IV Pole Base Tessellating Elements for Stable Group Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IV pole bases are designed for individual portability but lack efficient methods to move multiple poles simultaneously, leading to unstable connections, potential toppling, and surface damage during movement.
Innovation Solution
The IV pole base features tessellating elements with stabilizing thickening elements and casters, allowing multiple bases to interlock securely and maintain a constant center of gravity, facilitating group movement while preventing uncoupling and toppling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IV pole bases are designed for individual portability with casters, then ease of moving single poles is improved, but difficulty of moving multiple poles simultaneously increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the merging principle by enabling multiple IV pole bases to connect to each other through interlocking tessellating elements on their undersides. This allows individual portable bases to be combined into a group that moves together as a single unit, resolving the contradiction between individual ease of movement and difficulty of moving multiple poles simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If vertical legs are intertwined to move multiple poles, then ease of moving multiple poles is improved, but stability of the interconnected structure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the connection function into specific interlocking elements (protrusions and recesses) located at predetermined positions on each base. This structured segmentation creates stable, defined connection points that prevent random intertwining, thereby maintaining stability while enabling easy movement of multiple poles.
Solution Approach 2:
The tessellating elements with interlocking protrusions and recesses serve as intermediaries between adjacent bases. These intermediary connection features provide stable, predetermined connection points that replace the unstable direct intertwining of vertical legs, enabling easy movement while maintaining structural stability.
3Ease of operation
If vertical legs are intertwined to move multiple poles, then ease of moving multiple poles is improved, but harmful effects on surface treatment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by locating connection elements at specific predetermined positions on each base, away from surface treatment areas. This spatial segmentation separates the connection function from the cosmetic surface, enabling movement operations without damaging the surface treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking tessellating elements serve as intermediaries that perform the connection and movement function without contacting the surface treatment. These intermediary elements are positioned on the underside or at locations that do not interfere with the cosmetic finish, preventing surface damage during movement operations.
4Productivity
If multiple IV pole bases are connected to move as a group, then productivity of maintenance operations is improved, but reliability of connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by creating multiple discrete interlocking connection points between adjacent bases. This segmentation distributes the connection load across several reliable points rather than a single connection, maintaining high reliability while enabling efficient group movement for improved productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking protrusions and recesses serve as reliable intermediary connection features between bases. These specifically designed connection elements provide secure, predetermined attachment points that ensure reliable connections while enabling efficient group movement operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An IV pole base is configured to couple in a tessellating manner to at least one other like IV pole base. The IV pole base can comprise a horizontal rectangular plate having four side edges and a given thickness (at least along the aforementioned side edges). This plate has a plurality of tessellating elements comprising each of a blank and a tab formed at each of the four side edges. The IV pole base further comprises a stabilizing thickening element disposed at a periphery of at least one of the tessellating elements to locally increase the thickness of the IV pole base beyond the thickness of the plate to thereby increase tessellation stability. The plate also includes an IV pole coupler formed centrally thereto, the IV pole coupler being configured to receive and hold an IV pole such that the IV pole extends outwardly perpendicularly to the plate.