초록 ▼

A lightweight bicycle carrier that is easily adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of bicycles and other equipment. The bicycle carrier of the present invention is easily assembled and installed onto the hitch receiver of a vehicle. The bicycle carrier can also be partially di

A lightweight bicycle carrier that is easily adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of sizes and shapes of bicycles and other equipment. The bicycle carrier of the present invention is easily assembled and installed onto the hitch receiver of a vehicle. The bicycle carrier can also be partially disassembled to allow access into the rear of the vehicle without interfering with the vehicle tailgate. The bicycle carrier includes adjustable angular support arms to support bicycles during transport.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A bicycle carrier in combination with at least one bicycle by attachment to wheels of said bicycle, wherein said bicycle carrier comprises: a clamping mechanism for attachment to a vehicle, wherein the clamping mechanism supports the bicycle carrier;a bracket attached to said clamping mechanism;a

1. A bicycle carrier in combination with at least one bicycle by attachment to wheels of said bicycle, wherein said bicycle carrier comprises: a clamping mechanism for attachment to a vehicle, wherein the clamping mechanism supports the bicycle carrier;a bracket attached to said clamping mechanism;a first arm and a second arm, each of which is mounted to the bracket such that the first arm and the second arm extend upwardly in different directions, wherein the first arm and the second arm extend upwardly from different positions on the bracket, wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the bracket form a substantially V-shaped arrangement located above the clamping mechanism;a first bicycle wheel cradle and a second bicycle wheel cradle, each of which is adjustably mounted to the first arm and the second arm, respectively, for supporting a bicycle from a first wheel of the bicycle and a second wheel of the bicycle where said cradles contact said bicycle wheels at approximately a 12 o′clock position such that the bicycle is maintained in an upright position,wherein the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle are adjustable along each length of the first arm and the second arm, such that the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle are adjustable in both an X and a Y direction such that the cradles are moveable and adjustable relative to said arms in multiple fixed positions up and down the length of said arms. 2. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm have a first side and a second side, wherein the first bicycle wheel cradle is disposed on the first side of the first arm, wherein the second bicycle wheel cradle is disposed on the first side of the second arm, and whereby the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle provide a capability to support the bicycle. 3. The bicycle carrier of claim 2, further comprising: a third bicycle wheel cradle and a fourth bicycle wheel cradle, wherein the third bicycle wheel cradle and the fourth bicycle wheel cradle are adjustable along each length of the first arm and the second arm such that the third bicycle wheel cradle and the fourth bicycle wheel cradle are adjustable in both the X and the Y direction,wherein the third bicycle wheel cradle and the fourth bicycle wheel cradle receive a first wheel and a second wheel, respectively, of a second bicycle,wherein the third bicycle wheel cradle and the fourth bicycle wheel cradle support a total weight of the second bicycle in the upright position, andwherein the third bicycle wheel cradle and the fourth bicycle wheel cradle are adapted for fitting between a pair of spokes of the first wheel and the second wheel of the second bicycle. 4. The bicycle carrier of claim 3, further comprising: a third clamping mechanism and a fourth clamping mechanism, wherein the third clamping mechanism and the fourth clamping mechanism are attached to the third bicycle wheel cradle and the fourth bicycle wheel cradle, respectively, andwherein the third clamping mechanism and the fourth clamping mechanism secure the first wheel and the second wheel of the second bicycle, respectively, to the third bicycle wheel cradle and the fourth bicycle wheel cradle, respectively. 5. The bicycle carrier of claim 4, wherein the first arm and the second arm have a first side and a second side, wherein the third bicycle wheel cradle is disposed on the second side of the first arm, wherein the fourth bicycle wheel cradle is disposed on the second side of the second arm, and whereby the third bicycle wheel cradle and the fourth bicycle wheel cradle provide a capability to support the second bicycle. 6. The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein said bicycle carrier further comprises: telescoping arms slidably mounted into the first arm and the second arm; and a locking mechanism for securing said telescoping arms from movement relative to the first arm and the second arm. 7. The bicycle carrier of claim 6 wherein said locking mechanism comprises: an eccentric cam locking mechanism. 8. The bicycle carrier of claim 6, wherein said mechanism comprises: a pin locking mechanism. 9. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm comprises: a mounting mechanism for securing the first arm and the second arm to said bracket to allow the first arm and the second arm to be independently, pivotally adjustable to change one or more angular positions of the first arm and the second arm relative to said bracket. 10. The bicycle carrier of claim 9, wherein said mounting mechanism comprises: an infinitely adjustable mounting mechanism for allowing the first arm and the second arm to be adjusted between zero and ninety degrees relative to said bracket. 11. The bicycle carrier of claim 9 wherein said mounting mechanism comprises: one or more adjustable mounting mechanisms for allowing the first arm and the second arm to be adjusted among pre-selected positions relative to said bracket. 12. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said bicycle carrier further comprises: said first bicycle wheel cradle is attached to a first collar mounted to the first arm where said first collar is moveable along said first arm;said second bicycle wheel cradle is attached to a second collar mounted to the second arm where said second collar is moveable along said second arm; andan elastic cord mounted to said first collar that is then stretched over the first wheel of said bicycle and engaged to one of the first collar and the second collar in order to prevent the first wheel from articulating relative to said bicycle carrier. 13. The bicycle carrier of claim 12, further comprising another elastic cord mounted to said second collar that is then stretched over the second wheel of said bicycle and engaged to one of the first collar and the second collar in order to prevent the second wheel from articulating relative to said bicycle carrier. 14. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said clamping mechanism comprises: an elongated tube for insertion into a hitch receiver of a vehicle; and a clamp securing said bracket to said elongated tube. 15. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said clamping mechanism comprises: a clamp for attaching said bracket to a tongue of a trailer. 16. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said clamping mechanism comprises: a clamp for attaching said bracket to a vehicle attachment. 17. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said bicycle carrier further comprises: a bumper for cushioning the bicycle from movement against said bicycle carrier. 18. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein said bicycle carrier further comprises: a bumper mounted on an eccentric axis around the first arm and the second arm in order to provide adjustable cushioning for said bicycle secured to said bicycle carrier. 19. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, further comprising one or more adjustment mechanisms for adjusting positions of the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle relative to the first arm and the second arm. 20. The bicycle carrier of claim 1 wherein said bicycle carrier further comprises: a lower bicycle securing mechanism adapted to secure a pedal of said bicycle to prevent said bicycle from articulating relative to the bicycle carrier. 21. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, wherein the lower bicycle securing mechanism further comprises: a collar mounted to said bicycle carrier;an elastic cord mounted to said collar; andan engaging member on said elastic cord for securing said bicycle to said bicycle carrier. 22. The bicycle carrier of claim 1, further comprising: at least a first securing mechanism and a second securing mechanism attached to the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle, respectively,wherein the at least the first securing mechanism and the second securing mechanism secure the first wheel and the second wheel of said bicycle, respectively, to the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle, respectively. 23. A bicycle carrier, in combination with at least one bicycle by attachment to wheels of said bicycle, wherein said bicycle carrier comprises: a shank for insertion into a hitch receiver;a bracket, wherein the shank is secured to the bracket;a first arm and a second arm, each of which is mounted to the bracket such that the first arm and the second arm extend upwardly in different directions, wherein the first arm and the second arm extend upwardly from different positions on the bracket, and, thereby, the first arm, the second arm, and the bracket form a substantially V-shaped arrangement located above the shank;a bicycle wheel, adjustable, clamping mechanism, which is adjustably mounted to each of said first arm and said second arm, wherein the bicycle wheel, adjustable, clamping mechanism supports a bicycle from a wheel of the bicycle at an approximately 12 o′clock position on said wheel such that the bicycle is maintained in an upright position,wherein said bicycle wheel, adjustable, clamping mechanism is adjustable along each length of the first arm and the second arm such that said bicycle wheel, adjustable, clamping mechanism is adjustable in both an X and a Y direction such that the cradles are moveable and adjustable relative to said arms in multiple fixed positions up and down the length of said arms; anda lower bicycle securing mechanism disposed on the shank, the lower bicycle securing mechanism adapted to secure a pedal of said bicycle to prevent said bicycle from articulating relative to the bicycle carrier. 24. A bicycle carrier in combination with at least one bicycle by attachment to wheels of said bicycle, wherein said bicycle carrier comprises: a clamping mechanism for attachment to a vehicle, wherein the clamping mechanism supports the bicycle carrier;a bracket attached to the clamping mechanism;a first arm and a second arm, each of which is mounted to the bracket such that the first arm and the second arm extend upwardly in different directions, wherein the first arm and the second arm extend upwardly from different positions on the bracket, wherein the different positions extend in the different directions from a center portion of the bracket, and, thereby, the first arm, the second arm, and the bracket form a substantially V-shaped arrangement located above the clamping mechanism;a first bicycle wheel cradle and a second bicycle wheel cradle, each of which is adjustably mounted to the first arm and the second arm, respectively, for supporting a bicycle from a first wheel of the bicycle and a second wheel of the bicycle such that the bicycle is maintained in an upright position, wherein the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle are adjustable along each length of the first arm and the second arm, such that the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle are adjustable in both an X and a Y direction such that the cradles are moveable and adjustable relative to said arms in multiple fixed positions up and down the length of said arms;a first clamping mechanism and a second clamping mechanism attached to the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle, respectively, wherein the first clamping mechanism and the second clamping mechanism secure the first wheel and the second wheel of said bicycle, respectively, to the first bicycle wheel cradle and the second bicycle wheel cradle, respectively such that said cradles contact said bicycle wheels at approximately a 12 o′clock position; anda lower bicycle securing mechanism adapted to secure a pedal of said bicycle to prevent said bicycle from articulating relative to the bicycle carrier.