Pivoting Platform Material Handler for Single-Operator Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing material-handling devices, such as carts and hand-trucks, often require multiple users to lift heavy items, leading to potential bodily injuries and are not adaptable to accommodate different user heights or preferences, making them difficult to maneuver, especially when handling high-profile or long items.
Innovation Solution
A robust and adjustable material-moving device with a pivoting platform and elongated handle system, featuring auxiliary handles that can be switched between left- and right-handed use, and equipped with floatation tires for easy navigation over uneven terrain, allowing a single person to safely load and transport heavy items while maintaining neutral posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard hand-truck with a fixed L-shaped frame is used, then the platform provides good leverage for lifting loads, but it is not practical for transporting items longer than the length of the vertical handle and high-profile items block the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is made pivotally movable relative to the handle, allowing it to rotate between a loaded position (parallel to ground) and an unloading position (juxtaposed to ground). This dynamic adjustment enables the operator to accommodate items of various lengths and profiles while maintaining maneuverability.
2Ease of operation
If carts and dollies with a level platform are used, then the platform is not tilted and not prone to spillage, but more than one user must vertically lift heavy items onto the platform
Solution Approach 1:
The platform can be positioned in a level orientation parallel to the ground during transport, creating an equipotential surface that prevents spillage. The pivotal mechanism allows the platform to maintain this stable level position while still enabling single-operator loading through vertical rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable platform transitions between level transport position and ground-level loading position, dynamically adapting to operational needs. This allows safe transport without spillage while enabling single-operator loading that avoids heavy lifting injuries.
3Stability of the object's composition
If material-handling devices are rigidly fixed together for enhanced stability, then they provide stability, but they afford little adjustability to accommodate various sized persons
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly includes telescoping sections that allow vertical adjustment of the platform and handle length to accommodate users of different heights. The pivotal connection between platform and handle provides both stability during transport and adaptability for different operating conditions and user preferences.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables single-handed loading and unloading of heavy items, reducing the risk of injury and improving maneuverability through its adjustable design and floatation tires, allowing safe passage through standard gates and doors.
Implementation Method 1
equipped with floatation tires for easy navigation over uneven terrain
Implementation Method 2
A robust and adjustable material-moving device with a pivoting platform and elongated handle system... allowing a single person to safely load and transport heavy items
Data Source
AI summary
The purpose of this invention is to provide a material-moving device suitable for loading, unloading, and transporting at least one item thereon by a single person. The material-moving device includes a platform portion for holding at least one item thereon, at least two pairs of wheels rotatably attached to the platform portion in a manner that enables the front perimeter edge to pivot for easy loading and unloading the items onto the platform portion. The device also includes an elongated handle attached to the platform and an auxiliary handle movably attached to elongated handle in a manner effective to allow a single user to control the pivotal movement of the material-moving device while simultaneously gripping at least one item being loaded or unloaded onto said platform portion.