Convertible Ramp Body With Detachable Bed Extension for Tool Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicles with cargo beds face inefficiencies in loading large objects due to either being too large and expensive or too small for warehouse docking bays, necessitating the use of trailers, which decrease mobility and increase costs.

Innovation Solution

A convertible ramp body that can be detachably attached to a vehicle's cargo bed, featuring a cargo bed extender with a pivotally connected ramp that rotates upward and downward, and a jack assembly for ground contact, allowing for expanded cargo capacity without reducing the effective area of the bed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a vehicle uses a larger cargo bed to accommodate large objects, then the loading capability is improved, but the vehicle size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading capabilityVSAvoidvehicle size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo bed system is segmented into a fixed cargo bed and a detachable extender module. The extender can be added when large objects need to be transported and removed when not needed, allowing the vehicle to adapt between small and large cargo configurations without permanently increasing vehicle size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cargo bed configuration is made dynamic through the use of a detachable extender that can be quickly attached and removed. This allows the effective cargo volume to change based on loading needs, providing adaptability without permanent commitment to a larger vehicle size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If a vehicle uses a smaller cargo bed to maintain mobility, then the vehicle cost and fuel efficiency are improved, but the loading capability for large objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle sizeVSAvoidloading capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cargo capacity is segmented into base cargo bed and optional extender portions. The extender can be attached to the base cargo bed to create additional loading space for large objects, allowing a small vehicle to temporarily expand its capacity without permanently increasing its size or compromising mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable extender serves multiple functions: it extends cargo capacity for large objects, can be configured with a ramp for loading, and can be stored when not needed. This single component provides versatility across multiple loading scenarios without requiring different vehicle sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a vehicle tows a trailer to transport large tools, then the loading capability is improved, but mobility and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading capabilityVSAvoidmobility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The extender integrates with the vehicle's cargo bed system rather than being a separate trailer. This merging of functions allows the vehicle to carry large tools directly in its extended cargo bed, eliminating the need for a separate trailer and improving mobility while maintaining loading capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable extender provides multiple functions in one component: cargo extension, ramp integration for loading, and storage capability. This multi-functionality replaces the need for separate trailers while maintaining the ability to transport large tools, thus improving mobility without sacrificing loading capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If a ramp overlays the cargo bed floor to provide loading access, then the loading ease is improved, but the effective cargo bed area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading easeVSAvoidcargo bed area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The ramp function is extracted from the cargo bed floor area and integrated into the detachable extender structure. The ramp is positioned on the extender rather than overlaying the cargo bed floor, allowing full cargo bed area to remain available while still providing loading access through the extender's ramp structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The ramp is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the cargo bed. Instead of the ramp overlaying the cargo bed floor (two-dimensional overlap), the ramp is attached to the extender which extends beyond the cargo bed boundaries, placing the ramp in a third dimension that does not interfere with cargo bed area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12351094B2Convertible ramp body for use with vehicles having cargo beds, a combination vehicle and convertible ramp body, and/or a method of loading rolling tools into a cargo bed of a vehicle using a convertible ramp body

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 FARMER WYATT TAFT

AI summary

A convertible ramp body and/or combination of vehicle with a cargo bed and convertible ramp body wherein the convertible ramp body may be positioned about the cargo bed of a vehicle. The convertible ramp body may include a storage shelf body and cargo bed extender on opposite lateral ends of the cargo bed and connected by sidewall beams and a ramp pivotally connected to the cargo bed extender.