Modular Bicycle Rack With Pivoting Tire Trays for Transition Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle racks for multisport races either lack separate spaces for each bicycle, fail to adjust for various tire widths, or do not facilitate easy transport and storage, and often do not display printed signs.
Innovation Solution
A modular bicycle rack with pivotally mounted tire trays that adjust to different tire widths, fold for compact transport, and include channels for printed signs, allowing for easy setup and breakdown in an orderly configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If suspension bicycle racks are used, then ease of transport and storage is improved, but separate parking spaces and stability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The bicycle rack is divided into multiple individual tire trays that can be independently positioned. Each tray is a separate unit that can be adjusted laterally along the support rail, allowing each bicycle to occupy its own defined space while maintaining the overall portability of the segmented structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire trays are designed to be laterally adjustable along the support rail, transforming the static rack structure into a dynamic system. This allows the rack to adapt its configuration during use to provide separate parking spaces, while remaining compact for transport when the trays are positioned closely together.
2Stability of the object's composition
If wheel-based bicycle racks are used, then separate parking spaces are improved, but ease of transport and storage is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is segmented into multiple independent tire trays that can be individually adjusted and positioned. This segmentation allows the structure to be broken down into smaller, more manageable units that are easier to transport and store while still providing separate parking spaces when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire trays are designed with lateral adjustability along the support rail, creating a dynamic structure that can transform from a compact transport configuration to an expanded usage configuration with separate parking spaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-width tire trays are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to various tire widths is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The tire trays incorporate lateral adjustability along the support rail, transforming them from fixed-width to dynamically adjustable width. This allows the same tray design to accommodate various tire widths by simply repositioning the tray along the rail, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The tire tray design is made universal through its lateral adjustability, allowing a single tray design to serve multiple functions by accommodating different tire widths. The same tray can be positioned at different locations along the rail to fit narrow or wide tires, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tray designs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular adjustable tire trays are used, then adaptability to various tire widths is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The complexity of providing adaptability is distributed across multiple independent, identical tire trays rather than requiring a single complex adjustable mechanism. Each tray is a simple, standardized unit that can be independently positioned, reducing the complexity of individual components while achieving overall system versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A single universal tire tray design with lateral adjustability performs the function of multiple specialized trays. This universality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for different tray types for different tire widths, while still achieving full adaptability through the adjustable positioning mechanism.
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 modular rack provides stable, separate parking for bicycles of various widths, prevents entanglement, and allows for easy transport and storage, while accommodating any number of bicycles with adjustable and sign-displaying features.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of tire trays pivotally mounted to a central rail
Implementation Method 2
Each tire tray is configured to support a bicycle in an easily accessible upright position by the front or rear wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A bicycle rack for use in providing temporary parking for a large number of bicycles, comprising a rail and a plurality of tire trays evenly spaced, along said rail and pivotal in motion from a parallel position to said rail to a depioyed position, substantially perpendicular to said rail, each said tire tray including a recessed wheel bed for seating a wheel of a bicycle therein. “The wheel beds are adjustable to accommodate bicycles with tires of various widths. The tire trays have channels for holding printed signs. The rack is compact, modular, and stable. The rack breaks down for easy transport and storage and facilitates both, the rapid setup and breakdown of an orderly temporary parking area for a large number of bicycles. The rack is well suited for multisport races where an orderly transition area significantly enhances the profile of the event.