Animal Head Collar Vertical Force Redirection

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional head collars can inflict pain and injury on animals due to the application of lateral or sideways forces during leash corrections, which are common handling techniques.

Innovation Solution

A safe and humane head collar design that redirects pulling forces vertically instead of laterally, using a nose strap and head strap configuration with a T-clasp and slip loop to prevent lateral motion and apply a vertical deflection proportional to the pulling force, thereby avoiding discomfort and injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional head collar designs are used that redirect the dog's head laterally, then pulling behavior is effectively discouraged, but pain and injury may be inflicted on the animal during leash corrections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in discouraging pullingVSAvoidpain and injury to the animal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lateral redirection mechanism by implementing a vertical redirection system. The head collar is designed with a nose strap and head strap configuration that applies vertical force to the dog's head when the leash is pulled, rather than the traditional lateral force. This inversion of the force direction fundamentally changes the correction mechanism to avoid harmful lateral snapping while maintaining behavioral correction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the key parameter of force application from lateral direction to vertical direction. By modifying the geometric configuration of the nose strap and head strap, the system transforms how force is transmitted to the dog's head. The vertical orientation of the nose strap relative to the dog's head ensures that pulling forces are directed vertically rather than laterally, fundamentally altering the mechanical action to eliminate injury risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If leash corrections are applied to a dog wearing a conventional head collar, then the dog's attention can be refocused, but a forceful lateral snap is unintentionally applied to the dog's head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to refocus dog's attentionVSAvoidforceful lateral snap to the head

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lateral redirection mechanism by implementing a vertical redirection system. The head collar is designed with a nose strap and head strap configuration that applies vertical force to the dog's head when the leash is pulled, rather than the traditional lateral force. This inversion of the force direction fundamentally changes the correction mechanism to avoid harmful lateral snapping while maintaining behavioral correction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates preliminary anti-action by designing the head collar to prevent the harmful lateral snapping effect before it can occur. The geometric configuration of the nose strap and head strap creates a mechanical constraint that converts any lateral pulling force into vertical force, thereby preemptively eliminating the harmful effect of lateral snaps during leash corrections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10595512B2Safe and humane animal head collar

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 WALSHE KEVIN

AI summary

A safe and humane head collar for an animal includes a clasp and a head strap extending through first and second channels formed in the clasp. The head strap has a first end secured to a slip loop and a second end secured to a lead attachment. The head strap passes once through the slip loop to form a head loop for passing over a head of the animal. The safe and humane head collar also includes a nose strap extending through third and fourth channels formed in the clasp to provide a nose loop for passing over a nose of the animal, the nose strap having first and second ends terminating below the clasp. When fitted to the animal, the clasp secures a portion the first and second ends of the nose strap and a portion of the head loop below a lower jaw of the animal, and the head loop is positioned so that the slip loop is situated behind an ear of the animal.