Trailer Side Rail Horizontal Slot Tie Down Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo securing systems for transportation vehicles, such as trucks and trailers, face challenges in maximizing deck space and preventing accumulation of loose materials like snow, ice, and mud in channels, which complicates the securing process and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A side rail apparatus with a horizontally directed slot in the vertical surface of the side rail, featuring a tie plate with a hook and lip configuration that self-retains within the slot, preventing material accumulation and allowing single-operator securement without pre-cleaning, thus maximizing deck space and simplifying the securing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If channels are formed in the trailer floor or side rail to receive tie down anchors, then tie down anchors can be inserted and retained, but the channels become susceptible to filling with loose product, snow, ice, mud or other material that must be removed before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional vertical channel opening direction to a horizontal orientation. The slot opens horizontally toward the side of the trailer rather than vertically from the top surface. This inversion prevents material accumulation because loose product, snow, ice, and mud cannot easily enter the horizontally-oriented slot, eliminating the need for pre-use cleaning while maintaining anchor insertion capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional orientation of the slot from a vertical opening (perpendicular to the trailer floor) to a horizontal opening (parallel to the trailer floor). This dimensional change fundamentally alters how materials interact with the slot - horizontal orientation prevents gravitational accumulation of loose materials while still allowing tie down anchors to be inserted and retained through the slot's retained mechanism
2Ease of operation
If channels are formed in the top horizontal surface of the trailer floor or side rail, then tie down anchors can be received, but deck space available for cargo is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the slot from the top horizontal surface (vertical orientation) to the vertical side surface of the side rail (horizontal orientation). This dimensional relocation moves the anchor insertion feature away from the cargo-bearing deck area, preserving maximum deck space for cargo while maintaining full anchor insertion and retention functionality through the horizontally-oriented slot
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the slot opens horizontally toward the side of the trailer, then material accumulation is prevented, but tie plate must be self-retained without manual holding
Solution Approach 1:
The tie plate incorporates a self-retention mechanism with a lip that engages with the slot structure to automatically hold the tie plate in place during insertion and operation. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual holding or additional retention devices, allowing the tie plate to secure itself within the horizontally-oriented slot while maintaining material accumulation prevention benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The lip on the tie plate serves as an intermediary retention element that mediates between the horizontally-oriented slot and the tie plate body. This intermediary feature provides automatic retention without requiring complex mechanisms or manual intervention, enabling the tie plate to be held securely in the slot through a simple geometric engagement between the lip and slot structure
Data Source
AI summary
A side rail apparatus facilitates the securement of a load being carried on the bed or deck of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a side rail and a tie plate. The side rail has an upper horizontal member configured to be substantially continuous with the deck support surface when mounted to the vehicle, and a vertical member that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal member. The vertical member has a horizontally directed recess formed in a top outer edge thereof to create a generally horizontal slot with a side opening through which the tie plate is received. The shape of the tie plate and of the slot is such that the tie plate, once inserted in the slot, is self-retained therein and will not disengage while the securement device is attached and tightened. In addition, the placement of the slot in the vertical member of the side rail effectively prevents material of various types from accumulating in the slot such that the side rail apparatus is ready for use with minimal preparation and effort.