Adjustable Kayak Rack With Padded Loading and Winch Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing kayak transportation systems fail to efficiently accommodate various kayak sizes and shapes while minimizing damage to the kayak and vehicle during handling and transport.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible kayak rack system with adjustable cylindrical pipes and extendable tubes, padded brackets, and winch mechanisms to securely hold and load kayaks onto vehicle rear ends, using hinges, ladders, and pillars for stability and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid kayak rack structure is used, then the kayak is securely held during transport, but the kayak and vehicle rear end may be damaged during handling and loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating padded brackets with foam or rubber padding at the contact points where the rack interacts with the kayak. This padding is pre-installed to cushion the kayak during loading, transport, and unloading, preventing damage while maintaining secure holding. The padded surfaces absorb impact forces and reduce friction between the rack and kayak hull.
2Device complexity
If a fixed kayak rack design is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but it cannot accommodate various kayak sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by incorporating adjustable components including telescopic pipes that can extend or retract, and brackets that can be repositioned along the rack structure. These dynamic elements allow the rack to adapt its configuration to match different kayak lengths, widths, and shapes while maintaining structural stability. The adjustable features enable users to customize the rack geometry for each specific kayak type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rack into modular components including separate brackets, pipes, and connection elements that can be independently adjusted or reconfigured. This modular segmentation allows flexible arrangement of rack elements to accommodate various kayak sizes and shapes while keeping each component relatively simple in design.
3Device complexity
If manual handling methods are used, then the apparatus is simple, but the kayak and apparatus may be damaged during handling and loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies intermediary by introducing padded brackets as a mediating element between the rigid rack structure and the kayak. These padded intermediaries soften the interaction forces during manual handling, loading, and unloading operations, reducing the risk of damage to both the kayak and the rack while maintaining overall apparatus simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack suitable for loading a kayak or other small watercraft onto and off of the bed of a pickup truck, trailer or other vehicle, and into and out of a body of water. The rack has two ladder-like structures, each having two sides, two or more ribs connecting the two sides, and two pipes mounted on the ribs and running lengthwise. Two extension tubes are mountable parallel to each other to extend the two pipes away from the rack. Other features that may be part of a rack system include a winch, tie-downs, extension rods with pulleys, padded braces, support rods which may have rollers, and the like.