Side-Mounted Bicycle Rack for Pickup Trucks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for transporting bicycles in pickup trucks either soil or damage the vehicle, consume passenger space, or risk damaging the bicycles due to movement during transport when placed in the cargo area.
Innovation Solution
A side-mounted bicycle rack for pickup trucks with a carrier that slides along parallel guide rails, pivots for stowage, and includes a cradle and strap for secure support, allowing bicycles to be transported in a stable and organized manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If bicycles are placed in the vehicle cabin, then passenger space is consumed, but the risk of soiling and damage to the vehicle and bicycle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the bicycle from the vehicle cabin interior by providing a dedicated carrier mounted on the cargo bed. This separates the bicycle storage function from the passenger cabin space, allowing bicycles to be transported without occupying passenger space or risking damage to the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a carrier as an intermediary device between the bicycle and the vehicle. This carrier provides a dedicated platform with securing mechanisms (straps, clamps) that properly support the bicycle and prevent movement, eliminating the need to place bicycles directly in the cabin or cargo area.
2Quantity of substance
If bicycles are placed in the cargo area, then passenger space is preserved, but the bicycles may move around during transport causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier acts as an intermediary device that provides a dedicated platform in the cargo bed with specific securing features. It includes straps, clamps, and positioning mechanisms that actively secure the bicycle, preventing movement during transport while maintaining cargo bed space for other uses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing specific securing features at critical locations on the carrier - such as straps at the handlebars and seat, clamps at the frame, and positioning elements - to ensure the bicycle remains stable during transport without requiring the entire cargo area to be dedicated to bicycle storage.
3Reliability
If a rigid fixed bicycle rack is provided, then bicycle support is stable, but the rack cannot accommodate various bicycle sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by providing adjustable and movable components in the carrier system. The carrier includes adjustable straps, movable clamps, and reconfigurable positioning elements that can be adapted to different bicycle sizes and geometries, allowing a single carrier design to securely hold various bicycle types while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is designed with universal features that allow it to accommodate multiple bicycle types and sizes. The adjustable straps, universal mounting points, and flexible securing mechanisms enable the same carrier structure to properly support different bicycle configurations, making the system versatile rather than size-specific.
4Ease of operation
If a removable bicycle carrier is provided, then the cargo bed remains accessible, but the carrier may shift or become unstable during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing pre-installed guide rails and mounting structures on the cargo bed before the carrier is attached. These guide rails engage with the carrier to prevent lateral shifting and provide stable positioning, ensuring the removable carrier remains stable during transport while maintaining cargo bed accessibility when the carrier is not installed.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for supporting a bicycle having wheels and a frame relative to a cargo bed of a pickup truck having a tailgate, spaced sidewalls and a front wall. The apparatus comprises a carrier adapted for receiving and supporting the bicycle frame and a guide for mounting to the sidewall for guiding movement of the carrier in the travel direction. The guide may comprise parallel rails for slidably engaging a connector of the carrier. The carrier may be adapted for moving, such as by pivoting, between a stowed position aligned with the travel direction and an extended position transverse to the travel direction.