Elastic Animal Leg Shield with Four-Way Stretch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective devices for animal forelegs are cumbersome, restrictive, and prone to disconnection, failing to provide effective and comfortable protection against skin allergies and injuries due to their complex fastening systems and bulky materials.
Innovation Solution
A pair of connected sleeves made from a single piece of elastic fabric with a four-way stretch, featuring a treated portion for adjustment and a breathable design that eliminates torsional movement and accommodates various animal sizes, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit without impeding movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dense material and complex fastening system are used in prior art protective devices, then protection and coverage are improved, but animal movement is restricted and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible fabric shield that conformally covers the animal's forelegs without restricting movement. The fabric material provides protection while allowing the animal to move naturally, eliminating the need for rigid dense materials and complex fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device is divided into separate fabric pieces that can be independently positioned and secured on each foreleg, replacing the complex fastening systems of prior art. This segmentation allows for simpler attachment while maintaining effective protection.
2Ease of operation
If hook and loop fastening system is used in prior art devices, then ease of attachment is improved, but reliability decreases due to disconnection through high activity or chewing
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric shield is designed to be secured through simple wrapping and tying methods that the animal can learn to apply independently, eliminating the need for complex fastening systems that are prone to disconnection. The design allows the animal to put on and adjust the shield without human assistance.
3Reliability
If thick material and multiple fabric layers are used in prior art protective garments, then protection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin, flexible fabric material that provides adequate protection without requiring multiple thick layers. The fabric's flexibility and conformability allow it to cover the forelegs effectively while simplifying manufacturing and reducing bulk.
Solution Approach 2:
The design combines multiple protective functions into a single fabric shield piece, eliminating the need for separate padding, wrapping, and fastening components. This merging simplifies both manufacturing and the overall device structure while maintaining protective coverage.
4Shape
If fabric is twisted to form conical holster in prior art, then fit is improved, but torsional movement is induced causing holster rotation around the leg
Solution Approach 1:
The fabric shield is designed to conform to the animal's leg shape without requiring twisting or complex forming processes. The flexible fabric naturally adapts to the leg contours while maintaining stable orientation, eliminating the torsional movement problem associated with twisted conical holsters.
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 solution provides a flexible, breathable, and adjustable protective shield that prevents further injury aggravation, allowing for natural movement and easy use, while reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, ensuring effective healing of skin allergies and injuries.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of connected sleeves made from a single piece of elastic fabric with a four-way stretch
Data Source
AI summary
A protective shield for an animal comprised of two sleeves connected by a strap which extends across the animals back. The sleeves and strap are made from a continuous blank of elastic fabric which allows flexibility, ensures a secure fit and conforms the to the animal's body.