Folding Walker Rack Layout for Dense Vertical Storage and Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current storage methods for folding walkers are inefficient, leading to space constraints, difficulty in accessing and maintaining the 'first-in' walkers, increased risk of disease transmission, and prolonged time for healthcare providers to locate and adjust the correct walker due to unorganized storage and limited visibility.
Innovation Solution
A storage device with upper and lower retainers on a vertical support surface allows folding walkers to hang vertically and rotate for optimal viewing, reducing storage space and contact between walkers, featuring J-hooks for lateral support and U-hooks for vertical stability, customizable for various facilities and walker sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple folding walkers are leaned against a back wall in a storage area, then storage capacity is increased, but accessibility to 'first-in' walkers is blocked and storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal stacking of walkers against a wall to vertical hanging of folded walkers on wall-mounted racks. This dimensional change allows walkers to be stored upright in a vertical orientation, enabling first-in/first-out accessibility while increasing storage capacity within the same footprint space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive wall-mounted racks with horizontal bars that can be easily installed and removed. These racks provide temporary but effective storage solutions that don't require permanent structural modifications, allowing facilities to implement walker storage improvements with minimal investment.
2Volume of stationary object
If multiple folding walkers are leaned against one another for storage, then storage space is utilized, but disease transmission risk increases due to contact between walkers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the contact interface between stacked walkers by suspending each walker independently on a horizontal bar. This separation eliminates direct contact between stored walkers, preventing disease transmission while maintaining efficient vertical storage arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal bar acts as an intermediary support element that holds multiple walkers without them contacting each other. Each walker hangs from the bar independently, using the bar as a mediating structure that enables storage while preventing harmful contact between devices.
3Device complexity
If folding walkers are stored in unorganized fashion, then storage is simplified, but time to locate and adjust correct walker increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct storage zones on the wall-mounted rack system. Different sections or levels of the rack can be designated for specific walker types, sizes, or configurations, allowing healthcare providers to quickly locate appropriate walkers without searching through a disorganized storage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary action by having walkers pre-positioned in an organized vertical arrangement on the rack. Walkers are stored in a ready-to-use state with quick access to commonly needed types, allowing healthcare providers to rapidly select and adjust walkers without extensive searching or reconfiguration time.
Data Source
AI summary
A storage device is provided for holding folding walkers in an arrangement provide easy access for cleaning, retrieval, adjustment, and repair. The storage device includes: an upper support component with horizontally-spaced J-hooks, and a lower support component with horizontally-spaced U-hooks. The J-hooks and U-hooks are arranged so that an upper portion (tube) of the frame of a folded walker can be engaged with a selected one of the J-hooks while a lower portion of the frame engages a selected U-hook and remains in place via gravity. A related method includes rotating hung walker frames to visually inspect, select, and then remove a selected one walker frame.