Tree Carrying Frame with Couplers for Safe Single-Laborer Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

The transportation of trees is challenging due to their unwieldy nature, posing risks of damage to the trunk and limbs, and often requires multiple laborers, making it hazardous and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A frame system with couplers and supports is designed to securely attach trees to lifting equipment, allowing a single laborer to safely transport trees by aligning openings to receive the trunk and branches, avoiding contact with moving parts and enabling stable lifting and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional manual methods are used to transport trees, then multiple laborers can share the workload, but the risk of damage to trunk and limbs increases and the process becomes hazardous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetree damage preventionVSAvoidtransport difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a frame apparatus as an intermediary device between the tree and the laborers/lifting equipment. The frame includes openings that receive the trunk and branches, and couplers that attach to lifting equipment, serving as a mediator that enables safe transport without direct contact between laborers and the tree, thus preventing damage while easing the operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame apparatus segments the transport function into distinct components: the frame structure with openings for trunk/branches, couplers for attachment, and support elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the frame protecting the tree and the couplers handling the lifting, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple laborers are used to move the tree, then the tree can be supported, but the hazard to laborers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetree stability during transportVSAvoidhazard to laborers

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame apparatus acts as an intermediary that assumes the stabilizing function previously performed by multiple laborers. The frame's structure with openings and couplers provides stable support for the tree while eliminating the need for laborers to be in close proximity to the tree, thus maintaining stability while removing the hazard to laborers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of multiple laborers physically supporting the tree with a mechanical lifting system (forklift, crane, etc.) that attaches to the frame through couplers. This substitution maintains the tree's stability during transport while eliminating the hazard to human laborers by removing them from the direct support role.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If direct handling of the tree is used, then the tree can be moved, but the risk of breaking branches and damaging the rootball increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport efficiencyVSAvoiddamage to rootball, trunk, or limbs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The frame apparatus serves as an intermediary between the lifting equipment and the tree, with its openings designed to receive the trunk and branches without causing damage. The couplers provide the connection point for lifting equipment, allowing efficient transport while the frame structure protects the vulnerable parts of the tree (rootball, trunk, limbs) from direct contact with equipment or laborers, thus maintaining productivity while preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If a single laborer uses the frame apparatus, then the operation becomes safer and easier, but the lifting capacity must be sufficient for the tree weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesingle laborer operationVSAvoidlifting force requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the human labor force with a mechanical lifting system (forklift, crane, or other lifting equipment) that attaches to the frame through couplers. This substitution enables a single laborer to operate the apparatus safely while the mechanical lifting system provides the necessary lifting force, regardless of the tree's weight, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and lifting force requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10301157B1Tree carrying apparatus and method

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 KRAMER SHANE

AI summary

Systems and methods use one or more frame configured for arrangement on moving equipment to safely and efficiently move elongate loads such as trees without risking damage to the loads or requiring multiple laborers. An apparatus includes first and second portions defining first and second openings. The first and second portions are linked by a bridge portion. First and second couplers are disposed on each of the first and second portions respectively, and attach a support for carrying an elongate load.