초록 ▼

A sporting goods carrier combines the standardized racks and flexibility of a car top carrier with the ease of access and gas conservation of a hitch mounted carrier by providing standard roof rails extending parallel to the mount (and thus parallel to the vehicle) so that sporting equipment such as

A sporting goods carrier combines the standardized racks and flexibility of a car top carrier with the ease of access and gas conservation of a hitch mounted carrier by providing standard roof rails extending parallel to the mount (and thus parallel to the vehicle) so that sporting equipment such as bicycles, skis and so on may be carried cross-wise to the vehicle at the rear. Using standardized load bars allows the hitch mounted device to accept the many types of roof rack sports equipment carriers already on the market. Load bars may be tilted, U-shaped, moved in and outward and the mount may be rotated below bumper level to allow easy loading and unloading of the vehicle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A sporting equipment carrier for use with a vehicular receiver mounted on a vehicle having a bumper, the carrier comprising: a mount; the mount having a horizontal member having a first end extending into the receiver and a second end protruding from such receiver, the mount excluding a vertical

1. A sporting equipment carrier for use with a vehicular receiver mounted on a vehicle having a bumper, the carrier comprising: a mount; the mount having a horizontal member having a first end extending into the receiver and a second end protruding from such receiver, the mount excluding a vertical member;a main rack member extending from the mount;a plurality of secondary members extending horizontally from and perpendicular to the main rack member;a plurality of standard load bars extending horizontally from the secondary members and parallel to the mount and perpendicular to such vehicle bumper,a pivot connecting the mount to the main rack member, the pivot having at least three positions, a first position in which the main rack member, secondary rack members and standard load bars remain horizontal and a second position in which the main rack member, secondary rack members and standard load bars rotate to a vertical orientation, and a third position in which the main rack member, secondary rack members and standard load bars rotate below the horizontal first position. 2. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of positions at which the standard load bars may be placed, whereby a distance between the standard load bars may be changed. 3. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 2, further comprising: a plurality of quick disconnect couplers connecting the standard load bars to the secondary rack members, whereby the standard load bars may be easily removed, whereby a second different group of standard load bars may be easily installed. 4. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 3, wherein each quick disconnect coupler further comprises: at least one hole passing through the disconnect coupler, the hole through the disconnect coupler aligning to a hole passing through the secondary rack members, and a bolt passing through both of the holes;and at least one slot oriented to open downward;the secondary rack member having thereon at least one post dimensioned and configured to engage the at least one slot of the quick disconnect coupler when the two holes are aligned. 5. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 3, wherein each standard load bar further comprises: a U shaped planform having inner and outer parts and an end part connecting the inner and outer parts. 6. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 5, wherein each quick disconnect couple further comprises: a central portion connected to one of the secondary rack members and two leg portions extending upward, wherein the leg portions are of different lengths;whereby when the quick disconnect coupler is connected to one of the secondary rack members in a first position, the inner part of the standard load bar is higher than the outer part of the standard load bar, and when the quick disconnect coupler is connected to one of the secondary rack members in a second position, the outer part of the standard load bar is higher than the inner part of the standard load bar. 7. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 1, the secondary members having a C-beam cross-section. 8. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 1, wherein the pivot further comprises: a plate having an arcuate race passing therethrough, the plate secured to the mount;a hinge bolt passing through the plate and through the main rack member whereby they are pivotally attached;an adjustment knob having an extension passing through the plate and through the main rack member, the adjustment knob having first and second adjustment positions, the first adjustment position being loose whereby the main rack member may pivot in relation to the mount and the pivot may attain any of the first, second and third pivot positions, the second adjustment position being tight, whereby the main rack member is secured and may not pivot. 9. A sporting equipment carrier for use with a vehicular receiver mounted on a vehicle having a bumper, the carrier comprising: a mount; the mount having a horizontal member having a first end extending into the receiver and a second end protruding from such receiver, the mount excluding a vertical member;a main rack member extending from the mount;a plurality of secondary members extending horizontally from the main rack member at an angle thereto;a plurality of standard load bars extending horizontally from the secondary members and parallel to the mount and perpendicular to the bumper, a pivot connecting the mount to the main rack member, the pivot having at least three positions, a first position in which the main rack member, secondary rack members and standard load bars remain horizontal and a second position in which the main rack member, secondary rack members and standard load bars rotate to a vertical orientation, and a third position in which the main rack member, secondary rack members and standard load bars rotate below the horizontal first position. 10. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of positions at which the standard load bars may be placed, whereby a distance between the standard load bars may be changed. 11. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 10, further comprising: a plurality of quick disconnect couplers connecting the standard load bars to the secondary rack members, whereby the standard load bars may be easily removed, whereby a second different group of standard load bars may be easily installed. 12. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 11, wherein each quick disconnect coupler further comprises: at least one hole passing through the disconnect coupler, the hole through the disconnect coupler aligning to a hole passing through the secondary rack members, and a bolt passing through both of the holes;and at least one slot oriented to open downward;the secondary rack member having thereon at least one post dimensioned and configured to engage the at least one slot of the quick disconnect coupler when the two holes are aligned. 13. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 11, wherein each standard load bar further comprises: a U shaped planform having inner and outer parts and and end part connecting the inner and outer parts. 14. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 13, wherein each quick disconnect couple further comprises: a central portion connected to one of the secondary rack members and two leg portions extending upward, wherein the leg portions are of different lengths;whereby when the quick disconnect coupler is connected to one of the secondary rack members in a first position, the inner part of the standard load bar is higher than the outer part of the standard load bar, and when the quick disconnect coupler is connected to one of the secondary rack members in a second position, the outer part of the standard load bar is higher than the inner part of the standard load bar. 15. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 9, the secondary members having a C-beam cross-section. 16. The sporting equipment carrier of claim 9, wherein the pivot further comprises: a plate having an arcuate race passing therethrough, the plate secured to the mount;a hinge bolt passing through the plate and through the main rack member whereby they are pivotally attached;an adjustment knob having an extension passing through the plate and through the main rack member, the adjustment knob having first and second adjustment positions, the first adjustment position being loose whereby the main rack member may pivot in relation to the mount and the pivot may attain any of the first, second and third pivot positions, the second adjustment position being tight, whereby the main rack member is secured and may not pivot.