Pallet Lifter Bracket Gripping Tailgate Edge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for securing pallet lifters inside trucks are complex, cumbersome, and prone to errors, leading to potential safety hazards during transit.

Innovation Solution

A pallet lifter design featuring a bracket with a second set of mounting means that can grip around the edge of a truck's tailgate, allowing for secure attachment without extending the pallet lifter's length significantly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mounting systems with straps, chains, and multiple mounting points are used to secure the pallet lifter, then the pallet lifter can be attached to the truck, but the system becomes complicated, cumbersome, and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of pallet lifter attachmentVSAvoidcomplexity of mounting system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex mounting system components (straps, chains, multiple mounting points) by replacing them with a single integrated bracket that attaches to the tailgate edge. This removes unnecessary elements while retaining the essential security function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides attachment security, prevents lateral movement, and works with the tailgate's existing structure. The mounting means can grip different edge configurations, making the system universally applicable to various tailgate designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional mounting systems with multiple components are used, then the pallet lifter can be secured, but the system becomes time-consuming to install and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity of pallet lifter attachmentVSAvoidtime for installation and setup
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes multiple installation steps by consolidating the mounting system into a single bracket that attaches in one operation, eliminating the time-consuming process of threading straps through multiple points and tightening them.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket is pre-configured with mounting means designed to engage the tailgate edge in a predetermined manner, allowing for quick and error-free installation without requiring complex alignment or multiple adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bracket extends the pallet lifter length significantly to grip the tailgate edge, then the mounting means can engage the tailgate, but the pallet lifter becomes too long to fit properly in the truck

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to engage tailgate edgeVSAvoidtotal length of pallet lifter
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of extending the bracket length in the longitudinal direction (which would increase pallet lifter length), the invention utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the mounting means to engage the tailgate edge from above, allowing effective attachment without increasing the pallet lifter's length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting means is designed to nest within or alongside the existing tailgate structure, utilizing the tailgate's own geometry for engagement rather than requiring a separate extended gripping element that would protrude beyond the pallet lifter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4559861A1A pallet lifter
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 FH CONSULT
  • EP4559861A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4559861A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4559861A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a pallet lifter (1) for installation inside a truck equipped with a tailgate being adapted to the truck so that the tailgate can be tilted from a vertical position where the edges of the tailgate cover the rear surface of the truck to a horizontal position in which the tailgate can be further moved, mainly in a translatory movement, downwards to a position where the rear end of the tailgate is adjacent to street level such that a pallet lifter (1) can be rolled over the rear edge of the tailgate, after which the tailgate can be moved upwards to a level, at which the tailgate is essentially flus with an inner floor of the truck so that the pallet lifter (1) can roll onto the inner floor of the truck, which pallet lifter (1) includes; two forks (11,12); a wheel set (17) and a bracket comprising a first (3) and a second (4) set of mounting means for attaching the pallet lifter (1) to the truck, said first set of mounting means (3) being fastened on the pallet lifter (1) while the bracket's second set of mounting means (4) is releasable attachable to the truck.