Arcuate Support Trays for Curved Product Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shipping racks are inadequate for supporting large, curved products during transport, as they are typically made of square and flat materials that cannot effectively secure and protect articles with arcuate surfaces, leading to potential deformation and damage.
Innovation Solution
A wheeled shipping cart with stackable trays featuring a cart frame, longitudinal support members, and upright members that form an arcuate support surface, allowing for secure stacking and transportation of curved products, while also being nestable for efficient container packing and use of lockable swivel casters for easy movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional square and flat shipping racks are used, then structural strength is maintained, but the ability to support curved products is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the support members into arcuate shapes that match the contour of curved products. The longitudinal support members are bent into arcs that correspond to the radius of curvature of the products, creating a conformal support structure that prevents deformation while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by providing specialized curved support members only at locations where curved products require support, rather than making the entire rack structure curved. The flat rack framework remains for general support, while only the necessary support members are formed into arcs to match specific product geometries.
2Reliability
If large curved products are shipped in traditional containers, then product protection is insufficient, but specialized packaging increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves universality by designing a rack system that can accommodate both curved and flat products using the same basic framework. The arcuate support members can be configured to match different radii of curvature, making the rack adaptable to various product shapes without requiring entirely different rack designs for different product types.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are formed into arcs that match the curvature of the products, providing conformal support that protects curved surfaces during transport. This curved geometry naturally cradles the product shape, preventing deformation while maintaining a relatively simple overall rack structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If stackable trays with arcuate support surfaces are used, then product support is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the support structure into separate modular components - a flat rack framework and detachable arcuate support members. These segmented components can be manufactured separately using standard fabrication processes and then assembled together, reducing the manufacturing complexity compared to creating entirely custom curved structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate support members are formed into specific curved shapes that match product geometries, providing specialized support surfaces. These curved members are attached to the flat rack framework, allowing the system to combine the ease of manufacturing flat components with the protective benefits of curved support surfaces.
4Volume of moving object
If nested tray configuration is used, then space efficiency is improved, but stacking stability becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the arcuate support members with non-symmetric geometries that interlock when stacked. The curved shapes and positioning of support members create asymmetric interfaces that prevent lateral movement and stabilize the stacked configuration, while still allowing compact nesting for space-efficient storage.
Data Source
AI summary
A wheeled shipping/transport cart includes a cart frame that supports a plurality of wheels. The cart frame supports a plurality of stackable trays. The trays include a tray frame with opposed end members, a plurality of longitudinal support members disposed between the opposed end members, and a plurality of upright members nesting with upright members of an adjacent tray. A support structure is disposed between the opposed end members to form an arc corresponding to a curved surface of an article to be supported by the support structure. A pin is received through each of the upright members of the plurality of stackable trays to retain the stackable trays in a stacked configuration.