Tailgate Saver Crossbar for Pickup Truck Stake Pockets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pickup truck owners face challenges when hauling elongated items, as they either risk falling or sliding out when the tailgate is lowered, or the tailgate becomes inaccessible and damaged when left raised, with no efficient method to securely store such items.
Innovation Solution
A tailgate saver system featuring a crossbar with folding supports that fit into stake pockets, a tightening mechanism, and a strap to securely hold elongated items, allowing the tailgate to be opened and closed while preventing items from falling or sliding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tailgate is lowered to allow elongated items to lay flat, then items can be stored in the bed, but items can easily slide out and/or fall out of the bed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tailgate saver device as an intermediary component between the elongated items and the tailgate. This device includes a crossbar that rests on the elongated items and a strap that secures the items to the crossbar, preventing them from sliding out or falling out while allowing the tailgate to remain in the raised position.
2Reliability
If the tailgate is left in a raised position to prevent items from falling out, then items are secure in the bed, but the tailgate becomes inaccessible and cannot be opened or closed
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate saver device acts as a mediator that enables the tailgate to be accessed while maintaining item security. The crossbar and strap system secures the elongated items independently of the tailgate position, allowing the tailgate to be opened or closed without compromising the security of the stored items.
3Reliability
If elongated items are rested on the tailgate to keep them secure, then items do not fall out, but the tailgate can be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the weight-bearing function from the tailgate by introducing a separate support structure. The crossbar of the tailgate saver device rests on the elongated items and transfers the load away from the tailgate, preventing damage while maintaining item security through the strap system.
4Reliability
If ropes or bungee cords are used to tie down elongated items, then items can be secured, but the method is not quick, easy, or efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate saver device incorporates a self-tightening strap mechanism that automatically secures the elongated items when the device is assembled. The strap system is designed to be easily adjusted and tightened without requiring complex tying operations, making the securing process quick and efficient while maintaining reliable item security.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various embodiments of a tailgate saver system. In one nonlimiting example embodiment, the tailgate saver includes a crossbar, a pair of supports connected to the crossbar, a tightening mechanism attached to the crossbar, and a strap connected to the tightening mechanism. The crossbar may be configured to extend across a width of a bed of a pickup truck and the pair of supports may be configured to insert into, and be held by, the pickup truck's stake pockets. When the pair of supports are inserted in the stake pockets of the bed of the pickup truck the crossbar prevents elongated objects hauled in the bed of the pickup truck from resting on the tailgate thereby allowing the tailgate to be opened and closed.