Infant Carrier Handle Support With Dual-Arm Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infant carriers are uncomfortable and difficult to carry due to the concentration of weight on a small area of the forearm, leading to mechanical disadvantage and potential rolling, causing user fatigue and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A supplemental support with a two-directional pad system that distributes the weight of the infant carrier over a larger area of the forearm and upper arm, providing improved ergonomics and control to prevent rolling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bail-style handle is used to carry the infant carrier, then the carrier is portable and can be easily transported, but the weight is concentrated on a small area of the forearm causing user fatigue and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the support from a single-point handle contact to a two-dimensional pad surface that contacts both the forearm and upper arm, distributing the load across multiple dimensions of the user's anatomy. The pad system creates a larger contact area by utilizing the vertical dimension of the arm from elbow to shoulder.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different pad surfaces at different locations on the arm - a first pad surface for the forearm and a second pad surface for the upper arm. Each pad surface is positioned to contact a specific anatomical region, optimizing weight distribution across different local areas of the user's body.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is positioned at the near-side top corner of the carrier, then the carrier can be carried over one arm, but the carrier tends to roll sideways away from the user
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the positional parameters of the support contact points by extending pads along the longitudinal axis of the arm. The first pad surface contacts the forearm at a specific longitudinal position while the second pad surface contacts the upper arm at a different longitudinal position, creating a distributed support system that prevents lateral rolling.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad system acts as an intermediary between the carrier handle and the user's arm, providing a broader interface that mediates the transfer of weight and stabilizing forces. The pads distribute the carrier's weight across multiple contact points on the arm, preventing the carrier from rolling sideways.
3Weight of moving object
If the carrier is made of light weight materials, then the carrier is easier to transport, but when the infant is present, the combined weight becomes too heavy for comfortable carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The invention compensates for the increased weight by extending the support interface from a single point to a two-dimensional pad system that contacts both the forearm and upper arm. This dimensional expansion of the support area distributes the combined weight of carrier and infant across a larger anatomical surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad system is pre-positioned on the carrier handle to provide optimal weight distribution before the user begins carrying. The pads are arranged to contact the arm at anatomically optimal positions, preparing the support system in advance to handle the combined weight of carrier and infant comfortably.
Data Source
AI summary
An arm rest for the handle of an infant carrier is suited to support the infant carrier from a user's forearm upon a primary support with a secondary support at the rear of the primary support and disposed transversely to the primary support for interacting with the user's upper arm. A receptor attached to the top of the primary support receives the handle of an infant carrier and clamps to it. The receptor swivels with respect to the primary support to allow the user to enjoy natural arm movement while carrying the infant carrier.