Rolling Knee Support with Detachable Pad

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rolling knee supports require replacement of the entire unit when either the base or knee pad becomes worn or damaged, as they are permanently attached, and lack a detachable knee pad for enhanced mobility.

Innovation Solution

A rolling knee support design featuring a detachable knee pad with a strap for attachment to the wearer, a base with roller attachment portions and casters for mobility, and a removable outer cover for improved mobility and comfort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the knee pad is permanently attached to the base, then the rolling knee support provides structural integrity and stability, but the entire unit must be replaced when either component becomes worn or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidreplacement of worn components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The knee pad assembly is segmented from the base through a detachable connection system. The knee pad shell includes recesses that receive protrusions from the base, allowing the knee pad to be separated and replaced independently while maintaining structural integrity when connected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The knee pad shell is nested within the base structure through interlocking features. The recesses in the shell receive protrusions from the base, creating a nested configuration that provides stability during use while enabling easy detachment for replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the knee pad is permanently attached to the base, then the rolling knee support maintains fixed orientation, but the wearer cannot easily replace only the worn knee pad or base

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixed orientationVSAvoidselective replacement of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If the knee pad is made rigid for protection, then the knee area is well protected from impact, but the wearer's mobility while kneeling is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveknee protectionVSAvoidmobility while kneeling

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The knee pad assembly has different local properties: the shell is rigid for protection, while the outer cover is flexible for mobility. The combination of rigid and flexible materials in different locations provides both protection and ease of movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The outer cover is made of flexible material that can stretch and conform to the knee pad shell. This flexible covering allows the wearer's knee to move and flex while maintaining protection from the rigid shell underneath.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS7681248B2Rolling knee support with detachable knee pad

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 NOMIS LLC

AI summary

A rolling knee support comprises a base with a detachable knee pad. The base includes a knee pad receiving portion and roller attachment portions. Each of the roller attachment portions has a caster mounted thereto. The knee pad is detachably mounted to the knee pad receiving portion. A strap extends from the rolling knee support for attachment of the rolling knee support to a wearer's knee area. An outer cover may be placed on the knee pad when the knee pad is detached from the rolling knee support.