Pole-Mounted Light Hanging Tool for Cup Hook Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method of hanging strings of lights on elevated structures is laborious, time-consuming, and dangerous, requiring frequent ladder ascents and descents, which poses physical risks due to instability and the need for reaching over or around obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a cruciform tip mounted on a broomstick or extension pole allows for the installation and removal of cup hooks and light strings without a ladder, enabling users to remain on the ground and reach elevated locations, with visual indicia for orientation and a slot for the hook and channel for wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ladder-based methods are used to install cup hooks and hang light strings, then the installation can be completed, but the process is laborious, time-consuming, and dangerous requiring frequent ladder ascents and descents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pole-mounted tool as an intermediary device that transfers the installation function from ground level to elevated positions. The tool includes a cup hook receiver that captures hooks and a wire guide that directs light string wires, enabling installation without ladder-based manual manipulation at height
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ladder system with a pole-based delivery system. Instead of using a ladder to provide access and support for manual installation, the pole mechanically delivers both the cup hooks and light strings directly to the eave, substituting a safer and more efficient mechanical approach
2Reliability
If conventional ladder-based methods are used to install cup hooks and hang light strings, then the installation can be completed, but frequent ladder repositioning is required which is dangerous due to instability and reaching over obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The pole-mounted tool serves as a safe intermediary that performs the dangerous function of reaching elevated positions. The operator remains on stable ground while the tool, mounted on an extended pole, delivers cup hooks and wires to the eave, eliminating the need for the operator to physically reach over obstacles or reposition ladders
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of pole length to extend the operator's reach from ground level to elevated eave positions. This dimensional extension allows installation without vertical ladder access, transforming a vertically-challenging task into a horizontally-reachable operation
3Productivity
If multiple cup hooks are installed along the eave using conventional methods, then sufficient support points are achieved, but the installer must ascend and descend the ladder many times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous installation action by allowing the operator to move along the building footprint at ground level while the pole-mounted tool continuously delivers cup hooks and light strings to successive eave positions. This eliminates the discontinuous stop-start pattern of ladder ascent and descent
Solution Approach 2:
The pole-mounted tool performs multiple functions: it delivers cup hooks to the eave, installs them by rotating the pole, and subsequently guides light string wires onto the hooks. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate operations and repeated ladder access
Data Source
AI summary
A small plastic tool is configured with a socket that may be screwed onto the end of a conventional broomstick, mop handle, paint roller extension pole, or other long pole to allow the tool to be raised to an elevated height while the user remains standing on the ground surface. The tool has a distal end formed with cruciform arms. A hook receiving slot is defined into the structure of a first mutually opposing pair of the cruciform arms, while a wider channel is defined through the other pair of cruciform arms. The hook receiving slot is configured to snugly receive the hook portion of a cup hook, which allows the cup hook to be raised to overhead, elevated, horizontal surfaces. The pole can then be rotated to screw the threaded shank of the cup hook into the overhead structure. The same tool can be used to cradle the twisted pair of wires of a string of lights in the channel defined in the distal end of the other pair of cruciform arms in the tool. The string of lights can thereby be lifted, supported within the channel and deposited in the crook of the hook portion of the cup hook.