Work stand slip cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional foam rubber padding on work stands for repairing and painting automobile panels becomes worn, leading to potential scratches and paint damage due to grooves and pits, and may eventually fall off, exposing the metal surface.

Innovation Solution

A D-shaped slip cover is designed to encapsulate the top portion of the work stand, covering the foam sleeve or exposed metal surface, preventing scratches and providing a secure, durable protective layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If foam rubber padding is applied to the top portion of the work-stand, then the freshly painted vehicle panels are protected from scratches, but the foam rubber padding becomes worn with grooves and pits over time, creating harmful factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescratch protectionVSAvoiddurability of foam padding
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a flexible cover made of durable material (such as vinyl, plastic, or fabric) that envelops the foam rubber padding. This flexible shell protects the underlying foam from direct contact with painted panels, preventing the foam from becoming worn while maintaining the protective function. The cover can be removed, washed, and replaced, extending the overall system's reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the removable cover) between the foam rubber padding and the painted vehicle panels. This mediator absorbs the wear and tear from contact, protecting the foam padding from developing grooves and pits while still providing scratch protection for the paint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If foam rubber padding is used on the work-stand, then protection is provided, but the foam padding may fall off, exposing the metal surface and creating harmful factors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaint protectionVSAvoidattachment stability of foam padding
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible cover that envelops the foam padding and can be securely attached to the work-stand frame. This shell structure prevents the foam from detaching while maintaining the protective function, and the cover itself can be secured with straps, Velcro, or other fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies a protective cover over the foam padding before use, preparing the system in advance to prevent the foam from falling off. This preliminary protective action ensures that even if the foam becomes loose, the painted panels remain protected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a slip cover is applied over the foam sleeve, then durability and protection are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective layer durabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a simple flexible cover design that drapes over the foam padding and can be secured with minimal fastening mechanisms. This approach adds durability without significantly increasing structural complexity, as the cover is a single-piece garment-like structure rather than a complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an inexpensive, replaceable cover that can be easily removed, cleaned, or replaced when worn. This disposable or semi-disposable approach maintains reliability over time without requiring complex maintenance systems, as the cover itself is a simple, low-cost component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10702983B1Work stand slip cover
Publication Date: 2020.07.07 DIETRICH LARRY
  • US10702983B1 patent drawing
  • US10702983B1 patent drawing
  • US10702983B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A slip cover for encapsulating a top portion of a work-stand is provided. The slip cover includes a D-shaped first portion and a D-shaped second portion. The D-shaped first portion and D-shaped second portion form a D-shaped slip cover with their three corresponding sides connected. The work stand includes a first stand, a second stand, and a foam sleeve. The first stand is coupled with the second stand. In one aspect, the first stand and second stand are adapted to tilt with respect to each other. The foam sleeve is applied on the top portion of the work-stand. The slip cover is applied over the top portion of the work-stand. Other aspects are disclosed and claimed.