Breakaway Halter Coupling for Automatic Lead Rope Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lead rope systems for animals, such as horses, are prone to causing injuries due to sudden jerks or bolts, as they require manual intervention to release the connection, wear out quickly, or fail to reliably break under excessive force.

Innovation Solution

A coupling device with a locking element that allows secure attachment to both the animal halter and lead rope, featuring a predetermined breaking point that automatically releases when a predefined tensile force is exceeded, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a panic snap is used to allow manual release of the lead rope, then the animal can be released in emergency situations, but the device requires manual intervention and is prone to rapid wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual release capabilityVSAvoiddevice durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device automatically releases itself when excessive force is applied, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The predetermined breaking point causes the device to fail safely and automatically, allowing the lead rope to be released without the handler needing to manually operate any mechanism during emergency situations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device is designed with a predetermined breaking point that allows it to fail safely after use. The device can be easily replaced after failure, and the design accepts that the breaking point will wear or fail over time, prioritizing safety over long-term durability of the coupling mechanism itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Strength

If a cotter pin is used to secure the coupling element, then the connection is secure, but manual removal of the cotter pin is required to release the connection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidrelease operation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the coupling device is designed to break under excessive force, then the animal is protected from injury, but the device must be replaced after failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal injury preventionVSAvoiddevice replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling device is designed to be replaced after failure rather than repaired. The predetermined breaking point ensures safe failure, and the device can be easily discarded and replaced with a new unit, prioritizing animal safety over device longevity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Stability of the object's composition

If the lead rope remains attached during a bolt, then the animal is restrained, but the animal may step on the rope and receive a jolt to the head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestraint stabilityVSAvoidanimal injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4573895B1Coupling device between an headcollar and a lead rope

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 STENTEN ZWEIRADTECHNIK GMBH

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Figure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a coupling device (1) for creating a force-transmitting connection between an animal halter (2) and a lead rope (3), the coupling device (1) comprising a first coupling section (5) for connection to a coupling element (6) of the animal halter (2) and a second coupling section (9) for connection to a coupling element (11) of the lead rope (3), wherein the first coupling section (5) has an eyelet (16).The coupling device (1) further comprises a closure element (8), wherein the eyelet (16) of the first coupling section (5) can be closed and opened by means of the closure element (8), so that the coupling element (6) of the animal halter (2) can be inserted into the eyelet (16) in an open state (17) and is held in the eyelet (16) in a closed state (15), wherein the second coupling section (9) has a permanently closed eyelet (12) which can be coupled to the openable and closable coupling element (11) of the lead rope (3).In order to create an alternative coupling device (1) for creating a force-transmitting connection between an animal halter (2) and a lead rope (3), the invention provides that the first coupling section (5) and the second coupling section (9) are formed as an injection-molded part made of a thermoplastic polymer, wherein the coupling device (1) has a predetermined breaking point which breaks when a predefined tensile force is exceeded.