Pivoting Vehicle Rack With Adjustable Tire Braces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle racks for bicycles and motorcycles are cumbersome to mount, require lifting heavy vehicles, and can cause damage or take up excessive space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle rack with pivotally coupled horizontal and vertical plates featuring staggered slots and adjustable braces that securely hold vehicles of varying sizes, allowing for easy mounting and secure transportation, and a compact stowed configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a top rack or hitch rack is used to transport bicycles, then bicycles can be transported, but the racks are cumbersome to mount and require lifting heavy bicycles
Solution Approach 1:
The rack design allows the bicycle to be positioned at ground level or near ground level rather than requiring lifting to rack height. The horizontal plate and vertical plate create a platform that receives the bicycle at a convenient height, eliminating the need to lift the bicycle onto an elevated rack structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack introduces intermediate components (horizontal plate, vertical plate, braces, and slots) that mediate between the ground and the bicycle, providing a stable mounting structure that doesn't require direct lifting. The slots and braces work together as an intermediary system to secure the bicycle in place.
2Ease of operation
If traditional racks are used to transport motorcycles, then motorcycles can be transported, but the strapping process is cumbersome and may cause damage to the motorcycle
Solution Approach 1:
The rack provides localized support points through the slots and braces that contact specific areas of the motorcycle (such as the frame or designated mounting points) rather than requiring broad strapping across the entire vehicle. This concentrated, targeted support reduces the risk of damage while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot system allows for dynamic adjustment of brace positions to accommodate different motorcycle sizes and shapes. The braces can be moved along the slots to optimize the mounting configuration for each specific vehicle, providing a adaptable securing system that minimizes damage risk.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional racks are used for transportation, then vehicles can be secured, but they take up excessive space when stored or not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The rack incorporates movable braces that can slide along the slots in the horizontal and vertical plates. This dynamic configuration allows the rack to be adjusted for different vehicle sizes (bicycles, motorcycles, scooters) while maintaining a compact form factor when not in use, as the braces can be positioned close to the plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack is divided into separate functional components (horizontal plate, vertical plate, multiple braces) that can be independently positioned along the slots. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for both functionality during use and compactness during storage, reducing the overall space required.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle rack includes a horizontal plate pivotally coupled to a vertical plate. The horizontal and vertical plates each have a first row of slots and a second row of slots. The vehicle rack also has two L-shaped tire braces that are removably mounted to the plates. Each brace has a first leg having a first tab that is configured to be snugly received within a first slot of the first row of slots of the vertical plate and configured to be snugly received within a second slot of the second row of slots of the horizontal plate, and a second leg having a second tab that is configured to be snugly received within a first slot of the first row of slots of the horizontal plate and configured to be snugly received within a second slot of the second row of slots of the vertical plate.