Attachable Leveling System Using Intermediary Brackets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle leveling systems require drilling into the frame, which can void warranties and create safety hazards, and standalone jacks are inconvenient to store and deploy.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle leveling system with extendable jacks and adjustable brackets that engage the vehicle frame without permanent modification, using manufacturer-provided apertures and adjustable features to secure the jacks without drilling into 'no-drill' zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If drilling holes into the frame to attach jacks, then the jacks can be securely attached for leveling, but the manufacturer's warranty is voided and safety hazards are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment mechanism that connects the jack to the frame without requiring direct drilling into the frame structure. The system uses a mounting plate or adapter that interfaces with existing frame components or uses the vehicle's existing hole pattern, thereby achieving secure attachment while preserving the integrity of the frame and maintaining warranty validity.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a mounting plate, fasteners, and the jack itself. This segmentation allows the mounting plate to be attached to accessible surfaces (such as the floor or existing frame rails) while the jack connects to the mounting plate, eliminating the need to drill into critical frame areas and distributing the attachment points to safer locations.
2Reliability
If using stand-alone jacks for leveling, then the frame remains unmodified, but the jacks require storage space and manual deployment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the jack system with the vehicle's existing structure by integrating mounting points into the vehicle body. The jacks are permanently mounted to the frame or floor through approved attachment methods, eliminating the need for separate storage containers or manual handling. The system merges the leveling function with the vehicle's structural components, allowing the jacks to remain accessible yet integrated.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting structure is pre-installed on the vehicle during the conversion process, with mounting plates or brackets positioned in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the jacks are needed, they can be quickly deployed without requiring on-site fabrication, drilling, or complex assembly, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining frame integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If converting general-use vehicles to RVs, then recreational functionality is added, but leveling systems must be added which risk frame modification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediary mounting system that adapts the jack attachment to the vehicle's existing structure without requiring modification of the frame. The mounting plates or adapters interface with accessible surfaces such as the floor, existing rails, or non-critical frame areas, thereby enabling RV conversion functionality while protecting the frame from damage and preserving manufacturer warranties.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle leveling system includes a jack adapted to be mounted to a vehicle frame without modifying the vehicle frame. In a particular embodiment, the jack includes a first bracket adapted to urge against the bottom surface of the frame and a second bracket adapted to be mounted to a surface of the vehicle adjacent the frame. In a more particular embodiment, the first bracket includes a horizontal adjustment feature and the second bracket includes a vertical adjustment feature. In another particular embodiment, the jack is coupled to the vehicle frame via a bracket that is adapted to be mounted to manufacturer-provided apertures formed in the frame during the manufacture of the vehicle.