Ergonomic Handle and Forearm Support for Neutral Load Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handled devices, such as fryer baskets and fishing nets, cause strain on the hand, wrist, and forearm due to repetitive movements, leading to conditions like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and tennis elbow, as they do not distribute stress optimally across the anatomy.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic anatomical assist system with a hand grip mounted transversely to the handle and a forearm support that cradles the forearm, distributing the load across anatomical points, allowing the user to grasp with their palm facing up and orient their hand and arm for reduced stress, featuring adjustable components and heat-resistant materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional handles are used for lifting and manipulating receptacles, then the device structure remains simple, but stress concentration occurs on the hand, wrist, and forearm leading to anatomical strain and injury
Solution Approach 1:
The handle system is segmented into multiple functional components: a hand grip portion for palm contact, a forearm support portion for cradling the forearm, and connection elements linking these to the receptacle handle. This segmentation allows each component to address specific anatomical stress points independently, distributing load across the hand and forearm rather than concentrating it at the wrist.
Solution Approach 2:
The ergonomic handle system acts as an intermediary between the user's anatomy and the receptacle. The hand grip and forearm support portions serve as mediating structures that redirect and distribute forces away from vulnerable anatomical points (wrist, tendons, ligaments) toward more robust areas (palm, forearm), reducing the risk of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and tennis elbow.
2Productivity
If repetitive lifting and manipulating tasks are performed with traditional handles, then productivity is maintained, but anatomical injury risk increases due to poor stress distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The ergonomic handle system is configured in advance to establish optimal anatomical alignment before repetitive tasks begin. The hand grip and forearm support portions are positioned to naturally guide the user's hand and forearm into ergonomic positions, preventing anatomical strain before it occurs during repetitive lifting and manipulating operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An ergonomic anatomical assist system for mounting on a handled receptacle device, having a hand grip disposed on a receptacle end of the device, the hand grip disposed on the device transversely to the handle and extending off the handle so that a user's palm can grasp the grip with palm facing up and opposite the receptacle. The system may further have a forearm support configured to cradle around at least a portion of the user's forearm, the support being disposed on a handle portion of the device that is spaced so as to distribute the load of the device over at least two spaced apart anatomical points, one being at the hand and the other along the forearm.