Rotating Laundry Hamper Handle for One-Handed Door Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry hampers lack a stiff, rigid handle that allows one-handed operation, particularly for navigating through self-closing doors, and fail to accommodate a human arm comfortably, leading to potential spills and door trapping issues.
Innovation Solution
A laundry hamper design featuring a stiff, rigid handle with a centrally located concave grip and a mechanism to lock in the upright position, ensuring smooth movement and preventing contents from spilling, while allowing the handle to lie flat when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fabric material handle is used, then the handle is flexible and comfortable, but the hamper swings backwards when the user moves forward through a door, causing the hamper to get trapped in the door
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the handle from flexible (fabric) to rigid (stiff material), fundamentally altering the parameter of handle flexibility to eliminate the swinging problem while maintaining ease of operation
2Reliability
If a stiff rigid handle is used, then the hamper moves at the exact same time as the user's hand without delay, but the handle cannot be laid down out of the open top section of the hamper, requiring clothes to be removed from the handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the handle rotatable at connection points, allowing it to transition between a rigid upright position (for synchronized movement) and a laid-down position (for accessibility), combining both requirements through controlled motion
3Device complexity
If a handle without a concave grip is used, then the structure is simple, but the handle slides perpendicular to the user's arm causing contents to spill out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding a concave grip feature specifically at the handle location where the user's arm contacts it, creating a localized structural modification that prevents perpendicular sliding and content spillage
4Device complexity
If a handle that cannot lock in upright position is used, then the structure is simple, but the handle swings from one side to the other when heavy items are placed in the hamper, causing the hamper to roll forward and spill contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a locking mechanism that proactively prevents the handle from swinging to incorrect positions before heavy items can cause the hamper to roll, countering potential instability in advance
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry hamper is adapted to contain articles of clothing in transit. The laundry hamper includes a basin with a bottom and four sides connected to a rounded upper lip. A first handle connection point is attached to the rounded upper lip proximate the first side. A second handle connection point is attached to the upper lip proximate the third side. A handle includes a first handle rotation attachment point is rotationally attached to the first handle connection point. A first handle riser portion is joined to the first handle rotation attachment point and a first handle rounded portion. A handle crossing portion is joined to the first and second handle rounded portions. A second handle riser portion is joined to the handle crossing portion and a second handle rotation attachment point. The second handle rotation attachment point is rotationally coupled to the second handle rotation attachment point.