Removable Securing Chain Attachment Assembly for Towing Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing securing chain attachment assemblies for towing vehicles obstruct the load bed when not in use, fail to withstand operational forces, and can cause damage to the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A removable securing chain attachment assembly with a rotatable attachment body and a securement member that pivots along multiple planes, allowing for secure chain attachment without obstructing the load bed and distributing forces effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a securing chain attachment assembly is permanently fixed to the towing vehicle, then the chain can be securely attached, but the load bed is obstructed when the hitch is not being used
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment assembly is divided into separate components: a receiver attachment body that interfaces with the hitch receiver, and a chain attachment arm with securement member. This segmentation allows the chain attachment functionality to be separated from the hitch mounting location, enabling the load bed to remain accessible while maintaining secure chain attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The chain attachment arm is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot and rotate to different positions. This dynamic capability enables the attachment assembly to adapt between securing the chain during towing operations and clearing the load bed when the hitch is not in use, resolving the contradiction between security and accessibility.
2Strength
If the securing chain attachment assembly is made rigid to withstand forces, then operational strength is improved, but damage to the towing vehicle may occur due to inability to absorb stress
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment assembly incorporates dynamic elements including a pivot connection between the chain attachment arm and receiver attachment body, and a rotatable securement member. These dynamic features allow the assembly to flex and absorb operational forces and stresses, maintaining strength while preventing damage to the towing vehicle by accommodating force variations rather than rigidly resisting them.
3Device complexity
If the securement member is fixed in position, then attachment simplicity is maintained, but the assembly cannot manage operational forces in multiple directions
Solution Approach 1:
The securement member is designed to pivot along a second plane while the chain attachment arm pivots along a first plane. This multi-planar pivoting capability allows the relatively simple attachment mechanism to effectively manage and distribute operational forces from multiple directions, maintaining both simplicity and reliability simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A securing chain attachment assembly is shown and described. The securing chain attachment assembly may include an attachment body selectively and rotatably securable to a towing vehicle, the attachment body rotatable along a first plane. The securing chain attachment assembly may also include a securement member attached to the attachment body, the securement member capable of having selectively secured thereto a securement chain, where the chain attachment member is pivotal along a second plane, the second plane generally parallel to the first plane.