Two-Tier Trailer Storage Structure for Ground Protection Mat Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tilt trailers lack efficient storage solutions for large and heavy items like ground protection mats, which can lead to damage during transport and inefficient use of space, especially when transporting equipment and materials across delicate terrain.
Innovation Solution
A two-tier storage system with metal rails and fork tubes, allowing for secure storage and easy handling of 4×8 foot mats or sheets, incorporating quick-release spacer bars for easy mat removal and re-securing, and a pull-out unit for facilitated loading/unloading, designed for use on tilt trailers but adaptable to other applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional tilt trailers are used to transport ground protection mats, then the mats can be loaded onto the trailer deck, but the mats may be damaged during transport and space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple compartments separated by vertical dividers, with each compartment designed to hold a specific number of mats (e.g., four-compartment system holding 16 mats). This segmentation prevents mats from shifting during transport while maintaining structural organization and ease of loading/unloading.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system utilizes the vertical space above the trailer deck by positioning compartments in the upper portion of the trailer body. This nested arrangement allows mats to be stored both on the deck level and elevated in compartments, effectively doubling storage capacity without increasing trailer footprint.
2Productivity
If mats are stacked directly on the trailer deck, then loading is simple, but space utilization is inefficient and mats are vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system transitions from two-dimensional deck stacking to three-dimensional compartmentalized storage by utilizing vertical space within the trailer body. Compartments are positioned above the deck level, allowing mats to be stored in multiple layers and configurations, significantly increasing storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates removable dividers and adjustable shelving within compartments, allowing the storage configuration to be dynamically reconfigured based on loading requirements. This flexibility maintains ease of operation while maximizing space utilization for different mat quantities and sizes.
3Quantity of substance
If more storage space is provided for mats, then more mats can be transported, but the trailer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartments serve multiple functions: they protect mats from damage, organize them for efficient loading/unloading, maximize space utilization, and provide structural reinforcement to the trailer body. The same compartment structure simultaneously achieves several objectives without requiring additional separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage system merges the functions of mat support, mat protection, and space optimization into a single integrated compartment structure. The dividers and shelving elements serve both structural and organizational purposes, reducing overall system complexity despite increased storage capacity.
4Area of stationary object
If the trailer deck is used for both equipment and mat storage, then space is utilized, but mats may be damaged and handling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system extracts mats from direct contact with the trailer deck by positioning them in elevated compartments with protective dividers. This separation protects mats from damage during transport while dedicating the deck level primarily to equipment placement, simplifying handling operations for both mats and equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
Storage structures suitable for being mounted on a trailer or truck, and for holding heavy, large format goods, are disclosed. The storage structures have at least a two-tier construction, in which metal rails or the like are assembled into three panels that are spaced apart to define two adjacent storage compartments or cages, one sized to hold mats, sheets, or the like, and the other tailored to support the first compartment and provide additional storage. The storage compartments may have equal lengths but different widths. The storage structures may include at least one pair of parallel fork tubes, or two orthogonally oriented pairs of fork tubes, to allow the storage structure to be picked up by a forklift truck on one, two, or more sides of the storage structure. The structures may also include lifting lugs, and one or more pull-out units.