Hitch-Mounted Apparatus for Anchor System Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fire departments and search and rescue teams face challenges in quickly and safely deploying Artificial High Directional anchor systems due to the lack of efficient and stable mounting solutions for their equipment, which affects their ability to manage personnel and equipment movement in various environments.
Innovation Solution
A hitch-mounted apparatus comprising a hitch attachment with an arm and a mount attachment, where the arm is designed to reduce torsion and twist, and the mount attachment is configured to securely attach to an anchor platform, allowing for faster setup and increased stability of anchor systems on vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mounting solutions are used for anchor systems, then equipment can be attached to vehicles, but the deployment speed is slow and stability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch-mounted apparatus is divided into separate functional components: a hitch attachment portion that interfaces with the vehicle receiver, and a mount attachment portion that secures the anchor platform. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for quick connection and stable support, respectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus is pre-configured with the hitch attachment and mount attachment already connected, allowing rescue teams to deploy the entire anchor system as a single pre-assembled unit. This preliminary assembly eliminates on-site construction time and ensures structural integrity before deployment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the arm is designed to reduce torsion and twist, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arm features an asymmetric cross-sectional geometry with flattened sides rather than a circular profile. This asymmetric shape inherently resists torsional forces and prevents twisting during load-bearing operations, while maintaining a relatively simple single-piece construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm incorporates curved or rounded transitions in its geometry, particularly at connection points and along its length. These curved features help distribute stress more evenly and reduce stress concentration points that could lead to twisting or structural failure.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments for hitch mounted apparatuses are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the hitch mounted apparatus includes a hitch attachment demountably coupled to a mount attachment. The hitch attachment includes an arm having a first end, a second end positioned opposite the first end, a first lateral surface, a second lateral surface, a vertically oriented orifice. The first end is configured to be inserted into a trailer hitch receiver. A first plate is horizontally oriented and affixed to a top surface of the arm and positioned proximate to the second end. The mount attachment extends perpendicularly from the hitch attachment, includes a second plate as well as a stem, and is configured to demountably attach to an anchor platform. The stem is rotatably and demountably positioned within the vertically oriented orifice and secured therein via a fastener affixed to a bottom surface of the stem.