Folding Dog Agility Teeter With Segmented Boards
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dog agility teeters are difficult to set up, tear down, and transport due to their large size, which hinders convenient use in training sessions.
Innovation Solution
A folding dog agility teeter design featuring two connected boards with a hinge and a folding fulcrum assembly, allowing for easy storage and transport by folding in half, and adjustable mass imbalance to ensure proper positioning during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the teeter is made with a longboard design to achieve proper teeter-totter function, then the teeter can perform its agility training purpose, but the setup, teardown, and transport become very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The longboard is divided into two separate boards that can be folded together, transforming a single difficult-to-transport component into two manageable pieces that can be easily stored and transported while maintaining the functional length when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The fulcrum assembly is designed to be foldable rather than fixed, allowing the support structure to be collapsed for transport and extended for use, adapting the structure between static and mobile states
2Reliability
If the teeter boards are made with uneven mass distribution to enable automatic resetting, then the teeter can return to original position after use, but the transport and handling become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The uneven mass distribution is achieved through separate attachment components (weights, straps, or attached objects) that can be independently adjusted or removed, rather than being permanently built into the board structure, allowing flexibility in handling and transport
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
Facilitates efficient setup, teardown, and transport of dog agility teeters, ensuring stable operation and customizable movement speed based on board mass adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
The boards are connected with a hinge
Implementation Method 2
The mass of the two boards is uneven, so one side of the teeter is down unless a sufficient weight is present on the other side
Data Source
AI summary
A portable, folding dog agility teeter is disclosed. The teeter has two boards which are connected by a hinge. A pair of legs are also hinged. Each board can be reversibly fixed in relation to the hinge so the longitudinal axis of each board is parallel to the other. A fulcrum is formed where the legs attach to the hinge. One of the boards is heavier than the other so the heavier board is touching the ground when no additional load is on the other board. As a dog crosses from one board to the other, the teeter moves so the lighter board touches the ground. When the dog leaves the teeter the heavier board moves to touch the ground, thereby resetting the teeter for repeated use.