Pivoting Grille Guard Bench for Vehicle Protection and Utility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle accessories often serve a single purpose, lacking versatility in both functionality and aesthetics, and there is a need for a component that can protect the vehicle while also providing additional utility.

Innovation Solution

A grille guard assembly that can be converted into a vehicle-mounted bench, featuring a pivotable design with a support assembly and latch mechanism, allowing it to switch between an upright protective configuration and a horizontal seating configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a grille guard is designed as a fixed protective barrier, then vehicle protection is improved, but versatility and additional utility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle protectionVSAvoidadditional utility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The grille guard is designed with a pivot bracket that allows it to rotate between a vertical protective position and a horizontal bench position. This dynamic reconfiguration enables the same structure to serve multiple functions: vehicle protection when vertical and seating when horizontal, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The grille guard structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a protective barrier when in the vertical position and as a bench seat when rotated to the horizontal position. The support assembly with its extended position provides additional functionality for stabilizing the bench configuration, enabling the single structure to universally serve both protection and seating needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a grille guard is designed to be convertible into a bench, then versatility is improved, but structural complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual functionalityVSAvoidpivot mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The convertible grille guard system is divided into distinct functional segments: the grille guard itself, the pivot bracket mechanism, the support assembly, and the latch mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall dual functionality, making the complex system more manageable and maintainable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support assembly is designed to be stored in a compact form when not in use, likely nested within or adjacent to the grille guard structure. When needed, it extends outward to provide support for the horizontal bench configuration. This nesting approach reduces the overall space required and minimizes the visual complexity of the mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a grille guard is made to rotate between positions, then versatility is improved, but stability in each position is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfigurable positionsVSAvoidposition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The latch mechanism is designed to secure the grille guard in its desired position before use. When the grille guard is rotated to the horizontal bench position, the latch engages to prevent unintended movement, ensuring stability is established in advance. This preliminary securing action maintains position stability while preserving the versatility of reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If a grille guard is designed with a support assembly for bench configuration, then versatility is improved, but ease of operation is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebench configuration capabilityVSAvoidmanual reconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pivot bracket and support assembly are designed to enable easy manual operation by the vehicle owner. The mechanism appears to use simple mechanical connections that can be operated without specialized tools or complex procedures, allowing the owner to independently reconfigure the grille guard between protective and bench positions, maintaining ease of operation while achieving versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12565169B2Grille guard configured to convert into a vehicle-mounted bench

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A grille guard configured to be rotatably attached to a vehicle by a pivot bracket having a first end configured to be attached to a frame of the vehicle and a second end attached to the grille guard. The grille guard is rotatably attached to the frame so as to be movable between an upright configuration where the grille guard extends orthogonally relative to the bumper and a horizontal configuration where the grille guard extends in parallel relative to the bumper. A support assembly including a support member supports the grille guard when the grille guard is in the horizontal configuration.