Vehicle Utility Tray with Hinged Cover and Sliding Frame
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle storage devices are visible to potential intruders, consume valuable cargo area floor space, and hinder access to contents, especially in emergency situations where quick access to tools and firearms is critical.
Innovation Solution
A utility tray assembly that replaces the vehicle floor, featuring a U-shaped frame with a hinged cover and sliding tray, allowing secure storage while maintaining cargo area accessibility and preserving floor space, with the tray translating to provide access without obstructing the cargo area door or lower storage areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trunk or storage device is firmly attached to the vehicle cargo area, then security and stability are improved, but the device becomes clearly visible to potential intruders and consumes valuable floor space
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple segments: a fixed frame assembly that attaches to the vehicle, a removable tray that sits within the frame, and a hinged cover that provides access. This segmentation allows the tray to be easily removed and repositioned while the frame remains securely attached, maximizing floor space utilization without compromising security.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed with a hinge mechanism that allows it to swing open for access while maintaining a closed, concealed position during normal operation. The tray itself can be slid in and out of the frame, providing dynamic access to stored items without requiring the entire storage device to be moved or making it visible from the outside.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a storage device is firmly attached to the vehicle, then stability is improved, but access to contents becomes difficult without removing or rearranging other cargo
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system separates the stable frame structure from the accessible tray component. The frame remains firmly attached to the vehicle providing stability, while the tray can be easily slid in and out of the frame for quick access to contents without disturbing other cargo in the vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged cover acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides access to the tray contents while the tray remains in its position within the frame. Users can open the cover to retrieve items without needing to remove the tray or rearrange other cargo, maintaining both stability and ease of operation.
3Reliability
If a storage device is mounted in the forward cargo area, then security is improved, but access to the device requires removing or rearranging other contents
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged cover provides dynamic access to the tray contents, allowing users to quickly open and retrieve items without removing the entire storage device or rearranging other cargo. This reduces the time required to access contents while maintaining the secure, concealed position of the storage device in the forward cargo area.
4Ease of operation
If an open shelf or tray is used for storage, then access to contents is easy, but the contents become visible to potential intruders
Solution Approach 1:
The cover provides selective concealment: when closed, it hides the tray contents from view while allowing access when opened. This local quality change (concealed vs. accessible) allows the system to provide easy access to contents when needed while protecting them from view and potential theft during normal operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility tray is provided for mounting in the cargo area of a vehicle, in place of the pre-existing vehicle floor. The assembly comprises a frame assembly, disposable within the cargo area, the frame assembly comprising a U-shaped frame and a plurality of frame support members, connected to the frame and engageable to the vehicle, for securing the frame to the vehicle. A cover is disposed along the upper surface of the frame assembly to form a false floor, defining a cover front portion, extending across the frame front end portion and a portion of the side members and a cover rear portion extending across the frame rear end portion and a portion of the side members. The cover rear end portion is translatable from a first closed position to a second open position, to facilitate access to the tray and a lower cargo area below the cover.