Leash Locking Mechanism for Slip-On Collar Adjustment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dog collars either restrict breathing due to constant tension or become loose and fall off due to lack of adjustment mechanisms, making them inconvenient to use, especially when the dog is excited or uncooperative.

Innovation Solution

A locking device integrated into a webbing material that forms a slip-on leash and collar, featuring a main body divided into sections with arms and a locking mechanism, allowing for secure adjustment and prevention of overtightening or loosening, enabling easy placement and quick release.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a choker collar is used without a locking mechanism, then the collar can be easily slipped over the dog's head, but the collar may become loose and fall off or move out of position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of putting onVSAvoidcollar position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The collar is divided into a collar body and a separate locking mechanism that can be independently adjusted and secured. The locking mechanism includes a locking member with engagement features that can be positioned at different locations along the collar body, allowing the collar to be segmented into adjustable and fixed portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to be pre-positioned on the collar body at desired locations before the collar is put on the dog. The locking member can be temporarily held in position during the putting-on process and then securely engaged, allowing preliminary placement without requiring adjustment after the collar is on the dog's neck.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a locking mechanism with holes is used to prevent the collar from tightening or loosening, then the collar position is stabilized, but it becomes difficult to place the locking mechanism when the dog is excited or uncooperative

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollar position stabilityVSAvoidease of locking mechanism placement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is designed to be pre-positioned on the collar body at desired locations before the collar is put on the dog. The locking mechanism can be temporarily held in position during the putting-on process and then securely engaged, allowing preliminary placement without requiring adjustment after the collar is on the dog's neck.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to manually place the locking mechanism through holes after the collar is on the dog, the design allows the locking member to be attached to the collar body in advance, and the collar is then put on the dog with the locking mechanism already in its final position. This reverses the traditional sequence of operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a disc mechanism is fixed to prevent the collar from tightening, then the collar can be easily slipped over the dog's head, but the disc does not prevent the collar from becoming too loose or falling off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of putting onVSAvoidcollar position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: preventing the collar from becoming too tight, preventing it from becoming too loose, and securing it at the desired position. The same locking member can engage with different features on the collar body to provide both minimum and maximum limits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If a locking mechanism is used to prevent the collar from tightening or loosening, then the collar position is stabilized, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollar position stabilityVSAvoidcollar structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to be self-latching, where the locking member automatically engages with the collar body when brought into proximity. The spring-loaded arm and engagement features work together to automatically secure the locking member in place without requiring additional user actions or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11653631B2Leash locking mechanism

Publication Date: 2023.05.23 LUGG NATHANIEL

AI summary

The present invention is a locking device that can be integrated onto a leash, and which provides a solution to the problem of slip-on collars over tightening or being inconvenient to use. The locking device comprises of a main body, a lock piece, a hook, and one or more arms. The one or more arms are connected within the main body to engage with the hook and the lock piece to lock a width of a collar portion which is formed from the pieces integrated onto the leash. The main body is configured to slide on the leash, and the lock piece is fixed onto the leash and when the lock piece slides into the main body, the main body is prevented from sliding. The hook is connected to a first end of the leash and when inserted into the main body forms the collar portion.