Bracket

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing postural support brackets for chairs, such as wheelchairs, lack the ability to adjust to various angled and tilted positions, failing to accommodate individuals who slouch forward or sideways, and are not easily movable to suit different users' needs.

Innovation Solution

A postural support bracket system featuring a pair of positioning members with rotatable and sliding attachments to a support brace, allowing for adjustable tilt and rotation, and locking mechanisms to secure the support in desired positions, enabling the support to be positioned optimally for users with different torso, hip, or head support needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed bracket design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot accommodate users with different body sizes and postural requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different users and positionsVSAvoidbracket structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into multiple independent components: a base portion attached to the seat, a support portion that provides postural support, and a positioning member with multiple portions that connects them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while providing overall adjustability through the positioning member's ability to assume different configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning member is designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, capable of rotating about its longitudinal axis and being positioned at different locations. This dynamic capability allows the bracket to adapt to various user needs and postural requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be easily manufactured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bracket allows rotation and tilting, then it can accommodate slouching users, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate various posturesVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket system allows for changes in key parameters including the orientation of the support portion, the position of the positioning member along the seat backrest, and the angle of rotation of the positioning member. These parameter changes enable accommodation of different postures without requiring complex mechanisms, as the adjustments are achieved through straightforward mechanical movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple adjustment features are added, then the bracket can suit different users, but it becomes harder to operate and adjust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomizability for different usersVSAvoidease of adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket incorporates a self-adjusting mechanism where the positioning member can be easily repositioned and rotated without requiring complex tools or procedures. The design allows users to independently make adjustments by simply moving the positioning member to different locations and orientations, making the system intuitive and easy to operate while maintaining high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If the support brace is made rotatable, then it can provide tilted positioning, but the attachment mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetilt adjustment capabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotation and positioning functions are merged into a single positioning member that performs both operations. By combining these functions in one component rather than using separate mechanisms, the overall attachment mechanism remains simple while still providing the necessary tilt adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10820707B2Bracket

Publication Date: 2020.11.03 ROGER THOMAS MASCULL & ELIZABETH JOCELYN MASCULL AS TRUSTEES OF THE RT & EJ MASCULL FAMILY TRUST

AI summary

The invention relates to a postural support bracket for attaching to at least one postural support. The bracket is adapted to allow the postural support to adopt a variety of different positions, including positions in which the postural support is tilted. In one embodiment, the postural support bracket comprises a hinged region that when attached to one or more postural supports, allows the postural support to adopt a variety of different angles.