Pickup Truck Bed Dolly Storage With Sliding Tubes and Articulating Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tow dollies require manual securing and lack integrated storage solutions, often leading to unsecured movement, complex retrieval, and potential injury during handling, especially in confined truck bed spaces.
Innovation Solution
A dolly storage system for pickup truck beds featuring slidable tubes and an articulating arm that allows for secure, efficient deployment and stowage within the truck bed, with adjustable brackets and optional powered actuators for enhanced usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual securing methods (anchoring hooks or tie-down points) are used to store the dolly in the truck bed, then the dolly can be restrained, but manual effort is required to secure and remove the dolly and no dedicated storage mechanism is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses spring-loaded arms with latches that automatically engage with the dolly when it is placed in the truck bed. The spring mechanism provides automatic securing without requiring manual effort to fasten the dolly, while still maintaining reliable restraint during transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spring-loaded arms as an intermediary mechanism between the truck bed and the dolly. These arms act as a mechanical mediator that automatically captures and secures the dolly, eliminating the need for direct manual intervention with anchoring hooks or tie-down points.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional accessories or retrofitted components (ramps or brackets) are used for dolly storage, then storage capability is provided, but these systems lack integration with the vehicle structure or require disassembly for access
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded arms are designed to work with various dolly sizes and types, providing universal storage capability. The system integrates multiple functions: storage, securing, and easy access, all within a single integrated structure that is permanently mounted to the truck bed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the storage structure and securing mechanism into a single integrated system. The spring-loaded arms are permanently mounted to the truck bed structure, combining storage capability with automatic securing functionality, eliminating the need for separate ramps or brackets.
3Ease of operation
If the dolly is manually placed in the truck bed, then storage is achieved, but the dolly may remain loose or minimally secured and shifting during transport can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded arms automatically engage with the dolly upon placement, providing self-securing functionality. The system maintains reliable restraint during transport without requiring continuous manual intervention to adjust or tighten securing mechanisms.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional storage solutions are used, then the dolly can be stored in the truck bed, but difficult retrieval or time-consuming setup may be required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded arms with automatic latches enable quick release and retrieval. When the dolly needs to be removed, the latches can be quickly disengaged, allowing rapid deployment without time-consuming setup or disassembly of the storage system.
Data Source
AI summary
A dolly storage system for storing a dolly in a bed of a pickup truck including one or more slidable tubes positioned within an interior of a truck bed; a dolly; a mounting system connected to the one or more slidable tubes, the mounting system configured to connect to the dolly; and an articulating arm coupling the mounting system to the dolly, wherein the one or more slidable tubes and the articulating arm are configured to enable movement of the dolly between a stowed configuration within the interior of the truck bed and an extended configuration outside of the truck bed.