Slingbar Attachment Gates for One-Handed Secure Sling Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lift systems for patients with compromised mobility lack efficient and easy-to-use closure elements for sling straps that prevent accidental disengagement during patient transfer, requiring both hands for operation.
Innovation Solution
The development of attachment members with closure elements such as 'Double Gate', 'Swivel Style', 'Funnel Style', and 'Automatic Weight Actuated' designs that allow one-handed engagement and disengagement of sling straps, ensuring secure attachment and release without additional locking components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional closure elements are used for sling straps, then the sling strap remains engaged with the hook-like element, but both hands are required for operation requiring the caregiver to use both hands for engagement and disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is divided into two separate gates (first gate and second gate) that can be operated independently. Each gate can be opened and closed separately to engage or disengage the sling strap, allowing one-handed operation while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring a complex locking mechanism that needs two hands to operate, the design inverts the approach by using simple gate structures that naturally close and lock when pushed together, requiring only a simple pushing motion with one hand to engage or disengage the strap
2Reliability
If simple hook-like elements are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the sling strap can accidentally disengage during patient lifting and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The gates are designed to automatically close and engage the sling strap as soon as the strap is inserted between them, preventing accidental disengagement. The gates remain in a closed position by default, requiring deliberate action to open
Solution Approach 2:
The gates act as intermediary elements between the simple hook-like element and the sling strap, providing a secure engagement mechanism that prevents accidental disengagement while maintaining ease of operation through simple pushing motions
3Reliability
If additional locking components are added to prevent accidental disengagement, then the reliability of strap engagement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first gate and second gate are merged into a single closure element assembly that works together as one unit. The gates combine to form a complete closure mechanism that secures the sling strap without requiring separate locking components
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is designed to be self-securing through the interaction of the two gates. When the gates are pushed together, they automatically engage and lock the sling strap in place without requiring additional locking mechanisms or complex operations
Data Source
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AI summary
A slingbar includes a sling attachment member. The sling attachment member includes a frame including a base having a top end and a bottom end, and a hook extending from the bottom end to a hook terminus. The hook terminus and the top end of the base define an opening. The hook, base, and opening bound an interior of the attachment member. A closure element includes an outboard gate hinged to the hook terminus and an inboard gate hinged to the base. The gates have a default state in which each gate extends laterally only part way across the opening.