Low Rider Saddle Mount for Forward Towing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for towing semi tractor trucks require the removal of exhaust stacks and air fairings to pass under bridges and through tunnels, which is unsafe and illegal, and do not allow for legal transportation and delivery across the United States and other countries.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a low rider saddle mount and a universal folding boom trailer that allows multiple vehicles to be towed forward, with the saddle mount having horizontal members and a rotatable boom for securing vehicles, enabling them to pass under bridges and through tunnels without removing stacks or air fairings, while ensuring legal towing and delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If trucks are towed using conventional boom trailer methods, then multiple trucks can be transported, but the exhaust stacks and air fairings must be removed to pass under bridges and through tunnels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of trucks transportedVSAvoidmodification requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical stacking (decking) to horizontal arrangement by positioning trucks side-by-side on a low rider saddle mount. This dimensional change allows trucks to maintain their full height with exhaust stacks and air fairings intact, eliminating the need for modifications while still achieving efficient multi-truck transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of removing components (exhaust stacks and air fairings) to achieve legal height clearance, the invention inverts the approach by keeping those components and changing the towing geometry. The low rider saddle mount positions trucks horizontally rather than vertically, allowing full-height trucks to pass under bridges and through tunnels without modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If trucks are towed with steering tires supporting the entire weight, then the towing arrangement is simpler, but tire blowouts and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing arrangement simplicityVSAvoidtire safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The low rider saddle mount divides the weight support function between multiple contact points: the saddle mount structure itself and the tag axle tires. This segmentation prevents any single tire (including steering tires) from bearing the entire vehicle weight, reducing the risk of blowouts while maintaining a relatively simple towing arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The low rider saddle mount acts as an intermediary structure between the towed truck and the towing vehicle. It provides a stable platform that distributes weight to tag axle tires, relieving the steering tires of heavy load-bearing responsibilities while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If wind deflection panels are left attached during towing, then the truck configuration is preserved, but drag increases and panels may be torn off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration preservationVSAvoidaerodynamic drag

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of removing wind deflection panels to reduce drag, the invention changes the towing orientation to forward-facing. This inversion allows the panels to remain attached while their aerodynamic function becomes beneficial rather than harmful, reducing drag instead of increasing it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Device complexity

If trucks are towed facing backwards, then the towing method is conventional and simple, but additional light bars are required and fuel efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing method simplicityVSAvoidfuel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional backward-facing towing method by towing trucks forward. This reversal eliminates the need for additional light bars to illuminate the road behind the towing vehicle, as the towed trucks' own lighting systems face the correct direction. It also improves fuel efficiency by reducing aerodynamic drag from properly oriented wind deflection panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8251394B2Low rider saddle mount

Publication Date: 2012.08.28 NORTON TRANSPORT INC

AI summary

A system including a low rider saddle mount (302) for safe and legal transportation of multiple vehicles (136, 137) is provided. The system includes a low rider saddle mount (302) having a first horizontal member (304) selectively coupled to one of a towing vehicle (132) and a second vehicle (136), and a second horizontal member (306) selectively coupled to one of the second vehicle (136) and a third vehicle (137). The second horizontal member (306) is vertically spaced apart from the first horizontal member (304). The multiple vehicles (136, 137) are towed in a forward direction. The system may further include a universal folding boom trailer (130). A method for towing multiple vehicles (136, 137) is also provided.