External Brace with Telescoping Beams for Back Strain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external structural brace apparatuses for supporting the torso and limbs during repetitive high-load movements often compress the user's back, leading to increased stress and potential injury, and lack portability, adjustability, and the ability to carry loads effectively.
Innovation Solution
A portable external structural brace apparatus with telescoping cantilever beams and adjustable handle structures that allow for symmetrical pivotal movement, enabling the user to ambulate while distributing loads without compressive stress on the back, and facilitating easy adjustment and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing external structural brace apparatuses are used to support the torso and limbs during repetitive high-load movements, then structural support is provided, but compressive stress is applied to the user's back leading to increased stress and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional brace design by moving the support structure from the back to the front of the body. The exoskeleton frame engages the user's torso at the sternum and pelvis, with load-bearing elements positioned anteriorly rather than compressing the spine from the rear. This inversion eliminates back compression while maintaining structural support during high-load movements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary load-transfer mechanism using the user's arms and hands as intermediate structures. The exoskeleton connects to the user through armrests and handgrips, allowing loads to be transferred through the upper extremities rather than directly compressing the spinal column. This mediator approach redistributes mechanical stress away from vulnerable back structures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing external structural brace apparatuses are designed for structural support, then stability is provided, but portability and adjustability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton is divided into modular segments including a adjustable frame, separate leg support elements, and independent armrest components. Each module can be independently adjusted or removed, allowing the device to be customized for different users and tasks while maintaining overall structural stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment mechanisms including telescoping frame members with lockable positions, adjustable armrest heights, and movable leg support elements. These dynamic features allow the exoskeleton to adapt to different user sizes and movement requirements while maintaining structural integrity when locked into position.
3Force
If existing external structural brace apparatuses are used for load bearing, then some load support is provided, but the ability to effectively distribute loads without back compression is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The exoskeleton employs counterbalancing elements including springs and shock-absorbing components positioned to offset downward forces during lifting and bending movements. These anti-weight mechanisms reduce the peak loads transmitted to the user's body while maintaining effective load-bearing capacity for heavy objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The exoskeleton frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, distributes loads across the torso and limbs, offers stability during ambulation, and enables portability through adjustable configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single device to address various load-bearing scenarios without compromising back health.
Data Source
AI summary
An external structural brace apparatus and method for supporting a user on a surface and for the user to ambulate along the surface to relieve shoulder, armpit, hand, foot, and wrist loads, the apparatus includes first and second support beams that each have a telescoping cantilever beam that contacts the surface. The first and second support beams have a primary pivotal couple at one end to one another with a mechanism to create opposite symmetrical movement of the beams. An attachment element supports the user at their torso has a secondary pivotal connection to the first and second beams and third and fourth user handles that are pivotally attached to the first and second beams are for grasping by the user to extend and retract the telescoping cantilever beams to and from the surface at reduced and increased extension and retraction rates for user ease of ambulating along the surface.