Carpet Lifting Machine
(patented)
Solving a 30-year Labour Problem for Gymnastics Club
Objectives:
Design and build an innovative machine to reduce overall labor in lifting, rolling and moving eight 4x16m 100kg (13x53ft 220lb) gymnastics carpets
Cut the labour from 2 people to 1
Reduce the constant strength required on the back and hips
Make maneuvering and turning more effortless; under budget and safety standards.
Procedure:
Timeline:
Design Criteria and Limitations:
Safety. Safe to operate for gymnasts aged 5-16.
Save Labor. Cut labor from 2 people to 1, reduce apparent lifting weight on back and hips. Easy to push, pull and turn with heavy loads.
Mobility. Must be easy to move around gym to reach all 8 carpets
Weight. As light as possible but strong enough to handle weight
Storage. No extra storage space for the new machine; similar size to dollies
Electrical energy. Cordless as there are very few power outlets in gym so long power cords may be required. May be difficult to include batteries and large automated mechanisms.
Cost. under fundraising target $800.
Design:
Manufacturing:
Testing:
Result: Carpet Lifting Machine was successfully designed, built, tested, and is ready to use.
Labor is cut from 2 to 1 person
The force required to lift a carpet was 49% less
The force needed to pull the carpet was minimal
Maneuvering the loaded dolly is effortless
