Bike Rack C-Shape Clamp for Universal Bicycle Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle carriers are complex, difficult to remove, and cause structural or cosmetic damage to vehicles, and are limited in their ability to accommodate various types of bicycles, requiring drilling or bolting into vehicle components and not being easily interchangeable between different bike types.
Innovation Solution
A bike rack design that includes a leg member with a telescoping feature to adjust to different truck bed heights, an attachment mechanism that secures to the truck bed without drilling, and quick-release cam-operated securing members that clamp the tire, allowing for easy installation and removal and accommodating various bike sizes and types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional bicycle carriers use multiple clamps or brackets to secure bicycles, then the security and reliability of bicycle transport is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple securing functions into a single integrated C-shaped clamp that simultaneously secures the bicycle frame and wheel, eliminating the need for separate clamps or brackets for each component
Solution Approach 2:
The C-shaped clamp is designed to universally secure different types of bicycles (road bikes, mountain bikes, BMX bikes) through a single mechanism that adapts to various frame and wheel configurations without requiring additional components
2Reliability
If conventional bicycle carriers are designed to securely fasten to vehicle frames, then the stability and reliability of the carrier is improved, but the ease of installation and removal deteriorates due to drilling and bolting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier is designed as a modular unit with the C-shaped clamp that can be independently installed and removed from the vehicle, allowing the entire assembly to be easily detached without permanent modifications to the vehicle frame
Solution Approach 2:
The C-shaped clamp acts as an intermediary securing mechanism that fastens to the bicycle components rather than requiring direct attachment to the vehicle frame through drilling, enabling securement through clamping force alone
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional bicycle carriers are configured for specific bicycle types, then the manufacturing precision and fit for particular bikes is improved, but the adaptability to different bicycle types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The C-shaped clamp is designed with universal compatibility to secure different bicycle types including road bikes, mountain bikes, BMX bikes, and snow bikes through the same mechanism, accommodating various frame and wheel configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp mechanism incorporates adjustable features that allow it to dynamically adapt to different bicycle dimensions and configurations, maintaining secure fit across various bike types without requiring reconfiguration
4Reliability
If conventional bicycle carriers use multiple securing points on the bicycle frame, then the reliability of bicycle securement is improved, but the risk of structural or cosmetic damage to the bicycle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the wheel from the traditional frame-securing approach and instead secures the bicycle by clamping the wheel directly with the C-shaped clamp, eliminating the need to attach multiple securing points to the bicycle frame itself
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed to contact temporary, replaceable components (wheel rim, tire, or fork) rather than permanent structural elements of the bicycle frame, reducing the risk of damage to the bicycle's structural integrity
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 bike rack provides a secure, damage-free, and versatile solution for transporting different types of bicycles without the need for permanent installation, utilizing the tire's shock-absorbing properties to reduce vehicle motion transfer and featuring adjustable components for compatibility with various vehicles and bike sizes.
Implementation Method 1
A spring may reside within the leg member to ensure that the foot remains in contact with the truck bed
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the tire's shock-absorbing properties to reduce vehicle motion transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A system including a first support having a leg member, a bracket operably coupled to the leg member, a first pad coupled to the leg member, and a support member coupled to at least one of the leg member or the first pad. A second support has an arm member rotatably coupled to the support member, an extendable strut coupled to the arm member, a brace coupled to the extendable strut, and a second pad coupled to the brace. A knock-over-center clamp operably couples to the first support and the second support and moves the second support between a clamped state and an open state.