Hitch-Mounted Lifting Arms With Slide Bar and Transit Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle hitch systems are complex, require significant energy for lifting heavy loads, lack stability and secure locking, and are inefficient in managing large or heavy objects, often requiring manual effort and specialized skills.
Innovation Solution
A device with a pair of arms and a slide bar mechanism, utilizing a coupling mechanism with spring plunger pins and a threaded rod for easy state transitions, and a locking mechanism for stability, which can be attached to a vehicle hitch receiver, allowing for efficient lifting and secure transit of objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If motor-chain assembly or motor-flexible member assembly is used for displacement of carry arms, then lifting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the motor and chain/flexible member components from the system, replacing them with a simpler manual operation mechanism. The carry arms are displaced by directly manipulating the arms themselves rather than through a motor-driven transmission system, thereby eliminating the complex mechanical parts while retaining the essential lifting function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a motor to automatically displace the carry arms through a transmission mechanism, the patent inverts the approach by enabling direct manual displacement of the arms. The user directly controls the arm movement without intermediary mechanical components, simplifying the system while maintaining functionality.
2Power
If inbuilt jacks or motors with battery are used for displacement, then lifting capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the inbuilt jack or motor-with-battery subsystem from the hitch device. By eliminating these powered displacement mechanisms, the system reverts to a simpler manual operation mode where the carry arms are positioned and adjusted by direct user manipulation, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving the core lifting and carrying functions.
3Volume of moving object
If complex folding mechanisms with brackets, pins and holes are used for folding carry arms, then compact storage is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the folding mechanism into simpler segmented components that can be easily aligned and connected. Rather than complex multi-component folding systems, the carry arms are designed with simplified segmentation that allows straightforward folding and unfolding operations, improving ease of operation while achieving compact storage configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring complex alignment procedures for folding, the patent inverts the approach by designing the folding mechanism to naturally align through intuitive user actions. The folding operation becomes a simple, direct manipulation rather than a complex multi-step alignment process, significantly improving ease of operation.
4Power
If conventional hitches are used for heavy load, then lifting capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service principles by enabling the carry arms to be manually positioned and adjusted directly by the user without requiring external power sources. The system uses the user's physical effort efficiently to achieve arm displacement, eliminating energy consumption associated with motors and electrical systems while maintaining the ability to handle heavy loads.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates a device for lifting objects. The device comprises a pair of arms, a horizontal bar, a slide bar, and a housing. The pair of arms are configured to be in an open state to lift an object and in a closed state when the pair of arms are not being used. The device is configured to be elongated to a length for providing ease of loading and unloading of an object. The device further comprises a locking mechanism for providing stability during transit. The housing comprises a roller over a screw for providing easy displacement of the slide bar with respect to the housing.