Modular Pet Leash with Rigid Polymer Ends

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pet leashes lack modularity and durability, particularly in urban environments where controlling pets amidst vehicle traffic is challenging, and they often fail to provide sufficient freedom of movement while ensuring safety.

Innovation Solution

A modular leash system featuring a flexible lead with removable end caps and accessories, including a rigid portion impregnated with polymer resin, and a collar connector with a counterweight to bias the fastening ring upward, allowing for adjustable configurations and enhanced control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional pet leashes are used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability and versatility are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The leash is divided into multiple independent modules including a flexible lead, removable end caps, a collar connector with carabiner, and accessory attachments. Each module can be independently attached or detached, allowing the leash to be customized for different situations and pets while maintaining simple individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The end caps are designed with universal attachment mechanisms that can accommodate various accessories such as handles, bells, or protective covers. The collar connector with carabiner can attach to different collar types and leash configurations, making the system adaptable to multiple uses beyond basic leash functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If the leash uses only flexible material, then the freedom of movement is high, but the control and durability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidfreedom of movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The leash incorporates rigid portions impregnated with polymer resin at specific locations (ends and connection points) while maintaining flexible material for the main lead length. This provides durability and control where needed while preserving flexibility and freedom of movement in the portions that require bending and flexing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The leash combines flexible material (such as nylon or polyester webbing) with rigid impregnated portions containing polymer resin. This composite construction allows the leash to exhibit both flexibility for comfort and rigidity for control and durability, resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the attachment mechanism is permanent, then the reliability is high, but the ease of repair and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of repair

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism transitions from static permanent connections to dynamic removable connections. Set screws and carabiners allow attachments to be securely fastened when needed and easily removed or replaced when not needed, providing both reliability during use and ease of repair/adaptability when modifications are required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the leash provides more freedom of movement, then the pet comfort is improved, but the control ability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreedom of movementVSAvoidcontrol ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 modular leash system provides improved control and safety for pets in urban environments by allowing adjustable lengths and attachments, ensuring the pet's freedom while preventing unintended separation and enhancing user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

The first end of the rope may be impregnated with a polymer resin to form the rigid portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpregnation: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

A counterweight is coupled to a second portion of the flexible member. The counterweight configured to bias the fastening ring toward and upward position in use

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8297234B2Modular leash system

Publication Date: 2012.10.30 MIRON NICHOLAS PETER OKUN

AI summary

A modular leash system including a flexible lead having a first and second rigid end portion. A first end cap is removably attachable to the first rigid end portion via set screw configured to be received through cooperating holes in the first end cap and the first rigid end portion. The first end cap includes a loop for coupling the first end cap to a collar connector. A second end cap is removably attachable to the second rigid end portion via a set screw configured to be received through cooperating holes in the second end cap and the second rigid end portion. The second end cap configured to be coupled to a handle portion.