Waist-Mounted Storage Tray for Ladder Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying paint or plaster while working on elevated areas are hazardous due to the risk of spills, discomfort, and instability, especially when using ladders.
Innovation Solution
A body-worn storage tray device with an adjustable belt and fasteners around the perimeter of the tray, allowing users to securely carry paint, plaster, and tools hands-free around their waist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a tray is held in one hand while working on a ladder, then the user can access materials, but the risk of spills and instability increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the tray from a handheld position to a waist-mounted position, utilizing the vertical dimension of the body to relocate the storage function. This dimensional shift frees the hands for painting operations while maintaining stable material access, eliminating the instability associated with handheld trays on ladders.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a belt as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the tray. The belt serves as a mediator that secures the tray to the user's body, providing stable support and preventing spills while allowing free hand movement for painting operations.
2Quantity of substance
If a tray is held in one hand while on a ladder, then materials can be stored, but physical strain and discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the tray from the hand to the waist level, utilizing the body's vertical structure to bear the weight and provide stable storage. This dimensional relocation eliminates the physical strain of holding a tray while on a ladder, distributing the load naturally through the waist belt.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a self-adjusting belt mechanism that allows the tray to be securely positioned at the user's waist without requiring constant manual adjustment. The belt's elasticity and positioning features enable the system to self-accommodate to different body types and positions, maintaining comfort throughout extended use.
3Ease of operation
If a tray is held in one hand while climbing a ladder, then materials are accessible, but the risk of injury from falls increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the tray from a handheld position to a waist-mounted position, utilizing the body's structural support to eliminate the need for hands-free climbing. This dimensional shift removes the hazard of holding a tray while climbing, as the belt-secured tray stays in place even during ladder ascent and descent.
Solution Approach 2:
The belt acts as a safety intermediary that secures the tray to the user's body, preventing accidental drops and reducing the risk of injury. The belt's secure attachment mechanism ensures the tray remains stable during climbing operations, eliminating the harmful effect of unsecured materials while maintaining accessibility.
4Reliability
If an adjustable belt is added to secure the tray around the waist, then stability and safety improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the belt's physical properties (elasticity, width, material) to achieve secure attachment without complex mechanisms. By selecting appropriate materials and dimensional parameters, the belt provides reliable tray security through simple elastic attachment rather than complex fastening systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A body-worn storage tray device is provided. The device is used to store materials such as paint or plaster in a hands-free fashion while working. The device is comprised of a body that can be filled with material, featuring a rear wall through which a belt is fed. The belt allows the device to be worn around the waist of the user.