Bicycle Mount Device for Level Transport of Non-Standard Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bicycle racks are not designed to properly secure and maintain 'lady's' and 'unisex' bikes, which lack horizontal crossbars, leading to safety issues during transport due to off-center mounting and potential wheel drag, as these bikes are often mounted non-level and with reduced ground clearance.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle mount device that includes a bicycle attachment member, a mounting member, and a connection member, allowing for secure attachment to any type of bicycle, regardless of top tube or cross-bar design, ensuring the bicycle is positioned and maintained in a level, height-appropriate position on the rack, with adjustable features to keep wheels safely above the ground.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional double hook bike racks are used, then man's bikes with horizontal cross bars can be properly supported, but lady's and unisex bikes without horizontal cross bars cannot be properly secured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single mounting interface that can accommodate multiple bicycle types. The mounting member is configured to engage with various frame structures (horizontal cross bars, parallel tubes, high top tubes) through a standardized attachment mechanism, allowing one device to serve multiple functions across different bicycle configurations without requiring separate mounting systems for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mounting device that acts as a mediator between the bicycle frame and the rack. This mounting member with specific geometric features (slots, engagement surfaces) serves as an adaptive interface that translates between different bicycle frame configurations and the standardized rack attachment points, enabling secure mounting of diverse bicycle types without modifying the rack itself.
2Ease of operation
If lady's and unisex bikes are mounted on traditional racks, then they can be transported, but they are mounted off center causing safety issues and potential wheel drag
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the mounting member with non-symmetric engagement features that naturally guide the bicycle into the correct position. The mounting interface includes asymmetric slots and engagement surfaces that accommodate the asymmetric geometry of lady's and unisex bikes, ensuring proper lateral positioning and preventing off-center mounting that would cause safety hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by designing the mounting member with pre-configured geometric features (slots, engagement surfaces, spacing) that automatically position the bicycle correctly during the mounting process. The predetermined geometry of the mounting interface guides the bicycle into the proper position before final securing, preventing wheel drag and ensuring safe clearance without requiring additional adjustment steps.
3Productivity
If bicycles without horizontal cross bars are mounted on traditional racks, then transport is possible, but the bicycles are positioned non-level with reduced ground clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing vertical adjustment capability through the mounting member design. The mounting interface incorporates vertical spacing features and adjustable elements that allow the bicycle to be positioned at the correct height, maintaining proper ground clearance and level orientation. This adds a vertical dimension control to the mounting process, transforming a two-dimensional attachment problem into a three-dimensional positioning solution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bike racks are used for various bicycle types, then mounting can be achieved, but tool-free installation and adjustability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the mounting system into distinct functional components: the mounting member with engagement features, the attachment interface, and the securing mechanism. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity, enabling tool-free assembly through straightforward engagement of segmented parts without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for mounting a bicycle, regardless of the positioning of the top cross-bar, to a bicycle rack, the device includes a bicycle attachment member, a mounting member, and a connection member. The bicycle attachment member is dimensioned to cooperate with a seat positioning member of the bicycle to secure the bicycle attachment member to the seat positioning member. The mounting member extends at an angle relative to the bicycle attachment member. The connection member connects the bicycle attachment member to the mounting member, wherein the bicycle is maintained in level position on the bicycle rack during transport.