Offset Boat Trailer Steps for Compact Assisted Boarding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat trailer steps are bulky, require assembly, and pose difficulties for users who are young, elderly, overweight, or have disabilities, making it hard to access and exit boats.
Innovation Solution
A compact, welded boat trailer step device with offset planar steps and a mounting plate, designed for easy installation and user-friendly access, featuring a handle for support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If prior art boat trailer step assists are bolted together and assembled, then they can be constructed from separate components, but they become bulky and cause transportation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate step components into a single integrated welded structure. The support arm, mounting plate, and step surface are welded together to form one compact unit, eliminating the bulk associated with separate bolted components while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard welding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The step device is designed to nest within or alongside the trailer structure when not in use. The compact welded construction allows the steps to be positioned close to the trailer body, effectively nesting the step function within the overall trailer package to minimize transportation volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art step assists require assembly, then they can be adjusted and configured, but they require additional time and effort for setup
Solution Approach 1:
The step device is pre-assembled and welded into a ready-to-install configuration during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for user assembly while maintaining the adaptability to fit standard trailer mounting locations through the designed mounting plate geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting plate is designed with universal mounting capabilities that can accommodate various trailer configurations. The welded structure incorporates standardized mounting features that work across different trailer types, providing configuration flexibility without requiring assembly adjustments.
3Ease of operation
If users are very young, above middle age, overweight, or suffering physical disabilities, then they may need additional support, but standard steps do not provide adequate assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The step device incorporates a handhold feature at the top of the support arm, providing localized grip assistance exactly where needed during the stepping motion. This local quality enhancement addresses the specific physical limitation of users who need hand support without requiring changes to the entire step structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The step device acts as an intermediary between the ground and the boat, providing a staged transition with multiple step surfaces. The offset planar steps create intermediate platforms that reduce the physical effort required for users with limited strength to board or exit the boat.
Data Source
AI summary
A boat trailer step device includes a support arm having a first end joined to a mounting plate at a first fixed oblique angle; a top planar step joined to a second end of the support arm at a second fixed oblique angle; and at least one other planar step joined to the support arm between the mounting plate and the top planar step. The other planar step is laterally offset from the top planar step. The mounting plate, the top planar step, and the other planar step are arranged in parallel planes.