Adjustable Holder for Flexible Elongate Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible elongate objects in healthcare settings, such as tubes and cables, often become tangled, posing hazards and affecting their operation, as they are cumbersome to manage and can easily kink or become unplugged.

Innovation Solution

A holder with a loop portion, spine portion, and adjustable movable portions that can transition between a handle position for transport and a hook position for secure hanging, allowing the flexible object to be folded and secured on various structures, reducing tangling and enhancing usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flexible elongate objects are left loose and movable for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but they become tangled and pose safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidtangling and safety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder divides the flexible object into segments by securing it in a folded configuration within the loop portion, creating organized sections that prevent tangling while maintaining accessibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holder acts as an intermediary device between the flexible object and the environment, providing a structured containment (loop portion) that organizes the object and prevents harmful tangling while keeping it accessible when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If flexible elongate objects are secured in a fixed position to prevent tangling, then safety is improved, but ease of movement and transport deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetangling preventionVSAvoidmobility and transport
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder transitions from a static hanging configuration to a dynamic portable state by converting the movable portion from a hook orientation to a handle orientation, enabling easy transport while maintaining securing functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holder changes its operational parameters by repositioning the movable portion between hook and handle orientations, allowing it to adapt between fixed securing mode and mobile transport mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the holder structure is made complex to provide multiple securing positions, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiple hanging positionsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single movable portion provides multiple hanging positions through dynamic repositioning, eliminating the need for multiple fixed hooks or complex adjustment mechanisms while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movable portion serves multiple functions by acting as both a hook for hanging and a handle for carrying, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying the overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9228679B2Holding a flexible elongate object
Publication Date: 2016.01.05 KPR U S LLC

AI summary

A holder which has a loop portion securable around a flexible elongate in a folded configuration. A spine portion is coupled to the loop portion. At least one movable portion is adjustable between a first position, in which the at least one movable portion forms at least a portion of a handle in a substantially coplanar orientation relative to the spine portion, and a second position, in which the at least one movable portion forms at least one hook in a substantially transverse orientation relative to the spine portion. The at least one hook is positionable on a structure to support the loop portion in a hanging position on the structure.