Tippable Apparatus Grip With Curved Guide Slot
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grips for tippable apparatus, such as wheelbarrows, are often cumbersome and complex in design, making them difficult to operate effectively.
Innovation Solution
A pair of grips featuring a slide portion that automatically adjusts along a guide slot based on the handle position, with securing means like twist-grip sleeves or screws, and a design that allows for easy manufacturing from moldable plastics, ensuring secure and ergonomic handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If known grips are used for tippable apparatus, then the apparatus can be operated, but the grips are awkward to operate and complex in design
Solution Approach 1:
The grip is divided into distinct functional segments: a connecting portion for attachment to the handle, a guide slot portion with a curved guide slot, and a slide portion that moves within the slot. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip incorporates a dynamic element where the slide portion can move along the curved guide slot. This dynamic feature allows the grip to automatically adjust to different handle positions during pushing and tipping operations, eliminating the need for complex adjustable mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If known grips are used for tippable apparatus, then the apparatus can be operated, but the grips are awkward to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The grip design allows the slide portion to automatically position itself along the curved guide slot based on the handle's position. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for the user to manually adjust the grip position, making operation easier and eliminating awkward handling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex grip designs are used, then functionality can be achieved, but manufacturing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portion, guide slot, and slide portion can be manufactured as separate simple components and then assembled together. This approach allows each component to be optimized for its specific manufacturing process while maintaining overall functionality, making the grip easier to manufacture compared to complex integrated designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved guide slot design provides universal functionality for both pushing and tipping operations. The same simple structural feature serves multiple purposes: guiding the slide portion during pushing and enabling automatic adjustment during tipping, eliminating the need for multiple complex components.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pair of grips (2) for tippable apparatus (4) comprising at least one wheel (6), a body portion (8) for receiving a load (10), and a pair of handles (12) by which the tippable apparatus (4) is able to be pushed and tipped about the wheel (6), and the pair of grips (2) being such that each grip (2) comprises: (i) a connecting portion (14) for connecting to one of the handles; (ii) a hand grip portion (16); (iii) at least one guide slot (18) in the hand grip portion (16); and (iv) at least one slide portion (20) which extends from the connecting portion (14) and into the guide slot (18), and the grip (2) being such that: (v) the guide slot (18) is curved, and (vi) the slide portion (20) is retained in the guide slot (18) and is slideable backwards and forwards in the guide slot (18) in order to allow the tipping of the tippable apparatus (4) about the wheel (6) and without a person having to change their hand position on the grip (2).