Vehicle Cover Rack with Movable Support Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle covers are cumbersome to remove and deploy, and their storage poses space issues and risks of damage, with improper storage leading to dirt accumulation and difficulty in reinstallation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle covering apparatus featuring a support member that can transition between two positions, allowing for easy raising and lowering of the vehicle cover, and optional securing mechanisms to manage the cover's placement and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle cover is stored in the vehicle trunk, then the vehicle cover is protected from damage, but vehicle space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vehicle cover storage function from the vehicle interior (trunk) and relocates it to an external wall-mounted rack system. This allows the cover to be stored outside the vehicle, preserving interior space while maintaining protection through controlled access and proper positioning on the rack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from storing the vehicle cover in three-dimensional vehicle interior space to utilizing vertical wall space in a different spatial dimension. The rack system exploits vertical elevation and external wall surfaces, converting limited horizontal vehicle space into abundant vertical external storage space.
2Volume of moving object
If the vehicle cover is rolled up and stowed on the ground, then vehicle space is preserved, but the vehicle cover is at risk of damage and dirt accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wall-mounted rack system as an intermediary between the vehicle cover and the ground. Instead of direct contact with the ground (which causes dirt and damage), the cover is suspended on the rack, eliminating harmful ground contact while maintaining external storage benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack system provides beforehand protection by elevating the vehicle cover above ground level before any potential damage can occur. This prevents contact with dirt, standing water, mud, and other ground-based hazards that could damage the cover during storage.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle cover is placed directly on the vehicle, then easy access is achieved, but the cover is difficult to remove and deploy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle cover storage system into a rack structure with multiple positions and a movable support member. This segmentation allows the cover to be easily transferred between the rack and vehicle, and the support member can be independently operated to assist with cover deployment, reducing overall operation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a movable support member that can transition between different positions to assist with cover deployment. This dynamic element actively helps lift and position the cover, making the deployment process easier and faster compared to static storage methods.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for raising and lowering a vehicle cover is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible member having a first end and a second end, the flexible member configured to flex so that, with the first end positioned adjacent to a vehicle and the second and positioned generally higher than the vehicle, the second end raises the vehicle cover up from the vehicle and lowers the vehicle cover down towards the vehicle. The second end of the flexible member is configured to retain the vehicle cover.