A retractable tether for a pet. A leash is retractably connected to a collar
by
a pair of retractors. Each retractor includes a housing and a retracting mechanism.
The retracting mechanism includes an axle and a recoilable spring. In one embodiment,
the recoilable spring allows the leash to freely recoil and be automatically wrapped
around the axle when tension is removed from the leash. In another embodiment,
each retractor further includes a ratchet mechanism. The ratchet mechanism does
not allow the leash to freely recoil and be automatically wrapped around the axle
when tension is removed from the leash, but rather requires an initial tug on the
leash and maintaining tension thereon to cause the leash to wrap around the axle.
