Removable Roller Tray with Lanyard Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pickup truck bed storage systems are heavy, bulky, permanently attached, and inflexible, making them difficult to install, remove, and reconfigure, and are often expensive, limiting their adaptability to changing user needs.

Innovation Solution

A lightweight, removable roller tray system designed for easy installation and removal using lanyards, featuring a hinged design for folding and storage, with configurable pockets and rollers for smooth operation, allowing full access to the truck bed without requiring the removal of covers or climbing into the bed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heavy duty metal storage systems are permanently bolted to the pickup bed, then storage reliability and durability are improved, but weight increases and ease of removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage reliabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system is divided into separate modular components (side walls, bottom, tool storage units, ramps) that can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the system to be lightweight yet reliable, as each component is optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a heavy monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static permanently bolted design to a dynamic removable design using lanyard attachments. The side walls can be quickly attached and removed from the pickup bed, allowing the system to adapt between being securely fixed during use and easily removable for storage or reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If heavy duty metal storage systems are permanently attached to the pickup bed, then structural strength is improved, but ease of installation and removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of installation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Lanyards serve as intermediary attachment mechanisms between the side walls and the pickup bed. These lanyards provide sufficient structural strength to secure the storage system during use while allowing for quick and easy attachment and removal without permanent modifications to the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If predetermined permanent storage options are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to changing user needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidconfigurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Duration of action of stationary object

If heavy duty metal designs are used for industrial purposes, then durability is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The storage system uses composite construction combining plastic components (side walls, bottom, tool storage units) with metal fasteners and lanyards. This composite approach provides the durability needed for industrial use while significantly reducing manufacturing cost and weight compared to all-metal designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs cost-effective plastic components that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, rather than requiring expensive metal construction throughout. The plastic side walls and tool storage units provide sufficient durability for the application while keeping the overall system cost accessible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10850670B1Removable roller tray

Publication Date: 2020.12.01 P&G ENTERPRISES INC

AI summary

A removable roller tray for use in a pickup truck bed, wherein the tray comprises a base and a handle arranged on an edge of the base. The tray further comprises a plurality of notches arranged on a top surface of the base and a plurality of rollers arranged on a bottom surface of the base. The tray further comprises at least one lanyard connected to a side edge of the base on a first end thereof and a surface of the pickup truck on a second end thereof. The removable roller tray may allow for easy removal of items stored near the front of the pickup truck bed by allowing the removable roller tray to roll out to a predetermined position on the bed and extended tailgate.