Quick Release Rack for Hunting Bows on ATVs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hunting bows and rifles are difficult to access quickly and quietly while traveling, leading to potential missed shots due to noise and jostling, which can cause damage and misalignment of sights.
Innovation Solution
A quick release rack is mounted on an ATV, featuring pivotable U-shaped uprights and a lever-operated mechanism that allows easy insertion and removal of the hunting bow or rifle, with a biasing system to retain the weapon securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hunting bow is placed in a protective case, then the bow is protected from damage, but it takes time to open the case and retrieve the bow, and noise is generated that may alert the game
Solution Approach 1:
The protective case is replaced by a rack structure that segments the bow into supported portions (limbs, riser, string) held by separate uprights. This allows the bow to be accessed without opening a enclosed case, eliminating retrieval time while maintaining protection through distributed support points.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack acts as an intermediary structure between the bow and the vehicle interior. Instead of retrieving the bow from an enclosed case or handling it loosely, the rack provides a mediated support system with uprights and retaining members that hold the bow securely yet allow rapid access.
2Reliability
If the hunting bow is placed in a protective case, then the bow is protected from damage, but noise is generated that may alert the game
Solution Approach 1:
The rack structure segments the bow support function into multiple discrete uprights and retaining members distributed along the bow's length. This eliminates the need to open an enclosed case, thereby eliminating the noise generated by case opening mechanisms while maintaining protection through distributed structural support.
3Ease of operation
If the hunting bow is placed loosely in the vehicle, then the bow is easily accessible, but the bow becomes jostled by vehicle movement causing damage and misalignment of sights
Solution Approach 1:
The rack merges multiple support functions into a single integrated structure. Multiple uprights positioned at critical points along the bow (limb supports, riser support, string support) work together as a unified system to prevent jostling while maintaining easy access. The combining of these support elements provides both stability and accessibility simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack is pre-configured with uprights and retaining members positioned to automatically support and secure the bow upon insertion. The biasing members are pre-loaded to provide immediate retaining force, and the uprights are positioned in advance to match the bow's geometry, ensuring stability without requiring additional adjustment or securing actions.
4Reliability
If a conventional gun rack is used in the vehicle cab, then the rifle is protected, but the hunter must step outside the cab to retrieve it, creating noise
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is repositioned from the conventional horizontal cab-mounted position to a vertical or angled position in front of the driver's seat. This dimensional change allows the hunter to access the bow from inside the cab without stepping outside, while the vertical uprights provide protection similar to conventional racks. The bow is accessible from the driver's position rather than requiring exit from the vehicle.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid, noise-free access to the hunting bow or rifle, reducing the risk of damage and misalignment, while keeping the weapon securely mounted during travel.
Implementation Method 1
a spring disposed between the uprights and biased to urge the uprights toward the closed position
Implementation Method 2
A pivotable lever accessible to the driver of the all terrain vehicle is angularly translated to cause pivotal movement of the uprights
Data Source
AI summary
An ATV mounted rack includes a pair of rotatable U-shaped uprights biased toward a first position. Upon manual pivotal movement of a handle interconnected with the uprights through linkages, the handle will cause the U-shaped uprights to rotate toward a second position for receiving or releasing a hunting bow, rifle, shotgun or other equipment. Release of the handle will cause the U-shaped uprights to rotate toward the first position until further rotation is halted by engagement of the arms of the U-shaped uprights with a received hunting bow, rifle, shotgun or other equipment.