LOAD CARRIER FOR LABOR

There's no name for this product but nonetheless, its sheer designing brilliance.

Designed by Vikram Panchal of National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmadabad. This innovation costs merely 300 rupees but packs a punch with its design.

Vikram Panchal’s Load Carrier for Labor This is low-cost low-tech simple yet extremely useful Product design.

The principal object of the innovation is to facilitate three methods of lifting and shifting of the loads by worker, such as above the head, at the back and push or pull action. The new device main structures are made from cane materials, plastic and metal components. It is possible to make the entire structure in plastic or metal.

The new design has two major parts, one that holds the load and the other that rests on the shoulder. Device has two knobs, which facilitates the change of required function manually from one to another in one minute duration. This allows three modular functions for carrying lighter loads on the head, medium loads at the back and heavier loads to push or pull as trolley. Ergonomically the load is distributed on the shoulder and at the lumber support by softer material. The total weight of device is 2 Kgs. and would cost approx rupees. 300/- in mass production.

It is quite amazing as to why have we not seen it as yet. It would have saved back aches of thousands, if not millions of people who carry / push load on daily basis. In a contest arranged by Core77, the product –Load Carrier for Labor –designed & created by Vikram Dinubhai Panchal of The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmadabad won in the product / equipment category!

This winning product was made at a miniscule cost of Rs. 300 and has potential to affect lives of millions of people across the globe. “Load carrier for labor” project aims to improve the working condition of laborers and workers at many places globally like construction site, factories, ports, railway stations, etc The objective is to prevent various occupational hazards and demonstrating Product design and ergonomic consideration in welfare of human life.

The simple, durable, light weight and cost effective carrier is intended to reduce the pressure put on the spine when load is carried on the head. There is also a good hand grip which reduces stress on the spine when load is carried on the back or while pushing a cart.The carrier can be changed into three different forms by minor adjustments of two knobs. This allows the user to carry lighter loads on the head, medium loads at the back and heavier loads on a trolley. Ergonomically the load is distributed on the shoulder and at the lumber support by softer material.

Panchal had designed this award winning product in 1979 as part of an academic project. But it was only in 2007 that he made a prototype and got the design patented in 2008 with the Controller General of Patents, Design and Trademarks, Government of India.