Cargo Retainer Mat with Interchangeable Anchors for Oversized Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oversized cargo, such as lumber or sheet materials, poses challenges in secure transportation due to its size, often extending beyond truck bed confines, making it difficult to safely secure and transport, leading to potential damage or safety risks during transit.
Innovation Solution
A cargo retainer system comprising a mat with interchangeable retention anchors that attach to the vehicle's body, allowing the mat to be folded over the cargo and secured using various fastening methods, ensuring the cargo remains stable and secure during transit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If oversized materials are transported in a pickup truck bed, then transportation capability is improved, but securing the load becomes difficult and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cargo retainer system as an intermediary device between the pickup truck bed and oversized materials. This system includes a mat with retention anchors that extend into the truck bed, creating a stable anchoring point. The mat can be folded over materials extending beyond the tailgate and secured with straps or ropes, effectively mediating the connection between the truck and the oversized load to prevent slipping and falling during transit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by having retention anchors extend downward into the truck bed from the mat. This vertical anchoring approach adds a new dimension to load securing, transforming the traditional horizontal strapping method into a three-dimensional securing system that combines vertical anchoring with horizontal restraint, significantly improving load stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If materials extend above or outside the truck bed confines, then transportation of oversized cargo is enabled, but safe operation and visibility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The mat serves as an intermediary structure that bridges the gap between the truck bed and oversized cargo. It provides a stable platform that extends beyond the tailgate, allowing materials to be positioned and secured in an organized manner. This intermediary structure enables safe operation by creating a defined cargo area that improves visibility and control during transit.
3Productivity
If traditional loading methods are used for oversized materials, then loading capability is maintained, but loading and unloading efficiency decrease and injury risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention anchors are pre-installed in the truck bed before loading occurs. This preliminary preparation creates ready-to-use anchoring points that speed up the loading process. Workers can quickly secure materials using pre-positioned anchors and straps, eliminating the need for complex loading arrangements and reducing the time and physical effort required for loading and unloading oversized materials.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo retainer for use with a vehicle includes a mat having a top side, a bottom side, a leading portion, a trailing portion, and an aperture for securing the trailing portion to the vehicle via a fastener. The cargo retainer includes a retention anchor configured to attach to the vehicle. The retention anchor has a top portion and a cleat portion such that the top portion is coupled with the leading portion of the mat. The cleat portion of the retention anchor extends away from the bottom side of the mat and is adapted to be inserted into and retained by a gap formed between a cargo area of the vehicle and either a tailgate of the vehicle or a bumper of the vehicle.