Bicycle Carrier Serial Rim Loading Vertical Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bicycle carriers struggle to accommodate various frame styles and designs, leading to difficulties in mounting and dense packing of bicycles, often causing damage to components like brakes and gears, and are inefficient in space usage.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle carrier design featuring a vertical support member with an elongate upper member that allows serial loading of bicycles by their rims, using a blade-like shape to fit between spokes, and a lower member for stabilization, along with soft durometer materials to prevent damage, enabling efficient storage and transport of multiple bicycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If bicycles are mounted via their frames using horizontal arms, then the mounting process is simple, but it is difficult to accommodate various frame styles and designs, and components may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mounting function from the frame and relocates it to the wheel rims. The carrier members engage with the rims rather than the frames, eliminating the need for frame contact while maintaining secure mounting. This allows universal compatibility across different frame styles while preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces rim engagement as an intermediary mounting mechanism. Instead of directly mounting to frames, the carrier uses the wheel rims as an intermediate attachment point, which provides a standardized interface for all bicycles regardless of frame design, thus resolving the compatibility issue.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple bicycles are loaded onto a carrier, then transport capacity increases, but space usage becomes inefficient and components may interfere with each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal mounting to vertical mounting, utilizing the vertical dimension to stack bicycles one above another. This dimensional change allows multiple bicycles to occupy a smaller horizontal footprint while maximizing the use of vertical space, thereby increasing transport capacity without proportionally increasing space occupancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges bicycles in a nested configuration where each bicycle is positioned within the space defined by the carrier structure and adjacent bicycles. The vertical stacking creates a nested arrangement that optimizes space utilization, allowing maximum number of bicycles to be transported in minimal space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bicycles are mounted horizontally in an upright position, then frame loading problems are resolved, but dense packaging is not achieved and space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mounting orientation from horizontal to vertical, allowing bicycles to be stacked in the vertical dimension. This enables dense packaging while maintaining frame compatibility, as the vertical arrangement prevents frame interference while maximizing space utilization.
4Ease of operation
If frame-mounted carriers are used, then mounting is straightforward, but bicycle components like brakes and gears are at risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mounting contact point from the frame and relocates it to the wheel rims. By engaging only the rims and not the frames, the carrier eliminates direct contact with sensitive components like brakes and gears, thereby preventing damage while maintaining straightforward mounting procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the wheel rim as an intermediary mounting surface that separates the carrier from sensitive bicycle components. This intermediary engagement method allows secure mounting without transmitting forces or pressures to vulnerable parts like brakes and gears, thus protecting them from damage.
Data Source
AI summary
Bicycle carriers and corresponding methods for loading bicycles and/or other wheeled vehicles onto such carriers are provided. In one embodiment, a bicycle carrier includes a support member (e.g., vertical or generally vertical support member), a hitch member, an elongate upper member, and an elongate lower member. The elongate upper member has an elongate body and a free distal end configured for receipt, serially one after another, of a plurality of wheels of a corresponding plurality of bicycles. For each bicycle, adjacent spokes of a bicycle wheel are positioned about the free distal end of the elongate member and the bicycle is moved backward along the elongate body towards the support member. The elongate body is configured to support the weight of the bicycles via contact with the rims of the bicycle wheels. The carrier is configured such that the bicycles hang generally vertically from the elongate body.