The Conceptual Development of a Multifunctional Stepladder for Older People and Caregivers
Abstract
:1. Introduction
“So, there’s a movement for simplifying your life: purchase less stuff, own a few things that are very high quality that last a long time, and that are multifunctional”.Yvon Chouinard
- RQ1: How can stepladder concepts be proposed based on the synthesis of patent literature, existing products and scientific articles?
- RQ2: How can a stepladder concept be multifunctional, usable and simple by design?
2. Methodology
2.1. Functional Screening
2.2. Concept Sketching
2.3. Screening and Scoring of Concepts
- -
- Effectiveness: Completeness and accuracy with which users achieve specific goals.
- -
- Efficiency: Resources used in relation to results achieved (common resources include human input, time, materials and costs).
2.4. Final Concept
- Rij = rating of concept j for ith criterion;
- Wi = weightage for ith criterion;
- n = number of criteria;
- WSj = total weighted score for concept j.
- Extremely poor fulfilment of the criterion;
- satisfactory fulfilment of the criterion;
- good fulfilment of the criterion;
- extremely good fulfilment of the criterion.
3. Results
3.1. Key Findings from Past Studies Relevant to the Present Study
3.2. Strengths and Limitations of the Main Findings from Previous Studies
3.3. Functional Screening Results
3.4. Concept Sketching Results (RQ1: Stepladder Concepts from Synthesis of Patents, Products and Articles)
3.5. Results of the Screening and Scoring of the Concepts
3.6. Final Concept Result (RQ2: Multifunctional, Usable and Simple Stepladder Concept)
4. Discussion
Limitations of Study
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Authors | Title | Sources | Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Yen and Yang [34] | Multifunctional Folding Table | Patent | A folding table that can be placed in a confined space in the kitchen, dressing room, laundry room or garage. |
Rui and Gao [41] | Design and Analysis of a Multifunctional Wheelchair | Journal Paper |
|
Iksan and Susilawati [36] | Design of a Multi-Functional Wheelchair Based Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process | Journal Paper |
|
Mohite, Toraskar, Chaturvedi and Bose [40] | Design and Analysis of Advanced Walker Cum Rollator | Journal Paper |
|
Mohite, Mollah, Bagchi and Singh [39] | Design of Hybrid Rollator Cum Walker for Elderly: Review on Literature | Journal paper |
|
Gu, Wang, Sun and Wu [68] | Design of Multifunctional Combined Walking Aid | Journal Paper |
|
Costamagna, Thies, Kenney, Howard, Lindemann, Klenk and Baker [35] | Objective Measures of Rollator User Stability and Device Loading During Different Walking Scenarios | Journal Paper |
|
Levinger, Panisset, Parker, Batchelor, Tye and Hill [37] | Guidance About Age-Friendly Outdoor Exercise Equipment and Associated Strategies to Maximise Usability for Older People | Journal Paper |
|
Shedden and Kravitz [69] | Pilates Exercise: A Research-Based Review | Journal Paper |
|
Roller, Kachingwe, Beling, Ickes, Cabot and Shrier [71] | Pilates Reformer Exercises for Fall Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial | Journal Paper | Pilates reformer exercises significantly improve static and dynamic balance, functional mobility and active range of motion of the hip and ankle in adults over 65 years of age. |
Suna and Işildak [42] | Investigation of the Effect of 8-Week Reformer Pilates Exercise on Flexibility, Heart Rate and Glucose Levels in Sedentary Women | Journal Paper |
|
Melville, Chang, Colagiuri, Marshall and Cheema [38] | Fifteen Minutes of Chair-Based Yoga Postures or Guided Meditation Performed in the Office Can Elicit a Relaxation Response | Journal Paper |
|
Kiser [72] | Decorative, Multi-Functional Exercise and Storage Bench | Patent | The unit has a storage space for storing exercise equipment such as weights, skipping ropes, water bottles, yoga mats, decorative hand weights and resistance bands. |
Yu [73] | Multifunctional Exerciser | Patent | For simultaneous training of the hands, feet, lumbar spine and back of a user. |
Wyatt and Wyatt [74] | Multifunctional Exercise Apparatus | Patent | Allows the user to couple one or more of the plurality of exercise media to the engagement channels, perform at least a first exercise by pulling the coupled exercise media from a contracted position to an extended position and change the orientation of the exercise media to perform at least a second exercise. |
Lin [75] | Multifunctional Gym Exerciser with Adjustable Table | Patent | The user can replace the training attachments with the desired pedal unit, left leg unit and sit-up support depending on the different training requirements. |
Wartes [33] | Multifunctional Pegged Furniture | Patent | Multifunctional items include an alternative chair, a step stool, a laundry basket, a two-tier table, a bench, a chest, a rocking bench, a toy box and a cradle. |
Lee [30] | Multifunctional Chair | Patent |
|
Tornabene, Babkes and Howell [32] | Combination Hand Truck, Stepladder, and Dolly | Patent |
|
Smith [31] | Ladder Top Storage Rack | Patent | Refers to fixing at the top of a ladder to keep tools and fasteners within reach with a ladder top shelf. |
Title and Source | Strength | Limitation |
---|---|---|
Design and Analysis of a Multifunctional Wheelchair [41] Design of a Multifunctional Wheelchair Based Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process [36] |
| Might not be flexible for outdoor activities because the wheelchair is bulky and heavy. |
Design and Analysis of Advanced Walker Cum Rollator [40] Design of Hybrid Rollator Cum Walker for Elderly: Review on Literature [39] Objective Measures of Rollator User Stability and Device Loading During Different Walking Scenarios [35] |
|
|
Design of Multifunctional Combined Walking Aid [68] |
|
|
Objective Measures of Rollator User Stability and Device Loading During Different Walking Scenarios [35] | Rollators can serve as assessment tools in clinics for person-specific counselling and training as well as evidence-based training for fall prevention. | The product may not be suitable for people who have problems with balance or weakness when standing. |
Guidance About Age-Friendly Outdoor Exercise Equipment and Associated Strategies to Maximise Usability for Older People [37] | Outdoor exercise offers older people the opportunity to participate in physical and social activities. | Outdoor exercise equipment may have restrictions set by the manufacturer regarding freedom of movement, minimum age, weight and shape or size. |
Pilates Reformer Exercises for Fall Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial [71] | Significantly improves static and dynamic balance, functional mobility and range of motion of the hip and ankle. | The results were not checked longitudinally to observe the sustainability of the improvements. |
Investigation of the Effect of 8-Week Reformer Pilates Exercise on Flexibility, Heart Rate and Glucose Levels in Sedentary Women [42] |
|
|
Fifteen Minutes of Chair-Based Yoga Postures or Guided Meditation Performed in the Office Can Elicit a Relaxation Response [38] |
|
|
Decorative, Multifunctional Exercise and Storage Bench [72] Multifunctional Exerciser [73] Multifunctional Exercise Apparatus [74] Multifunctional Gym Exerciser with Adjustment Table [75] | Facilitates the training of different parts of the body, convenient storage and different types of exercises. | Could be expensive and heavy. |
Multifunctional Folding Table [34] Multifunctional Pegged Furniture [33] Multifunctional Chair [30] | Contains the functions of a deck chair, stepladder, step stool, laundry basket, two-tier table, bench, chest, rocking bench, toy box, cradle and folding table. |
|
Combination Handtruck, Stepladder and Dolly [32] | A versatile transport, lifting and supporting device with the functions of a hand truck, dolly and a stepladder. | The design seems more suitable for industry than for domestic or other use. |
Ladder Top Storage Rack [31] | A ladder to keep tools and fasteners within reach with a ladder top shelf. | Might be difficult to transport because it has a top shelf. |
Existing Product Ideas | Patent Ideas | Journal Ideas |
---|---|---|
Stepladder [76] | Sack truck and dolly [32] | Wheelchair stretcher [66] |
Hand truck [77] | Folding chair [81] | Medical storage tank from a multifunctional combined walker [68] |
Walking aid [78] | - | Wheelchair–bed [41] |
Standing aid [79] | - | Pilates chair [42,71] |
Chair [80] | - | - |
Criterion | Concept 1 (Reference) | Concept 2 | Concept 3 | Concept 4 | Concept 5 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Capable of performing more than two functions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Capable of performing more than three functions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Capable of performing four functions | 0 | 0 | + | + | 0 |
Capable of performing five functions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Can be easily disassembled | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Can be folded | 0 | + | + | 0 | + |
Easy to store | 0 | + | + | + | − |
Saves time | 0 | + | + | + | − |
Simplicity | 0 | − | + | − | 0 |
Effectiveness | 0 | + | + | + | − |
Efficiency | 0 | + | + | + | − |
Durability | 0 | − | − | − | 0 |
Total (+) | 0 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
Total (−) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
Net score | 0 | 3 | 6 | 4 | −3 |
Rank | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Continue | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
Selection Criteria | Weight (%) | Concept | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 3 | 4 | |||||
R | Ws | R | Ws | R | Ws | ||
Multifunctionality | 20 | 3 | 15.0 | 4 | 20.0 | 4 | 20.0 |
Usability | 20 | 3 | 15.0 | 3 | 15.0 | 3 | 15.0 |
Simplicity | 10 | 2 | 5.0 | 3 | 7.5 | 3 | 7.5 |
Easy storage | 10 | 2 | 5.0 | 4 | 10.0 | 3 | 7.5 |
Safety | 20 | 1 | 5.0 | 2 | 10.0 | 1 | 5.0 |
Time saving | 10 | 3 | 7.5 | 3 | 7.5 | 3 | 7.5 |
Convenience | 10 | 3 | 7.5 | 4 | 10.0 | 4 | 10.0 |
Total | 100 | 60.0 | 80.0 | 72.5 | |||
Ranking | 3 | 1 | 2 |
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Gan, K.W.; Ng, P.K.; Liew, K.W.; Ng, Y.J.; Yeow, J.A. The Conceptual Development of a Multifunctional Stepladder for Older People and Caregivers. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 14399. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114399
Gan KW, Ng PK, Liew KW, Ng YJ, Yeow JA. The Conceptual Development of a Multifunctional Stepladder for Older People and Caregivers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(21):14399. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114399
Chicago/Turabian StyleGan, Kah Wei, Poh Kiat Ng, Kia Wai Liew, Yu Jin Ng, and Jian Ai Yeow. 2022. "The Conceptual Development of a Multifunctional Stepladder for Older People and Caregivers" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 21: 14399. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114399