Hard Plastic Storage Cover With Integrated Sub-Frame And Forklift Tine Apertures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wooden storage and transport containers face issues with weatherproofing and durability, particularly when exposed to elements and handling stresses, as fabric covers are prone to tearing and abrasion.
Innovation Solution
A hard plastic cover with integrated sub-frame assembly and flexible hinge sections, allowing for attachment of fabric or plastic sidewalls, providing a weatherproof and load-bearing solution that can be handled with a forklift.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fabric cover is used to weatherize the container, then the container is protected from elements, but the cover is prone to tearing and abrasion from handling and contact with forklifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a hard plastic cover with fabric or plastic sidewalls to create a composite weatherproofing system. The hard plastic top provides durable protection against handling and forklift contact, while the fabric or plastic sidewalls provide weatherproofing. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by assigning different material functions to different parts of the cover assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses fabric or plastic sidewalls that can be flexible in nature to provide weatherproofing coverage. These flexible materials drape over the container sidewalls and can be attached to the hard plastic cover, providing environmental protection while allowing for some movement and handling without rigid structural constraints.
2Reliability
If a hard plastic cover is used to increase durability, then the cover resists handling damage, but the cover becomes more difficult to handle with forklifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the cover into a hard plastic top portion and separate fabric or plastic sidewall portions. The hard plastic top is designed with forklift tine receiving features for easy handling, while the sidewalls can be separately attached or detached. This segmentation allows the durable hard plastic component to be handled easily while the flexible sidewalls provide weatherproofing without interfering with forklift operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment mechanism that connects the hard plastic cover to the fabric or plastic sidewalls. This intermediary system allows the hard plastic top to be handled independently with forklifts while the sidewalls can be attached or detached as needed, resolving the contradiction between durability and ease of handling.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a complete weatherproof cover assembly is provided, then the container is fully protected from elements, but the assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the weatherproof cover into a hard plastic top portion and separate fabric or plastic sidewall portions that can be independently handled and attached. The hard plastic top includes integrated features like raised channels for sub-frame support and forklift tine receiving features. This segmentation reduces complexity by allowing components to be manufactured, handled, and attached separately rather than as a single complex assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard plastic cover top is designed with multiple functions integrated into a single component: it provides the weatherproof top covering, includes raised channels for sub-frame support, incorporates forklift tine receiving features for handling, and provides attachment points for sidewalls. This multi-functionality reduces overall assembly complexity by consolidating multiple features into one universal component.
Data Source
AI summary
Several molded, hard plastic cover pieces and attached fabric or hard side wall assemblies are disclosed for mounting over a storage container. One cover piece provides raised channel rails that support a layered sub frame assembly. The sub frame secures fabric or plastic side wall assemblies to the cover piece. Fabric or expansible hinge pieces mount between fabric or plastic panels to provide flexible transitions to facilitate the mounting and removal of the cover piece and/or sidewall assembly. Cross pieces fitted to channel rails define lifting supports to permit attachment or removal of the cover piece from a wooden storage container. Truss pieces formed between channel pieces strengthen and control water runoff. Alternative cover pieces provide lifting towers, panels with tine receiving apertures or interconnected tension members.