Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Platform attached
Patent
1991-05-31
1992-12-08
Recla, Henry J.
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Platform attached
224 4203R, 224 4203B, B60R 700, B60R 900
Patent
active
051690420
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to bicycle carrying racks for motor vehicles in general, and more specifically to racks that fit a trailer hitch of the vehicle with arms that rotate downward out of the way when not in use.
BACKGROUND ART
Previously, many types of racks have been in common use to carry bicycles on cars, vans and station wagons. In the past attachment to the vehicle has been limited to direct connection or clamping to the frame or bumper, or in other instances, strapped to the vehicle using suction cups, roof carriers, and the like.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however, the following U.S. patents were considered related:
______________________________________ Patent No. Inventor Filing Date
______________________________________
DES 298,746 Witworth et al
Oct. 31, 1986
DES 295,030 Wahl Apr. 23, 1984
4,298,151 O'Connor Apr. 6, 1978
4,128,195 Collins Apr. 29, 1977
4,050,616 Mosow Sep. 19, 1975
3,921,869 Rogers May 6, 1974
3,877,622 McLain Sep. 27, 1972
______________________________________
O'Connor teaches a bicycle carrier that interfaces into holes in the bumper and a clamp attaching to the body. The bicycles rest on a diagonally girded bracket attached to a vertical frame structure with a pivoting arm locking the bicycle in place.
Collins employs a frame that is clamped onto a car bumper creating an emergency protective guard with a second frame connected thereto having vertical uprights. The vertical member is cantilevered outward and contains recesses for holding cicyle frames.
Mosow, again, attaches his rack to the bumper of an automobile, however, his frame telescopes vertically for height adjustment to accommodate a particular bicycle mounted on a given vehicle. Attachment of the bicycle is by a pair of cantilevered arms.
Rogers, on the other hand, teaches a bicycle carrying rack for mounting on an automobile that supports the bicycle by their handle bars and seats in a vertical position.
McLain approaches the problem of carrying a bicycle on a motor vehicle by clamping a pair of vertical members to the bumper and utilizing a channel top plate formed as an open channel and a pair of arms locked into the plate. The arms hold the bicycle and fold out of the way when not in use.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates reference may be made to the remaining cited patents issued to Wall and Witworth et al.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The need for transporting bicycles on motor vehicles has been with us for many years particularly now when the bicycle is used for recreational purposes and not basically for transportation. Many riders living in large cities transport their bicycles to a safer and more convenient area for use and, as such, require a method of attachment of the bicycle to the vehicle, as it is inherently too large to fit inside.
It is a primary object of the invention to not only fill the need for a basic carrier but to improve upon its utility by employing an apparatus for attachment that already exists on the motor vehicle and is much stronger than the bumper itself. Many automobiles, vans, and station wagons are equipped with a standard bumper hitch for towing trailers, and it is to these vehicles that this invention is directed. Government standards have been established to make the size and strength of these hitches uniform. A classification has been established typically class 1, 2, and 3 for conventional vehicles. The invention covers these classifications in two embodiments and utilizes the inherent strength and size limitations by attaching directly to the top of a class 1 and 2 through the hole for the ball hitch and directly into the square socket of the box hitch in the class 3 configuration.
An important object of the invention, along with the inherent strength and convenience of location is the ability of the rack to rotate the bicycle mounting arms downward out of the way when not in use. Th
REFERENCES:
patent: 3794227 (1974-02-01), Stearns
patent: 4352363 (1982-10-01), Wilson
patent: 4640658 (1987-02-01), Webb, Jr.
patent: 4676413 (1987-06-01), Began et al.
patent: 4676414 (1987-06-01), Deguevara
patent: 4726499 (1988-02-01), Hoerner
patent: 4856686 (1989-08-01), Workentine
patent: 5004133 (1991-04-01), Wyers
Recla Henry J.
Walczak David J.
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