U-lock Cross Brace with Angled Through Bores for Variable Shackle Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
U-locks with detachable crossbars face challenges in accommodating varying post thicknesses and bicycle frame sizes, as the existing crossbar design is inflexible and may not securely fit different shackle widths, making it difficult to lock bicycles of diverse sizes and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A cross brace with first and second engaging members and a connecting member, where the through bores are positioned at an acute angle relative to each other, allowing for adjustable alignment with U-lock shackle widths, providing flexibility in fitting different U-lock sizes and preventing prying attempts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the crossbar uses a traditional rigid design with fixed hole positions, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot securely fit different shackle widths and post thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The crossbar incorporates movable engaging members that can shift position along the connecting member to adapt to different shackle widths. The engaging members are not fixed but can be adjusted, allowing the same crossbar design to securely fit various bicycle frame sizes and post thicknesses without requiring multiple specialized crossbars.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the engaging members relative to the connecting member. By allowing the engaging members to move along the connecting member, the effective width of the crossbar can be adjusted to match different shackle widths, transforming a rigid fixed-dimension component into an adaptable variable-dimension component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the through bores are positioned at fixed locations, then the manufacturing precision is high, but the crossbar cannot accommodate varying post thicknesses and bicycle frame sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging members are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be positioned at different locations along the connecting member. This dynamic positioning capability enables the crossbar to accommodate varying post thicknesses and bicycle frame sizes while maintaining secure engagement, eliminating the need for multiple precision-machined crossbars with different fixed bore positions.
3Reliability
If the crossbar is designed with fixed geometry, then the structure is simple, but it provides insufficient security against prying attempts on bicycles of diverse sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The crossbar features movable engaging members that can be positioned at different locations along the connecting member. This dynamic geometry allows the crossbar to adapt its effective engagement width to match the specific dimensions of the shackle and post being locked, providing optimized security against prying for each specific configuration rather than relying on a fixed one-size-fits-all design.
Data Source
AI summary
A cross brace for securing on a U-lock having a U-shaped shackle with the cross brace comprising first and second engaging members and a connecting member therebetween. The first engaging member defines a first through bore having a first opening and a first central axis. The second engaging member defines a second through bore having second opening and a second central axis. The connecting member extends between and connects the first and second members relative to one another such that an opening plane extending between the first and second openings and intersecting the first and second central axes is at an acute angle relative to the first and second central axes.