Bicycle-Carrier Device For Motor Vehicles

Abstract

A bicycle-carrier device includes a brace for connection to the frame of a vehicle, and bearing supporting elements to support one or more bicycles oriented transversely relative to the vehicle. The brace consists of a transverse bar, and the bicycles are supported by at least first and second supporting elements affixed to the bar, in positions that can be adjusted along the bar, so as to receive and support from below the two wheels of a bicycle. Mounted on the bar in an articulated manner is an arm that can be shifted between a raised operating position and a lowered non-operating position. Secured to the bar in an adjustable manner is at least one third supporting element that receives and supports from below an element of a bicycle frame. Each of the supporting elements is provided with means for locking in place the part that is received.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A bicycle-carrying device for motor-vehicles, comprising:
 a connection arm configured to connect to a hitch of a motor-vehicle;   a bar arranged transversely with respect to the connection arm so that the bar is supported by the connection arm, the bar defining a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion arranged between the first and second ends;   an arm for supporting a frame of a bicycle and extending from the intermediate portion of the bar, the arm having a lower end and an upper end, wherein the lower end of the arm is proximate the intermediate portion the bar and arranged to allow the arm to pivot with respect to the intermediate portion of the bar between a raised operative position in which the upper end of the arm is spaced relatively further from the bar and a lowered inoperative position in which the arm is located adjacent the bar and the upper end of the arm is spaced relatively closer to the bar;   a first holding member carried by the bar toward the first end of the bar, the first holding member configured to engage a bottom surface of a first tire of the bicycle for supporting the first tire of the bicycle from below; and   a second holding member carried by the bar toward the second end of the bar, the second holding member configured to engage a bottom surface of a second tire of the bicycle for supporting the second tire of the bicycle from below;   wherein each of the first and second holding members is movable along the bar independently of the other one of the first and second holding members.   
     
     
         15 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the first and second holding members defines a cradle-shaped body. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first and second holding members defines a cradle-shaped body. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 16 , wherein each cradle-shaped body defines a curved lower wall configured to engage the bottom surface of a respective tire of the bicycle. 
     
     
         18 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 17 , wherein each cradle-shaped body is selectively movable about a pivot axis oriented perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the bar. 
     
     
         19 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 17 , wherein each cradle-shaped body is transversely spaced with respect to the bar 
     
     
         20 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 19 , wherein each cradle-shaped body includes a tightening knob for locking the respective cradle-shaped body with respect to the bar, and wherein each of the tightening knob is transversely spaced with respect to the bar. 
     
     
         21 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 20 , wherein each of the tightening knobs and the respective cradle-shaped body are arranged on opposing sides of the bar. 
     
     
         22 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 14 , wherein the bicycle defines a first bicycle and the bicycle-carrying device further comprises:
 a third holding member carried by the bar toward the first end of the bar, the third holding member configured to engage a bottom surface of a first tire of a second bicycle for supporting the first tire of the second bicycle; and   a fourth holding member carried by the bar toward the second end of the bar, the second holding member configured to engage a bottom surface of a second tire of the second bicycle for supporting the second tire of the second bicycle,   wherein each of the third and fourth holding members is movable along the bar independently of the other one of the third and fourth holding members.   
     
     
         23 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 22 , wherein each of the holding members defines a cradle-shaped body. 
     
     
         24 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 23 , wherein each cradle-shaped body is selectively movable about a pivot axis oriented perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the bar. 
     
     
         25 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 24 , wherein each holding member includes a tightening knob for locking the respective holding member with respect to the bar, and wherein each of the tightening knobs is transversely spaced with respect to the bar. 
     
     
         26 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 25 , wherein each of the tightening knobs and the respective holding member are arranged on opposing sides of the bar. 
     
     
         27 . The bicycle-carrying device of  claim 22 , wherein each cradle-shaped body defines a curved lower wall engaging the bottom surface of a respective tire of the bicycle.