Support device for hard plastic shells

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child transport devices strain the spine and create asymmetry, requiring one hand for securement, and can be cumbersome, especially when carrying heavy plastic hard shells with babies.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring a hip belt with a detachable securing connection and a hook that attaches to the plastic hard shell, distributing the load to the hips and legs, eliminating spine strain and providing easy, secure attachment with a pivotable clip for added safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a one-point attachment with a hook is used to carry the plastic hard shell, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidsecurity of connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of beforehand cushioning by providing a secondary securing element (such as a safety latch or locking mechanism) that prevents accidental detachment of the hook from the plastic hard shell. This secondary safety feature is prepared in advance to cushion against the harmful effect of unintended disconnection, allowing the primary one-point attachment to remain simple and easy to operate while maintaining reliability through the pre-positioned safety mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If shoulder straps are used to carry the plastic hard shell, then the weight is distributed to shoulders and back, but the device complexity increases and it becomes cumbersome when wearing thick jackets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomfort of carryingVSAvoidcomplexity of carrying device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the carrying function from complex shoulder strap systems and implements it through a simplified hip belt with hook attachment. By taking out only the essential carrying function and eliminating unnecessary components like multiple straps and buckles, the device achieves comfortable weight distribution to the hips while maintaining low complexity and avoiding interference from thick jackets.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If a hip belt with hook attachment is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential loosening of the one-point connection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of carrying deviceVSAvoidsecurity of connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a secondary safety mechanism that is ready in advance to prevent detachment. This could be a safety latch, locking clip, or redundant attachment point that provides a backup connection if the primary hook becomes loose or detaches accidentally, thus maintaining reliability without adding significant complexity to the overall device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of operation

If one hand is required to hold the carrying handle, then the ease of operation deteriorates, but the stability of the carrying position is improved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of handsVSAvoidstability of carrying position
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical support of holding the carrying handle with an automated mechanical attachment system. The hook on the hip belt automatically engages with the plastic hard shell, providing stable support without requiring manual intervention. This substitution of mechanical systems allows both hands to be free while maintaining carrying stability through the engineered attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3576579B1Support device for hard plastic shells
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 RADEMACHER BRITTA
  • EP3576579B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3576579B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3576579B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for supporting a hard plastic shell (12) with a carrying handle (24), such as a baby carrier (20) or a child seat for infants, consisting of a waist belt (14) having a securing means (28), wherein the waist belt (14) is worn in the region around the waist of a wearer (18), and wherein the hard plastic shell (12) is configured such that it can be secured to the securing means (28) of the waist belt (14) in order to support the load. The invention also relates to a hard plastic shell (12) having a carrying handle (24), such as a baby carrier or a child seat for infants, for a device (10) of this type.