Elastic Jack Pads Prevent Surface Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional jack pads for recreational vehicles and trailers often damage soft surfaces like grass or sand due to the weight of the vehicle, posing safety hazards and inefficiencies in leveling, as users must guess the placement of jack pads on varying ground types.
Innovation Solution
The design of improved jack pads featuring a flexible, elastic material with an octagonal configuration, beveled recess, and adhesive layers, which securely attach to the jack foot plate, providing stability and preventing sinking into uneven surfaces while allowing for drainage and easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal jack feet are used to support vehicle weight, then the vehicle can be leveled on various surfaces, but the jack feet damage soft surfaces like grass or sand and pose safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pad made of flexible, elastic material as an intermediary between the metal jack foot and the ground surface. This pad distributes the concentrated load of the metal foot over a larger area, preventing damage to soft surfaces while maintaining leveling stability. The pad acts as a mediator that protects the ground from harmful pressure concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible, elastic pad material that can conform to uneven ground surfaces. This flexible element adapts to the terrain while distributing the vehicle weight, preventing both surface damage and ensuring stable contact. The flexibility allows the pad to maintain effective contact without rigid metal-to-ground interaction.
2Reliability
If users place jack pads on varying ground types, then vehicle leveling can be achieved, but users must estimate or guess the approximate positions which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates visual indicators (such as colored surfaces or patterns) on the jack pads to guide proper placement. These visual cues help users quickly identify appropriate positioning on varying ground types without extensive estimation or guessing, thereby improving leveling efficiency while maintaining reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If jack feet are lowered to support vehicle weight, then the vehicle can be stabilized, but the concentrated weight damages the ground surface
Solution Approach 1:
The jack pad serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a stable base for vehicle support, distributes weight to prevent ground damage, and offers a flexible interface that adapts to various ground conditions. This multi-functional element resolves the contradiction by achieving both stability and surface protection.
4Strength
If adhesive layers are added to secure the foot plate, then the attachment strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes adhesive layers with specific material properties and bonding parameters to achieve strong attachment without adding complex mechanical fastening systems. By optimizing adhesive parameters (such as bond strength, thickness, and curing characteristics), the patent achieves secure foot plate attachment while maintaining relatively simple pad construction.
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 jack pads effectively distribute the weight of the vehicle, preventing surface damage and ensuring stable leveling on diverse ground conditions, enhancing safety and operational efficiency by securely attaching to the jack foot and conforming to uneven surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention comprises an improved jack pad for supporting a jack foot including a foot plate, the pad being formed of a flexible, elastic material
Implementation Method 2
In one embodiment, the pads can further comprise at least one adhesive layer coated onto the pad, the foot plate, or both
Data Source
AI summary
An improved jack pad for supporting a jack foot having a foot plate includes a body having an upper surface and a lower surface joined by a side wall, and defining a recess configured for receiving the foot plate and having a retaining lip for securing the foot plate therein. The jack pad may provide for the drainage of water from the pad.