Bale Carrying Device Binding Catch Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Workers experience hand pain when carrying heavy rectangular bales due to the thin and binding materials, and existing methods for transporting bales are inefficient and limited by terrain and clearance considerations.

Innovation Solution

A bale carrying device with a main body and binding catches that engage the bale bindings, allowing for safer and more efficient handling by distributing the weight and reducing strain on the user's hands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If workers grasp the bindings to carry bales, then no additional equipment is needed, but the thin bindings painfully dig into the worker's hand due to high weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment simplicityVSAvoidhand pain

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a carrying device with a handle and binding engagement mechanism as an intermediary between the worker's hand and the bale binding. The handle distributes the force over a larger surface area of the hand, while the binding engagement mechanism (such as a clamp or gripper) securely holds the thin binding without requiring direct hand pressure on it, thereby eliminating hand pain while maintaining equipment simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the interaction by introducing a device that increases the contact surface area between the worker's hand and the carrying mechanism, and modifies how the binding force is applied - transitioning from direct hand grip on thin binding to indirect handling through a mechanical engagement system that distributes pressure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If workers take breaks to relieve hand pain, then hand comfort is improved, but productivity decreases due to interrupted work

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand comfortVSAvoidwork continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrying device is designed to be self-serving by providing built-in ergonomic features such as padded handles and optimized grip geometries that automatically protect the worker's hands during bale handling, eliminating the need for periodic breaks and enabling continuous work without compromising hand comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If alternative methods like wheelbarrows are used, then hand strain is reduced, but transportation speed decreases and terrain limitations increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand strainVSAvoidtransportation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful function of direct hand gripping while retaining the efficiency of manual handling by removing the need for thick bindings or mechanical aids. The carrying device isolates the hand from the binding material, allowing workers to maintain fast, flexible manual transportation speeds while eliminating hand strain through the protective handle and engagement mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11357316B2Bale carrying device

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 KING WALTER E

AI summary

A bale carrying device includes a main body defining a handle portion; and a binding catch extending from the main body, the binding catch configured to engage a binding of a bale. A method for using a bale carrying device includes grasping a handle portion of a main body of the bale carrying device; engaging a binding catch of the bale carrying device with a binding of a bale, the binding catch extending from the main body, the binding extending around the bale; and lifting the bale with the bale carrying device.