Hitch-mountable bicycle carrier

Abstract

A bicycle rack for carrying bicycles behind a vehicle includes a tongue configured for connection to a vehicle hitch. A base portion includes wheel trays for supporting the wheels of a bicycle in cooperation with a slidable hook for contacting the top tube of a bicycle.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A carrier for a bicycle, comprising:
 a tongue portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion being configured for connection to a vehicle hitch;   a base portion connected to the tongue portion and configured to receive and support both wheels of a bicycle; and   a mast structure mounted to the base portion and equipped with a bicycle-securing member having a hook for engaging a top tube of a bicycle supported by the base portion, the securing member being slidably connected to the mast structure to permit movement of the hook up and down the mast structure, the hook being pivotably connected to the mast structure such that the hook can pivot between a bicycle-securing orientation and a bicycle-loading/unloading orientation.   
     
     
         21 . The carrier of  claim 20 , wherein the base portion is pivotably connected to the tongue portion. 
     
     
         22 . The carrier of  claim 20 , wherein the mast structure is pivotable between an upright use position and an at least generally horizontal storage position. 
     
     
         23 . The carrier of  claim 20 , wherein the securing member forms part of a ratchet mechanism that restricts upward motion of the hook while permitting downward motion of the hook along the mast structure. 
     
     
         24 . The carrier of  claim 23 , wherein the ratchet mechanism restricts upward motion of the hook in an engaged configuration, and wherein the ratchet mechanism has a released configuration that permits upward and downward motion of the hook along the mast structure. 
     
     
         25 . The carrier of  claim 20 , wherein the hook has a first position in which the hook is pivotable from the bicycle-securing orientation to the bicycle-loading/unloading orientation and a second position in which the hook is not pivotable from the bicycle-securing orientation. 
     
     
         26 . The carrier of  claim 25 , wherein the securing member includes a mounting portion that supports the hook, and wherein the hook is movable from the first position to the second position without moving the mounting portion. 
     
     
         27 . The carrier of  claim 26 , wherein the hook is spring-biased toward the first position. 
     
     
         28 . The carrier of  claim 20 , wherein the mast structure defines a long axis, and wherein the hook is pivotable about an axis that is at least generally parallel to the long axis. 
     
     
         29 . The carrier of  claim 28 , wherein the mast structure includes an elongate bar on which the securing device is slidably mounted, and wherein the hook is pivotable about an axis that is offset from a long axis defined by the elongate bar. 
     
     
         30 . The carrier of  claim 20 , wherein a bicycle supported by the base portion in an upright configuration defines a first plane, wherein the hook defines a second plane, and wherein the second plane is at least generally orthogonal to the first plane when the hook is disposed in the bicycle-securing orientation, and wherein the second plane is at least generally parallel to the first plane when the hook is disposed in the bicycle-loading/unloading orientation. 
     
     
         31 . The carrier of  claim 20 , wherein the mast structure includes a pair of bars, and wherein a distinct securing member is slidably mounted on each bar. 
     
     
         32 . The carrier of  claim 20 , wherein the mast structure includes a bar along which the securing member slides, and wherein the securing member includes a mounting portion that supports the hook and connects the hook to the bar. 
     
     
         33 . The carrier of  claim 32 , wherein the hook is pivotable independently of the mounting portion. 
     
     
         34 . A method of carrying a bicycle with a carrier mounted to a vehicle, the carrier including a base portion and a mast structure mounted to the base portion and equipped with a securing member having a hook pivotably connected to the mast structure, the method comprising:
 pivoting the hook from a bicycle-loading/unloading orientation to a bicycle-securing orientation, or vice versa;   disposing both wheels of a bicycle on the base portion of the carrier; and   engaging a top tube of the bicycle with the hook such that the bicycle is secured to the carrier.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising a step of moving the hook out of engagement with the top tube, wherein the step of pivoting is performed after the step of moving and disposes the hook in the bicycle-loading/unloading configuration. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the bicycle defines a plane, and wherein the step of pivoting reorients the hook from at least generally orthogonal to the plane to at least generally parallel to the plane. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the step of engaging includes a step of urging the securing member downward until the bicycle is clamped between the hook and the base portion. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising a step of securing at least one of the wheels of the bicycle to the base portion. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising a step of adjusting the hook member from a non-pivotable configuration to a pivotable configuration before the step of pivoting. 
     
     
         40 . A carrier for a bicycle, comprising:
 a tongue portion having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the proximal end portion being configured for connection to a vehicle hitch;   a base portion connected to the tongue portion and configured to receive and support both wheels of a bicycle; and   a mast structure mounted to the base portion and equipped with a bicycle-securing member having a hook for engaging a top tube of a bicycle supported by the base portion, the securing member having a securing configuration in which the securing member is slidable down but not up the mast structure and a released configuration in which the securing member is slidable both up and down the mast structure.