Pivoting Bicycle Rack for Space-Saving Wheel Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of conveniently storing bicycles in densely populated living areas, where traditional storage methods often result in obstruction and require lifting bicycles into place.
Innovation Solution
A bicycle rack with a pivotable support member and brace member that allows the wheel to be easily engaged and supported, enabling the bicycle to be mounted without lifting, with a design that minimizes obstruction and provides space-saving benefits when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rack is designed to receive and support a bicycle wheel, then the storage functionality is improved, but the rack structure occupies more space and may cause obstruction when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be pivotable between a retracted position (adjacent to the support) and an extended position (laterally from the support). When not in use, the support member is positioned adjacent to the support to minimize obstruction. When a bicycle needs storage, the support member extends laterally to receive and support the bicycle wheel, thus dynamically adjusting the rack's spatial footprint based on usage needs.
2Ease of operation
If the support member extends laterally to receive the bicycle wheel, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device occupies more space during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The support member transitions from a retracted state to an extended state to provide the necessary lateral reach for wheel engagement. This dynamic extension allows the rack to achieve adequate wheel engagement capability only when needed, rather than permanently occupying the extended space.
3Area of stationary object
If the support member is made pivotable to minimize obstruction, then the space efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A pivotable support member is integrated into the rack structure, allowing it to rotate between a retracted position (minimizing footprint) and an extended position (providing wheel support). This single degree of freedom pivot mechanism achieves space efficiency without requiring complex multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member combines both the structural support function and the wheel reception function in a single integrated component. By merging these functions, the design avoids the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired space-efficient operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack (10) intended in use to be supported from an upstanding support, the rack comprising a base (12) adapted to be fixed to the support, a support member (14) connected to the base to be pivotable about a first axis which is generally level, to be moveable between a first position, at which it is adjacent to the support and a second position at which it extends laterally from the support, the support member being adapted to receive and support an item when in its second position.