Article Carrier Mounting Leg With Single-Motion Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing article carrier legs require multiple steps to secure to vehicle roof rails and cross-bar systems, lacking a mechanism for simultaneous and secure attachment.
Innovation Solution
An article carrier mounting leg with a movable outer clamp jaw and threaded tightening mechanism that allows for a single tightening motion to secure both to the vehicle's roof rail and cross-bar system, featuring interchangeable clamp components for adaptability to different mounting point profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prior art mounting article carrier legs are used, then the article carrier leg can be secured to the vehicle roof rail and cross-bar system, but multiple separate steps are required for attachment which increases installation time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate attachment functions into a single integrated mounting leg structure. The first clamp jaw attaches to the vehicle roof rail while the second clamp jaw attaches to the cross-bar system, and both are secured through a single tightening operation of the fastening mechanism, eliminating the need for separate attachment steps
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting leg is designed with universal applicability to work with both vehicle roof rails and cross-bar systems through the interchangeable clamp jaw design. The clamp jaws can be configured to engage with different mounting point profiles, allowing the same mounting leg to perform multiple attachment functions across different vehicle configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If prior art mounting article carrier legs are used, then the article carrier leg can be attached to the vehicle, but the attachment mechanism lacks adaptability to different roof rail types and profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp jaw is designed with movable and adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to different roof rail profiles. The clamp jaw can be repositioned and reconfigured along the mounting leg to engage with various shapes and sizes of roof rails and cross-bar systems, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized mounting devices
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting leg is divided into modular components including interchangeable clamp jaws that can be detached and replaced. This segmentation allows the clamp jaw portion to be optimized for different roof rail types while the main mounting leg structure remains consistent, reducing overall system complexity through standardization
3Strength
If prior art mounting article carrier legs are used, then the article carrier leg can be secured to the mounting points, but the maximum load tolerance is limited due to the separate attachment steps
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the attachment of both clamp jaws into a single tightening operation, the fastening mechanism creates simultaneous clamping forces on both the vehicle roof rail and cross-bar system. This unified attachment approach distributes and consolidates the load-bearing capacity across both mounting points, increasing overall load tolerance compared to sequential attachment methods
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
Facilitates easy and secure attachment of article carriers to vehicle roof rails and cross-bar systems with improved load tolerance, accommodating various roof rail types and profiles.
Implementation Method 1
actuation of the threaded tightening mechanism in a first direction induces tightening between the outer clamp jaw and threaded receiver, thereby inducing a clamping engagement between the outer clamp jaw and the mounting point outer side
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to, for example, an article carrier mounting leg, comprising a leg frame having an upper end configured to receive a mounting portion of an article carrier thereupon, and a lower end configured to rest against a leg mounting point, an article carrier mounting element configured to engage with the article carrier mounting portion, an outer clamp jaw movably connected to and outwardly extending from an outer clamp mounting point within the leg frame, and a threaded tightening mechanism. Further embodiments, including methods of attaching an article carrier mounting leg to a leg mounting point, are also provided.