Convertible leash and harness system and method

1. A restraining apparatus for an animal having a head, a neck, a torso, a first pair of appendages, and a second pair of appendages, the animal wearing a collar around the neck, the restraining apparatus comprising:

a ring having a longitudinal axis and defining an opening;

a coupling element having a longitudinal axis and adapted for fastening to the collar, the coupling element mounted to a side of the ring such that the longitudinal axis of the coupling element is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the ring in substantially the same plane as the ring; and

a substantially rigid arm with a proximal end mounted to the ring and extending to a free distal end spaced from the ring, the arm comprising

a first portion having a longitudinal axis and defining a substantially elongated first opening with the ring, the first opening having a length extending from a proximal end of the first opening where the arm is mounted to the ring to a distal end of the first portion of the arm, the first portion of the arm having a length greater than the length of the elongated first opening, and

a second portion extending from the distal end of the first portion of the arm transversely to the longitudinal axis of the first portion of the arm in a direction toward the ring to the free distal end such that the second portion of the arm and the ring define an elongated second opening transverse to and contiguous with the first opening, the second portion of the arm having a length greater than the distance between the first portion of the arm and the ring,

wherein the arm extends away from the opening of the ring in substantially the same plane as the ring and the coupling element.

2. The restraining apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a leash attached to the ring at an attached end and extending to a free end, the leash having a length and a width perpendicular to the length.

3. The restraining apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the restraining apparatus may be configured as either a leash or a harness.

4. The restraining apparatus of claim 3 , wherein when the restraining apparatus is applied to the animal as a harness, the coupling element is fastened to the collar, and the leash is wrapped around the torso of the animal between the first and second pairs of appendages, and the leash is received in and passes through the substantially elongated opening.

5. The restraining apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the leash may slide substantially freely in the substantially elongated opening, allowing the leash to tighten around the torso of the animal when the free end of the leash is pulled.

6. The restraining apparatus of claim 3 , wherein when the restraining apparatus is applied to the animal as a leash, the fastening means is fastened to the collar, and the leash is not wrapped around the animal.

7. The restraining apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising an adjustment clip slidably mounted to the leash.

8. The restraining apparatus of claim 7 , wherein when the restraining apparatus is applied to the animal as a harness, the adjustment clip is positioned between the ring and the attached end of the leash to prevent the leash from becoming too tight around the animal.

9. The restraining apparatus of claim 7 , wherein when the restraining apparatus is applied to the animal as a harness, the adjustment clip is positioned between the ring and the free end of the leash to prevent the leash from becoming too loose around the animal.

10. The restraining apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a first adjustment clip and a second adjustment clip slidably mounted to the leash, wherein when the restraining apparatus is applied to the animal as a harness, the first adjustment clip is positioned between the ring and the attached end of the leash to prevent the leash from becoming too tight around the animal, and the second adjustment clip is positioned between the ring and the free end of the leash to prevent the leash from becoming too loose around the animal.

11. The restraining apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising cushioning material attached to the leash along a central portion of the leash spaced from the free end and the attached end.

12. The restraining apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the width of the leash along a central portion of the length of the leash is greater that the width of the leash proximate to the ends of the leash.

13. The restraining apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the substantially elongated opening is of substantially constant width.

14. The restraining apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arm is attached to the ring at a position on the ring substantially opposite the side of the ring to which the coupling element is mounted.

15. The restraining apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the arm includes a segment proximate to the free distal end, the segment having a central axis, wherein an angle between the central axis of the segment and the longitudinal axis of the ring and that is opposite the central axis of the segment from the ring is approximately 90 degrees or less.

16. The restraining apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arm includes a retention feature proximate to the free distal end of the arm.

17. The restraining apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the retention feature is formed by a notch in the surface of the arm opposite the ring and proximate to the free distal end of the arm.