Sliding Tailgate Table and Canopy for Fast Vehicle Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing expandable table and tent systems for vehicles are not adaptable for use outside specific camping or picnicking activities and lack a combined solution for tailgating events that provides both a table and canopy with easy installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted system that includes a driver-side and passenger-side platform, a slider assembly, and a canopy, which can be easily extended from the vehicle to provide a table and canopy for tailgating, featuring a sliding mechanism, turntable, and telescoping legs for adjustable height and stability, allowing the table to rotate from a vertical to a horizontal position and the canopy to expand for shelter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate expandable table and canopy systems are used, then each system can be independently adapted for specific uses, but multiple separate devices increase device complexity and require separate setup procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the table system and canopy system into a single integrated vehicle-mounted structure. The canopy is attached to the table framework, and both components share common mounting points and support structures on the vehicle, eliminating the need for separate independent systems while maintaining adaptability for tailgating events
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system serves multiple functions simultaneously - providing both a stable table surface for food preparation and serving, and a weather-protective canopy overhead. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate table and canopy systems
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional fixed table systems are used, then structural stability is maintained, but ease of installation and removal from the vehicle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic mounting mechanisms that allow the table and canopy structure to be easily attached to and detached from the vehicle. The framework includes removable connectors and adjustable mounting points that provide stable installation when attached, but enable quick removal when needed, transitioning between fixed and mobile states
3Ease of operation
If expandable table systems are used, then the table can be extended from the vehicle for access, but the system lacks integrated canopy protection for weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the table extension capability with canopy coverage by attaching the canopy structure to the table framework. When the table extends from the vehicle for food access, the canopy simultaneously extends to provide weather protection, ensuring both functions work together rather than requiring separate systems
4Reliability
If separate canopy and table systems are used, then each can be optimized for its specific function, but setup time increases due to multiple independent assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the canopy and table into a single integrated structure with shared mounting points and support elements, the system allows both components to be installed and configured simultaneously rather than requiring separate assembly procedures, significantly reducing total setup time while maintaining functional optimization
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a vehicle mounted table system comprises hardware adapted to attach to a cargo area of a vehicle by way of one or more coupling mechanisms. The embodiment has a slider assembly adapted to slide relative to the hardware whereby the slider assembly can be slid at least partially out of a tailgate of the vehicle while the hardware remains attached to the vehicle. Operatively coupled to the slider assembly is one or more platforms, the platforms folding out of the vehicle through a hinge-turntable assembly. The embodiment also includes a canopy assembly having a flexible covering and one or more associated canopy supports, the one or more canopy supports adapted for attachment to the table structure when the tailgating assembly is fully deployed.