Foldable Pet Crate with Polymeric Frame and Hinged Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pet crates are often heavy, difficult to erect and collapse, have sharp edges, limited access doors, and are cumbersome to move, especially when folded, posing challenges for pet safety and owner convenience during travel and at home.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, foldable pet crate with a rigid polymeric frame, hinged access panels, and grates for visibility and comfort, featuring a molded polymeric bottom with wheels for easy movement and a pull handle, allowing for multiple access points and a compact, storable design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If steel is used to make the crate, then security and strength are improved, but weight increases and sharp edges cause injury risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrate strengthVSAvoidsharp edges causing injury

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from steel to polymeric material, which maintains structural strength while eliminating sharp edges. The polymeric material provides the necessary strength and security for larger animals while having rounded contours that prevent cutting and scraping injuries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The crate uses composite construction with polymeric material for the frame and panels, combining the benefits of strength with safety. The material composition provides both structural integrity and rounded, safe edges without the harmful characteristics of steel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If all steel construction is used, then strength is improved, but weight increases and ease of movement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrate strengthVSAvoidcrate weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from steel to polymeric material, which has lower density and weight. This parameter change reduces the overall weight of the crate while maintaining the necessary strength through optimized polymeric construction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If steel construction is used, then strength is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in erecting and collapsing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrate strengthVSAvoidease of erection and collapse

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from steel to polymeric material, which has different mechanical properties including flexibility and elasticity. These parameter changes allow the polymeric crate to be more easily erected and collapsed without requiring forceful flexing of rigid metal pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Device complexity

If single door design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when pet is uncooperative or space is confined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor design complexityVSAvoidaccess flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single door into multiple separate access doors located on different sides of the crate. This segmentation allows the owner to choose the most convenient access point depending on the situation, such as when the pet is uncooperative or when space is confined during travel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The multiple door design provides universal access capability, allowing the crate to be used effectively in various situations whether at home or during travel in confined spaces like vehicles. Each door serves as an independent access point for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Volume of moving object

If folded configuration is used, then storage space is reduced, but ease of movement deteriorates when crate is folded flat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage volumeVSAvoidease of movement when folded

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter to polymeric material, which provides flexibility and structural integrity in the folded state. This allows the crate to maintain its shape and stability when folded, making it easier to move and transport compared to rigid materials that may bend or deform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8127719B2Foldable pet crate

Publication Date: 2012.03.06 VERMONT JUVENILE FURNITURE MANUFACTURING INC

AI summary

A pet crate is provided having a blow molded polymeric base along with side, front and top panels made with strong, lightweight polymeric frame members and grates. The grates are used in the front, back and side panels to provide strength as well as a large open mesh area for better visibility and pet comfort. The mesh preferably is provided as hinged access panels at least on the sides. The front and top of the crate are also openable for access to the pet crate. The pet crate is collapsible to a folded, flat condition by unlatching the front panel and stowing it along the inside of the top panel and releasing latches between the top and back panels and the side panels. The side panels, back panel and top panel can then be collapsed inwardly onto one another to form a generally flat, stowed configuration for the pet crate.