Vehicle Strap with Headrest Catch and Funnel Cuts for Bag Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for containing trash in vehicles are either cumbersome, occupy legroom, or pose safety risks during sudden stops, and fail to securely hang recyclable bags between front seats, allowing handles to come together during vehicle motion.
Innovation Solution
An elongate flexible strap with a headrest post catch portion and bag handle hook portion, featuring funnel-shaped cuts to securely hold bag handles apart, allowing easy disposal and resisting motion-induced bag handle convergence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trash can is placed on the floor or center console, then trash containment is achieved, but it occupies leg room and may be knocked over
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions the trash can from floor-level placement (2D horizontal space) to suspension from the ceiling (3D vertical space), utilizing the unused vertical dimension inside the vehicle to avoid occupying leg room while maintaining stable trash containment
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a simple reflective sticker with high-visibility pattern as a lightweight alternative to complex mechanical anti-tip mechanisms, achieving stability through visual guidance rather than physical constraints
2Reliability
If weight or flaps are added to the bottom of the trash can to prevent tipping, then stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex mechanical anti-tip structures with a simple, inexpensive reflective sticker that can be easily applied and removed, achieving the anti-tip function through material properties rather than complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface properties of the trash can bottom by adding a reflective sticker with high-visibility pattern, altering the friction and visual characteristics to prevent slipping and tipping without adding mechanical complexity
3Reliability
If a rigid trash receptacle is suspended from the seat back, then stability is improved, but safety risks increase during sudden stops or crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible trash can made of pliable material that can deform and absorb impact forces during sudden stops or crashes, eliminating the safety hazard posed by rigid suspended receptacles while maintaining suspension stability during normal operation
4Ease of operation
If hooks are used to hang the trash can over the middle of a bench-style front seat, then accessibility is improved, but bench-style front seats are increasingly rare
Solution Approach 1:
The invention designs a universal suspension system that can accommodate various seat types (bench-style, bucket seats, captain's chairs) by using adjustable straps and multiple attachment point options, making the trash can accessible and adaptable to different vehicle configurations
Data Source
AI summary
An elongate strap to be used to hold a trash bag in a vehicle has a specially-shaped head rest post catch portion at one end and a specially-shaped bag handle hook portion at the other. The catch portion is placed to partially encircle both head rest posts on a vehicle seat, allowing the strap to drape over the shoulder of the seat so that the hook portion hangs between the seats. The hook portion comprises two spaced-apart funnel shaped cuts which hold the handles of a plastic grocery bag apart for easy disposal of trash by either left or right seat occupant.