Field The present invention is concerned with leads (also known as leashes) for domestic animals such as pets, particularly for dogs, horses and the like, and in particular for leads where the lead is readily engageable and disengageable from a harness or collar on the animal. In particular, it is concerned with a lead that can be rapidly attached in order to bring a domestic animal rapidly under control, and also rapidly and easily released to allow the animal to be unleashed.

Background to the invention

Lead structures, collars, harnesses and the like are available in various designs intended to control domesticated animals. A common arrangement, particularly for use with dogs, is the use of a collar fastened around the neck of an animal, with the collar attached to a lead. The person controlling the animal grasps the proximal end of the lead, which may be provided with a handle to assist grasping, and the distal end of the lead is attached to the collar.

With such a collar arrangement, it is desirable that the lead is easily attachable to the collar and can be removed, for instance, to allow the animal to roam freely.

Domestic animals, such as dogs, may need to be brought under control rapidly depending upon the prevailing circumstances. In such a situation, to protect the safety of the dog or the safety of others, it may be necessary to rapidly attach a lead to a dog already wearing a collar, or it may be necessary to attach a collar to the dog rapidly so that a lead can subsequently be attached to bring the dog under control. The usual manner for attachment of a lead to an animal collar is the use of a fastening loop, formed and enclosed by a rim and attached to the collar interlocked with a hooked clip provided at the distal end of a lead. To attach the lead to the collar, the hooked clip is engaged with the fastening loop by hooking the loop so that the rim of the loop enters an aperture defined by the hooked clip through an opening. The opening is then closed, by some gate means, to prevent the fastening loop inadvertently disengaging from the hooked clip. The fastening loop may have a rim of rigid or flexible plastic or cord attached to a collar or harness, but is typically a rigid metal ring or D-ring, with the ring forming the rim of the loop, attached to a collar or harness.

By "hooked clip" is meant an attachment means in the form of an arcuate body enclosing an opening or aperture with a gap in the arcuate body through which a fastening loop can pass so that the fastening loop may interlock with the arcuate body. The gap will be between opposed terminals of the arcuate body, at least one of which is positioned to provide a hook shape to facilitate interengagement of the arcuate body and the rim of the fastening loop. The gap is typically closable by a sprung gate, which may be, for instance, slid back to open the gap to allow the rim of a fastening loop to enter, or for a karabiner arrangement, pushed open by the rim of the fastening loop to permit entry of the fastening loop through the gap as the hook is clipped onto the loop. In another embodiment, a screw fastener may be used to close the gap once the fastening loop and arcuate body are interengaged.

Hooked clips used for animal leads may include spring clips such as karabiner arrangements which have a sprung side arm or gate which closes the hook aperture after the hooked clip has been attached to the collar. Maillon type arrangements or shackles may also be used where the clip is openable by means of a screw arrangement or, for instance, slide clips where a section of the clip is slidably removable to allow a gap to be formed through which a D-ring can pass in order to engage with a clip. All of these arrangements require some degree of manipulation when disengaging hooked clip from the fastening loop on the collar, and this may be difficult to achieve when the lead is held under tension, for instance by an animal straining on the lead.

A problem with prior art arrangements as set out above is that in order to release the animal from the lead, manipulation of the hooked clip is necessary in order to disengage the hooked clip from the fastening loop in order to open any gate arrangement and to detach the fastening loop from within the aperture of the hooked clip so that the animal is released or unleashed. This may be particularly difficult to achieve when the animal is struggling or when the animal is straining to be unleashed, so that the lead, fastening loop and hooked clip are held under tension, so that the hooked clip will have to be urged against the tension of the straining animal in order to remove or disengage the rim of the fastening loop from the hooked clip, possibly whilst also holding open the gate arrangement of the hooked clip to permit the fastening loop to be disengaged. This may be difficult to achieve for the elderly or for handlers suffering from impaired function or dexterity due to disease such as arthritis or the like.

Also, problems may arise for leads for working animals such as flock-control dogs, guard dogs and police dogs, where the dog may be straining to be released to do its job, and where the delay resulting from the manipulation required to permit release could be inconvenient or dangerous. For instance, delay in releasing a guard dog or a police dog could give time for an assailant to assault the dog handler.

Anther problem with prior art arrangements is that in order to attach the animal to the lead, manipulation of the hooked clip is necessary in order to engage the hooked clip with the fastening loop in order to open any gate arrangement and to hook the fastening loop within the aperture of the hooked clip so that the animal is leashed. This may be particularly difficult to achieve when the animal is struggling or when the animal is straining to escape.

Hence, there is a need for an animal lead which overcomes or addresses at least some of the problems set out above.

Summary of the invention

One object of the invention, amongst others, is to provide a lead for an animal which is adapted to permit easy and rapid attachment of a lead to a collar or harness, so that the animal can be brought under control rapidly, and where the lead is readily and rapidly detachable from the collar or harness by a handler, even when the animal is straining against the lead so that the lead is under tension. It is also desirable for inadvertent release of the animal from the lead to be avoided.

Hence, a first aspect of the invention provides an animal lead comprising an elongate flexible member arranged for gripping by a handler at a proximal end, and comprising an attachment means for releasable attachment to a fastening loop of a collar or harness at a distal end, wherein the attachment means comprises: a connection means for connecting the attachment means to the distal end of the elongate flexible member, a generally c-shaped body defining an internal opening within the body and having a mouth at its distal end for accepting said fastening loop, first and second lever plates each mounted on a pivot and each rotatable about its respective first and second pivot between a closed position and an open position, wherein each of the lever plates comprises a gate portion arranged to close the mouth when the lever plate is in the closed position, and

wherein each of the lever plates comprises a first fin portion arranged to project externally from the c-shaped body to act as a trigger for moving the respective lever plate from the closed to the open position when urged towards the proximal end , and wherein the attachment means comprises a retaining means arranged to releasably hold the lever plates in the closed position.

A second aspect of the invention is a method for retaining and unleashing an animal, such as a dog, by means of a lead according to the first aspect of the invention.

A third aspect of the invention is the use of a lead according to the first aspect of the invention for holding and releasing an animal, such as a dog. Detailed Description of the Invention

Throughout this specification, the term "comprising" or "comprises" means including the component(s) specified but not to the exclusion of the presence of others. The term "consisting essentially of" or "consists essentially of" means including the components specified but excluding other components except for materials present as impurities, unavoidable materials present as a result of processes used to provide the components, and components added for a purpose other than achieving the technical effect of the invention. Whenever appropriate, the use of the term

"comprises" or "comprising" may also be taken to include the meaning "consists essentially of" or "consisting essentially of".

The optional and/or preferred features set out may be used either individually or in combination with each other where appropriate and particularly in the combinations as set out in the accompanying claims. The optional and/or preferred features for each aspect of the invention set out above are also applicable to any other aspects of the invention, where appropriate.

The first aspect of the invention provides an animal lead comprising an elongate flexible member arranged for gripping by a handler at a proximal end, and comprising an attachment means for releasable attachment to a fastening loop of a collar or harness at a distal end.

In this specification, the terms "proximal" and "distal" are to be interpreted as relative to the handler, so, for instance the handler will hold the animal lead at the proximal end of the lead, with the animal at the disctal end of the lead.

The elongate flexible member may be of any suitable material such as textile, polymer (e.g. nylon, Kevlar™, natural or synthetic rubber, neoprene, etc.), leather or the like. It may be in the form of a strap or a rope or cord. The strap or cord may be reinforced with fibres such as carbon fibre or may include metal reinforcement or the like.

At the proximal end, the lead may be provided with a handle in order to assist gripping by a handler, for instance the elongate flexible member may be formed into a loop at the proximal end for gripping by a handler. For instance a loop handle may be provided with a reinforcing means to provide the handle with a rigid shape for gripping. In another embodiment, a retracting handle may be provided, the retracting handle comprising a mechanism whereby the elongate flexible member may be retracted or paid out at the discretion of the handler. Such handles for varying the length of the elongate member of a lead are well known in the art. The attachment means comprises a connection means for connecting the attachment means to the distal end of the elongate flexible member. This may typically be an opening in the attachment means arranged to accept the distal end of the elongate member, or may, for instance include a clip or buckle arrangement for gripping the distal end of the elongate member.

The attachment means is be connected to the elongate member at a connection means. A swivel joint may be provides, which is arranged to allow rotation of the attachment means about the long axis of the elongate flexible member. This long axis is the axis along the length of the elongate flexible member when it is fully straightened under tension and may be also described herein as the distal-proximal axis. The swivel joint prevents twisting and tangling of the lead. Preferably, the swivel joint is a universal joint. By "universal joint" it is meant that the joint between the attachment means and the elongate flexible member is arranged to permit substantially unencumbered movement of the attachment means relative to the lead, about the universal joint, over a solid angle of at least 2 x Pi steradians. One suitable arrangement for a swivel joint or universal joint is a ball and socket joint, where the distal end of the lead is attached to a socket holding a ball able to rotate therein, the ball attached to the hooked body by a connection arm. The socket may be shaped to hold the ball whilst permitting substantial movement of the arm relative to the socket and also permitting rotation about the long axis of the arm. The swivel joint may form part of the connection means, or may be positioned between the connection means and the distal end of the elongate member. In another suitable arrangement, a swivel joint may be located between a handle and the proximal end of the elongate member, rather than, or in addition to, a swivel joint between the attachment means and the distal end of the elongate member of the lead.

The attachment means has a generally c-shaped body defining an internal opening within the body and having a mouth at its distal end for accepting the fastening loop of an animal collar or harness.

The attachment means has first and second lever plates each mounted on a pivot and each rotatable about its respective pivot between a closed position and an open position. Each of the lever plates comprises a gate portion arranged to close the mouth when the lever plate is in the closed position. Each of the lever plates also comprises a first fin portion arranged to project externally from the c-shaped body to act as a trigger for moving the respective lever plate from the closed to the open position when the first fin portion is urged towards the proximal end. Typically, such urging may be carried out manually by a handler grasping the first fins of each lever plate and pulling them towards the proximal end of the attachment means.

Furthermore, each of the lever plates may optionally comprise a second fin portion arranged to project inwards into the opening when the lever plate is in the open position, to act as a trigger for moving the lever plate from the open to the closed position when urged out of the internal opening by said fastening loop entering the mouth of the internal opening.

In other words, as the rim of the fastening loop of a collar or harness enters the opening of the attachment means, through the open mouth of the attachment means, the second fin of each lever plate, when in the open position, if present, may be arranged to be positioned so that, in order to enter the mouth, the rim of the fastening loop must push the second fins of each lever plate out of its way, sideways and out of the internal opening, consequently urging the lever plates towards their closed position. The second fins are suitably shaped to interact with a rim of a fastening loop so that they may be smoothly pushed aside by the rim entering the internal opening between them.

The attachment means also comprises a retaining means arranged to releasably hold the lever plates in the closed position. For instance, the retaining means may be a biasing means, such as a spring, arranged to urge the lever plates from their open positions towards their closed positions.

Typically, the attachment means may include a plurality of stops positioned so that each lever plate can rotate about its respective pivot between the open and closed position but is prevented from rotation past the open or closed position by abutting against the stops.

The attachment means does not require that the mouth of the opening has any hooked arrangement to enable the rim of a fastening loop to be captured within it, and this provides the advantage that attachment or detachment of the attachment means relative to the collar or harness requires minimal positional manipulation of the attachment means. The retaining means may comprise a biasing means arranged to urge the lever plates towards the closed position when the lever plates are in the closed position.

In other words, the retaining means may be releasable by the handler urging the lever plates from the closed position towards the open position, for instance by use of the first fins as set out hereinbefore. When the handler releases the first fins, then the retaining means may be arranged to urge the lever plates from their respective open positions, where they had been held by the handler, to their respective closed positions. In one preferred arrangement, the biasing means may also be arranged to bias the lever plates towards the open position when the lever plates are in the open position whereby the lever plates are arranged to be bistable between the open and closed positions. This provides the advantage that the handler does not have to hold the first fins in place to keep the attachment means open for attachment to a collar or harness, but instead merely needs to switch the lever plates of the attachment means from closed to open positions.

For instance, to achieve this bistable arrangement, the biasing means may comprise or be a spring assembly extending between connection points on the first and second lever plates and arranged to urge the connection points towards each other, wherein the connection points are arranged so that a hypothetical straight line joining the connection points lies proximal to the pivots when the lever plates are in the open position and distal to the pivot points when the lever plates are in the closed position. Thus, when the lever plates are in the open position, with gate portions positioned out of the mouth of the internal opening, so that the mouth is open, the spring assembly urges the plates to pivot away from each other about the pivot points, because the gate portions and the line of force applied by the spring assembly, pushing the connection points apart, are on the same (distal) side of the pivots. However, when the lever plates are in the closed position, with gate portions positioned in the mouth to close it, the spring assembly pushes the plates so that the gate portions are urged towards each other by urging the plates to pivot towards each other about the pivot points, because the gate portions and the line of force applied by the spring assembly pushing the connection points apart, are on opposite sides of the pivots.

This arrangement is easily achieved by suitable positioning of the connection points relative to the pivots. Clearly, there will be a position of neutral equilibrium between the closed and open positions for the lever plates, and the plates will snap closed if on one side of this neutral equilibrium position or snap open if on the other side.

Such a connector with a snap closure arrangement, suitable for use in the animal lead of the present invention, is described in patent publication EP 0 974 760 A.

Additionally or alternatively, the retaining means may comprise a first catch means arranged to releasably hold the lever plates in the closed position. The retaining means may also comprise a second catch means arranged to releasably hold the lever plates in the open position.

With this arrangement, the first catch means may hold the lever plates in the closed position, with the handler releasing the catch means to allow the lever plates to move to the open position so that the attachment means can be opened to accept the fastening loop into the internal opening. The handler then manually moves the lever plates back to the closed position with the gate portions closing the mouth to hold the fastening loop in place and reengages the first catch means to hold the attachment means in the closed position. The second catch means, if present, may be used to hold the lever plates of the attachment means in the open position until the handler is ready to disengage the second catch means close the gate portions with the fastening loop held inside the internal opening of the attachment means. The first and second catch means may be sprung catch means, whereby the handler is required to urge the lever plates from the held position by overcoming the force of resilient springs arranged to bias each of the catch means to remain in its respective holding position.

For instance, the first catch means may be a ball-catch comprising a ball, held within, and biased to protrude from, a housing in a lever plate (i.e. one of the first or second lever plates) and arranged to engage with a hollow in the other lever plate when the first and second plates are in the closed position. To provide the second catch means, the ball may be arranged to engage with a second hollow in the other lever plate when the first and second plates are in the open position. In other words, second catch means may also be a ball catch comprising a ball biased to protrude from a housing in a lever plate and arranged to engage with a first hollow in the other lever plate when the first and second plates are in the closed position, and arranged to engage with a second hollow in the other lever plate when the first and second plates are in the open position.

The first and second lever plates may be mounted on, and rotatable, about the same pivot, i.e. a single, common pivot. Any reference to "pivots" herein may be construed also as including a single, shared pivot.

In a preferred arrangement, for each lever plate, the respective gate portion may be pivotally mounted to the lever plate and arranged to pivot between a closed gate position and an open gate position relative to the lever plate, with a gate portion biasing means, such as a spring arrangement, arranged to urge the gate portion from the open gate position towards the closed gate position, with the gate portion abutting a gate stop in the closed gate position. For this arrangement, with the lever plate in its closed position and the gate in the closed gate position, the gate portion closes the mouth, and with the lever plates in their respective closed positions and the gate in the open gate position, the gate portion leaves the mouth open for accepting the fastening loop. This arrangement allows for capture of the fastening loop by the attachment means without needing to move the lever plates to their open positions. The handler simply needs to push the closed mouth of the attachment means onto the fastening loop, and the fastening loop pushes the gate portions inwards, into the internal opening, against the urging of the biasing means, to allow movement of the fastening loop into the internal opening. Once the fastening loop has passed by the free ends of the gate portions, in their open positions, the biasing means urges the gate portions back into their closed positions, sealing the mouth to prevent egress of the fastening loop and so capturing it within the attachment means.

In order to subsequently release the fastening loop, the handler needs to move the lever plates from their closed to their open positions, opening the mouth to free the fastening loop.

For this arrangement, each gate portion may be adapted to latch with the lever plate to which that gate portion is not pivotally attached, when the lever plates are each in their respective closed positions and the gate portions are in their respective closed gate positions. For instance, the latching may be by a hook provided on an end of the gate portion opposite to the pivoting end, arranged to latch with an opening, slot or recess in the lever plate. This arrangement reduces risk of the gate portion being inadvertently strained into opening the mouth when an animal tugs on the lead.

In order to provide an arrangement requiring minimal manual manipulation by a handler to use the attachment means of the lead of the invention, the attachment means preferably further comprises a release assembly configured for moving the first and second lever plates between their open and closed positions. The handler may then use the release assembly to move the first and second lever plates, for instance without having to grasp the first fins directly.

In one suitable arrangement, the release assembly may comprise first and second cables connected to the first fins of each lever plate whereby tensioning the cables urges the first fins in a proximal direction to bring the lever plates into the open position. The first and second cables may be operably connected to an actuating means at the proximal end of the lead, so that the handler may switch the lever plates of the attachment means from closed to open positions remotely by means of using the actuating means to tension the cables. The actuating means may be used in order to avoid the need for the handler to directly manipulate the attachment means near the head of an animal (hence reducing risk of biting of the handler by the animal and facilitating use of the actuating means by an infirm or elderly handler, for instance a handler with difficulties in bending or manipulation). Hence, the actuating means may for instance comprise a trigger at or near the proximal end of the elongate member, for instance in a handle of the lead at the proximal end of the elongate member (i.e. at the end of the elongate member opposite to distal end with the attachment means connected thereto), whereby pulling the trigger tensions the first and second cables, enabling remote unleashing of the animal. The use of an arrangement such as having the cables running through a flexible incompressible tube (analogous to a brake or clutch cable for a cycle or motorcycle) may permit the cables to be tensioned either with the lead under tension and extended, or with the lead slack. In this arrangement, or any of the other arrangements of the invention as set out herein, the elongate member itself may be tubular, whereby cables or lanyards for use in remote actuation may pass along the hollow interior of such a tubular, elongate member.

In another suitable arrangement, the release assembly may comprise a cuff arranged to surround and slide along a portion of the c-shaped body, along a distal-proximal (long) axis, the cuff arranged to engage with the first fins of each lever plate whereby sliding the cuff between distal and proximal positions of the cuff moves the first fins and so moves the lever plates between closed and open positions respectively.

The cuff may be of a suitable rigid material such as metal or polymer, and may be a moulding, for instance, configured to arrange with the first fins, and may be provided with an external surface configured for gripping by a handler (e.g. serrated or knurled). The cuff may also be arranged for remote actuation, for instance by means of operable connection to an actuating means, as already set out hereinbefore, at the proximal end of the lead, so that a cable attached to a trigger at the proximal end of the lead, for instance, may be used for remote unleashing of an animal.

In another suitable arrangement, the release assembly may comprise a clasp having a pivot plate arranged to pivot about an axle located at a proximal end of the c- shaped body and aligned generally normal to a distal-proximal axis of the lead whereby the pivot plate is pivotable between a first position positioned against the c- shaped body and a second position with the pivot plate positioned away from the c- shaped body, the clasp comprising first and second wings on opposed edges of the pivot plate and arranged to clasp the c-shaped body, wherein the first and second wings are operably connected to the first fins of the first and second lever plates respectively, whereby movement of the pivot plate between first and second positions causes the wings to move the first fins to move the lever plates between closed and open positions respectively. A release lanyard may be attached to a distal end of the pivot plate whereby tensioning the release lanyard pulls the pivot plate from the first to the second position. This release lanyard may be operable by means of a remote actuation means, for instance at the proximal end of the lead of the invention, say at a handle of the lead. The pivot plate may be provided with a biasing means such as a spring arranged to urge the pivot plate towards the first position, hence arranged to urge the lever plates towards their closed positions. In addition to the lead of the first aspect of the invention, the invention also provides a method for retaining and unleashing an animal by means of a lead of the first aspect of the invention and the use of such a lead for holding and releasing an animal.

Brief Description of Drawings

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an animal lead according to the first aspect of the invention,

Figures 2A to 2D show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of a first embodiment of an attachment means for use in an animal lead according to the first aspect of the invention, where a cable arrangement is used as a release assembly, and shown with the lever plates in the closed position,

Figures 3A to 3D show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of the first embodiment with the lever plates in the open position, Figure 4A shows a retaining means 22 in the form of a spring for use as a biasing means with the first embodiment, with the retaining means shown in use in cross sectional views of the first embodiment in the open position in Figure 4B and in the closed position in Figure 4C,

Figures 5A to 5D show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of a second embodiment of an attachment means for use in an animal lead according to the invention, wherein a cuff is arranged to interact with the second fins of the lever plates for use as a release assembly, shown with the lever plates in the closed position,

Figures 6A to 6D show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity), of the second embodiment of the attachment but with the lever plates in the open position.

Figures 7A to 7D show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of a third embodiment of attachment means for use in an animal lead according to the invention, wherein a clasp is arranged to interact with the first fins of the lever plates for use as a release assembly, and shown with the lever plates in the closed position,

Figures 8A to 8B show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of the third embodiment of the attachment means with the lever plates in the open position,

Figures 9A and 9B show schematic representations of a retaining means in the form of a ball-catch arrangement 53, 54 arranged to releasably hold the lever plates in the closed position, and a including a spring 50 arranged to urge the lever plates towards the open position, when not retained in the closed position by the ball-catch arrangement. Figure 9B is an expanded view of a portion of Figure 9A indicated by the circular region highlighted that Figure,

Figures 10A to 10C show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of a fourth embodiment of an attachment means for use in an animal lead according to the invention, with the gate portions (60, 61 ) pivotally mounted to their respective lever plates. In these Figures, the lever plates are in the respective closed positions and the gate portions are in their respective closed gate positions, Figures 1 1 A and 1 1 B show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of the fourth embodiment. In these Figures, the lever plates are in the respective closed positions and the gate portions are in their respective open gate positions. Figures 12A and 12B show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of the fourth embodiment. In these Figures, the lever plates are in the respective open positions and the gate portions are in their respective closed gate positions. Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows an animal lead according to the first aspect of the invention, in the form of a dog lead, suitable for attachment to a dog collar 1 having a fastening loop 2 attached to the collar. The collar 1 is a conventional prior art collar 1 with fastening loop 2 in the form of a steel D-ring. The dog is not shown in Figure 1 .

The animal lead has an elongated member 3, in the form of a strap of webbing in this example, with a handle for formed at the proximal end of the elongate member and shaped for gripping by a handler, and with an attachment means 10 at the distal end of the elongate member connected to the distal end of the elongate member at a connection means 5. In this case, the connection means 5 is a rod held by attachment means 10 around which a loop of the strap of the elongate member 3 is passed and suitably secured (e.g. by riveting or stitching). The attachment means 10 has an internal opening 9 having a mouth 8 closed by gate portions 13, 20 of first and second lever plates 1 1 , 12 (lever plates are not shown in detail in Figure 1 but are shown in subsequent Figures). In the arrangement shown in Figure 1 , the fastening loop 2 of collar 1 is held in the internal opening 9 of the attachment means 10. Figures 2A to 2D show a first embodiment of an attachment means suitable for use in the dog lead of the first aspect of the invention, such as shown in Figure 1 . Figure 2A shows a plan view and Figure 2B a side view, with Figure 2D showing a perspective view of the first embodiment. Figure 2C is a cross-sectional plan view, taken through the section AA of Figure 2B. In Figures 2A and 2B, the first embodiment is shown with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their closed positions such that the gate portions 13, 20 respectively close the mouth 8 of internal opening 9. In their closed positions, the lever plates 1 1 , 12 abut against stops 55. Figures 3A to 3D show the same first embodiment as shown in Figures 2A to 2D, but with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their open positions such that the gate portions 13, 20 respectively are in a position away from the mouth 8 leaving the 9 open for insertion of a fastening loop from a collar. Figure 3A shows a plan view and Figure 3B a side view, with Figure 3D showing a perspective view of the first embodiment with lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their open positions. Figure 3C is a cross-sectional plan view, taken through the section AA of Figure 3B.

For the sake of clarity, in Figures 2A to 2D and in Figures 3A to 3D, the retaining means has been omitted from the representations for the sake of clarity. When viewing the Figures, reference should also be made to Figures 4A to 4C, where a retaining means, in the form of spring 22, is shown in use in the first embodiment of the attachment means shown in Figures 2A to 2D and 3A to 3D.

Referring to the Figures showing this first embodiment, the attachment means has a body 10 holding a pivot 15 about which the first 1 1 and second 12 lever plates are arranged to be able to rotatably pivot between closed positions as shown in Figures 2A to 2D and open positions as shown in Figures 3A to 3D. Each lever plate 1 1 , 12 has a gate portions 13, 20, first fins 16, 14 and second fins 21 , 19. The lever plates 1 1 , 12 abut against stops 55 in their closed positions, when the gate portions 13, 20 close the mouth 8 of internal opening 9. When lever plates 1 1 , 12 are in their open positions, the first fins 16, 14 abut against the body 10 to prevent further movement of the lever plates 1 1 , 12 away from each other about pivot 15.

For this first embodiment of an attachment means suitable for use in the animal lead of the first aspect of the invention, the attachment means comprises a release assembly in the form of first and second cables 17, 18 connected to the first fins 16, 14 of each of the lever plates 1 1 , 12 whereby tensioning the cables 17, 18 urges the first fins 16, 14 in a proximal direction to bring the lever plates 1 1 , 12 from their closed positions as shown in Figures 2A to 2D to their open positions as shown in Figures 3A to 3D. The cables 17, 18 are attached to first fins 16, 14 at holes therein. The cables 17, 18 are fed through a cable guide in the form of a tube 70. This tube 70 also acts as the connection means for connecting the attachment means the distal end of the elongate flexible member 3. The first and second lever plates 1 1 , 12 in addition to having gate portions 20, 13 and first fins 16, 14 also include second fins 21 , 19. As can be seen in these Figures, the second fins and 21 , 19 are shaped to act as triggers to be pushed out of the internal opening 9 by the rim of a fastening loop 2 as it is urged into the internal opening 9 through the mouth 8.

For an attachment means such as the first embodiment shown in these Figures, the elongate flexible member 3 may suitably be in the form of a flexible, hollow tube whereby the cables may pass along the hollow core of the tube to an actuating means at the proximal end of the animal lead, for instance a trigger at handle 4 or at or near the proximal end of the elongate member, whereby the cables can be actuated to pull the first fins 16, 14 to move the first and second lever plates 1 1 , 12 from the closed position, abutting stops 55, with gates 13, 20 closing mouth 8 of the internal opening 9 to the open position with the mouth 8 thus open to permit entry of the rim of a fastening loop 2 of a collar or harness 1 . The tubular cable guide 70 may, for instance, be crimped to a fastening ring or sleeve which may be provided at the distal end of the elongate flexible member 3 in order to act as connection means to hold the attachment means 10 to the elongate flexible member 3 whilst allowing the cables to pass therethrough. Turning to the operation of the retaining means in the form of a spring 22 as shown in Figures 4A to 4C, it can be seen that the spring 22 in its relaxed position as shown in Figure 4A has ends 23, 24 positioned relatively close to each other. In use, the ends 23, 24 are inserted into openings in lever plates 1 1 , 12 as shown in Figures 4B and 4C. For both the open and closed positions of the first and second lever plates 1 1 , 12, the spring ends 23, 24 are held apart from their relaxed position when retained in the lever plates 1 1 , 12. This leads to a force, exercised by spring 22 through its ends 23, 24 urging the lever plates towards each other along the hypothetical line or axis XX as shown in Figures 4B and 4C. In Figure 4B, where the lever plates 1 1 , 12 are in the open position, the axis XX is situated in a position proximal to the pivot 15 and so urges the lever plates outwards, by a first order lever action, holding them in the open position with first fins 16, 14 abutting the body 10. In Figure 4C, whether lever plates 1 1 , 12 are in the closed position, the axis XX is situated in a position distal to the pivot 15 and so urges the lever plates inwards by a second order lever action, urging them towards the closed position and retaining them in that position, abutting stops 55.

As the first and second lever plates are urged from the closed position towards the open position, by moving the first fins 16, 14 in a proximal direction relative to the body 10, for instance by applying tension to the cables 17, 18, then the spring 22 will pass through a position, as the hypothetical line XX is aligned with the pivot 15, whereby the lever action of spring 22 will switch from second-order to first-order behaviour so that instead of a urging the lever plates 1 1 ,12 towards the closed position it will urge them towards the open position, thus providing bistable behaviour.

Turning now to the second embodiment of an attachment means suitable for use in the animal lead of the invention, this is shown in a closed configuration, with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their closed positions, in Figures 5A to 5D. Figure 5A shows a plan view and Figure 5B a side view, with Figure 5D showing a perspective view of the second embodiment. Figure 5C is a cross-sectional plan view, taken through the section AA of Figure 5B. In Figures 5A and 5B, the first embodiment is shown with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their closed positions such that the gate portions 13, 20 respectively close the mouth 8 of internal opening 9, and the lever plates 1 1 , 12 abut the stops 55.

Figures 6A to 6D show the same views but with the second embodiment in an open configuration with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their open positions, with first fins 16, 15 abutting the body 10. For the sake of clarity, no retaining means has been shown in these Figures, but the spring arrangement as shown in Figures 4A to 4C is also suitable for use with this second embodiment.

As with the first embodiment, the second embodiment has lever plates 1 1 , 12 each pivoting about the same, shared pivot 15 held in body 10. For this second

embodiment, a connection means for connecting the attachment means to the distal end of the elongate flexible member 3 is in the form of a rod 31 about which a strap may be looped and secured. Each of the lever plates 1 1 , 12 has a gate portion 13, 20 arranged to close the mouth 8 of the internal opening 9 in the same manner as for the first embodiment. First fins 16, 14 and second fins 21 , 19 are also provided as part of the lever plates 1 1 , 12 and arranged as for the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a cuff 30 is provided to act as release assembly. The cuff 30 is arranged to surround and engage with the body 10 and first fins 16, 14, with the cuff is slidably mounted to be able to move between proximal and distal positions along a proximal-distal axis corresponding to the long axis of the animal lead. The cuff 30 is shown in the distal position (closed) in Figures 5A to 5D and in the proximal position (open) in Figures 6A to 6D. As the cuff is moved by a handler between its proximal and distal positions, it moves the first fins 16, 14, consequently moving the first and second lever plates 1 1 , 12 between their open and closed positions. The cuff is provided with protrusions 33 in order to provide easy gripping by a handler wishing to slide the cuff 30 between distal and proximal positions in order to open or close the attachment means around a fastening loop 2 of a collar or harness 1 .

Turning now to a third embodiment of an attachment means suitable for use in the animal lead of the invention, this is as shown in Figures 7A to 7D in a closed configuration. Figure 7A shows a plan view and Figure 7B a side view, with Figure 7D showing a perspective view of this third embodiment. Figure 7C is a cross- sectional plan view, taken through the section AA of Figure 7B. In Figures 7A and 7B, the third embodiment is shown with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their closed positions such that the gate portions 13, 20 respectively close the mouth 8 of internal opening 9. Figures 8A to 8D show the same views but with the third embodiment in an open configuration with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their open positions. For the sake of clarity, no retaining means has been shown in these Figures, but the spring arrangement as shown in Figures 4A to 4C is also suitable for use with this second embodiment.

As with the first and second embodiments, the basic arrangement for the body and lever plates 1 1 , 12 is the same, but in this embodiment, the release assembly is in the form of a clasp 39 and having a pivot plate 40 attached to wings 41 , 42 with the pivot plate 40 arranged to pivot about a rod 31 acting as an axle and the rod 31 positioned towards the proximal end of the c-shaped body. The rod 31 is aligned is normal to the distal-proximal axis of the animal lead in a whereby the pivot plate 40 is pivotable between a first position positioned against the body 10 of the attachment means and the second position with the pivot plate 40 positioned away from the body 10 of the attachment means. The wings 41 , 42 are attached to oppose edges of the pivot plate and arranged a clasp the body 10.

In this embodiment, the first fins are in the form of rod-like stubs which extend through slots provided in the wings 41 , 42 of the clasp 39. A handle 43 is attached to the pivot plate 40 of clasp 39 and maybe grasped manually by a handler to pull the pivot plate 40 from its first position to its second position.

As the pivot plate 40 is moved from its first position to its second position by pivoting about rod 31 , the slots in the wings 41 , 42 are arranged to urge the first fins 14, 16 in a proximal direction whereby the lever plates 1 1 , 12 are urged from their closed positions to their open positions, opening the mouth 8 of the internal opening 9 whereby a rim of a fastening loop 2 may enter the internal opening 9. The handler may then close the attachment means about the fastening loop 2 by moving the pivot plate 40 back to its first position, moving the first fins 14, 16 with the slots in wings 41 , 42 to urge the lever plates 1 1 , 12 back into the closed position with gate portions 13, 20 closing through the fastening loop and across the mouth 8 of the internal opening 9 in order to hold the fastening loop 2 in the attachment means.

As with the first or second embodiments, a retaining means in the form of a spring may be used to hold the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in the close configuration. An arrangement such as the retaining means of Figures 4A to 4C may be employed, modified appropriately, as retaining means for this third embodiment.

An alternative arrangement suitable for use as a retaining means for any of the above embodiments, or for use generally in an attachment means for use in the invention, is shown in Figures 9A and 9B. In these Figures, Figure 9B shows an expanded view of a portion of Figure 9A to give details of configuration of the retaining means. In these Figures 9A and 9B, the upper surface of the body 10 has been removed and only one lever plate 1 1 is shown, with the other lever plate removed for the sake of clarity. The view is a perspective view.

A spring 50 with ends 51 and 52 is positioned in order to urge apart the lever plates

1 1 and 12 towards their open position. As shown in Figure 9B, end 51 of the spring 50 is inserted into an attachment hole in the first lever plate 1 1 with the other end 52 arranged to enter a similar opening in the other lever plate 12 (lever plate 12 has been omitted from this Figure for the sake of clarity).

A ball-catch, 53 is located in lever plate 12 in the vicinity of pivot 15. This ball-catch comprises a ball biased by a spring means (not shown) to protrude from a housing containing the spring means within the lever plate 1 1 . When the other lever plate 12 is in place, with the lever plates in their open position, as shown in Figure 9A, the second lever plate 12 will keep the ball urged against the spring so that the ball is pushed into the housing. When the first and second lever plates are in the closed position, a hollow, positioned in lever plate 12, in a similar fashion to the hollow 54 shown in lever plate 1 1 in the Figure, is arranged so that the ball of ball-catch 53 can emerge from the housing, urged by its respective spring, to engage with the hollow in second lever plate 12 in order to releasably hold the first and second lever plates 1 1 ,

12 together, against each other, in their closed positions. A corresponding ball-catch may be provided in second lever plate 12 (not shown in Figure 9) and arranged to engage with the hollow 54 of first lever plate 1 1 .

In order to disengage the lever plates from their close configuration, it is necessary for a handler to urge the lever plates 1 1 , 12 apart, using any release assembly if present, with sufficient force to cause each ball to re-enter its housing against the urging force of its respective spring. Turning now to a fourth embodiment, Figures 10, 1 1 and 12 show schematic representations (with retaining means omitted for the sake of clarity) of the fourth embodiment of an attachment means for use in an animal lead according to the invention. In this fourth embodiment, the gate portions (60, 61 ) pivotally mounted to their respective lever plates.

For the sake of clarity, no retaining means has been shown in these Figures, but the spring arrangement as shown in Figures 4A to 4C is also suitable for use with this second embodiment.

Figure 10A shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment, Figure 10B a plan view and Figure 10C shows a perspective view with the upper plate of the body 10 removed to show the internal features of the fourth embodiment. In Figures 10A to 10C, the lever plates 1 1 , 12 are in their respective closed positions and the gate portions 60, 61 are also in their respective closed gate positions.

Figures 1 1 A and 1 1 B show plan views of the fourth embodiment with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their respective closed positions and the gate portions 60, 61 in their respective open gate positions. In Figure 1 1 B, the upper plate of the body 10 has been removed, for the sake of clarity, to show the internal workings of the attachment means.

Figures 12A and 12B respectively show plan and perspective views of the fourth embodiment with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their respective open positions and the gate portions 60, 61 in their respective closed gate positions. In Figure 12B, the upper plate of the body 10 has been removed, for the sake of clarity, to show the internal workings of the attachment means. As with the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment has lever plates 1 1 , 12 each pivoting about the same, shared pivot 15 held in body 10. For this fourth

embodiment, a connection means for connecting the attachment means to the distal end of the elongate flexible member 3 is in the form of a rod 31 about which a strap may be looped and secured. Each of the lever plates 1 1 , 12 has a respective gate portion 60, 61 pivotally mounted to its corresponding lever plate and arranged to rotate about a pivot 63 between a closed gate position (as shown in Figures 10A to 10C, 12A and 12B) and an open gate position as shown in Figures 1 1 A and 1 1 B. The configuration of the gate portions will now be described with reference to gate portion 60, but an equivalent arrangement applies mutatis mutandis to gate portion 61 and so is not set out again in detail. The same numbering is used for the parts relating to gate portion 61 as for those relating to gate portion 60. A spring 62 urges the gate portion 60 towards a stop 55 attached to lever plate 1 1 , which prevents further movement of the gate portion 60 past its closed position with the spring 62 urging the gate portion 60 against stop 55 to retain the gate portion 60 in the closed position. As shown in Figures 10A to 10C, with the gate portions 60, 61 in their respective closed positions, the gate portions 60, 61 close the mouth 8 of the internal opening 9.

The end of the gate portion 60 that is remote from the pivot 63 mounting it to lever plate 1 1 is provided with a hook 64. The hook 64 is arranged to engage with a recess 65 provided in the opposing lever plate 12 to which gate portion 60 is not pivotally mounted. A corresponding arrangement is provided in relation to gate portion 61 and its opposing recess plate 1 1 .

In use, the attachment means of the fourth embodiment, as shown in Figures 10A to 10C, is pushed, by the handler, with the lever plates 1 1 , 12 in their closed positions and the gate portions 60, 61 in their closed gate positions so that the gate portions 60, 61 engage with the fastening loop which is to be captured in the internal opening 9.

As the fastening loop pushes against the gate portions 60, 61 , these are urged, against their respective springs 62, to move towards their respective open gate positions as shown in Figures 1 1 A and 1 1 B. The fastening loop can thus move from the mouth 8 into the internal opening 9, pushing the gate portions 60, 61 out of the way as it moves into the internal opening 9. Once the fastening loop has passed the gate portions 60, 61 , the springs 62 force the gate portions 60, 61 back against the stops 55 into their respective closed positions, as shown in Figures 10A to 10C, but now with the fastening loop captured within the internal opening 10 of the attachment means.

Any attempt to pull the fastening loop back out through the mouth 8 of the attachment means is prevented by the gate portions 60, 61 engaging with their respective gate stops 55. Also, the hooks 64 engage with recesses 65 when the lever plates 1 1 , 12 and the gate portions 60, 61 are in their closed positions, further act to prevent the gate portions 60, 61 being pushed aside to cause inadvertent release of the fastening loop.

In order to release the fastening loop from the inner opening 9 of the attachment means, the lever plates 1 1 , 12 are moved from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions by the handler moving the fins 16, 14 in a proximal direction, resulting in the gate portions 60, 61 , remaining substantially in their closed gate positions relative to the lever plates 1 1 , 12, being pulled, by the lever plates 1 1 , 12 outwards from the mouth 8, leaving the mouth 8 open so that the fastening loop can now exit from the inner opening 9. This results in the arrangement shown in Figures 12A and 12B. The hooks 64 the end of each of the gate portions 60, 61 engage with stops 55.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described

embodiment may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, although the arrangement using ball- catches as retaining means has been shown in Figure 9 in combination with the third embodiment of an attachment means for use in the animal lead of the invention, such a ball-catch retaining means may be employed in combination with the first embodiment, instead of using the spring arrangement shown in Figures 4A to 4C.

The described and illustrated embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the inventions as defined in the claims are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as "preferable", "preferably", "preferred" or "more preferred" in the description suggest that a feature so described may be desirable, it may nevertheless not be necessary and embodiments lacking such a feature may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. In relation to the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used to preface a feature there is no intention to limit the claim to only one such feature unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.