Removable Endboard Assembly for Upright Vertical Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endboards for person support apparatuses do not maintain an upright orientation when disconnected, leading to space inefficiency and accessibility issues during storage and reconnection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a plurality of support members that allow the endboard to balance and maintain an upright orientation when uncoupled from the person support apparatus, utilizing posts and extensions to create three points of contact with the floor, ensuring stability and reducing storage space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the endboard is removed from the person support apparatus, then the apparatus can move to chair egress position, but the endboard occupies storage space and may obstruct movement when not properly stored
Solution Approach 1:
The endboard is designed to transition from horizontal storage on the floor to vertical upright storage through integrated support members. This dimensional change allows the endboard to stand independently, reducing its footprint from occupying floor area to occupying minimal vertical space against a wall or in a corner, thereby solving the storage space obstruction problem while maintaining operational efficiency
2Ease of operation
If the endboard is stored horizontally on the floor, then it is easily accessible, but it obstructs movement and requires more storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The support members enable the endboard to stand vertically, transitioning storage from horizontal floor occupation to vertical space utilization. This maintains accessibility since the endboard remains easily reachable at standing height while dramatically reducing the horizontal storage footprint, eliminating obstruction in movement paths
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated support members allow the endboard to self-support in an upright position without requiring external storage structures, racks, or dedicated storage areas. The endboard serves its own storage needs through its own structural components, making it independently storable while minimizing space requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A person-support apparatus comprises a frame configured to support a person thereon, and an endboard assembly configured to be removably coupled to the frame. The endboard assembly includes an endboard assembly including an endboard body and a plurality of support members that are configured to removably couple the endboard body to the frame in a use position and cooperate to maintain the endboard body in an upright orientation when the endboard assembly is uncoupled from the frame and in a storage position.