Locking Support Leg Assembly for Hands-Free Kneeling Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals who work on their hands and knees often experience significant lower back, knee, and wrist pain due to prolonged periods in this position, necessitating a support device for both daily work and post-injury recovery.
Innovation Solution
A chest-mounted support device with a hinged leg assembly and locking mechanism, allowing for adjustable support and distribution of body weight across multiple points, thereby alleviating strain on the lower back and knees, and freeing hands for work.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the leg is made hinged for movement within a pivot range, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but device complexity increases due to the addition of hinge and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The leg assembly transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one with hinged movement capability, allowing it to pivot within a defined range to accommodate various working positions and user preferences
Solution Approach 2:
The leg is divided into separable components with a hinge joint, enabling independent movement and positioning of the leg relative to the body attachment portion while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If the locking assembly is added to fix the leg position, then stability and reliability are improved, but device complexity and ease of operation worsen due to additional locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is designed to automatically engage and lock the leg in position through its own mechanical action, using the leg's movement itself to trigger the locking mechanism without requiring external intervention or complex control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The locking assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the hinged leg and the body attachment portion, providing a simple mechanical interface that translates leg position into a stable locked state
Data Source
AI summary
A body support device in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body attachment portion configured for attaching the body support device to a body of a user, wherein the body attachment portion has a first side and a second side, therein the first side is configured for coupling with the body of the user and wherein the second side is configured for facing away from the body of the user, a leg having an elongate body, a first end having a coupling interface configured for attachment with the second side of the body attachment portion and a second end extending from the body attachment portion, wherein the coupling interface includes a hinge assembly such that the leg is configured for movement within a pivot range, and a locking assembly for locking the leg in a fixed position relative to the body attachment portion within the pivot range.