Pickup Truck Bed Tool Rack with Diagonal Tube Stack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tool rack systems for pickup trucks are inflexible, difficult to install and remove, and reduce storage capacity, failing to adapt to various tool sizes and lengths, and often require stake post receptacles, leading to clutter and safety issues, especially in pool maintenance applications.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile, adjustable tool rack system utilizing a diagonal tube stack, elongated tube stack, and reconfigurable hose rack that can be installed over the wheel well, allowing for flexible storage of tools and chemicals without requiring stake post receptacles, and accommodating both short and long items, including pipe joints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional overhead tool rack systems are installed on pickup trucks, then tools can be stored above the truck bed, but the overall height of the pickup truck is permanently increased and storage capacity in the truck bed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tool rack system is divided into separate modular components including vertical support members, horizontal support members, and tool rack assemblies that can be independently configured and positioned, allowing the system to adapt to different height requirements while maintaining tool storage functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional overhead storage (utilizing vertical space above the cab) to side-mounted storage along the truck bed rails, effectively moving the storage function to a different spatial dimension that does not increase overall vehicle height
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed overhead tool racks are installed, then tools can be stored, but the system cannot be reconfigured to accommodate various tool sizes and lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The tool rack system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components including removable horizontal support members and adjustable vertical support members that can be repositioned along the truck bed rails, enabling the rack to dynamically adapt to different tool storage requirements without increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal support members are designed to serve multiple functions: they can be positioned at different heights to accommodate various tool lengths, they can be removed entirely when not needed, and they provide mounting surfaces for different types of tool racks, making the system universally adaptable to diverse storage needs
3Quantity of substance
If tools are stored in the pickup truck bed using conventional methods, then storage capacity is maximized, but tools create clutter and safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The tool rack system extracts tools from the main truck bed storage area and positions them on dedicated racks mounted along the side rails, separating tools from other cargo and eliminating clutter while maintaining full utilization of the truck bed volume for other purposes
Data Source
AI summary
A tool rack system/method configured for operation on a pickup truck is disclosed. The system integrates a diagonal tube stack (DTS), an elongated tube stack (ETS), and a reconfigurable hose rack (RHR). The DTS, ETS, and RHR are configured for placement over the wheel well and tailgate in a pickup truck such that tools inserted within the tool rack are organized and readily available without cluttering the pickup truck bed. The ETS is configured to permit retention of oversized hand tools such as pool cleaning implements without the need for an overhead truck rack. The RHR may be reconfigured to adapt to the overhead retention of long pipe joints as well as hoses such as those used in pool maintenance operations. In both of these reconfigured modes the RHR obviates the need for a conventional truck rack or the use of space within the truck bed for storage.