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Core77 Design Award 2011: "Load Carrier for Labour," Winner for Products/Equipment

By Core77 Design Awards - August 1, 2011

in Product Design | Hand Tools | Core77 Design Awards

One of three carrying actions for the "Load Carrier for Labour"

Designer: Vikram Dinubhai Panchal - NID Location: Ahmedabad, INDIA Category: Products/Equipment Award: Professional Winner

Load Carrier for Labour "Load Carrier for Labour" project is an innovation to improve the working condition of labourers and workers at many places globally—construction sites, factories, ports, railway stations, etc. The objective is to prevent various occupational hazards and demonstrating Product design and ergonomic consideration for the welfare of human life.

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.

Core77 Design Awards: How did you learn that you had been recognized by the jury?

I learned that I was recognized by the jury from my student Varun Prabhakar who wrote me an email: hi, Sir, saw this on Core77... http://www.core77designawards.com/recipients/load-carrier-for-labour/ u have amazed everyone, as always.. heartiest congratulations!!! Regards, Varun Prabhakar

What's the latest news or development with your project?

At present, I will be interested to find sponsorship, marketing or a manufacturer to take this design further to the end user. I would like to make this design principle more versatile by using metal and plastic. I am open for any organization who are interested in sponsoring, marketing or manufacturing.

Read on for full details on the project and jury comments.

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Chirag Majmundar

11 years ago

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In a developing countries like India, China, Pakistan and other asian countries, this can be very useful product for a laborer. A product which can help an individual to lift a luggage starting from a small vessel to whole big bag. I see there are cushions which will be helpful to prevent any damage to your body. Looking at the cost of making it, it is a definitely a Great product and nice concept. congratulations Mr. Panchal.
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Wink

13 years ago

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Very cool.

Just a small observation though- The device seems to have custom made plastic/metal fittings (yellow colored?) that have been used to bind the product together. It would be a lot more friendly if the device was something labourers could make and repair by themselves. If you've ever seen labourers cutting steel rods on the street you would notice that many of their tools 'rustic' are traditionally made in rural conditions.
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T

13 years ago

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Isn't the real problem why is the woman carrying a bowl of rocks above her head in the first place?
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Alex

13 years ago

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This is good design
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Ashish

13 years ago

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Nice stuff, however I do think that there should be a grip handle or something to make sure that it does not slips in conditions where the labor may have wet hand or something.
Either ways, this is a innovative product !

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W. Wolf

13 years ago

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Interesting concept, however I can't imagine pushing/pulling any load on those tiny wheels...unless you're on a smooth tarmac surface. Which I doubt is where this would be used.
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