초록 ▼

A rack assembly for carrying recreational equipment on a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one mount attachable to the vehicle, and a load-carrying support member coupled to the mount and configured to support the recreational equipment adjacent the vehicle. At least one securing apparatus is

A rack assembly for carrying recreational equipment on a vehicle. The assembly includes at least one mount attachable to the vehicle, and a load-carrying support member coupled to the mount and configured to support the recreational equipment adjacent the vehicle. At least one securing apparatus is associated with the load-carrying support member and configured to secure the equipment to the support member. The securing apparatus includes a strap adapted to extend at least partially around the recreational equipment, and a ratchet drive mechanism adapted to receive and grip one end of the strap. In one embodiment, the ratchet drive mechanism includes at least one drive actuator that is operable to grip successive portions of the strap and draw it tight around the recreational equipment.

대표청구항 ▼

1. Apparatus for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle having a rear hitch-mount, where the bicycle includes a frame having a top tube, a down tube and a seat tube, the apparatus comprising:a bicycle rack mountable on the vehicle hitch-mount and adapted to support one or more bicycles adjacent the rear of

1. Apparatus for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle having a rear hitch-mount, where the bicycle includes a frame having a top tube, a down tube and a seat tube, the apparatus comprising:a bicycle rack mountable on the vehicle hitch-mount and adapted to support one or more bicycles adjacent the rear of the vehicle during travel, where the rack includes a generally upright mast and at least one support arm extending outwardly from the mast; and at least one assembly mounted on the at least one support arm to hold a bicycle, including load-carrying structure adapted to receive and retain a first one of the frame tubes of the bicycle on the support arm, the load-carrying structure including a cradle member, and a stabilizer member coupled to the load-carrying structure and pivotal about a pivot axis to selectively grip either of the frame tubes of the bicycle other than the first one, while the first one of the frame tubes is fixedly retained by the load-carrying structure, the stabilizer member including an elongate pivot arm with a first end portion proximal to the pivot axis and a second end portion distal to the pivot axis, and a gripping member disposed adjacent the second end portion of the pivot arm.