Collapsible Kennel with Loop Frames for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible pet enclosures are voluminous, difficult to fold, and require excessive materials and space due to their inefficient designs, leading to increased costs and reduced integrity.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible kennel design featuring flexible continuous loop frames, web materials, and edging with rigid border members to support doors or mesh panels, allowing for easy assembly, expansion, and collapse, with a method of manufacturing that includes coupling edging to webs and inserting frames through channels to form a compact and ergonomic structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional square footprint and domed configuration are used, then pet enclosure provides adequate space, but it creates unutilized space and increases volume beyond necessity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by using flexible continuous loop frames that can be configured into various shapes including circular, oval, or irregular configurations. This allows the enclosure to optimize space utilization while maintaining adequate pet space, eliminating the wasted space associated with traditional square footprints and domed configurations.
2Volume of moving object
If enclosure size is increased to provide adequate pet space, then pet comfort is improved, but cost and structural integrity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible continuous loop frames with web materials that provide both strength and adaptability. This flexible shell structure maintains structural integrity while allowing optimization of enclosure size to match actual pet space requirements, avoiding the excessive size and associated cost/integrity issues of traditional rigid enclosures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines flexible continuous loop frames with web materials and edging materials to create a composite structure. This composite construction provides the necessary structural integrity for adequate pet enclosure size while reducing the costs associated with oversized traditional enclosures.
3Ease of operation
If traditional collapsible designs are used, then portability is improved, but they remain voluminous in collapsed state and are difficult to manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the enclosure into modular panels, each with its own flexible continuous loop frame. These segmented panels can be easily collapsed and stored, reducing the volume in collapsed state while maintaining ease of manipulation. The modular design allows the enclosure to be folded compactly without the bulk of traditional collapsible designs.
4Strength
If more materials are used to ensure structural integrity, then enclosure strength is improved, but cost and collapsed volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible continuous loop frames with web materials that provide high strength-to-weight ratio and high strength-to-volume ratio. This allows the enclosure to maintain structural integrity with minimized material usage, reducing both cost and collapsed volume compared to traditional rigid material-heavy constructions.
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 kennel is convenient, easy to manipulate, and efficiently sized for containing and transporting pets, maintaining structural integrity while minimizing space and material usage in both expanded and collapsed states.
Implementation Method 1
each side panel comprises a flexible continuous loop frame
Implementation Method 2
Each end is further provided with a rigid border member to support either a kennel door for ingress and egress
Implementation Method 3
The edging material envelops the loop frame and is coupled to the periphery of the web
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible enclosure having a top panel, a bottom panel, two side panels, a front panel having an opening, and a rear panel. The top panel, bottom panel, two side panels, front panel, and rear panel are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure having a door in the opening for ingress and egress. The side panels include a peripheral edging containing a looped frame. A method of collapsing the kennel is also disclosed.