Utility Rack Modular Attachment System for Multi-Equipment Transport

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle racks are limited in their ability to accommodate a wide range of recreational equipment, often requiring multiple racks or vehicles for different activities, such as biking and skiing, due to their specific designs.

Innovation Solution

A utility rack system comprising a base frame, mounting member, adjustment member, and adjustable legs, which can be secured to a vehicle and features a range of removable attachments for supporting various items, allowing for versatile and adaptable equipment transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a vehicle is equipped with a specific recreational device rack (e.g., bike rack or ski rack), then it can transport that specific equipment, but it cannot accommodate other types of recreational equipment requiring multiple racks or vehicles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment transport capabilityVSAvoidnumber of racks required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rack system employs a universal base frame with multiple attachment points and adjustable components that can accommodate various recreational equipment types. The base frame includes cross members with attachment devices, adjustable legs, and pivotable mounting members that enable configuration for different equipment geometries and securing requirements, allowing one rack to replace multiple specialized racks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The rack system is divided into modular components including a base frame, mounting members, cross members, and various attachment devices that can be independently adjusted or reconfigured. This segmentation allows the same base frame to be adapted for different equipment types by changing or repositioning the modular attachment components rather than requiring entirely different rack systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a rack system uses multiple specialized racks for different equipment, then each rack can be optimized for its specific purpose, but the overall system requires more vehicles or rack installations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment securing capabilityVSAvoidequipment type accommodation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rack system employs a universal base frame with multiple attachment points and adjustable components that can accommodate various recreational equipment types. The base frame includes cross members with attachment devices, adjustable legs, and pivotable mounting members that enable configuration for different equipment geometries and securing requirements, allowing one rack to replace multiple specialized racks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The rack system incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities through adjustable legs that can be positioned at different heights and angles, cross members that can be repositioned along the frame, and attachment devices with movable components. These dynamic elements allow the rack to adapt its configuration for different equipment types while maintaining secure attachment, replacing the need for multiple static specialized racks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single vehicle needs to transport multiple types of recreational equipment, then multiple vehicles are required, but this increases transportation cost and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecreational equipment transportVSAvoidnumber of vehicles required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The rack system employs a universal base frame with multiple attachment points and adjustable components that can accommodate various recreational equipment types. The base frame includes cross members with attachment devices, adjustable legs, and pivotable mounting members that enable configuration for different equipment geometries and securing requirements, allowing one rack to replace multiple specialized racks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9884594B1Utility rack system and attachments

Publication Date: 2018.02.06 CERGNUL TONY JOHN

AI summary

A storage system includes a utility rack having a base frame with a plurality of cross members extending across the base frame and an accessory. The accessory includes at least one attachment device for attaching to at least one of the cross members. The attachment device includes a cross member retainer configured to partially retain a cross member, a hinged brace configured to move between an open position rotated away from the cross member retainer and a closed position rotate towards the cross member retainer and configured to press against the cross member, and a latch configured to lock the hinged brace in the closed position and maintain a pressure of the hinged brace against the cross member.