Coiled Cable Tether with Swivel Couplings to Reduce Entanglement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tethers for large animals like horses are prone to entanglement hazards when they step on or over them, leading to potential falls and injuries, especially when the tether becomes detached and drags on the ground.
Innovation Solution
A tether device with a coiled cable and swivel couplings that allows for controlled extension and retraction, minimizing the risk of entanglement by maintaining a safe hanging length and enabling secure attachment to structures and the animal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the tether is made sufficiently long for the horse to place its mouth at or close to the ground, then the horse can access feed and water, but the horse can step on or over the tether and become tangled
Solution Approach 1:
The tether is divided into two functional segments: a coiled cable portion that retracts to prevent entanglement and a fixed length portion that provides sufficient reach for feeding. The coiled cable has a fully uncoiled length of about two meters or less, which is enough for the horse to access feed without creating entanglement hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether transitions from a static fixed-length design to a dynamic system where the coiled cable can extend and retract based on the horse's movements. The coiled cable dynamically adjusts its length, providing sufficient reach when needed while automatically retracting to prevent entanglement.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tether becomes free of the structure to which it was tied, then the horse can move more freely, but the tether will drag on the ground and pose the risk of becoming tangled with the horse's legs
Solution Approach 1:
When the tether is uncoupled from the structure, the coiled cable dynamically responds by retracting to a compact configuration. This allows the tether to adapt to the horse's movement freedom while automatically preventing ground-dragging and entanglement hazards through its self-retracting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The coiled cable performs its own safety function by automatically retracting when not under tension, eliminating the need for external intervention. The system self-regulates its length to prevent entanglement regardless of whether it is attached to the structure or freely moving with the horse.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a coiled cable is used to reduce entanglement risk, then the tether retracts to a safe length, but the device complexity increases with swivel couplings and latching mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The complex latching and swiveling mechanisms are extracted and concentrated into specialized coupling components rather than being distributed throughout the entire tether system. This allows the coiled cable and its retraction mechanism to be simplified while maintaining safety functions at the critical attachment points.
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
Reduces the risk of entanglement and injury by ensuring the tether remains at a safe length, allowing the animal to move freely without risking entrapment, even when the tether is unintentionally uncoupled.
Implementation Method 1
the coiled cable having a fully uncoiled length and a hanging length to which the coiled cable extends under a weight thereof when the coiled cable is supported from the first end
Implementation Method 2
a swivel leg pivotably coupled to distal ends of the first and second arms... In the release position, the second swivel coupling is open as a result of the latch of the swivel leg being released from the sleeve and the swivel leg being free to pivot relative to the first and second arms
Data Source
AI summary
Tether device and methods of use. The tether device includes a coiled cable having a collapsed length in an untensioned state, a fully uncoiled length, and a hanging length to which the cable extends under a weight thereof when the cable is supported from a first end thereof. The fully uncoiled length is about two meters or less and the hanging length is about 0.6 meter or less. The tether device further includes a first and second swivel couplings coupled to the first end of the cable and a second end of the cable. The second swivel coupling has a base and a sleeve that translates on the base between a lock position and a release position. In the lock position, the second swivel coupling is closed as a result of a latch of a swivel leg being retained by the sleeve. In the release position, the second swivel coupling is open as a result of the latch of the swivel leg being released from the sleeve and the swivel leg being free to pivot.