Corrugated Elastic Leash for Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastic straps in footwear and leashes tend to lose elasticity over time due to stress and require complex, costly fasteners with limited adjustment range, while existing solutions for leashes lack cushioning properties.
Innovation Solution
An elastic leash with a corrugated section made from metal or plastic, featuring varying crest and trough distances and segment lengths to control elasticity, which can be integrated into the leash as a single piece or accessory, providing adjustable damping and traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elastic fabric is used to create an elastic strap, then the strap can be flexible and elastic, but the fabric deteriorates quickly and loses elasticity over time due to stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the elastic element from fabric-based elasticity to metal-based mechanical elasticity through corrugated geometry. The metal strip's corrugated shape provides elasticity through geometric deformation rather than material elasticity, eliminating the deterioration and loss of elasticity that occurs with fabric under stress over time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inextensible strap connected to elastic fasteners is used, then the elastic adjustment range can be achieved, but the fasteners are complex devices requiring buckles, clasp mechanisms or ratchets and are costly to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex elastic fastener mechanisms (buckles, clasps, ratchets) from the system. Instead, it uses a simple metal strip with corrugated geometry that provides elastic adjustment through its shape alone, achieving the same functional result without the complicated moving parts and assembly requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fastener system with a geometrically-based elastic structure. The corrugated metal strip uses its shape to provide elasticity and adjustment, substituting the need for mechanical fasteners with a purely geometric solution that is simpler and cheaper to manufacture.
3Ease of manufacture
If regular corrugation with constant crest distance is used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the elasticity and extension control is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry into the corrugation pattern by varying the distance between crests along the length of the strip. This asymmetric corrugation allows different sections of the strip to have different elastic properties, enabling controlled extension and elasticity that adapts to different tension requirements while remaining manufacturable through forming processes.
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 elastic leash with a corrugated design enhances walking comfort by acting as a shock absorber, maintaining elasticity and extending lifespan while offering adjustable tension and damping, thus improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
An elastic element is indicated with 10, and has two flat ends 12 and a section 14 in between with corrugated shape composed of segments 20... The section 14 has crests 16 and troughs 18... the unevenness in the profile of the corrugation provides many advantages
Implementation Method 2
The element 10 may be created for example in metal by means of a forming process or in plastic by means of a molding process... the section 14 - whose profile is clearly visible in fig. 2 - has an asymmetrical development
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Elastic element (10) suitable to exercise a return force along a direction of traction (F), wherein said elastic element comprises a section (14) with corrugated shape, with crests (16) and troughs (18) substantially oriented transversally with respect to the direction of traction (F).