Animal Containment Cable Slider With Multi-Level Roller System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dog containment methods, such as physical fences and invisible fences, are labor-intensive to install and maintain, and conventional dog runs often fail to securely retain the leash line during a dog's constant motion or jumping, leading to disengagement.
Innovation Solution
An animal containment system featuring a cable connected between vertical structures, a slider system with multiple rollers to prevent disengagement, and a lead line with an anti-shock lanyard to slow the animal's movement, ensuring secure containment without the need for extensive installation or maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional dog runs use a single roller or multiple rollers disposed along a top side of the cable, then the device can be simple in structure, but the cable may bounce or slip off the wheel or pulley during constant motion or jumping, leading to disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional top-side roller placement to a three-dimensional configuration where rollers are positioned at multiple levels (top side and bottom side of the cable) and spaced apart horizontally. This spatial redistribution creates a more stable engagement geometry that prevents cable bounce and slippage while maintaining mechanical simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider assembly is segmented into multiple rollers (first roller, second roller, third roller, fourth roller) positioned at different locations along the cable path. This segmentation distributes the cable engagement across multiple contact points, preventing any single point from becoming a failure point during dynamic movement.
2Reliability
If physical fences are used to contain dogs, then containment reliability is improved, but installation and maintenance become labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical fence structures with a simpler cable-and-slider mechanical system. The containment function is achieved through tensioned cables anchored to vertical structures, with sliders that move along the cables to guide the animal, eliminating the need for extensive physical fencing while maintaining containment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses flexible cables as the primary containment element instead of rigid fences. The cables are tensioned between vertical structures and work in conjunction with sliders to create a flexible yet effective containment boundary that is easier to install and maintain than traditional fencing.
3Ease of manufacture
If invisible fences with buried wire are used, then containment is achieved without visible barriers, but installation is labor-intensive and the wire may be unintentionally cut or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical structures (such as posts or anchors) as intermediary elements that provide stable, visible attachment points for the cables. These intermediaries make the containment system more durable and detectable, preventing the wire from being accidentally cut or damaged while maintaining the invisible fence aesthetic.
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 system effectively contains animals by maintaining a secure connection during movement, reducing the risk of leash disengagement and simplifying setup and maintenance, while allowing dogs to safely roam within a defined area.
Implementation Method 1
The pulley may rotate to allow the leash line to pass through the pulley
Implementation Method 2
The roller may be positioned on the cable and configured to prevent the cable from bouncing or slipping off the wheel or pulley
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are examples of an animal containment system that includes a cable having a first end connectable with a first vertical structure and a second end connectable with a second vertical structure. A first tensioner attached to the first end of the cable and a second tensioner attached with the second end of the cable. The tensioners are configured to tension the cable between the vertical structures. A slider system configured to translate along the cable, the slider system includes a housing having a front wall, a back wall and a top wall. A first pulley, a second pulley and a third pulley. The first pulley and the second pulley are disposed in an upper portion of the housing. The third pulley may be disposed below the first pulley and the second pulley.