Hose Manipulation Implement With Telescoping Handle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Septic, concrete, and fire hoses are difficult to manipulate when heavy materials are flowing through them, often requiring workers to bend and strain, leading to back fatigue and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A device with elongated members and a two-part hose holder that allows for the manipulation of hoses without bending, featuring a telescoping design, pivot rod, and adjustable height, enabling users to grip and position hoses without stooping, and includes handles for comfortable handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If workers manually grasp and pull heavy hoses while bending down, then the hose can be positioned, but worker back fatigue and injuries occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an implement as an intermediary tool between the worker and the hose. This implement includes a holder that engages with the hose and an elongated member with a handle that extends upward, allowing the worker to manipulate the hose without direct hand contact while bent over. The implement acts as a mechanical mediator that transfers the worker's force to the hose, eliminating the need for the worker to directly grasp and pull the heavy hose while in a bent position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of interaction by extending the handle upward vertically rather than requiring horizontal reaching. The elongated member with handle projects upward from the holder, allowing the worker to pull down on the handle from an upright position. This dimensional change transforms the manipulation action from a horizontal pull at low level to a vertical pull at high level, enabling worker to maintain upright posture.
2Ease of manufacture
If the implement uses a fixed design, then manufacturing is simple, but the implement cannot adapt to different user heights and hose positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a telescoping mechanism in the elongated member that allows dynamic adjustment of length. The elongated member includes nested sections that can slide relative to each other, enabling the overall length to be adjusted based on user height requirements. This dynamic feature allows the same implement to adapt to different users and different working conditions while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the elongated member into multiple telescoping segments that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. Each segment is a simpler component that can be produced using standard manufacturing processes, and the segmented structure allows for length adjustment through relative movement of the segments. This segmentation approach balances manufacturing simplicity with adaptability.
3Reliability
If the hose holder is designed to fully encircle the hose, then gripping is secure, but the holder becomes bulky and difficult to maneuver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the hose holder into two separate clamp members rather than using a single encircling structure. These two clamp members can be positioned on opposite sides of the hose and secured independently. This segmentation provides secure gripping of the hose while keeping each individual clamp member compact and maneuverable, avoiding the bulkiness of a complete encircling holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a band or strap as an intermediary element that connects the two clamp members and wraps around the hose. This band serves as a mediator that provides the encircling function for secure grip while allowing the rigid clamp members to remain separate and compact. The flexible band can conform to the hose diameter without adding significant bulk to the overall implement structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An implement for a person to manipulate a hose includes two elongated members each having a top end, a bottom end, and a pivot aperture traversing through the elongated member. A pivot rod traverses the pivot apertures of each elongated member such that each elongated member is pivotally joined at the pivot rod. A two-part hose holder comprises two elongated arcuate members each fixed with the bottom end of one of the elongated members such that concave surfaces of each elongated arcuate member are mutually opposingly disposed. The top end of each elongated member further includes at least one handle projecting orthogonally away therefrom. In use, the elongated members may be pulled mutually apart to open the two-part hose holder to at least partially encircle the hose, whereupon the elongated members are then pushed together to close the two-part hose holder about the hose to engage the hose.