Double Roller Assembly for Frictionless Stretcher Sheet Extension

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stretchers and support apparatuses face challenges in patient or object transfer, particularly with obese patients or those requiring non-horizontal positions, as they often require significant movement or repositioning, which can cause injury and pinching issues.

Innovation Solution

A support apparatus with a double roller assembly that transitions between retracted and expanded positions, using a lead and trail roller system to extend sheets without requiring the patient to be lifted or moved, ensuring minimal friction and no pinching during extension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional stretchers use traditional lifting and positioning methods, then patient transfer can be achieved, but patient injury risk increases due to required movement and repositioning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient safetyVSAvoidpatient transfer difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sheet as an intermediary element that slides underneath the patient rather than directly lifting or moving the patient. The sheet acts as a mediator between the stretcher and patient, allowing transfer while keeping the patient stationary and eliminating direct contact forces that could cause injury.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical lifting systems with a friction-based sliding mechanism. Instead of using ropes, pulleys, or mechanical lifts to move the patient, the system uses a sheet that slides underneath the patient through friction reduction, substituting complex mechanical systems with a simpler friction-based approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If scoop stretchers are used to position patients underneath, then patient transfer is facilitated, but pinching injury risk increases during stretcher closure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient positioning easeVSAvoidpinching injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the sheet slide underneath the patient before the stretcher halves are brought together. This sequence ensures the patient is already positioned on the sheet and protected from pinching forces that would occur during stretcher closure, eliminating the harmful effect before it can manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If folding stretchers are used to enable non-horizontal positions, then positioning flexibility improves, but patient transfer difficulty increases in seated or upright positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidpatient transfer difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the stretcher frame foldable and adjustable to different angles. The stretcher can be configured in horizontal, semi-upright, or fully upright positions, allowing adaptation to various patient needs while maintaining the same friction-based sheet insertion mechanism that works regardless of the stretcher's angular position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If traditional stretcher designs are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but friction during sheet extension causes operational difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestretcher structure simplicityVSAvoidsheet extension ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical lifting systems with a friction-based sliding mechanism. Instead of using ropes, pulleys, or mechanical lifts to move the patient, the system uses a sheet that slides underneath the patient through friction reduction, substituting complex mechanical systems with a simpler friction-based approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 apparatus allows for the transportation of patients or objects in various positions without substantial movement, eliminating the risk of injury and pinching, and providing a nearly frictionless extension mechanism for seamless sheet deployment.

Implementation Method 1

The roller assembly includes a leading roller and a trailing roller that reduce friction between the sheet and the main frame during extension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS10828217B2Support apparatus with double roller assembly

Publication Date: 2020.11.10 SALVUS TRANSPORTARE LLC

AI summary

A support apparatus (e.g., stretcher, back board, etc.) with double roller assembly. The apparatus includes a main frame, a first housing containing at least one wheel (e.g., gear, pulley, sprocket, roller) around which a first sheet and/or a second sheet is coiled. The opposite ends of the sheets are coupled to vertically- and horizontally-displaced lead and trail rollers in the double roller assembly, one sheet for each roller. The apparatus further includes a second housing containing at least one wheel around which a chain or belt is disposed. One or both ends of the chain/belt is coupled to the double roller assembly. In operation, a patient is positioned within the main frame, and the sheets extend underneath the patient. The belt/chain mechanism can also help urge extension of the sheets. When the sheets are fully extended underneath the patient, the patient is fully supported and can be transported.