James T Friend

US Patent:

6671933, Jan 6, 2004

Filed:

Apr 29, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/134217

Inventors:

Roxane Friend - Lowell MI 49331
James R. Friend - Lowell MI 49331

International Classification:

A44B 2100

US Classification:

24265H, 24115 F, 24602

Abstract:

A safety coupler includes a ring member, a hook member, and an annular member. The hook member includes a rod portion and a hook, with the rod portion including a pin and a pair of stops. The pin extends through a transverse opening provided in the ring member. The rod portion includes a releasable connection whereby the hook member and the second member decouple when a force having a selected magnitude is applied to one of the ring member and the hook member along the axis.

US Patent:

62861905, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

Oct 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/418065

Inventors:

Roxane Friend - Lowell MI
James R. Friend - Lowell MI

International Classification:

A44B 2100

US Classification:

24265H

Abstract:

A safety coupler includes a ring member, a hook member, and an annular member. The hook member includes a rod portion and a hook, with the rod portion including a pin and a pair of stops. The pin extends through first and second transverse openings provided in the ring member and the annular member, respectively, and rotatably couples the second member to the first member about an axis. The stops axially restrain the pin from passing through the second transverse opening. The annular member axially restrains the pin in the opening of the ring member. The pin is releasably coupled to the first member in the transverse opening such that when a force having a selected magnitude is applied to one of the ring member and the hook member along the axis, one of the stops extends through the first and second transverse openings to decouple the ring member from the hook member. In one form, the annular member comprises a resilient O-ring. Other forms include the annular member comprising a plastic material and, further, wherein the annular member breaks when the force is applied to the ring or hook member thereby releasing the ring member from the hook member.

US Patent:

6101981, Aug 15, 2000

Filed:

Sep 8, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/149178

Inventors:

Roxane Friend - Lowell MI
James R. Friend - Lowell MI

International Classification:

A62B 3500

US Classification:

119860

Abstract:

A collar for a pet which improves the smell of the pet includes a strap having first and second ends which are adapted for coupling to each other, and a scent/deodorant producing element supported by the strap. Preferably, the scent/deodorant producing element is positioned in a cavity defined in or on the strap. The cavity includes an access opening through which the scent/deodorant producing element is inserted into the cavity and through which the scent/deodorant producing element is removed for replacement. The cavity preferably includes a closure mechanism, such as velcro, snaps, or stitching to close the access opening. The scent producing element may comprise, for example, a heat activated scent/deodorant stick or a scented/deodorant impregnated element, such as a scent/deodorant impregnated cloth or scent/deodorant impregnated string.