Trailer Jack Torque Adapter for Power Tool Drive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manually turning the crank on hitch jacks to lift and lower trailers is tedious and time-consuming, especially with high load capacity trailers, making the process inefficient and potentially dangerous.

Innovation Solution

A device with a high torque magnification mechanism, such as a gear train, that allows power tools like drills to efficiently extend or retract the trailer jacks, reducing the need for manual cranking by providing a first interface for tool engagement and a second interface to apply torque to the jack's rotation shaft.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual cranking is used to extend or retract trailer jacks, then the structure remains simple, but the operation becomes tedious and time-consuming especially with high load capacity trailers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of jack operationVSAvoidtime for hitching and unhitching

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical cranking system with a power tool-driven system. A universal adapter interface allows power tools (electric drills, impact drivers) to connect to the jack's crank mechanism, substituting human manual rotation with powered rotational force. This dramatically reduces the time and effort required to extend or retract trailer jacks, especially when dealing with high load capacity trailers where manual cranking becomes excessively tedious and time-consuming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If high torque magnification is implemented using gear trains, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of jack operationVSAvoidcomplexity of torque magnification mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a universal adapter interface as an intermediary component that bridges power tools and trailer jack crank mechanisms. This adapter serves as a mediator that allows the power tool's output shaft to connect to the jack's input without requiring complex integration. The adapter absorbs the complexity of interface compatibility, enabling straightforward connection while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying jack mechanism. This approach improves ease of operation without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If power tools are used to drive trailer jacks, then productivity increases, but the requirement for additional interfaces and adapters increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of hitching and unhitchingVSAvoidcomplexity of interface system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal adapter interface that can accommodate multiple types of power tools (electric drills, impact drivers, cordless drills) and connect them to various trailer jack crank mechanisms. This universal interface design allows a single adapter to serve multiple functions and compatibility requirements, enabling different power tool types to interchangeably drive different trailer jacks. The universality principle increases productivity by enabling rapid hitching and unhitching operations while managing interface complexity through standardized, multi-compatible connection designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables easy, efficient, and safe operation of trailer jacks, reducing user effort and time required for hitching and unhitching processes, even with high-capacity trailers.

Implementation Method 1

A device with a high torque magnification mechanism, such as a gear train, that allows power tools like drills to efficiently extend or retract the trailer jacks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque magnification: Gear

Implementation Method 2

The rotation of the first rotatable component imparts rotation to the second rotatable component with a torque magnification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS11479216B2Leveraged trailer lift

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 GET IT LLC

AI summary

This disclosure teaches a device and a system having a gear reduction ratio for use with power tools to mechanically connect to drive shafts of trailer jacks. The device enables the power tools to extend or retract the legs of the trailer jacks in an efficient and easy manner. The device may be installed or retrofitted to existing high capacity trailers or integrated with newly manufactured trailers. In some embodiments, the device has a first interface, a gear train or an equivalent torque magnification mechanism, and a second interface. The first interface enables a power tool or a hand tool to rotationally engage the gear train. The second interface enables the output torque from the gear train to apply to rotate a shaft to raise and/or lower one or more trailer jacks. A power drill can thus couple with the first interface to lift or lower the trailer.