Horse Bit Interlocking Eyelet Design for Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing horse bits allow too much free play, enabling horses to push the bit with their tongue and clamp it between their teeth, leading to loss of control and potential damage or failure of the bit.

Innovation Solution

A horse bit design with a shackle featuring interlocking eyelet members where the cross-sectional width of one eyelet member is larger than the inner width of the other, restricting the range of rotation to prevent the bit from being pushed back into the teeth, while maintaining sufficient angular range for speed and directional control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If free play is allowed in the joints to enable angular rotation for speed and directional commands, then the horse can push the bit with its tongue and clamp it between its teeth, leading to loss of control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangular range of rotation for speed and directional commandsVSAvoidcontrol of the bit in the horse's mouth

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the eyelet members by making their cross-sectional width larger than the inner width of the eyelet bore. This parameter modification restricts the range of rotation while maintaining sufficient angular movement for effective rein aids, resolving the contradiction between operational freedom and control reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the eyelet member design where the cross-sectional width does not match the eyelet bore inner width. This asymmetric configuration creates a controlled fit that limits excessive rotation and prevents the bit from being clamped between teeth, while still allowing necessary angular movement for communication with the horse

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If free play is allowed in the joints, then the bit can convey speed and directional commands, but the horse can push the bit back along the mouth and clamp it between the pre-molars

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to convey speed and directional commandsVSAvoidbit clamping between pre-molars causing damage and loss of control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By modifying the dimensional parameters of the eyelet members to create a controlled interference fit, the patent prevents the bit from being pushed back excessively while maintaining the adaptability needed for effective communication of rein aids to the horse

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The asymmetric eyelet design creates preliminary resistance against excessive movement before the horse can push the bit back to a harmful position. The controlled fit acts as a preventive mechanism that stops the bit from reaching the pre-molars, eliminating the harmful effect before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS10450185B2Horse bit

Publication Date: 2019.10.22 NEUE SCHULE

AI summary

The invention relates to a horse bit (10, 210) comprising a shackle (20, 220) configured to be inserted into a horse's mouth. The shackle comprises at least one joint (30, 40; 230) and two side portions (50, 60, 250, 260), wherein the two side portions are connected by the at least one joint such that the side portions are pivotable to each other, and at least two eyelet members (80, 90, 100, 110; 280, 290) each having an eyelet bore (82, 92, 102, 112; 282, 292), wherein the eyelet members are interlocked with play via their eyelet bores to provide the at least one joint. Further, in a cross section in the range of one of the eyelet members along or substantially parallel to an axis of the eyelet bore a cross-sectional width (W1, W2) of the one eyelet member is larger than the inner width (W3) of the eyelet bore of the other eyelet member.