Counterbalance Arm Support for Load-Bearing Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Load-bearing hand tools, such as grabber and fishing tools, typically transfer the weight of objects to the user's hand and radiocarpal joint, causing discomfort and potential injury due to the strain on fragile hand anatomy.
Innovation Solution
An arm support arrangement with a tubular body having three bends defining two planes, providing an S-shape that counterbalances the load at the user's forearm, reducing strain on the hand and radiocarpal joint by shifting the balancing force to the more robust forearm anatomy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the load-bearing tool transfers weight to the user's hand, then the tool can be operated with simple structure, but the hand and radiocarpal joint experience excessive strain causing discomfort and potential injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a counterbalancing mechanism with a counterweight element that generates an opposing force to offset the load on the user's hand. The counterweight is positioned and sized to create a balancing moment that reduces the net force transmitted to the hand and radiocarpal joint, directly addressing the harmful strain while maintaining tool operability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary support structure including a support arm and counterweight arm that act as mediators between the load-bearing tool and the user's hand. This intermediary mechanism redistributes the load through leverages and pivot points, reducing the direct strain on vulnerable hand anatomy while maintaining tool control
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the arm support arrangement uses a complex tubular body with multiple bends, then it can effectively counterbalance the load at the forearm, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm support arrangement is segmented into distinct functional components including a tubular body with specific bends, support segments, and angled portions. Each segment serves a specific mechanical function in load distribution and geometric orientation, allowing the complex structure to be designed and manufactured as modular elements that assemble into the complete counterbalancing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The tubular body incorporates specific bends and curved geometries including a first bend, second bend, and radiused portions that create the S-shaped configuration. These curved elements are precisely shaped to orient the axis of the user's forearm toward the tool-engaging end and to position the arm-engaging angled portion upwardly toward the forearm, achieving the counterbalancing function through geometric design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The arm support arrangement decreases discomfort and improves stability for users, especially those with pre-existing injuries or decreased strength in the hand and forearm areas, by effectively redistributing the load-bearing force to the forearm, enhancing the usability of load-bearing tools.
Implementation Method 1
The arm support arrangement is configured to engage a user's forearm for countering a load at the user's forearm about a fulcrum point intermediate the tool-engaging end and the arm-engaging angled portion
Data Source
AI summary
An arm support arrangement in line with a load-bearing tool counterbalances a load associated with the load-bearing tool. The arm support arrangement includes a tubular body having at least three bends defining two planes and terminating in a tool-engaging end. A first of the two planes has an upward slanting arm-engaging angled portion opposite the tool-engaging end. The arm-engaging angled portion has one of the bends disposed between a pair of support segments. The bends cooperate to orient an axis of a user's forearm toward the tool-engaging end. The tool-engaging end is in line with a load-bearing tool at least a weight of which is directed downwardly such that the arm-engaging angled portion is directed upwardly toward the user's forearm about a fulcrum point intermediate the tool-engaging end and the arm-engaging angled portion. The arm support arrangement counterbalances a load associated with the load-bearing tool.