Bicycle Carrier with Integrated Work Stand

Abstract

A bicycle carrier is provided with an integrated work stand to support a bicycle during maintenance or repair. The integrated work stand may be used when the bicycle carrier is in a non-use configuration. The non-use configuration may also comprise a storage configuration for the bicycle carrier. The integrated work stand may retract into the bicycle carrier. The integrated work stand may include an arm with a clamp mechanism at one end of the arm. The bicycle carrier may include a locking mechanism to lock the integrated work stand in place with respect to the bicycle carrier. Integrated work stands having jaws may capture the frame of a bicycle in the jaws.

1 . A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising:
 a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration;   a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member, the bicycle docking assembly comprising an arm extending from the support member and a clamp mechanism attached to the arm, the clamp mechanism spaced apart from the support member;   wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member to a plurality of bicycle support positions;   wherein when the support member is in the non-use configuration the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle at least partially off the ground at one of the plurality of bicycle support positions by securing a portion of a frame of the bicycle in the clamp mechanism; and   wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1  wherein the non-use configuration is a storage configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1  wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for clamping a portion of a bicycle frame. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1  wherein extending the arm configures the bicycle docking assembly to support the bicycle with both wheels off the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 1  wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member. 
     
     
         6 . A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising:
 a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration;   a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member, the bicycle docking assembly comprising an arm extending from the support member and a clamp mechanism attached to the arm, the clamp mechanism spaced apart from the support member;   wherein the arm pivots with respect to the support member;   and a locking assembly to fix the arm with respect to the support member;   wherein when the support member is in the non-use configuration the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle at least partially off the ground by securing a portion of a frame of the bicycle in the clamp mechanism; and   wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.   
     
     
         7 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 6  wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 7  wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 8  wherein extending the arm configures the bicycle docking assembly to support the bicycle with both wheels off the ground. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 6  wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for clamping a portion of a bicycle frame. 
     
     
         11 . A bicycle carrier for a vehicle comprising:
 a support member configured to attach to a vehicle and pivoting from a use configuration to a non-use configuration;   a bicycle docking assembly attached to the support member;   wherein when the support member is in a non-use configuration, the bicycle docking assembly is configured to support a bicycle by its frame to allow for repair or adjustments; and   wherein the bicycle docking assembly comprises an arm with a clamp mechanism at an end thereof, and the clamp mechanism comprises a ratchet and pawl mechanism.   
     
     
         12 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 11  wherein the bicycle docking assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 12  wherein the arm extends and retracts with respect to the support member. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 13  wherein the arm extends from and retracts into the support member. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 13  further comprising a locking assembly configured to lock the bicycle docking assembly with respect to the support member. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 15  wherein the locking assembly comprises a latch to prevent movement of the arm with respect to the support member. 
     
     
         17 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 15  wherein the clamp mechanism comprises a pair of jaws for squeezing a portion of a frame of a bicycle. 
     
     
         18 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 11  wherein the non-use configuration is a storage configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 11  wherein the bicycle docking assembly supports the bicycle with both wheels above the ground. 
     
     
         20 . The bicycle carrier of  claim 12  wherein the bicycle docking assembly pivots with respect to the support member from a stored position to a use position.