Pivoting Retrieval Tool With Magnet and Sticky Pickup Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with limited mobility face difficulties in retrieving small items from difficult-to-reach surfaces due to their physical limitations, such as being wheelchair-bound or having conditions like multiple sclerosis or arthritis, as existing solutions do not adequately address the need for efficient and safe retrieval without stooping or bending.
Innovation Solution
A retrieval tool with an elongated rod and adjustable pivot mechanism, featuring a magnet and a sticky surface region, allowing for angular adjustment and easy attachment and detachment of items, enabling users to pick up small items without bending, comprising a handle, a pivot member, and a retrieval member with a magnet and elastomeric polymer-based sticky surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a person uses their hands to retrieve small items from the floor or difficult-to-reach surfaces, then they can directly pick up the items, but persons with limited mobility cannot reach these surfaces without stooping or bending which causes physical strain and safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a retrieval tool as an intermediary device between the user and the dropped item. The tool includes a rod member with a retrieval member at the end that can contact and retrieve items from the floor or difficult-to-reach surfaces without requiring the user to stoop or bend, thereby eliminating physical strain and safety risks while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical action of bending and reaching with a mechanical tool that extends the user's reach. The retrieval tool uses a rod member that can be maneuvered to access items on the floor, substituting the harmful mechanical motion of stooping with a safe alternative that achieves the same retrieval function
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retrieval tool uses only a magnet to pick up items, then it can retrieve metal items, but it cannot effectively retrieve non-magnetic items such as paper currency, checks, or plastic items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different retrieval mechanisms into a single retrieval member: a magnet for attracting and holding metal items, and a sticky surface region for adhering to and retrieving non-magnetic items such as paper currency, checks, and plastic items. This merging of mechanisms allows the tool to effectively retrieve a wide variety of item types without compromising retrieval effectiveness for either category
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval member is designed with multi-functionality to handle different types of items. It includes both a magnet component for magnetic items and a sticky surface region for non-magnetic items, making the retrieval tool universally applicable to various materials including metal, paper, plastic, and other small articles that may be dropped
3Adaptability or versatility
If the retrieval member has a fixed structure, then it is simple to manufacture, but it cannot adapt to different retrieval scenarios such as varying angles and surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pivot member that allows the retrieval member to rotate relative to the rod member, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This pivot mechanism enables the retrieval member to be positioned at various angles to access items on different surfaces and in different locations, providing adaptability without requiring multiple separate tools while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through a single rotating joint
4Reliability
If the sticky surface region is permanently attached to the retrieval member, then the structure is simple, but the sticky surface cannot be replaced when worn or contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the retrieval member into distinct components: the main body and the sticky surface region. The sticky surface region is made separable from the main body, allowing it to be removed and replaced when worn or contaminated. This segmentation enables maintenance of high retrieval effectiveness by allowing replacement of the consumable sticky surface while keeping the main tool structure intact, with the added complexity of a removable attachment mechanism
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
The tool allows users with limited mobility to safely and efficiently retrieve small items from various heights and surfaces without stooping, enhancing their independence and reducing the risk of injury.
Implementation Method 1
the retrieval member comprising a magnet
Implementation Method 2
the lower planar retrieval member surface defining a sticky surface region... The sticky surface region comprises an elastomeric polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for retrieval of dropped and other items includes an elongated rod member having a first end and an opposite second end, with a handle mounted at the first end of the rod and defining a user gripping surface, and a retrieval member mounted at the second end of the rod and defining a lower planar retrieval surface. The retrieval member includes a magnet and the lower planar retrieval member surface defines a sticky surface region, both for attachment and retrieval of dropped and other items.