Animal training device

Abstract

An animal training device utilizes high voltage pulses applied between spaced electrical conductors placed in close proximity to the skin of the animal to provide a stimulus useful in training the animal. The conductors are exposed and are substantially flat; and these spaced conductors may be placed side-by-side in a localized area, around the entire inner surface of a collar or strap on an animal's neck, or spaced on the body of the animal in different locations. Alternatively, the conductors may be located on the end of a livestock prod.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An animal training device of the type delivering high voltage pulses between a pair of spaced electrical conductors placed in close proximity to the skin of the animal including in combination: 
 a substantially flat, non-conductive conductor housing member having a first surface designed to be placed in close proximity to the skin of an animal;    first and second spaced exposed electrical conductors on the first surface of the housing; and    means for applying voltage pulses across the first and second spaced electrical conductors.    
     
     
         2 . The animal training device according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second spaced electrical conductors comprise elongated wires overlying the first surface of the housing and spaced a predetermined distance apart.  
     
     
         3 . The animal training device according to  claim 2  wherein the first and second spaced electrical conductors comprise elongated sections of electrical conductors parallel to one another on the first surface of the housing.  
     
     
         4 . The animal training device according to  claim 3  wherein the means for applying voltage pulses across the first and second spaced electrical conductors includes a switch connected between a voltage supply and the first and second spaced electrical conductors for selectively applying voltage pulses across the first and second electrical conductors.  
     
     
         5 . An animal training device according to  claim 4  wherein the non-conductive housing member is made of plastic material.  
     
     
         6 . The animal training device according to  claim 5  wherein the plastic material is molded plastic material.  
     
     
         7 . The animal training device according to  claim 1  wherein the substantially flat, non-conductive housing member is configured with the first surface thereof having a substantially circular shape and the first and second exposed electrical conductors comprise a first conductor located substantially at the center of the circular first surface and alternating spaced exposed portions of a second conductor arranged in a circular pattern about the first conductor.  
     
     
         8 . An animal training device according to  claim 7  wherein the non-conductive housing member is made of plastic material.  
     
     
         9 . The animal training device according to  claim 8  wherein the plastic material is molded plastic material.  
     
     
         10 . An animal training device according to  claim 1  wherein the means for applying voltage pulses across the first and second spaced conductors includes a pressure actuated switch.  
     
     
         11 . The animal training device according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second spaced electrical conductors comprise elongated sections of electrical conductors parallel to one another on the first surface of the housing.  
     
     
         12 . The animal training device according to  claim 1  wherein the means for applying voltage pulses across the first and second spaced electrical conductors includes a switch connected between a voltage supply and the first and second spaced electrical conductors for selectively applying voltage pulses across the first and second electrical conductors.  
     
     
         13 . An animal training device of the type producing high voltage pulses between a pair of spaced electrical conductors placed in close proximity to the skin of the animal, an improvement including in combination: 
 a generally circular, flat non-conductive conductor base member having a first surface designed to be placed in close proximity to the skin of an animal;    first and second spaced exposed electrical conductors secured on the first surface of the base member;    an elongated rod having first and second ends, with the first end secured to and supporting the base member and the second end supporting a voltage supply unit; and    first and second conductive wires connected between the first and second exposed electrical conductors and a normally open switch connected to the voltage supply unit, whereupon closure of the switch applies voltage through the first and second conductive wires to the first and second spaced exposed electrical conductors to provide a stimulation to an animal when the base member is placed in close proximity to the skin of the animal.    
     
     
         14 . The animal training device according to  claim 13  wherein the voltage supply is a battery operated voltage supply.  
     
     
         15 . The animal training device according to  claim 14  wherein the switch is a manually operated switch.  
     
     
         16 . The animal training device according to  claim 15  wherein the non-conductive base member is made of plastic material.  
     
     
         17 . The animal training device according to  claim 16  wherein the plastic material is molded plastic material.  
     
     
         18 . The animal training device according to  claim 17  wherein the first exposed electrical conductor is located substantially at the center of the circular base member and the second exposed conductor includes a plurality of conductive segments arranged in a pattern around the first exposed electrical conductor.  
     
     
         19 . The animal training device according to  claim 13  wherein the switch is a manually operated switch.  
     
     
         20 . The animal training device according to  claim 13  wherein the first exposed electrical conductor is located substantially at the center of the circular base member and the second exposed conductor includes a plurality of conductive segments arranged in a pattern around the first exposed electrical conductor.