Expandable Gathering Device with Removable Basket
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for picking up small objects, such as screws, nuts, and bullet casings, are often large, cumbersome, and limited in their adaptability and effectiveness, requiring multiple passes and being prone to tipping over when collection baskets are removed, which poses safety and efficiency risks in industrial and environmental settings.
Innovation Solution
The development of expandable rolling devices with triangular brackets interconnected by an axle, a handle, and a roller assembly that collects small items and deposits them into removable collection baskets, allowing for efficient disposal and adaptability for various uses, including manual operation or use with motor vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manually operable devices are used for picking up small objects, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and limited adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a universal mounting system with brackets that can attach to various surfaces including floors, walls, ceilings, and vertical surfaces. The same basic device can be configured for different applications by changing the mounting orientation and position, making it adaptable for picking up objects in diverse environments without requiring multiple specialized devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The device features adjustable components including height-adjustable handles and reconfigurable mounting positions. The roller assemblies can be positioned at different locations along the frame, and the device can be mounted in various orientations (horizontal, vertical, inverted) to suit different operational needs and access requirements.
2Ease of operation
If collection baskets are made removable for easy disposal, then ease of operation is improved, but stability of the device worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The collection system is divided into separate removable baskets that can be independently detached from the main device frame. This segmentation allows the baskets to be easily removed for disposal or cleaning while the main device remains stable. The modular design enables the collection function to be separated from the structural support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection baskets are extracted as separate removable components from the main device structure. They can be easily detached and reattached without affecting the structural integrity or stability of the main device frame, allowing for convenient emptying and maintenance while maintaining device stability during operation.
3Productivity
If large production harvesters are used for picking up small objects, then productivity is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The device combines multiple functions into a single unit: it serves as both a collection device with rollers that gather objects and a support structure that can be mounted in various locations. The same device can pick up different types of objects (nuts, bolts, debris, golf balls) by changing the mounting location and orientation, eliminating the need for multiple specialized large machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges the collection mechanism (rollers with gathering elements), the support structure (frame and mounting brackets), and the collection container (basket) into an integrated unit. This combination provides productivity comparable to larger systems while maintaining simplicity and ease of operation characteristic of manual devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A gathering device having a pair of brackets interconnected by an axle and a roller assembly, a remover mechanism and cross members. Each bracket has a first side and second side which are mirror images. A removable collection basket is attached to a front portion of the gathering device adjacent to the remover mechanism via a tongue and slot assembly, the slot being on each bracket.