Ladder Cage with Rotatable Rollers for Secure In-Vehicle Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shelving systems in service vehicles cannot accommodate long or cumbersome items, leading to external mounting, which exposes them to theft, environmental damage, and transit risks, potentially causing harm or liability.

Innovation Solution

A shelving system comprising a ladder cage with rotatable rollers and brackets, integrated into a vehicle's interior, allowing secure storage and easy access for long items like ladders, while preventing theft and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If items are mounted to the exterior of the vehicle, then long and cumbersome items can be accommodated, but the items are exposed to theft, environmental damage, and transit risks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of long itemsVSAvoidtheft and environmental exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from external mounting (exterior dimension) to internal storage (interior dimension) by configuring a shelving system that utilizes the vertical and horizontal space within the vehicle interior, allowing long items to be stored securely inside the enclosed vehicle space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The shelving system is nested within the vehicle interior structure, with shelves and storage compartments integrated into the available space between the vehicle floor, walls, and ceiling, effectively utilizing the three-dimensional interior volume for secure item storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional shelving systems are used within the vehicle interior, then items are protected from external risks, but long and cumbersome items cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from theft and damageVSAvoidaccommodation of long items

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shelving system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements that can dynamically adapt to accommodate items of varying lengths and dimensions, allowing the internal storage capacity to be modified based on the specific storage needs of long and cumbersome items

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shelving system is divided into multiple segments and compartments that can be independently configured, allowing long items to be stored horizontally or at angles while other compartments accommodate smaller items, effectively segmenting the storage space to handle diverse item types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If items are stored externally on the vehicle, then space is available inside the vehicle, but items may fall off during transit causing damage or injury

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior storage spaceVSAvoidsecure transit of items

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The shelving system incorporates secure mounting mechanisms and restraint features that prevent items from falling or shifting during transit, providing beforehand protection against the harmful effects of vehicle motion and vibration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 securely stores long items within the vehicle, reducing theft and environmental exposure, and ensures safe transit by allowing easy insertion and removal of items through vehicle doors.

Implementation Method 1

The rollers are each rotatable relative to the sidewalls along a rotation axis that extends transverse to the longitudinal axis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentUS9796339B2Shelving system with a ladder cage

Publication Date: 2017.10.24 DEJANA TRUCK & UTILITY EQUIP CO LLC

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.