Ladder Cage Roller Shelving for Secure In-Vehicle Ladder Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shelving systems within vehicles are unable to accommodate long and cumbersome items, leading to them being mounted externally, which exposes them to theft, environmental damage, and risk of falling during transit, posing safety and liability concerns.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system comprising a ladder cage with rotatable rollers and brackets, integrated with tubular carriers and shelving units, allowing for secure storage and easy access of ladders and other items within the vehicle, while preventing theft and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If items are mounted to the exterior of the vehicle, then long and cumbersome items can be transported, but the items are exposed to theft, environmental damage, and risk of falling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from exterior mounting to interior storage by utilizing the vertical dimension and depth of the vehicle interior. The shelving system creates three-dimensional storage space that accommodates long items horizontally within the vehicle cabin, moving the storage location from external surfaces to internal volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system is divided into modular components including shelves, support structures, and mounting brackets that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the system to be adapted to different vehicle interiors and to accommodate various item lengths and configurations.
2Reliability
If conventional shelving systems are used within the vehicle, then items can be stored internally, but long and cumbersome items cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system utilizes the full depth and height of the vehicle interior, creating storage planes that extend horizontally across the cabin. This dimensional approach allows long items to be stored parallel to the vehicle's length, effectively using the interior volume rather than being constrained by traditional vertical shelving configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system is designed to accommodate multiple types and sizes of items simultaneously. The configurable shelves and support structures can be adjusted to store both long cumbersome items and smaller equipment, making the system universally applicable to diverse service vehicle needs.
3Ease of operation
If exterior mounting is used for ladders and materials, then easy access is achieved, but the items are vulnerable to environmental conditions and falling
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is pre-configured with easily accessible positions for frequently used items such as ladders and materials. Items are arranged in the vehicle interior before departure, with commonly needed equipment placed on upper shelves or in easily reachable locations, eliminating the need for exterior mounting while maintaining quick access.
Solution Approach 2:
The shelving system acts as an intermediary structure that provides protected access to items. The vehicle interior serves as a protected environment, and the shelving system mediates between the need for security and the need for accessibility, allowing items to be retrieved quickly without external exposure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The shelving system provides a secure and protected environment for storing long items within the vehicle, reducing theft and damage risks, and ensuring safe transportation by allowing easy insertion and removal of items through vehicle doors.
Implementation Method 1
Spaced apart rollers extend between the sidewalls. The rollers are each rotatable relative to the sidewalls along a rotation axis that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A ladder cage is provided. The ladder cage includes opposite first and second sidewalls each extending parallel to a longitudinal axis. Spaced apart brackets are coupled to one of the sidewalls. Spaced apart rollers extend between the sidewalls. The rollers are each rotatable relative to the sidewalls along a rotation axis that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis. The rollers and inner surfaces of the brackets and the sidewalls define a housing configured for disposal of a ladder.