Hitch Mounted Accessory Rack With Vertical Support Arms

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle hitch mounted accessory rack systems are incompatible with vehicles having spare tires and soft-top or convertible vehicles, and they can impose unwanted weight and stress on the vehicle roof when using roof racks.

Innovation Solution

A cantilevered, horizontal hitch mounted accessory rack system that includes a lower base unit engaging the vehicle's towing hitch, an upper base unit acting as a horizontal support frame, crossbar assemblies, and a center-point adjustable sleeve assembly, along with a strap system to secure the rack to the vehicle and spare tire, allowing items to be carried elevated above the vehicle roof.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional hitch mounted rack system is used, then items can be carried on the vehicle, but it is incompatible with vehicles having spare tires mounted on the hitch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with spare tire mounted vehiclesVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rack system is divided into separate components: a hitch-mounted base unit and a roof-mounted rack unit connected by vertical support arms. This segmentation allows the hitch component to clear spare tires while the roof component provides stable support, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rack system transitions from a traditional horizontal hitch-mounted configuration to a vertical configuration with arms extending upward to the roof. This dimensional change allows the rack to clear obstacles (spare tires) at the hitch level while maintaining structural integrity through roof support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If a roof rack is used to carry items, then additional carrying space is provided, but unwanted weight and stress are placed on the vehicle roof

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrying capacityVSAvoidstress on vehicle roof

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges two support structures: the vehicle's existing hitch (designed for heavy loads) and the vehicle roof. By combining these support points, the system distributes weight between the robust hitch structure and the roof, increasing carrying capacity while reducing stress on the roof alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Vertical support arms act as intermediaries between the hitch-mounted base unit and the roof-mounted rack. These arms transfer and distribute mechanical loads, allowing the strong hitch structure to bear significant weight while reducing the burden on the roof

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a roof rack is used to carry items, then additional carrying space is provided, but it cannot be used with soft-top or convertible vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with soft-top vehiclesVSAvoidcarrying capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of mounting the rack directly on the roof (which conflicts with soft-tops), the system inverts the mounting approach: the base unit mounts on the hitch below, and vertical arms extend upward to support the rack. This inversion allows the rack to clear soft-top canopies while maintaining carrying capacity through the alternative support configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Area of stationary object

If a hitch mounted rack extends horizontally from the vehicle, then carrying space is provided, but it occupies space adjacent to the vehicle tow hitch making it incompatible with spare tires

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarrying spaceVSAvoidcompatibility with externally mounted spare tire

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rack system changes from a horizontal extension at hitch level to a vertical configuration with arms extending upward. This dimensional change allows the rack to occupy vertical space above the vehicle rather than horizontal space at hitch level, clearing the path for externally mounted spare tires while maintaining carrying capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9694759B1Hitch mounted accessory rack system

Publication Date: 2017.07.04 VANAMBURGH PETER C

AI summary

A hitch mounted accessory rack system having a lower base unit that includes a hitch beam and a hitch beam vertical support extending from the hitch beam; a cantilevered upper base unit that includes a support beam and a support beam vertical support extending from the support beam, and wherein the support beam vertical support is at least partially received within the hitch beam vertical support; a center-point adjustable sleeve assembly that is adjusted in relation to the hitch beam vertical support and the support beam vertical support; one or more accessory arms extending from the sleeve assembly; and one or more crossbar assemblies positioned along the support beam.