Pivotable Bicycle Rack Clamp for Secure Frame Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bicycle carry rack clamping devices require skill and time to securely attach to the frame, especially for beginners, due to the need for reverse directional clamping and varying frame diameters.
Innovation Solution
A clamping device with a C-shaped first clamp unit, a second clamp unit, and a fastening unit featuring a pin with a head and threaded end, a spring, and a knob, allowing easy clamping by pivoting the first clamp unit and engaging the pin with a notch, while accommodating different frame sizes through a flexible clamping slot and guide portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conventional clamp device uses a tube with end members connected to clamp units, then the clamp device can securely hold the bicycle frame, but it requires skill and time to operate, especially for beginners
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional clamping direction. Instead of clamping the frame from the front, the C-shaped clamp unit clamps the frame from the rear side. This inversion allows the frame to be easily inserted into the C-shaped opening and secures it by pivoting the clamp unit backward, making the operation intuitive and easy for beginners while maintaining secure clamping.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp unit is designed to be pivotable about a pivotal portion. The clamp transitions from an open C-shape to a closed clamping position through pivoting motion. This dynamic mechanism allows easy insertion of the frame and secure locking through a simple pivoting action, eliminating the need for complex manual manipulation required in conventional devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the conventional clamp device uses a fixed tube structure, then the clamp units are positioned correctly, but it cannot accommodate frames of varying diameters easily
Solution Approach 1:
The C-shaped clamp unit is designed to be pivotable about a pivotal portion, allowing it to adapt to different frame diameters. The pivotable mechanism enables the clamp to open wider or narrower as needed, accommodating various frame sizes without requiring adjustment of the tube length or structure. This dynamic adaptation maintains structural simplicity while providing versatility.
3Ease of operation
If the conventional clamp device requires pushing the tube backward to release the clamp unit, then the clamp can be opened, but beginners need time to practice to perform this action easily
Solution Approach 1:
The release mechanism is inverted from the conventional approach. Instead of pushing the tube backward to release the clamp, the user simply pivots the C-shaped clamp unit backward about the pivotal portion. This reverses the operation sequence and makes the release action intuitive and easy to perform, eliminating the need for practice to master a complex tube-pushing motion.
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
Enables easy and secure attachment of the bicycle carry rack frame by allowing the frame to be pushed into the clamping slot, providing a firm grip and adjustable clamping force, suitable for frames of various sizes without requiring complex operation.
Implementation Method 1
The pin extends through the first clamp unit, the tube, a spring, the second clamp unit
Implementation Method 2
The pin extends through the first clamp unit, the tube, a spring, the second clamp unit and is threadedly connected to a knob by the threaded end
Implementation Method 3
A pivotal portion is formed in the first clamp unit and transversely located below the clamping slot. The first clamp unit is pivotable about the pivotal portion
Implementation Method 4
The clamping slot of the first clamp unit is adapted to clamp the frame of a bicycle carry rack via the entrance
Data Source
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AI summary
A clamping device for a bicycle carry rack includes a tube (30) with a first clamp unit (10) and a second clamp unit (20) respectively located on two ends thereof. A fastening unit (40) includes a pin (41) which is connected between the first and second clamp units (10, 20). The first clamp unit (10) includes a clamping slot (12) and an entrance (11) which communicates with the clamping slot (12). The entrance (11) guides the frame (50) of a bicycle carry rack into the clamping slot (12). The first clamp unit (10) has a restriction recess (17) for receiving a head (411) of the pin (41), the other of the pin (41) is threadedly connected to a knob (43). The head (411) of the pin (41) is removed from the restriction recess (17) when the second clamp (20) clamps, and the first clamp unit (10) is pivotable relative to the pin (41), and to clamp the frame (50) of the bicycle carry rack by its clamping slot (12) via the entrance (11).