Y-Shape Equine Yoke Closure for Snug Fit and Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional horse blankets fail to provide a good fit, leading to rubbing, chafing, and edema issues due to inadequate consideration of the horse's neck depth, chest width, and shoulder angle, and lack of effective adjustment mechanisms, resulting in poor sealing and movement-related tension.
Innovation Solution
A yoke device with a 'Y' shape and width adjustment devices, combined with an adjustable blanket system that includes elongate strips to circumscribe the neck and overlapping chest coverage, along with gussets and cinches to secure the blanket, addresses the fit issues and reduces friction points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional blanket designs are used, then the blanket can be easily manufactured and applied, but the fit is poor leading to rubbing, chafing, and edema
Solution Approach 1:
The blanket is divided into multiple adjustable sections including a chest section with gussets, a neck section with adjustable straps, and a barrel section with cinches. Each section can be independently adjusted to accommodate variations in horse anatomy, eliminating the one-size-fits-all approach that causes poor fit and rubbing.
Solution Approach 2:
The blanket incorporates multiple adjustment mechanisms including buckles, straps, and gussets that allow dynamic adaptation to different horse body shapes. The gussets at the chest provide expandability, while adjustable neck and barrel sections enable real-time fitting adjustments to prevent chafing and edema.
2Temperature
If the blanket is secured tightly to prevent movement, then warmth and protection are improved, but friction and rubbing increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the blanket have different fastening characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The chest section uses expandable gussets for gentle securing, the neck section uses adjustable straps for precise fitting, and the barrel section uses cinches for secure positioning. This localized approach provides warmth without excessive friction in any single area.
Solution Approach 2:
The blanket employs multiple independent adjustment points that allow the fit to be optimized for warmth without creating friction points. The adjustable nature of each section enables the blanket to be secured tightly where needed for warmth while maintaining comfort in other areas, preventing rubbing and chafing.
3Ease of manufacture
If the blanket design does not account for individual horse anatomy, then manufacturing and application are simplified, but the fit and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The blanket is constructed as a segmented system with modular adjustment components including gussets, straps, and cinches at different sections. This segmentation allows a single blanket design to accommodate various horse anatomies through adjustment rather than requiring custom manufacturing for each horse, maintaining ease of production while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The blanket incorporates universal adjustment mechanisms that can accommodate a wide range of horse body types and sizes. The gussets, adjustable straps, and cinches provide multi-functionality, allowing the same blanket design to be adapted to different neck depths, chest widths, and shoulder angles, achieving anatomy compatibility without complicating manufacturing.
4Reliability
If adjustment mechanisms are added to improve fit, then comfort and warmth are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blanket uses straightforward adjustment mechanisms including buckles, straps, and gussets that are simple in design but effective in function. Each adjustment point is independent and easy to operate, allowing complex fitting requirements to be met through multiple simple adjustments rather than a single complex mechanism, thus improving fit quality without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment system is divided into multiple independent sections (chest gussets, neck straps, barrel cinches) rather than one complex adjustment mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and easy to adjust while collectively providing precise overall fit, improving reliability without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A yoke device for a horse having a neck, a back, a barrel, a dock, a withers, a chest, a mane, at least one shoulder, a point of said at least one shoulder, a forearm, and at least one scapula is disclosed. The yoke device comprises a material having a "Y" shape, a belly end, a withers end, and a main body portion. The withers end comprises a pair of elongate strips splaying outwardly from a central point disposed within the main body portion and forming a neck opening therebetween. The pair of elongate strips circumscribe the neck of the horse when the elongate strips are disposed about the neck of the horse. The main body portion overlaps the chest of the horse when the main body portion of the yoke device is disposed in overlapping engagement with the chest of the horse.