Hitch Mount Assembly for Footwear Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hitch assemblies do not have a convenient solution for removing soil from footwear, and existing designs require the hitch ball to be removed for attaching or removing accessories like brushes or scrapers, which is inconvenient for users who need to traverse terrain and return to their vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A hitch mount assembly that is selectively securable to a hitch ball receiver, allowing for the attachment of accessories like brushes or scrapers without requiring the hitch ball to be removed, featuring a mount body and clamp body design that secures to the hitch ball receiver without obstructing its operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hitch assembly is used for towing, then the vehicle can tow trailers, but there is no convenient solution for removing soil from footwear
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch receiver is designed to serve multiple functions: it can accommodate both towing operations with hitch balls and accessory mounting with the clamp assembly. The universal interface allows different types of attachments (hitch balls for towing, clamps for accessories like brushes and scrapers) to be used with the same receiver structure, enabling the vehicle to perform both towing and footwear cleaning functions without requiring separate systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If accessories like brushes or scrapers are attached to the hitch assembly, then footwear cleaning is enabled, but the hitch ball must be removed which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is segmented into separate components: the clamp assembly for accessory attachment and the hitch ball mounting mechanism. This segmentation allows the clamp assembly to be independently installed and removed without affecting the hitch ball, enabling users to mount accessories like brushes or scrapers while keeping the hitch ball in place for towing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp assembly acts as an intermediary component that attaches to the hitch receiver without interfering with the hitch ball. The clamp body with its clamping mechanism provides a separate attachment path for accessories, allowing simultaneous coexistence of the hitch ball and mounted accessories on the same receiver
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hitch ball is removed for accessory attachment, then accessories can be mounted, but the towing capability is temporarily lost and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the accessory mounting function from the hitch ball removal process. The clamp assembly can be independently attached to the hitch receiver using its own fastening mechanism, allowing accessories to be mounted or removed in seconds without the time-consuming process of detaching and reattaching the hitch ball
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch mount assembly selectively securable to a hitch ball receiver is shown and described. The hitch mount assembly may include a mount body operatively engaged with an underside portion of the hitch ball receiver, where the mount body has an attachment feature to be selectively secured to an article such as a brush, and a clamp body selectively secured to the mount body and positioned on a top portion of the hitch ball receiver. The hitch mount assembly may also include at least one fastener selectively securing the clamp body to the mount body with the hitch ball receiver positioned between the clamp body and the mount body.