Pivoting Dog Lead Catch for Secure One-Handed Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional releasable catches for dog collars are difficult to operate, especially with excitable dogs, individuals wearing gloves, those with dexterity issues, or poor eyesight, and often fail under tension, leading to unsafe situations when the bias mechanism fails.
Innovation Solution
A releasable catch design featuring a body with pivotable elongate portions and a biasing mechanism that maintains the catch in a closed configuration unless intentionally opened, allowing single-handed operation and preventing accidental release, even if the bias mechanism fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional catches are used for releasable attachment, then the catch can be closed securely, but the catch is difficult to operate and requires two-handed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The catch body is divided into two elongate portions that can pivot independently relative to each other. This segmentation allows one portion to remain stationary while the other moves, enabling single-handed operation while maintaining secure closure through the pivot point mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The catch incorporates a dynamic pivot mechanism that allows the elongate portions to rotate relative to each other. This dynamic element enables the catch to transition between closed and open states with simple rotational motion, making it easy to operate with one hand while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If the catch opening is made narrow for secure closure, then the attachment ring can be retained, but it becomes difficult to accurately pass the attachment ring through
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic pivot mechanism allows the catch to open wide enough for easy insertion of the attachment ring, then close securely to retain it. The elongate portions can pivot apart to create a large opening for insertion, then rotate into a closed position for secure retention
3Reliability
If the bias mechanism is made strong to maintain closed configuration, then the catch remains secure, but it becomes difficult to open intentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism provides a mechanical advantage that allows a small force applied to one elongate portion to overcome the bias mechanism's closing force. The rotational motion around the pivot point amplifies the user's input force, making it easy to intentionally open despite the strong bias toward closed configuration
4Force
If the catch is operated under tension from an energetic dog, then the dog can be restrained, but the bias mechanism may fail and cause accidental release
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism creates a geometric relationship where the elongate portions maintain contact at multiple points during operation. This dynamic geometry ensures that even under tension, the catch maintains its closed configuration through the pivot point contact, preventing accidental release due to bias mechanism failure
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
Enables convenient, single-handed operation and secure attachment/release of dog collars, preventing accidental opening due to external forces, thus ensuring safer handling and control over the dog.
Implementation Method 1
a first biasing mechanism located adjacent the pivot point and arranged to bias the catch in the closed configuration
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a releasable catch, such as for releasable attachment to a dog collar or the like. In particular, the present invention provides a releasable catch comprising a body having a first elongate portion and a second elongate portion, the first and second elongate portions being engaged with one another at a pivot region and pivotable relative to one another about the pivot region between an open configuration in which the second elongate portion contacts the first elongate portion at a first contact location to define a first closed aperture adjacent the pivot region and a second open aperture distal to the pivot region, and a closed configuration in which the second elongate portion also engages the first elongate portion at a second contact location along its length and close the second aperture distal to the pivot region, and wherein the second elongate member is biased in a direction towards the second contact location so as to bias the catch in the closed configuration. Also provided is a dog lead comprising an elongate flexible portion engaged with such a releasable catch.