a remote animal collar of the type which includes one or more electrodes or sensors which protrude from the inside surface of the collar for contacting the neck of the animal and electronic devices located within the body of the collar to receive electronic control signals or sensor input and to generate a stimulus, which is transmitted to the animal through the electrodes or by a speaker or other devices on the collar. The remote control system uses a master and slave remote transmitter combination.

Claims

1. A remote control system for controlling an animal, the remote control system comprising:

an animal collar for attachment to the animal, the animal collar comprising one or more stimulation devices for providing a stimulation to the animal and receiver circuits for receiving master control signals for controlling the one or more stimulation devices;

a slave transmitter for transmitting slave control signals corresponding to a selected type, level, and/or duration of the stimulation;

a master transmitter comprising receiver circuits for receiving the slave control signals from the slave transmitter and transmitter circuits for transmitting the master control signals to the animal collar for controlling the one or more stimulation devices, the master control signals corresponding to the selected type, level, and/or duration of the stimulation provided by the slave control signals; and

attachment means for conveniently attaching the slave transmitter to a hunting weapon without modification of the hunting weapon, for controlling the animal directly from the hunting weapon.

2. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the master transmitter has a transmission range that is longer than the transmission range of the slave transmitter.

3. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the slave transmitter includes an animal collar selector switch for selecting one of a multiple number of animal collars to control.

4. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is for attaching the slave transmitter in a convenient location on the hunting weapon so that the slave transmitter may be easily activated to send the slave control signals without releasing hold of the hunting weapon.

5. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is magnetic.

6. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means is a VELCRO holding system.

7. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a snap-fit between the slave transmitter and the hunting weapon.

8. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a groove on the slave transmitter for engaging with a corresponding flange attachable to the hunting weapon.

9. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a flange on the slave transmitter for engaging with a corresponding groove on the hunting weapon.

10. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the attachment means includes a holder for securely holding the slave transmitter.

11. The remote control system of claim 10, wherein the holder is shaped to be mounted to the hunting weapon by a friction fit.

12. A remote control system for controlling an animal, the remote control system comprising:

an animal collar for attachment to the animal, the animal collar comprising one or more stimulation devices for providing a stimulation to the animal and receiver circuits for receiving master control signals for controlling the one or more stimulation devices;

a slave transmitter for transmitting slave control signals corresponding to at least one of a selected type, a selected level, and a selected duration of the stimulation;

a master transmitter comprising receiver circuits for receiving the slave control signals from the slave transmitter and transmitter circuits for transmitting the master control signals to the animal collar for controlling the one or more stimulation devices, the master control signals corresponding to the at least one of the selected type, the selected level, and the selected duration of the stimulation provided by the slave control signals;

a hunting weapon; and

attachment means for conveniently attaching the slave transmitter to the hunting weapon for controlling the animal directly from the hunting weapon.

13. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the master transmitter has a transmission range that is longer than the transmission range of the slave transmitter.

14. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the slave transmitter includes an animal collar selector switch for selecting one of a multiple number of animal collars to control.

15. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means is for attaching the slave transmitter in a convenient location on the hunting weapon so that the slave transmitter may be easily activated to send the slave control signals without releasing hold of the hunting weapon.

16. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means comprises a friction fit between the slave transmitter and a cutout area in a stock or a forearm area of the hunting weapon, the cutout area being sized to receive and hold the slave transmitter.

17. The remote control system of claim 16, wherein the cutout area and the slave transmitter are sized so that the slave transmitter is held approximately flush with an outside surface of the stock or forearm of the hunting weapon.

18. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means is magnetic.

19. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means is a VELCRO holding system.

20. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means comprises a snap-fit between the slave transmitter and the hunting weapon.

21. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means comprises a groove on the slave transmitter for engaging with a corresponding flange on the hunting weapon.

22. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means comprises a flange on the slave transmitter for engaging with a corresponding groove on the hunting weapon.

23. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means is a threaded attachment.

24. The remote control system of claim 12, wherein the attachment means includes a holder for securely holding the slave transmitter.

25. The remote control system of claim 24, wherein the holder is shaped to be mounted to the hunting weapon by a friction fit.