Locking Basket Handles for Side Carrying and Stable Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laundry and retail baskets are difficult to carry due to their large size and weight, posing safety concerns, especially when navigating stairs, and their handles can cause discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle with an elongated profile and locking handles that can be securely engaged to form a single carrying handle, allowing comfortable side-carrying and easy stacking, featuring a recessed area for user accommodation and handles that pivot to fit together for enhanced usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the basket is designed with a large capacity to carry heavy loads, then the carrying capability is improved, but the difficulty of carrying and safety concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is divided into two separate handles that can be independently positioned. Each handle can be independently engaged or disengaged, allowing the user to carry the basket with one hand while maintaining balance and control, thus resolving the contradiction between carrying capacity and ease of carrying.
Solution Approach 2:
The handles are designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing them to pivot and rotate into different positions. When not in use, the handles can be positioned flush with the rim for stable stacking. During carrying, they can be engaged to provide ergonomic grip options, dynamically adapting to different operational states.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the basket is designed with a stable stacking configuration, then the storage efficiency is improved, but the ease of carrying is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The handles are designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing them to be in two distinct states: engaged for carrying and disengaged/flush for stacking. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the basket to optimize its characteristics for different operational modes without compromising either stacking stability or carrying ease.
3Weight of moving object
If thin metal handles are used to reduce weight, then the basket weight is reduced, but the comfort and safety during carrying deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The handle system is segmented into two separate handles rather than one thick handle. This segmentation allows each handle to remain relatively thin and lightweight while providing multiple carrying options. The user can choose to carry with one hand using one handle, or use both handles for distributed weight bearing, maintaining comfort without requiring thick metal construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle including a wall portion extending from a bottom surface to a rim, the rim having an internal lip extending around the rim, wherein the wall portion includes at least one recessed area to accommodate a side of a user when the user is carrying the receptacle, a first handle operably attached to the receptacle, and a second handle operably attached to the receptacle, wherein the first handle and the second handle releasably engage each other to form a single carrying handle, is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.