Magnetic Clasp for Pet Collars Prevents Choking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing animal restraint devices, such as pet leashes and harnesses, often require fine motor skills to operate, can cause choking in animals, and are not suitable for older or physically challenged users, due to complex buckles and connectors that may lead to injury.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic clasp system that prevents animal choking by maintaining contact between clasp portions, allowing for easy operation without fine motor skills, featuring a distal magnet fixedly coupled to a strap end and a proximate magnet movably coupled to the strap, with sliding motion limited to prevent collar loosening and include a signal device for training commands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional buckles and connectors are used in animal restraint devices, then the device can provide secure attachment and length adjustment, but the device becomes complex and difficult to operate, requiring fine motor skills

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoiddifficulty to operate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical buckles and connectors with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic clasp uses magnetic attraction to securely attach the leash to the collar, eliminating the need for traditional mechanical fastening mechanisms that require fine motor skills and manual dexterity to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic clasp system automatically attaches and detaches without requiring manual manipulation. The magnetic attraction self-secures the connection when brought together, and the release mechanism automatically detaches when the release button is pressed, making the device self-servicing and accessible to users with limited dexterity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If traditional choking-action leashes are used, then the animal is restrained through tension, but the animal may be injured in the esophagus and caused to gag

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestraint effectivenessVSAvoidanimal injury

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful choking action into a beneficial training mechanism. The magnetic clasp system provides controlled restraint that can be easily released, transforming the potentially harmful tension into a safe training tool that teaches proper behavior without causing injury or gagging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic clasp system provides dynamic restraint that can be easily adjusted and released. The magnetic attraction maintains secure connection during normal use, but the release mechanism allows quick detachment when training is complete or the animal needs freedom, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different situations safely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If quick release buckles are used, then the device becomes easier to operate, but the connection becomes weaker and not acceptable for most dogs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease to attach and detachVSAvoidconnection strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces weak mechanical quick release buckles with a magnetic coupling system that provides both ease of operation and strong connection. The magnetic attraction force maintains a secure attachment suitable for most dogs while still allowing easy release through the button mechanism, eliminating the trade-off between strength and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 magnetic clasp system provides a humane and easy-to-use animal restraint that prevents choking, is accessible to users with limited dexterity, and effectively signals training commands, ensuring safe and efficient animal control.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic engagement between the proximate magnet and distal magnet, thereby magnetically coupling the clasp proximate portion with the clasp distal portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic engagement: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS11589556B2Animal restraint and training device

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 MUNOZ ERIC B

AI summary

A simpler and more humane animal restraint and training device, and a method of using the device, having magnetic members and locking teeth that prevents animal choking, retains contact between the two clasp portions to prevent collar loosening, and does not require the use of fine motor skills by the animal owner. Training signals can also be generated to teach proper gait for the animal as well as other training commands.