Collapsible Cargo Slide Assembly for Scratch-Free Truck Bed Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Truck beds are prone to scratches from frequent use, leading to potential corrosion and structural failure, and existing solutions like rubber or plastic bed mats, spray coatings, and organizers either fail to prevent scratches effectively or complicate cargo handling and storage.

Innovation Solution

A collapsible cargo slide assembly with smooth, planar sliders and compressible blocks that protect the truck bed from scratches and allow easy cargo positioning and removal without requiring users to climb onto the bed, featuring connectors for folding and compact storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If rubber or plastic bed mats are used to protect the truck bed, then the truck bed is protected from scratches, but the coefficient of friction increases making cargo sliding more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescratch protectionVSAvoidcargo sliding

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo slide assembly uses different materials for different functions: a smooth low-friction surface (plastic or metal) contacts the truck bed to prevent scratches and enable easy sliding, while a higher-friction material (rubber or textured surface) contacts the cargo to prevent it from sliding off. This local differentiation of surface properties resolves the contradiction between bed protection and cargo securing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If rigid protective coatings are applied to the truck bed, then scratch resistance is improved, but the cost increases and the solution becomes permanent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescratch resistanceVSAvoidcost and permanence

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo slide assembly is a removable, replaceable component that protects the truck bed without requiring permanent coatings. If the slide assembly becomes damaged or scratched, it can be easily replaced rather than requiring costly repainting or recoating of the entire truck bed, making the protection solution more economical and flexible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If truck bed organizers with compartments are installed, then cargo organization is improved, but the allowable cargo size is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo organizationVSAvoidallowable cargo size

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo slide assembly is a dynamic, adaptable solution that can accommodate various cargo sizes and types. Unlike fixed compartment organizers, the slide assembly provides a continuous sliding surface that can handle anything from small packages to large furniture items, allowing the cargo configuration to be adjusted based on needs rather than being constrained by fixed compartments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If users climb onto the truck bed to position cargo, then cargo positioning flexibility is improved, but user safety risks and physical effort increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo positioning flexibilityVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo slide assembly acts as an intermediary tool between the user and the cargo. The user applies force to one end of the assembly, and the smooth sliding surface enables the cargo to be positioned anywhere along the truck bed length without the user needing to climb onto the bed, thereby maintaining positioning flexibility while eliminating safety risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

The cargo slide assembly effectively prevents scratches on the truck bed while enabling easy loading and unloading of cargo, reducing user effort and protecting the truck bed from damage, while also allowing for compact storage when not in use.

Implementation Method 1

a block of compressible material is disposed on each slider such that, when a piece of cargo is placed on the block, the block compresses and conforms to the piece of cargo, thereby allowing the cargo to resist any sliding relative to the cargo slide assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

each panel includes an elongated and planar slider that has a smooth surface that allows the cargo slide assembly to slide against a truck bed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11807194B2Collapsible cargo slide assembly

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 POTTS PAUL C

AI summary

A collapsible cargo slide assembly that protects a cargo area from damage during loading and unloading of cargo. The assembly includes a plurality of panels with each panel including a generally planar slider having a surface smoothed for sliding on the cargo area, a block of compressible material for contact with the cargo. The assembly further includes a connector that joins a panel and an adjacent panel. In embodiments, the connector is a layer of flexible material that substantially spans across at least the panel and the adjacent panel. In embodiments, each panel includes a protruding lip having one or more apertures configured to receive a securing device for fastening cargo to the panel.