Leash Handgrip Guiding Rail Force Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional handgrips for leashes exert high forces on the user's hand and wrist, especially when the pet pulls, due to the leash being rigidly connected at a distance from the hand, leading to discomfort and strain in both pull and non-pull scenarios, with no existing solutions effectively distributing pressure over a larger hand area or reducing these forces.

Innovation Solution

A handgrip design featuring a guiding rail for sliding leash movement, with a rotatable connector that allows the leash to travel along the rail, maintaining a comfortable grip and reducing direct force transmission to the hand, incorporating shock absorbers and a carabiner for easy leash connection, enabling smooth leash guidance and distribution of forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the leash is rigidly connected to the handgrip at a distance from the hand, then the connection is secure and stable, but high forces are exerted on the user's hand and wrist when the pet pulls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidforce on hand and wrist
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guiding rail as an intermediary element between the handgrip and the leash. The leash connects to the handgrip via a traveler that moves along the guiding rail, which is positioned closer to the user's hand. This intermediary structure allows the leash to be securely connected while reducing the transmission of pulling forces to the user's hand and wrist, as the guiding rail absorbs and distributes these forces along its length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the leash is rigidly connected at a distance from the hand, then the connection is secure, but the user experiences discomfort and strain in both pull and non-pull scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcomfortability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic elements including a traveler that can move along the guiding rail and a rotatable connector that allows rotational movement. These dynamic components enable the leash connection to adapt to different usage scenarios (pull and non-pull), maintaining secure connection while reducing discomfort by allowing natural movement and adjusting to the user's hand position and the pet's movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the connector is fixed to the handgrip, then the structure is simple, but the leash cannot move freely causing severe forces on the user's wrist

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidforce on wrist
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection system into distinct components: the handgrip, the guiding rail, the traveler, and the rotatable connector. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the guiding rail provides a displacement path, the traveler moves along it, and the rotatable connector allows rotational freedom. This divided structure is more complex than a fixed connector but effectively reduces wrist forces by distributing movement and force across multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a single hinged member is used to couple multiple leashes, then the handle structure is simplified, but more than one leash can be accidentally removed and the operation becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandle structureVSAvoidleash retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation to the leash coupling system by providing individual latch members for each leash instead of a single shared hinge. Each latch independently secures its corresponding leash, preventing accidental removal. This segmented approach increases reliability of leash retention while maintaining reasonable structural complexity, as each latch is a simple independent component.

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 handgrip design significantly reduces forces on the hand and wrist, allowing comfortable leash handling without twisting, providing ease of use and secure leash guidance, even when pets pull, by allowing the leash to move freely along the guiding rail and distributing forces effectively.

Implementation Method 1

a guiding rail (5) for slidingly coupling said leash (100) along a displacement path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

said connector (14) is rotatably connected to said traveler (40)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentEP3167711B1A handgrip for a leash
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 NANO PET PRODUCTS LLC
  • EP3167711B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3167711B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3167711B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a handgrip (1) for a leash, comprising a body with a grip part for holding said handgrip (1) wherein said handgrip (1) is embodied for connecting said leash. The handgrip (1) is characterized in that it comprises a guiding rail (5) for slidingly coupling said leash along a displacement path.