Method and apparatus for pet tethering device
A tether device allows a pet to roam freely within a pre-defined area of space while restricting the pet from moving beyond the perimeter of a pre-defined area. The location of the perimeter is programmed into the tether device by providing distance and angular coordinates of the distal end of the tether from the tether device. The location of the pet, once attached to the tether device is likewise determined by the combination of coordinates. When the microcontroller senses the pet is nearing the perimeter of the pre-defined area, a lock mechanism is activated which prevents further movement in a direction that will exceed the perimeter, and only allows movement of the pet away from the perimeter. The lock mechanism may have a cushioning mechanism to prevent a hard stop. The tether device can also generate alarm tones to alert the user and/or train the pet.
1. A method of tethering a pet to a tether device which allows the pet to freely roam within a pre-defined area of space while restricting movement of the pet beyond the pre-defined area of space by activating a locking mechanism, comprising the steps of:
programming the tether device to recognize the perimeter of the pre-defined area of space;
providing information on the location of the pet to a microcontroller;
comparing the information on the location of the pet to determine the pet's proximity to the perimeter of the pre-defined area of space;
dispensing the tether as needed so long as the pet is within the pre-defined area of space;
retracting the tether as needed to prevent slack in the tether; and
activating at least one locking mechanism to prevent a pet from exceeding the perimeter of the pre-defined area of space.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of programming the tether device comprises:
using a distal end of the tether to sweep out an area of space corresponding to the pre-defined area of space.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of providing information on the location of the pet comprises the steps of:
using a payout sensor to sense the amount of tether paid out;
transmitting information on the amount of tether paid out to the microcontroller;
using a directional sensor to sense the rotational direction of a distal end of the tether; and
transmitting information on the rotational direction of the distal end of the tether to the microcontroller.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of activating at least one locking mechanism comprises the step of:
engaging a pawl with a ratchet mechanism.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of engaging a pawl with a ratchet mechanism comprises the step of
triggering movement of a solenoid to push a spring arm connected to the pawl to move the pawl in engagement with the ratchet mechanism.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of retracting tether as needed to prevent slack comprises the step of:
providing a force on the tether device which reels in tether into the tether device as the pet moves towards the tether device.
7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
activating a secondary locking mechanism to provide a cushioning effect to prevent suddenly stopping the dispensing of tether; and
activating a tertiary locking mechanism to provide an absolute stop to tether payout.