Quick release horse lead clip assembly

{
  "publication_number": "US9009929B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Quick release horse lead clip assembly",
  "abstract": "A horse lead clip assembly for connection between horse tack that includes an upper clasp section with a hook and bolt closure and a lower quick detachable end that allows for the replacement of a broken clip with a new clip portion when excess stress is placed upon the hook of the clasping section. The assembly further includes a sleeve that when actuated laterally, allows for the introduction or removal of a new clasp section from the receiving end of the detachable portion. The assembly provides easy replacement of a broken clip, prevents the user from discarding the rope due to the broken clip, and allows a user to leave the clip hooked on one object while detaching it from the other.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A detachable clip assembly, comprising: a clasping portion and a detachable portion; said clasping portion comprising an actuator, a hook and a bolt snap gate operatively connected to said actuator, and a base portion comprising one or more ridges; said detachable portion comprising an open receiving end comprising an interior surface, one or more ball bearings retractably disposed along said interior surface, a slidably disposed spring-biased sleeve, and one or more indentations disposed on said spring-biased sleeve; said one or more ridges comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge; said leading edge adapted to allow said one or more ridges to pass over said one or more ball bearings when said base portion is inserted into said open receiving end; said trailing edge adapted to prevent said base portion from being withdrawn from said open receiving end when engaged with said ball bearings; wherein actuation of said spring-biased sleeve causes said indentations to align with said ball bearings, thereby causing said ball bearings to retract and disengage with said ridges of said base portion and allowing said base portion to be removed from said open interior.",
    "2. The detachable clip assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is secured by proximal movement of the sleeve relative to the clasping portion.",
    "3. The detachable clip assembly of claim 1, wherein the assembly is separated by distal movement of the sleeve relative to the clasping portion.",
    "4. The detachable clip assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the detachable portion comprises a ring adapted for attachment to a lead rope.",
    "5. The detachable clip assembly of claim 1, wherein said leading edge is angled.",
    "6. The detachable clip assembly of claim 1, wherein said open receiving end comprises a projection; wherein said base portion further comprises a hollow middle portion adapted to accept said projection therein."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field of the Invention\n\nThe present invention relates to a horse lead clip assembly. More specifically the invention pertains to a clip body comprising a quick release mechanism.\n\nHorse lead clips are used to attach a halter to a lead rope and comprise a rope attachment ring on its distal end and a hooked end that is closed by a bolt snap gate at a proximal end. When attempting to train, administer vaccines, or restrain a horse, the animal may sense danger and attempt to escape by suddenly pulling back. Lead clips are designed to be durable, but when the horse makes sudden movements, often the first piece of equipment to break is the hook portion of the horse lead clip. This is a common occurrence for owners of large animals and often results in the animal running lose with a potential to cause injury to itself or others. When this happens the owner has to replace the entire device.\n\nThere are several horse lead clip assemblies in the prior art that attempt to provide suitable lead rope attachments to a halter ring. The attachments are adapted to provide a stable connection or designed to be frangible after the clip is stressed beyond a maximum amount. The drawback of these systems is that either the clip or lead rope has to be replaced after breakage, or the attaching clip separates apart too easily. The use of these systems can be problematic in that replacement of the clips becomes costly after repeated breakings and are not durable enough to withstand normal stresses before separation.",
  "cpc": [
    "B68B 5/00",
    "A01K 27/005",
    "F16B 21/165",
    "F16B 45/04",
    "F16B 45/049",
    "F16B 7/042",
    "Y10T 24/3484"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A01K 27/00",
    "B68B 5/00",
    "F16B 21/16",
    "F16B 45/04",
    "F16B 7/04"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Ken Genova"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2013-11-19",
  "publication_date": "2015-04-21",
  "grant_date": "2015-04-21",
  "priority_date": "2012-11-27",
  "application_number": "US-201314083488-A",
  "family_id": "50772003",
  "cited_by_count": 2,
  "citations": [
    "US4735035A",
    "US5103771A",
    "US5517949A",
    "US7162978B2",
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    "US20010037774A1",
    "US6629511B2",
    "US6955138B2",
    "US6318301B1",
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    "US6308662B1",
    "US7389750B1",
    "US20070163518A1",
    "US20070214616A1"
  ]
}