Elastomeric Stall Divider Connectors for Animal Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal stall dividers, particularly those made of steel or flexible polypropylene random (PP-R) pipes, cause injuries to animals due to rigidity and difficulty in bending PP-R pipes into a U-shape for safe and practical installation.
Innovation Solution
A barrier component made of elastomeric material with a curved, elongated body and collar formation is used to connect hollow PP-R pipes, allowing for flexibility and safety by accommodating the pipe ends within an annular recess, preventing injuries and allowing for easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel U-shaped dividers are used, then structural strength is provided, but animal injuries occur due to rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid steel to flexible elastomeric material, transforming the divider from a rigid structure that causes injuries to a flexible structure that safely deflects animal contact while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible elastomeric body member that can deform under animal contact, replacing the rigid steel U-shape with a flexible alternative that maintains strength while eliminating injury hazards through controlled deformation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If PP-R pipes are used to replace steel dividers, then animal safety is improved, but the pipes cannot be bent into U-shape for proper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the divider into separate components: straight PP-R pipe sections and a flexible elastomeric body member, eliminating the need to bend the pipes while achieving the required U-shaped configuration through assembly of flexible and rigid parts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining rigid PP-R pipe sections with a flexible elastomeric body member, leveraging the advantages of both materials - the pipe provides structural support and connection points, while the elastomeric material provides flexibility and safety
3Shape
If PP-R pipes are bent into U-shape, then a barrier component is formed, but the inherent flexibility of the pipe system is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the barrier into rigid pipe sections for structural support and a flexible elastomeric body member for adaptability, allowing the system to maintain both defined shape and flexibility through the combination of rigid and flexible components
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a flexible elastomeric body member is used to connect pipes, then animal safety is improved through flexibility, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple components into a single elastomeric body member that simultaneously provides flexibility, defines the barrier shape, and connects the pipe sections, simplifying the overall assembly while maintaining safety benefits
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 and cost-effective divider that prevents animal injuries, maintains safety, and is practical to manufacture, while allowing the pipes to flex independently and protecting the animals from pipe edges and dirt entry.
Implementation Method 1
The component allows the two existing pipes to flex almost independently of one another and it also brought an added safety factor for the animals in that there is absolutely no danger of the animals getting bruised when entering the stall
Implementation Method 2
a collar formation adjacent the first end or the second end which defines an annular recess for receiving a hollow pipe end
Data Source
AI summary
A barrier component is disclosed for an animal stall, comprising a curved, elongated body member of elastomeric material such as rubber. This body member has first and second end sections each adapted for engagement within a respective hollow pipe. Together the two hollow pipes and the barrier component provide a stall divider when mounted on a suitable set of brackets, poles or supports at the head end of a stall. The component has a collar formation at each end which defines an annular recess for receiving a hollow pipe end and shielding the end of the pipe from the animal.