Balcony Bicycle Rack With Rotating Arm for Safe External Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Bicycles stored on high-rise balcony railings are unsafe and occupy valuable space, as they can fall and hinder floor usage.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable bicycle rack with a clamp assembly and arm assembly that attaches to a railing, allowing the bicycle to be safely rotated from the internal to the external side, using torsion springs for assistance and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bicycles are stored on the internal side of the balcony railing, then they are safe from falling, but they occupy valuable floor space on the balcony
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle rack utilizes the vertical dimension by attaching to the balcony railing, allowing bicycles to be stored in three-dimensional space rather than only on the two-dimensional floor surface. The arm assembly extends outward from the railing, creating a spatial solution that preserves floor area while maintaining safety through controlled positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack employs a rotatable arm assembly that can dynamically adjust the position of the bicycle from the internal side to the external side of the railing. This dynamic mechanism allows the bicycle to be moved to a space-saving external position while maintaining safety through the controlled rotation path and mounting securement.
2Area of stationary object
If bicycles are hung from the exterior railing of the balcony, then floor space is freed up, but the bicycles are dangerous and may fall several stories below
Solution Approach 1:
The arm assembly serves as an intermediary structure between the railing and the bicycle, providing a controlled and secure mounting position. Rather than directly hanging the bicycle from the railing, the arm assembly acts as a mediator that securely holds the bicycle in a predetermined position, eliminating the danger of direct railing attachment while preserving floor space.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack performs preliminary securement actions by firmly attaching the bicycle to the arm assembly before any movement or rotation occurs. The mounting member secures the bicycle in place, and only after securement is established does the rotation to the external position take place, ensuring safety is maintained throughout the transition.
3Area of stationary object
If a rotatable arm assembly is used to move bicycles to the external side of the railing, then floor space is saved and safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into distinct functional segments: a clamp assembly for railing attachment, a rotatable arm assembly for position adjustment, and a mounting member for bicycle securement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design and maintenance while achieving the dual goals of space-saving and safety.
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 rack provides a safe and space-saving solution by securely attaching and rotating bicycles to balcony railings, enhancing safety and freeing up floor space.
Implementation Method 1
using torsion springs for assistance and stabilization
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle rack capable of storing and hanging a bicycle on the external side of a high rise balcony railing safely and efficiently is provided. The bicycle rack includes a coupler or clamp for securing the rack to a handrail of the high rise balcony. A rotatable arm assembly is configured to rotate about the clamp. The rotatable arm assembly is attached to a mounting assembly for securing the bicycle to the bicycle rack. The arm assembly enables the attached bicycle to rotate from an internal side of the railing to the external side of the railing.