Tail Hauler Deck Support with Bevel Gear Lifting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for attaching and lifting items, such as golf carts, to the rear of vehicles like RVs do not efficiently utilize standard tow bars for transport, lacking a practical and secure mechanism to raise items to a suitable height for safe carrying.
Innovation Solution
A fold-down deck support system with a lifting mechanism, comprising vertically extending side portions, a horizontally extending upper portion, and a drive assembly with bevel gears and threaded rods, allows incremental positioning and secure locking of the deck, enabling the lifting and securing of loads to a transport height using a standard tow bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard tow bar is used for transport, then the device can be easily attached to the vehicle, but the item cannot be raised to a suitable height for safe carrying
Solution Approach 1:
The deck support structure employs a dynamic lifting mechanism with incrementally movable lifting structures that can raise the deck between multiple incremental positions. This allows the system to transition from a low attachment state (for easy towing) to an elevated transport state (for safe carrying), resolving the contradiction between ease of attachment and transport height.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting mechanism is divided into discrete incremental positions, allowing the deck to be raised step-by-step to a suitable height. This segmentation enables the system to achieve both easy attachment (starting from ground level) and safe transport height (when elevated), as the deck can be positioned at optimal heights for different operational phases.
2Shape
If the deck is raised to a high transport position, then safe carrying is enabled, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism serves multiple functions: it raises the deck to transport height, provides incremental positioning for stability, and includes locking mechanisms for secure holding. By integrating these functions into a single mechanism, the system achieves high transport position capability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary locking mechanisms and support structures that enable the deck to be held at elevated positions safely. These intermediary elements mediate between the lifting action and the final transport position, allowing the system to achieve high transport height while managing complexity through modular, standardized components.
3Strength
If the deck support structure is made robust to handle heavy loads, then load capacity increases, but the weight of the structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting mechanism utilizes threaded rods with adjustable pitch and bevel gears with varying gear ratios to achieve robust load handling. By optimizing these parameters, the system can handle heavy loads (up to 2000 pounds as mentioned in the patent) while minimizing the weight of the support structure through efficient mechanical advantage rather than brute-force structural reinforcement.
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
The system securely raises and transports loads up to 2000 pounds, allowing for versatile carrying of recreational or household items, while ensuring stability and ease of storage when not in use, by effectively utilizing the vehicle's tow bar for elevated transport.
Implementation Method 1
a drive assembly with bevel gears and threaded rods, allows incremental positioning and secure locking of the deck
Implementation Method 2
The deck may be folded down adjacent to the back of the vehicle when not in use
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting assembly for use on vehicles of a variety of types, including recreational vehicles, vans, trucks and the like, and includes one or more lifting structures that will support a deck structure. The lifting assembly will be removably mounted to the vehicle frame so that the whole assembly can be removed from the vehicle, and the deck structure is pivotally mounted to the lift assembly so that it can be moved between a stored position when not in use, or a transport position when loads are to be carried. When in the transport position the deck will be movable between lowered and raised positions so that items can be placed on the deck in the lowered position and then transported once the deck is raised to a desired height.