Hip-Mounted Leash Release Mechanism for Animal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional animal leashes restrict the user's freedom of movement and increase the risk of falling over due to jolting forces, especially when handling strong animals, as they require both hands and can lead to entanglement and muscle tension.
Innovation Solution
A device with a coupling element that fastens the leash to a hip strap, featuring a release and roll-up mechanism with a spring force and a blocking mechanism, allowing the leash to be automatically rolled up and preventing entanglement, while allowing the user to maintain balance by distributing tensile forces directly to the baseplate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the leash is held in the user's hand, then the user can control the animal, but the user's freedom of movement is restricted and the risk of falling increases due to jolting forces
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the leash control function from the user's hands by implementing a release mechanism that allows the leash to be held and controlled automatically by the device itself, while the user's hands remain free for other activities
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism is designed to automatically hold and control the leash under pulling action without requiring continuous manual intervention, making the system self-regulating while maintaining user control capability
2Ease of operation
If the leash is held in the hand, then the user can control the animal, but the risk of falling over increases due to jolting acting beyond the center of mass
Solution Approach 1:
The device transfers the leash attachment point from the user's hand (distal to center of mass) to the user's body center region (at center of mass), fundamentally changing the dimensional location of force application to eliminate destabilizing jolts
3Adaptability or versatility
If a double strap around the stomach is used, then both hands are free, but the leash can become entangled when distance changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a release mechanism that dynamically responds to pulling forces, automatically adjusting the leash tension and preventing entanglement by allowing controlled movement while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The release mechanism acts as an intermediary between the leash and the user's body, mediating the forces and movements to prevent direct contact and potential entanglement with the user's limbs
4Ease of operation
If conventional leashes are used, then the animal can be led, but considerable effort is involved keeping an upright posture
Solution Approach 1:
By positioning the leash attachment at the user's body center, the device creates a balanced force distribution that eliminates the need for compensatory muscular effort to maintain upright posture, allowing the user to lead the animal without additional physical strain
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 device allows for hands-free leash management, reduces the risk of falling, and prevents entanglement, while distributing tensile forces effectively, enhancing user safety and comfort during animal handling.
Implementation Method 1
automatically rolling up the released leash by means of spring force
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for leading animals by means of a leash. The leash is fastened, via a coupling element, on a strap which can be worn around a user's hips. The release and roll-up mechanism is present between the leash and the strap for releasing the leash under pulling action and for automatically rolling up the released leash by means of spring force. The operations of releasing and rolling up the leash can be limited manually by means of a blocking mechanism.