Ski Rack Edge Support Structure to Prevent Sideways Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sports racks do not effectively prevent skis from sliding sideways during transport, which can lead to damage and instability.
Innovation Solution
A ski and snowboard mount with a beam supported by a vehicle rack structure, featuring a support surface and an edge support that extends adjacent to the ski's edge to prevent sideways translation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple beam support surface is used for skis, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ski stability and prevention of sideways sliding deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support beam is segmented into multiple functional components: a main beam body providing support surface area, and separate edge supports positioned at specific locations along the beam. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function - the beam body provides general support while the edge supports specifically prevent sideways sliding, achieving stability without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Edge supports act as intermediary elements between the ski and the main beam structure. These intermediate components provide the necessary lateral constraint by contacting the ski edges, while the main beam continues to provide primary support. This intermediary approach solves the sideways sliding problem without requiring complete redesign of the entire support structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional sports racks without edge supports are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of ski transport deteriorates due to sideways sliding
Solution Approach 1:
The edge supports are pre-positioned and attached to the beam at predetermined locations and angles before the ski is loaded. This preliminary arrangement of the edge supports ensures that the anti-sliding function is already in place and properly configured, providing reliable prevention of sideways sliding from the moment the ski contacts the support surface, without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the beam support surface is made larger to prevent sideways sliding, then the ski stability is improved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing the surface area of the beam support in the traditional horizontal plane, the solution introduces a vertical dimension by adding edge supports that extend downward or laterally from the beam. This dimensional change provides the necessary lateral constraint through vertical or angled contact points rather than through increased horizontal surface area, maintaining simplicity while achieving stability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle sports rack includes a ski and/or snowboard support beam with an edge support for skis, according to an embodiment.