Perpendicular Teether Members Prevent Choking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional teething toys, such as animal-shaped teether designs, pose a choking hazard due to protruding features that can extend into a toddler's throat, failing to effectively relieve discomfort across all gum areas while ensuring safety.
Innovation Solution
A teether design featuring a base with integral first and second members that extend perpendicularly, incorporating varying elasticity and surface patterns, and semi-sphere-like extensions to reach all gum areas without the risk of choking, with a base shape and size that prevents overextension into the child's throat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If animal-shaped teether designs with protruding features are used, then the teether can provide tactile stimulation and reach various gum areas, but the protruding end portions can extend into the child's throat creating a choking hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The teether is divided into multiple members (first member, second member, third member) that extend from different sides of the base in perpendicular directions. Each member has controlled length and orientation, allowing the teether to reach different gum areas (front teeth, molars, etc.) while preventing any single member from extending far enough to pose a choking hazard
Solution Approach 2:
The teether members extend in perpendicular directions from the base rather than all extending in the same direction. This three-dimensional arrangement allows comprehensive gum coverage while the perpendicular orientation and controlled lengths ensure that no member can be inserted too far into the throat
2Strength
If a firm rigid polymeric material is used for the teething ring, then the teether can effectively relieve gum discomfort, but the rigid structure may be difficult for toddlers to grasp and manipulate
Solution Approach 1:
The teether incorporates members with different surface characteristics - some areas have raised patterns for tactile stimulation, while the overall structure maintains firmness for effective gum relief. The base provides a grasping surface while the extending members provide targeted pressure points
Data Source
AI summary
A teether is provided wherein the teether includes a base, a first member, and a second member. The first member may be integrally formed on a first side of the base. The second member may also be integrally formed on a second side, opposite the first side of the base. The first and second members each include a first area which extends in a substantially perpendicular direction from the base. The first and second members also each include a second area which extends in a substantially perpendicular from the first area.