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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing postural support brackets fail to accommodate varying user needs by not allowing for adjustable angled and tilted positions, limiting their effectiveness in supporting individuals who slouch forward or sideways.

Innovation Solution

A postural support bracket with a pair of positioning members, each having a first and second portion, where the second portion is slidingly attached to a tilt adjustment slot on a support brace, enabling rotation and sliding movements to achieve desired angles and positions, and locking mechanisms to secure the support in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a postural support is attached to a bracket with fixed positioning, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate varying user needs for different angles and tilted positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustable angled and tilted positionsVSAvoidbracket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket incorporates dynamic positioning members that can slide along tilted adjustment slots and rotate about pivot points, transforming a static structure into one that adapts to multiple angles and positions while maintaining structural integrity through controlled movement mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is divided into separate functional components including positioning members with distinct first and second portions, tilted adjustment slots, and locking mechanisms, allowing each segment to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a postural support is made moveable to fit different sized people and positions, then it satisfies diverse postural support requirements, but it requires complex brackets with multiple adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition adjustment capabilityVSAvoidease of position adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket employs spring-loaded locking arms that automatically engage with positioning members when they reach desired positions along the tilted adjustment slots, eliminating the need for manual locking operations and allowing users to simply slide members to required positions without complex locking procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket allows continuous adjustment of positional parameters through sliding mechanisms along tilted slots, enabling smooth transitions between different angles and positions rather than discrete fixed settings, thereby simplifying the adjustment process while maximizing adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If locking mechanisms are added to secure the support in various positions, then the support stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport stability in positioned configurationVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism uses spring-loaded arms that automatically engage with the positioning members when they are inserted into the bracket, providing self-securing functionality without requiring additional manual locking steps or complex control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The locking arms serve as intermediary elements that mediate between the positioning members and the bracket structure, providing a simple yet effective connection that ensures stability while adding minimal complexity to the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3261600B1A bracket
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 MASCULL ROGER THOMAS
  • EP3261600B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3261600B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3261600B1 patent drawingFigure 3

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.