Vertical Broom Storage Rack Using Gravity-Based Notch Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing storage solutions for brooms, dust mops, and similar items are often cumbersome, require two hands to use, lead to wall soiling and scuffing, and are not suitable for narrow spaces or households with limited storage needs.
Innovation Solution
A floor- or wall-mounted storage rack with two side panels and three parallel panels featuring semicircular notches that utilize gravity to secure items vertically, allowing easy access and retrieval with one hand, and preventing items from falling or becoming misshapen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If items are stored elevated against the wall using hooks or loops, then storage is provided, but items may fall after being bumped and wall soiling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The rack transitions storage from a wall-mounted horizontal arrangement to a floor-standing vertical arrangement, moving items away from the wall plane into a three-dimensional space that eliminates wall contact and associated soiling problems
Solution Approach 2:
The rack extracts items completely away from the wall surface, positioning them in free space where they cannot contact or soil the wall, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of wall soiling
2Reliability
If binding action or hooks are used to hold items, then storage is achieved, but two hands are required to store and retrieve
Solution Approach 1:
The rack design allows items to be easily inserted and removed by their own weight and simple vertical motion, eliminating the need for complex binding actions or two-handed operations. The angled panel and notches work passively to secure items once placed
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of actively binding or hooking items to prevent removal, the rack uses gravity and passive geometric constraints (angled panel, notches) to secure items, allowing easy one-handed insertion and removal by simply tilting or lifting the item
3Quantity of substance
If multiple brooms are stored in a corner or closet, then storage capacity is increased, but items become misplaced and bristles misshaped
Solution Approach 1:
The rack divides the storage space into individual compartments using parallel panels with notches, creating separate slots for each item that prevent them from leaning against each other and misshaping their bristles while maintaining organized storage capacity
Solution Approach 2:
Each storage slot is designed with specific local features (angled panels, notches at predetermined positions) that provide individual support and maintenance for each item's bristle shape, ensuring uniform quality across all stored items
4Ease of manufacture
If simple storage devices are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but they require two hands to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The simple geometric design of the rack (angled panels, notches) automatically provides the security function without requiring complex mechanisms, while simultaneously enabling easy one-handed operation through passive gravity-based insertion and removal
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides secure, easy-to-use storage for multiple items in minimal space, preventing wall damage and misshapen bristles, while allowing access from multiple angles and being suitable for narrow spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The upper and middle panel rails have a corresponding series of semicircular notches spaced equal distance apart that allow an item to be placed by the shaft vertically into the corresponding notches of the upper and middle panels and to come to rest on the angled lower panel. It utilizes the force of gravity to keep the items at rest.
Data Source
AI summary
A free standing, or wall mounted narrow storage rack composed of two side panels, and three horizontal panels created primarily for storage of brooms, dust mops and similar shaped items by the handle or shaft vertically in narrow spaces preventing contact with the wall and allowing easy access or retrieval thru the top, side or front.