Telescoping Pole With Interchangeable Hoe Head And Claw Attachments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools are inadequate for retrieving and moving larger items from high shelves or jammed assembly lines, as they are designed for smaller items and lack the necessary functionality to engage and pull larger boxes or items effectively.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping pole with removable attachments such as a hoe head, hook member, or claw member that can be attached to its end, allowing users to reach and engage items from behind, pull them forward, and extend the pole's range with an extension member for better accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing engagement tools are used, then smaller items can be grabbed, but larger boxes or items cannot be effectively engaged or pulled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by providing a telescoping pole with multiple interchangeable attachments (claw member, hook member, hoe head) that can handle different sizes and types of items. The pole itself can be extended or retracted to reach different distances, making a single tool system capable of performing multiple retrieval functions that previously required different tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is segmented into a modular system where the pole can be adjusted in length and different attachment heads can be swapped based on the specific retrieval task. This segmentation allows the user to configure the tool appropriately for each situation, whether retrieving small items or large boxes from high shelves or assembly lines.
2Ease of operation
If a fixed-length pole is used, then the structure is simple, but the range of reach is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The pole transitions from a fixed-length structure to a dynamic, adjustable-length structure. The telescoping mechanism allows the pole to extend and retract, providing variable reach distances. This dynamic capability enables the user to adapt the pole length to match the distance to the item being retrieved, whether it's just beyond arm's reach or several feet away.
3Adaptability or versatility
If engagement elements are designed for small items, then small items can be grabbed, but larger items cannot be engaged
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system provides universality through multiple engagement element designs (claw member with fingers, hook member, hoe head with blade) that can engage different types and sizes of items. Each attachment type is optimized for specific item characteristics, but the ability to swap between them provides universal engagement capability across a wide range of objects from small boxes to large items on assembly lines.
Data Source
AI summary
A telescoping pole is provided with a device for attaching a series of removable grabber attachments at one end. One such attachment resembles the head of a hoe, where a flat blade member is attached to a shaft, so that the flat blade member is oriented in a generally perpendicular relation to the longitudinal axis of the telescoping pole. The shaft of the hoe head includes complementary attachment devices that allows the hoe head to be attached to one end of the telescoping pole. Additionally, other attachments may be used interchangeably with the telescoping pole, including a removable hook member or a removable claw member. Further, an extension member may be added to the end of the telescoping pole to extend the range of the pole, and the hoe head attachment (and other attachments) may be attached at the end of the extension member.