Hitch mounted bicycle racks for vehicles

Abstract

A compact carrier apparatus includes one or more bicycle carriers. Each carrier includes wheel support sections configured to engage front and rear bicycle wheels, and a stabilizing arm with a gripping member configured to grip one of the wheels. A wheel support section includes a wheel engagement member disposed on an outer edge of the carrier support structure and oriented so that an engaged wheel projects beyond the outer edge. A bracing arm may selectively extend in a cantilevered fashion relative to the support structure to provide an additional load-bearing support point for such a wheel. The stabilizing arm may be mounted to the support structure at a location rearward of a wheel engagement member, and pivotable to a carrying position to grip the wheel. The path of the stabilizing arm, in the carrying position, traverses the center of the wheel and avoids passing over the fork or the brakes.

1 . A carrier apparatus for carrying a bicycle on a vehicle, comprising:
 a carrier support structure having a first end portion, a middle portion, and a second end portion;   a first wheel support section coupled to the first end portion of the carrier support structure, the first wheel support section including:
 a wheel engagement member mounted on the carrier support structure and configured to engage the first wheel at a first wheel location, thereby providing a first support point for the wheel; and 
 a bracing arm pivotally attached to the first end portion of the carrier support structure independent from the wheel engagement member configured to selectively move, relative to the carrier support structure, between a stowed position and a carrying position in which the bracing arm is adapted to engage the first wheel at a second wheel location, thereby providing a second support point for the wheel, wherein the first and second support points are configured to support a wheel so that a central point of the wheel extends beyond the first end portion of the carrier support structure when the bracing arm is in the carrying position; 
   a second wheel support section coupled to the second end portion of the carrier support structure and configured to engage a second wheel of the bicycle; and   a stabilizing arm coupled to the carrier support structure and including a gripping member configured to selectively grip the first wheel at a third wheel location when the wheel is engaged with the first wheel engagement section,   wherein a distal end of the bracing arm is pivotable between the stowed position in which the distal end is directed toward the second wheel support section, and the carrying position in which the distal end is directed in an opposite direction from its orientation in the stowed position.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end is proximate the second wheel support section in the stowed position. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the distal end is proximate the second wheel engagement member in the stowed position. 
     
     
         4 . A bicycle rack comprising
 a beam having a first end potion and a second end portion, and a central longitudinal axis extending from the first end portion to the second end potion, and   a first arm and a second arm, each arm being pivotally mounted on the first end portion of the beam, each arm being free to pivot between a stowed position and a carrying position for securing and carrying a bicycle, wherein the first arm pivots approximately 180 degrees from its stowed position to its carrying position in which the first arm cradles a bottom portion of a bicycle wheel, and the second arm pivots from its stowed position to its carrying position in which the second arm grips an upper portion of the bicycle wheel cradled by the first arm.   
     
     
         5 . The bicycle rack of  claim 4 , further comprising a wheel securing device attached to the second end portion of the beam. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle rack of  claim 5 , wherein the wheel securing device includes a wheel cup pivotally mounted relative to the beam, and a strap for holding a bicycle wheel in the wheel cup. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle rack of  claim 4 , wherein the first arm is a hoop. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle rack of  claim 4 , wherein the first arm is symmetrical relative to the longitudinal axis of the beam. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle rack of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second arms pivot around the same axis. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle rack of  claim 4 , wherein the first arm pivots from its stowed position in which the first arm is substantially folded back on the beam, to its carrying position in which the first arm is extended to a maximum distance away from the second end portion of the beam. 
     
     
         11 . A bicycle rack comprising
 a beam having a first end portion and a second end portion, a central longitudinal axis extending from the first end portion to the second end potion, and   a first arm and a second arm, each arm being pivotally mounted on the first end portion of the beam, each arm being free to pivot between a stowed position and a carrying position for securing and carrying a bicycle, wherein the first arm pivots from a stowed position in which the first arm is substantially folded back on the beam directed toward the second end portion of the beam, to its carrying position in which the first arm is extended beyond the first end portion of the beam and directed a maximum distance away from the second end portion of the beam.   
     
     
         12 . The bicycle rack of  claim 11 , wherein the first arm pivots approximately 180 degrees from its stowed position to its carrying position. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle rack of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second arms pivot around the same axis. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle rack of  claim 11 , wherein the first arm is hoop shaped for cradling a bottom portion of a bicycle wheel. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle rack of  claim 11 , wherein the first arm is symmetrical relative to the central longitudinal axis of the beam. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle rack of  claim 11 , wherein the second arm has a sliding hook member for gripping a bicycle wheel.