Threaded Adjustable Pet Toy Holder for Varied Chews
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet toys and chews fail to accommodate a wide variety of pet chews due to spatial orientation difficulties and reluctance of pets to play or consume certain toys or chews, necessitating an adjustable design that can accept various sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A pet toy with adjustable inner and outer components that allow for relative rotational movement, enabling the size of a through opening to be adjusted by clamping forces, accommodating different types and sizes of chews through threaded engagement and guided advancement/retraction of inner components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size opening is provided in the toy, then the structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate chews of various sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the inner components movable relative to each other through threaded engagement with the shaft. The inner components can be rotated along the threaded shaft to dynamically adjust the opening size from a closed state to an open state, allowing the toy to adapt to various chew sizes and shapes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the inner components are made to clamp securely on chews, then the chew is held firmly, but the clamping mechanism increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service through the threaded engagement mechanism where the inner components automatically clamp onto the chew when rotated along the threaded shaft. The threading itself provides the clamping force through mechanical advantage, eliminating the need for separate actuators, motors, or complex control systems to achieve secure holding.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the opening is made large to accommodate bigger chews, then larger chews can be inserted, but smaller chews cannot be secured properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the opening size to be dynamically adjusted through rotation of the inner components along the threaded shaft. This allows the user to easily transition between different opening sizes to accommodate various chew dimensions, making the toy versatile for different chew sizes while maintaining ease of operation through simple rotational movement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The toy effectively secures and adjusts to various chews, providing enhanced interaction and stimulation for pets by accommodating a wide range of chew sizes and shapes, promoting play and oral health.
Implementation Method 1
The inner components may each be configured to receive a threaded portion of a shaft of a first and second outer component, respectively
Implementation Method 2
accommodating and securing chews of various size, shape, and/or kind, such as by clamping forces exerted by the inner components against the chew
Data Source
AI summary
A pet toy for adjustably accommodating various size and shape food items and related methods are provided. A first and second outer component each include a first portion extending within a housing, a second portion extending outside of the housing, and a third portion between said first portion and said second portion engaged to the housing. A first and second inner component are located within the housing and each engage one of the outer components. A through aperture is defined, at least in part, by the housing. The first and second outer components are configured for rotational movement relative to the housing to cause movement of the first and second inner components, respectively, within the housing, thereby adjusting a size of the through aperture.