Attachable Pad for Ladder Knee Support and Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ladder safety and comfort solutions do not adequately address the risks of user instability and discomfort when using ladders, particularly when both hands are needed for a task, leading to potential knee injuries and fatigue.

Innovation Solution

An attachable pad with a main frame, apertures, and attachment mechanisms that can be securely fastened to a ladder, featuring cushions for comfort and stability, allowing users to brace against it safely and comfortably, with water-resistant materials for durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a ladder is used for reaching hard-to-access spots, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but user safety and stability deteriorate due to potential knee injuries and instability when both hands are needed for tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of reaching hard-to-access spotsVSAvoiduser safety and stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The attachable pad acts as an intermediary device between the user and the ladder. It provides a cushioned surface that mediates the contact between the user's knees/shins and the hard ladder structure, thereby maintaining productivity while improving safety and comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pad is attached to the ladder in advance to provide cushioning protection before any potential injury occurs. The cushioning material is positioned beforehand to protect the user's knees and shins from the hard ladder surface during use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If existing cushioned devices are attached to ladders, then user comfort is improved, but device complexity and attachment reliability worsen due to multiple components and attachment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidnumber of components and attachment mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pad integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure. The cushioning surface, attachment mechanisms, and structural support are merged into one attachable unit, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining comfort and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachable pad is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously provides cushioning, structural support, and secure attachment to the ladder. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate devices, simplifying the overall system while improving user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3798407B1Attachable pad device
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 WADDELL DAVID WAYNE
  • EP3798407B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3798407B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3798407B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Disclosed is an attachable pad to attach to a ladder, including: a main frame including: a middle portion, and a first end portion attached to a first end of the middle portion. The first end portion is folded to a first folding degree outward of the first side of the middle portion. The main frame includes a second end attached to a second end of the middle portion, in which the second end portion is folded to the first folding degree outward of the first side of the middle portion. The attachable pad device includes a first aperture attached to an upper left portion of a second side of the middle portion, a second aperture attached to an upper right portion of the second side of the middle portion, and a mechanism to attach the first aperture and the second aperture to the second side of the middle portion.