Over-Cab Rack for Traffic Delineator Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertically nested stacks of traffic delineators on flat bed trucks tend to shift and overturn, posing safety risks for workers, and traditional restraining methods like ropes and cables can cause tripping and accidents.
Innovation Solution
The development of an over-cab rack structure that extends horizontally over the truck cab to securely store and transport nested stacks of traffic delineators, using movable hoop-like components for the front end and fixed tubular rails for the rear end, with flexible members to facilitate easy loading and unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traffic delineators are stacked vertically on the flat bed, then they can be transported, but the stacks shift and overturn creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from vertical stacking to horizontal stacking of traffic delineators on the flat bed. This dimensional change eliminates the instability and overturning problems associated with vertical stacks while maintaining transport capability. The horizontal arrangement allows delineators to be secured more effectively without creating top-heavy structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the load into multiple horizontal stacks arranged side-by-side on the flat bed, rather than one large vertical stack. This segmentation distributes the weight and reduces the center of gravity height, preventing overturning while allowing individual stacks to be more easily controlled and secured.
2Stability of the object's composition
If ropes and cables are used to restrain the stacks, then movement can be limited, but workers trip and fall creating accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the harmful restraining elements (ropes and cables) from the system by implementing a design that does not require them. The horizontal stacking configuration and flat bed design allow delineators to be secured through friction and proper positioning without suspended ropes or cables that create tripping hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of needing restraints into a benefit by designing a system where the flat bed's surface area and friction naturally secure the horizontally stacked delineators without additional restraining elements, thereby eliminating tripping hazards while maintaining stability.
3Quantity of substance
If vertically nested stacks are transported on the flat bed, then all delineators can be carried, but the truck bed cannot be used for other cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the lateral dimension of the flat bed by arranging delineators in horizontal stacks side-by-side, rather than consuming the entire bed height with a single vertical stack. This allows efficient use of truck bed space while leaving vertical clearance and lateral space available for other cargo or equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the delineator load into multiple horizontal stacks arranged across the width of the flat bed, the patent optimizes space utilization. This segmentation allows the truck bed to carry delineators efficiently while maintaining space for other equipment or cargo, enhancing the versatility of the transport system.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack structure is provided for supporting an elongate, generally horizontally extending nested stack of substantially identically configured barrel-like traffic delineators at a location atop a cab of a truck, with the nested stack of traffic delineators being laid on one of its sides so the stack extends generally forwardly-rearwardly, with a relatively smaller front end region of the nested stack situated forwardly of a relatively larger rear end region of the nested stack. The rack structure has a forwardly-rearwardly-movable component configured to perimetrically surround and support a portion of the relatively smaller front end region of the stack, and a forwardly-rearwardly extending fixed component that underlies and supports a portion of the relatively larger rear end region of the stack.