Elastic Safety Chain Sleeve for Trailer Tow Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Safety chains for towing trailers often need to accommodate varying vehicle lengths, leading to potential dragging and premature wear, and adjusting their length can cause binding issues during turns.
Innovation Solution
A safety chain apparatus featuring a central elongate sleeve with elastic cord support that allows the chain to bunch and adjust length without user intervention, including a kit with adjustable sleeves and elastic cord for secure attachment to the trailer and towing vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the safety chains are made long to accommodate varying vehicle lengths, then the chains can connect different vehicles, but the chains may drag on the ground causing sparks, wildfires, and premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the safety chain length adjustable rather than fixed. The chain includes a first portion connected to the trailer and a second portion that can be selectively connected to the towing vehicle, allowing the chain length to be dynamically changed based on the specific towing situation. This resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability to different vehicle lengths while preventing excessive length that would cause dragging.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the chains are twisted or rotated to shorten them and eliminate droop, then dragging is prevented, but the chains become too short causing inadvertent binding during turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by providing a chain with adjustable length through selective connection of chain portions. Instead of permanently shortening the chain by twisting, the user can connect only the necessary length (first portion and selected second portion) to eliminate droop while maintaining sufficient length for safe turning operations. The adjustability allows optimal length selection for each specific situation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the chain length is adjusted by user intervention, then the appropriate length can be selected, but the user may forget to adjust the chains leading to safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the chain system to be inherently adaptable without requiring user memory or manual adjustment for each use. The chain includes a first portion and a second portion that can be selectively connected, allowing the system to serve itself by providing the appropriate length configuration. This reduces reliance on user intervention and improves reliability by making the adaptability feature built into the chain structure itself.
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 apparatus prevents chain dragging, maintains tension, and adjusts length automatically to accommodate turning radii, reducing wear and safety hazards while preventing trailer detachment.
Implementation Method 1
The central elongate sleeve is tensioned by elastic cord or other material positioned in elongate sleeves positioned on opposing sides of the central elongate sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A safety device for use with a chain extending between a trailer and a tow vehicle. The device has a central sleeve that houses the chain. Two side sleeves extend parallel to the central sleeve and house an elastic cord. The elastic cord provides tension to the sleeve, allowing the chain to group or bunch up without tension. The allows a user to avoid having to manipulate the length of the chain in order to avoid chain drag from the chains being too long or chain bind from the chains being too short when the vehicle attempts to turn while towing the trailer. Typically trailers have a pair of safety chains extending from the trailer to the vehicle, thus two of the devices are preferably utilized.