Reinforced Padded Shower Seat Mounts for Lateral Transfer Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Padded shower seats used by the elderly and infirm often suffer damage due to lateral urging during transfer, leading to tears or detachment of projections that secure the padded elements.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating reinforcing elements, such as flared collars or locking elements, to prevent unintentional disengagement and damage of the padded elements during lateral urging, while allowing for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If projections are used to secure the padded element to the seat element, then the padded element can be removably engaged and easily removed, but the projections are damaged or torn away during lateral urging
Solution Approach 1:
The projection is divided into two functional parts: the engagement portion that interfaces with the seat element opening, and the reinforcing element (such as a flared collar or locking element) that provides structural support. This segmentation allows the projection to fulfill both the easy removal function and the damage resistance function simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection incorporates a composite structure combining the base padded element material with a reinforcing element (which may be a different material such as a flared collar, locking element, or other reinforcement structure). This composite construction enhances the projection's resistance to lateral urging while maintaining its engagement capability.
2Reliability
If the padded element is securely engaged to prevent lateral movement, then damage is prevented, but removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed. The projection can be easily inserted and engaged by pushing it into the opening, but the reinforcing element allows for controlled disengagement when needed. This dynamic characteristic enables the system to provide secure engagement during use while maintaining ease of removal when required.
Data Source
AI summary
A padded shower seat for use when showering, the shower seat comprising a seat element having one or more openings therein, and a padded element engaged with the seat element, the padded element including one or more integrally formed projections push-fit received in a respective said opening and at least one reinforcing element associated with at least one said projection for preventing or inhibiting unintentional disengagement of the padded element from the seat element, or damage to the padded element, during lateral urging of the padded element parallel to the seat element. A water-resistant padded element and a reinforcing element are also provided.