Hitch Insert Button Assembly for Safe Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanisms for coupling and decoupling hitch inserts from hitches pose a risk of user extremities getting caught during installation and removal, and are often cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A button assembly is integrated with the hitch insert, featuring a button that can be pressed to allow insertion and removal while maintaining a flush surface with the hitch insert, preventing extremity entrapment and facilitating quicker operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pin or bolt mechanism is used to couple the hitch insert to the hitch, then the coupling is secure, but the mechanism becomes cumbersome and increases the risk of user extremities getting caught during installation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dangerous pin insertion/removal operation from the user's direct interaction. Instead of requiring users to manually insert and remove pins through apertures, the system uses a button mechanism that triggers internal release, removing the hazardous action from user extremities while maintaining secure coupling during transport
Solution Approach 2:
The button assembly acts as an intermediary between the user and the coupling mechanism. Users press the button to initiate release, which then triggers the internal mechanism to disengage the hitch insert from the hitch, providing a safe intermediate step that eliminates direct hand insertion into apertures
2Reliability
If a pin or bolt mechanism is used to couple the hitch insert to the hitch, then the coupling is secure, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the button assembly with the hitch insert structure, integrating the release mechanism into the existing component rather than adding a separate complex system. The button, elongate member, and release feature are combined into a unified assembly that works with the hitch insert's existing apertures and structure
Solution Approach 2:
The button assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the release trigger, guides the elongate member movement, and interfaces with the hitch insert's aperture system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, simplifying the overall device while maintaining secure coupling
3Ease of operation
If the button surface protrudes from the hitch insert outer surface, then the button is easier to press, but the risk of user extremity entrapment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the button surface to remain flush with or recessed from the hitch insert outer surface, preventing the harmful condition of protrusion before it can occur. This design choice proactively eliminates the entrapment hazard while the button's internal mechanism ensures it remains sufficiently pressable for operation
Data Source
AI summary
A button assembly that couples and releases a hitch insert to and from a hitch is described. A button of the button assembly may be configured to be pressed to a degree that allows the hitch insert to be inserted into and removed from a hitch. However, the button assembly may be configured to prevent a user's finger (or other extremity) from entering an aperture of the hitch insert that accommodates the button. For example, in a pressed orientation, a surface of the button that a user contacts may remain flush (or substantially flush) with an outer surface of the hitch insert.