Adjustable Footrest Platform for Slip-Resistant Elevation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing footstools fail to provide adequate adjustment of the footrest platform to different angles, leading to discomfort and fatigue during prolonged sitting, especially when feeding a baby, as they often result in increased slippage and inadequate elevation.
Innovation Solution
A footstool with a platform that can be adjusted to various angles by using a mechanism of protrusions and notches or pivot-based systems, allowing the platform to be oriented at different angles from the horizontal, thereby reducing slippage and providing customizable elevation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the footrest platform is made horizontal, then the elevation is sufficient to reduce leg strain, but the foot is more likely to slip due to parallel force application
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest platform is made adjustable with multiple angular positions rather than fixed horizontal. The platform can be tilted at various angles to match the natural angle of the foot, dynamically adapting to different user needs and preventing slippage by optimizing the force application angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The angle parameter of the footrest platform is changed from fixed horizontal to variable angles. By adjusting the platform angle to match the foot's natural inclination, the normal force component is increased, thereby increasing friction and preventing slippage while maintaining adequate elevation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the footrest platform is angled toward the person, then the normal force increases reducing slippage, but the elevation may be insufficient for adequate relief
Solution Approach 1:
The platform provides multiple adjustable angular positions rather than a single fixed angle. This allows the user to select the optimal angle that simultaneously provides sufficient elevation for leg relief and adequate normal force to prevent slippage, depending on individual anatomical variations and seating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism divides the platform's angular position into discrete selectable positions (e.g., multiple notches at different angles). This segmentation allows the platform to offer both angled positions for slip prevention and elevated positions for leg relief, with the user selecting the appropriate configuration for their specific needs.
3Device complexity
If a fixed angle platform is used, then the structure is simple, but it may not be comfortable for different users and seating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The platform transitions from a fixed-angle design to an adjustable-angle design with multiple positions. This adds moderate complexity through the adjustment mechanism (notches and protrusions) but significantly enhances adaptability, allowing different users and seating conditions to find their optimal comfort position.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable platform serves multiple functions: it can be positioned at different angles to accommodate various user preferences, foot sizes, and seating heights. This multi-functionality makes the footrest universally applicable to diverse users while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of discrete angular positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A footstool with a footrest platform that is adjustable to different positions/angles. The footstool includes a first sidepiece and a second sidepiece engaged by a platform, which is adjustable to one of a plurality of possible positions corresponding to one of a plurality of possible angles. In one embodiment, the sidepieces each have two notches and the platform has protrusions or extensions that engage the notches in the respective position(s). In one position, the protrusions on the platform engage one notch on each sidepiece; in the other position, the protrusions engage the other notch on each sidepiece.