Ergonomic Handle With Support Ledge For Mobility Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobility devices, such as canes, walkers, and Nordic walking poles, fail to provide adequate support, comfort, and stability, leading to strain on the wrist and limited weight-bearing capacity, particularly for older adults and those with mobility issues, due to inadequate ergonomic design and limited adaptability.

Innovation Solution

A novel handle design featuring a prominent ledge for even force distribution across the hand, bidirectional top holding positions, and a textured surface, made from thermoplastic rubber, which reduces wrist deviation and allows for increased weight-bearing capacity and stability, accommodating a wider range of users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional Nordic walking poles with straps are used, then the user can maintain grip on the poles, but excessive wrist strain and ulnar collateral ligament injury occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip stabilityVSAvoidwrist strain and ligament injury

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the strap component entirely and replaces it with an integrated handle design where the gripping surface is formed by the handle geometry itself. The heel of the hand rests on a rear surface while the thumb and fingers wrap around the front, eliminating the need for straps that cause wrist strain and ligament injuries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the strap hold the hand to the pole, the design inverts the mechanism by having the hand's natural grip on the handle geometry provide the retention. The handle shape guides the hand into the correct position, with the heel resting on the rear surface and fingers wrapping around, reversing the traditional strap-held approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the Exerstrider handle design is used, then the hand position is more neutral, but the lateral lip is inadequate to support higher exertion forces and the heel of the hand cannot provide sufficient downward force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand position neutralityVSAvoidweight-bearing capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a third dimension to the handle design by creating a rear surface that extends backward from the front gripping surface. This rear surface provides a new plane for the heel of the hand to rest on, allowing force application in a direction that was previously unavailable, thereby increasing overall weight-bearing capacity while maintaining neutral wrist position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The handle is constructed from a composite of different geometric surfaces - a front surface for finger and thumb grip, and a rear surface for heel support. This composite geometric structure allows different parts of the hand to apply force simultaneously through different surfaces, increasing total force capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If a single cane is used, then the device is simple and portable, but bilateral support is lost and optimal posture is severely affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidpostural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the handle to be universally applicable to both left and right hands with identical geometry, allowing users to use matching handles on both sides. This enables bilateral support while maintaining the simplicity and portability of pole-based devices, unlike single canes that compromise posture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If traditional handles are used, then the design is simple, but they only fit about 65% of the grip size of the male population and limit adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle design simplicityVSAvoidgrip size accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a dynamic fitting mechanism where the handle geometry actively adapts to different hand sizes. The combination of front and rear surfaces, along with the curved contours, allows the handle to conform to various grip sizes while maintaining proper hand positioning and force distribution, increasing adaptability without complicating the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10863804B2Ergonomic handles for mobility and rehabilitation devices

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 URBAN POLING INC

AI summary

The invention provides an ergonomic handle for a mobility device comprising a central column grip region that has its lower portion extend outwards, forming a support ledge, for an ulnar portion of a user's hand upon the hand gripping the central column grip region, that extends substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the central column grip region, surrounding the lower portion of the grip region, the handle having a slit cavity that splits the support ledge and extends upward into the central column grip region, and the support ledge having an incline ledge portion that is sloped downward at a rear area of the support ledge.