Layover Bracket Assembly for Horizontal Industrial Vehicle Transport
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transportation of industrial vehicles is challenging due to their height, requiring them to be laid over on their sides, which complicates shipping and handling, and existing solutions do not efficiently support these vehicles in horizontal positions for easy movement.
Innovation Solution
A layover bracket system comprising a support bracket and a layover bracket, each with wheels, that removably couples to the industrial vehicle's distal and proximal ends, allowing the vehicle to be supported horizontally and rolled on the brackets, with an adjustment mechanism to prevent sliding and facilitate pivoting from vertical to horizontal positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If industrial vehicles are transported in vertical position, then vehicle stability is maintained, but transportation space efficiency deteriorates due to height constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables dynamic repositioning of the industrial vehicle from vertical to horizontal orientation using a controlled tipping mechanism. The vehicle can be transported vertically for stability, then dynamically tipped to horizontal position for space-efficient transport, and reversed at destination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the orientation dimension of the vehicle from vertical (upright) to horizontal (laid over). By rotating the vehicle 90 degrees around its longitudinal axis, the system transforms the vehicle's spatial configuration to optimize both stability during handling and space efficiency during transport.
2Volume of moving object
If industrial vehicles are laid over horizontally for transport, then transportation space efficiency is improved, but handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intermediary support structures (cradles or racks) that receive and stabilize the vehicle when laid over horizontally. These intermediaries provide a controlled environment for horizontal positioning, reducing the complexity of manual handling and ensuring safety during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling process is segmented into distinct phases: vertical positioning for loading, controlled tipping transition, horizontal positioning for transport, and reverse transition for unloading. Each phase is independently managed, reducing overall handling complexity despite the added horizontal positioning step.
3Reliability
If traditional pallets are used for horizontal vehicle transport, then vehicle support is provided, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs universal support structures that can accommodate multiple vehicle types and serve multiple functions: supporting vehicles in vertical position, facilitating controlled tipping, and providing stable horizontal transport. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized expensive pallets designed solely for horizontal support.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using disposable or dedicated expensive pallets that must be discarded or returned, the system uses durable, reusable support structures that remain with the vehicle or facility infrastructure. The support system is recovered and reused across multiple transport cycles, reducing per-transport costs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If vehicles are frequently repositioned between vertical and horizontal positions, then transport flexibility is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning actions by maintaining vehicles in vertical position during storage and handling operations. The controlled tipping mechanism is pre-configured and ready for rapid activation, allowing quick transition to horizontal position when transport is needed, reducing overall repositioning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic tipping mechanism enables rapid, controlled transitions between vertical and horizontal positions. The mechanical design allows for quick actuation and stabilization, minimizing the time the vehicle spends in transition states and reducing overall repositioning time while maintaining transport flexibility.
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
Enables efficient and stable transportation of industrial vehicles in a horizontal position, eliminating the need for expensive pallets and allowing for easy transition between vertical and horizontal positions, enhancing movement and storage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The support bracket includes at least one wheel for moving the layover bracket system with the industrial vehicle supported thereon while the industrial vehicle is in a horizontal position
Implementation Method 2
when the industrial vehicle is moved from a vertical position to the horizontal position, the curved ramp surface provides a pivoting surface on the floor surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A layover bracket system is disclosed for supporting an industrial vehicle (10) in a horizontal position. The layover bracket system includes a layover bracket (104) removably coupled to a proximal end portion of the industrial vehicle, the layover bracket including at least one wheel (206) for moving the layover bracket system with the industrial vehicle supported thereon while the industrial vehicle is in the horizontal position. The layover bracket supports the proximal end portion of the industrial vehicle when the industrial vehicle is in a horizontal position and allows the layover bracket system and industrial vehicle to roll on the at least one wheel of the layover bracket. The layover bracket system may also include a support bracket (102) with at least one wheel (106) for supporting a distal end of the industrial vehicle while the vehicle is in the horizontal position.