Collapsible Portable Stand With Synchronized Legs for Ergonomic Bag Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for accessing items in bags or equipment carriers require bending or stooping, which can lead to dirtiness, wetness, and strain on the back and arms, and there is a need for a device that elevates the load without these disadvantages.
Innovation Solution
A portable stand with a frame, actuator, transfer shaft, leg assemblies, and leg bias springs that allow easy deployment and stowage, providing a stable platform for ergonomic access, and can be integrated into or attached to bags or equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bag is set on the ground for access, then the person can reach inside the bag, but the bottom of the bag gets dirty or wet and the person experiences back and arm strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary platform (table or stand) between the ground and the bag. This mediator elevates the bag to an accessible height without requiring the user to bend over, while simultaneously preventing the bag bottom from contacting dirty or wet ground surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If a table or chair is used to elevate the bag, then the person can access the bag at standing height, but the device is not portable and requires two hands to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic collapsible leg structure that transitions between extended (support) and retracted (compact) positions. This dynamic mechanism allows the stand to be lightweight and portable when collapsed, yet provide stable elevation when deployed, eliminating the need for heavy fixed furniture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by placing the collapsible leg structure within or alongside the bag. When not in use, the legs are retracted into a compact form that fits within the bag's volume, making the entire system portable and easy to transport.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a collapsible stand is used to elevate the bag, then the bag remains off the ground and accessible, but the mechanism becomes more complex with multiple moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the bag's own weight as the operating force for the collapsible mechanism. When the bag is placed on the stand, its weight automatically extends the legs to the support position. When removed, the legs automatically collapse back, eliminating the need for motors, batteries, or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems (motors, hydraulics) with a simple passive mechanical structure that uses gravity and the bag's weight to operate the collapsible legs. This substitution dramatically reduces mechanism complexity while maintaining functionality.
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 portable stand provides easy, ergonomic access to loads while keeping them off the ground, is lightweight, and can be deployed and stowed with one hand, offering a stable platform without requiring bending or stooping.
Implementation Method 1
a leg bias spring inside the leg shaft... When the actuator is released to return to the stowed position, the bias spring pushes against the bias spring holder causing the leg assembly to rotate back to the stowed position
Implementation Method 2
an actuator pulley synchronously coupled to a transfer shaft actuator gear... A manual pull is operably coupled to the actuator pulley
Implementation Method 3
The actuator pulley is synchronously coupled to a transfer shaft actuator gear... The transfer shaft actuator gear is coupled to and drives the transfer shaft
Implementation Method 4
The actuator includes a manual pull extending slidably within an actuator case and coupled to a flexible connector. The actuator flexible connector is operably coupled to a transfer shaft over a leg pull cam mounted eccentrically to and rotatable with the transfer shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A portable stand includes a rigid frame portion, an actuator portion synchronously coupled to a transfer shaft, a plurality of rotatable leg assemblies, a plurality of transfer shaft pulleys corresponding to the respective leg assemblies, and a plurality of leg flexible connectors synchronously coupling the respective leg assemblies to the transfer shaft through the transfer shaft pulleys. A portable stand may include a linear actuator coupled to a transfer shaft by a leg pull cam, and the transfer shaft synchronously coupled to a plurality of rotatable leg assemblies by a plurality of corresponding transfer shaft pulleys acting on corresponding flexible leg connectors.