Expandable Grip With Foldable Pleats For Handheld Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to hold a handheld device like a phone or tablet while using it, as all fingers are typically needed to securely hold the device, leaving only one free hand.
Innovation Solution
An expandable grip apparatus with a base member, a top member, and an expandable center section made of integral foldable pleats that can nest onto each other, allowing for adjustable expansion and secure attachment to the device using adhesives or magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fingers are used to securely hold the handheld device, then device security is improved, but the number of free hands deteriorates (only one hand remains free)
Solution Approach 1:
The grip apparatus serves as an intermediary device between the user's hand and the handheld device. It attaches to the device and provides a structural framework that supports the device weight and secures it to the hand, eliminating the need for fingers to grip the device directly while maintaining secure holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip apparatus is divided into multiple segments including a base member, top member, and expandable center section with foldable pleats. This segmentation allows the grip to expand to provide finger-like support structures and collapse when not in use, providing device security only when needed while maintaining hand freedom otherwise.
2Ease of operation
If the grip apparatus is expanded to provide finger support, then ease of operation is improved, but device portability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grip apparatus incorporates dynamic elements including an expandable center section with foldable pleats that can transition between expanded and collapsed states. This allows the grip to adapt its volume and shape based on usage requirements, providing finger support when expanded and minimizing volume when collapsed for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The foldable pleats in the center section are designed to nest within each other when collapsed, similar to a nested doll structure. This nesting mechanism allows the expandable section to compact into a minimal volume while maintaining the capability to expand to full size when needed for finger support.
3Ease of manufacture
If the grip apparatus structure is simplified, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grip apparatus is segmented into standardized components (base member, top member, center section with pleats) that can be manufactured independently using simple processes. These standardized segments are then assembled together, allowing for ease of manufacture while the modular nature provides adaptability through different expansion states and configurations.
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
Enables users to comfortably hold handheld devices with their fingers around a central portion, providing multiple configurations for easy use and storage, while maintaining device security and usability with both hands.
Implementation Method 1
A bottom surface of the base member can include an adhesive that is configured to secure the grip apparatus to the handheld device
Implementation Method 2
The base member can include a magnet that is configured to secure the grip apparatus to the handheld device
Implementation Method 3
a series of integral foldable pleats include adjacently disposed foldable pleats that define a living hinge between the adjacently disposed foldable pleats to enable the expandable center section to selectively nest onto each other
Data Source
AI summary
An expandable grip apparatus to assist in holding a handheld device includes a base member having a substantially flat contact surface for securing to a surface of the handheld device, a top member that is spaced from the base member, and an expandable center section that connects between the base member and the top member, the expandable center section comprised of a series of integral foldable pleats. The series of integral foldable pleats include adjacently disposed foldable pleats that define a living hinge between the adjacently disposed foldable pleats to enable the expandable center section to selectively nest onto each other. The base member can include an adhesive or a magnet for securing the grip apparatus to the handheld device.