Toroidal Pet Projectile Flanges for Hands-Free Launcher Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pet toys with launchers require manual handling to load and launch toroidal projectiles, which can be unsanitary and difficult to position correctly, especially for ring-shaped toys.
Innovation Solution
A pet toy system featuring a toroidal projectile with flanges that allow for hands-free loading into a launcher, utilizing a U-shaped channel that snaps onto the projectile, eliminating the need for manual handling and ensuring proper positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a ring-shaped toroidal projectile is used for pet toys, then the toy can be thrown further and faster with a launcher, but it becomes very difficult to manipulate and load into the launcher without touching it with hands
Solution Approach 1:
The toroidal projectile is segmented with protrusions that divide its circumference into distinct sections. These protrusions create natural alignment features that guide the projectile into the correct orientation within the launcher's U-shaped channel, eliminating the need for manual manipulation to achieve proper positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The launcher incorporates a U-shaped channel with specific geometric features that act as an intermediary mechanism. The channel's shape complements the protrusions on the projectile, creating a self-aligning interface that automatically orients the projectile correctly during the loading process, eliminating the need for hand manipulation.
2Manufacturing precision
If the toroidal projectile is loaded manually into the launcher, then proper positioning can be achieved, but it requires direct hand contact which is unsanitary when the projectile is covered in dirt and dog slobber
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-loading through the interaction between the projectile's protrusions and the launcher's U-shaped channel. The geometric features enable the projectile to self-align and self-position correctly within the launcher without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating direct hand contact and the associated sanitation issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped channel serves as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates the loading process without requiring hand contact. Its specific geometry works with the projectile's protrusions to automatically position the projectile correctly, maintaining precision while avoiding direct contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the toroidal projectile lies flat on the ground, then it is stable and easy to approach, but it is very difficult to load into the curved hook opening of the launcher without proper manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions on the toroidal projectile create segmented sections around its circumference. When the projectile lies flat on the ground, these protrusions provide tactile feedback and visual cues that guide the user on how to properly orient and load the projectile into the launcher, maintaining stability while facilitating easy loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped channel in the launcher acts as an intermediary that accepts the projectile in its flat position on the ground. The channel's geometry is designed to work with the protrusions to automatically orient the projectile correctly during loading, eliminating the need for manual manipulation while maintaining stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A throwable toroidal projectile and a launcher for the toroidal projectile are disclosed, wherein the toroidal projectile comprises at least one flange. The flange is shaped in such a way that stepping on the flange with one's foot flips the projectile into a vertical position so that it can be loaded into the launcher hands-free. The launcher comprises a curved arm and a straight arm disposed on opposite sides of a C-shaped cup, so that swinging the launcher around in an arc will release the toroidal projectile with topspin and velocity.