Foldable Icehouse Sled Floor With Integrated Gear Securing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transporting ice fishing gear and icehouses is cumbersome and labor-intensive, especially over icy terrain, and relocating fishing setups is difficult due to the significant effort required in breaking down and reassembling equipment.

Innovation Solution

An icehouse floor sled device with a corrosion-resistant frame, runners for smooth movement, a foldable design, and a hitch for towing, featuring customizable openings, secure equipment holders, and vibration-dampening mounts, allowing easy movement of icehouses via vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If anglers transport all necessary ice fishing gear in a vehicle or sled, then they can have all equipment available for fishing, but the logistics of organizing and securing the gear becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of gearVSAvoidlogistics of organizing and securing gear
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the icehouse structure with integrated gear storage compartments and equipment holders directly into the sled device. This merging eliminates the need for separate vehicle cargo space and gear organization, allowing all equipment to be stored and transported as a single integrated unit, thereby reducing logistical complexity while maintaining full gear availability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sled device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a transportation platform, an icehouse structure base, and a gear storage system. The frame structure supports both the icehouse and various equipment holders for augers, poles, and other gear, creating a universal platform that handles both structure and gear logistics in one system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If anglers set up the icehouse and gear at a fishing spot, then they can start fishing, but the significant time and physical work involved makes it difficult to relocate to a different spot

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup processVSAvoidtime to break down and reassemble equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The icehouse structure is designed with modular, collapsible walls and a foldable floor sled that can be quickly disassembled and reassembled. The frame uses interlocking components and the floor incorporates hinge mechanisms that allow the entire structure to be broken down into manageable segments for transport and quickly reconfigured at new locations, dramatically reducing relocation time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sled floor is designed to be foldable and movable rather than fixed, with hinges and locking mechanisms that allow rapid transformation between deployed and collapsed states. This dynamic design enables the icehouse to be quickly set up and taken down, facilitating easy relocation to different fishing spots without extensive physical work

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the icehouse floor sled device is designed to accommodate various icehouse types and configurations, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccommodation of icehouse typesVSAvoidframe and mounting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure incorporates standardized mounting points, adjustable support mechanisms, and universal attachment interfaces that can accommodate different icehouse designs and configurations. This universal platform approach allows the same basic sled frame to support various icehouse types without requiring complex customizations, achieving versatility through standardized adaptive components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The sled device includes adjustable and reconfigurable components such as movable support posts, adjustable floor sections, and flexible mounting brackets that can be repositioned to accommodate different icehouse configurations. These dynamic elements allow the structure to adapt to various icehouse types through simple repositioning rather than complex redesign, maintaining versatility while controlling complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250346278A1Icehouse Floor Sled Device
Publication Date: 2025.11.13 NORLEN MICHAEL
  • US20250346278A1 patent drawing
  • US20250346278A1 patent drawing
  • US20250346278A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An icehouse floor sled device is provided. The device is comprised of a corrosion-resistant frame that may receive an icehouse. The device incorporates features such as runners for smooth movement on snow or ice, a foldable design with locking hinges for compact storage, and a hitch adaptable to various towing vehicles. A polycarbonate floor provides a stable surface, with customizable openings for ice augers that can be sealed securely with threaded lids. The device includes dedicated receiving areas for safely securing equipment, such as molded recesses for propane canisters and vertically aligned posts with cushioned grips for ice augers. Fasteners and vibration-dampening mounts ensure stability during transport, while modular and adjustable components offer user-friendly customization.