Hand Truck Hitch Coupling for Single-Person Heavy Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for loading and unloading heavy loads onto vehicles require multiple people, additional space, or the use of ramps and vertical lifting, which can be cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a base, lever arm, and glide that allows a single person to attach a hand truck or dolly to a vehicle's receiver without ramps, featuring a lever arm that extends to the receiver and a glide that slides into it, with optional automation through winches and a drive mechanism for stabilization and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ramps and vertical lifting mechanisms are used to load heavy goods onto a vehicle, then the loading capability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hand truck as an intermediary device between the ground and the vehicle cargo area. The hand truck has a lowered cargo receiving area that can be positioned at ground level, eliminating the need for complex ramps and vertical lifting mechanisms. The hand truck serves as a mediator that bridges the height gap between ground and vehicle cargo area through its telescopic shaft and adjustable platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading system is segmented into multiple independent components: the vehicle with cargo rack, the hand truck with telescopic shaft, and the adjustable platform. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and eliminates the need for a single complex loading mechanism, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining loading capability.
2Productivity
If multiple people are used to lift heavy goods to the vehicle, then the loading capability is improved, but the operational simplicity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hand truck is designed to be self-sufficient, with its own telescopic shaft and adjustable platform that can be operated by a single person. The mechanical advantage provided by the telescopic mechanism allows one operator to lift and position heavy loads without requiring multiple people to manually lift the cargo.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand truck features a dynamically adjustable telescopic shaft and platform height, allowing the operator to adapt the device to different loading scenarios and vehicle heights. This dynamic adjustability enables a single person to handle various load weights and vehicle types, improving ease of operation while maintaining high loading capability.
3Ease of operation
If the hand truck is lifted to the height of the vehicle receiver, then the attachment is simplified, but the lifting force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hand truck's telescopic shaft and adjustable platform allow the cargo receiving area to be positioned at the same height as the vehicle receiver, creating an equipotential condition that eliminates the need for vertical lifting during attachment. The shaft can be extended or retracted to match the vehicle height, and the platform can be adjusted to align with the receiver, allowing the hand truck to be attached without additional lifting force.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of lifting the entire hand truck vertically to attach it to the vehicle receiver, the patent uses the telescopic shaft to extend the attachment point horizontally toward the vehicle. This dimensional change allows the attachment to occur at ground level or at any intermediate height, reducing the lifting force requirement while maintaining attachment simplicity.
4Productivity
If ramps are used to move heavy loads, then the loading capability is improved, but the space requirements and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand truck serves as a compact intermediary device that eliminates the need for space-consuming ramps. The hand truck can be positioned directly at the vehicle rear without requiring additional ground space for ramp deployment. The telescopic shaft and adjustable platform provide the necessary height adjustment in a compact form factor, reducing the overall space footprint while maintaining loading capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for interconnecting a hand truck or dolly to a vehicle receiver or hitch while hauling a heavy load. The apparatus includes a base, an extendable lever arm and a separable intermediary glide. The base couples with the hand truck, the lever arm is extendable from the base, and the intermediary glide interconnects the lever arm to a receiver attached to a vehicle. In accordance with certain aspects of embodiments of the invention the hand truck and glide may be automated to automatically stabilize the hand truck, lift it into alignment with the receiver, and then lock the lever arm into place relative to the receiver and vehicle. Further, the system in accordance with aspects of the invention may automatically unload the hand truck from engagement with the vehicle.