No-Drill Truck Frame Bracket System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment mounting brackets for truck frames require drilling holes, which can weaken the frame and cause misalignment issues, and may not fit securely due to variations in frame dimensions, leading to vibration and limited reusability.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system that secures to the truck frame without drilling, featuring a top bracket with a curved tang and a bottom bracket with a tang or J bolts, allowing for tensioning bolts to tighten against the frame, ensuring secure attachment and alignment of equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If holes are drilled in the frame to attach support brackets, then equipment can be securely mounted, but the frame is weakened and permanent damage is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a support bracket with curved tangs that can be positioned and adjusted independently, and a clamping mechanism that applies localized force at multiple contact points along the frame web, distributing the mounting load without requiring holes through the entire frame structure
Solution Approach 2:
The curved tangs act as intermediary elements that bridge the support bracket and the frame web. These tangs fit into the C-shaped profile of the frame and provide bearing surfaces for the clamping force, transferring loads through friction and contact pressure rather than through-hole fastening
2Ease of manufacture
If pre-manufactured clamp brackets are used, then installation is simplified, but dimensional variations in truck frames cause poor fit and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket incorporates adjustable positioning features including elongated mounting slots and movable clamping elements that can be shifted along the frame web to accommodate variations in frame dimensions. The clamping mechanism can be tightened to different degrees to ensure secure fit regardless of slight dimensional differences
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for adjustment of critical parameters such as the position of the support bracket along the frame, the clamping force applied, and the engagement depth of the curved tangs. These adjustable parameters enable the same bracket design to adapt to different frame dimensions within a tolerance range
3Reliability
If equipment is mounted using permanent holes, then secure attachment is achieved, but reconfiguration and reuse are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable. The support bracket can be removed and repositioned along the frame by loosening and retightening the clamping mechanism. The curved tangs can be engaged at different positions on the frame web, allowing equipment to be relocated or reconfigured without permanent modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables easy disassembly and recovery of both the equipment and the support bracket. When equipment needs to be relocated or when the vehicle is being reconfigured for different uses, the entire mounting assembly can be removed without leaving permanent holes or damage to the frame, allowing the bracket to be reused in different positions or applications
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an equipment support bracket that can be secured to a vehicle frame without drilling holes. The top bracket has a top tang that fits over the top web of the frame. A bottom bracket has a bottom tang that secures against the bottom web. Once installed on the frame, tensioning bolts tighten the top tang against the top web. In one embodiment, the equipment can be first attached to the support bracket and then the support bracket with equipment attached is positioned between the top bracket and the rail of the frame. In another embodiment, the equipment bracket can be attached to an I beam frame.