초록 ▼

A hitch carrier (20) utilizes a telescoping assembly (40) to shiftably mount a cargo unit (26) to a trailer hitch (32) of a vehicle (28). The cargo unit (26) moves between traveling and remote positions. In the remote position, the closure structure (30) of the vehicle (28) can swing open unobstruct

A hitch carrier (20) utilizes a telescoping assembly (40) to shiftably mount a cargo unit (26) to a trailer hitch (32) of a vehicle (28). The cargo unit (26) moves between traveling and remote positions. In the remote position, the closure structure (30) of the vehicle (28) can swing open unobstructed by the cargo unit (26). The hitch carrier (20) has an automatic latch mechanism (36) having a pivoting latch (86) which automatically holds the cargo unit (26) in the remote position and automatically releases the cargo unit (26) when it is forced toward the vehicle (28). The hitch carrier (20) also includes an expandable sleeve (135) to cover the telescoping assembly (40), and an auxiliary equipment carrier (42) to carry larger equipment (174). A lock assembly (38) is provided to hold the cargo unit (26) in the traveling position, and the lock assembly includes a lock pin (120) received in nylon bushings (130,132). Further, cargo unit extension members (44,46) are attachable to the cargo unit (26) to increase cargo space.

대표청구항 ▼

[ Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by letters patent includes the following:] [1.] A hitch carrier adapted to be removably mounted at a rear of a vehicle having a swingable closure structure for closing a rear entran

[ Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by letters patent includes the following:] [1.] A hitch carrier adapted to be removably mounted at a rear of a vehicle having a swingable closure structure for closing a rear entrance of the vehicle and provided with a conventional hitch having an open-ended, rearwardly extending, tubular hitch sleeve, the carrier comprising:a frame assembly;a cargo unit;the frame assembly being provided withelongated forward section configured for insertion in the hitch sleeve in a disposition extending rearwardly from the sleeve,an elongated midsection connected to and projecting rearwardly from the forward section,an elongated rear section telescopically coupled with and slidably mounted to the midsection for substantially horizontal and linear movement along a length thereof, andcargo unit support structure connected to and carried by the rear section in a transversely extending relationship to the rear section and being movable therewith,the cargo unit being mounted on the cargo unit support structure and horizontally shiftable with the rear section through a plurality of unlatched positions in a direction substantially parallel to an axis of the hitch sleeve; anda latch mechanism on the frame assembly for automatically latching the rear section to the midsection when the rear section has been moved to a predetermined remote position relative to the midsection allowing the closure structure to swing to its open position without striking the cargo unit supported on the frame assembly,the latch mechanism being operable to automatically unlatch the rear section of the frame assembly from the midsection when the rear section with the carrier thereon is moved forwardly toward the rear entrance of the vehicle.