Stackable Car Dolly with Rotatable Arms and Reversible Saddle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current car dollies are limited in their versatility, requiring separate types for suspending vehicles for maintenance and transporting them, and lack efficient space-saving solutions for storage in auto repair shops.

Innovation Solution

A stackable car dolly design featuring a frame with rotatable arms and a reversible saddle, allowing configuration for both suspension and transportation, and enabling easy conversion between extended and retracted positions for versatile use and space-efficient stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate dollies are used for suspension and transportation, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dolly is designed with a reversible saddle that can be positioned in multiple configurations (frame rail position and pinch weld position) and rotatable arms that can extend in different directions, allowing a single dolly to perform both suspension and transportation functions that previously required separate dollies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the suspension functionality and transportation functionality into a single integrated dolly unit, merging features that were previously separate into one versatile device that can switch between modes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate dollies are used for suspension and transportation, then functional versatility is improved, but storage space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidstorage space requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable arms can be rotated underneath the frame to a retracted position where they nest within the dolly's overall structure, and the reversible saddle can be positioned to fit within the compact form, enabling space-efficient stacking when not in use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If rotatable arms extend above the frame, then suspension capability is improved, but storage efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuspension capabilityVSAvoidstorage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The arms are designed to be rotatable rather than fixed, allowing them to dynamically change position between an extended configuration above the frame for suspension operations and a retracted configuration underneath the frame for compact storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9376132B1Car dolly and methods of making and using same

Publication Date: 2016.06.28 MVP H K INDS

AI summary

A car dolly comprises a frame having a supporting portion and a tire receiving portion. The supporting portion has a plurality of wheel acceptance areas. The tire receiving portion comprises a pair of angled inner walls and a pair of outer walls. The dolly has a pair of rotatable arms and a reversible saddle. In an extended configuration, each rotatable arm extends above the frame at an angle. In a retracted configuration, each rotatable arm extends generally horizontally underneath the frame.