Swing-Away Tailgate BBQ System with Adjustable Legs for Uneven Terrain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooking apparatuses attached to vehicles lack the capacity and mobility to provide multiple cooking options, are cumbersome to detach and reattach, and do not accommodate large gatherings or uneven terrain, limiting their use in tailgating and camping environments.

Innovation Solution

A swing away tailgate BBQ system with adjustable legs, telescoping features, and a support frame that allows for easy detachment and reattachment by a single person, providing multiple cooking options and stability on uneven ground, and can be used as both a mobile and standalone unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a large cooking apparatus is attached to a vehicle hitch receiver, then cooking capacity and versatility are improved, but the unit becomes difficult to detach and reattach, requiring manual lifting of the entire unit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking capacityVSAvoiddetach and reattach operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cooking apparatus is divided into separable components: a cooking support structure that attaches to the hitch receiver and a cooking device that can be independently positioned. The connecting arm system allows the cooking support to be detached from the vehicle while maintaining cooking functionality, eliminating the need to manually lift the entire unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A hitch receiver coupling system acts as an intermediary between the vehicle and cooking apparatus. The coupling mechanism with safety latches and locking pins provides easy attachment and detachment without requiring manual handling of the entire cooking unit, solving the operational difficulty while maintaining large cooking capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a swing away cooking unit is designed to be compact for storage, then mobility and storage are improved, but the cooking area becomes insufficient to feed a large crowd

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidcooking area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting arm system incorporates telescoping capability that allows the cooking apparatus to dynamically adjust its position. When retracted, the unit remains compact for storage and transport; when extended, the cooking area is positioned optimally away from the vehicle to provide sufficient cooking space for large gatherings while maintaining mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The swing away mechanism provides spatial flexibility by moving the cooking apparatus in multiple dimensions - it can swing outward from the vehicle, position itself at optimal distances, and orient in different directions. This dimensional freedom allows the unit to be compact during transport while providing ample cooking area when deployed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the cooking apparatus is designed to swing away from the vehicle, then access to the rear of the vehicle and cooking positioning are improved, but the unit obstructs the opening and closing of the rear door or tailgate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to rear of vehicleVSAvoidobstruction of rear door

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting arm system is designed with selective positioning capability, allowing the cooking apparatus to be placed in specific locations that do not interfere with tailgate operation. The arm can be positioned to the side or at angles that provide rear vehicle access while maintaining optimal cooking positioning, resolving the conflict between accessibility and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If the connecting arm allows excessive play or twisting, then ease of attachment is improved, but the stability and level positioning of the cooking apparatus deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment easeVSAvoidlevel positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting arm incorporates stabilization features such as locking mechanisms and alignment guides that prevent excessive play and twisting before they can affect cooking stability. These features allow easy attachment while maintaining rigid, stable positioning once connected, eliminating both the attachment difficulty and the stability problems of previous designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12024131B2Swing away tailgate barbeque cooking system

Publication Date: 2024.07.02 LARKINS WILLIAM DOUGLAS

AI summary

The swing away tailgate barbeque cooking system allows for a cooking apparatus to be mounted on a vehicle or RV. Once at the location, the unit can swing away from the vehicle on a plane up to approximately 180 degrees. The user can then pivot the cooking apparatus into a position that is favorable for cooking. An adjustable leg or legs can be utilized which enable the unit to be much heavier than other swing away units. The adjustable legs make the unit very easy for one person to swing open or swing close. The adjustable legs also allow the unit to be in a level orientation when on uneven ground. The unit can be easily disconnected and rolled away from the carry vehicle. The unit can then be used as a stand-alone grill for home cooking.