Hitch-Mounted Tree Carrier for Vertical Trunk Securement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transporting Christmas trees on vehicles often result in damage to the tree or the vehicle, such as scratching, sap residue, and needle drop, and require manual lifting of heavy nursery buckets, which is ergonomically challenging.
Innovation Solution
A hitch-mounted tree carrier that securely holds the tree's trunk and uses a securement assembly to maintain vertical orientation, reducing wind-induced dislodgment, and includes a receptacle design with a wedge to prevent forward angling and a retaining element to prevent the tree from extending past the carrier, allowing for easy attachment to a vehicle's hitch without manual lifting of heavy buckets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tree is transported on the vehicle roof, then the tree can be carried, but the tree may scratch the vehicle, leave sap residue, or drop needles into the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hitch-mounted carrier as an intermediary device between the tree and the vehicle. The carrier includes a receptacle that holds the tree trunk and a securement assembly that fastens the tree, preventing direct contact between the tree and the vehicle body, thereby eliminating scratching, sap residue, and needle drop issues while maintaining transport capability
2Reliability
If the tree is secured tightly to prevent dislodgment, then transport safety improves, but the tree may be difficult to load and unload
Solution Approach 1:
The securement assembly incorporates a ratchet mechanism that allows for dynamic adjustment of securement tension. The ratchet can be easily engaged and disengaged, providing strong securement during transport while allowing quick release for loading and unloading operations
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is pre-positioned on the vehicle hitch before tree arrival, and the receptacle is pre-configured with the securement assembly, allowing the tree to be directly loaded into place without complex preparation, facilitating quick loading and unloading while ensuring proper securement
3Quantity of substance
If the carrier is designed to hold heavy nursery buckets, then the bucket can be transported, but the user must lift the heavy bucket into the tailgate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the loading approach from vertical lifting (into the elevated tailgate) to horizontal placement (onto the hitch-mounted carrier near ground level). The carrier extends rearward from the hitch, providing a low-level platform that allows users to roll or place heavy buckets without lifting, then secure them in the receptacle
4Stability of the object's composition
If the tree is allowed to angle forward during transport, then the tree can accommodate road vibrations, but wind may cause dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The securement assembly applies preliminary counteracting forces through the ratchet mechanism and retaining elements that prevent both forward angling and wind-induced dislodgment. The assembly is pre-tensioned to counteract wind forces while the receptacle geometry and retaining elements work together to maintain proper tree orientation during transport
Data Source
AI summary
A hitch mounted tree carrier is configured to be secured to a motor vehicle and permits a user to transport a tree from a first location to a second location. The hitch mounted tree carrier includes an elongated member configured to be removably received by a motor vehicle hitch and a receptacle having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein the front portion is affixed to the elongated member. The hitch mounted tree carrier also includes: (i) a wedge positioned in the receptacle and configured to apply a first force on a first extent of a tree trunk, when the tree is in the process of being inserted into the receptacle, and (ii) a securement assembly extending into the receptacle and configured to apply a second force on a second extent of the tree trunk, when the tree is in an engaged state.