Retractable Cleat Attachment for Mobility Aid Slip Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs provide little to no assistance in preventing slips and falls on slippery surfaces like wet, icy, or snowy conditions, as users must step directly onto these surfaces, increasing the risk of falling.
Innovation Solution
A modular attachment system with retractable slip-resistant surfaces and cleats that automatically position under the user's feet as they move forward, ensuring secure footing by extending and retracting with a ratchet mechanism or spring-based system, allowing for easy attachment to various mobility aids and folding for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mobility aids are used on slippery surfaces, then the device structure remains simple, but the user's safety and stability deteriorate due to lack of slip resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate modular components: attachment brackets that mount to the mobility aid, retractable slip-resistant surfaces, and cleats. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment system that bridges the mobility aid and the slip-resistant surface. The attachment brackets and retractable mechanisms serve as intermediaries that connect the existing mobility aid structure to the additional slip-resistant functionality, enabling stability improvement without modifying the original device.
2Reliability
If slip-resistant surfaces are added to mobility aids, then user safety improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional attachment and adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The retractable slip-resistant surfaces automatically extend and retract based on user movement. The system self-adjusts to maintain the slip-resistant surface in the correct position without requiring manual intervention, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining slip resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system incorporates dynamic elements that allow the slip-resistant surfaces to move and adjust automatically. The retractable mechanisms and cleats that can engage or disengage provide dynamic adaptation to user needs, making the system easier to operate while maintaining reliable slip resistance.
3Ease of operation
If retractable slip-resistant surfaces are used, then automatic positioning under the user's foot is achieved, but the device complexity increases due to retraction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The retraction mechanisms are designed to automatically retract the slip-resistant surfaces based on user weight and movement. The system uses the user's own body weight and motion to trigger the retraction action, achieving automatic positioning without complex control systems or additional power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic or motorized retraction systems with simpler mechanical retraction mechanisms. The retraction is achieved through spring-loaded or gravity-based mechanical systems that automatically return the slip-resistant surfaces to their retracted state, reducing device complexity while maintaining automatic positioning functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the attachment system is made modular and removable, then adaptability to different mobility aids improves, but the reliability of attachment deteriorates due to removable connections
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment brackets are designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate different types of mobility aids (walkers, wheelchairs, rolling walkers). The standardized bracket design provides reliable attachment to various devices while maintaining adaptability, resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular segmented design allows the attachment system to be adapted to different mobility aids while maintaining reliable connections through standardized interface mechanisms. Each segment can be independently attached and detached, providing both versatility across different devices and reliable attachment when properly secured.
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 system significantly enhances user stability and safety on slippery surfaces by maintaining a slip-resistant surface under the user's feet at all times, reducing the risk of falls and allowing for easy use and storage without modifying the mobility aid.
Implementation Method 1
The slip resistant surfaces are attached to a retraction means for selectively pulling the slip resistant surfaces towards the walker when the pressure of a user's foot is removed
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment to a mobility aid, such as a walker, wheeled walker or rollator, or wheelchair that automatically positions a slip resistant surface under the foot of the user. An attachment bracket is attached to sides of the mobility aid. A retracting slip resistant surface and cleat assembly is removably attached to each attachment bracket. A cleat head assembly has engaging and disengaging replaceable cleats that selectively engage and disengage a slippery surface. Secure footing is obtained on wet or slippery surfaces preventing falls.