Stair Object Transfer Rail System for Safe Load Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carrying heavy or bulky objects up or down ladders or stairways is hazardous due to the need for individuals to lift and balance the objects while maintaining balance, often resulting in unsafe conditions as they can trip or lose balance.
Innovation Solution
An object transfer system (OTS) comprising a rail positioned as a handrail, a trolley assembly movably attached to the rail, and an object carrier, where the trolley assembly can be locked or released for controlled movement along the rail using an actuating lever, allowing for safe transport of objects up or down stairways or ladders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a person carries a heavy or bulky object up or down a stairway or ladder, then the object can be transported, but the person may lose balance or trip causing unsafe conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the object transport function from the person's body by introducing an external carrier device. The object is placed in a carrier that moves independently along a rail, dividing the transport task from the person's balancing function, thus resolving the contradiction between object transport and balance stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail and carrier system acts as an intermediary between the person and the object. Instead of direct contact and carrying, the object is transferred to an intermediate carrier that moves along the rail, eliminating the direct relationship that causes balance issues while enabling safe object transport.
2Ease of operation
If a person holds onto a handrail while carrying an object, then the person can maintain some stability, but the person can only hold on to one handrail with one arm while holding the object with the other arm
Solution Approach 1:
The object is extracted from the person's direct control and placed in an independent carrier system. This removes the requirement for the person to use one arm to hold the object, freeing both arms for handrail contact and improving stability without increasing device complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the trolley assembly is always locked, then the object carrier is stable, but the object cannot be transported along the rail length
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system transitions from a static state to a dynamic one, allowing the trolley assembly to switch between locked (stable) and unlocked (movable) states. This dynamic capability enables the system to provide stability when needed while allowing transport when required, resolving the contradiction between stability and transport capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An object transfer system (“OTS”) for a flight of steps for transporting an object on the flight of steps is disclosed. The OTS may include a rail positioned in place of a handrail on the flight of steps, a trolley assembly movably attached to the rail, and an object carrier attached to the trolley assembly. The rail has a rail length and the object carrier is configured to hold the object. Additionally, the trolley assembly is configured to transport the object held by the object carrier along the rail length.