Shoe Tie-Assisting Device with Elevated Platform for Upright Posture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with mobility issues face difficulties in putting on and tying their shoes due to challenges in bending over and maintaining balance, often requiring assistance for what is typically a simple task.
Innovation Solution
A shoe tie-assisting device with a frame assembly, platform assembly, and handle assembly that allows users to position themselves upright, enabling them to tie their shoes without bending over, featuring adjustable components and anti-slip materials for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a person uses a traditional ladder to reach their feet, then they can access their shoes, but they must bend over which is difficult for people with certain health issues
Solution Approach 1:
The device brings the footrest platform to an elevated height (vertical dimension) so that the user's feet are already at shoe-tying level. This eliminates the need to bend over by changing the vertical position of the working area, allowing the user to tie shoes while maintaining an upright posture.
Solution Approach 2:
The footrest platform acts as an intermediary structure that supports the user's feet at an elevated position. This mediator between the user and the ground enables shoe tying without direct contact with the ground level, removing the harmful bending action.
2Ease of operation
If a person requires assistance from another to tie their shoes, then they can complete the task, but they become dependent on others for a simple task
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed to enable the user to tie their own shoes independently without requiring assistance from another person. The elevated platform and handle assembly work together to allow the user to perform the shoe-tying task themselves, restoring self-sufficiency.
3Ease of operation
If a person with mobility issues attempts to bend over to tie their shoes, then they might reach their feet, but they cannot maintain their balance
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly serves as a stabilizing intermediary that the user can hold onto for support. This provides additional contact points and leverage, enhancing balance and stability while the user positions themselves on the elevated platform to tie their shoes.
Solution Approach 2:
By elevating the footrest platform to a height where the user can tie shoes while standing upright, the device removes the unstable bending motion from the equation. The user maintains balance in an upright position rather than attempting to balance while bent over.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a device is designed to allow upright positioning for shoe tying, then users can maintain balance, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the elevated platform, offers handholds for balance and stability, and contributes to the overall framework. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a shoe tie-assisting device that allows a user to position themselves such that they can tie their own shoes. The shoe tie assisting device includes a frame assembly that includes support columns spaced to create a geometric space between them. The support columns are connected with support bars. The shoe tie-assisting device further includes a platform assembly positioned in the geometric space between the support columns. The platform assembly allows a user to place one of their feet thereon. The shoe tie-assisting device further includes a handle assembly having one or more components that the user can grasp. This component(s) are positioned at height that a user can grasp them from an upright position without having to bend over. Using the platform assembly and handle assembly, a user can position their body such that they can tie their own shoes.