Interlocking Safety Grip Design to Prevent Rotation and Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing safety grip systems for support structures like handrails and grab bars lack stability, as they can move or rotate when pressure is applied, potentially causing users to stumble and injure themselves, especially in elderly and infirm individuals.
Innovation Solution
A modular interlockable safety grip system comprising two safety grips that are non-rotatably secured to a support structure, with interlocking members such as fingers and recesses or clamping mechanisms, ensuring that if one grip is secured, the other remains fixed, preventing movement or rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single safety grip is mounted to a support structure, then it provides support to users, but it may move or rotate when pressure is applied, causing instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple safety grips into an interlocked system where at least two grips are mechanically connected through interlocking members. This merging of separate grip units creates a unified stable structure that prevents individual grip movement while maintaining ease of installation and use.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety grip system is divided into modular interlocking members that can be assembled separately and then connected. Each grip unit remains a distinct component with its own mounting mechanism, allowing for easy installation and replacement while achieving stability through their interlocked configuration.
2Reliability
If adhesive or mechanical fasteners are used to secure safety grips, then attachment is achieved, but the fasteners may become loose over time, allowing rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking members are designed with built-in compensation mechanisms that anticipate and counteract the loosening of adhesive or fastener attachments over time. The interlocking geometry provides continuous mechanical constraint that compensates for degradation of the primary attachment method.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple attachment methods (adhesive or mechanical fasteners plus interlocking mechanical members) to create redundant security. If one attachment method degrades, the other maintains the stable connection, extending the duration of reliable attachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If modular interlocking members are used, then assembly is simplified, but the system requires multiple components to achieve stability
Solution Approach 1:
The safety grip system is segmented into standardized modular units with uniform interlocking interfaces. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing and assembly of individual components while the modular nature reduces the perceived complexity through repetition of proven designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking members are designed with universal compatibility, allowing the same component design to be used throughout the system. This universality simplifies manufacturing by standardizing parts and reduces assembly complexity through consistent connection mechanisms across all grip units.
Data Source
AI summary
A safety grip system comprises first and second support structures wherein the second support structure extends transverse to the first support structure. The first support structure is provided with a first longitudinally extending safety grip at one end thereof. The first longitudinally extending safety grip on the end of the first support structure has an opening therethrough through which the second support structure extends, whereby the first longitudinally extending safety grip is non-rotatably secured to the first support structure. A second longitudinally extending safety grip is provided on the first support structure and has engagement members that inter-engage engagement members provide don the first longitudinally extending safety grip, whereby the second longitudinally extending safety grip is non-rotatably secured to the first support structure.