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A bike carrier device that has a vehicle connection bar such as one for trailer hitch securement and a cross frame structure preferably having a set of first and second cross bars that each extend to opposite sides of the connection bar and are spaced apart in a direction of elongation of the connec

A bike carrier device that has a vehicle connection bar such as one for trailer hitch securement and a cross frame structure preferably having a set of first and second cross bars that each extend to opposite sides of the connection bar and are spaced apart in a direction of elongation of the connection bar. The first and second cross bars are preferably interconnected by one or more interconnection bars that preferably extend transverse to the cross bar and are integrated with the cross bars and preferably provide sliding support relative to one or more vertical stabilizing bars having looped strapping threading and fixation devices in an upper region for bike frame stabilization strapping. The cross frame structure is supported on the vehicle connection bar such as through fasteners extending through the stacked cross frame structure and connection bar at the two intersection points of the cross bars (or extensions of the cross frame structure) with the connection bar. Side rails are provided (preferably on each free end of a double H-shaped configured cross frame structure) to providing underlying bike support such as by tire contact with opposite side rails supported by the cross bars which are insufficient in length (e.g., less than 2 feet) to provide tire contact support. The side rails also preferably support cradles and/or tire strap downs which straps can also be used with the stabilization bars. A method of assembling this bike carrier is also discussed.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bike carrier, comprising:a vehicle connection member;a cross frame structure supported by said vehicle connection member, said cross frame structure extending out to opposite sides of said vehicle connection member;a first side rail which is releasably secured to a first extension of said cross

1. A bike carrier, comprising:a vehicle connection member;a cross frame structure supported by said vehicle connection member, said cross frame structure extending out to opposite sides of said vehicle connection member;a first side rail which is releasably secured to a first extension of said cross frame structure so as to further extend out to one of said opposite sides for support of a bike on the first side rail; anda bike frame stabilization bar which extends up from said cross frame for bike frame contact and is adjustable from one fixed position to a second position on said cross frame by a securement device. 2. The bike carrier of claim 1, wherein said cross frame support structure further includes a second extension and a second side rail and wherein said second side rail is releasably secured to said second extension and the second side rail and second extension extend to an opposite side of said vehicle connection member for support of the bike on the second side rail. 3. The bike carrier of claim 2 wherein said cross frame structure is releasably secured to said vehicle connection member and is of a length insufficient to provide underlying contact support to the bike being supported by said side rails. 4. The bike carrier of claim 3 wherein said side rails are elongated and have a length in a direction of elongation which is equal to a maximum length of elongation of said cross frame structure along a direction of extension elongation. 5. The bike carrier of claim 1 wherein said stabilization bar has a main bar and a thread through loop member supported thereon. 6. A bike carrier, comprising:a vehicle connection bar;a cross frame structure comprised of a set of first and second cross bars that each extend to opposite sides of said connection bar and are spaced apart in a direction of elongation of said connection bar, said first and second cross bars being interconnected by first and second interconnection bars, which extend more parallel than transverse to an extension length of said connection bar and are positioned to opposite sides of said cross frame structure and said cross frame structure, with set of cross bars and interconnection bars, being supported by said vehicle connection bar;a first side rail supported by said first cross bar and extending further out away from said connection bar, and a second side rail supported by said second cross bar and extending further out away from said connection bar for underlying bike support. 7. The bike carrier of claim 6 further comprising third and fourth side rails with the third and fourth side rails being connected to said first and second cross bars, respectively, and with said third and fourth side rails extending out farther than said cross frame structure to an opposite side of said connection bar than said first and second side rails extend out from. 8. The bike carrier of claim 7 wherein said cross frame structure is a unitary member. 9. The bike carrier of claim 8 wherein said first and second interconnection bars are spaced apart relative to a direction of elongation of said first cross bar. 10. The bike carrier of claim 9 wherein said first and second interconnection bars are positioned as to have a common upper level with that of said cross bars. 11. The bike carrier of claim 7 wherein said first and second cross bars extend perpendicular to said connection bar and said side rails extend out from respective free ends of said cross bars to form underlying bike support locations. 12. The bike carrier of claim 6 wherein said interconnection bars extend parallel with said connection bar and are each spaced apart relative to a direction of elongation of said first cross bar. 13. The bike carrier of claim 12 wherein said first and second interconnection bars are welded to said first and second cross bars to form a unitary, double H-shaped support structure. 14. The bike carrier of claim 6 further comprising a first fastener which releasably fastens said cros s frame structure to said connection bar at a location between opposing sides of said first and second interconnection bars. 15. The bike carrier of claim 14 further comprising a second fastener which releasably fastens said cross frame structure to said connection bar at a location spaced along a direction of elongation of said connection bar. 16. The bike carrier as recited in claim 14 wherein said first and second fasteners extend through respective intermediate areas of said cross bars and through respective location on said connection bar. 17. The bike carrier as recited in claim 6 wherein said cross frame structure is a unitary, double H-Shaped body. 18. The bike carrier as recited in claim 6 wherein each of said cross bars have first and second free ends and said carrier comprises third and fourth side rails with said first, second, third and fourth side rails being releasably fastened to a respective free ends of said cross bars. 19. The bike carrier as recited in claim 18 further comprising attachment means which the cross bars and side rails together at respective fastening points so as to be in a stacked relationship. 20. The bike carrier as recited in claim 11 further comprising a stabilizing bar which extends up off said cross frame structure for stabilization of a bike supported on said side rails. 21. The bike carrier as recited in claim 20 wherein said stabilization bar includes a thread through strapping connection for bike frame strapping. 22. The bike carrier as recited in claim 6 further comprising bike wheel positioning means for tire position retention relative to said side rails on which a bike tire is in contact with. 23. The bike carrier as recited in claim 22 wherein said bike carrier wheel positioning includes tire cradles adjustably supported by said side rails. 24. The bike carrier as recited in claim 23 further comprising tie down straps used in conjunction with said cradles and which are universal in length and configuration for use relative to said bike frame strapping. 25. The bike carrier as recited in claim 6 further comprising first and second stabilization bars which extend up from said cross frame structure and include sliding brackets at a base which are sized for adjustable positioning on respective interconnection bars. 26. A bike carrier, comprising:a vehicle connection member;a cross frame structure supported by said vehicle connection member, said cross frame structure extending out to opposite sides of said vehicle connection member, and wherein said cross frame structure is configured as a double H-Shaped body with a first pair of frame elements extending more transverse than parallel relative to a direction of extension of said connection member and a second set of frame elements extending more parallel than transverse to said connection member, and said second frame elements extending between and connected to said first pair of frame elements;a first pair of side rails which are releasably secured, respectively, to ends of frame elements in said first pair of frame elements, and said first pair of side rails extend out for bike wheel support. 27. The bike carrier of claim 26, wherein said cross frame support structure further includes a second pair of side rails secured, respectively, to remaining free ends of said frame elements, and said second pair of side rails extend out for bike wheel support. 28. The bike carrier of claim 26, wherein said cross frame structure is releasably secured to said vehicle connection member. 29. The bike carrier of claim 28, wherein each of said side rails is elongated and has a length in a direction of elongation which is equal to a maximum length of elongation of said cross frame structure along a direction of extension elongation. 30. The bike carrier of claim 26, wherein said cross frame has a length insufficient to provide underlying contact support to opposite wheel of a bike. 31. The bike carrier of claim 26 further comprising a stabilizatio n bar which extends up from said cross frame. 32. The bike carrier of claim 31, wherein said stabilization bar is adjustable from one fixed position to a second position on said cross frame by a securement device. 33. The bike carrier of claim 32, wherein said stabilization bar has a main bar and a thread through loop member supported thereon. 34. A method of assembling a bike carrier, comprising:providing a vehicle connection bar;securing a cross frame structure having a double H-shaped configuration comprising a first spaced apart set of frame elements extending more transverse than parallel relative to an extension length of said vehicle connection bar and a second set of spaced apart frame elements extending more parallel than transverse to the extension length of said vehicle connection bar and with the elements of said second set of frame elements being positioned, respectively to opposite sides of said vehicle connection bar; andsecuring side rails to free ends of said elements of said first set of elements so as to provide underlying front and rear tire support means based on said side rails. 35. The method of claim 34 further comprising arranging said cross bars to extend transversely to a direction of elongation of said vehicle connection bar and said interconnection bars to extend parallel and to opposite sides of said vehicle connection bar, and further adjustably positioning stabilizing bars on said interconnection bars. 36. The method of claim 35 further comprising providing tire position maintenance means on said side rails and strapping on said stabilizing bars. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein said tire positioning means includes cradles and tire tie down strapping. 38. The method of claim 34 further comprising securing a stabilizing bar which extends up off said cross frame structure for stabilization of a bike frame of a bike supported on said side rails. 39. The method of claim 34 further comprising providing a cross frame structure that is a unitary, welded together member.