Enclosed Boat Trailer With Angled Rollers for Solo Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat trailers require significant time and personnel to load and unload boats due to the need for manual alignment, winch operation, and manual movement, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An enclosed boat trailer with a roller system and winch assist mechanism that allows for easy loading and unloading of boats without additional assistance, featuring a wide-opening rear door and a roller system that engages with the boat hull for direct drive-in capability and a winch for remote operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual alignment and winch operation are used for loading boats, then the loading process can be completed with existing equipment, but significant time and personnel are required making the process inefficient and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic roller system where rollers are positioned at an angle to the trailer centerline and can rotate freely. This dynamic configuration allows the boat to be rolled directly onto the trailer at an angle, eliminating the time-consuming manual alignment process required by static trailer designs. The angled rollers guide the boat hull smoothly onto the trailer deck during the rolling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical winch-based loading system with a roller-based rolling system. Instead of using winches to pull boats onto trailers through cable tension, the system uses the rotational motion of angled rollers to facilitate direct rolling of the boat onto the trailer. This substitution eliminates the need for winch operation and significantly reduces loading time and labor requirements.
2Ease of operation
If traditional boat trailers are used, then the structure can be simple and straightforward, but significant personnel and manual effort are required for loading and unloading operations
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic angled roller system enables a single operator to load and unload boats by simply guiding the boat onto the rolling surface. The rollers' angled configuration and free rotation provide self-guiding functionality, eliminating the need for multiple personnel to manually position and align the boat during loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled roller system provides self-aligning and self-guiding capabilities during the boat loading process. As the boat is rolled onto the trailer at an angle, the rollers automatically guide the hull onto the correct position on the trailer deck without requiring manual intervention for alignment, thereby reducing the quantity of personnel needed.
3Productivity
If manual alignment and positioning are required during loading, then the trailer structure can be basic, but the loading process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces angled rollers mounted on axles that can rotate freely, creating a dynamic loading surface. These rollers are positioned at specific angles to the trailer centerline and provide automatic guidance as the boat is rolled onto the trailer. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual alignment procedures while maintaining relatively simple trailer construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled rollers serve as an intermediary element between the boat hull and the trailer deck. During the loading process, the rollers facilitate the transition by providing a rolling surface that guides the boat onto the trailer at an angle. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the loading operation without requiring complex alignment systems or structures.
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 single-operator loading and unloading of boats in less time with reduced effort, improving efficiency and safety by allowing direct boat-to-trailer engagement and remote winch operation.
Implementation Method 1
a roller system that engages with the boat hull for direct drive-in capability
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative embodiment of an enclosed boat trailer may be configured to allow loading of a boat in the water for the purpose of removing the boat from the water using the enclosed boat trailer to engage the boat for storage and/or transportation. An illustrative embodiment of an enclosed boat trailer may be comprised of a roller system positioned on the floor and a right and left rear arm adjacent a rear opening in the enclosed boat trailer. In an illustrative method of use, the trailer is not moved during the loading/unloaded process and the roller system is not fully submerged in the water. In an illustrative method of use, a boat operator may load and/or unload the boat into the water from the enclosed boat trailer without leaving the boat and without additional personnel.