Dog Collar with Elastic Band and Cushioned Inner Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard single-band dog collars cause chronic inflammation of the larynx and trachea due to sudden jerking or pulling on the leash, injuring approximately 30,000 dogs annually, while dog harnesses are cumbersome and not suitable for training or correcting behavior.
Innovation Solution
A single-loop dog collar with a padded inner surface and an elastic band to absorb shock, featuring pillow-shaped cushions filled with resilient materials like gel, foam, or rubber, and a D-shaped connecting ring for securing the leash, allowing the collar to expand and distribute force away from the neck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard single-band dog collar is used, then the collar is simple to use and easy to put on, but it causes chronic inflammation and injury to the dog's larynx and trachea due to sudden jerking or pulling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a padded inner surface with shock-absorbing material (such as foam or gel) that is pre-installed on the collar band. This cushioning layer is positioned to contact the dog's larynx and trachea, providing protection before any harmful force is applied during sudden jerking or pulling on the leash.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining a durable outer collar material (such as nylon or leather) with an inner shock-absorbing material (such as foam, gel, or rubber). This composite structure maintains the strength and durability needed for a functional collar while adding the protective cushioning layer that prevents injury to the dog's sensitive neck structures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dog harness is used, then the forces are distributed throughout the dog's body reducing neck injury, but the harness is cumbersome to put on and not suitable for training or correcting behavior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential protective function of the harness (force distribution) and incorporates it into a simplified collar design. By using elastic band material and shock-absorbing padding, the collar can distribute and absorb forces without requiring the complex multi-strap harness structure, thus maintaining safety while improving ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the mechanical properties of the collar band itself - using elastic materials and incorporating shock-absorbing elements that change the collar's stiffness and force-distribution characteristics. This allows the simple collar structure to achieve force distribution similar to harnesses without the added complexity.
3Force
If continuous strong pulling occurs on the leash, then the collar provides control over the dog, but it causes chronic inflammation of the larynx and trachea due to constant pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The padded inner surface with shock-absorbing material provides beforehand cushioning that distributes the control force across a larger area of the neck and reduces peak pressures on the larynx and trachea. This cushioning layer prevents the concentrated pressure that would otherwise cause chronic inflammation during continuous pulling.
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 collar significantly reduces discomfort and injury risk to the dog's neck by absorbing sudden forces through the cushioned inner surface and elastic band, providing effective protection during walks and training without the drawbacks of harnesses.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the cushions are typically filled with a resilient material such as a gel, foam, rubber, or other suitable material capable of absorbing shock from sudden jerks or pulls to the collar
Implementation Method 2
The elastic band enables the collar to expand enough to absorb additional forces but not enough so that the collar can be removed from the dog's head
Data Source
AI summary
In various representative aspects, the present invention relates generally to an improved dog collar that protects the safety of the dog and its larynx and trachea by utilizing padded and resilient cushions on the inside of the dog collar in combination with one or more elastic bands within the perimeter of the dog collar. These elements provide a means for absorbing shock forces when a dog suddenly jerks or exerts force on the dog collar when it is connected to a stationary object or its owner by a leash.