Bicycle Cargo Pack Stiffening Rods Prevent Bulging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing soft cargo packs for bicycles tend to bulge and sag, leading to contact with moving parts of the bicycle or rider, causing irritation and potential abrasion, and they lack sufficient rigidity to maintain their shape under load.
Innovation Solution
A cargo pack with an outer casing of flexible material featuring a stiffening structure comprising a pair of rods that extend along the attachment wall, engaging securing flanges to enhance rigidity and prevent bulging, while mounting blocks with arcuate channels secure the pack to the bicycle frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If soft cargo packs are used for bicycle touring, then the packs are flexible and easy to load, but they bulge beyond normal dimensions and contact moving parts of the bicycle or rider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible outer casing made of material such as nylon or polyester that maintains the pack's shape while allowing movement. This flexible shell prevents bulging beyond normal dimensions while preserving the adaptability and ease of loading characteristic of soft packs.
2Ease of operation
If soft cargo packs are attached to frame tubes, then the packs are easy to attach, but they project into the path of the rider's legs causing irritation and abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the pack on the bicycle frame in a location and orientation that moves it out of the rider's leg path. By strategically placing the pack on frame tubes away from the rider's movement area, the design eliminates irritation and abrasion risks while maintaining easy attachment.
3Reliability
If packs are attached at distinct mounting points along a horizontal frame tube, then the packs can be securely mounted, but they sag between attachment points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the attachment wall into multiple mounting blocks positioned at distinct locations. Each mounting block is secured independently to the frame tube, distributing the load and preventing sagging between attachment points while maintaining secure mounting.
4Strength
If stiffening structure is added to enhance rigidity, then the pack maintains its shape and prevents bulging, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies stiffening elements only in specific locations where needed to maintain shape and prevent bulging, rather than making the entire pack rigid. This localized approach enhances rigidity where necessary while keeping the overall structure simple and flexible elsewhere.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo pack for attachment to a bicycle comprises an outer casing of a flexible material provided with an opening for loading the pack. The outer casing has oppositely disposed side walls and an attachment wall extending between the side walls and intended to lie adjacent a frame member of the bicycle. The attachment wall is provided with at least one mounting block having a surface for contact with the frame member and a securing flange situated within the outer casing and secured to the material of the outer casing. The outer casing is provided with a stiffening structure for enhancing the rigidity of the attachment wall, the stiffening structure comprising a pair of rods which extend along the attachment wall adjacent the respective side walls, the rods engaging the securing flanges to retain the rods with respect to the mounting blocks.