Accessory Support Rail Platform for Truck Bed Access and Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Truck beds are difficult to access due to their height, and secure storage of equipment requires frequent loading and unloading, posing challenges for users who cannot or do not want to lift themselves into the truck bed.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mountable accessory support platform with deployable stair systems and storage units that can be easily attached to vehicles, providing easier access and secure storage solutions, including a support frame, rail system, and universal mounting devices for various accessories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If portable ramps or ladders are used to access the truck bed, then accessibility is improved, but device complexity and setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the accessory support platform, storage units, and deployable stair systems into a single integrated vehicle-mounted structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate portable ramps or ladders, as the stairs are permanently mounted and always available for access, thereby improving ease of operation while reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory support platform is pre-installed on the vehicle with storage units and stair systems already in place before the user needs them. This preliminary preparation means that when access is needed, the structure is immediately ready without requiring setup, thus improving accessibility while minimizing setup time and complexity.
2Reliability
If equipment is stored in secure interior portions of the vehicle, then security is improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into multiple external storage units mounted on the accessory support platform, separate from the vehicle interior. This allows equipment to be stored in secure external compartments that are easily accessible from the outside via the deployable stairs, eliminating the need to enter the vehicle for equipment access while maintaining security through locked external storage compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory support platform acts as an intermediary structure between the vehicle and the ground, providing external storage units that are accessible from the ground level. This intermediary solution allows users to access equipment without entering the vehicle interior, improving ease of operation while maintaining security through the platform's structural integrity and locked storage compartments.
3Reliability
If the accessory platform is permanently mounted to the vehicle, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates deployable stair systems that can be extended or retracted as needed, and storage units that can be repositioned or reconfigured on the accessory support platform. This dynamic design allows the permanently mounted platform to adapt to different user needs and configurations while maintaining its stable, reliable mounting to the vehicle structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The accessory support platform is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow various types of storage units and accessories to be attached and reconfigured. The platform's standardized mounting system enables different accessory configurations while maintaining reliable attachment to the vehicle, thus achieving both reliability and adaptability through multi-functional design.
Data Source
AI summary
An accessory support platform is provided for supporting a removable accessory, e.g. a stair system or cabinet, adjacent to a vehicle or portable living quarter, such as a truck-bed mounted camper. The accessory platform includes a support frame for coupling the platform to the truck camper. The support frame supports or suspends a support rail system from the rear portion of the truck camper. The rail system includes an upper support rail and a lower support rail that is suspended below and apart from the upper rail. The removable accessory may be coupled at one of or between both of the upper and lower support rails. The removable accessory is preferably readily repositionable relative to the upper and lower support rails. A coupling bracket and/or hanger secures the removable accessory to the rail system.