Sheet-Metal Dog Collar Links With Concealed Spikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spiked collars made from round stock are easily recognizable and lack aesthetic appeal, while those made from wire are prone to wear and tear and have complex cleaning and assembly issues.
Innovation Solution
A collar comprising chain links produced from sheet-metal blanks with hook and hook-in portions, featuring a window and edge portions for secure locking, allowing for concealed spikes and improved durability and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If chain links are made from round stock with teeth, then the collar can be separated at any time and is easy to produce, but the collar is clearly distinct from normal collars and lacks aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material form from round stock to sheet-metal blank, fundamentally altering how the chain links are formed. This parameter change enables the links to be produced by bending and welding flat metal pieces, creating a more aesthetic appearance while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized bending processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines sheet-metal construction with leather encasing of the teeth, creating a composite structure. The sheet-metal provides the aesthetic chain link appearance, while the leather-covered teeth maintain the spiked collar functionality. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between visual appearance and functional requirements.
2Shape
If chain links are made from wire, then the collar has a more normal appearance, but the collar is prone to wear and tear and has complex cleaning issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible wire to rigid sheet-metal blank. This parameter change fundamentally improves wear resistance and structural integrity while maintaining a normal collar appearance. The sheet-metal construction eliminates the wear and tear problems inherent in wire collars.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the collar. The chain links are made from durable sheet-metal for wear resistance, while the teeth are encased in leather for comfort and functionality. This local differentiation of materials optimizes both appearance and reliability.
3Reliability
If chain links are made from sheet-metal blank with window, then the collar has enhanced wear-resistance and aesthetic appeal, but the assembly and dismantling requires a complicated path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the chain link into distinct functional segments: the hook portion for engagement, the window for passage, and the edge portion for locking. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently while providing a clear assembly sequence. The hook portion is inserted through the window, and the edge portion locks into place, creating a straightforward assembly process despite the geometric complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A collar for animals includes chain links produced from a sheet-metal blank and by bending the sheet-metal blank about bending lines. The chain links each have a hook portion and a hook-in portion. The hook-in portion includes a window dimensioned such that the hook portion fits through the window. The hook-in portion further has an edge portion located between the window and a rear end of the chain link. The sheet-metal blank includes a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, and the second end portion limits the edge portion.