Reconfigurable Bike Carrier Support Arm for Faster Bicycle Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load carriers, such as bike carriers, are not user-friendly, robust, and cost-effective, and often risk damaging bicycles during loading and unloading.

Innovation Solution

A bike carrier with reconfigurable bicycle support arm members that can pivot, telescope, and translate, allowing for easier loading and unloading, and includes a ratchet buckle with improved strap tensioning and a license plate holder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional fixed bicycle support arm members are used, then the structure is simple and robust, but the loading and unloading process is slow and risks damaging bicycles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading and unloading processVSAvoidbicycle support arm member structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bicycle support arm member is designed to be reconfigurable between a first configuration for receiving bicycles and a second configuration for clearing the loading path. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the arm member to move out of the way during loading/unloading operations, enabling faster and safer bicycle handling without requiring complete disassembly of the carrier system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bicycle support arm member is divided into separable components that can be independently positioned and configured. This segmentation allows the arm member to be reconfigured by moving individual segments, facilitating easier loading and unloading while maintaining structural integrity when in the support configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If multiple bicycles are carried on the platform, then the transport capacity is improved, but the loading and unloading time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of bicycles carriedVSAvoidloading and unloading time

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reconfigurable bicycle support arm members can be quickly switched between configurations to accommodate different loading scenarios. When loading multiple bicycles, the arms can be positioned to receive bikes efficiently, and when unloading, they can be rapidly reconfigured to clear the path, reducing the time penalty associated with carrying multiple bicycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bicycle support arm members can be pre-positioned in the ready-to-receive configuration before bicycles are loaded. This preliminary positioning ensures that when multiple bicycles need to be loaded, the support structure is already prepared, eliminating setup time and enabling faster sequential loading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12459443B2Load carrier, such as a bike carrier

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 THULE SWEDEN AB

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a bicycle support arm for a bicycle carrier. The bicycle support arm includes a first arm rotatably coupled to the bicycle carrier, a second arm slidably coupled to the first arm, and a pivotable head coupled to the second arm and configured to secure a bicycle to the bicycle carrier. In some embodiments, the pivotable head at least partially encloses a distal end of the second arm.