Rescue Device With Pinch-Adjustable Loop
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Solution Overview
Problem
In rescue operations, manually carrying a victim away from a danger zone can be difficult due to the requirement of great muscular strength and endurance, making it challenging, especially in situations where hand carrying is almost impossible.
Innovation Solution
A rescue device featuring a closed loop element made of flexible material with slidable elements that pinch to define end and intermediate loop portions, allowing for adjustable securing and handling of limbs, and can be used in various configurations for carrying or supporting victims.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hand carrying the victim is used, then no additional equipment is needed, but great muscular strength and endurance are required making it difficult or impossible in some situations
Solution Approach 1:
The rescue device divides the victim's body into separate support zones using multiple slidable elements positioned at different locations along the closed loop element. Each slidable element independently secures a specific body part (limb, torso, or head), distributing the support function across multiple discrete points rather than requiring single-point manual carrying.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed loop element acts as an intermediary between the victim and the rescuer. Instead of direct manual contact and support, the loop element with slidable elements serves as a mechanical mediator that transfers and distributes the victim's weight, reducing the direct muscular force requirement on the rescuer.
2Force
If a complex rescue device is designed to reduce muscular strength requirement, then rescue capability is improved, but device complexity increases making it harder to manufacture and use
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (the closed loop element and multiple slidable elements) are merged into a single integrated system. The slidable elements move along and interact with the closed loop element, combining their functions to provide adjustable multi-point support without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each support point.
Solution Approach 2:
The slidable elements provide dynamic adjustability along the closed loop element, allowing the device to adapt to different victim sizes, body configurations, and rescue scenarios. This dynamic positioning capability replaces the need for multiple fixed-configuration complex devices.
3Ease of manufacture
If the closed loop element is made thinner for easier insertion through passageway, then ease of assembly is improved, but frictional engagement with slidable elements may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The closed loop element features localized thicker portions at specific locations along its length. These thicker sections provide enhanced frictional engagement points for the slidable elements, while the rest of the loop element maintains a thinner profile for ease of insertion and flexibility. Each local region has optimized properties for its specific function.
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 rescue device is simple to manufacture, versatile, and easy to use, even in freezing conditions, providing effective and efficient handling of victims without tangling, and supports practical configurations for different rescue scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
first and second slidable elements mounted to the closed loop element so as to be slidable therealong while frictionally engaging the closed loop element
Data Source
AI summary
A rescue device comprising a closed loop element made of a flexible material and first and second slidable elements mounted to the closed loop element so as to be slidable therealong while frictionally engaging the closed loop element. The first and second slidable elements each pinch the closed loop element against itself to define a pair of opposed end loop portions and an intermediate loop portion extending therebetween, the intermediate loop portion extending between the first and second slidable elements and each of the end loop portions extending from a respective one of the first and second slidable elements opposed to the intermediate loop portion.