Adjustable Bike Rack Hooks for Tight Lateral Packing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bike racks are limited in their ability to support multiple types and sizes of bicycles, requiring multiple racks for different bikes, which is costly and space-inefficient, and cannot accommodate different bike types in a compact configuration.
Innovation Solution
A bike rack system with adjustable hooks that can mount to a vehicle's hitch, featuring a frame, rack, and adjustable hooks that can support bikes of varying sizes and types, allowing for tighter packing and reduced footprint, by using a first and second hook member configuration that tilts the handlebar or fork for efficient lateral packing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional bike racks are designed to support a single type and size of bicycle, then the rack structure can be simple and stable, but the adaptability to support different bike types is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hook members adjustable rather than fixed. The first and second hook members can be repositioned along the rack structure, allowing the system to adapt to different bike types and sizes. This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single rack to support multiple bike configurations without requiring complex specialized structures for each bike type.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack design implements universality by creating a single multi-functional system that can support various bike types (mountain bikes, road bikes, children's bikes) through adjustable hook members. The first and second hook members can be configured in different positions and orientations to accommodate different handlebar and fork configurations, making one rack structure serve multiple purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple conventional bike racks are purchased to accommodate different bike types, then each bike type can be properly supported, but the cost and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple specialized bike racks into a single unified system. By combining adjustable first and second hook members within one rack structure, the system consolidates what would traditionally require separate racks for different bike types into one space-efficient unit that accommodates multiple bike configurations simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If conventional bike racks use fixed hook configurations, then the structure is simpler, but the ability to pack bikes tightly laterally is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hook members are designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than statically fixed. The first and second hook members can be repositioned to optimize lateral spacing between bikes, allowing tighter packing when needed. This dynamic configuration capability enables improved space utilization without requiring an overly complex fixed structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Bike racks configured to mount to a hitch of a vehicle and to support a bike. The bike racks include a frame, a rack, and an adjustable hook. The frame is configured to selectively couple to the hitch of the vehicle. The rack is supported on the frame in a horizontal orientation and at an elevated position on the frame. The adjustable hook includes a first hook member and a second hook member spaced from the first hook member. The bike hangs vertically by a handlebar or a fork from the adjustable hook. The handlebar is tilted relative to the horizontal orientation of the rack when the handlebar or the fork is supported by the adjustable hook to allow tighter lateral packing of adjacent bikes. The spacing between the first hook member and the second hook member is adjustable.