Harness-Anchor Tether System for Upright Sleep Position Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for maintaining a person in an upright sleeping position are either uncomfortable, expensive, or ineffective in preventing the natural movement of sliding down while sleeping, particularly for individuals recovering from surgery or medical conditions that require upright positioning.
Innovation Solution
A harness system with an anchor and tether that secures the person to the bed, using a U-shaped rod insert and adjustable clamp mechanism to maintain the desired incline, preventing sliding and ensuring comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If pillows are used to prop a person up in bed, then the person can achieve an upright position, but the person slides down to a horizontal position over time due to gravity and body movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the support function into multiple independent components: a harness that secures the person's torso, a separate anchor point固定在 the bed frame, and a tether connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, preventing the person from sliding down while maintaining upright position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The harness is positioned and secured on the person's torso before they attempt to sleep, and the tether is pre-attached to the anchor point on the bed frame. This preliminary setup ensures that when the person lies back, the support system is already in place to prevent sliding, eliminating the need for continuous adjustment during sleep.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a reclining chair is used for sleeping upright, then the person can maintain an upright position, but it is expensive and uncomfortable and does not allow for deep sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The harness-tether-anchor system acts as an intermediary mechanical support that transfers the burden of maintaining upright position from the person's body and expensive reclining furniture to a simple, comfortable bed setup. This mediator allows the person to sleep in their own bed without the need for costly reclining chairs while still achieving stable upright positioning.
3Device complexity
If the tether length is fixed, then the harness connection to the anchor is simple, but the system cannot adapt to various body types and bed configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The tether incorporates an adjustment mechanism that allows its length to be dynamically changed. This dynamic feature enables the same harness system to adapt to different body sizes (from children to adults) and various bed configurations (different mattress thicknesses, bed frame heights) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The adjustable length is achieved through mechanisms like sliding knots, buckles, or telescopic sections.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are apparatuses for supporting a person in an upright position while sleeping or resting in a bed such that the person can avoid sliding down into a horizontal position as a result of natural forces of gravity and normal movement during sleep. According to an aspect, an apparatus includes a harness configured to hold a person, an anchor to secure the harness to a bed, and a tether having one end connected to the harness and another end connected to the anchor. The anchor can include a support member and an insert extending from the support member such that the upper surface of the insert comes into contact with a mattress and the lower surface of the insert comes into contact with a bed-base. The insert can be positioned underneath the mattress and on top of the bed-base.