Gorbel's Human Power Extender (HPE) There are no pushbuttons, keyborads, switches or valves to control the motion of the load. The Human Power Extender senses the load and the operator's arm movement speed, and resonds instantaneously. The HPE increases a worker's physical power by supplementing mechanical power to the lifting task
The Electric Human Power Extender (Patent Applied For)
The electric Human Power Extender (HPE) is specially designed to be suitable for high-speed maneuvers; it produces smooth and stable behaviour during high-speed tasks. The HPE controller automatically adapts to all load variations and produces force feedback to the operator.
Human Power Extenders are designed to:
*Preserve the stamina of individuals engaged in the frequent handling of objects and reduce injuries to their skeletal-muscular systems.
*Increase corporate profits by improving employee productivity and reducing the expense of work related injuries.
Adaptive to Load Variations
The operator does not have to make any adjustments to the Gorbel's HPE to accommodate varying load weights. The HPE adjusts "on the fly" to sudden or gradual changes in load.
Precise Positioning
The extender holds the entire load to allow exact positioning from the operator.
Load-Sharing
The Human Power Extender and the worker share the load. The HPE lifts a preprogrammed larger percentage of the total load while the worker lifts the remaining smaller percentage. For example, for a 50 lbs. load, the HPE supports 45 lbs. and the worker supports and feels only 5 lbs. This load-sharing feature is essential for ergonomically correct lifting. However, the HPE holds the entire load while the user is trying to position the load.
Force Feedback
The operator has a physical sense of the smaller percentage of the load (eg., 5 lbs. of a 50 lbs. load). This sensation gives the worker the ability to feel the difference between a 5 lbs. load and a 100 lbs. load.
No Intermediary Control Device
The Human Power Extender does not use an intermediary control device like a switch, valve, keyboard, pushbutton or pendant to control the motion of the load. With the HPE, thw worker has a physical sense of the load, and the load follows the worker's hand in a natural way.
Safety Features
The Human Power Extender is a very safe device lifting device. One of the safety features is the loss load protection which prevents the device from moving if the electric power was shut off or the sensors or connectors malfunction.
Advantages Of Using Gorbel's Human Power Extender:
More Productive Workers
Safer Lifting Lowers Costs
Workers' Willingness to Use the HPE
Less Downtime/Low Maintenance Costs
Smooth and Stable Operation
Capacity
Greater Control During the Lifting of an Object
The worker can feel, not just see, the effect of the lift on the ovject and can control the speed of the lift accordingly.
*Workers need minimal training to use the HPE.
*Workers can react as quickly as they can start and stop the motion of their hands with the HPE.
*Workers can work more quickly, because they do not have to operate pushbuttons, levers, etc. Since the computer accommodates varying loads instantaneously, workers are free to maneuver all loads at the fastest safe speed without manually adjusting the device to accommodate the loads.
The Human Power Extender greatly reduces the injurious forces transferred to the worker's body (ie. the back). This reduces workers' compensation costs and workers' suffering, especially in cases of repetitive lifting that can cause cumulative trauma injuries.
Workers will not use a lifting device if it takes longer to lift the load with the device than without it, if it is hard to learn how to use it, or if using the device is uncomfortable. Workers do use the HPE because it is simple to learn and easy to use.
Gorbel's Human Power Extenders have been designed to provide years of service with low maintenance costs over a long life. The HPE does not need lubrication. Also, the HPE's standard parts are readily available.
The HPE has been carefully designed to provide optimal performance in lifting tasks to ensure the worker's safety and to improve the worker's productivity.
The HPE can lift loads up to 150 lbs. with future models up to 500 lbs.
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