Modular Equipment Carrier with Foldable Arms and Telescoping Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for transporting and storing work items, such as tool boxes and compressed gas tanks, are inefficient as they require ad hoc attachment to wheeled carts, interfere with functional use, and do not accommodate accessory items, leading to strain, damage, and inefficient use of equipment.
Innovation Solution
A modular equipment carrier that connects to standard dollies for easy transportation and storage, featuring foldable arms, a telescoping base, and auxiliary holders, allowing secure positioning and storage of primary and accessory work items, and can be used independently as a storage device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tool boxes are attached to wheeled carts using ad hoc methods (bungee cords, straps, rope), then transportation of heavy tool boxes is facilitated, but the attachment mechanism interferes with the functional use of the tool box and the setup is cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment carrier is divided into separate functional components: a dolly portion for transportation and a frame portion with work item holders for storage and access. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the dolly for easy movement and the frame for functional accessibility without interference from attachment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism is extracted and integrated into the dolly portion rather than being applied ad hoc to the tool boxes. The dolly portion includes dedicated attachment features that securely hold the frame portion, eliminating the need for external straps, bungee cords, or rope that would interfere with tool box functionality.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple tool boxes are transported on a single cart, then the problem of carrying heavy boxes is compounded, but ad hoc attachment methods become even more cumbersome and less secure
Solution Approach 1:
The frame portion is designed with multiple work item holders that can accommodate various types of work items including tool boxes, compressed gas tanks, buckets, barrels, crates, tubs, or boxes. This universal design allows a single equipment carrier to securely transport multiple different items simultaneously through integrated holders rather than requiring separate ad hoc attachment methods for each item.
3Ease of operation
If expensive work items like compressed gas tanks are transported on dollies, then transportation is facilitated, but the dolly cannot be reused for other items when attached to specific work items
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment carrier is segmented into a reusable dolly portion and a frame portion with work item holders. The dolly portion serves as the permanent reusable component, while the frame portion with holders can be configured for different types of work items. This segmentation allows the expensive dolly to be used repeatedly for transporting various items by simply reconfiguring the frame and holders rather than requiring the dolly itself to be customized for each item type.
4Ease of manufacture
If work items are left unsupported on flat surfaces for extended periods, then storage is simple, but pliable work items become deformed and unsuitable for use
Solution Approach 1:
The frame portion includes specific work item holders designed to provide localized support at critical points for different types of work items. These holders are positioned to maintain the proper shape and orientation of pliable items during storage and transport, preventing deformation while keeping the overall storage system simple and integrated into the equipment carrier structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment carrier for transporting one or more work items includes a vertical frame attached to a base frame, where the base frame has, in a preferred embodiment, an expandable portion that telescopes out from the vertical frame. The equipment carrier also includes a locking mechanism for attaching the equipment carrier to a standard dolly. The use of the equipment carrier in combination with the dolly allows for easy transport of the equipment carrier. In one embodiment, work piece arms for supporting work items are pivotally connected to the front of the vertical frame allowing them to swing into horizontal position and then fold down into a vertical position. Also attached to the vertical frame is a strut that is also pivotally connected to the front face of the vertical frame. The strut swings up to support the work piece arm when it is in the horizontal position. The equipment carrier also has components for carrying additional accessories work items needed.