Extendable Retractable Edge Guide for Trailer Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The difficulty in loading and unloading vehicles and equipment from trailers or trucks due to the distance between the edge of the bed and ground level, which requires manual assistance and poses safety hazards, especially when the distance exceeds one-third of the vehicle's wheel diameter.
Innovation Solution
An extendable and retractable guide with a movable portion that pivots or slides relative to a fixed portion attached to the bed, featuring ridges and channels to guide skis or tires, providing a ramp for smooth transition from ground to bed and retracting for secure storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the distance between the bed edge and ground level is increased to provide higher bed clearance, then the bed clearance is improved, but the difficulty and danger of loading vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge guide is designed with a movable first portion that can pivot between an extended loading position and a retracted stored position. This dynamic configuration allows the guide to extend beyond the bed edge during loading operations to provide a ramp surface, then retract to a stored position when not in use, thereby adapting to different operational states and resolving the contradiction between maintaining bed clearance and facilitating easy loading.
2Productivity
If manual lifting force is applied to climb vehicles onto the bed, then the vehicles can be loaded onto the bed, but safety hazards and physical strain increase
Solution Approach 1:
The edge guide acts as an intermediary mechanical structure between the ground and the bed. It provides a ramped surface that vehicles can drive onto the bed independently, eliminating the need for manual lifting. The guide's ridges and channels guide the vehicle runners or tires smoothly onto the bed, thereby enabling loading capability while removing the safety hazards associated with manual lifting operations.
3Ease of operation
If the edge guide is extended beyond the bed edge to provide a loading ramp, then the ease of loading is improved, but the risk of guide detachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge guide is segmented into a fixed second portion attached to the bed and a movable first portion that pivots relative to the second portion. This segmentation allows the first portion to extend beyond the bed edge to provide a loading ramp while the second portion remains securely fixed to the bed, thereby maintaining attachment security while enabling easy loading operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the edge guide structure is made more complex to enable extension and retraction, then the loading functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The edge guide employs a simple pivotal connection between the first and second portions, allowing the structure to transition between extended and retracted positions through basic rotational motion. This dynamic design achieves loading versatility without requiring complex mechanisms, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing structural complexity.
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
Facilitates safe and easy loading and unloading of snowmobiles, ATVs, and other equipment by creating a smooth ramped surface, reducing manual effort and hazards, while ensuring secure positioning on the bed.
Implementation Method 1
The tires of the ATV or other wheeled item grip the top surface of the guide
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable guide for loading and unloading snowmobiles, ATVs and other equipment from a trailer or truck bed includes a first portion that is movable relative to a second portion that is fixedly attached to the truck or trailer bed such that the first portion pivotally moves relative to the second portion. The first portion is of a sufficient length such that when the first portion guide is in an extended position a distal edge of the first portion contacts the ground surface to provide a ramp for loading and unloading the ATV, snowmobile or other equipment. The ramp provides a smooth transition from the ground to the bed of the truck or trailer. Once the ATV, snowmobile or other equipment is loaded onto the bed of the trailer or truck, the first portion of the guide is pivotally positioned into a stowed position such that an end gate or other retaining wall can be positioned into a secured vertical position with the ATV, snowmobile or other equipment being positioned on the bed of the trailer or truck.