Adjustable Stop Block Assembly for A-Frame Plate Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional A-frame truck trailers lack specialized features to securely and efficiently transport large rectangular plates, such as glass and stone, which often result in damage during transportation due to inadequate securement and load balancing issues.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of modular load securement assemblies that include a pedestal assembly with adjustable stop block assemblies, allowing for securement of rectangular plates of varying sizes without requiring alignment of their leading edges, thereby preventing forward shift during braking events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional A-frame trailers are used for transporting rectangular plates, then the trailer structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the plates are not securely held and shift during braking causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The securement system is divided into separate functional components: stop blocks for preventing forward movement, side supports for lateral stability, and adjustable positioning mechanisms. Each component addresses a specific securement need, allowing the system to be reliable without requiring a completely complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Stop blocks and securing elements are positioned in advance at predetermined locations along the trailer bed. During loading, these pre-positioned elements are ready to immediately secure plates, preventing forward shift during braking without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If plates of different lengths are loaded on the trailer, then loading flexibility is improved, but load balancing becomes difficult and forward edges cannot be aligned
Solution Approach 1:
The securement system uses adjustable stop blocks and positioning elements that can be moved along the trailer bed to different locations. This dynamic adjustability allows the system to accommodate plates of various lengths while maintaining proper alignment and load balance, as each plate can be secured at its optimal position rather than requiring all plates to be the same length.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the trailer bed can have securement elements positioned at different locations to match the specific dimensions of plates being loaded. Each local area of the trailer can be optimized for the particular plate configuration, allowing mixed-length loads to be balanced effectively without requiring uniform plate dimensions.
3Productivity
If manual securement procedures are used, then the securing mechanism is simple, but the process is time-consuming and increases accident likelihood
Solution Approach 1:
The securement system is designed to be self-securing through gravity-assisted stop blocks and automatically positioning elements. When plates are placed on the trailer, the pre-positioned stop blocks automatically engage to prevent forward movement, and the system maintains securement without requiring continuous manual intervention, thereby increasing productivity without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
All securement elements are pre-positioned during trailer preparation before loading begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for time-consuming adjustments during the loading process itself, as plates can be quickly placed and immediately secured by the pre-positioned elements, significantly improving loading productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A load securement assembly for securing cargo to a trailer, such as an A-frame vehicle trailer, is provided. The load securement assembly can include a pedestal assembly configured to support the base of the cargo and can have a first side plate and a second side plate arranged in a spaced apart configuration, and a plurality of tubes extending therethrough and spaced apart from each other. The load securement assembly can further include a stop block assembly configured to prevent translation of the cargo in a load securement direction. The stop block assembly can have a rod received within one of the plurality of tubes, and a stop block slidably associated with the rod, the stop block having a rod lock to releasably fix the stop block to the rod at an intermediate position. The stop block can be configured to prevent translation of the cargo in the load securement direction.