A legal storm is brewing in the bicycle accessory market as Dewitty Law Firm files a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on behalf of inventor Xiaogang Pang, targeting unauthorized sellers of a patented wall-mounted bicycle rack. The case, filed under number 24-cv-13141, could result in frozen accounts for e-commerce merchants offering similar products.
The disputed patent, US D982486, covers an adjustable bicycle wall mount originally filed on October 21, 2022, and granted on April 4, 2023. Designed for indoor bicycle storage in homes, garages, and apartments, the system uses extendable arms to horizontally suspend bicycles, optimizing space efficiency while maintaining accessibility.
DESIGN FEATURES UNDER SCRUTINY
The patented wall mount includes several distinctive characteristics:
- Four-sided polygonal end design: Enables versatile surface mounting
- Extendable beam: Accommodates varying handlebar widths
- Adjustable hook angles: Maintains level stability across bicycle frame types
- Foam-wrapped hooks: Protects aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber, and steel frames from scratches
- Reinforced steel construction: Ensures durability and weight-bearing capacity
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS FOR SELLERS
Online merchants, particularly cross-border sellers, are urged to conduct immediate product reviews. Any bicycle wall mounts sharing these design elements—especially the distinctive four-sided polygonal ends—may constitute patent infringement. Legal experts recommend preemptive removal of potentially infringing listings to avoid litigation risks.
The case highlights growing intellectual property enforcement in the cycling accessories sector, where functional designs often incorporate both utility and aesthetic patent protections. Industry observers anticipate increased scrutiny of wall-mounted storage solutions as urban cycling populations grow and space-efficient products gain market traction.