Portable Pet Ramp with Collapsible Side Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional animal ramps are too large, heavy, and bulky for use with pets, making them impractical for residential or automobile-based applications, and they trigger a fear response known as the 'visual cliff' in animals, causing avoidance behavior.

Innovation Solution

A portable, lightweight ramp with collapsible side panels made of tubular bars and horizontal members that fold into the side frames for storage, and extend vertically to block the animal's peripheral view of the edge, using opaque side panels to prevent the visual cliff fear response.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If conventional animal ramps are used, then animals can be moved between elevations, but the ramps are too large, heavy, and bulky for portable use with pets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveramp weightVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp is divided into multiple telescopic sections that can be nested within each other when collapsed, reducing the overall size and weight for portable use while maintaining full length when extended for functional use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp employs telescopic sections with adjustable lengths that can be extended or retracted based on the required elevation change, allowing the structure to adapt its configuration while maintaining portability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If conventional ramps are used, then elevation change is possible, but they trigger visual cliff fear in animals causing avoidance behavior

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanimal acceptanceVSAvoidvisual cliff fear

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Side panels are added specifically at the edges where the visual cliff effect occurs, providing localized visual blocking where it is most needed without requiring complete enclosure of the entire ramp structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Opaque side panels serve as an intermediary element between the animal and the frightening visual cliff stimulus, blocking the animal's view of the drop-off while allowing the animal to still access the elevated surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If stationary ramps are constructed to support large animals, then sufficient load bearing capacity is achieved, but the devices cannot be easily moved or adapted for residential use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload bearing capacityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp structure is segmented into collapsible sections with side panels that can be folded or removed, enabling the strong stationary structure to be disassembled and transported as needed for different locations and applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp transitions from a static stationary configuration to a dynamic portable configuration through telescopic sections and foldable side panels, allowing the same structure to serve both as a load-bearing stationary ramp and as a transportable device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8899188B1Lightweight portable lift/ramp device for pets

Publication Date: 2014.12.02 DOUGLAS BRIAN

AI summary

The present general inventive concept relates generally to an animal lift, and more particularly to a portable, lightweight ramp device with collapsible side panels to eliminate the visual cliff perceived by a user animal.