System and method for reducing foot contact with bedding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bedding standoff devices are unwieldy, not right-sized, difficult to erect and fold, and can pose hazards to sleepers, failing to effectively reduce contact between a sleeper's feet and bedding.
Innovation Solution
A bedding standoff system comprising rotatable legs, hinge components, and stabilizer feet, designed to be easily deployed, collapsed, and reconfigured to create a space between the bedding and the sleeper's feet, while minimizing volume when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional bedding standoff devices are used, then feet are protected from bedding contact, but the devices become unwieldy and pose hazards to sleepers
Solution Approach 1:
The bedding standoff device is divided into multiple legs (typically three or four) that can be independently positioned. Each leg terminates in a stabilizing foot, allowing the structure to be segmented for better stability and safety. This segmentation enables the device to distribute weight and contact points, reducing the risk of tipping or causing injury while maintaining reliable foot protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bedding standoff device incorporates legs that are rotatable relative to the body, allowing dynamic adjustment of the structure. This rotational capability enables the device to be easily deployed and collapsed, and allows it to adapt to different bed configurations. The dynamic nature of the legs improves safety by allowing the device to be properly positioned without forcing awkward or hazardous configurations.
2Reliability
If bedding standoff devices are designed for stability, then they provide reliable foot protection, but they become difficult to erect and fold
Solution Approach 1:
The legs are designed to rotate relative to the body through hinge joints, creating a dynamic structure that can be easily deployed and collapsed. This rotational mechanism allows users to simply lift and position the legs without complex assembly steps, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining structural stability when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bedding standoff device is designed to be self-supporting when deployed, with the legs naturally stabilizing in position through their geometric configuration and stabilizing feet. This self-service characteristic eliminates the need for complex locking mechanisms or additional components, allowing users to deploy and collapse the device easily without requiring technical knowledge or additional tools.
3Volume of moving object
If bedding standoff devices are made compact, then they are easy to store, but they cannot provide adequate foot protection space
Solution Approach 1:
The bedding standoff device collapses into a compact configuration for storage, with all legs folding against the body to minimize volume. When deployed, the legs rotate outward to provide adequate spacing for foot protection. This dynamic transformation allows the device to transition between compact storage and functional deployment states, satisfying both space efficiency and protection requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The legs are designed to nest against the body when collapsed, with each leg fitting within the structure formed by the other legs. This nesting arrangement minimizes the storage volume of the device while maintaining all necessary components for effective foot protection when deployed.
4Ease of operation
If bedding standoff devices are designed for easy deployment, then they improve ease of operation, but they may lack structural stability
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational leg mechanism provides easy deployment through simple lifting and positioning actions. Once deployed, the geometric configuration of the legs creates a stable triangular or pyramidal structure that is inherently rigid. The stabilizing feet at the end of each leg further enhance stability by providing broad contact surfaces with the mattress, ensuring the device remains stable despite the simple deployment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The legs are pre-configured with hinge joints and stabilizing feet in positions that automatically provide stability when deployed. This preliminary design ensures that no additional stabilization actions are needed during or after deployment, maintaining both ease of operation and structural stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A bedding standoff includes a first platelike leg, a second platelike leg offset from the first platelike leg, and a crossbar connecting the first platelike leg to the second platelike leg near a top of the first platelike leg and near a top of the second platelike leg. In some embodiments, the first platelike leg is rotatable relative to the crossbar.