Horse Gaiter with Elastic Shell and Formable Insert for Joint Support

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaiters for animal joints, particularly horses, struggle to provide a precise fit that adapts to the joint's surface while offering stable support without stiffening the joint. They also need to be easy to create, clean, and protect against external influences.

Innovation Solution

A gaiter design featuring an elastic shell with a formable mass and optional valve, which includes holding areas and stops to secure the insert around the joint. The shell has a larger inner cross-section at one end to accommodate the joint's movement and is easy to connect and disconnect for cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the gaiter is made to fit snugly over the entire joint surface, then the fit precision and protection are improved, but the joint mobility and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit precisionVSAvoidjoint mobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gaiter is divided into a rigid shell portion and a flexible cover portion. The shell provides stable support and precise fit for the joint, while the flexible cover allows joint movement and adapts to the joint's surface contours. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional requirements to different parts of the gaiter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the gaiter have different material properties: the shell portion is rigid and stable for providing structural support, while the cover portion is flexible and elastic for accommodating joint movement. This local differentiation of material quality allows the gaiter to simultaneously achieve precise fit and maintain joint mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the gaiter provides stable and firm support, then the joint stability is improved, but the ease of movement and flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejoint stabilityVSAvoidmovement flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gaiter is divided into a rigid shell portion and a flexible cover portion. The shell provides stable support and precise fit for the joint, while the flexible cover allows joint movement and adapts to the joint's surface contours. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional requirements to different parts of the gaiter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover portion is designed to be flexible and elastic, allowing it to dynamically adapt to joint movements while maintaining contact with the joint surface. This dynamic flexibility enables the gaiter to provide stable support when needed while allowing free movement during joint operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the gaiter is made with complex structure for precise fit, then the fit precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture and cleaning deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gaiter is divided into a rigid shell portion and a flexible cover portion that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. The shell can be molded as a single piece for precise fit, while the cover can be made from elastic material that conforms to the joint. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing while maintaining fit precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover portion is made from a flexible elastic material that can be stretched and molded over the joint area. This flexible film approach allows the cover to conform precisely to the joint's surface contours while being simple to manufacture and easy to remove for cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Stability of the object's composition

If the gaiter uses rigid structure for stable support, then the support stability is improved, but the adaptability to joint movements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport stabilityVSAvoidmovement adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The gaiter is divided into a rigid shell portion and a flexible cover portion. The shell provides stable support and precise fit for the joint, while the flexible cover allows joint movement and adapts to the joint's surface contours. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional requirements to different parts of the gaiter.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 gaiter provides a customizable, stable, and flexible support for animal joints, adapting to movements and external loads while being easy to maintain and clean.

Implementation Method 1

an insert, an elastic sheath containing a moldable mass

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMoldable mass deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

an elastic intermediate layer between the pad and the frame element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

an intermediate layer, e.g., a single-layer elastic, optionally foamed plastic, in particular a single-layer foamed neoprene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFoam cushioning: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP4233807B1Adjustable gaiter, in particular for horses

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 ENGELKE CARSTEN

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AI summary

The invention relates to a gaiter comprising as an insert (1) an elastic shell which has at least one projecting area as a retaining projection (3), a curved shell (10) encompassing the insert with two opposing legs (11) which has retaining recesses (12) arranged to match the retaining projections of the insert and which have a larger cross-section than the retaining projections of the insert.