Foldable Tray with Integrated Bolt Rack and Hex Gauges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool storage and bolt organizer devices are either cumbersome, expensive to manufacture, or lack features like sequential storage and easy identification of bolt sizes, leading to confusion during machinery disassembly and reassembly.
Innovation Solution
A foldable tray made of durable plastic with integrated tubular metal legs, a bolt storage rack, hex size gauges, clamps, and ribbing for structural support, allowing for modular expansion and easy use in various positions, preventing contents from falling and enabling sequential storage of bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If tools and bolts are temporarily placed on the machinery frame or engine components, then accessibility is improved, but the risk of items falling or being lost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is divided into multiple compartments and sections, including a flat top surface for tools, a bolt storage rack with sequential slots for fasteners, and integrated hex size gauges. This segmentation allows different items to be stored in designated areas, preventing mixing and loss while maintaining easy accessibility during repair operations.
2Quantity of substance
If bolts and screws are stored in random containers, then storage capacity is improved, but identification and reassembly accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt storage rack is pre-configured with sequential slots numbered in the order bolts should be removed. Hex size gauges are pre-marked with standard hexagon sizes. This preliminary organization allows mechanics to store bolts in sequential order during disassembly and simply reverse the process during reassembly, eliminating confusion and ensuring correct fastener placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray incorporates visually distinct features including hex size gauges with marked measurements and a bolt storage rack with numbered slots. These visual indicators provide immediate identification of bolt sizes and storage positions, preventing mixing of different fasteners and ensuring accurate reassembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used to build the storage device, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tray integrates multiple functions into a single molded unit: the flat top surface for tool storage, the bolt storage rack with sequential slots, integrated hex size gauges, and clamps for attaching to tubular legs are all formed as one piece through plastic injection molding. This merging reduces manufacturing complexity and assembly requirements while maintaining adaptability through the modular attachment system for the legs.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid non-foldable structure is used, then structural stability is improved, but portability and storage efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tubular legs are designed to be detachable and foldable, allowing the tray to transition between a stable upright configuration during use and a compact folded state for storage and transport. The clamps on the tray underside secure the legs in the upright position during operation, providing structural stability, while allowing easy detachment and folding for portability when not in use.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool storage and bolt organizer device (10) is provided having a tray top (11) including a bolt storage rack (21), and hex head bolt size gauges (19) and (20). A modular bolt storage rack (26) is removably coupled to the bolt storage rack (21) providing for additional bolt storage. The tray top (11) is preferably constructed by a plastic injection molding process and the support frame (35) preferably includes a first leg (38) and a second leg (39) that are pivotally connected. The legs desirably have a generally X-shaped configuration when the legs are placed an upright position and the legs can be collapsed into a storage position. The support frame (35) can be connected to the tray top (11) by inserting the legs (38) and (39) into the clamps (25) to fully erect the tool storage and bolt organizer device (10). The legs (38) and (39) can detached and the tray top (11) can be utilized by itself where the clamps (25) can function as a base to rest on a surface.