Adjustable Plate Caddy for Stable One-Handed Buffet Carrying
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Solution Overview
Problem
At social gatherings with buffet-style meals, guests face difficulty in holding multiple plates while serving themselves, as existing plate caddy systems fail to provide a reliable and stable solution for securely carrying multiple plates with one hand.
Innovation Solution
A plate caddy system featuring a handle with adjustable arms and bumpers to stabilize disk-shaped objects, along with a strap for secure hand attachment, allowing users to carry up to two plates with one hand, providing stability and freeing the other hand for serving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a plate caddy system is used to carry multiple plates, then the ability to hold multiple plates is improved, but the stability and security of plate holding is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable arms that can move between retracted and extended positions, and bumpers that can be positioned at different locations along the arms. This dynamic adjustability allows the caddy to adapt to different plate sizes and configurations, improving both the quantity of plates held and the stability of holding. The arms can be extended to provide additional support points for multiple plates, while the adjustable bumpers ensure secure contact with each plate's edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the support structure by allowing the arms to extend to different lengths and the bumpers to be positioned at various distances from the handle. This parameter adjustment enables the caddy to optimize its plate-holding configuration for different scenarios - whether carrying one large plate or multiple smaller plates - thereby improving both quantity and reliability of plate holding.
2Reliability
If adjustable arms and bumpers are added to stabilize plates, then the stability of plate holding is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the support function into separate components: the handle, multiple adjustable arms, and individual bumpers. Each component has a specific function - the arms provide structural support while the bumpers provide secure contact points. This segmentation allows for independent adjustment and optimization of each element, achieving high stability without requiring an overly complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the bumpers are attached to the arms, which in turn are attached to the handle. The arms can be retracted into the handle when not in use, and the bumpers can be positioned along the length of the arms. This nesting approach consolidates multiple functions into a compact structure, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adjustment capabilities for stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple arms with adjustable positions are implemented, then the adaptability to different plate sizes is improved, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs spring-loaded arms that automatically extend when a plate is placed on the caddy and provide continuous pressure against the plate edges. The bumpers are designed to be positioned by the natural movement of the arms as they contact the plates, reducing the need for manual adjustment. This self-adjusting mechanism maintains high adaptability to different plate sizes while significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses spring force to automatically adjust the arm extension parameter based on the presence and size of plates. When plates are loaded, the springs compress and extend the arms to the appropriate length, and the bumpers naturally position themselves along the arms. This automatic parameter change eliminates the need for manual adjustment, making the system both highly adaptable and easy to operate.
Data Source
AI summary
A plate caddy enables a user to carry up to two (2) dining plates using a single hand, while going through a buffet line, thereby providing a free hand to allow additional servicing of the user. The caddy includes a handle which is strapped securely to the user's hand, and a plurality of extended arms which act to support the plates while also securing the edge portions of the plates. The arms are adjustable to hold differently sized and shaped dinner plates, dessert plates, soup bowls, salad plates, and the like. The caddy may be quickly removed from the user's hand when desired.