Modular Pet Steps With Interlocking Pegs for Flat-Pack Portability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet steps are often heavy, bulky, difficult to assemble and disassemble, and not suitable for small or aging pets, posing challenges for safe and comfortable access to elevated surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight, easily assembled and disassembled step assembly with blow-molded polymeric sidewalls, treads, and risers connected by interlocking pegs, featuring anti-slip material for ergonomic use and easy cleaning, allowing flat packing for transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional pet steps are constructed to be sturdy and stable, then they provide reliable support for pets, but they become heavy and bulky making them difficult to transport and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The step assembly is divided into separate modular components (treads, risers, sidewalls) that can be individually manufactured from lightweight materials and assembled together using interlocking pegs and openings. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for strength-to-weight ratio while maintaining overall structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite construction combining lightweight polymeric materials with strategic reinforcement elements. The sidewalls, treads, and risers are formed from lightweight materials that provide adequate strength while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional solid constructions, resolving the contradiction between sturdiness and portability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If pet steps are made from solid, heavy materials to ensure stability, then they provide reliable support, but they become difficult to assemble and disassemble for transportation or cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The step assembly is divided into separate modular components (treads, risers, sidewalls) that can be individually manufactured from lightweight materials and assembled together using interlocking pegs and openings. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for strength-to-weight ratio while maintaining overall structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from permanent fixed joints to dynamic removable joints using pegs that can be inserted and removed from openings. This allows the structure to be stable during use but easily reconfigurable for transportation or cleaning, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of assembly.
3Strength
If pet steps are constructed as a single integrated unit, then they provide structural integrity, but they cannot be flat packed for shipping or easily disassembled for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The step assembly is divided into separate modular components (treads, risers, sidewalls) that can be individually manufactured from lightweight materials and assembled together using interlocking pegs and openings. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for strength-to-weight ratio while maintaining overall structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple connection points are provided across the modular components, allowing various assembly configurations while maintaining structural integrity. The interlocking peg and opening system provides multiple engagement points that distribute loads across the structure, ensuring stability even when assembled from separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A step assembly that is specifically adapted to assist pets in reaching and/or descending from elevated surfaces is provided. The step assembly has two sidewalls having a plurality of openings in which pegs formed on the sides of individual treads and risers are engaged. The pegs are removably insertable into the openings and include protrusions which create an interference fit upon insertion. Because the treads, risers and side walls are joined by interlocking pegs and openings, the step assembly can be flat packed for shipping, and is easily assembled and disassembled for transportation and/or cleaning.