HK1171912B - Reflector with fastening device for animal collars - Google Patents

Description

Reflector with fastening device for animal collar

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a reflector provided with a fastening device for an animal collar and to an animal collar comprising an active substance in combination with a reflector according to the invention.

Background

Animal collars comprising an active substance and having a reflective material over their entire surface area are known, and can BE obtained, for example, from FR2594001, BE904548, DE3242741a1, EP0076038B1, US4091766 and US2006/0144345a 1. The disadvantage of these collars is the low concentration of the light beam and thus the weak reflectivity. The full area reflective coatings on prior art collars are not abrasion resistant and degrade due to chemical or mechanical stress. Animal collars with one or more separate reflectors are also known, for example from JP2000-14268, DE2951066, DE198606760U, DE 1985348624U. The disadvantage is that omni-directional reflectivity cannot be ensured. Furthermore, it cannot be excluded that the above-mentioned reflectors may impair the release of the active substance during use of the collar containing the active substance. The known reflector can be removed from the collar again. In case the reflector is pre-fastened to a collar containing an active substance, this entails the risk that a contaminated reflector becomes accessible and falls into the child's hand or mouth.

In order to improve the safety of humans and animals, it is an object to provide a reflector for an animal collar that does not have the above mentioned disadvantages.

Disclosure of Invention

The objects of the invention are achieved by a reflector fitted with a fastening device for an animal collar, the reflector comprising a base plate having an inner surface and an outer surface. A substantially U-shaped clip extends over the inner surface, a first leg end of the clip being secured to a first side of the base plate by a movable attachment means, and a second leg end being adapted to be irreversibly secured to the side of the base plate opposite the first side. One or more spacers are provided on the outer surface of the base plate.

The retroreflector is a mirror made of glass or transparent plastic on the rear side surface provided with the triangular prism. The triangular prism includes three non-reflective planes that are perpendicular to each other. Light incident through the mirror is totally reflected at the triangular prism and substantially totally returns in the direction of the light source.

The use of a triangular prism allows reflection back to the source to be achieved largely independently of the arrangement of reflectors. Furthermore, a stronger reflection of the concentrated beam can be achieved by means of a triangular prism than in the case of full-area coated reflective strips such as those described in the prior art.

Preferably, the triangular prism is disposed within a frame that is attached flush with the perimeter of the base plate. The triangular prisms are disposed along the reflector surface. The reflector surface is curved or segmented in a direction perpendicular to the path of the fixture. The reflector surface extends over the outer surface of the base plate and has a maximum distance from the outer surface of the base plate in the middle with respect to a path perpendicular to the clip. Preferably, the reflector surface comprises a middle portion extending parallel to the base plate and two side surfaces, which are symmetrical to each other, connect the middle portion laterally and are inclined at an angle of 60 degrees from the connection point to the base plate.

The triangular prism is made of a thermoplastic material, such as, for example, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene or polyamide, and is therefore wear-resistant and resistant to chemical and mechanical loads.

The objects of the invention are also achieved by an animal collar containing an active substance that can leave the animal collar from its entire length. Preferably, the active substance is an insecticide, particularly preferably an anti-flea or tick agent. Preferably, the collar is made of plastic in which the active substance released by the movement is embedded; particularly preferably, the plastic is PVC. At least one, preferably three, particularly preferably four reflectors according to the invention are fastened to the collar.

If three reflectors are fastened, they are preferably spaced apart from each other in a range from 100 degrees to 140 degrees, particularly preferably in a range from 118 degrees to 122 degrees, when the collar is closed. If four reflectors are fastened, they are preferably spaced from each other in a range from 80 to 100 degrees, particularly preferably in a range from 88 to 92 degrees, when the collar is closed.

The reflector is irreversibly fastened to the collar.

The barrier on the inside of the bottom region allows for unimpeded release of the active from the collar. Preferably, the spacer is provided in a form that prevents the reflector from sliding on the collar, for example as a bump.

The object of the invention is also achieved by a system consisting of the above-mentioned collar containing an active substance which can leave the collar from its entire length, preferably an insecticide, particularly preferably an anti-flea or tick agent, and at least one, preferably three, particularly preferably four reflectors according to the invention.

The reflector according to the invention is arranged to have retro-reflective properties and to be able to be fastened to an active substance containing collar without significantly impairing the effect of the active substance containing animal collar. Due to the triangular prisms, and in particular when using three or four reflectors according to the invention, omnidirectional reflection from the collar can be obtained without the need to coat the entire collar with reflective material over its entire surface area. Thus, the safety of animals wearing such animal collars, particularly in road traffic, is significantly enhanced. The possibility of irreversibly fastening the reflector to the animal collar containing the active substance prevents a reflector that may be contaminated with the active substance from becoming accessible and falling, for example, into a child's hand or mouth.

Drawings

The figures show:

fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the various components in the reflector.

Fig. 2 shows the reflector in a closed state.

Fig. 3 shows the reflector in a not yet closed state.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the mounted reflector.

Figure 5 shows a collar with a reflector mounted thereon.

Fig. 6 and 6a show a cross section through the reflector in the region of the closed chamber.

Fig. 7 shows another side view of the reflector.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the various components of the reflector 10. The reflector 10 is formed by a base plate 2 having an inner surface 4 and an outer surface 5 (see fig. 7) and a clip 3 which is substantially U-shaped and extends over the inner surface 4. A prism is provided on the outer surface 5 of the base plate 2. The triangular prism 1 is arranged in a frame 13 which is connected flush with the periphery of the base plate 2. The triangular prism 1 forms with its smooth side a planar reflector surface 14. One or more projections 6 are provided on the inner surface 4 of the base plate 2.

The end of the first leg 7 of the clamp 3 is fastened to the first side of the base plate 2 by means of a movable connecting means 9. In the illustrated example, the movable connection means comprises two ring-shaped members engaged with each other. The end of the second leg 8 is adapted to be irreversibly fastened to the side of the bottom plate 2 opposite to the first side. The end of the second leg 8 has a closure hook 16. The leg 8 is irreversibly fastened to the base plate 2, just after completion of the closure, by the interaction of the closure hook 16 with the catch 11 fastened to the base plate 2 and the closure chamber 12 fastened to the frame 13.

Fig. 2 shows the reflector 10 in a closed state. The closure hook 16 is not visible because the closure hook 16 is hooked with the catch 11 in the closure chamber 12.

Fig. 3 shows the reflector in a not yet closed state. Two ring-shaped elements on the frame 13 and at the ends of the legs 7 of the gripper 3 engage into each other and form a movable connecting means 9.

Figure 4 shows the reflector 10 mounted on the collar 15. The bumps 6 result in a certain distance between the inner surface 4 of the base plate 2 and the collar 15 and at the same time avoid the reflector 10 to slide on the collar 15. The distance between the base plate 2 and the collar 15 also allows for unimpeded release of active substance from the collar 15 in this direction in the case of a collar 15 containing an active substance.

Fig. 5 shows a closed collar 15 with three reflectors 10 mounted thereon. The three reflectors 10 are mounted 120 degrees apart in order to ensure that light from all possible directions is reflected.

Fig. 6 and 6a show a cross section through the reflector in the region of the closed chamber. When closing is performed, the closing hook 16 is inserted into the closing chamber 12 by pressing the leg 8. The shackle 11 is in this case pressed inwards with respect to the frame 13 until the closure hook 16 has passed over the end of the shackle 11. The shackle 11 returns to its starting position under the closure hook 16. The closure hook 16 cannot subsequently be opened again, since the catch 11 prevents the closure hook 16 from moving downwards out of the closure chamber 12. The bevel edge guide of the closure chamber 12 prevents the closure hook 16 from moving horizontally.

Fig. 7 shows the reflector from one side. The base plate 2 has a projection 6 on its inner surface 4 and a frame 13 on its outer surface 5. The triangular prism 1 is arranged in a frame 13 which is connected flush with the periphery of the base plate 2. The triangular prism 1 forms with its smooth side a planar reflector surface 14. The reflector surface is segmented in a direction perpendicular to the path of the fixture 3. The reflector surface 14 extends on the outer surface 5 of the base plate 2 and has a maximum distance in the middle from the outer surface 5 of the base plate 2 with respect to a path perpendicular to the clamp 3. The segmented reflector surface 14 comprises a middle portion 14a extending parallel to the base plate 2 and two side faces 14b,14c, which are symmetrical to each other, connect the middle portion 14a transversely and are inclined at an angle of 60 degrees from the connection point to the base plate 2.

Claims (21)

1. Reflector (10) equipped with fastening means for an animal collar (15), comprising:

a base plate (2) having an inner surface (4) and an outer surface (5), one or more spacers (6) being mounted on the inner surface (4) and a triangular prism (1) being mounted on the outer surface;

-a clamp (3) substantially U-shaped and extending over the inner surface (4), the end of a first leg (7) of the clamp (3) being fastened to a first side of the base plate (2) by means of a movable connection means (9), and the end of a second leg (8) of the clamp (3) being adapted to be irreversibly fastened to the side of the base plate (2) opposite to the first side.

2. A reflector (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the triangular prisms (1) are arranged in a frame (13) which is connected flush with the periphery of the base plate (2) and the reflector surface (14) is formed by the smooth sides of the triangular prisms.

3. A reflector (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the reflector surface (14) is curved or segmented in a direction perpendicular to the path of the holder (3) and that the reflector surface (14) has a maximum distance in the middle from the outer surface (5) of the base plate (2) relative to the path perpendicular to the holder (3).

4. A reflector (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the reflector surface (14) has a middle portion (14a) extending parallel to the base plate (2) and two side faces (14b,14c), which are symmetrical to one another, connect the middle portion (14a) transversely and are inclined at an angle of 60 ° from the connection point to the base plate (2).

5. A reflector (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the triangular prism (1) is made of a thermoplastic material.

6. A reflector (10) as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the triangular prism (1) is made of polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polypropylene or polyamide.

7. A reflector (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the spacers (6) are bumps.

8. A reflector (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the movable connecting means (9) comprise two ring-shaped elements which are joined to one another.

9. A reflector (10) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the second leg (8) of the clip (3) is adapted to be irreversibly fastened to the base plate (2) by interaction of a closing hook (16) provided at the end of the second leg (8) with a catch (11) fastened to the base plate (2) and a closing chamber (12) fastened to the frame (13).

10. Animal collar (15) containing an active substance, the active substance being able to leave the collar (15) from the entire length of the collar (15) when the collar (15) is moved, at least one reflector (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9 being fastened to the collar (15).

11. The animal collar (15) according to claim 10, characterized in that the three reflectors (10) are fastened to the animal collar (15) in a range from 100 to 140 degrees apart from each other when the animal collar (15) is closed.

12. The animal collar (15) according to claim 10, characterized in that the three reflectors (10) are fastened to the animal collar (15) spaced from each other in a range from 118 to 122 degrees when the animal collar (15) is closed.

13. The animal collar (15) according to claim 10, characterized in that the four reflectors (10) are fastened to the animal collar (15) spaced from each other in a range from 80 degrees to 100 degrees when the animal collar (15) is closed.

14. The animal collar (15) according to claim 10, characterized in that the four reflectors (10) are fastened to the animal collar (15) in a range from 88 to 92 degrees apart from each other when the animal collar (15) is closed.

15. An animal collar (15) according to any of the claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the animal collar (15) is made of plastic in which active substances released by movement are embedded.

16. An animal collar (15) according to claim 15, characterised in that said plastic is PVC.

17. System of an animal collar (15) containing an active substance and at least one reflector (10) according to any of claims 1 to 9, the active substance being able to leave the animal collar (15) from the entire length of the animal collar (15) when the animal collar (15) is in motion.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the system has three reflectors (10).

19. A system as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the system has four reflectors (10).

20. A system according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterised in that the animal collar (15) is constructed of a plastic in which the active substance released by movement is embedded.

21. The system of claim 20 wherein said plastic is PVC.