Bicycle Leveler for Safe Rack Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Many bicycles lack a level horizontal top rail in their frame configuration, leading to safety hazards when transported on typical bicycle hang racks, as they often hang unevenly, with wheels below the rear bumper, risking contact with road debris or obstructing rear window vision.
Innovation Solution
A removable and adjustable surrogate horizontal top rail is attached to the bicycle seat post or seat post tube, ensuring the bicycle is carried level and centered on the vehicle, using a system with adjustable components like the Removable Level Hang Bar Pivot and Level Hang Bar Extension, which can be locked into place using detent pins and locking screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bicycles are transported on typical hang racks without a level horizontal top rail, then the bicycle can be carried on the rack, but the bicycle hangs unevenly with wheels below the rear bumper creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a leveler device as an intermediary component between the bicycle frame and the hang rack. This leveler includes a horizontal top rail that attaches to the bicycle seat post and extends forward, providing a reference point that ensures the bicycle hangs level on the rack. The leveler acts as a mediator that translates the non-level bicycle frame geometry into a level hanging configuration, preventing wheels from contacting road debris and eliminating visual obstruction hazards.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bicycles with non-level top frame members are used, then the bicycle design is more versatile and adaptable, but the hang rack cannot keep the transported bicycles level and safe
Solution Approach 1:
The leveler device is designed with universal applicability to accommodate various bicycle frame configurations. The horizontal top rail can attach to different seat post diameters and lengths, and the adjustable positioning allows it to work with bicycles having different top tube angles and geometries. This multi-functional design enables the same leveler device to properly level diverse bicycle types including road bikes, mountain bikes, and hybrid bikes, making the hang rack system universally compatible.
3Reliability
If a level horizontal top rail is added to bicycles without one, then the bicycle can be carried safely and level on the rack, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The leveler device is segmented into distinct functional components: a horizontal top rail section, an adjustable positioning mechanism with detent pins, and a seat post attachment clamp. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall assembly and installation process. The modular design makes it easier to manufacture, assemble, and install the leveler on different bicycles without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention was designed to provide a solid, level hang bar utilizing the bicycle's seat post, seat post tube or frame itself which is level adjustable on the bicycle. The rake or angle of the seat post and seat post tube varies and the Bicycle Leveler is adjustable to allow a safe and level carry on a vehicle. The Bicycle Leveler is installed on the bicycle for safe transport and the Level Hang Bar is uniquely removable without tools for safe riding of the bicycle. No other design mounts solidly to the bicycle nor does it have removable level bar feature. The design represents a new methodology for safety in bicycle transport on traditional hang racks.