Research Foundation News

March 25, 2020

Simple step device ready to help college students end struggles with lofted beds

bed-step A Purdue University team created a lofted bed stow step to provide a safe solution for getting into and down from lofted beds. (Image provided) Download image

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A simple solution to help college students end their struggles with lofted beds is ready to begin testing as it moves closer to the marketplace.

A group of students from Purdue University created a simple step design that easily attaches to typical campus loft beds. The team of mechanical engineering students from Purdue’s College of Engineering call their device the Stow Step.

“The Stow Step design has been optimized with safety and cost in mind,” said Elvin Garayev, a junior in mechanical engineering at Purdue. “The simple device hooks onto the existing railing system in dorm lofted beds and provides easy access to the lofted bed while having the capability to be adjusted to different heights for convenience of the user, and can be stowed away when not in use to save space.”

Stow Step includes a step piece and a base piece that attaches to the bed rail. Garayev said it can be assembled quickly by attaching the base and step pieces to the loft bed structure.

“We have analyzed and tested the Stow Step to ensure it can safely hold a load up to 300 pounds, while using the least amount of material possible to reduce costs,” Garayev said. “We are ready to find a partner to help take this now to the marketplace. Our success also will help inspire other Purdue student innovators.”

The other members of the Stow Step team are Andrew Bowman, Dalton Garrett and William Yount, all juniors in mechanical engineering at Purdue.

The team has worked with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization to patent the technology. The office recently moved into the Convergence Center for Innovation and Collaboration in Discovery Park District, adjacent to the Purdue campus.

The creators are looking for partners to commercialize their technology. For more information on licensing this innovation, contact D.H.R. Sarma at the Office of Technology Commercialization at dhrsarma@prf.org and mention track code 2019-GARA-68662.

About Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization

The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization operates one of the most comprehensive technology transfer programs among leading research universities in the U.S. Services provided by this office support the economic development initiatives of Purdue University and benefit the university's academic activities through commercializing, licensing and protecting Purdue intellectual property. The office is managed by the Purdue Research Foundation, which received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Contact otcip@prf.org for more information.    

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu.

Writer: Chris Adam, 765-588-3341, cladam@prf.org 

Source:
Elvin Garayev, egarayev@purdue.edu


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