Adjustable Vehicle Cargo Rack with Pivot Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo rack systems for pickup trucks are cumbersome and difficult to use for loading and unloading large or elongated cargo, such as watercraft, due to their high height and complex mechanical assist systems, which increase cost and weight, and lack adjustability for different truck designs and cargo types.
Innovation Solution
A modular cargo rack system with pivotally attached rack arms and telescoping mechanisms, allowing for adjustable positions and orientations to accommodate various cargo sizes, including a U-shaped cargo support bracket that can be configured for both kayaks and boats, enabling easy loading and unloading by pivoting the rack arm outboard for smaller cargo and inboard for larger items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the cargo rack is positioned at maximum height to increase load carrying capacity, then the vehicle's cargo transport capability is improved, but it becomes difficult to load and unload large and/or elongated cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The cargo rack arm is made dynamically adjustable in height and position through a telescoping mechanism with multiple locked positions. The rack can be extended to maximum height for transporting smaller cargo, then lowered to a convenient working height for loading and unloading large and/or elongated cargo, resolving the contradiction between height and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The rack arm's position parameters (height and angle) are made variable through telescoping sections and pivot joints. By changing the extended length of telescoping sections and the angle of the rack arm, the system adapts between two extreme positions: maximum height for transport and lowered position for loading operations
2Ease of operation
If mechanical assist systems are added to facilitate loading and unloading cargo, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex mechanical assist systems, the invention uses the inherent dynamics of a lowerable rack arm that can be positioned at convenient working heights. This simple dynamic adjustment provides ease of operation without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of facilitating cargo loading by lowering the rack arm to convenient heights, eliminating the need for additional mechanical assist systems. The solution takes out the unnecessary complexity while retaining the core functionality
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed cargo rack configuration is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adaptability to different cargo types and truck designs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rack arm incorporates telescoping sections with multiple locked positions and pivot joints that allow angular adjustment. This dynamic configuration enables a single rack design to adapt to different cargo types (small cargo at maximum height, large cargo at lowered positions) and different truck bed lengths, achieving versatility without requiring multiple fixed rack designs
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo rack is designed as a universal system that can serve multiple functions: transporting small cargo at maximum height, loading large cargo at lowered positions, and accommodating different truck designs through adjustable positioning. The same rack structure performs multiple roles across different applications
4Reliability
If the cargo rack restricts the truck bed space, then cargo security is improved, but usability of the truck bed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rack arm can be dynamically positioned at different angles and heights. When not in use or when maximum bed space is needed, the rack arm can be lowered to a stowed position that minimizes space restriction while still providing cargo security when deployed
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a lightweight, easy-to-install, and adaptable cargo rack that can handle different cargo types without restricting the truck bed, facilitating quick loading and unloading of various sizes and shapes of cargo, enhancing user convenience and reducing complexity and weight.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot mechanism enables the rack arm and cargo support bracket to be selectively positioned in any of several operating positions, including a generally upright first travel position for transporting smaller cargo, such as a kayak, and a second travel position for transporting larger cargo, such as a boat. The pivot mechanism enables the rack arm to be pivoted outboard of the vehicle to a loading position to facilitate loading of cargo onto the cargo support bracket.
Implementation Method 2
The rack arm may include a telescoping mechanism that enables a distance between the cargo support bracket and a pivot shaft to be selectively adjusted.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable cargo rack for a vehicle includes a mount for connecting the cargo rack to a vehicle. The cargo rack includes a rack arm having a proximal end pivotally connected to the mount by a pivot shaft. The rack arm is selectively pivotable between a loading position, in which the rack arm extends outboard an outer perimeter of the vehicle and a generally upright first travel position. A cargo support bracket is detachably connected to a distal end of the rack arm. An orientation of the cargo support bracket is adjustable between a first support bracket orientation and a second support bracket orientation. The orientation of the cargo support bracket relative to the rack arm and a location of the pivot shaft relative to the vehicle remain substantially constant when pivoting the rack arm between the loading position and the first travel position.