Collapsible Insect Swatter with Telescopic Handle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional insect swatters are flimsy, prone to breakage, and inconvenient to store and ship due to their fixed length, which limits their effectiveness and usability.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible insect swatter with a multi-sectional handle, featuring a rigid grip section and a slightly flexible whip section, allowing for secure assembly and disassembly, and incorporating windings for added friction to secure the swatter to the handle, enhancing striking force and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the handle is made longer to reach insects near the ceiling, then the reaching capability is improved, but the shipping box length and manufacturing costs increase markedly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle lengthVSAvoidshipping box volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The handle is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can extend to increase length when needed and retract to reduce length for storage and shipping. This segmentation allows the handle to adapt between long and short configurations, resolving the contradiction between reaching capability and compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The handle incorporates telescopic mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of length. The handle can extend to reach high insects and then collapse to a compact form for storage, transforming from a static fixed-length structure to a dynamic adjustable-length structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If the handle is made rigid for control during operation, then the control and striking force are improved, but the force transmitted to the user when striking against solid surfaces increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol and striking forceVSAvoidforce transmitted to user

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the handle have different rigidity properties. The grip section is made rigid for control, while intermediate sections incorporate flexible elements or telescopic joints that can absorb impact forces. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the handle to provide control where needed while reducing harmful force transmission to the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The handle uses composite construction with materials of different mechanical properties. Rigid materials are used in the grip section for control, while more flexible materials or damping elements are incorporated in other sections to absorb impact forces, creating a composite structure that balances control and shock reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If the swatter is secured tightly to the handle for stability during use, then the stability is improved, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveswatter-to-handle stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The swatter attachment mechanism uses self-tightening features such as friction-based locking, spring-loaded clips, or cam-actuated fasteners that automatically secure the swatter to the handle when assembled. This self-service approach provides stable attachment without requiring complex multi-step assembly procedures or specialized tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with simpler alternatives such as friction-fit interfaces, elastic retention elements, or snap-fit connections. These simplified mechanisms provide sufficient stability while reducing assembly complexity and the number of components required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 collapsible design reduces storage and shipping size, provides improved control and striking force, and increases the swatter's durability and convenience, making it more effective and user-friendly.

Implementation Method 1

windings that wrap around the handle to generate added frictional force to secure the handle to the swatter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

Stitching around the tongues forms a tight compressive sandwich to further secure the swatter to the handle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS12102080B2Collapsible insect swatter

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 BISHOP CASEY

AI summary

The invention relates to collapsible insect swatters, including a multi-sectional handle including a grip section and a whip section slidably and/or rotatably joined together on a common axis, wherein the whip section and grip section include a male end and female end that are secured during assembly and detached for disassembly of the handle, and a swatter of a top flapper secured to a bottom flapper that together form a sandwich secured to the end of the whip section, wherein the top flapper and the bottom flapper preferably include tongues that extend under or over windings on the whip section of the handle.