Refillable Deck Anchor Pet Escape Stairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water escape apparatuses for four-legged animals and small children fail to provide a combination of features such as easy portability, compact deployment, and adaptability for use by large animals, as they lack a refillable deck anchor, varied step depths, a carrying handle, and the ability to be securely held at the pool edge without attachment to other structures.
Innovation Solution
A water escape apparatus comprising a refillable deck anchor with friction-enhancing features, rotatable stair steps connected via a hinge to the anchor, and a carrying handle, allowing the apparatus to be easily deployed, used, and folded for compact carrying, with adjustable step depths to accommodate different sizes of animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing water escape apparatuses are used, then animals can escape from water, but they lack portability and cannot be easily carried
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic portable design with rotatable components. The stair component can rotate between deployed and stowed positions, and the anchor component can be filled or emptied to control weight, enabling easy transport while maintaining functionality when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The weight parameter of the apparatus is made variable through the refillable anchor component. By filling the anchor with water or other materials, the device can be adjusted to the optimal weight for portability or stability depending on the operational context.
2Reliability
If existing water escape apparatuses are deployed, then they can help animals escape, but they cannot be securely held at the pool edge without attachment to other structures
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor component provides self-contained stability by being refillable with water or other materials. The apparatus anchors itself to the pool edge through friction and weight of the filled anchor without requiring attachment to external structures, simplifying the overall system while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor component acts as a counterweight system that balances the apparatus against forces applied by animals using it. By adjusting the fill level, the counterweight can be optimized to prevent the apparatus from tipping or moving during use.
3Volume of moving object
If existing water escape apparatuses are used, then they provide escape functionality, but they lack compact deployment for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separable components - the anchor component and the stair component - that can be independently positioned. The stair component can be rotated out of the way or folded back, allowing the apparatus to collapse into a compact form for storage while remaining easily deployable when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The stair component nests within or alongside the anchor component when in the stowed position. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall storage volume while allowing quick deployment by simply rotating or unfolding the stair component back into position.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing water escape apparatuses are used, then they can assist animals, but they lack adaptability for different sizes of animals
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus incorporates adjustable elements that can be dynamically reconfigured for different animal sizes. The stair depths and angles can be adjusted, and the anchor weight can be modified, allowing the same apparatus to accommodate small pets to larger animals without requiring multiple specialized devices.
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 four-legged animals and small children to safely and easily escape from water onto elevated surfaces, remaining stable during use and compact for storage, while being lightweight and easy to carry, addressing the limitations of prior solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the container being enclosed, except for one or more container openings (preferably ones that are resealable) for inserting and removing the liquid... the container having a friction-enhancing features
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for helping an animal, primarily a four-legged animal (such as a pet dog or cat), also possibly a human child, escape from a body of water onto a water-adjacent elevated surface. The apparatus is deployed facing the water at an edge of the elevated surface. The apparatus comprises a deck anchor component, fillable with liquid for weight, and, preferably, a friction means to reduce slipping on the elevated surface. The apparatus also comprises a stair component hingedly connected to the anchor component for rotation between lowered, raised, and folded positions. The stair component comprises at least one stair step to be submerged while the stair component is in the lowered position with the anchor component resting on the elevated surface. The animal can escape to the elevated surface by placing its feet (preferably, rear paws) on the step and thrusting upwardly. And, preferably, while drained and in the folded position, the apparatus is light and compact enough for it to be carried, preferably by a built-in handle, and stored.