Truck Bed Hitch Attachment Using Offset Peg Inserts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hitch configurations for pickup trucks lack a strong, reliable, and cost-effective solution for quickly switching between flat bed and above-bed mounting configurations, as they often require multiple turns and torque to secure, which can lead to loose attachments and thread stripping.
Innovation Solution
The use of offset attachment inserts with a cleat and peg design, where the cleat portion defines a mounting pin hole offset from the rotational axis, allowing for secure engagement with above-bed structures and easy retraction to provide a flat bed surface, utilizing sockets and locking channels for stability and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If bolted attachments with threaded holes are used to secure above-bed structures, then the attachment strength and reliability are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring multiple turns and torque application
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a socket mounted in the truck bed and a removable insert with a peg portion. The insert can be independently inserted into and removed from the socket, allowing quick attachment and detachment without threading bolts, thus maintaining strength while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The insert acts as an intermediary component between the socket and the above-bed structure. It provides a strong mechanical connection through the peg-socket interface while enabling quick installation and removal, resolving the contradiction between attachment strength and ease of operation
2Ease of operation
If removable attachment structures are used to quickly switch between flat bed and mounted configurations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential loose attachments
Solution Approach 1:
The insert with the peg portion is nested within the socket, creating a secure mechanical interlock. The peg fits tightly into the socket, preventing loosening during use, while the entire insert can be easily removed when needed, thus achieving both ease of operation and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of securing the above-bed structure directly to the truck bed, the system inverts the approach by having the truck bed contain sockets that receive removable inserts. The inserts are then engaged by the above-bed structure, providing reliable attachment through this reversed configuration
3Reliability
If multiple bolts with torque requirements are used to prevent vibration loosening, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex threaded bolt connection is extracted and replaced with a simpler peg-socket mechanical interlock. The peg portion of the insert engages with the socket through a straightforward insertion motion, eliminating the need for multiple bolts, torque tools, and thread engagement, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining vibration resistance through the secure nested connection
Data Source
AI summary
An above-bed structure having two or more feet is attached into a bed of a truck using inserts which can be removed or retracted to provide a flat, unobstructed truck bed. Each insert includes an above-bed cleat portion and a below-bed peg portion which is received in a below-bed socket. Each insert is received first vertically without substantial rotation into its socket and then by rotation to a terminal point wherein the insert is vertically held by the socket. The above bed structure is then placed onto the inserts such that the feet mate with the inserts to prevent the inserts from rotating away from their terminal point, thus preventing the inserts from being removed from their sockets. The attachment can be completed by inserting mounting pins into aligned holes on the cleat portions and the feet. In one embodiment, the feet are supported on a bed place section of the insert which is offset from the rotational axis of the insert.