Micromobility Rack Lock Slots Prevent Scooter Theft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle and scooter parking racks are not well-suited for securing scooters, as they lack adequate safety features against theft and vandalism, and often require additional space and resources.

Innovation Solution

A multifunctional micromobility parking rack with a rigid upright base structure and an integrated horizontal lean bar featuring lock slots and a lock wedge, designed to securely accommodate scooters using conventional U-locks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional bicycle racks with U-locks are used for scooters, then the parking rack structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the safety against theft and vandalism is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against theft and vandalismVSAvoidparking rack structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The parking rack is divided into separate functional components: vertical posts for structural support, a horizontal lean bar for additional securing, and integrated lock slots for locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall structural integrity and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock slots are integrated directly into the horizontal lean bar structure, combining the leaning function and locking function into a single unified component. This merging eliminates the need for separate locking mechanisms and reduces overall device complexity while enhancing security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate parking racks for bicycles and scooters are provided, then each vehicle type has dedicated parking space, but the space utilization is inefficient and resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparking rack functionalityVSAvoidparking space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The parking rack is designed with universal features that accommodate both bicycles and scooters. The horizontal lean bar with integrated lock slots provides the same securing mechanism for both vehicle types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated racks and optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If scooters are parked with U-locks on conventional racks, then the locking process is simple, but the scooter can be easily pulled out or removed from the rack

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking securityVSAvoidparking convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The horizontal lean bar with integrated lock slots serves as an intermediary element between the scooter and the vertical posts. The lock slots provide a secure anchoring point that prevents the scooter from being pulled out, while the lean bar itself maintains the scooter in a stable positioned state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock slots are pre-integrated into the horizontal lean bar structure during manufacturing, providing ready-made secure anchoring points. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for additional assembly steps and ensures consistent secure locking every time the scooter is parked.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12263904B1Micromobility parking rack for locking a scooter with U-lock

Publication Date: 2025.04.01 MARGETA DAMIR

AI summary

Micromobility Parking Rack with Locking for Scooter with U-lock is an upright beam structure adapted to be affixed to a solid surface. It comprises of a rigid beam base structure comprising vertical posts, a crossbar and a horizontal lean bar permanently attached to the base structure, which is purposed to facilitate locking of scooters to the rack with a user-provided bicycle locks.