Pivoting Door Stabilizer for Hands-Free Multi-Direction Holding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door stop wedges only inhibit door movement in a single direction, requiring user engagement to maintain the door in an open position, limiting usability and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A door stabilizer with a main body and a pivotable or movably coupled footrest that extends from the main body, allowing the door to be held stationary in multiple directions without user hands, and can be converted into a traditional door stop wedge when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional door stop wedge is used, then the door is inhibited from closing in one direction, but the door can still move freely in other directions and requires user engagement to maintain position
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is designed to be pivotable relative to the main body, allowing it to dynamically adjust between a stowed position (where it fits within the main body) and a deployed position (where it extends outward to provide additional stabilization). This dynamic configuration enables the door stabilizer to adapt to different operational requirements without requiring user repositioning or engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The door stabilizer combines multiple functions in a single device: the main body provides primary door blocking capability, while the pivotable footrest adds secondary stabilization support when deployed. This multi-functional design allows the device to inhibit door movement in multiple directions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate door stop components and reducing the need for user intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a door stop wedge is placed in the gap between the door and floor, then the door is held open, but the device occupies floor space and may interfere with foot traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest is designed to nest within the main body when not in use. The main body defines a footrest receptacle that receives the footrest in its stowed position, allowing the footrest to fit entirely within the outer boundary of the main body. This nesting configuration minimizes the overall footprint and floor space occupation when the additional stabilization function is not required.
3Force
If the contact surface extends away from the support surface at the second end, then the door engagement leverage is improved, but the device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The footrest transitions from a static to a dynamic component by being pivotably coupled to the main body. This allows the footrest to remain compact during storage and transport while providing extended leverage capability when deployed for door stabilization, effectively decoupling the force multiplication benefit from the permanent height increase.
Data Source
AI summary
A door stabilizer includes a main body and a footrest. The main body defines a footrest receptacle and includes a first end, a second end, a support surface configured to be placed on a surface, and a contact surface configured to engage a door. The support surface extends between the first end and the second end. The contact surface extends between the first end and the second end and extends away from the support surface such that the contact surface is further away from the support surface at the second end of the main body than at the first end of the main body. The footrest is pivotably coupled to the main body and includes a pivot shaft that defines a pivot axis about which the footrest pivots relative to the main body. A portion of the footrest is configured to pivot into and out of the footrest receptacle.