Convertible Mounting Bracket for Varying Load Carrier Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mounting brackets for sports equipment on vehicles are limited in their ability to securely attach to load carrier bars of varying dimensions, requiring multiple configurations and potentially leading to instability and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
A convertible mounting bracket with an elongate first jaw body and a second jaw body, featuring a flip-connector that accommodates approximately 180-degree pivotation, allowing securement onto load carrier bars of different dimensions through adjustable connectors with telescoping members and a graspable knob for length adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a clamping device is configured to be coupled to a particular type or size of load bar, then securement to that specific load bar is achieved, but adaptability to load carrier bars of different dimensions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed with a flip-connector that can pivot between orientations and engage with load carrier bars of different dimensions through multiple engaging surfaces. The first jaw body has a first engaging surface, the second jaw body has a second engaging surface, and when the flip-connector pivots 180 degrees, the second jaw body presents a third engaging surface, enabling the same bracket to securely attach to various load bar types without requiring multiple different bracket designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple configurations are used to attach to varying dimensions of load carrier bars, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and potential instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flip-connector incorporates a pivot connection that allows dynamic reconfiguration of the mounting bracket. The connector can pivot approximately 180 degrees between a first orientation and a second orientation, enabling the bracket to adapt its configuration based on the specific load carrier bar dimensions while maintaining secure engagement through properly positioned engaging surfaces that ensure stable attachment in each configuration.
3Ease of operation
If adjustable connectors with telescoping members are used, then ease of adjustment for different dimensions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into telescoping members that can extend and retract to adjust the overall length of the connector. This segmentation allows the connector to be adjusted for different load carrier bar dimensions while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design, avoiding the need for a completely complex adjustable mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A convertible mounting bracket (100) capable of securement onto load carrier bars (200, 202) of different dimensions is presented. The bracket (100) can include an elongate first jaw body (102), elongate second jaw body (110), and a flip-connector (130). The flip-connector (130) can be interconnected to a first end (112) of the second jaw body (110) by a pivot connection (140). In a first orientation (152) of the second jaw body (110), a first (120) of at least two load bar engaging surfaces (121, 123) of the second jaw body (110) is facing a load bar engaging surface (108) of the first jaw body (102). In a second orientation (154) of the second jaw body (110), a second (122) of the at least two load bar engaging surfaces (121, 123) of the second jaw body (110) is facing the load bar engaging surface (108) of the first jaw body (102).