Stackable Transport Frame for Generator Lateral Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transporting generators and other bulky equipment on flatbed trailers is time-consuming, difficult, and hazardous due to shifting and sliding issues during loading, unloading, and transport, posing risks of damage and injury.

Innovation Solution

A stackable transport frame with adjustable brackets for securing to trailers, parallel frame members for wheel securing, and longitudinal channels for support members, which stabilizes equipment and prevents lateral movement during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If generators are transported on flatbed trailers using straps and chains, then they can be secured to some extent, but they still slide off due to lateral movement during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity of equipment during transportVSAvoidlateral sliding and shifting of equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The transport system is divided into separate functional components: the flatbed trailer, the transport frame with side rails, and the generator. The side rails act as independent lateral barriers that segment the protection function from the securing straps, providing dedicated lateral restraint while straps handle vertical securing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transport frame with side rails serves as an intermediary structure between the flatbed trailer and the generator. This intermediate frame provides the lateral containment function that neither the trailer alone nor the straps can provide, mediating the protection against lateral movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If generators are loaded and unloaded manually from flatbed trailers, then they can be transported, but the process is time-consuming and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading and unloading efficiencyVSAvoidtime required for loading and unloading

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The transport frame is designed with a bottom surface that is substantially coplanar with the flatbed trailer surface, creating an equipotential loading surface. This eliminates height differences and alignment issues that complicate manual loading, allowing generators to be rolled or pushed directly onto the frame without lifting or precise positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

Solution Approach 2:

The problem of loading difficulty is solved by adding the dimension of lateral containment through side rails. Instead of relying solely on vertical securing (straps), the side rails provide lateral containment, changing the dimension of restraint and making the loading process simpler and safer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If heavy generators are transported on flatbed trailers, then they can be moved to disaster areas, but the heavy weight makes them difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of handling equipmentVSAvoidweight of generators

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The coplanar design of the transport frame bottom surface with the trailer creates an equipotential interface that eliminates the need for lifting heavy generators. Operators can roll or push the equipment directly onto the frame at the same height level, significantly reducing the physical effort required despite the heavy weight of the generators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #12Equipotentiality

4Reliability

If straps and chains are used to secure generators, then some securing is achieved, but lateral movement cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring capabilityVSAvoidprotection against lateral movement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The securing function is segmented into two independent systems: vertical securing by straps and chains, and lateral containment by side rails. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one direction of restraint, with the side rails providing adaptability against lateral movement that straps cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side rails act as an intermediary lateral barrier between the generator and the external environment. This intermediate structure provides the lateral containment function that complements the vertical securing function of straps, creating comprehensive restraint in multiple directions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11084539B1Stackable transport frame

Publication Date: 2021.08.10 T MOBILE US INC

AI summary

Examples provide a method and apparatus for transporting equipment using a stackable transport frame. A set of adjustable brackets are removably attached to a portion of the stackable transport frame. The set of adjustable brackets are oriented in a downward and vertical configuration which is perpendicular to the transport frame to removably secure the stackable transport frame to a trailer. A set of parallel frame members define a wheel securing aperture to accommodate one or more wheels on the equipment being transported. A support member on the transported equipment sits within a longitudinal channel. A set of stacking brackets are configured to support a set of stackable transport frames in a vertical stacked configuration during storage.