Tarp Corner Bracket Assembly for Faster Flatbed Trailer Setup
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner brackets for tarp systems on flatbed trailers are complex, leading to increased assembly and disassembly time due to multiple interacting components, complicating the process.
Innovation Solution
A simplified corner bracket design featuring arcuate main body portions with central apertures and sleeves, overmolded with plastic, and fasteners for easy assembly, including tarp retention channels and offset linear legs for secure bow member connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing corner brackets with multiple interacting components are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (main body portions, sleeves, and fasteners) into an integrated corner bracket assembly where the sleeve is disposed on the main body portions and fasteners receive through aligned central apertures, creating a unified structure that maintains integrity while simplifying assembly
2Reliability
If existing corner brackets with multiple interacting components are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but assembly effort and disassembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corner bracket is segmented into distinct functional elements (pair of arcuate main body portions, sleeves with tarp retention channels, and fasteners) that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled through aligned central apertures, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The corner bracket design incorporates multiple functions into a single assembly: the main body portions provide structural connection, the sleeves provide tarp retention through channels, and the fasteners provide secure coupling, allowing one component to serve multiple purposes and reduce assembly steps
3Productivity
If simplified corner bracket design with fewer components is used, then assembly time is reduced, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The corner bracket employs a composite structure combining arcuate main body portions with sleeves disposed upon them, creating a multi-material assembly that distributes structural loads across different components while maintaining overall integrity and enabling quick assembly through standardized fastener connections
Data Source
AI summary
A corner bracket for a tarp system for a vehicle includes a pair of arcuate main body portions with each of the main body portions including a central aperture formed therein and a sleeve disposed on each of the pair of main body portions with each of the sleeves having a central aperture aligned with the central aperture of the corresponding main body portion. Each of the sleeves includes a tarp retention channel configured to receive a portion of a tarp and a support pole therein. A fastener is configured to be received in the central aperture of each of the main body portions and the aperture of the sleeve of each of the main body portions to couple the main body portions to each other.