Portable Hoist Assembly for Trailer Hitch Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hoists for installing trailer hitch assemblies beneath vehicles are complex, expensive, and require mechanical assistance due to the heavy weight of the hitch, making it difficult for a single person to lift and position them with minimal effort.
Innovation Solution
A portable hoist assembly with a winch and a rigid elongated member that can be oriented to pass through vehicle and hitch holes, allowing for single-person operation to lift and secure the hitch into position beneath the vehicle bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hitch hoists are used to lift and position heavy trailer hitches, then the hitch can be supported and positioned beneath the vehicle, but the device becomes complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rigid elongated member as an intermediary tool that passes through the vehicle bed opening and hitch ball hole to provide mechanical leverage. This simple intermediary component enables single-person operation without requiring complex hoist mechanisms, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing device complexity and cost
2Ease of operation
If mechanical assistance is used to lift and position the heavy hitch assembly, then the installation can be completed, but the equipment cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid elongated member is designed to be manually operated by the installer themselves, requiring no external mechanical assistance or complex equipment. The installer uses their own body weight and leverage applied through the elongated member to position the hitch, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional mechanical devices
3Device complexity
If a single person attempts to manually position the heavy hitch without assistance, then equipment cost is reduced, but the ability to lift and tilt the hitch is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid elongated member extends through both the vehicle bed opening and the hitch ball hole, creating a lever arm that spans multiple dimensions. This dimensional extension provides mechanical advantage, enabling a single person to generate sufficient lifting and tilting force through leverage rather than direct strength
Data Source
AI summary
A portable hoist assembly is provided for lifting a hitch to be installed on the underside of a vehicle platform. The hitch has a hitch ball hole and the vehicle platform has a hole to be aligned with the hitch ball hole when the hitch is installed. The hoist assembly includes a hoist frame and a winch for paying out and drawing in a cable. The winch is supported by the frame above the vehicle platform hole. An elongated member is attached to the cable. The elongated member can be oriented in a first position wherein it can pass through the vehicle platform hole and the hitch ball hole. Also, the elongated member can be oriented in a second position wherein it cannot pass through the hitch ball hole. The elongated member can be lowered through the vehicle platform hole and the hitch ball hole in the first orientation and can secure the cable to the hitch in the second orientation.