| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090120981 | Load-supporting device - A load-supporting device is provided for supporting and/or securing a load, such as a boat, to a vehicle. A mounting assembly may be provided for mounting the load-supporting device to a horizontal crossbar of a vehicle-mounted rack, and the mounting assembly may include one or more support pads to provide lateral support along the axis defined by the horizontal crossbar. The load-supporting device may additionally or alternatively include a support arm configured to rotate between multiple locked positions about the axis defined by the horizontal crossbar. The support arm may include at one end a securing region including both an aperture and a hook, to provide a user with options as to how the user secures a strap to the load-supporting device. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090120982 | Load-carrying members for vehicle roofs - Load-carrying members for vehicle roofs are disclosed. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for use with a crossbar mounted to a vehicle roof. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a body and an arm pivotably mounted to the body. The body may have a load-bearing surface and may be configured to engage the crossbar and retain the load-carrying member proximate the crossbar. The arm may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position and about an axis that is transverse to the crossbar. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a pair of spaced apart mounting blocks and a clamping member configured to engage the crossbar in opposition to the pair of spaced apart mounting blocks. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for carrying a boat on a vehicle roof. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090120984 | Hitch-mountable bicycle carrier - A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090120985 | Hitch mounted article carriers for vehicles - An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090120986 | Pivoting hitch-mountable bicycle carrier - A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090236382 | Hitch mounted bicycle racks for vehicles - A compact carrier apparatus includes one or more bicycle carriers. Each carrier includes wheel support sections configured to engage front and rear bicycle wheels, and a stabilizing arm with a gripping member configured to grip one of the wheels. A wheel support section includes a wheel engagement member disposed on an outer edge of the carrier support structure and oriented so that an engaged wheel projects beyond the outer edge. A bracing arm may selectively extend in a cantilevered fashion relative to the support structure to provide an additional load-bearing support point for such a wheel. The stabilizing arm may be mounted to the support structure at a location rearward of a wheel engagement member, and pivotable to a carrying position to grip the wheel. The path of the stabilizing arm, in the carrying position, traverses the center of the wheel and avoids passing over the fork or the brakes. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090321488 | RACK STRAP EXTENSION SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLE BIKE RACKS - A rack strap extension system for a vehicle comprising a rack that is positioned adjacent a rear end of the vehicle, a strap coupled to the rack, a substantially rigid spanning member that is coupled to the strap and has at least two ends that fit around a protrusion positioned near a top rear surface of the vehicle, wherein the strap avoids tensional contact with the protrusion, and a connector mechanism proximate the strap and the substantially rigid spanning member engaged to a receiver of the vehicle, wherein the protrusion is interposed between the connector and the rack. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100127031 | COORDINATED ADJUSTABLE TRUNK RACK FOR CARRYING BICYCLES - A carrier for a bicycle includes first and second frame elements configured for coupling to a vehicle. The elements are configured such that one can slide past the other to allow adjustment for various vehicle sizes and shapes. A slide restriction mechanism allows reversible fixation of a relative positioning of the first and second frame elements. In some embodiments, the first and second frame elements are arcuate in shape, such that the overall bicycle carrier is roughly semicircular in profile view when configured for attachment to a vehicle. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20110139838 | BOAT RACK - A rack for carrying a boat on top of the vehicle is configured for clamping on a pair of crossbars. Each crossbar has a pair of saddle mounts facing each other on opposite sides of a cradle axis being defined perpendicular to the crossbar and equidistant from each saddle mount. Each saddle mount has a pliable upper platform which is conformable to different boat hull shapes. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110139842 | VEHICLE RACK FOR CARRYING A WHEEL - A vehicle rack for carrying a bicycle wheel, a wheel carrier mountable on a load supporting bar of a vehicle rack, and methods of using a vehicle rack and/or wheel carrier to hold a bicycle wheel. In some embodiments, the wheel carrier may include a base, a pair of arms connected to the base and defining slots for receiving an axle of a bicycle wheel, and a strap securable to the base over a rim of the bicycle wheel to restrict removal of the wheel from the arms. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110139844 | SPARE TIRE BIKE MOUNT - A rack for mounting on a spare tire assembly of a vehicle includes a mounting plate engagable to a spare tire mounting bracket of the vehicle, and a mast connected to the mounting plate in a substantially vertical position. The rack also includes a shoulder member connected proximate a top end of the mast and mountable proximate the top end of the mast using a connector at more than one position along a horizontal axis relative to the mast. A hub assembly is connected to the shoulder member, and a pair of arms are connected to the hub assembly that are configured to carry one or more bikes. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20120125964 | HITCH MOUNTED BICYCLE RACKS FOR VEHICLES - A compact carrier apparatus includes one or more bicycle carriers. Each carrier includes wheel support sections configured to engage front and rear bicycle wheels, and a stabilizing arm with a gripping member configured to grip one of the wheels. A wheel support section includes a wheel engagement member disposed on an outer edge of the carrier support structure and oriented so that an engaged wheel projects beyond the outer edge. A bracing arm may selectively extend in a cantilevered fashion relative to the support structure to provide an additional load-bearing support point for such a wheel. The stabilizing arm may be mounted to the support structure at a location rearward of a wheel engagement member, and pivotable to a carrying position to grip the wheel. The path of the stabilizing arm, in the carrying position, traverses the center of the wheel and avoids passing over the fork or the brakes. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120181313 | VEHICLE BOAT LOADING DEVICE - An assembly for loading cargo on top of a vehicle includes at least one load bar oriented perpendicular to a pair of crossbars. The load bar is movable between stowed and loading positions in a direction parallel to the direction of vehicle travel. A rear end of the load bar is connected to a roller device for minimizing friction and avoiding contact with the vehicle when cargo is being elevated to the roof of the vehicle. | 07-19-2012 |
| 20120234881 | LOAD-CARRYING MEMBERS FOR VEHICLE ROOFS - Load-carrying members for vehicle roofs are disclosed. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for use with a crossbar mounted to a vehicle roof. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a body and an arm pivotably mounted to the body. The body may have a load-bearing surface and may be configured to engage the crossbar and retain the load-carrying member proximate the crossbar. The arm may be configured to pivot between a first position and a second position and about an axis that is transverse to the crossbar. In some examples, the load-carrying members may include a pair of spaced apart mounting blocks and a clamping member configured to engage the crossbar in opposition to the pair of spaced apart mounting blocks. In some examples, the load-carrying members may be configured for carrying a boat on a vehicle roof. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20130020364 | PIVOTING HITCH-MOUNTABLE BICYCLE CARRIER - A bicycle rack is configured for mounting to a hitch behind a vehicle. The bike rack may include a mast and a mechanism for locking the mast in an upright position, or alternatively, permitting downward rotation of the mast away from the vehicle for access purposes. The rack includes arms and mounting devices for supporting various tubular components for the bicycle frame. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130020365 | HITCH MOUNTED ARTICLE CARRIERS FOR VEHICLES - An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130020366 | HITCH MOUNTED ARTICLE CARRIERS FOR VEHICLES - An article carrier configured to be detachably mounted to a trailer hitch of a vehicle is disclosed. The article carrier may include a frame having first and second end portions with the first end portion being pivotably mounted to the base allowing the frame to be selectively pivoted about a first axis between a substantially vertical position in which the frame extends upwardly from the base, and a substantially horizontal position in which the frame extends sidewardly from the base, the first axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle; and a carrier assembly connected to the second end portion of the frame and configured to support one or more articles. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130022440 | HITCH-MOUNTABLE BICYCLE CARRIER - A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle. | 01-24-2013 |
