Rolling Hitch Carrier Rails for Single-Person Pickup Bed Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and removal of fifth wheel hitches in pickup truck beds require significant physical exertion and pose risks due to their weight and configuration, often necessitating multiple individuals and potentially causing damage or accidents.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising elongated rails with wheels and a jack system that allows a single individual to lift and maneuver the hitch onto or off the pickup bed, using a rolling hitch carrier bench for storage when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the hitch is installed using standard rails or factory prep systems, then the hitch provides secure towing capability, but the installation and removal require multiple individuals due to the hitch's weight of 150-400 pounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hitch carrier with rollers as an intermediary device between the hitch and the pickup bed. The rollers reduce friction and enable a single individual to easily move the heavy hitch into position and secure it to the standard rails or factory prep system, eliminating the need for multiple people while maintaining secure installation
Solution Approach 2:
The hitch carrier is designed as a separate, movable platform that segments the installation process. The carrier holds the hitch during positioning and can be independently rolled into place, allowing the heavy hitch to be moved in controlled segments rather than requiring simultaneous lifting and positioning by multiple people
2Reliability
If the hitch is kept close to the ground during installation, then safety is improved by preventing accidents, but the hitch must be lifted and maneuvered which increases physical exertion
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch carrier acts as a mediator that enables the hitch to be moved horizontally at ground level using rolling motion rather than vertical lifting. This maintains safety by keeping the hitch close to the ground while dramatically reducing physical exertion through the mechanical advantage of rollers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical system of manual lifting and carrying with a rolling mechanism. The rollers convert vertical lifting forces into horizontal rolling forces, substituting a high-exertion mechanical action with a low-exertion rolling action while maintaining the same safety outcome
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a single person to safely and easily move the hitch without external assistance, minimizing physical effort and preventing accidents by keeping the hitch close to the ground during installation and removal.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the elongated rails includes wheels positioned underneath the flat sections. The elongated rails position on the pickup bed of a towing vehicle such that the wheels are in contact with the pickup bed.
Implementation Method 2
The device includes a jack for lifting and lowering the hitch. The elongated rails receive the hitch, and the wheels are moved over the pickup bed for loading and unloading of the hitch from the pickup bed
Data Source
AI summary
A device for moving a hitch on a pickup bed is disclosed. The device includes a pair of elongated rails placed at a distance from one another. Each of the elongated rails includes slant sections extending outwardly and an angle from a distal end of the elongated rail. Each elongated rail includes flat sections extending from the slant section. Each of the elongated rails includes wheels positioned underneath the flat sections. The elongated rails position on the pickup bed of a towing vehicle such that the wheels are in contact with the pickup bed. The device includes a jack for lifting and lowering the hitch. The elongated rails receive the hitch, and the wheels are moved over the pickup bed for loading and unloading of the hitch from the pickup bed. The device includes a rolling hitch carrier bench for storing the device holding the hitch when not in use.