Collapsible Truck Bed Rack Folding to Single Plane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rack assemblies for pickup trucks are either aesthetically unappealing, require visible modifications, or do not fold completely out of sight, failing to provide a lightweight, adjustable, and strong solution for carrying elongated loads without occupying additional cargo bed space.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible rack assembly with a rectangular frame attached to the pickup truck's cargo bed, featuring sliding halves and adjustable legs and crossbars that fold into a single plane for minimal visibility and easy installation, allowing for quick reconfiguration to accommodate various load sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If rack assemblies are mounted onto the sidewalls of the rear cargo area bed, then the rear cargo area bed is not utilized and the entire space is available for other purposes, but such assemblies distract from the clean look of the pickup truck and require modification to the sidewalls which are visible to casual observers
Solution Approach 1:
The rack assembly transitions from a three-dimensional structure when deployed to a two-dimensional flat configuration when folded, allowing it to lie substantially within the plane of the cargo bed floor when collapsed, thereby eliminating visual distraction while maintaining cargo bed space availability
Solution Approach 2:
The rack assembly is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between deployed and folded states, allowing it to adapt its spatial footprint based on whether it is in use or stored, thus resolving the conflict between aesthetic appearance and functional utility
2Area of stationary object
If rack assemblies are mounted onto the rear cargo area bed close to each sidewall to maximize space, then the amount of space within the rear cargo area bed is maximized, but they still distract from the look of the pickup truck when assembled and do not entirely fold away onto the rear cargo area bed
Solution Approach 1:
The rack assembly is designed to collapse into a two-dimensional configuration that lies substantially within the plane of the cargo bed floor, ensuring complete retraction away from view when not in use, thus eliminating aesthetic distraction while maintaining maximum cargo space
3Object-generated harmful factors
If prior art rack assemblies are designed to be foldable, then they can retract away from the view of the casual observer, but they do not entirely fold away onto the rear cargo area bed and components do not stack with one another when in folded position
Solution Approach 1:
The rack assembly components are designed to nest within one another when folded, with crossbars inserting into leg structures and panels folding into compact configurations, minimizing the volume occupied by the folded rack to a single layer within the cargo bed plane
Solution Approach 2:
The rack transitions from a three-dimensional expanded structure to a two-dimensional flat configuration when folded, ensuring complete retraction within the cargo bed plane and eliminating any protrusion that would be visible to observers
4Ease of operation
If a rack assembly is designed to be lightweight for ease of installation, removal, storage and shipping, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity to carry desired loads may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The rack assembly utilizes composite construction combining aluminum extrusions with high-strength fasteners and connectors, achieving an optimal balance between lightweight properties for ease of handling and sufficient structural integrity to carry construction materials and equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The rack is designed as modular segmented components that can be easily assembled and disassembled, with each segment optimized for lightweight construction while maintaining overall structural strength through proper connection design, facilitating ease of installation and removal
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a collapsible rack assembly for pickup trucks to aid in the storage and transportation of material that is greater than the length of the pickup truck's rear cargo area bed. A base frame, being primarily hollow, tubular, and rectangular in shape, is mounted to the pickup truck's rear cargo area bed. Legs are hingedly attached at each inside corner of the base frame to support a crossbeam assembly to which ladders and other long loads may be attached thereto. The entire rack assembly may be collapsed into a single layer to minimize the amount of space the rack assembly occupies in the pickup truck's rear cargo area bed.