Strap Lifter With Movable Buckle Loop For Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shoulder harnesses for lifting heavy objects, such as home appliances and furniture, lack a secure and adjustable mechanism to distribute the load effectively between two persons, often requiring cumbersome adjustments and providing insufficient rigidity and strength for heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A strap lifter design featuring a pair of shoulder harnesses with central front buckles and a central lifter strap made of strong nylon webbing, where the straps intersect in an 'x' configuration, with a short buckle strap and a reinforcing bar for added rigidity, and a movable upper loop to securely fix the lifter strap, allowing for easy adjustment and secure lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing shoulder harnesses are used for lifting heavy objects, then basic lifting function is provided, but the load distribution between two persons is insufficient and adjustments are cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The harness incorporates movable adjustment mechanisms including a movable upper loop that can be repositioned along the lifter strap, and adjustable shoulder straps with multiple hole positions, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different user sizes and load requirements while maintaining secure load distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The harness is divided into independent adjustable components including separate shoulder straps, a movable upper loop, and a lifter strap with multiple attachment points, allowing each segment to be independently adjusted for optimal fit and load distribution between two persons
2Strength
If existing shoulder harnesses are used for lifting heavy objects, then basic lifting function is provided, but rigidity and strength for heavy loads are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The harness combines different materials with complementary properties: nylon webbing for flexibility and strength, metal buckles for rigid connection points, and padded sections for comfort. This composite construction provides the necessary rigidity for heavy loads while maintaining overall system flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The shoulder straps are contoured to follow the natural curvature of the shoulder, and the buckles are positioned to create optimal load distribution angles, reducing stress concentrations and enhancing the overall strength-to-complexity ratio of the harness structure
3Reliability
If a secure connection mechanism is added to distribute load effectively, then load distribution security is improved, but the adjustment mechanism becomes more cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The harness features self-adjusting mechanisms where the movable upper loop automatically positions itself under load, and the shoulder straps can be easily adjusted by the user without requiring tools or complex procedures, maintaining simplicity while ensuring secure load distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The buckles and straps are pre-positioned and pre-adjusted during manufacturing to optimal positions, allowing users to quickly make minor adjustments rather than configuring the entire system from scratch, thus maintaining both security and ease of operation
4Strength
If a central lifter strap with buckles is used, then connection strength is improved, but the adjustability for different users is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The central lifter strap incorporates a movable upper loop that can be repositioned along its length, and the shoulder straps have multiple hole positions for adjustment, allowing the rigid buckles to maintain connection strength while the dynamic adjustment elements accommodate different user sizes and preferences
Data Source
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AI summary
A strap lifter for use with a harness is shown and described. The harness may have two shoulder straps that support a central, front buckle for use at about the lower, central belly of a user. A generally horizontal buckle strap has a fixed, rigid lower loop beneath a movable, flexible upper loop secured to the front of the buckle strap. The lower and upper loops are generally parallel, and close, to each other. Typically, the distance between the two loops is slightly more than the thickness of a lifter strap which is threaded between the two loops. Preferably, a set of two harnesses is used by two persons standing face-to-face with a single lifter strap between them threaded through both of the buckles.