Removable Kayak Rack with Adjustable Dolly for Pickup Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional kayak frames are stationary, labor-intensive to remove, and lack adequate support for safely transporting kayaks, especially in vehicles where space is limited, posing a safety hazard and inefficient use of storage space.
Innovation Solution
A removable, adjustable kayak rack with V-shaped cradles covered in foam rubber, designed to fit between pickup truck fender wells, featuring a dolly with wheels and adjustable height, allowing secure transport of two kayaks while leaving space for other items and enabling easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional stationary kayak frames are used, then kayaks can be displayed or stored, but the frames require bolts and tools for assembly and disassembly, making the process labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The kayak rack is divided into multiple longitudinal members (12 members) that can be independently connected and disconnected. Each member can be quickly attached to adjacent members without requiring tools, enabling rapid assembly and disassembly of the rack structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack transitions from a stationary bolted structure to a dynamic, easily reconfigurable system. The longitudinal members are designed to be removably connected, allowing the rack to be quickly assembled and disassembled as needed, transforming it from a fixed installation to a portable, flexible structure.
2Reliability
If kayaks are tied in place in vehicles, then kayaks can be secured, but vehicles lack handy or sturdy arrangements for securing kayaks and related equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The rack serves multiple functions: it provides sturdy support for kayaks, includes integrated tie-down loops for securing, and can be configured to hold kayaks at various heights. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate securing arrangements while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack acts as an intermediary structure between the vehicle and the kayaks. It provides a ready-made, sturdy framework with built-in tie-down points that mediates the securing process, eliminating the need for complex ad-hoc arrangements while ensuring reliable kayak security.
3Ease of operation
If kayaks are carried one at a time from storage frame to vehicle, then kayaks can be transported, but this process is time-consuming and requires manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is designed to hold multiple kayaks simultaneously in its cradles, merging the transport function for multiple kayaks into a single structure. This allows kayaks to be transported together as a group rather than individually, significantly reducing the time and effort required.
4Adaptability or versatility
If kayaks are held in the back of a pickup with length extending past the tailgate, then kayaks can be transported, but this creates a safety hazard
Solution Approach 1:
The rack height is adjustable, allowing it to be configured to different heights including positions that clear the tailgate. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the rack to adapt to various vehicle configurations while maintaining safe clearance, eliminating the hazard of kayaks extending past the tailgate.
5Area of stationary object
If a rack is designed to hold kayaks at elevated height, then storage room is created under the rack, but the rack becomes heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The elevated rack structure serves dual purposes: it provides support for kayaks at the required height while simultaneously creating usable storage space underneath for gear and equipment. This multi-functional design justifies the increased structural complexity by delivering additional storage capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A removable rack for holding and/or transporting kayaks with a vehicle such as a pick up, trailer, utility vehicle or flat bed truck. The rack comprises a frame which holds at least one kayaks in a pickup at a selected height and leaving storage room under rack frame. The rack also can be disassembled into a relatively small bundle of parts for easy storage and transport. The rack provides a dolly or hand truck including a frame with wheels and a handle means to maintain the desired spacing between the support surface and the kayak supported by the elevated platform. The hand truck assembly are configured to be easily moved onto an elevated platform, for example, the bed of a truck or an elevated floor such as a raised patio or deck floor. The transport device facilitates transportation of the kayak to a body of water.