Trailer Strap Bracket with Upward Catch Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailer strap securing systems are prone to loosening, leading to the potential removal of the hook from the trailer, causing load shifting or loss.
Innovation Solution
A trailer strap bracket system with a frame and catch member design that securely attaches the hook of a strap to the trailer, featuring a rounded lower portion and an upwardly extending catch member to prevent dislodgment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional hook is loosely secured on a downward or horizontal lip on the trailer frame, then the strap can be easily attached and removed, but the hook is susceptible to complete removal when the strap becomes loosened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a bracket as an intermediary component between the hook and the trailer frame. The bracket includes a lip that receives the hook and a catch member that extends into the hook's opening, creating a mechanical interlock. This intermediary structure prevents the hook from being completely removed while still allowing for relatively easy attachment and detachment through manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch member extends rearwardly and upwardly from the bracket, utilizing a third dimension (vertical dimension) to engage with the hook's opening. This dimensional approach allows the catch member to block the hook's removal path without interfering with the forward attachment motion, effectively solving the contradiction between ease of operation and security of attachment.
2Productivity
If the hook is loosely secured on the trailer frame, then the strap installation is simple and quick, but the load may shift or fall off when the strap loosens
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket serves as a mediator that maintains the connection between the strap (via the hook) and the trailer frame. The catch member's engagement with the hook's opening creates a fail-safe mechanism that prevents load shifting or loss even when the strap becomes loosened, while requiring minimal additional time for installation compared to conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The catch member is positioned and configured to preemptively prevent the hook from being completely removed from the bracket. By having the catch member extend into the hook's opening before any loosening occurs, the system proactively counteracts the potential harmful effect of load shifting or loss.
3Reliability
If a secure connection mechanism is implemented to prevent hook removal, then the reliability of strap attachment improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The securing system is segmented into distinct functional components: the bracket body with the lip for receiving the hook, and the catch member that extends into the hook's opening. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, while collectively providing secure attachment. The modular design avoids the need for complex multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the hook itself complex with built-in locking mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by providing a stationary bracket with a simple lip and catch member structure. The security mechanism is inverted from the moving hook to the stationary bracket, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer strap bracket system for effectively and securely connecting a hook of a trailer strap to a trailer. The trailer strap bracket system includes a frame including an opening and an upper end attached to a trailer, and a catch member extending rearwardly and upwardly from the frame for receiving a hook from a strap. The frame includes a lower portion that is rounded for receiving a portion of the strap when the hook of the strap is attached to the catch member.