Clamp-on Material Carrier for Panel Truck
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular fixtures for carrying goods on the exterior of vehicles often require modifications to the vehicle structure, are cumbersome to mount and dismount, and lack efficient mechanisms for securing rigid sheet goods like plywood panels.
Innovation Solution
A material carrier system comprising a fixed frame clamped to a vehicle's rain gutter and side panel, with a movable frame that can be drawn toward the fixed frame for compression, using a manually operated screw drive for easy mounting and clamping, allowing for vertical placement and securement of rigid sheet goods without modifying the truck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If existing vehicular fixtures are used to carry goods on the exterior of vehicles, then goods can be transported, but the vehicle structure requires modifications and the fixtures are cumbersome to mount and dismount
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is divided into separate modular components including a clamp assembly, support arms, and mounting brackets that can be independently assembled and disassembled without modifying the vehicle structure. This segmentation enables easy installation and removal while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediate mounting components such as clamp legs and rain gutter attachments that serve as mediators between the fixture and the vehicle body. These intermediaries enable secure mounting without direct modification to the vehicle structure, allowing easy installation and removal.
2Productivity
If rigid sheet goods are placed vertically for transport, then space is optimized, but efficient clamping mechanisms are required to secure them
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism employs movable and adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to different sheet goods dimensions and thicknesses. The adjustable support arms and clamping force application points allow the system to optimize its configuration for each loading scenario, securing rigid sheet goods effectively while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping mechanism allows for parameter adjustments including clamping force, arm position, and attachment point location to accommodate various sheet goods sizes and weights. This flexibility enables efficient transport of different materials without requiring complex specialized mechanisms for each type.
3Ease of operation
If a clamp-on fixture is designed for easy mounting without modification, then installation is simplified, but the clamping force and security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp legs are pre-configured with rain gutter attachment features and positioning elements that enable immediate secure engagement with the vehicle body upon installation. This preliminary preparation of the mounting components ensures that easy installation does not compromise clamping security, as the structural integrity is built into the design from the outset.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp legs incorporate curved or contoured surfaces that conform to the vehicle's rain gutter and panel shapes, maximizing contact area and distribution of clamping force. This curvature-based design enhances security and reliability of the clamp-on connection while maintaining ease of installation without modification.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy and secure mounting and dismounting of the carrier on a panel truck without modifying the vehicle, effectively clamping rigid sheet goods in place, ensuring stable transport of long or large items that cannot fit inside a panel truck or pickup truck bed.
Implementation Method 1
a means, such as a screw drive, for drawing the movable frame toward the fixed frame so as to provide compression to hold the workpiece between the frames
Implementation Method 2
A clamp leg is provided for drawing toward an interior panel of the truck so as to apply clamping action between the fixed frame against the exterior panel of the truck and the clamp leg in opposition against the interior panel
Data Source
AI summary
A panel truck provides a material carrier made up of a fixed frame clamped the a rain gutter of the truck and a movable frame that is able to be drawn toward the fixed frame to clamp panels between the frames. The fixed frame is further secured to the truck by a clamp leg that may be drawn toward an interior panel of the truck so as to apply clamping action between the fixed frame against the exterior panel of the truck and the clamp leg against the interior panel. Therefore, the material carrier is easily mounted on the truck and easily removed therefrom without any modification to the truck.