Boat Storage Rack With Foot-Pedal Arms for Secure Board Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat storage solutions for water sports equipment lack efficient and secure methods for mounting and storing equipment, particularly in marine environments, where space is limited and equipment needs to be easily accessible and protected from damage.
Innovation Solution
A rack system with movable arms and a pedal mechanism, mounted along a boat's interior wall, allows for easy insertion and removal of water sports equipment, utilizing linkages and springs for secure holding and corrosion-resistant materials to withstand marine conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If equipment is stored in fixed racks or compartments to maximize space and prevent movement, then storage stability is improved, but ease of access and insertion is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The rack arms are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to pivot between a closed storage position and an open access position. This dynamic mechanism enables the rack to transition between stable storage and easy access states, resolving the contradiction between storage stability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Spring mechanisms are incorporated to automatically return the rack arms to their closed storage position after equipment is inserted or removed. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual repositioning of the arms, maintaining storage stability while simplifying the access operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If racks are designed to prevent equipment movement through fixed structures, then storage stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex fixed structures with multiple locking mechanisms, the invention uses simple pivotable arms that naturally maintain equipment through their positioning. This dynamic approach achieves storage stability with fewer components and less structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Spring-loaded mechanisms automatically maintain the arms in their proper positions and return them to storage position, eliminating the need for complex manual adjustment systems or multiple locking devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If corrosion-resistant materials are used to withstand marine environments, then durability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack incorporates materials specifically selected for marine environments, combining corrosion-resistant properties with structural requirements. This composite material approach ensures durability in saltwater conditions while optimizing manufacturing feasibility through careful material selection and design.
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 rack system provides secure, space-efficient storage for water sports equipment, preventing damage and ensuring easy access, while maintaining stability and durability in marine environments.
Implementation Method 1
The rack preferably also includes a spring for biasing the arm toward the substantially upright surface.
Implementation Method 2
The rack preferably includes a linkage between the pedal and the arm that is configured to move the arm away from the substantially upright surface when the pedal is moved from the closed position to the open position.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack for holding water sports equipment includes a substantially upright surface, an arm, a pedal, and a linkage between the pedal and the arm. The arm is configured to hold a piece of water sports equipment between the arm and the substantially upright surface. The arm is movable away from the substantially upright surface, against a force biasing the arm toward the substantially upright surface, to allow the piece of water sports equipment to be inserted or removed from between the arm and the substantially upright surface. The pedal is positioned and configured to be moved from a closed position to an open position by a force applied by a human foot and to return to the closed position when that force is removed. The pedal is directly or indirectly connected to the arm in order to move the arm away from the substantially upright surface when the pedal is moved from the closed position to the open position.