Pet Access Tunnel with Segmented Flanges for Flexible Wall Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet access systems in building structures are limited by the need for doors that are often visually unappealing and can only be installed at specific points within a room.
Innovation Solution
A pet access tunnel system that includes interior and door flanges, a wall spacer, and a method for installing these components through existing walls, allowing for discreet and flexible placement within a room.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pet access doors are installed in walls, then pets can access between rooms, but the installation locations are limited and visually unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The pet access system is divided into separate components: interior flanges that install in wall openings, door flanges, wall spacers, and movable doors. This segmentation allows the tunnel to be installed through existing walls at various locations without requiring a single fixed door position, thereby improving installation location flexibility while maintaining aesthetic appeal through discreet wall integration
Solution Approach 2:
Wall spacers serve as intermediary components that couple the first and second door flanges together through the wall structure. This intermediary element enables the tunnel to bridge across the wall at flexible locations while maintaining structural integrity and allowing for aesthetically pleasing installations that don't compromise the building's appearance
2Adaptability or versatility
If pet access doors are installed at specific points, then access is provided, but the locations are visually unappealing and limiting
Solution Approach 1:
Interior flanges are pre-installed in wall openings before the tunnel components are assembled. This preliminary action simplifies the overall installation process by preparing the wall structure in advance, allowing for flexible location selection without increasing installation complexity. The pre-installed flanges provide ready-made attachment points for the tunnel components
Solution Approach 2:
The tunnel components are nested within each other: door flanges are installed within the central openings of interior flanges, and wall spacers are coupled to door flanges. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact assembly that can be installed at various wall locations without requiring complex structural modifications, thereby improving installation location options while managing device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A pet access tunnel and method of installing a pet access tunnel in and through interior walls of a building structure. The pet access tunnel includes a first interior flange configured to be installed in a wall opening through the wall at a first side of the wall, a second interior flange configured to be installed in the wall opening through the wall at a second side of the wall, a first door flange configured to be installed in the central opening of the first interior flange, a second door flange configured to be installed in the central opening of the second interior flange, a wall spacer having a central opening and configured to be coupled to the first and second door flanges, and at least one door movably mounted to at least one of the first and second door flanges.