ATV Article Holder with Stacked Cradles and Flexible Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article holders for all-terrain vehicles lack versatility in securely mounting and holding articles of varying sizes and shapes, particularly on tubular members of different sizes, and do not provide adequate cushioning or easy retrieval.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable article holder system with a support arm and stacked cradles made of durable yet flexible plastic, featuring a resilient outer coating with air cells and ribs for secure grip and cushioning, allowing for flexible mounting on various tubular members and easy article retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing article holders are used on all-terrain vehicles, then mounting is possible, but versatility in securely holding articles of varying sizes and shapes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The article holder is divided into multiple stacked cradles (first cradle, second cradle, etc.) that can independently receive and hold different articles. Each cradle is a separate receiving element that can be positioned at different heights and configurations, allowing versatile accommodation of various article sizes and shapes while maintaining secure holding capability for each individual article.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting base is designed with universal adaptability to secure to different tubular members of varying sizes and shapes. The base incorporates adjustable mounting mechanisms that can accommodate different tube diameters and geometries, making the same holder design universally applicable across different ATV configurations and tubular rack systems.
2Reliability
If rigid holding structures are used, then secure gripping is achieved, but cushioning of articles during vehicle travel is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cradles incorporate cushioning elements and energy-absorbing features designed in advance to protect articles during vehicle travel. The structure includes compliant materials and shock-absorbing geometries that are built into the cradle design itself, providing proactive protection against vibrations, impacts, and sudden stops that occur during ATV operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle structure utilizes flexible plastic materials that provide both structural integrity for secure gripping and compliance for cushioning. The flexible nature of the plastic allows the cradle to conform to article shapes while maintaining holding force, and to absorb shocks and vibrations during vehicle travel, eliminating the need for separate rigid and cushioning components.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple article holders are mounted to hold side-by-side articles, then capacity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cradles are integrated into a single unified article holder assembly that mounts to the tubular member as one unit. The stacked cradles share common mounting structures, support arms, and attachment mechanisms, allowing multiple articles to be held simultaneously while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate mounting systems. The cradles are structurally combined through shared skeletal frameworks and common attachment points.
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable support arms are used to position article holders, then positioning flexibility improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms incorporate adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow the cradles to be moved to different positions along the arm length and rotated to various orientations. These dynamic adjustment capabilities enable flexible positioning to accommodate different article sizes and mounting locations, while the mechanisms are designed for easy manual operation without requiring complex tools or procedures.
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
The system securely holds articles of different sizes and shapes in stacked and side-by-side arrangements, providing effective cushioning during vehicle travel and easy removal, while accommodating various tubular sizes through adaptable mounting bases.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient, softer plastic type outer coating is formed over the arms and yoke of the skeleton. The outer coating serves to better grip articles placed in the article holder and to cushion the articles during travel of the vehicle to which the article holder is secured.
Implementation Method 2
The walls include closed, large air cells with opposed article engaging inner surfaces at each side of each stacked cradle
Implementation Method 3
A detent at the top of each inner surface flexes to allow insertion of an article into the cradle and then holds the article from being removed from the cradle until a sufficient lifting force is applied by a user to again allow the detent to flex and the article to be removed
Implementation Method 4
Parallel, spaced apart rows of ribs may be formed on the upper, inner surfaces of the cradle to better engage and frictionally hold inserted articles
Data Source
AI summary
A holding unit for articles to be carried on an all terrain vehicle, or the like, comprising a mounting base adapted to be secured to various surfaces and components of the vehicle and extending downwardly from a support arm adjustably positioned and securely fixed and at least one article holder having stacked cradles to receive articles to be held in a stacked arrangement.