Force Transfer Harness and Method

Abstract

A force transfer harness that utilizes the harness structure to redirect the handler's forces through the harness structure and into the underlying ground is provided. Through the act of the dog sitting, the associated dog and handler cause a change in the orientation of the harness legs that allows the harness to form a support structure. After the dog sits, the harness legs are brought in contact with the ground, whereas previously they were hovering above the ground in a ready orientation. As a result, the dog's act of sitting enables the human to transfer his or her weight through the harness and into the ground.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A harness for use by a handler with a dog that can move between a walking posture and a sitting posture on a ground, the harness comprising:
 a first handle shaft;   a first fixed leg engaged with said first handle shaft;   a first moveable leg engaged with said first fixed leg.   a harness body engaged with said first fixed leg and engageable with the dog;   said first handle shaft being operable by the handler to space said first moveable leg from said first fixed leg to form a support that is not in contact with the ground when the dog is in the walking posture; and   said support is in contact with the ground when the dog is in the sitting posture whereby substantially all forces applied by the handler to the first handle shaft are transferred to the ground.   
     
     
         2 . The harness of  claim 1 , further comprising a first linkage engaged with said first handle shaft and said first fixed leg. 
     
     
         3 . The harness of  claim 2 , wherein said first fixed leg is rotatably engaged with said first handle shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The harness of  claim 3 , wherein said first moveable leg is rotatably engaged with said first fixed leg. 
     
     
         5 . The harness of  claim 4 , where in said first linkage is rotatably engaged with said first handle shaft and said first fixed leg. 
     
     
         6 . The harness of  claim 5 , further comprising a second handle shaft and a second fixed leg engaged with said second handle shaft and said harness body. 
     
     
         7 . The harness of  claim 6 , further comprising a second moveable leg engaged with said second fixed leg. 
     
     
         8 . The harness of  claim 7 , further comprising a second linkage engaged with said second handle shaft and said second fixed leg. 
     
     
         9 . The harness of  claim 8 , wherein said second fixed leg is pivotally engaged with said second handle shaft. 
     
     
         10 . The harness of  claim 9 , wherein said second moveable leg is rotatably engaged with said second fixed leg. 
     
     
         11 . The harness of  claim 10 , where in said second linkage is rotatably engaged with said second handle shaft and said second fixed leg. 
     
     
         12 . The harness of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one strap to secure said harness body to the dog. 
     
     
         13 . A method of providing support for a handler walking on a ground with an animal comprising the steps of:
 providing a harness comprising a handle shaft;   securing the harness to the animal;   moving the handle shaft to a first orientation where the harness does not contact the ground; and   orientating the harness to a second orientation where the harness is in contact with the ground and substantially all forces applied by the handler to the harness are transferred to the ground.   
     
     
         14 . A method of providing support for a handler walking on a ground with a dog capable of a walking posture and a sitting posture, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a harness comprising a first handle shaft, a first fixed leg, and a first moveable leg;   securing the harness to the dog; and   positioning the moveable leg in contact with the ground as the dog transitions from the walking posture to the sitting posture whereby substantially all forces applied by the handler to the harness are transferred to the ground.   
     
     
         15 . The method  claim 14 , further comprising the step of positioning the first handle shaft to a first position causing the first moveable leg to move away from the first fixed leg when the dog is in the walking posture. 
     
     
         16 . The method  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing harness comprises the step of providing a harness body. 
     
     
         17 . The method  claim 16 , wherein the step of securing the harness comprises the step of securing the first fixed leg to the harness body.